Relativistic Crystal-Field Splitting of Mn2+

Abstract

Relativistic effects described by Wybourne have been used to help explain the crystal‐field splitting of the ⁶S_5/2 ground state of Mn²⁺. The relativistic axial splitting has the correct sign and M dependence, and about one‐half the magnitude of the axial splitting observed in most crystals containing Mn²⁺. The relativistic effects compare in magnitude to splittings predicted by other mechanisms. Other mechanisms require the use of unknown integrals, whereas the relativistic theory can be checked experimentally by optical and electron paramagnetic resonance techniques.