Local structure of titanium pair centers in SrF2 crystals: EPR and ENDOR spectroscopic studies

The local structure of titanium pair centers in SrF₂: Ti crystals is investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy. It is found that titanium pair centers with spin moment S=2 and tetragonal symmetry of the magnetic properties are formed in SrF₂: Ti cubic crystals under certain growth conditions and during annealing. The tensor components of the fine and ligand hyperfine structures in the EPR and ENDOR spectra are determined. A model of the Ti⁺-Ti³⁺ paramagnetic dimer is proposed. This model provides an adequate interpretation of both the ferromagnetic nature of the exchange interaction and the observed displacements of four ligands in the first coordination sphere of titanium impurity ions in directions perpendicular to the impurity ion-ligand bonds.     

Matrix ENDOR of ion-exchange systems

Electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) has been investigated in sulfocation exchangers, containing free radicals stabilized in polymeric matrix or Cu²⁺ and (VO)²⁺ as counterions. It was shown that the ENDOR signal is mainly due to electron-nuclear dipole-dipole interactions between the unpaired electron and nuclei of polymeric matrix or hydrogen atoms of water molecules which hydrate the charge groups. In order to quantitatively describe the ENDOR line shape and intensity, the theory of matrix ENDOR is developed. The correctness of this theory was tested by comparing the temperature dependence of spin-lattice relaxation times calculated from ENDOR line intensities with the corresponding dependence obtained from stationary saturation electron spin resonance spectra. A good agreement was observed in the temperature range from 200 to 350 K. The structural parameters of surroundings of paramagnetic ions Cu²⁺ and (VO)²⁺, which include four coordinated spheres on the distance from 0.3 to 1.2 nm, were calculated. The motional parameters, correlation time and activation energy of mobile protons were also determined. It is concluded that the activation processes of water self-diffusion and proton exchange take place at high temperature, whereas the proton tunneling transfer is possible at low temperature.     

EPR and Magnetic Susceptibility of Na2O–CuO–P2O5 Glasses

Abstract

(50?x/2)Na₂O–xCuO–(50?x/2)P₂O₅ glasses (x=1, 5, 15, or 30 mol%) have been prepared and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The shape of the Cu²⁺ EPR spectrum depends on the Cu content, and the corresponding computer simulations suggest that the Cu²⁺ ions occupy two different sites in these glasses: one of them is preponderant at low Cu content and the other is preponderant at high content, in which the Cu²⁺–Cu²⁺ interactions are more important. From EPR parameters, it was found that for the site at low content, the covalency of copper ion bonding with the surrounding ligands is appreciable. The magnetic susceptibility data appear to follow the Curie–Weiss law (χ=C/(T?θ_p)) with negative paramagnetic Curie temperature θ_p indicating antiferromagnetic interactions between Cu²⁺ ions that are more significant in the samples with high Cu content, in agreement with EPR results.     

EPR and ENDOR Studies of Shallow Donors in SiC

Recent progress in the investigation of the electronic structure of the shallow nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) donors in 3C–, 4H– and 6H–SiC is reviewed with focus on the applications of magnetic resonance including electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and other pulsed methods such as electron spin echo, pulsed electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), electron spin-echo envelope modulation and two-dimensional EPR. EPR and ENDOR studies of the ²⁹Si and ¹³C hyperfine interactions of the shallow N donors and their spin localization in the lattice are discussed. The use of high-frequency EPR in combination with other pulsed magnetic resonance techniques for identification of low-temperature P-related centers in P-doped 3C–, 4H– and 6H–SiC and for determination of the valley–orbit splitting of the shallow N and P donors are presented and discussed.     

