EPR spectra of Fe centers in layered TlGaSe2 single crystal

A single-crystal TlGaSe₂ doped by paramagnetic Fe ions has been studied at room temperature by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique. The fine structure of EPR spectra of paramagnetic Fe³⁺ ions was observed. The spectra were interpreted to correspond to the transitions among spin multiplet (S=5/2, L=0) of Fe³⁺ ion, which are splitted by the local ligand crystal field (CF) of orthorhombic symmetry. Four equivalent Fe³⁺ centers have been observed in the EPR spectra and the local symmetry of crystal field at the Fe³⁺ site and CF parameters were determined. Experimental results indicate that the Fe ions substitute Ga at the center of GaSe₄ tetrahedrons, and the rhombic distortion of the CF is caused by the Tl ions located in the trigonal cavities between the tetrahedral complexes.     

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.     

Theoretical studies of the optical and EPR spectra for V in Y2O3 crystal

In this paper, we give an alternative suggestion that both the observed optical and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of Yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃):V³⁺ are attributed to V³⁺ ions at the S₆ site of Y₂O₃. This suggestion is different from the opinion in the previous paper that the optical and EPR spectra are attributed to V³⁺ ions at the C₂ and S₆ sites, respectively. From the suggestion, the optical band positions and spin-Hamiltonian parameters are calculated by diagonalizing the complete energy matrix for 3d² ions in trigonal symmetry. The results are in good agreement with the experimental values, suggesting that both the observed optical and EPR spectra in Y₂O₃:V³⁺ may be due to V³⁺ at S₆ site of Y₂O₃ crystal.     

Investigations of the optical and EPR spectra for (NiX6) (X=Cl, Br, I) clusters

In this paper, the formulae of optical spectral levels and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra in trigonal symmetry of 3d⁸ ions are established on the basis of strong field mechanism and a two spin-coupling (SO) parameters model. Unlike the classical crystal-field approach which has only taken the SO coupling of the central metal ions into account, the contribution of the SO coupling of the ligand ions to the optical and EPR spectra has been included in these formulae. When the optical and EPR spectra of the strong covalent crystals are calculated, the reasonable results can be obtained if the two SO parameters model has been put into action. As an application, the optical and EPR spectra of the (NiX₆)⁴⁻ clusters in CsMgX₃:Ni²⁺ (X=Cl, Br, I) crystals have been studied by the complete diagonalization (of energy matrix) method (CDM). The calculated results agree well with experimental findings. From the investigations, a more valid method to calculate the optical and EPR spectra for 3d⁸ ions clusters is provided.     

The domain structure of ferroelastic BiVO4 crystal studied by Gd EPR

The domain structure of ferroelastic BiVO₄ single crystal has been investigated using the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of the Gd³⁺ ions existing as an impurity in the crystal. Two sets of Gd³⁺ EPR signals were obtained in the crystallographic ca-plane. These two sets of signals originated not from the two kinds of substitutional sites but from the twin-domain structure in the host crystal. It is found that the BiVO₄ crystal investigated with Gd³⁺ EPR has the prominent (W-plane) domain wall. The domain structure is stable in contrast with a previous report by Baran et al. From the observed W-plane of the domain wall, it is suggested that a ferroelastic transition in BiVO₄ is 4/mmm F 2/m instead of 4/m F 2/m. The model of twinning mechanism improved in a previous report by Mn²⁺ EPR is confirmed by Gd³⁺ EPR.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance study of Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions at octahedral and tetrahedral mirror symmetry sites in the LiScGeO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystal

An electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of a synthetic single crystal of LiScGeO₄ doped with Cr ions carried out earlier at the X- and Q-bands at 300, K has indicated additional weak lines. A detailed analysis of these EPR lines, which were tentatively attributed to the Fe³⁺ ions at two different mirror symmetry sites, is presented in this paper. The angular dependences in the three crystallographic planes were resolved by fitting the two distinct spectra denoted Fe³⁺(I) and Fe³⁺(II) with a spin Hamiltonian (S=5/2) of monoclinic symmetry. The rank-4 crystal field tensors at tetrahedral and octahedral sites were calculated with the point-charge model to determine the principal axis orientations of their cubic, tetragonal and trigonal components. A comparative analysis of the zero-field splitting tensors and the crystal field ones indicates that Fe³⁺(I) ions substitute for Sc³⁺ at octahedral sites and Fe³⁺(II) ions substitute for Ge⁴⁺ at tetrahedral sites with no significant distorition of the coordination polyhedra in the structure of LiScGeO₄.     

ODMR and EPR investigations of Fe centers in KTaO3

The analysis of EPR spectra obtained from iron doped KTaO₃ crystals in the as-grown state revealed three dominant iron centers: Fe³⁺-O_I, axial Fe-centers with spinS = 3/2 and rhombic Fe³⁺. By comparison with data from literature possible assignments for the center withS = 3/2 are discussed. For the rhombic species the temperature dependence of the main parameters of the Spin- Hamiltonian was measured. The result makes it most plausible that only one rhombic iron center exists in KTaO₃, in contrast with literature. The understanding of the EPR spectra allows us to assign transitions, observed at very low magnetic fields by optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR), to this rhombic Fe center. On this basis, the magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) of this defect could be identified using the method of tagged-MCD. This spectrum is compared to the tagged-MCD of Fe³⁺-O₁ and of axial Fe⁴⁺ centers, which may be generated metastably by optical charge transfer. Considerably different structures in the MCD spectra of both Fe³⁺ centers indicate different local surroundings and electronic states.Dedicated to O. F. Schirmer on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

EPR of Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in a monoclinic KY(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> single crystal

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of Yb³⁺ ions in a KY(WO₄)₂ single crystal was investigated at T=4.2 K and fixed frequency of 9.38 GHz. The resonance absorption observed on the lowest Kramers doublet represents the complex superposition of three spectra, corresponding to the ytterbium isotopes with different nuclear moments. The EPR spectrum is characterized by a strong anisotropy of the g-factors. The temperature dependence of the g-factors is shown to be caused by the strong spin-orbital and orbital-lattice coupling. The resonance lines broaden with increasing temperature due to the short spin-lattice relaxation times.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance of Ce3+ ions in lead thiogallate single crystals

The results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies of Ce³⁺ impurity ions in single crystals of lead thiogallate PbGa₂S₄ have been reported. The Ce³⁺ ions substitute for Pb²⁺ ions in the crystal lattice of PbGa₂S₄. A number of paramagnetic cerium centers in lead thiogallate have been observed. The spectra are described by the spin Hamiltonian of rhombic symmetry with the effective spin S = 1/2. The g factors of the main cerium centers have been determined. A large number of paramagnetic centers are due to both nonequivalent positions of lead and local charge compensation under the substitution Ce³⁺ ?? Pb²⁺.     

A Low Temperature (10 K) High-Frequency (208 GHz) EPR Study of the Non-Kramers Ion Mn3+ in a MnMo6Se8 Single Crystal

A high-frequency (208 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study on Mn³⁺ (3d⁴, S = 2) ions embedded in a MnMo₆Se₈ single crystal has been performed at 10 K. The experimental spectra reveal the presence of only one set of EPR lines from Mn³⁺ ions, whose magnetic axes are oriented along the crystal axes. The spin-Hamiltonian parameters are evaluated by the method of least-squares, fitting all the observed line positions simultaneously, for the three orthogonal orientations of the external magnetic field. The symmetry of the spin Hamiltonian at the site of the Mn³⁺ ions has been deduced from the EPR spectra.     

