Sensitivity optimization in amplitude-modulated CW-EPR experiment

A sensitivity of recently developed method of amplitude-modulated continuous wave EPR (AM-CW-EPR) is studied depending on the parameters of the modulation field. The case of the significant saturation and high modulation frequency is addressed. It is found, that the rapid resonance passage effect is essential for AM-CW-EPR. However, its manifestation is different comparing to the conventional CW-EPR experiment. Both experimental data and numerical simulations support the enhancement of the AM-CW-EPR sensitivity under the rapid passage conditions for the modulating magnetic field, which is important for practical use of the method.     

Determination of T1-spin-lattice relaxation time in a two-level system by continuous wave multiquantum electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in a presence of tetrachromatic microwave irradiation

Applicability of continuous wave multiquantum EPR methods to study relaxation times at X-band is examined. Multiquantum transitions excited in a two-level system by tetrachromatic irradiation are used for these studies. The Bloch equation model is applied to simulate lineshapes of the three quantum transitions as a function of frequency difference between exciting fields. The dependence of multiquantum transition signals on relaxation times and microwave amplitude is shown. On this basis a method of deducing relaxation times from these signals is formulated. The case of a homogeneously and inhomogeneously broadened resonance line is considered. Two experimental methods are used to verify the proposed hypothesis: the X-band continuous wave multiquantum EPR with four frequencies microwave field and saturation recovery EPR. The values of T₁ obtained from CW MQ EPR and SR EPR are compared.     

An X-band time domain electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer

A computer-controlled X-band time domain electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometer, with a time resolution of the order of 0.5μsec, has been constructed with many of the crucial microwave components designed and fabricated by the Microwave Engineering Group of TIFR. The spectrometer operates either in a microwave power pulsed mode for determination of spin-lattice relaxation times by the saturation recovery technique or in the kinetic mode for determination of the time dependence of EPR signal after laser excitation. It has an automatic frequency control, an automatic phase control and, most importantly, a field-frequency lock which ensures good stability of the EPR line positions enabling signal averaging for extended periods. The constructional details of the spectrometer and its performance in both the modes are described here by reporting results on certain typical systems.     

Monte carlo simulation of the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum displayed by copper ceruloplasmin at 77 K

Summary Human ceruloplasmin contains several intrinsic copper ions, some of them being paramagnetic. The presence of two classes of paramagnetic Cu²⁺ ions (type I and type II) has been suggested, the two types having significantly different spectroscopic features. However, there are conflicting reports both on the ratio of the number of type-I to type-II Cu²⁺ and on their EPR spectroscopic parameters. By using a Monte Carlo method we obtained the best fit of the experimental spectrum with a synthesized composite spectrum generated by two type-I Cu²⁺ (type I _a and type I _b , possessing slightly different spin Hamiltonian parameters) and by one type-II Cu²⁺. Correspondingly, the EPR spectroscopic parameter (viz. theg-tensors, hyperfine couplings, line widths and molar fractions) together with their accuracies were determined.

---

Riassunto La ceruloplasmina umana contiene diversi ioni Cu²⁺ alcuni dei quali sono paramagnetici. Di questi ne sono stati ipotizzati due tipi (tipo I e tipo II), ognuno dei quali con caratteristiche spettroscopiche diverse. Tuttavia esistono nei lavori precedenti discordanze sia sul numero di ioni Cu²⁺ che sui loro parametri EPR. Si è usato il metodo Montecarlo per ottenere il best fit dello spettro EPR della ceruloplasmina. Lo spettro simulato è risultato la somma di tre spettri, 2 di tipo I (tipo I _a e tipo I _b ) e 1 di tipo II. Sono stati così determinati i parametri relativi all'hamiltoniana di spin del sistema e le loro deviazioni standard.

