Investigations of zero-field splitting and local distortion parameters of Cr3+ ions doped into oxi-spinels by superposition model analysis

► Investigation of the local environment around Cr3+ ions in oxi-spinels (ZnAl2O4, MgAl2O4, and ZnGa2O4) is carried out. ► Feasible values of the structural distortions (Δθ and Δz) resulting from dopant Cr3+ ions are successfully determined. ► As a proper site symmetry, C3v symmetry is assumed for B-sites in all these spinels.