EPR and optical absorption studies of Cu2+ doped lithium maleate dihydrate single crystal

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of Cu2+ doped lithium maleate dihydrate single crystal is done at liquid nitrogen temperature (LNT). Four hyperfine lines are observed in all directions, i.e. only a single site is observed. The spin Hamiltonian parameters are determined from EPR spectra: gx=2.100±0.002, gy=2.162±0.002, gz=2.215±0.002, Ax=(55±5)×10−4 cm−1, Ay=(52±5)×10−4 cm−1, Az=(50±5)×10−4 cm−1. The results indicate that the copper ion enters the lattice interstitially. Using the spin Hamiltonian parameters obtained from EPR study the ground state wave function of Cu2+ ion in the lattice is determined. The optical absorption study of Cu2+ doped lithium maleate dihydrate at room temperature is also performed. With the help of optical and EPR data, the nature of bonding in the complex is discussed.