Superposition model analysis of Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺ spin-Hamiltonian parameters

Recent work has shown it possible to derive single-ligand contributions from the observed spin-Hamiltonian parameters for the ⁸S_7/2 ground state of f⁷ lanthanide ions using the superposition model. Here the authors apply this model to the ⁶S_5/2 ground state of Mn²⁺ and Fe³⁺ and show it to give a consistent description of experimentally determined parameters in several systems. The significance of this result is understanding the splitting of the ⁶S_5/2 ground state is discussed.