Anomalous Phases in Cavity-Free 240 GHz Pulsed ENDOR Spectra of 1.44 GeV Xe-Irradiated LiF

Abstract

Paramagnetic centers generated by swift heavy ion irradiation of LiF crystals could be identified as electrons trapped at regular anion vacancy sites (F centers). Well-resolved electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectra resulting from the hyperfine interaction with 7Li and 19F nuclei located in six different shells could be recorded. In order to preserve the millimeter-sized crystals, a cavity-free setup was used for the ENDOR experiments at an electronic Larmor frequency of 240 GHz. Apparently even under conditions of extremely high local energy loss in the ion track, the local density of persistent F centers is still sufficiently low to prevent distortions of the ionic crystal. The spread of hyperfine coupling constants was less than 5 %. Neither in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) nor in ENDOR spectra there was evidence for different types of paramagnetic centers. When performing ENDOR by applying the radiofrequency pulse directly after the 3-pulse Mims-type microwave sequence, an anomalous ENDOR effect was observed. The observed “positive” and “negative” ENDOR response can be attributed to efficient hole and anti-hole formation in the inhomogeneously broadened EPR spectrum and can be used to determine the sign of hyperfine coupling constants.