Weak-field H₃O⁺ ion cyclotron resonance alters water refractive index

ABSTRACT

Heretofore only observed in living systems, we report that weak-field ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) also occurs in inanimate matter. Weak magnetic field (50 nT) hydronium ICR at the field combination (7.84 Hz, 7.5 µT) markedly changes water structure, as evidenced by finding an altered index of refraction exactly at this combined field. This observation utilizes a novel technique which measures the scattering of a He–Ne laser beam as the sample is exposed to a ramped magnetic field frequency. In addition to the hydronium resonance, we find evidence of ICR coupling to a more massive structure, possibly a tetrahedral combination of three waters and a single hydronium ion. To check our observations, we extended this technique to D₂O, successfully predicting the specific ICR charge-to-mass ratio for D₃O⁺ that alters the index of refraction.

KEYWORDS:

• Hydronium ion
• heavy hydronium
• ion cyclotron resonance
• index of refraction
• proton hopping
• water

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Andrea Militello for laser characterization and Mr. Sergio Spicaglia for technical assistance.

Funding

This work has been partially supported by grant number B 20/DIT/2011 from INAIL Italy.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This work has been partially supported by grant number B 20/DIT/2011 from INAIL Italy.