EPR of a non-Kramers iron ion in KTaO3

The EPR spectrum of the non-Kramers iron ion Fe⁴⁺ (S=2) in a KTaO₃:Fe crystal appearing after illumination of the sample in the visible has been detected and studied. Because of the large initial splitting (|D|=4.15 cm⁻¹), only transitions within the |±1〈 and |±2〈 doublets are seen experimentally. Superhyperfine structure in the spectrum of a non-Kramers ion in perovskites has been detected for the first time. A structure is proposed for the center responsible for the new EPR spectrum, which represents a complex of a Fe₄₊ ion substituting for Ta with an oxygen vacancy at the nearest anion site. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 1424–1427 (August 1999)     

EPR of Fe3+ ion and symmetry of [AIF5·H2O]2? complex ion in (NH4)2AIF5·H2O single crystals

We used the spin-Hamiltonian method for the analysis of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of Fe³⁺ as a probe ion in (NH₄)₂AlF₅·H₂O single crystalline basic material. The theoretical expressions for the magnetic field (at which the fine structure transition lines appear) versus the angle between the magnetic field and the axis of symmetry of the magnetic complex are also given. These values were calculated by applying the perturbation theory to the second-order terms. From the experimental results (at 300 K and 9.21 GHz), the spin-Hamiltonian parameters were deduced:D=(668±10)·10⁻⁴ T,E=(−56±10)·10⁻⁴ T,a=(−54±10)·10⁻⁴ T,F=(30±10)·10⁻⁴ T. An isotropic superhyperfine structure was evidenced for the five fluorine ions. The obtained EPR data were used to determine the local symmetry of the Al³⁺ ion. A good agreement with X-ray diffraction measurements was found.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance parameters of Mn<Superscript>4+</Superscript> ion in h-BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystal from a two-mechanism model

The EPR parameters (g factors g _‖, g _⊥ and zero-field splitting D) of Mn⁴⁺ ion in h-BaTiO₃ crystal are calculated from the complete high-order perturbation formulas based on a two-mechanism model for the EPR parameters of 3d ³ ions in trigonal symmetry. In the model, not only the widely used crystal-field mechanism, but also the charge-transfer mechanism (which is not considered in crystal-field theory) are included. The calculated results are in reasonable agreement with the experimental values. The relative importance of charge-transfer mechanism to EPR parameters and the defect structure of Mn⁴⁺ centre in h-BaTiO₃ crystal obtained from the calculations are discussed.      

Electron paramagnetic resonance of scandium in silicon carbide

The EPR spectra of scandium acceptors and Sc²⁺(3d) ions are observed in 6H-SiC crystals containing a scandium impurity. The EPR spectra of scandium acceptors are characterized by comparatively small hyperfine interaction constants, whose values are consistent with the constants for other group III elements in SiC: boron, aluminum, and gallium acceptors. The EPR spectra of scandium acceptors undergo major changes in the temperature interval 20–30 K. In the low-temperature phase the EPR spectra are characterized by orthorhombic symmetry, whereas the high-temperature phase has higher axial symmetry. The EPR spectra observed at temperatures above 35 K and ascribed by the authors to Sc²⁺(3d) ions, or to the A ²⁻ state of scandium, have significantly larger hyperfine structure constants and narrower lines in comparison with the EPR spectra of scandium acceptors. The parameters of these EPR spectra are close to those of Sc²⁺(3d) in ionic crystals and ZnS, whereas the parameters of the EPR spectra of scandium acceptors correspond more closely to the parameters of holes localized at group III atoms, in particular, at scandium atoms in GeO₂. It is concluded that in all centers the scandium atoms occupy silicon sites. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 52–57 (January 1997)     

Strontium Tetraborate Glasses Doped with Transition Metal Ions: EPR and Optical Absorption Study

