Zero field splitting

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-012797",
  "term": "Zero field splitting",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The lifting of the degeneracy of spin sublevels in a paramagnetic species with spin greater than 1/2 even when no external magnetic field is applied. It results from orientation-dependent interactions within the molecule or crystal, namely the magnetic dipole coupling between unpaired electrons and spin-orbit coupling with the local electric fields. The effect is described by the parameters D and E, and it is seen in high-spin transition metal complexes and in organic triplet species.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1996, 68, 2223. 'Glossary of terms used in photochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2284 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122223)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/zero-field-splitting/"
}