Initial studies of the gamma resonance of the <Superscript>109<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis></Superscript>Ag isomer with a gravitational gamma spectrometer

The problem of observing the Mössbauer resonance absorption of gamma rays from long-lived isomers is briefly outlined, first and foremost for ^109m Ag taken as an example. Experiments indicative of a small broadening of the Mössbauer gamma line of this isomer in metallic silver are described. This circumstance made it possible to develop and manufacture a gravitational gamma spectrometer and to perform the first experiments with it, which confirm once again the previous data on a small width of the gamma line in question. The broadening factor obtained from these data proved to be 6.3 _?1.9 ^+5.2 .     

Small broadening of the Mössbauer gamma line of the isomer <Superscript>109<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis></Superscript>Ag as yet another indication of the protracted character of the emission of photons from nuclei and their absorption

Nine experiments performed to date by three research groups in order to observe the Mössbauer effect in the case of gamma rays emitted by the long-lived isomer ^109m Ag yielded results suggesting an anomalously small broadening of the Mössbauer gamma line of this isomer. In turn, this indicates that the emission of photons from nuclei and their resonance absorption cannot proceed within a time interval much shorter than the characteristic time of the change in the energy of hyperfine dipole—dipole interaction, because the photon energy would otherwise be determined by the sum of the instantaneous value of the energy of this interaction and the nuclear-transition energy, in which case the broadening of the Mössbauer gamma line would reach five to six orders of magnitude, as opposed to one to two orders of magnitude broadening observed experimentally.     

Transient Mössbauer spectroscopy with57Fe

Transient Mössbauer experiments with⁵⁷Fe are described. A time resolution of 0.7 ns is achieved with a BaF₂ scintillator. Polar polyvinylidene fluoride film is shown to be well suited for producing fast mechanical modulation. Pulses of recoilless gamma radiation, of width ≈30 ns and heigth 3.5 times the Mössbauer absorption, are generated with stepwise source motion. The efficiency of transient methods in extracting Mössbauer data is demonstrated with sinusoidal motion.     

Experimental studies of the gamma resonances of long-lived nuclear isomers

Studying the gamma resonances of the long-lived nuclear isomers started at ITEP in the 1960s–1970s. The first experiments were conducted with silver isotopes. Its results did not contradict the existing theoretical ideas of large broadening of Mössbauer gamma lines via the interactions of nuclear magnetic moments. However, the data obtained in 11 experiments performed up until now with gamma sources made of silver metal doping by ¹⁰⁹Cd showed that there is no large broadening of ^109mAg Mössbauer gamma line with energy of 88.03 keV, that is the theoretically predicted gamma line broadening by ～10⁵ times is absent. The instrument of quite a new type—“gravitational gamma spectrometer”, designed at ITEP, allowed one to determine the form of ^109mAg gamma resonance, which proved to be ～10⁸ times narrower than that of well known nuclide ⁵⁷Fe. Some ideas are discussed as an attempt to explain this situation.     

Mössbauer spectra of iron-chromium sulphospinels with varying metal ratio

Samples of the sulphospinel FeCr₂S₄ with varying Fe/Cr ratio around the nominal composition have been investigated with Mössbauer spectroscopy. The spectra with the narrowest lines, as well as a γ-type peak in the specific heat-temperature curve at the low temperature transition previously described, were obtained for an overall composition with a small Fe deficit. The broadening often observed in Mössbauer spectra of FeCr₂S₄ samples is attributed to Fe²⁺ on octahedral sites in the spinel phase, resulting in an electric field gradient at the Fe²⁺ ions on the tetrahedral sites. The paramagnetic Mössbauer spectrum of Fe_1.06Cr_1.94S₄ is in accordance with this interpretation.     

First experiments on the observation of gamma resonance of a long-lived <Superscript>109<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis></Superscript>Ag isomer using a gravitational gamma spectrometer

The first measurements of the resonant Mössbauer self-absorption of the long-lived ^109m Ag isomer gamma rays as a function of the declination angle of the gamma beams from the horizontal direction are presented for a gamma source that represents a single-crystal silver plate doped with a parent ¹⁰⁹Cd nuclide. The resonant absorption is manifested as a minimum of the counting rate ratio of the ^109m Ag and ²⁴¹Am (control gamma source) gamma-line intensities at a zero-declination angle for one of two detectors and an angle of about 1° for another detector. The magnitude of the effect is in agreement with the results of our previous experiments performed on another setup. It follows, from the data obtained, that the angular width of the gamma-resonance profile is less than two degrees, which corresponds to a broadening factor of the Mössbauer gamma line of less than five. The value of this factor calculated from the measured relative magnitude of the ^109m Ag gamma-ray resonant absorption is 6.3 _?1.9 ^+5.2 .     

