An Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Study of Mn2+ Ions Doped in Langbeinites

Abstract

Abstract The cubic (high temperature) phase of some langbeinites, A+2 B22+(SO4)3 with 11 different combinations of A and B type cations, doped with Mn2+, is investigated by EPR. Powder or single crystal spectra are measured at X-band. They indicate centers of axial symmetry in all cases. In 6 of the langbeinites two centers are found which differ considerably in intensity. Both centers are substitutional defects (Mn in the crystallographically nonequivalent divalent B ion sites). For the more intense one the zero field splitting parameter is proved to be negative in all cases. That center is assigned to the more spacious site which, depending on the cation size, allows for local relaxation. It is shown by comparison with predictions of the superposition model that relaxation appears to be effective