EPR of Er3+, Nd3+, and Ce3+ ions in YAlO3 single crystals

EPR spectra of the Er³⁺, Nd³⁺, and Ce³⁺ ions substituting for the Y³⁺ ion in the YAlO₃ yttrium orthoaluminate lattice are studied. The EPR spectra of these rare-earth ions are described by a spin Hamiltonian of rhombic symmetry with an effective spin S=1/2. The principal values of the g tensors were determined from an analysis of the angular dependences of the EPR spectra. The orientation of the local magnetic axes of paramagnetic centers relative to the YAlO₃ crystallographic directions are shown to depend on the actual rare-earth species. The EPR spectra exhibit a hyperfine structure due to the ¹⁶⁷Er, ¹⁴³Nd, and ¹⁴⁵Nd odd isotopes, which permitted unambiguous identification of these spectra. The hyperfine coupling constants for the odd erbium and neodymium isotopes are determined.     

Spin relaxation studies on conducting poly(tetrathiafulvalene)

Magnetic parameters and the relaxation behavior of paramagnetic centers in an iodine-doped poly(tetrathiafulvalene) semiconductor with a d.c. conductivity of 10^?5 S·cm^?1 have been studied using mainly the 2 mm waveband EPR technique in the temperature range of 110–270 K. The EPR line shape analysis confirms the existence of immobile radicals pinne on short polymer chains and mobile polarons with different relaxation parameters in slightly doped poly(tetrathiafulvalene). The temperature dependences of electron spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation times of paramagnetic centers of both types have been determined independently using the saturation method at the operation frequency ν _e = 140 GHz. An anisotropic slow libration of immobile polarons with an activation energy of 0.02 eV have been registered for the first time using the saturation transfer EPR method. The temperature dependences of intrachain diffusion and interchain hopping rates in poly(tetrathiafulvalene) are determined from theT ₁ andT ₂ EPR data. The interchain spin dynamics is shown to correlate with libration of polarons trapped on polymer chains and is in good agreement with a hopping charge transport mechanism.     

EPR Investigation of Exchange Interactions Between Neodymium Ions in {[Nd2(α-C4H3OCOO)6(H2O)2]} n

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of a new compound {[Nd₂(α-C₄H₃OCOO)₆(H₂O)₂]} _n composed of Nd³⁺–Nd³⁺ dimers is reported. The anisotropy parameters of the spin–spin interaction are determined by fitting experimental and simulated spectra in X- and Q-bands. It is shown that the anisotropy of the exchange interaction gives the main contribution to the anisotropy of the spin–spin interaction. The observed anisotropy disagrees with the expected in the model of the isotropic exchange interaction between real spins. A feature of the EPR spectrum not described by the model of the isolated Nd–Nd dimers and reflecting the magnetization transfer between dimers is detected. The magnetization transfer due to both the relaxation transitions and the interdimer interaction is considered.     

Spin dynamics investigated by EPR in the paramagnetic regime of La2/3Ca1/3Mn1−x Me x O3 (Me = Al, In) manganites

We report an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigation of the spin dynamics in the paramagnetic regime of the colossal magnetoresistive manganites La_2/3Ca_1/3Mn_1?x Me _x O₃ (Me=Al, In;x≤0.05). The temperature dependences of the EPR linewidth and integral intensity have been analyzed in terms of the bottleneck spin relaxation and small-polaron hopping models. The exchange coupling integral between Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ ions and the polaron activation energy decrease with increasing doping level. A discussion is given concerning the factors which could explain the observed changes.     

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.     

EPR and optical absorption studies on VO ions in zinc lactate trihydrate

EPR and optical absorption studies of VO²⁺-doped zinc lactate trihydrate single crystals are done at room temperature. The EPR spectra of VO²⁺ are characteristic of tetragonally compressed octahedral site. The angular variation of the EPR spectra shows single site occupying interstitial position in the lattice. The spin Hamiltonian parameters are evaluated as g_x=1.9771, g_y=2.0229, g_z=1.9236 and A_x=76, A_y=104, A_z=197 (×10⁻⁴) cm⁻¹. Using these parameters and optical absorption data various bonding parameters are determined and the nature of bonding in the complex is discussed.     

