Li atoms deposited on single crystalline MgO(0Â 0Â 1) surface. A combined experimental and theoretical study

A combination of EPR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations is used to characterize single Li atoms adsorbed to MgO terrace sites. The atoms show a reduction of the isotropic hyperfine coupling constant by approximately 50% with respect to the gas phase. As revealed by theoretical calculations this can be understood by a polarization of the Li atoms rather than a charge transfer between Li atoms and MgO surface.