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical studies have been carried out on Cu(II)-, VO(II)- and Cr(III)-doped strontium tetraborate glasses to understand the distortion and substitution of these ions. The EPR results of Cu(II) glass indicate that g _∥ > g _⊥, typical for the tetragonally elongated octahedral site of the Cu(II) impurity. The evaluated covalency parameter 0.788 suggests a moderate covalency for the bonding. By correlating EPR and optical results, the in-plane π-bonding β₁ ² is evaluated as 0.715. In the vanadium-doped glasses, the distortion must be a tetragonally elongated octahedron, similar to Cu(II). However, the EPR studies show that g _⊥ > g _∥ indicating the tetragonally compressed octahedral site for the ion. The site symmetry is C _4V. Supported by the optical absorption, evaluated parameters propose a moderate covalency. The EPR and optical results for Cr(III) glass indicate the distorted octahedral site symmetry in the host lattice. These results further suggest that the bonding between Cr(III) and the ligands is covalent. Authors' address: Renduchintala V. S. S. N. Ravikumar, Department of Physics, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar 522510, India     

Identification of the La6F37 cubooctahedral clusters in mixed crystals (BaF2)1 ? x(LaF3)x by the electron paramagnetic resonance method

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of mixed crystals (BaF₂)_{1 − x} (LaF₃) _x (x = 0, 0.001, 0.002, 0.005, 0.010, 0.020) doped with Ce³⁺ ions (0.1%) are investigated at a frequency v ≈ 9.5 GHz in magnetic fields up to 1.45 T at temperatures T = 10 and 15 K. The EPR spectrum of “pure” barium fluoride BaF₂ (x = 0) is characterized by a single Ce³⁺-F⁻ center with tetragonal symmetry (i.e., the O center with g _‖ = 2.601 and g _⊥ = 1.555). For a lanthanum trifluoride concentration x ≠ 0, the spectrum exhibits new lines due to the presence of the clusters containing Ce³⁺ and La³⁺ ions. The intensity of EPR signals from the O centers decreases rapidly as the lanthanum trifluoride concentration x increases. The lines attributed to a paramagnetic center with tetragonal symmetry and strongly anisotropic g factors (i.e., the K center with g _‖ = 0.725 and g _⊥ = 2.52) are separated in the complex EPR spectrum with the use of the angular dependence of the EPR signal intensity measured for the samples with x ≥ 0.002. This center is identified as a cubooctahedral cluster of the La₆F₃₇ type in which one of the La³⁺ ions is replaced by the Ce³⁺ ion. Original Russian Text ? L.K. Aminov, I.N. Kurkin, S.P. Kurzin, I.A. Gromov, G.V. Mamin, R.M. Rakhmatullin, 2007, published in Fizika Tverdogo Tela, 2007, Vol. 49, No. 11, pp. 1990–1993.     

蓝宝石(α-Al_2O_3:Fe~(3+))体系基态分裂与局域晶格畸变的研究

2002年Scholz和Buzaré对蓝宝石晶体中Fe3+离子的基态分裂重新进行了EPR实验测量和研究,他们的初步分析表明在蓝宝石晶体中Fe3+离子的6A1基态分裂有可能同时与两个方向的畸变角(θ和φ)有关.本文采用对角化d5组态在C3点群对称下的252×252完全能量矩阵的方法,对蓝宝石晶体中Fe3+离子的光谱和EPR谱进行了系统的研究.计算结果表明蓝宝石体系中Fe3+离子的6A1基态分裂确实将明显依赖于两个方向的畸变角θ和φ,这一理论结果与Scholz和Buzaré等的实验相符合.同时,通过拟合Fe3+离子在蓝宝石体系中的实验光谱和EPR参量,确定了蓝宝石晶体中(FeO6)9团簇局域晶格畸变角θi的范围.     

