On the Mössbauer spectrum of γ-Fe2O3

High quality Mössbauer spectra of γ-Fe₂O₃ particles have been analyzed in detail to determine the effects of overlapping patterns, quadrupole splitting, and applied magnetic fields. The results are discussed with regard to the use of Mössbauer spectroscopy to measure particle and magnetic moment orientation. Data were collected from two samples at 4.2–315K and with 6.1T longitudinal and 1.65T transverse magnetic fields applied. It is shown that electric field gradient effects alone are insufficient to account for the presence of Δm_I=0 lines when a large longitudinal field is applied.