---

Резюме Человеческий церулоплазмин содержит несколяко собственных ионов меди, некоторые из которых являются парамгнитными. Предполагается наличие двух классов парамгнитных Cu²⁺ ионов (тип I и тип II). Эти два типа имеют существенно различные спектроскопические свойства. Однако имеются противо-речивые публикации об отношении числа ионов Cu²⁺ типа I к числу ионов Cu²⁺ типа II и об их ЭПР спектроскопических параметрах. Исполязуя метод Монте-Карло, мы получаем наилучшее согласие экспериментального спектра с синтесированным составным спектром, образованным спектрами Cu²⁺ типа I (тип I _a и тип I _b имеющие слегка различные параметры спинового Гамилятониана) и одного спектра Cu²⁺ типа II. Определяются ЭПР спектроскопические параметы (а именно:g-тензоры, сверхтонкие связи, ширины линий и молярные доли).

     

An electron paramagnetic resonance study of LDPE irradiated with high-energy electron beam

Cross-linking of the polyethylene was performed with a high-energy electron beam. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to study the lifetime of unpaired electron in the irradiated samples. Time-dependent electrical parameters are investigated for the cross-linked low-density polyethylene. Both dielectric constant and dielectric strength almost remained unchanged, but for short times, the volume resistivity and loss factor increased and decreased, respectively. It is predicted that for lifetime longer than 48 h, the electrical parameters were constant. It is believed that the variation of some electrical properties during time is due to the effects of trapped electrons.     

A study of the firing temperature of archeological pottery by X-ray diffraction and electron paramagnetic resonance

A fragment of an archeological funerary urn from Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil, was studied using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The thermal stability of all paramagnetic species was studied with isothermal treatment. In the present study, the iron signal (Fe³⁺) cannot be used as a firing temperature reference for archeological pottery. The intensification of this signal with temperature is a consequence of Fe²⁺ oxidation, but this reaction occurs in a short-lived treatment at high temperature or in an extended treatment at lower temperature. However, the iron signal and three other paramagnetic species indicate that the urn was fired for an extended time (up to three days). The thermal stability of the three paramagnetic species indicates a firing temperature of around 500 °C in the inner layer, between 400 and 500 °C in the middle layer, and between 500 and 800 °C in the outer layer. The presence of kaolinite structures only in the middle portion is consistent with the temperature values estimated. A firing method for the funerary archeological urn is suggested.     

The change from paramagnetic resonance to ferromagnetic resonance for iron nanoparticles made by the sol-gel method

Sol-gel glass embedded with iron nanoparticles provides fascinating features inheriting paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, and superparamagnetic resonance properties under various compositional weight ratios and annealing conditions. Two spectra arising from paramagnetic Fe³⁺ ions and ferrimagnetic Fe₂O₃ particles both centered at g_e=2.0 compete with intensities as the annealing temperature T_A increases. Meanwhile, the resonance line width of Fe₂O₃ particles sharply decreases due to the strong exchange narrowing. The asymmetric line shape and the rather broad line width can be elucidated by the ferromagnetic resonance of the single domain Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance investigation of K3H(SO4)2 proton conductor doped with Cr ion

The proton arrangement around SO₄ units in K₃H(SO₄)₂ (KHS) was studied in detail by X-band CW EPR spectra of CrO₄³⁻ paramagnetic centre incorporated into KHS during the crystal growth process. The EPR data prove the theoretical model of coherent motion of protons and SO₄ units at the fast-proton conducting phase proposed by Ito and Kamimura.     

Cryostat for low temperature x-irradiation and electron paramagnetic resonance

A cryostat for x-irradiation of solid samples at liquid air temperature is described. The design of the sample mount in the cryostat enables quick transfer of the sample after x-irradiation into EPR cavity to facilitate EPR study without warming the sample.     

High order electron paramagnetic resonance transitions of Gd3+ in Pr2Zn3(NO3)12·24H2O single crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance of Gd³⁺ in Pr₂Zn₃(NO₃)₁₂ · 24H₂O single crystals has been studied at ∼ 9.45 GHz and at 285 K. In addition to the allowed fine structure lines (ΔM=± 1) some weak low field lines identified as ΔM = ± 2 transitions have been observed.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance study of copper impurity charge-states in PbWO4 scintillator

