Conduction-electron spin resonance studies of small particles of potassium metal in a vitreous solid

Abstract

Colloidal particles of potassium have been formed by quenching solutions of the metal in a non-aqueous solvent. We show that it is possible to control the size of the metal particle formed by varying the initial metal concentration, the rate of quenching and whether or not the sample is thermally annealed. Conduction-electron spin resonance (c.e.s.r.) studies of these colloids over the temperature range 4–250 K enable an estimate to be made of the particle size by analysis of the resonance lineshape. A detailed consideration of relaxation mechanisms in these systems is made considering both bulk and colloid data.