EPR spectra of the Mn2+ ion in the oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing BaF2 nanocrystalline phase

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy has been used to investigate structure of the oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing BaF2 fluoride component. Mn2+ ion has been used as a paramagnetic probe. After successful material synthesis and thermal treatment at temperatures above first crystallization temperature transparent glass ceramics samples were obtained. For these samples superhyperfine (SHF) structure in the X-band EPR spectra taken at 77 K has been observed. Such SHF structure is characteristic to fluorine hyperfine interaction observed in the fluoride crystals. Obtained data allow analyzing the structure of the BaF2 crystallites and possible location of the Mn2+ ion in the BaF2 crystalline lattice.