The ground state and EPR spectrum in monoclinic KY(WO4)2:Nd single crystal

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of Nd³⁺ ion in KY(WO₄)₂ single crystal was investigated at T=4.2 K using an X-band spectrometer. The observed resonance absorption represents the complex superposition of three spectra corresponding to neodymium isotopes with different nuclear momenta. The EPR spectrum is characterized by a strong g-factor anisotropy. The temperature dependences of the g-factor were caused by strong spin-orbit and orbit-lattice coupling. The resonance lines become broader as temperature increases due to the short spin-lattice relaxation time.     

Temperature features of the EPR spectrum of GdMnO3: Single crystal and thin film GdMnO3/LaAlO3

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of GdMnO₃ single crystal and GdMnO₃/LaAlO₃ thin film are measured at Q-band frequency in the temperature range of 4.2 to 300 K. The temperature dependence of parameters of the spin Hamiltonian corresponding to the monoclinic symmetry of such paramagnetic centers as Gd³⁺ ions in the GdMnO₃/LaAlO₃ film is determined.     

Family of paramagnetic centers of Ce3+ ions in yttrium aluminum garnet

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of Ce³⁺ ions in single crystals of yttrium aluminum garnet have been investigated. It has been found that, in addition to the usually observed EPR signals of Ce³⁺ ions located in the regular environment at dodecahedral sites of the crystal lattice, the spectra contain a group of less intense anisotropic lines with g-factors close to the corresponding parameters of Ce³⁺ ions in the regular environment. It has been concluded that the observed satellite lines belong to the family of Ce³⁺ ions in the immediate vicinity of which there are permutation defects that lead to a change in the strength and symmetry of the crystal field in the vicinity of the paramagnetic center.     

Localization of Fe3+ impurities in kyanite by EPR

An electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of Fe³⁺ centers in kyanite AlSi₂O₅ has been performed on a natural blue single crystal at 34.40 GHz. Three Fe³⁺ centers have been observed. One of them, arising from 10% of the Fe³⁺ amount, presents weak signals and few resonance lines inside Kramers doublets, the weakness of the signals and the high value of the zero-field splitting between Kramers doublets allow only the determination of the second-order parameters of the spin Hamiltonian. For the two other centers all second- and fourth-order parameters are determined. The comparison of the pseudo-symmetries of the fourth-order parameters between EPR results and crystal field calculation does not allow one to define the location of all Fe³⁺ centers at Al octahedra. It is proved that Fe³⁺ is partly located at Al₁ position (25%). For the other observed centers it was not possible to define their location in the structure. This study is a good example of the limitation of the pseudo-symmetry method.     

EPR study of Dy 3 + ions in DyBa 2 Cu 3 O 6 + x

Concentrated polycrystalline DyBa₂Cu₃O_6+x compounds are studied by X-band EPR spectroscopy. A broad resonance line due to the highly anisotropic EPR spectrum of Dy³⁺ ions is identified on several specimens at low temperatures. Powder simulation of the EPR spectra complies with the ground Kramers doublet predicted by crystal field analysis of Dy³⁺ ions. Calculations of the second and fourth moments of the resonance lines due to the dipole-dipole interactions of Dy³⁺ indicate the presence of substantial exchange narrowing of the dipolar-broadened EPR linewidth. Received 3 June 2001     

An EPR study of Er3+ impurities in RbTiOPO4 single crystals

An electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of Er³⁺ ions in single crystals of RbTiOPO₄ (RTP) is presented. The EPR spectra show the existence of six different Er³⁺ centres. The g-matrix has been determined for these centres from the analysis of the angular dependences of the spectrum in three planes of the crystal. The study supports that erbium can enter the Rb⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ low-symmetry sites of RTP. This conclusion differs from those for KTP:Er³⁺ and RTP codoped with Nb and Er. The different occupancies found for Er in these various crystals is suggested to be due to the differences in Er concentration.     