Observation of the gamma resonance of a long-lived <Superscript>109<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis></Superscript>Ag isomer using a gravitational gamma-ray spectrometer

Experiments confirming the previous data on the small real width of the γ resonance of ^109m Ag have been performed with a gravitational gamma-ray spectrometer. The achieved resolution is eight orders of magnitude higher than that of Mössbauer spectrometers using gamma rays from a ⁵⁷Fe nuclide. The theoretically predicted broadening of the Mössbauer gamma line of ^109m Ag by five orders of magnitude (due to the dipole-dipole interaction between the magnetic moments of neighboring nuclei) has not been observed.     

An ESCA study of Sn organometallic compounds: Solid state broadening effects

X-ray photoelectron spectra have been recorded for a number of solid and gaseous organotin compounds. Solid-state charging effects (such as differential charge broadening) can be large, though we have almost eliminated them by subliming very thin films onto platinum metal. In this way, we have obtained solid-state Sn 3d line widths that are within 10% of the analogous gas-phase values. The quality and reproducibility of the solid-state spectra likewise approach those of gases.The general correlation between ESCA Sn 3d line widths and Mössbauer quadrupole splittings indicates that the broadening of the Sn 3d lines is due to crystal-field splitting from the C₂⁰ term (the quadrupole term) in the crystal-field expansion. There is a general correlation between ESCA binding energies and Mössbauer isomer shifts for the solids.     

Nuclear resonance fluorescence from the 58keV level in159Tb

The half-life of the 58keV level of¹⁵⁹Tb was determined by classical resonance absorption using the centrifuge technique and by Mössbauer spectroscopy measuring the natural line width and found to beτ _1/2=(58±10)ps. Mössbauer spectra for Tb and Tb₂O₃ absorbers and for Dy₂O₃ and GdFe₂ sources were investigated for temperatures between 9 and 385 K. Results for hyperfine interactions and Debye Waller factors are given. The Debye Waller factors are compared with predictions obtained from other experimental results.     

Nuclear resonance reflectivity from a [57Fe/Cr]30 multilayer with the Synchrotron Mössbauer Source

Mössbauer reflectivity spectra and nuclear resonance reflectivity (NRR) curves have been measured using the Synchrotron Mössbauer Source (SMS) for a [⁵⁷Fe/Cr]₃₀ periodic multilayer, characterized by the antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling between adjacent ⁵⁷Fe layers. Specific features of the Mössbauer reflectivity spectra measured with π‐polarized radiation of the SMS near the critical angle and at the `magnetic' maximum on the NRR curve are analyzed. The variation of the ratio of lines in the Mössbauer reflectivity spectra and the change of the intensity of the `magnetic' maximum under an applied external field has been used to reveal the transformation of the magnetic alignment in the investigated multilayer.     

Pressure dependence of interconfiguration fluctuations in Eu0.25La0.75Rh2.00 studied by Mossbauer spectroscopy

The effect of pressure on the 21.6 keV Mössbauer resonance of ¹⁵¹Eu in Eu_0.25La_0.75Rh_2.00 was studied at various temperatures. The strong pressure induced shift of the resonance lines can be described by an increase of the energy separation between the Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ valence states.     

Application of 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy as a tool for mining exploration of bornite (Cu5FeS4) copper ore

Nuclear resonance methods, including Mössbauer spectroscopy,are considered as unique techniques suitable for remote on-line mineralogical analysis. The employment of these methods provides potentially significant commercial benefits for mining industry. As applied to copper sulfide ores, Mössbauer spectroscopy method is suitable for the analysis noted. Bornite (formally Cu₅FeS₄) is a significant part of copper ore and identification of its properties is important for economic exploitation of commercial copper ore deposits. A series of natural bornite samples was studied by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Two aspects were considered: reexamination of ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer properties of natural bornite samples and their stability irrespective of origin and potential use of miniaturized Mössbauer spectrometers MIMOS II for in-situ bornite identification. The results obtained show a number of potential benefits of introducing the available portative Mössbauer equipment into the mining industry for express mineralogical analysis. In addition, results of some preliminary ^63,65Cu nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) studies of bornite are reported and their merits with Mössbauer techniques for bornite detection discussed.     

An57Fe Mössbauer study of iron concretions in weathered,nickeliferous Cuban crust

A study of iron concretions of the highest stratum in cuban weathering crust using⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy has been performed. Goethite, hematite and maghemite are reported as main phases of these concretions. The density distribution function of the effective magnetic field in the Fe nuclei,p(H _n) showed a greater reduction of the effective magnetic field in the Fe nuclei of goethite than in the hematite ones and a broadening of Mössbauer lines for goethite spectrum as a consequence of a greater influence of relaxation effects.     