EPR and Optical Absorption Study of VO2+ Ions Doped Potassium Hexaaquazinc (II) Sulfate Single Crystals

X-band single-crystal electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies are done on VO²⁺ ions doped in potassium hexaaquazinc (II) sulfate, K₂[Zn (H₂O)₆] (SO₄)₂ (PHZS) at room temperature. The spin Hamiltonian parameters, i.e., g and A tensors and their direction cosines, are evaluated by the standard diagonalization procedure using angular variation of the EPR spectra in three planes (ab, bc* and c*a), with the help of a computer program. The EPR spectrum is simulated using the EasySpin program to verify the calculations. The detailed EPR analysis indicates the presence of two magnetically inequivalent VO²⁺ sites. Both the vanadyl complexes are found to take up the substitutional position in the host lattice. The optical absorption spectrum of VO²⁺ ions doped in PHZS single crystal at room temperature is also recorded and four main d–d transfer bands in the visible region are assigned. The theoretical band positions are obtained using energy expressions and a good agreement is found with the experimental values. 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.     

The potential barrier height for a Jahn-Teller center

The EPR spectrum of the Cu²⁺ ion in a ZnSiF₆·6H₂O crystal is studied in the temperature range T=5?300K. It is shown that the EPR spectrum can be represented in the form of a superposition of three contributions with essentially different properties. The first contribution is characterized by the maximal intensity at low temperatures and is described by a spin Hamiltonian with a large anisotropy of parameters. The second contribution has the maximal intensity at high temperatures and is described by a spin Hamiltonian with a low anisotropy of parameters. The third contribution cannot be described by a spin Hamiltonian and has the form of a partly orientationally averaged EPR spectrum. The reason for the emergence of these contributions is substantiated along with the form of the temperature dependence of their intensities on the basis of variation of the populations of vibronic states upon a change in temperature. The height (E₀=4±1cm_?1) of the potential barrier separating three equivalent Jahn-Teller potential wells of the Cu²⁺ ion is determined from analysis of the temperature dependence of the integrated intensity of the EPR spectrum. The obtained value of the barrier height substantially differs from the estimate (100 cm^?1) obtained earlier [2, 3] for the Cu²⁺ ion in ZnSiF₆·6H₂O on the basis of the tunneling model. It is shown that the forms of the temperature dependences of the linewidth of the low-and high-temperature EPR spectra are essentially different. This difference indicates that the contributions of the low-and high-temperature EPR spectra are associated with quantum-mechanical transitions between these states. It is proposed that the low-and high temperature contributions to the EPR spectrum are associated with the filling of under-the-barrier and above-the-barrier vibronic states, respectively.     

Structures and electronic states of photoexcited states in a system of two nitroxide radicals linked to fullerene studied by two-dimensional pulsed nutation and time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

Magnetic properties of fulleropyrrolidine adducts with two stable nitroxide radicals (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl, TEMPO) were studied in toluene solution by continuous-wave time-resolved (TR) and pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in the ground and photoexcited states. Four isomers of the bisadduct,trans-1,trans-2,trans-3, and equatorial forms, having the second pyrrolidine ring at different [6-6] bonds were synthesized. In the ground states, the exchange interaction between two TEMPOs is so small that the spin state of the bisadduct is a doublet in nature. By means of spectral simulations of the EPR spectra in frozen solution at 70 K, the upper limit of the exchange interaction was estimated to be 5 MHz for thetrans-1 andtrans-2 and 10 MHz for thetrans-3 and equatorial isomers. The simulation was also made to determine relative positions of the two TEMPO groups with respect to the pyrrolidine ring. Photoexcited states of the bisadducts with excitation of the 532 nm laser pulse were studied in frozen toluene solution at 5–100 K by using two-dimensional (2-D) pulsed nutation EPR and TREPR. The spin multiplicity of the excited state was determined by the nutation frequency. All of the four bisadducts showed strong exchange couplings between two TEMPOs and fullerene triplet³C ₆₀ ^* , resulting in the generation of the excited quintet and triplet states. The excited triplet states have been observed and assigned for the first time in strongly coupled triplet-radical systems. The zero-field splittings of the quintet state determined from the 2-D nutation EPR spectra were analyzed as the sum of the spinspin interactions among the three paramagnetic centers, two TEMPOs and³C ₆₀ ^* . On the basis of these analyses, the spin distribution on the³C ₆₀ ^* part and the geometry of two TEMPOs are discussed.     

