We constructed an apparatus to measure the wavelength dispersion of the Faraday rotation in the visible region, and determined the Verdet constants of diamagnetic organic liquids, including aliphatic compounds, benzene derivatives, and naphthalene derivatives. These three groups were easily distinguished by the magnitudes of their Verdet constants. Based on the theory developed by Serber, we determined the enhancing effect of π*←π transitions on the visible-light Faraday rotation angles observed for aromatic compounds. Furthermore, we propose a novel approach for simultaneously observing Faraday rotation dispersion and natural optical rotatory dispersion.

The Faraday effects of 14 lanthanide(III) ion solutions were systematically analyzed on the basis of the Faraday C term. The effective transition probability, K, which measures the magneto-optical contribution of the 4f(n) --> 4f(n-1)5d transition to the molar Verdet constant, was determined. Linear correlations between K and the square root of the molar magnetic susceptibility of the lanthanide(III) ions, chi(m)(1/2), were obtained. From the observed new regularity, K for promethium(III) was estimated.