EPR and optical absorption studies of Cr3+ ions in d-gluconic acid monohydrate.

EPR studies are carried out on Cr(3+) ions doped in d-gluconic acid monohydrate (C(6)H(12)O(7)*H(2)O) single crystals at 77 K. From the observed EPR spectra, the spin Hamiltonian parameters g, |D| and |E| are measured to be 1.9919, 349 (x 10(-4)) cm(-1) and 113 (x 10(-4)) cm(-1), respectively. The optical absorption of the crystal is also studied at room temperature. From the observed band positions, the cubic crystal field splitting parameter Dq (2052 cm(-1)) and the Racah interelectronic repulsion parameter B (653 cm(-1)) are evaluated. From the correlation of EPR and optical data the nature of bonding of Cr(3+) ion with its ligands is discussed.