EPR,optical absorption and superposition model studies of Fe3+-doped cesium chloride single crystals: a case of substitutional as well as interstitial sites

An electron paramagnetic resonance study of Fe³⁺-doped cesium chloride single crystals was carried out at room temperature. Three sites are observed. The spin Hamiltonian parameters were determined from the angular variation of the observed resonance lines. The hyperfine structure is observed due to the presence of Fe⁵⁷ centers. At site I, Fe³⁺ enters the lattice substitutionally, replacing Cs⁺ in the cubic symmetry of the crystal, whereas at sites II and III, Fe³⁺ enters the lattice interstitially. The local site symmetry of Fe³⁺ in the host lattice is considered to be orthorhombic. An optical absorption study of the crystal was also performed at room temperature. The observed bands were assigned and the Racah inter-electronic repulsion parameters (B and C) and the cubic crystal field splitting parameter (Dq) were determined. On the basis of EPR and optical data, the nature of the metal–ligand bonding in the crystal was determined. The crystal field parameters were evaluated using the superposition model and then used in the microscopic spin Hamiltonian and perturbation equations to determine the zero-field splitting parameters (ZFSPs) theoretically for all sites observed. The theoretical ZFSPs are in good agreement with the experimental values.     

Theoretical investigation of zero field splitting parameters for Mn centers in ammonium tartrate

Zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters D and E for Mn²⁺ centers in ammonium tartrate single crystal are calculated with perturbation formulae using the superposition model. The theoretically calculated ZFS parameters for Mn²⁺ at site I and site II of ammonium ion are compared with the experimental values obtained by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) at room temperature. The superposition model gives the ZFS parameters similar to those from experiment. The energy band positions of optical absorption spectrum of Mn²⁺in ammonium tartrate are calculated using the CFA package and crystal field parameters from superposition model. These are in good agreement with experimental energy band positions.     

EPR and Optical Absorption Study of Cr3+-Doped Dipotassium Tetrachloropalladate

X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of Cr³⁺-doped dipotassium tetrachloropalladate single crystal is done at liquid nitrogen temperature. EPR spectrum shows two sites. The spin-Hamiltonian parameters have been evaluated by employing hyperfine resonance lines observed in EPR spectra for different orientations of crystal in externally applied magnetic field. The values of spin-Hamiltonian and zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters of Cr³⁺ ion-doped DTP for site I are: g _x  = 2.096 ± 0.002, g _y  = 2.167 ± 0.002, g _z  = 2.220 ± 0.002, D = (89 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1, E = (16 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1. EPR study indicates that Cr³⁺ ion enters the host lattice substitutionally replacing K⁺ ion and local site symmetry reduces to orthorhombic. Optical absorption spectra are recorded at room temperature. From the optical absorption study, the Racah parameters (B = 521 cm^?1, C = 2,861 cm^?1), cubic crystal field splitting parameter (Dq = 1,851 cm^?1) and nephelauxetic parameters (h = 2.06, k = 0.21) are determined. These parameters together with EPR data are used to discuss the nature of bonding in the crystal.     

EPR, optical absorption and superposition model study of Fe³(+) doped strontium nitrate single crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of Fe3(+) ions doped strontium nitrate (SN) single crystals is performed at liquid nitrogen temperature and at X band frequency. The spin Hamiltonian (SH) parameters are determined from the resonance lines observed at different angular rotations. The crystal field parameters (CFPs) are evaluated using superposition model of Newman. The Zeeman g-factor and zero-field splitting parameters (ZFSPs) of Fe3(+) ion in SN (truncated SH considered) are: g=1.9989 ± 0.002 and ∣D∣=(338 ± 5) × 10?? cm?1, ∣E∣=(10 ± 5)× 10?? cm?1, a=(458 ± 5)× 10?? cm?1, respectively. The Fe3(+) ion enters the lattice substitutionally replacing the Sr2(+) sites of cubic symmetry. The local site symmetry of Fe3(+) ion in the crystal is orthorhombic (lower than that of the host). The optical absorption study of the crystal is also done at room temperature in the wavelength range 195-925 nm. The energy values of different orbital levels are determined. The observed bands are assigned as transitions from the (6)A?(g)(S) ground state to various excited states of Fe3(+) ion in a cubic crystal field approximation. The observed band positions are fitted with four parameters, the Racah interelectronic repulsion parameters (B and C), the cubic crystal field splitting parameter (Dq) and the Trees correction (α) yielding: B=934, C=2059, Dq=1450, and α=90 (in cm?1). On the basis of EPR and optical data, the nature of metal-ligand bonding in this crystal is discussed. The ZFSPs are also determined theoretically using microscopic SH theory based on perturbation theory and CFPs, B(kq) obtained from superposition model. The values of ZFSPs thus obtained are ∣D∣=(340 ± 5) × 10?? cm?1 and ∣E∣=(15 ± 5) × 10?? cm?1.     