Temperature Dependence of Hyperfine Interaction for 15N Nitroxide in a Glassy Matrix at 10–210 K

Principal ¹⁵N hyperfine interaction (hfi) values in ¹⁵N-substituted nitroxide spin probe 3-carbamoyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-pyrrolin-1-oxyl dissolved in nematic liquid crystal 4-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5CB) were measured in a wide temperature range of 10–210 K, for 5CB frozen to a glassy state. X-band continuous-wave electron paramagnetic resonance (CW EPR) and pulse X- and Q-band ¹⁵N electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) techniques were employed. To avoid microwave saturation at low temperatures in CW EPR studies, a holmium complex Ho(Dbm)₃Bpy (where Dbm is dibenzoylmethane and Bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine) was added. X- and Q-band ¹⁵N-ENDOR data have shown that the nitroxide hfi tensor is axially symmetric. The combination of data from all techniques allowed us to obtain the temperature dependence of isotropic and anisotropic parts of the nitroxide hfi tensor. Above ~100 K, a linear dependence of the anisotropic hfi value was observed, whereas below 30 K it was found to be nearly temperature independent. Such a behavior can be interpreted using the model of restricted orientational motions (librations) of a spin probe in a glassy matrix, with quantum effects occurring at low temperature (“freezing” of the librations). The energy quantum for the libration motion estimated from the temperature dependence of hfi of the spin probe is 84 cm^?1. Low-frequency Raman spectra of 5CB were also obtained, which provided the mean vibrational frequency of 76 cm^?1 for glassy 5CB.     

EPR of Yb3+ ions in Ba1−xLaxF2+x mixed crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of impurity Yb³⁺ ions (about 0.1 at.%) in mixed crystals BaF₂(1-x) plus LaF₃(x) have been investigated for different values of the concentrationx at a frequency of about 9.5 GHz by both continuous-wave (CW) EPR and electron spin echo methods. A spectrum of trigonal symmetry with a complex hyperfine structure is observed in “pure” BaF₂:Yb³⁺ (x=0). Upon admixture of small amounts of LaF₃ (x=0.001), additional EPR lines arise with intensities increasing with the increase ofx up to 0.005. These lines are attributed to trigonal centers including two rare-earth ions and two compensating fluorine ions. A further increase ofx results in a decrease of the total EPR spectrum intensity, and atx≥0.05 the CW resonance becomes practically unobservable. This may be due to the formation of rare-earth ion clusters with paramagnetic Yb³⁺ ions occurring in domains with a disordered structure of surroundings resulting in very broad EPR lines, which cannot be registered by CW EPR. Indeed, very broad (not less than 1 KG) EPR lines were observed by the electron spin echo method for concentrationsx<-0.02.     

EPR studies of Cu2+ and V4+ ions in phosphate glasses

Two lead-phosphate glass systems doped with both copper and vanadium ions in different ratios were studied by EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) method. EPR spectra and parameters (g_‖ = 2.44, g_⊥ = 2.08 andA _‖ = 117.6 · 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹) obtained for x(CuO · V₂O₅)(l−x)[2P₂O₅ · PbO] glasses withx ≤ 10 mol% suggest a tetrahedral (Td) coordination of Cu²⁺ ions and not a tetragonally elongated octahedron as has been assumed in previous works. The ground state of the paramagnetic electron is thed _xy copper orbital with a 4p_z contribution of 6%. For 20 ≤x ≤ 40 mol% a broad line (ΔB = 307 G) characteristic for clustered ions appears atg = 2.18. The V⁴⁺ ions are evidenced only in the spectra of x(CuO · 2V₂O₅)(1 −x)[2P₂O₅ · PbO] glasses and the resonance parameters suggest a pentacoordinated C_4v local symmetry for these ions. The hyperfine structures characteristic for Cu²⁺ and V⁴⁺ ions disappear for 10 ≤x ≤ 40 mol% due to the mixed exchange Cu²⁺−V⁴⁺ pair formation in these glasses.     

Short-range order changes induced by heat treatment in yttrium-aluminosilicate glasses

Short-range order and local atomic configuration in yttrium-aluminosilicate glasses doped with gadolinium were studied by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, ²⁷Al magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) and Gd³⁺ electron spin resonance (EPR) on as-prepared and heat-treated samples.A small amount of yttrium was replaced by gadolinium in the host glass because Y³⁺ and Gd³⁺ cations are quite similar and gadolinium ions can be used as structural sensor in electron paramagnetic resonance measurements. The results evidence weak changes in the structure of as-prepared glasses with respect to the coordination of aluminium atoms produced by gadolinium doping (0.2 and 0.5 mol%). New IR bands recorded from heat-treated samples are associated with stretching modes of hexacoordinated aluminium in AlO₆ octahedra. The effect of the heat treatment on aluminium environment is estimated by analysing the relative intensity of the component lines of simulated ²⁷Al MAS-NMR spectra. High-coordinated AlO_n species were identified in all samples. EPR results evidence the increase of the number of gadolinium sites with weak crystal field as effect of the structural relaxation.     

