ˈsuperˌmultiplet Physics.
[super- 6 b.]
a. A group of transitions in an atom between spectral terms of different multiplicity, all the transitions involving the same change in the orbital quantum number l of an electron from the same initial value.
| 1927 Russell & Meggers in Sci. Papers Bureau of Standards (U.S.) XX. 331 The five terms first mentioned are evidently closely related, and their combinations with the triad 3P, 3D{p}, 3F can be arranged in the form of a ‘supermultiplet’. 1935 Condon & Shortley Theory Atomic Spectra ix. 245 The set of all lines arising in transitions between two polyads..having the same parent configuration is known as a supermultiplet. 1972 I. I. Sobel'man Introd. Theory Atomic Spectra xxxi. 313 By summing eqn. (31.48) over all transitions J → J{p} within the given multiplet we obtain the line strength of this multiplet... Summing over LL{p}..gives the line strength of the supermultiplet. |
b. In particle physics, a multiplet (sense b) in the broader sense, comprising particles of different hypercharge as well those of different charge.
| 1952 Ann. Rev. Nucl. Sci. I. 44 The two states belong to the same supermultiplet (in this case a single charge multiplet with S = ½ and T = ½). 1964 New Scientist 27 Feb. 523/3 The discovery of the omega-minus confirms that other groupings of particles into families or ‘supermultiplets’ are valid. 1972 G. L. Wick Elementary Particles v. 82 They thought that all these particles might belong to a larger multiplet, or supermultiplet, which connects both different isotopic spin and different strangeness. |