Absorption spectra of Ni2+ in (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2·6H2O and Co2+ in Na2Zn(SO4)2·4H2O

Optical absorption spectra of Ni²⁺ in (NH₄)₂Mg(SO₄)₂·6H₂O and Co²⁺ in Na₂Zn(SO₄)₂·4H₂O single crystals have been studied at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures. From the nature and position of the observed bands, a successful interpretation could be made assuming octahedral symmetry for both the ions in the crystals. The splitting observed for ${}^3\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{1g}}\text{(F)}$ band in Ni²⁺ and ${}^4\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{2g}}\text{(F)}$ band in Co²⁺ at liquid nitrogen temperature have been explained as due to spin-orbit interaction. The extra band observed at 16,325 cm^-1 in the case of Ni²⁺ at low temperature has been interpreted to be the superposition of vibrational mode of SO^2-₄ radical on ${}^3\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{1g}}\text{(F)}$ band. The observed band positions in both the crystals have been fitted with four parameters B, C, Dq and ζ.