EPR, Optical Absorption and Superposition Model Study of Fe3+-Doped Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate Single Crystals

X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies are carried out on Fe³⁺ ions doped in ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) single crystals at room temperature. The crystal field and spin Hamiltonian parameters are evaluated from the resonance lines obtained at different angular rotations. The obtained values of spin Hamiltonian and zero-field parameters of the Fe³⁺ ion in ADP are: g = 1.994 ± 0.002, |D| = (220 ± 5) × 10^?4 cm^?1 and a = (640 ± 5) × 10^?4 cm^?1. On the basis of EPR data, the site symmetry of the Fe³⁺ ion in the crystal is discussed. The Fe³⁺ ion enters the lattice substitutionally replacing the NH₄ ⁺ sites. The optical absorption of the crystal is also studied at room temperature in the wavelength range of 195–925 nm. The energy values of different orbital levels are calculated. The observed bands are assigned as transitions from the ⁶ A _1g (S) ground state to various excited quartet levels of the Fe³⁺ ion in a cubic crystalline field. From the observed band positions, Racah interelectronic repulsion parameters (B and C), cubic crystal field splitting parameter (D _q ) and Trees correction are calculated. There values are: B = 970, C = 1,923, D _q  = 1,380 cm^?1 and α = 90 cm^?1, respectively. On the basis of EPR and optical data, the nature of bonding in the crystal is discussed. The zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters are also determined theoretically using B _kq parameters estimated from the superposition model. The values of ZFS parameters thus obtained are |D| = (213 ± 5) × 10^?4 cm^?1 and |E| = (21 ± 5) × 10^?4 cm^?1.     

Spectroscopic studies on Fe and Mn doped SrB4O7 glasses

EPR and optical absorption studies on Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺ doped strontium tetraborate (SrB₄O₇) glasses are carried out at room temperature. The EPR spectrum of the Fe³⁺ doped glass consists of signals with g-values 9.04, 4.22 and 2.04, whereas the EPR spectrum of Mn²⁺ doped glass exhibits a characteristic hyperfine sextet around g=2.0. The spectroscopic analyses of the obtained results confirmed distorted octahedral site symmetry for the Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺ impurity ions. Crystal field and Racah parameters evaluated from optical absorption spectra are: Dq=790, B=700 and C=3000 cm⁻¹ for Fe³⁺doped glass and Dq=880, B=700 and C=2975 cm⁻¹ for Mn²⁺ doped glass.     

Structural Properties of Cr<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-Doped Cadmium Oxide Nanopowders

The Cr³⁺-doped cadmium oxide nanopowder is prepared at room temperature by a mild and simple solution method. The prepared powder is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques. The XRD powder pattern reveals the lattice structure and cell parameters are evaluated. The SEM image shows the stone-like morphology of the nanopowder. The optical absorption spectrum indicates the distorted octahedral site symmetry of Cr³⁺ ions. The crystal field Dq and interelectronic repulsion parameters B and C are evaluated. The EPR spectrum gives a resonance signal at g = 1.973 for Cr³⁺ ions. The FT-IR spectrum reveals the characteristic vibrations of cadmium oxide.     

