Electron paramegnetic detection of ionic motional effects in the super ionic conductor β-sodium gallate

The EPR spectra of Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Eu²⁺, incorporated into the conducting mirror planes of β-sodium gallate, have been studied. For all three impurities, the EPR spectra at or near room temperature show pronounced relaxation effects caused by the motion of the ions. From the relaxation effects the correlation time of the motion is found to be of the order of 10^-11 sec. This time corresponds to a residence time for the paramagnetic ion at a lattice site in the conducting plane. From this time and the thermal activation energy an attempt frequency of 10¹² Hz is determined.