Temperature dependence of the EPR lines in weakly doped LiNbO3:Yb—possible evidence of Yb ion pairs formation

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies of LiNbO₃ single crystal doped with 1 wt% of Yb³⁺ are reported. To put the EPR results in perspective, a brief discussion of optical absorption spectroscopy investigations of LiNbO₃:Yb³⁺ is provided. The temperature behavior of the EPR lines intensity and linewidth for LiNbO₃:Yb³⁺ reveals antiferromagnetic coupling between Yb³⁺ ions. The deconvolution of the EPR lines indicates that EPR signals arise from both the isolated Yb³⁺ ions as well as the Yb³⁺-Yb³⁺ ion pairs; the latter signals dominate. Based on this indication, EPR spectra are interpreted using a spin Hamiltonian for the Yb³⁺ dissimilar ion pairs. The negative sign of the isotropic parameter J confirms the existence of the antiferromagnetic interactions within Yb³⁺-Yb³⁺ pairs. The value of J obtained based on the proposed pair model, assuming the dipole-dipole interactions, is used to identify the positions of the Yb³⁺-Yb³⁺ pairs in the unit cell. Our results suggest the ^evenYb³⁺-^evenYb³⁺ pairs are located at the neighboring Li⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ positions, whereas the pair axis is not parallel to the optical c-axis. Some alternative explanations of the observed EPR spectra are also considered.     

EPR and optical spectroscopy of Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in CaF<Subscript>2</Subscript>: an analysis of the structure of tetragonal centers

CaF₂ crystals doped with Yb³⁺ ions have been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical spectroscopy. EPR spectra of paramagnetic centers (PCs) for cubic (T_c) and tetragonal (T_tet) symmetries were identified. Empirical energy level diagrams were established and crystal field parameters were determined. Information on the CaF₂∶Yb³⁺ phonon spectra was obtained from the electron-vibrational structure of the optical spectra. The crystal field parameters were used to analyze the crystal lattice distortions in the vicinity of the Yb³⁺ ion. Within the framework of a superposition model, it is established that four F⁻ ions located symmetrically with respect to the fourfold axis from the side of the ion-compensator approach the impurity ion and deviate from the PC axis. The second set of four fluorine ions also approaches the Yb³⁺ ion and the PC axis. The ion-compensator F⁻ also approaches considerably the impurity ion.     

EPR spectra of a GdMnO3 thin film on a SrTiO3 substrate

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of a GdMnO₃/SrTiO₃ thin film in the X band have been measured in the temperature interval from 200 to 450 K. Signals from two types of paramagnetic centers have been observed in the spectra. The first paramagnetic center is a subsystem of Gd³⁺ ions, in the EPR spectrum of which the fine structure lines are resolved below 350 K. The second paramagnetic center is a system of manganese and gadolinium ions, in the EPR spectrum of which an exchange-narrowed line is observed with the width ΔH several times less than the width ΔH of an exchange-narrowed line observed in the GdMnO₃ single crystal. Unusual magnetic properties are due to the mismatch of the lattice parameters of the GdMnO₃ thin film and the SrTiO₃ substrate.     

Structural and magnetic investigations of the xCuO(100-x)[70TeO2·25B2O3·5SrF2] glasses

The xCuO(100-x)[70TeO₂·25B₂O₃·5SrF₂] vitreous system was studied in the 0.3≤x≤20 mol %CuO concentration range, by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and magnetic susceptibility measurements. At low concentrations the Cu²⁺ ions are in axially distorted octahedral symmetry units giving resonance absorptions at g≈4.3. For x≥3 mol %CuO the copper ions are mostly involved in clusters yielding resonance absorptions at g≈2.05 in the EPR spectrum. Non-magnetic Cu⁺ ions are present in samples with x>5 mol %CuO. Only dipole–dipole interactions involving the copper ions were evidenced in this glass system. Ligand field fluctuations were revealed in all investigated samples. Received: 24 August 2000 / Accepted: 17 November 2000 / Published online: 21 March 2001