Mössbauer emission spectroscopy of metastable electronic states

In⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer emission spectroscopy, the parent nucleus⁵⁷Co is incorporated in the matrix by diffusion, implantation or co-precipitation. Mössbauer emisssion spectra often differ from the corresponding absorption spectra in several aspects. The “anomalous” features (denoted as “after-effects” of nuclear transformation) comprise mainly (a) anomalous charge states, (b) anomalous spin states, and (c) metastable electronic populations within these charge states. The first two classes of effects were extensively studied during the sixties and seventies. More recently, several investigations have shown that, under certain circumstances, the electronic systems of Fe(II) and Fe(III) have not reached the thermal equilibrium within the Mössbauer time window. These effects have been evidenced (i) within the crystal field ground-state manifolds, but also (ii) as spectral contributions from excited crystal field states. In the present paper, an overview of these experiments will be given, together with their theoretical interpretation and in comparison to results obtained with other methods (e.g. optical spectroscopy). Special emphasis will be given to the systems⁵⁷Co/LiNbO₃ and⁵⁷Co/MgO, where nonequilibrium populations within the⁶A₁ ground manifold of Fe(III) and Γ_5g ground manifold of Fe(II) have been observed in an external magnetic field.     

Magnetic insulator glasses

An outline is given of the use of Mössbauer spectroscopy as a probe of the amorphous structure and magnetic coordination in magnetic insulator glasses. Using the⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer resonance as an example in the context of amorphous ferric oxides and fluorides, the manner in which both paramagnetic and hyperfine-field-split spectra can be analyzed is presented. Emphasis is given to the information contained in Mössbauer lineshapes and linewidths in addition to the more obvious line-position data. A number of general findings are set out for ferric speromagnetics with particular references to Mössbauer studies of amorphous Fe₂O₃, Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ (YIG), FeF₃ and NaFeF₄.     

On the precise measurement of the frequency transition 1S–2S of the hydrogen atom

An experiment is suggested for the precise measurement of the frequency transition 1S–2S of the hydrogen atom with a relative precision of 10^-12 based on the use of a narrow resonance of two-photon absorption in a standing wave field. The relative width of the absorption line is determined by the second-order Doppler effect and has the same order as the relative width of Mössbauer transitions with absorption of γ-quanta. The results of this experiment can be included in the system of fundamental constants. A possibility for creating a new standard of the atomic time unit with a reproducibility of ～ 10^-15 has been examined.     

Observation of paramagnetic relaxation in the NpCu4Al8 intermetallic compound

²³⁷Np Mössbauer spectroscopy between 77 and 4.2 K was carried out in connection with neutron diffraction studies between 300 and 2 K on the tetragonal intermetallic NpCu₄Al₈. The Mössbauer spectra give an isomer shift of + 14.3 mm/s vs. NpAl₂ indicating the non-Kramers Np³⁺(⁵I₄)-ion to be present. Below 45 K the onset of magnetic hyperfine splitting is observed. It develops into a fully resolved Zeeman pattern at 4.2 K with B_eff≈330 T. Neutron diffraction finds no evidence for magnetic order over the whole temperature range scanned. All these results can consistently be explained by paramagnetic relaxation phenomena involving a low lying Γ^t₅ doublet closely followed by a Γ^t₄ singlet as the tetragonal crystalline field states of the Np³⁺ ion.     

An investigation of trivalent substituted M-type hexagonal ferrite using X-ray and Mössbauer spectroscopy

Series of substituted M-type hexagonal ferrite has been synthesized, and studied by means of X-ray diffraction, IR and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The samples have the formula (BaCr _x Fe_12?x O₁₉) (with x = 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0). X-ray diffraction studies prove that all samples has a single phase M-type hexagonal structure. The lattice parameters both a and c were found to be composition dependent. This observation was attributed to the atomic radii of the substituted cations. The Mössbauer spectra change from magnetically ordered (x = 0) toward magnetically ordered with strong line broadening. The broadening increases as the Cr content increase. Measurements at low temperature (80 K) restore the magnetic order. The Mössbauer parameters suggest that Cr³⁺ prefers to occupy the 4f₂ and 2a crystal sites. IR absorption bands were observed between 1,500 and 400 cm^?1, and confirm the structure in coincidence with X-ray results.     

An57Fe Mössbauer effect study of the highT c superconductor GdBa2Cu3O7−y

Split source⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer effect spectroscopy has been performed between 4 K and 295 K on the superconducting perovskite GdBa₂Cu₃O_7?y. No evidence is seen for magnetic splitting at low temperatures as reported in some split absorder⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer experiments on this material. There is evidence for phonon mode softening, as observed for¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectra of some other highT _c superconductors.     

Mössbauer effect in YbBe13: Mixed valence and magnetic ordering

Mössbauer effect investigations on the cubic intermetallic compound YbBe₁₃ in the temperature range between 0.065 K and 81 K are reported. Above the magnetic ordering temperatureT _Neel=1.27 K the results cannot be explained by a Γ₇ groundstate of Yb³⁺. There is evidence for the Yb ion being in a mixed valent state and the degree of hybridisasation being dependent on the magnetic ordering. Below the magnetic ordering temperature a Γ₇ groundstate of a 3⁺ Yb ion is found.