Overhauser Shift of the Conduction Electron Spin Resonance in (FA)₂PF₆ Single Crystals

Abstract

The shift ΔB _ov of the ESR line due to saturation of the NMR of the hyperfine coupled nuclei (Overhauser shift) was measured for single crystals of the organic conductor (FA)₂PF₆. ΔB_ov , is proportional to [Abar] _tt , being the average hyperfine interaction between the conduction electrons and the protons in resonance, and the dynamic nuclear spin polarization (DNP), respectively. The DNP enhancement factor V was determined for the two orientations of the static magnetic field B _o , perpendicular (V _∥ = 525 ± 40) and parallel (V _∥ = 280 ± 25) to the needle axis a, respectively. The absolute value of the average hyperfine coupling is [Abar]^zz = –(1.16 ± 0.05) Gauss · g_e μ _B . Both, the temperature dependence and the anisotropy of the proton spin relaxation times T ₁ ^p and T ₁ ^p were measured from the time dependence of the Overhauser shift, ΔB_ov (t) after rf-pulses or after switching “on” and “off” the ESR saturation. Within the metallic phase of the crystal the proton relaxation is governed by a Korringa law. The experiments definitely show, that the electron spins, showing up in the ESR are those of the conduction electrons.