Direct Experimental Evidence for Atomic Tunneling of Europium in Crystalline Eu₈Ga₁₆Ge₃₀

Source Publication

Physical Review Letters

Authors

Raphaël P. Hermann
Veerle Keppens, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleFollow
Pierre Bonville
George S. Nolas
Fernande Grandjean
Gary J. Long
Hans M. Christen
Bryan C. Chakoumakos
Brian C. Sales
David Mandrus

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

July 2006

Abstract

Mössbauer-effect and microwave absorption experimental evidence unambiguously demonstrates the presence of slow, ∼450  MHz, tunneling of magnetic europium between four equivalent sites in Eu₈Ga₁₆Ge₃₀, a stoichiometric clathrate. Remarkably, six of the eight europium atoms, or 11% of the constituents in this solid, tunnel between these four sites separated by 0.55 Å. The off centering of the atoms or ions in crystalline clathrates appears to be a promising route for producing Rabi oscillators in solid-state materials.

Recommended Citation

Hermann, Raphaël P.; Keppens, Veerle; Bonville, Pierre; Nolas, George S.; Grandjean, Fernande; Long, Gary J.; Christen, Hans M.; Chakoumakos, Bryan C.; Sales, Brian C.; and Mandrus, David, "Direct Experimental Evidence for Atomic Tunneling of Europium in Crystalline Eu₈Ga₁₆Ge₃₀" (2006). Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Materials Science & Engineering.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_matepubs/5