Identification of paramagnetic centers and the dating of cave dripstones by electron paramagnetic resonance

Dating of samples of cave dripstones collected from the Jaskinia Czarna (the Polish Tatra Mountains) and fossil bones was carried out by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). By this method the age of the sample is found as the ratio of the total dose (TD) to the annual dose rate (D _a). TD is established on the basis of EPR spectra, whileD _a is the sum of the internal dose rate, calculated on the basis of the concentration and activity of radioactive nuclides in the sample, and the external dose rate measured at the site of the sample collection by a calibrated γ-radiation probe. Two models of uranium accumulation were used: the model of linear accumulation and the model on the basis of the assumption of a disturbed radiation equilibrium in the uranium series. The results were compared with the age determined by the uranium-thorium method. Moreover, by the computer resolution enhancement method the dynamics of paramagnetic centers in calcite annealed in nitrogen atmosphere was studied in the range of 283–873 K, and the results were compared with earlier results for calcite annealed in the air. On the basis of the study of paramagnetic center dynamics in dripstone calcite it was established that the radicals responsible for the EPR signals were CO₂⁻ in different symmetries of the crystalline field, CO₃³⁻ in the axial symmetry, CO₃⁻ in the axial and isotropic symmetry and HCO₃²⁻. The results implied that samples to be subjected to EPR dating should be kept at room temperature.     

EPR of hole centers in nonlinear LiBO3 crystals

Results are presented of an EPR study of theO⁻ hole center in LiB₃O₅ (lithium triborate) crystals. Analysis of angular dependences of EPR spectra is used to determine the principal values of the g tensor (g _XX=2.032, g _YY=2.020, g _ZZ=2.007), along with the modulus of the isotropic part of the A ² tensor (|A|=12.2 G) and the orientations of the principal axes of the paramagnetic O⁻ center. The most probable model for the O⁻ center in lithium borate crystals is the following: a hole trapped by the center is localized on a p-orbital of an oxygen ion linking two boron atoms with coordination numbers three and four near a negatively charged stabilizing structural defect. In this case the characteristic hyperfine splitting is due primarily to the interaction of the unpaired electron spin with the ¹¹B nucleus. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1380–1383 (August 1996)     

Study of optical absorption and EPR spectra of Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ion in cadmium maleate dihydrate

The optical absorption and EPR spectra of Mn²⁺ ion doped in cadmium maleate dihydrate have been theoretically investigated by diagonalizing the complete energy matrices for a d⁵ configuration ion in a trigonal ligand-field. According to the suggestion of the optical absorption studies, we assume that the Mn²⁺ ion enters the host lattice interstitially and the distorted octahedral symmetry for the impurity ion is trigonal. Moreover, the local lattice structure parameters of the system are determined. The results show that the six oxygen ions around the Mn²⁺ ion are at the same distance R=2.115 ?, and there are three Mn-O bonds forming an angle θ₁ of 66.26° with the C₃-axis and three others forming an angle θ₂ of 43.40°.     

A Variable-Temperature X-Band EPR Study of the Gd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Ion in a La<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> Crystal Characterized by Monoclinic Site Symmetry

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies on a single crystal of diamagnetic compound La₂Si₂O₇, potentially a phosphorescent/luminescent/laser material, with the Gd³⁺ ion substituting for the La³⁺ ion, were carried out at X-band (9.61 GHz) over the 4–295 K temperature range. The asymmetry exhibited by the Gd³⁺ EPR line positions for the orientations of the external magnetic field about the magnetic Z- and Y-axes in the ZY-plane was ascribed to the existence of monoclinic site symmetry at the site of the Gd³⁺ ion, as confirmed by the significant values of the spin Hamiltonian parameters g _YZ , b ₂ ⁻¹, b ₄ ^−m (m = 1, 3), b ₆ ^−m (m = 1, 3, 5), estimated by fitting all EPR line positions observed at room temperature for the orientation of the magnetic field in the magnetic ZX- and ZY-planes using a rigorous least-squares fitting procedure. At 8 K measurements were only carried out for orientation of B in the magnetic ZX-plane, due to difficulty in orientation of the crystal inside the cryostat, enabling estimation of all spin Hamiltonian parameters b _n ^m except those characterized by negative m values and g _YZ . The absolute sign of the zero-field splitting parameter b ₂ ⁰ was determined to be negative from the relative intensities of the lines at 8 K. Authors' address: Sushil K. Misra, Physics Department, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Boulevard West, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8, Canada     

