EPR spectroscopy of Mn²⁺: CaO. An advanced physical chemistry laboratory experiment

We have proposed a new EPR spectroscopy experiment for the undergraduate physical chemistry laboratory. It has been shown that the relevant Hamiltonian for Mn²⁺:CaO is equivalent to that for hydrogen. This experiment demonstrates many of the basic principles of magnetic resonance and quantum mechanics. The simplicity of the spectrum allows for a detailed analysis using a very simple and familiar Hamiltonian operator. The sample is indefinitely stable, and therefore, once prepared, can be used as often as desired. Because of the general lack of availability of EPR spectrometers to physical chemistry students, spectral data is provided for "dry lab" calculations.