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A superscript, a capital letter and a subscript together.
Also known as: Atomic term symbol, Spectroscopic term, Russell-Saunders symbol
A term symbol packs three quantum numbers into one compact expression: the superscript is spin multiplicity, the letter is orbital angular momentum, the subscript is total angular momentum. It reads as a single label but is three independent facts.
Denotes an atomic or molecular electronic state by its spin multiplicity, orbital angular momentum and total angular momentum.
Contexts: Laboratory
Uses letters S, P, D, F for orbital angular momentum values zero to three, a sequence inherited from the spectroscopic terms sharp, principal, diffuse and fundamental.
Contexts: Laboratory
Has its superscript multiplicity equal to twice the total spin plus one, so a superscript 3 means two unpaired electrons rather than three.
Contexts: Laboratory
A small raised numeral before a capital letter, with a small numeral set below and to the right of that letter.