Optical absorption, EPR, infrared and Raman spectral studies of clinochlore mineral

Optical absorption, EPR, Infrared and Raman spectral studies have been carried out on natural clinochlore mineral. The optical absorption spectrum exhibits bands characteristic of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions. A band observed in the NIR region is attributed to an intervalence charge transfer (Fe²⁺-Fe³⁺) band. The room temperature EPR spectrum of single crystal of clinochlore mineral reveals the dominance of Fe³⁺ ion exhibiting resonance signals at g=2.66; 3.68 and 4.31 besides one isotropic resonance signal at g=2.0. The EPR studies have been carried out for a polycrystalline sample in the temperature range from 103 to 443 K and for a single crystal of clinochlore mineral in the temperature range 123-297 K. The number of spins (N) participating in resonance at g=4.3 signal of the single crystal of clinochlore mineral has been calculated at different temperatures. The paramagnetic susceptibility (χ) is calculated from the EPR data at different temperatures for single crystal of clinochlore mineral. The Curie constant and Curie temperature values are evaluated from 1/χ versus T graph. The infrared spectral studies reveal the formation of Fe³⁺-OH complexes due to the presence of higher amount of iron in this mineral. The Raman spectrum exhibits bands characteristic of Si-O-Si stretching and Si-O bending modes.     

EPR and Optical Absorption Study of VO2+ Ions Doped Potassium Hexaaquazinc (II) Sulfate Single Crystals

X-band single-crystal electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies are done on VO²⁺ ions doped in potassium hexaaquazinc (II) sulfate, K₂[Zn (H₂O)₆] (SO₄)₂ (PHZS) at room temperature. The spin Hamiltonian parameters, i.e., g and A tensors and their direction cosines, are evaluated by the standard diagonalization procedure using angular variation of the EPR spectra in three planes (ab, bc* and c*a), with the help of a computer program. The EPR spectrum is simulated using the EasySpin program to verify the calculations. The detailed EPR analysis indicates the presence of two magnetically inequivalent VO²⁺ sites. Both the vanadyl complexes are found to take up the substitutional position in the host lattice. The optical absorption spectrum of VO²⁺ ions doped in PHZS single crystal at room temperature is also recorded and four main d–d transfer bands in the visible region are assigned. The theoretical band positions are obtained using energy expressions and a good agreement is found with the experimental values. With the help of assigned bands the crystal-field parameters (Dq, Ds and Dt) are evaluated. Finally, with the optical and EPR data, the nature of bonding in the complex is discussed.     

Spectral Investigations on Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-Doped ZnO Nanopowders

Cu²⁺-doped ZnO nanopowders, synthesized at room temperature by mild and simple solution method, are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques. From XRD and SEM, the crystal structure is identified as hexagonal, and the average crystallite size is around 53 nm. Lattice cell parameters are evaluated. The optical and EPR spectral investigations suggest that the Cu²⁺ ion enters the host lattice in two tetragonally distorted octahedral sites. Crystal field, tetragonal field, spin Hamiltonian and bonding parameters are estimated.     

EPR and UV studies of VO ions in potassium d-gluconate monohydrate single crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of VO²⁺ doped potassium hydrogen d-gluconate single crystals and powder have been examined at room temperature. Single crystal rotations in each of the three mutually orthogonal crystalline planes namely ac, ba and ca indicate two different VO²⁺ complexes. Each complex is located in different chemical environments, each environment containing two magnetically inequivalent VO²⁺ sites in distinct orientations occupying substitutional positions in the lattice and showing a very large angular dependence. The powder spectrum also clearly indicates four different VO²⁺ complexes, confirming the single crystal analysis. Crystalline field around the VO²⁺ ion is nearly axial. The optical absorption spectrum of VO²⁺ ions in the crystal lattice is also studied at room temperature. The characteristic spectrum of the VO²⁺ ions has two absorption bonds. The bond positions are at 17 857 and 11 235 cm^-1. Spin Hamiltonian parameters and molecular orbital coefficients are calculated from the EPR and the optical data, and results are discussed.     

