The electronic and magnetic circular dichroism spectra of matrix-isolated scandium atoms and the scandium dimer

Abstract

The electronic and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of scandium atoms isolated in argon, krypton and xenon matrices have been measured and the bands assigned. Some aspects of the assignment present problems and the resulting matrix shifts are rather irregular. Magnetization studies of the above systems are also reported and the data show that there are particularly strong guest—host interactions in the case of Sc/Xe. Furthermore, they suggest that there is significant guest—host interaction in the ground electronic state. Computer simulation of the magnetization curves and the MCD spectra, using a crystal field model, enables some tentative suggestions concerning the nature of the matrix sites to be made. All sites show an axial character. MCD bands of a scandium dimer have been observed. The form and magnetization properties of one band support a 5Σ ground state for the molecule.