Absence of a strong Jahn-Teller effect in the T2g4 excited state of V2+ in MgO

Abstract

We have measured the Zeeman spectrum of the A2g4 T2g4 zero-phonon lines of V2+ in MgO using high magnetic fields and low temperatures. The data conclusively demonstrate that the splitting and structure within the zero-phonon lines (at zero field) arises from spin-orbit splitting in the T2g4 state. It is shown that the marked deviation of the spectrum from that predicted by crystal-field theory cannot be accounted for in terms of the usual Jahn-Teller models. Show more