The study of two types of Cu²⁺ centres observed in nominally pure PbWO₄ crystals grown by Bridgman and Czochralski methods was carried out by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). One of centres, called Cu²⁺(I), arises after oxygen compensation, while the second one, called Cu²⁺(II) requires, in addition, infrared illumination at low temperatures, being thermally stable only up to 22–23 K. The EPR spectra of both Cu²⁺ centres are described by rhombic symmetry g-tensors with the Z-principal axis lying close to, or in the (ab) plane of the crystal. It is proposed that in both centres the Cu²⁺ ions substitute for Pb²⁺ ions. The additional reduction of the local crystal-field symmetry is connected with a CuWO₄ wolframite-type lattice distortion for the Cu(I) and a Jahn–Teller distortion of the regular PbWO₄ lattice for the Cu(II). It was also found that either IR irradiation or thermal heating activate the transfer of an electron between two closely spaced Cu²⁺ centres.     

Examination on the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra and the photoluminescence spectra of the Cr ions in the KMgF3 crystal

In this paper, the photoluminescence spectra and the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the Cr³⁺ ions in the KMgF₃ crystal are explained based on the complete energy matrix diagonalization procedure and a crystal-field like model. The results agree well with the experimental data. It is also shown that the nearest neighbor F⁻ ions deviate 1.3981 and −0.486° from their original position because of the K⁺ vacancy.     

Thermally stimulated luminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance studies of actinide doped calcium chloro phosphate

Electron paramagnetic resonance [EPR] and thermally stimulated luminescence [TSL] studies were conducted on self [α]-irradiated²³⁹Pu doped calcium chloro phosphate andγ-irradiated²³⁹Pu/²³⁸UO ₂ ²⁺ doped calcium chloro phosphate to elucidate the role of the electron/hole traps in thermally stimulated reactions and to obtain trap parameters from both TSL and EPR data. TSL glow peaks around 135 K (# peak 1), 190 K (# peak 2), 435 K (# peak 5) and 490 K (# peak 7) were observed and their spectral characteristics have shown that Pu³⁺ and UO ₆ ⁶⁻ act as luminescent centres in calcium chloro phosphate with respective dopants. EPR studies have shown the formation of the radical ions H⁰, PO ₄ ²⁻ , O⁻, O ₂ ⁻ and [ClO]²⁻ under different conditions. Whereas the [ClO]²⁻ radical being stable up to 700 K, was not found to have any role in TSL processes, the thermal destruction of other centres was found to be primarily responsible for the TSL peaks observed. The trap depth values were determined both by using the TSL data and also the temperature variation of EPR spectra of these centres.     

Radiation stabilization of U5+ in CaO matrix and its thermal stability: Electron paramagnetic resonance and thermally stimulated luminescence studies

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) evidence is presented for the radiation stabilization of pentavalent uranium in CaO matrix. From the theoretical predictions ofg value for U⁵⁺ in axial symmetries, it was concluded that U⁵⁺ at Ca²⁺ site is associated with a second neighbour charge compensating Ca²⁺ vacancy. EPR measurements also revealed the presence of Mn²⁺, Mn⁴⁺ and Cu²⁺ impurities in the samples. The thermal stability of U⁵⁺ was investigated using EPR and thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) techniques. The TSL and EPR studies on gamma irradiated uranium doped calcium oxide samples had shown that the intense glow peak at 540 K is associated with the reduction in the intensity of EPR signal of U⁵⁺ ion around this temperature. This peak is associated with the process U⁵⁺+hole→U^6+*→U⁶⁺+hv. The activation energy for this process was determined to be 1.4eV.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance study of Mn2+ in kainite

epr measurements on kainite containing Mn²⁺ impurities are made at x-band microwave frequencies at room temperature. The fine structure transitions observed inac* plane have helped to extract the spin Hamiltonian parameters of Mn^{2 +} ions in the crystalline environment. The results indicate strong orthorhombic crystalline field and the rhombic field parameter is larger than those observed in the other similar systems. The z-axis of the D-tensor is determined with respect toac* plane by theoretically fitting the experimental fine structure transitions.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance study of Y-doping effect on the hydrogen shallow donors in ZnO nanoparticles

Hydrogen shallow donors in sol-gel-derived pristine and rare-earth Y-doped ZnO nanoparticles have been investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and high-resolution ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). It is shown by EPR measurements that the energy level of the hydrogen shallow donors in the Y-doped ZnO is much deeper (E ～ 174 meV) than in the pristine ZnO (E ～ 75 meV). The temperature-dependent ¹H NMR chemical shift and linewidth measurements of the pristine and the Y-doped ZnO systems indicated that Y-doping effectively modifies the lattice environment and hinders the hydrogen motions in the ZnO nanoparticles.     

