Magnetic circular dichroism study of matrix-isolated iron atoms

Abstract

The absorption and magnetic circular dichroism spectra of iron atoms isolated in argon, krypton and xenon matrices have been measured in the visible and u.v. regions as a function of temperature (12-30 K). Calculations of the important MCD parameters as well as relative dipole strengths have been performed for the free atom and the atom in an octahedral field. It is shown that spin-orbit coupling is dominant as in the free atom case and that the influence of the matrix on the free atom terms is minimal (i.e., no vibronic coupling). Two major sites are found for iron in argon whereas only one is present in krypton and xenon matrices. Evidence for Fe x clusters is presented Mesure des spectres des atomes Fe dans des matrices d'argon, de krypton et de xenon dans le domaine UV-visible en fonction de la temperature (12-30 K). Calcul des parametres de DCM ainsi que celui des forces de dipole relatives. Discussion