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.     

Triplet excitons in (TEA) (TCNQ)2

We report the results of EPR studies on the ionic-radical salt (TEA)⁺ (TCNQ)₂^- composed of an oganic free radical anion and a diamagnetic cation. Between about 40 and 80 K this crystal exhibits the triplet exciton EPR spectrum characteristic of an alternating chain of spins. The triplet spin Hamiltonian parameters are |D| = 44 ± 2 G and |E| = 5.5 ± 1 G. The directions of the zero field splitting principal axes are determined through single crystal rotation studies at 55 K and related to the crystal structure.     

Fe2+ spin transition in [Fe(trz)(Htrz)2](BF4) as evidenced by a variable temperature EPR study

The EPR of Fe³⁺ ions has been used for the first time to evidence a low-spin (S=0) to high-spin (S=2) transition of Fe²⁺ ions in an octahedral ferrous complex [Fe(trz)(Htrz)₂](BF₄). The temperature dependence of the intensity of the Fe³⁺ EPR line atg=4.3 reveals a spin transition which occurs for the Fe²⁺ ions, with hysteresis. The transition temperatures areT _c↑=374 K in the warming mode andT _c↓=345 K in the cooling mode. The analysis of the EPR spectral data indicates the presence of a structural phase transition accompanying the spin transition.     

EPR studies of Gd3+-doped Ce2(SO4)3.8H2O and La2(SO4)3.9H2O single crystals

EPR spectra of Gd³⁺-doped Ce₂(SO₄)₃.8H₂O and La₂(SO₄)₃.9H₂O single crystals have been measured with an X-band spectrometer at room and low temperatures. The absolute signs of spin Hamiltonian parameters have been determined for the La₂(SO₄)₃.9H₂O host from intensities of lines at liquid helium temperature; for the Ce₂(SO₄).8H₂O host the lines broaden considerably below 60 K, not permitting the determination of absolute signs of spin Hamiltonian parameters. The data are analysed using a rigourous least-squares procedure, fitting simultaneously all lines obtained for several orientations of the external magnetic field. The zero-field splittings have been computed for both the hosts. The characteristics of EPR spectra of Gd³⁺ in these hosts are compared with those obtained in other rare-earth trisulphate octahydrate hosts.     

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.     

High-field EPR and site-directed spin labeling reveal a periodical polarity profile: The sequence 88 to 94 of the phototransducer NpHtrII in complex with sensory rhodopsin, NpSRII

Taking advantage of the improved spectral resolution of high-field electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) at 95 GHz/3.4 T as compared to conventional X-band EPR (9.5 GHz/0.34 T), detailed information on the polarity profile in a protein-protein interface is obtained. Nitroxide spin label side chains are introduced at positions 88 to 94 in the AS-1 sequence of the membrane adjacent HAMP domain of the transducer protein, NpHtrII, which is reconstituted in complex with sensory rhodopsin, NpSRII fromNatronobacterium pharaonis. Position-dependent variations of the values of the nitroxide magnetic tensor componentsg _xx andA _zz suggest that the spin label side chains at positions 88 to 93 of AS-1 are located between a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic microenvironment. The observed periodicity of the polarity properties of the respective spin label microenvironment agrees with an α-helical secondary structure of this part of AS-1 and validates a recently published molecular model which locates residues 88 and 91 in the interface between helices F and G of NpSRII and AS-1 of NpHtrII close to the cytoplasmic lipid-water interface.     

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⁺.     

