Small splits present in all levels due to interaction between the electron spin and the nuclear spin if it is present, i.e. the nucleus has an even number of nucleons.
As the name suggests, this energy split is very small, since the influence of the nucleus spin on the electron spin is relatively small compared to other fine structure.
For example, for the hydrogen emission spectrum:
- hydrogen 1-2 spectral line: 10.2eV
TODO confirm: does it need quantum electrodynamics or is the Dirac equation enough?
Notable application: caesium standard, which is used to define the second in the International System of Units since 1967.