Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses
Published on: June 7, 2018
Influence of ion assistance on the optical properties of MgF(2)
Abstract:
The optical properties of MgF(2) films prepared by evaporation and ion-assisted deposition have been determined from transmittance and near-normal incidence reflectance measurements and also from electron-energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). The results show that oxygen-ion assistance leads to higher extinction coefficients for wavelengths <180 nm. Transmission electron microscopy studies show that the crystal grain size of MgF(2) films is not strongly affected by oxygen or argon-ion bombardment. The presence of MgO in the films is inferred from RBS measurements and proposed to be the major factor influencing VUV losses. EELS is also demonstrated to be a valuable technique for determination of optical properties from the near-infrared to x-ray regions of the spectrum.
Related Concept Videos
Common Ion Effect
Trends in Lattice Energy: Ion Size and Charge
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.
Ionic Crystal Structures
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
Formation of Complex Ions