Magnetic anisotropy of antiferromagnet (CH3)4NMnCl3

The parameters of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of S ion pairs in diamagnetic crystals are analyzed. A relation between the spin Hamiltonian constants is established for solitary ions and pairs for (CH₃)₄NCdCl₃: Mn²⁺ crystals. In contrast to solitary ions, an additional contribution (which is a linear function of the exchange field) to the “single-ion” spin Hamiltonian constants appears in the case of pairs. It is shown that anisotropic exchange mechanisms do not play a significant part in the formation of the axial constant of the spin Hamiltonian for this crystal. Some aspects of the method of studying “single-ion” anisotropy predicted by the two-ion model are developed with the help of an isostructural diamagnetic analog with impurity concentration of the paramagnetic ions of a magnetically concentrated substance sufficiently high for observing the EPR spectrum of the pairs. It is found that the microscopic quantities determined partially from the EPR spectra for pairs and solitary Mn²⁺ ions in (CH₃)₄NCdCl₃ are in accord with the experimental value of the effective field for the (CH₃)₄NMnCl₃ crystal anisotropy which can be described primarily by the dipole and “single-ion” mechanisms of the exchange origin.     

EPR studies of Cu2+ ion in CdK2 (SO4)2·6H2O single crystals

The EPR spectra of Cu²⁺ in CdK₂(SO₄)₂·6H₂O crystals have been studied at 77 K and 300 K in three (bc, a¹c and a¹b) planes. The angular variation spectra showed that the Cu²⁺ ion enters the Cd²⁺ site in the lattice. The principal g and A values, covalency parameter (α'²), mixing coefficients (α and β) and Fermi-contact term (K) have been evaluated from the EPR analysis. The ground-state wave function of the Cu²⁺ ion has been constructed using the α'², α and β values, and the signs for the hyperfine coupling constants are also determined. The covalency value indicates the percentage of unpaired spin density present at the metal (Cu²⁺) d orbital. The nature of the distortion present in the lattice is obtained from the values of the mixing coefficients.     

EPR of Gd3+ in single crystal colquiriite and analysis of the spin Hamiltonian tensorsB 4 andB 6

In single crystal colquiriite LiCaAlF₆ doped with Gd³⁺ ions two EPR spectra of the Gd³⁺ ions with the Laue site-symmetry groups C_i and C_3i were observed. The spectrum angular dependence for trigonal Gd³⁺ centre was investigated in detail and corresponding spin Hamiltonian parameters were fitted. From analysis of the spin Hamiltonian tensorsB ₄ andB ₆ it was established that Gd³⁺ with the Laue group C_3i substitutes at Ca²⁺ site with the excess charge compensation by an ion located along the threefold axis from this site. The transformation formulas for a sixth-rank irreducible Hermitian tensor under coordinate rotation are tabulated in an explicit form. By using the EPR data for Gd³⁺ substituted in a variety of host crystals, the fourth-rank and sixth-rank tensors of Gd³⁺ spin Hamiltonians were tabulated and correlated with structures of the coordination polyhedra at substitution sites. The results suppose a predominance of quadratic crystal field contributions into the spin Hamiltonian tensorB ₄ of Gd³⁺.     

EPR and optical studies of Cu doped ammonium dihydrogen phosphate single crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of Cu²⁺ ion in ammonium dihydrogen phosphate are studied at liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K). Four magnetically inequivalent Cu²⁺ sites in the lattice are identified. The angular variation spectra of the crystal in the three orthogonal planes indicate that the paramagnetic impurity, Cu²⁺ enters the lattice substitutionally in place of NH₄⁺ ions. The spin Hamiltonian parameters are determined with the fitting of spectra to rhombic symmetry crystalline field. The ground state wave function of Cu²⁺ ion is constructed and found to be predominantly |x²-y²〉. The cubic field parameter (Dq) and tetragonal parameters (Ds and Dt) are determined from optical spectra at room temperature. By correlating EPR and optical absorption spectra, the bonding coefficients are calculated and nature of bonding of metal ion with different ligands in the crystal is discussed.