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 magnetic susceptibility studies of xCuO·(1−x)[2B2O3·Li2O] glasses

The results of EPR and magnetic susceptibility studies on xCuO·(1?x)? [2B₂O₃·Li₂O] glasses with $\text{0?x?30 mol \%}$, are reported. The modification of EPR spectra with the increasing of CuO content are explained supposing that these are the result of the superposition of two EPR signals, one showing the hyperfine structure typical for isolated Cu²⁺ ions and other consisting from a broad line centered at g ～ 2 typical for the clustered Cu²⁺ ions. The values of the EPR parameters prove that the coordination of isolated Cu²⁺ -complexes remains approximately the same and show that Cu²⁺ ions are situated in axially distorted octahedral vicinities. EPR measurements have shown that the Cu²⁺ ions are present mostly as the isolated species when $\text{x?5 mol \%}$. Beside the dipole-dipole coupling between Cu²⁺ ions, the magnetic measurements suggest that for x>10 mol % superexchange interactions appear, too. From Curie constant is established that in this glass system the copper ions are in Cu²⁺ and Cu⁺ valence states. Also, the amounts of the copper ions in bivalent state are determined.     

Spectral studies on Cu ions in sodium–lead borophosphate glasses

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and optical absorption spectra of Cu²⁺ ions in sodium–lead borophosphate glasses doped with different concentrations of Cu²⁺ ions have been studied. EPR spectra of all the glass samples exhibit resonance signals characteristic of Cu²⁺ ions. The values of spin-Hamiltonian parameters indicate that the Cu²⁺ ions in sodium–lead borophosphate glasses are present in octahedral sites with tetragonal distortion. The optical absorption spectra of all the glass samples show a single broad band, which has been assigned to the ²B_1g→²B_2g transition of Cu²⁺ ions. The optical band gap energy (E_opt) and Urbach energy (ΔE) are calculated from their ultraviolet absorption edges. The emission bands observed in the ultraviolet and blue region are attributed to 3d⁹4s→3d¹⁰ triplet transition in Cu⁺ ion. The FT-IR spectra show that the glass system contains BO₃, BO₄ and PO₄ structural units.     

Insights into copper coordination in the EcoRI–DNA complex by ESR spectroscopy

The EcoRI restriction endonuclease requires one divalent metal ion in each of two symmetrical and identical catalytic sites to catalyse double-strand DNA cleavage. Recently, we showed that Cu²⁺ binds outside the catalytic sites to a pair of new sites at H114 in each sub-unit, and inhibits Mg²⁺-catalysed DNA cleavage. In order to provide more detailed structural information on this new metal ion binding site, we performed W-band (～94 GHz) and X-band (～9.5 GHz) electron spin resonance spectroscopic measurements on the EcoRI–DNA–(Cu²⁺)₂ complex. Cu²⁺ binding results in two distinct components with different g_zz and A_zz values. X-band electron spin echo envelope modulation results indicate that both components arise from a Cu²⁺ coordinated to histidine. This observation is further confirmed by the hyperfine sub-level correlation results. W-band electron nuclear double resonance spectra provide evidence for equatorial coordination of water molecules to the Cu²⁺ ions.     

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.     

Effect of Zn2+ and Cu2+ on free radical properties of melanin fromCladosporium cladosporioides

Effect of metal ions on free radical properties of natural melanin produced by soil fungiCladosporium cladosporioides was studied. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of the studied melanin consists mainly of a single line of eumelanin, and only a very weak signal of pheomelanin was observed. o-Semiquinone free radicals form paramagnetic centers in melanin. Diamagnetic Zn²⁺ ions produce an increase in the free radical concentration in melanin. Quenching of melanin EPR lines was obtained for melanin and paramagnetic Cu²⁺ ion complexes. Slow spin-lattice relaxation processes are characteristic for the free radicals in melanin samples and fast spin-lattice relaxation was observed for Cu²⁺ ions. The EPR lines of copper ions saturate at higher microwave powers than the EPR lines of melanin.     