Study of EPR parameters and defect structure for two tetragonal impurity centers in MgO:Cr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and MgO:Mn<Superscript>4+</Superscript> crystals

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) parameters (g-factors g _‖, g _⊥ and zero-field splitting D) of two tetragonal 3d³ impurity centers M_3d-V_Mg and M_3d-Li⁺ (where M_3d = Cr³⁺ or Mn⁴⁺, V_Mg is the Mg²⁺ vacancy) in M_3d-doped MgO crystals are calculated from the high-order perturbation formulas including both the crystal-field (CF) and the charge-transfer (CT) mechanisms for 3d³ ions in the tetragonal symmetry. The calculated results are in reasonable agreement with the experimental values. From the calculations, it can be found that the relative importance of the CT mechanism for EPR parameters increases with increasing valence state of the 3d³ ion. So, for the high-valence 3d ⁿ ions in crystals, a reasonable explanation of EPR parameters should take into account both CF and CT mechanisms. The defect structures (characterized by the displacement ΔR of O²⁻ in the intervening M_3d and V_Mg or Li⁺ at the Mg²⁺ site) for these tetragonal impurity centers are obtained from the calculations. The results are consistent with the expectations based on the electrostatic interactions.     

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.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance and thermally stimulated luminescence studies of uranyl doped calcium sulphate

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) studies were conducted onγ-irradiated CaSO₄:UO ₂ ²⁺ to elucidate the role of the electron/hole traps in thermally stimulated reactions and to obtain the trap parameters (trap depth and frequency factor). Intense TSL glow peaks around 140, 375, 400 and 438±2K are observed and their spectral characteristics have shown that UO ₂ ²⁺ and UO ₆ ⁶⁻ act as luminescent centres. EPR studies have shown the peaks at 140 and 400/438K to be associated with the thermal destruction of O⁻ and SO ₄ ⁻ radical ion in two stages respectively. The maximum rate of thermal destruction of SO ₄ ⁻ ions (as seen by EPR) in various alkaline earth sulphate matrices investigated in our laboratory is also summarized. The activation energy which characterizes the electron transfer reaction between SO ₄ ⁻ and the dopant ion lies in the range of (0.95±0.15 eV). This value is independent of the dopant and therefore seems to be characteristic of the binding energy of hole in the SO ₄ ⁻ radical ion.     

Observation of superhyperfine structure in the ESR spectra of two tetragonal Fe centers in KTaO3 and a new model for the center

Superhyperfine structure is observed in the lines of the ESR spectra of two tetragonal iron centers in the KTaO₃ crystal, namely, “Fe 4/2” and Fe _Ta ³⁺ -V_O. Analysis of the superhyperfine structure of the former of these centers shows that the iron ion replaces Ta⁵⁺ and is found in the charge state 5+. Justification is given for assuming that the tetragonal symmetry of the center is due to the displacement of Fe⁵⁺ from the Ta⁵⁺ site along a 〈100〉 direction to an off-center position. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 626–629 (April 1997)     

Synthesis, crystal structure, Cu doped EPR, thermal and voltammetric studies of [Ni(isonicotinamide)2(H2O)4]·(sac)2 single crystal