Investigating the impurity structure for Fe3+ ions doped into rutile titanium dioxide single crystal

The local environment around Fe³⁺ centers in rutile TiO₂ crystals is studied by employing fourth-order perturbation theory formula based on the dominant spin–orbit coupling mechanism. The zero-field splitting parameters (ZFSPs) D and E and crystal field parameters are modeled for the Fe³⁺ ions not only at the substitution Ti⁴⁺ site, but also at the interstitial site with local symmetry D_2h. In order to acquire the best agreement between the calculated ZFSPs and those measured by electron magnetic resonance, the model parameters are adjusted on the basis of several approaches. This enables us to determine the feasible values of the structural distortions resulting from dopant Fe³⁺ ions. Consequently, it is confirmed that Fe³⁺ ions substitute for Ti⁴⁺ sites in rutile TiO₂ crystals.     

EPR and optical absorption studies of Fe ions in sodium borophosphate glasses

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical absorption spectral investigations have been carried out on Fe³⁺ ions doped sodium borophosphate glasses (NaH₂PO₄-B₂O₃-Fe₂O₃). The EPR spectra exhibit resonance signals with effective g values at g=2.02, g=4.2 and g=6.4. The resonance signal at g=4.2 is due to isolated Fe³⁺ ions in site with rhombic symmetry whereas the g=2.02 resonance is due to Fe³⁺ ions coupled by exchange interaction in a distorted octahedral environment. The EPR spectra at different temperatures (123-295 K) have also been studied. The intensity of the resonance signals decreases with increase in temperature whereas linewidth is found to be independent of temperature. The paramagnetic susceptibility (χ) was calculated from the EPR data at various temperatures and the Curie constant (C) and paramagnetic Curie temperature (θ_p) have been evaluated from the 1/χ versus T graph. The optical absorption spectrum exhibits bands characteristic of Fe³⁺ ions in octahedral symmetry. The crystal field parameter (Dq) and the Racah interelectronic repulsion parameters (B and C) have also been evaluated and discussed.     

EPR and optical studies of Cu doped ammonium dihydrogen phosphate single crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of Cu²⁺ ion in ammonium dihydrogen phosphate are studied at liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K). Four magnetically inequivalent Cu²⁺ sites in the lattice are identified. The angular variation spectra of the crystal in the three orthogonal planes indicate that the paramagnetic impurity, Cu²⁺ enters the lattice substitutionally in place of NH₄⁺ ions. The spin Hamiltonian parameters are determined with the fitting of spectra to rhombic symmetry crystalline field. The ground state wave function of Cu²⁺ ion is constructed and found to be predominantly |x²-y²〉. The cubic field parameter (Dq) and tetragonal parameters (Ds and Dt) are determined from optical spectra at room temperature. By correlating EPR and optical absorption spectra, the bonding coefficients are calculated and nature of bonding of metal ion with different ligands in the crystal is discussed.     

Study of optical absorption and EPR spectra of Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ion in cadmium maleate dihydrate

The optical absorption and EPR spectra of Mn²⁺ ion doped in cadmium maleate dihydrate have been theoretically investigated by diagonalizing the complete energy matrices for a d⁵ configuration ion in a trigonal ligand-field. According to the suggestion of the optical absorption studies, we assume that the Mn²⁺ ion enters the host lattice interstitially and the distorted octahedral symmetry for the impurity ion is trigonal. Moreover, the local lattice structure parameters of the system are determined. The results show that the six oxygen ions around the Mn²⁺ ion are at the same distance R=2.115 ?, and there are three Mn-O bonds forming an angle θ₁ of 66.26° with the C₃-axis and three others forming an angle θ₂ of 43.40°.     

