As an atomic beam propagates across a magnetic field, an electric field is generated, E=V x B. This results in a spectral splitting and polarization of the emitted radiation, known as the Stark effect. The direction of polarization of the emitted radiation provides a measure of the local magnetic field direction or pitch angle. In addition to the electric field generated by the neutral beam, intrinsic electric fields present in the plasma affect the direction of polarization. This has been exploited to measure both the plasma electric field and the magnetic field. Future development of the motional Stark effect utilizing laser induced fluorescence to access much lower magnetic fields will be discussed.
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