Unseen Coherences Can Be Felt

Abstract

Forbidden transitions are not observed in the continuous-wave electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum nor in the free induction decay because, unlike allowed transitions, their coherences have no observable magnetic moment and are spectroscopically silent. Yet, the paramagnetic relaxation described by Redfield theory can cause coherence transfer between any types of transitions. Coherence transfer between allowed transitions is now known to cause noticeable changes in EPR spectra, but coherence transfer involving forbidden transitions has long been considered to be negligible because those coherences are silent and unseen. However, our simulations of a simple model system indicate that coherence transfer with silent transitions can introduce new features into EPR spectra. The EPR-silent coherence of a forbidden transition can be transferred to an allowed transition by paramagnetic relaxation. A silent coherence can have consequences felt in the EPR spectrum.