Photolytic production of Fe3+ in CaS

Calcium sulfide powder containing iron as an impurity was irradiated with 580, 366 or 254 nm light at 77 K. Irradiation enhanced a broad (16 G peak-to-trough) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal at g = 2.017 and caused six sharp (～1 G) lines to appear in the X-band EPR spectrum at 347, 529, 956, 1963, 3547 and 5376 G. Enrichment of CaS with Fe²⁺ produced samples with similar photochemistry. It is proposed that irradiation causes the reaction Fe²⁺ + trap → Fe³⁺ + trap^?, whose products give rise to six sharp EPR lines assigned to Fe³⁺ and a broad line associated with trap^?. Both hyperfine splitting by ⁵⁷Fe (13 G) and superhyperfine splitting by ³³S (11.4 G) are observed in the six line spectrum. The environment of the photo-generated Fe³⁺ has less than octahedral symmetry. V²⁺ was observed at octahedral sites in unirradiated CaS for the first time, and is characterized by the EPR parameters g = 1.961 and A (hyperfine coupling) = 74.6 × 10^?4 cm^?1. EPR signals due to Mn²⁺ and Cr³⁺ at octahedral sites and Fe³⁺ at a low symmetry site were also observed in unirradiated CaS.     

EPR and optical absorption study of Cr-doped tetramethyl ammonium cadmium chloride single crystals

EPR study of Cr³⁺-doped tetramethyl cadmium chloride (TMCC) single crystals is carried out at room temperature. The crystal field and spin-Hamiltonian parameters are evaluated from the resonance line positions of different lines observed in the EPR spectra. The g and D parameter values are found to be g=1.9741±0.0002 and D=553±2×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, respectively. EPR data indicate that the site symmetry of Cr³⁺ ion in the crystal is distorted octahedron. Cr³⁺ ions enter the lattice substitutionally replacing Cd²⁺ sites and bind to the neighboring extra Cd vacancies necessary for charge compensation. The optical absorption spectra are measured in 195–925 nm wavelength range at room temperature. From optical study the energy values of different orbital levels are estimated. Further, the bonding parameters are obtained by correlating optical and EPR data and the nature of bonding in the crystal is discussed. The values of Racah parameters (B and C), crystal field parameter (Dq) and nephelauxetic parameters (h and k) are obtained to be B=722, C=2845, Dq=2043 cm⁻¹, h=1.015 and k=0.21.     

Structural analysis of Fe3+ centers in Tl2MgF4 and Tl2ZnF4 fluorine compounds

Theoretical analysis of the Fe³⁺ centers observed in Tl₂MgF₄ fluorine crystals have been carried out by means of semi-empirical approaches. The most appropriate models are proposed by matching the theoretically predicted zero-field splitting parameters (ZFSPs) with the experimental ones obtained by EPR spectroscopy. Compression on the MF₆ octahedron of tetragonal (TE) center I is indicated in both Tl₂MgF₄ and Tl₂ZnF₄. A structural model for monoclinic (MO) center II and orthorhombic (OR) Fe³⁺ center IV in Tl₂ZnF₄ is proposed by assuming that the substitution of Fe³⁺ induces both ligand length and angular distortions.     

EPR and optical absorption studies on VO ions in zinc lactate trihydrate

EPR and optical absorption studies of VO²⁺-doped zinc lactate trihydrate single crystals are done at room temperature. The EPR spectra of VO²⁺ are characteristic of tetragonally compressed octahedral site. The angular variation of the EPR spectra shows single site occupying interstitial position in the lattice. The spin Hamiltonian parameters are evaluated as g_x=1.9771, g_y=2.0229, g_z=1.9236 and A_x=76, A_y=104, A_z=197 (×10⁻⁴) cm⁻¹. Using these parameters and optical absorption data various bonding parameters are determined and the nature of bonding in the complex is discussed.     

EPR and IR spectral studies on Mn ions in nickel maleate tetrahydrate single crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies have been carried out on Mn²⁺ ions doped in nickel maleate tetrahydrate single crystals in the temperature range 103-413 K on X-band frequency. The EPR spectrum at room temperature exhibits a group of five fine structure transitions each splits into six hyperfine components. Angular variation studies reveal the presence of a single site and it is found that Mn²⁺ ions enter the lattice substitutionally. From the observed EPR spectrum, the spin-Hamiltonian parameters have been evaluated. The variation of zero-field splitting parameter (D) with temperature is measured. The observed EPR spectra exhibit a large anisotropy in the widths of Mn²⁺ resonance lines. The widths of Mn²⁺ resonance lines increase with the Zeeman field intensity and these observations have been discussed in detail. The infrared spectrum exhibits bands characteristic of the carboxylic acid salts.