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We report Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) measurements on stage-I potassium intercalated graphite (KC$_8$). Angular dependent measurements show that the spin-lattice relaxation time is longer when the magnetic field is perpendicular to the graphene layer as compared to when the magnetic field is in the plane. This anisotropy is analyzed in the framework of the Elliott-Yafet theory of spin-relaxation in metals. The analysis considers an anisotropic spin-orbit Hamiltonian and the first order perturbative treatment of Elliott is reproduced for this model Hamiltonian. The result provides an experimental input for the first-principles theories of spin-orbit interaction in layered carbon and thus to a better understanding of spin-relaxation phenomena in graphene and in other layered materials as well.

We study the vibrational, magnetic and transport properties of Few Layer Graphene (FLG) using Raman and electron spin resonance spectroscopy and microwave conductivity measurements. FLG samples were produced using wet chemical exfoliation with different post-processing, namely ultrasound treatment, shear mixing, and magnetic stirring. Raman spectroscopy shows a low intensity D mode which attests a high sample quality. The G mode is present at 1580 cm(-1) as expected for graphene. The 2D mode consists of 2 components with varying intensities among the different samples. This is assigned to the presence of single and few layer graphene in the samples. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectroscopy shows a main line in all types of materials with a width of about 1 mT and a g-factor in the range of 2.005-2.010. Paramagnetic defect centers with a uniaxial g-factor anisotropy are identified, which shows that these are related to the local sp2 bonds of the material. All kinds of investigated FLGs have a temperature dependent resistance which is compatible with a small gap semiconductor. The difference in resistance is related to the different grain size of the samples. (C) 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Alkali intercalated graphite compounds represent a compelling modification of carbon with significant application potential and various fundamentally important phases. We report on the intercalation of graphite with alkali atoms (Li and K) using liquid ammonia solution as mediating agent. Alkali atoms dissolve well in liquid ammonia which simplifies and speeds up the intercalation process, and it also avoids the high temperature formation of alkali carbides. Optical microscopy, Raman, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy attest that the prepared samples are highly and homogeneously intercalated to a level approaching Stage-I intercalation compounds. The method and the synthesis route may serve as a starting point for the various forms of alkali atom intercalated carbon compounds (including carbon nanotubes and graphene), which could be exploited in energy storage and further chemical modifications.

The light scattering properties of superconducting (Tc=3.8 K) heavily boron doped nanocrystalline diamond has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy using visible excitations. Fano type interference of the zone-center phonon line and the electronic continuum was identified. Lineshape analysis reveals Fano lineshapes with a significant asymmetry (q=-2). An anomalous wavelength dependence and small value of the Raman scattering amplitude is observed in agreement with previous studies.

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy is an important tool to characterize the ground state of conduction electrons and to measure their spin-relaxation times. Observing ESR of the itinerant electrons is thus of great importance in graphene and in single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Often, the identification of CESR signal is based on two facts: the apparent asymmetry of the ESR signal (known as a Dysonian lineshape) and on the temperature independence of the ESR signal intensity. We argue that these are insufficient as benchmarks and instead the ESR signal intensity (when calibrated against an intensity reference) yields an accurate characterization. We detail the method to obtain the density of states from an ESR signal, which can be compared with theoretical estimates. We demonstrate the success of the method for K doped graphite powder. We give a benchmark for the observation of ESR in graphene.