The single crystal of [Ni(ina)₂(H₂O)₄]·(sac)₂, (NINS), (ina is isonicotinamide and sac is saccharinate) complex has been prepared and its structural, spectroscopic and thermal properties have been determined. The title complex crystallizes in monoclinic system with space group P2₁/c, Z=2. The octahedral Ni(II) ion, which rides on a crystallographic centre of symmetry, is coordinated by two monodentate ina ligands through the ring nitrogen and four aqua ligands to form discrete [Ni(ina)₂(H₂O)₄] unit, which captures two saccharinate ions in up and down positions, each through intermolecular hydrogen bands. The magnetic environment of copper(II) doped NINS crystal has also been identified by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique. The g and A values of Cu²⁺ doped NINS single crystal were calculated from the EPR spectra recorded in three mutually perpendicular planes. These values indicated that the paramagnetic centre has a rhombic symmetry with the Cu²⁺ ion having distorted octahedral environment. The complex exhibits only metal centred electroactivity in the potential range of −2.00, 1.25 V versus Ag/AgCl reference electrode.     

Magnetic Properties of Monomer and Dimer Tetrahedral VO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> Entities Dispersed on Amorphous Silica-based Materials: Prediction of EPR Parameters from Relativistic DFT Calculations and Broken Symmetry Approach to Exchange Couplings

Molecular structures of the isolated tetrahedral oxovanadium(IV) and bridged μ-oxo-divanadium(IV) complexes hosted by the clusters mimicking surfaces of amorphous silica-based materials were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Principal values of the g and A tensors for the monomer vanadyl species were obtained using the coupled-perturbed DFT level of theory and the spin–orbit mean-field approximation (SOMF). Magnetic exchange interaction for the μ-oxo bridged vanadium(IV) dimer was investigated within the broken symmetry approach. An antiferromagnetic coupling of the individual magnetic moments of the vanadium(IV) centers in the [VO–O–VO]²⁺ bridges was revealed and discussed in detail. The coupling explains pronounced decrease of the electron paramagnetic resonance signal (EPR) intensity, observed for the reduced VO _x /SiO₂ samples with the increasing coverage of vanadia, in terms of transformation of the paramagnetic monomer species into the dimers with S = 0 ground state.     

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.     

Superhyperfine structure of the EPR spectra of Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in Li<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>F<Subscript>4</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis> = Y,Lu, Tm) double fluorides

The EPR spectra of Ce³⁺ impurity ions in LiYF₄, LiLuF₄, and LiTmF₄ double-fluoride single crystals have been investigated at a frequency of ∼9.3 GHz in the temperature range 5–25 K. The effective g factors of the ground Kramers doublet of the cerium ions in three crystals are close to each other (g _‖ = 2.737, g _⊥ = 1.475 for LiYF₄:Ce³⁺). A superhyperfine structure of the EPR spectrum of Ce³⁺ ions in the LiTmF₄ Van Vleck paramagnet has been observed in the external magnetic field B oriented along the crystallographic axis c (B ‖ c). The superhyperfine structure of the EPR soectra of the Ce³⁺ ions in the LiYF₄ and LiLuF₄ diamagnetic matrices is resolved for B ⊥ c. Possible factors responsible for this pronounced difference in the properties of the systems studied have been discussed.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, Cu doped EPR and voltammetric studies of bis[N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine]zinc(II) squarate monohydrate

Crystal structure of [Zn(hydet-en)₂]·C₄O₄·H₂O (ZHES) (hydet-en is N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine) complex has been synthesized and characterized by analytical, spectroscopic (IR, UV/Vis) and voltammetric techniques. After doping Cu²⁺ ion, its magnetic environment has been identified by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique. The title complex crystalizes in monoclinic system with space group P2₁/c and with Z=4. Each hydet-en ligand acts as a tridentate ligand through the two N atoms and the hydroxyl O atom, resulting in a six coordinate Zn(II) ion. The EPR spectra were recorded in three perpendicular planes of Cu²⁺ doped ZHES single crystal. The calculated g and A values indicated that the paramagnetic center is rhombic symmetry with the Cu²⁺ ion having distorted octahedral environment. The molecular orbital bond coefficients of the Cu(II) ion in d⁹ state is also calculated by using EPR and optical absorption parameters. The dianion SQ²⁻ is oxidized reversibly in two consecutive steps to the corresponding radical monoanion and neutral form.