The Effect of Magnetisation on the Nature of Light Emitted by a Substance

IN consequence of my measurements of Kerr’s magneto-optical phenomena, the thought occurred to me whether the period of the light emitted by a flame might be altered when the flame was acted upon by magnetic force. It has turned out that such an action really occurs. I introduced into an oxyhydrogen flame, placed between the poles of a Ruhmkorff’s electromagnet, a filament of asbestos soaked in common salt. The light of the flame was examined with a Rowland’s grating. Whenever the circuit was closed both D lines were seen to widen.