Absorption spectra of Cu2+ in azurite

EPR and optical absorption studies in azurite have been carried out at room and low temperatures. The EPR spectrum reveals that the ground state for Cu²⁺ ion is ²B₁. Peak to peak linewidth of EPR spectrum is calculated (ΔH_p = 76 G) and found to be close with the observed value. The Cu²⁺ ion situated in D_4h symmetry with spin-orbit interaction exhibits bands at 11,806, 16,484, 17,952 and 19,793 cm^?1. The tetragonal field parameters are calculated to be Ds = ? 3364 cm^?1 and Dt = ? 604 cm^?1. The crystal field splitting parameter is found to be Dq = ? 1175 cm^?1.