基于电子顺磁共振的锶铁氧体磁特性研究

为了研究配料、温度、氧环境和掺杂等条件对锶铁氧体的磁性能的影响问题, 利用溶胶-凝胶法制备了锶铁氧体粉末, 建立了一种基于电子顺磁共振技术研究锶铁氧体粉末的磁特性的方法. 用电子顺磁共振波谱仪对烧结后的产物进行测试发现: 400 ℃预烧下, 锶铁摩尔比为1:9时, 中间产物顺磁相α-Fe₂O₃含量最多, 高于400 ℃时其含量减少, 亚铁磁相增加, 并确定最佳煅烧温度介于800-900 ℃. 这是由于外磁场和其他磁场综合作用产生亚铁磁相, 进而产生较强的磁矩相互作用所致. 结合工业实际应用, 发现缺氧退火环境下, 顺磁相α-Fe₂O₃含量较大, 不利于亚铁磁相生成; X-射线衍射(XRD)表征结果表明: 除了少量杂相, 其余均为顺磁相和亚铁磁相; 电子顺磁共振谱和XRD 谱检测结果综合表明, 锶铁摩尔比为1:9时, 最终产物的顺磁相含量最少, 亚铁磁相含量最多, 磁性最强; 毫特斯拉计的剩磁检测结果也证实了上述结果. 掺杂实验发现镧离子占锶镧总摩尔数的20% 至30% 时, 能够有效降低顺磁相的产生, 增强最终产物的亚铁磁性.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance, optical and electrical properties of vanadyl doped alkali germanoborate glasses

Glasses with composition xGeO₂.(0.30−x)M₂O.0.70B₂O₃ (M=Li, K) containing 2.0 mol% of V₂O₅ have been prepared in the range 0.00≤x≤0.15 by normal melt quenching method. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), optical transmission and absorption spectra and dc conductivity of these glasses have been studied. Spin Hamiltonian parameters (SHPs) of VO²⁺ ions, dipolar hyperfine coupling parameter, P, Fermi contact interaction parameter, K and molecular orbital coefficients (α² and γ²) have been calculated. In GeO₂·Li₂O·B₂O₃ glasses there is no change in the tetragonality of the V⁴⁺O₆ complex and the size of 3d_xy orbit also remains unchanged with increase in GeO₂ content. In GeO₂·K₂O·B₂O₃ glasses, there is an increase in the tetragonality of the V⁴⁺O₆ complex and the 3d_xy orbit expands with increase in GeO₂ content. Values of the theoretical optical basicity, Λ_th, have also been reported. Optical band gap decreases with increase in GeO₂ content. The dc conductivity of these glasses decreases and the activation energy increases with increase in GeO₂:M₂O ratio.     

Non-equilibrium effects in copper vapor laser pumped Nd3+ doped PVA film: Photo-electon paramagnetic resonance and photoacoustic spectral investigations

Photo-EPR measurements carried out on Nd³⁺ -doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films have shown that nearly 100% reduction occurs in the intensity of EPR of Nd³⁺ under in situ copper vapor laser (CVL) illumination (510.5 nm and 578.2 nm). The kinetics of decay and recovery were investigated. Photoacoustic (PA) spectra, observed under CVL pump condition had shown that the CVL induced changes were not due to photoinduced valence change, and that the CVL pumping creates highly favorable conditions for non-equilibrium population distribution in the excited electronic states. The complete disappearance of EPR under CVL pumping is attributed either to the possible equalization of population of |+〈 and |−〈 Zeeman components, through the decay of many excited states in the presence of magnetic field or configurational changes around Nd³⁺ shifting the resonance frequency. The former appears less probable in view of the relatively slower recovery of EPR signal.