Radiation-induced defects in quartz. II. Single-crystal W-band EPR study of a natural citrine quartz

Abstract

Single-crystal electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of a natural citrine quartz without any artificial irradiation, measured at W-band frequencies (∼94 GHz) and temperatures of 77, 110 and 298 K, allow better characterization of three previously-reported Centers (#6, #7 and B) and discovery of three new defects (B′, C′ and G′). The W-band EPR spectra reveal that Centers #6 and #7 do not reside on twofold symmetry axes, contrary to results from a previous X-band EPR study. The W-band spectra also show that the previously reported Center B is a mixture of two defects (B and B′) with similar g matrices but different-sized 27Al hyperfine structures. Center C′ has similar principal g values to the previously reported Center C but is distinct from the latter by a larger 27Al hyperfine structure with splittings from 0.10 to 0.22 mT. Also, Center G′ has a similar g matrix to the previously reported Center G but a different 27Al hyperfine structure with splittings from 0.41 to 0.53 mT. These spin-Hamiltonian parameters, together with observed thermal properties and microwave-power dependence, suggest that Centers #6 and #7 probably represent O23− type defects. Centers B and B′ are probably superoxide radicals (O2−) with the unpaired spin localized on the same pair of oxygen atoms around a missing Si atom but linked to a substitutional Al3+ ion each at different neighboring tetrahedral sites. Similarly, Centers G and G′ are most likely superoxide radicals with the unpaired spin localized on another pair of oxygen atoms around a missing Si atom and linked to a substitutional Al3+ ion each at different neighboring tetrahedral sites. Center C′ is probably an ozonide radical associated with a missing Si atom and linked to a substitutional Al3+ ion at the neighboring tetrahedral site. This study exemplifies the value of high-frequency EPR for discrimination of similar defect centers and determination of small local structural distortions that are often difficult to resolve in conventional X- and Q-band EPR studies.