Spin Temperature

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Abstract
The introduction of the concept of spin-temperature into the literature has not been adequately supported by theory and experiment, and it has not been clear when the concept is essential, merely convenient, or possibly inapplicable. In fields high compared to a defined "local field" and where the individual energy levels are equidistant, it is argued that spin temperature is a convenient but unnecessary notion. Where the levels are not equidistant a spin temperature cannot generally be defined. Experiments are cited or described which demonstrate the rapid establishment of a Boltzmann population ratio when three or more levels are equidistant.