ENDOR/ESR of Mn atoms and MnH molecules in solid argon

Abstract

Mn atoms and MnH molecules, the latter formed by reaction between metal and hydrogen atoms, were trapped in solid argon and their ESR/ENDOR spectra measured at 4 K. At each pumping magnetic field two ENDOR lines were observed for 55Mn(I=5/2) atoms, corresponding to hyperfine transitions within the MS =±1/2 levels. Values of the hyperfine interaction constant and nuclear moment of 55Mn were derived from the six sets of data. For MnH, three sets of signals were detected: a proton ‘‘matrix ENDOR’’ line, transitions in the MS =0,±1 levels involving MI (55Mn)=1/2, 3/2, 5/2 levels, and proton transitions corresponding to νH and νH±aH. Analysis yielded the hyperfine constant aH =6.8(1) MHz and the nuclear quadrupole coupling constant Q′(55Mn)=−11.81(2) MHz. The latter compared favorably with a theoretical value derived earlier by Bagus and Schaefer. A higher term in the spin Hamiltonian appeared to be necessary to fit the proton hyperfine data.