On reasons for the hysteresis of melting and crystallization of nanoparticles

The specific features of the EPR spectra of Tm³⁺ impurity ions in synthetic forsterite have been studied by continuous-wave EPR spectroscopy in the frequency range of 270–310 GHz at a temperature of 4.2 K in weak magnetic fields. Narrow resonance signals unrelated to the modulation of the resonance conditions of EPR under the modulation of the external magnetic field have been discovered in measurements at frequencies corresponding to the zero field splitting between the ground and first excited singlet electron states of Tm³⁺ ions in zero magnetic field. The origin of these narrow lines is discussed.     

Theoretical studies of the optical and EPR spectra for vanadyl ions in alkaline-earth aluminoborate glasses

The optical spectra and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) g and A factors of calcium aluminoborate glasses (CaAB) : VO²⁺ are calculated using a complete diagonalization (of the energy matrix) process (CDP). Good agreement between the theoretical values and experimental results indicates the effectiveness of the CDP method for theoretical studies of optical and EPR spectra of 3d¹ (or V⁴⁺) ions in glasses.     

EPR and dielectric properties of Pb5Ge3O11 crystals with off-center Cu2+ ions

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and dielectric properties of Pb₅Ge₃O₁₁ crystals activated by copper ion are investigated. It is shown that Cu²⁺ ions replace Pb²⁺ in trigonal symmetry positions and occupy three off-center positions displaced from a crystal lattice site in a plane perpendicular to the polar axis C. The temperature variation of EPR spectra and dielectric properties indicates the presence of thermally activated jumps of Cu²⁺ ions between off-center positions. The EPR and dielectric data are used to determine the activation energy W=0.24 eV and the eigenfrequency τ ₀ ^?1 ～ 10¹² Hz of local dynamics of Cu²⁺ ions.     

The effect of melting temperature on the glasses from B2O3Na2OCuO system studied by EPR and NMR

The influence of the preparation temperature of copper doped soda-borate glasses on their structure and properties was investigated by means of the electron paramagnetic resonance of the Cu²⁺ ions and of the nuclear magnetic resonance of the ¹¹B nuclei. The melting temperature varied in the range 900–1300°C. The shape and parameters of EPR and NMR spectra show that due to the increase of thermal agitation, there is a greater degree of disorder in the glasses melted at higher temperatures. Consequently the microenvironmental amplitudes of the two magnetic resonance centers also increase, which is reflected in the poorer resolution of the resonance lineshapes. Both the fraction of tetracoordinated boron atoms and the paramagnetic center density decrease, the phase separation process is diminished and also the covalent character of CuO bonds decreases.A mechanism based on these results is suggested, that could describe the structural modifications which take place in these glasses as a result of the increase of their preparation temperature.     

EPR and optical absorption studies of Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions in [ZnPd(CN)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(C<Subscript>4</Subscript>H<Subscript>12</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>)] single crystals

A Cu²⁺-doped single crystal of catena-trans-bis(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediamine) zinc(II)-tetra-m-cyanopaladate(II) [ZnPd(CN)₄(C₄H₁₂N₂O₂)] complex has been investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique at room temperature. EPR spectra indicate that Cu²⁺ ions substitute for magnetically equivalent Zn²⁺ ions and form octahedral complexes in [ZnPd(CN)₄(C₄H₁₂N₂O₂)] hosts. The crystal field affecting the Cu²⁺ ion is nearly axial. The optical absorption studies show two bands at 322 nm (30864 cm⁻¹) and 634 nm (15337 cm⁻¹) which confirm the axial symmetry. The spin Hamiltonian parameters and the relevant wave function are determined.     

EPR and Optical Absorption Study of Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Ions Doped in Potassium Hexaaquazinc (II) Sulphate (PHZS) Single Crystals

Single-crystal electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies at X-band have been done on Cu²⁺-doped potassium hexaaquazinc (II) sulphate (PHZS) at room temperature. The spin Hamiltonian parameters g, A and their direction cosines are evaluated using standard diagonalization procedure with the help of a computer program. The EPR spectrum is simulated using EasySpin program to justify the calculations. The ground-state wave function of the Cu²⁺ ion in this lattice is also determined, which is predominantly |x ² − y ²〉. The optical absorption spectrum of Cu²⁺ ions doped in PHZS single crystal at room temperature is also recorded and four main d–d transition bands in visible region are assigned. 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.