Zero-field splitting in metal complexes

Using the spin-Hamiltonian formalism the magnetic parameters are introduced through the components of the A-tensor involving only the matrix elements of the angular momentum operator. The energy levels for a variety of spins are generated and the modeling of the magnetization, the magnetic susceptibility and the heat capacity is done. The strategy in dealing with binuclear and polynuclear systems is explained. Experimental data on the zero-field splitting (ZFS) are reviewed; the extensive tabulations involve data from different sources: the magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements, the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), calorimetry, far-infrared spectroscopy, circular magnetic dichroism, and some other experimental methods. The limits of the spin-Hamiltonian formalism are shown. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.