  We have applied an optical method to the measurement of the 2S hyperfine
interval in atomic hydrogen. The interval has been measured by means of
two-photon spectroscopy of the 1S-2S transition on a hydrogen atomic beam
shielded from external magnetic fields. The measured value of the 2S hyperfine
interval is equal to 177 556 860(15) Hz and represents the most precise
measurement of this interval to date. The theoretical evaluation of the
specific combination of 1S and 2S hyperfine intervals D_21 is in moderately
good agreement with the value for D_21 deduced from our measurement.
