Basic Physical Concepts

Abstract

Mössbauer spectroscopy is based on recoilless emission and resonant absorption of $γ$-radiation by atomic nuclei. The aim of this chapter is to familiarize the reader with the concepts of nuclear $γ$-resonance and the Mössbauer effect, before we describe the experiments and relevant electric and magnetic hyperfine interactions in Chaps.{\thinspace}3 and 4. We prefer doing this by collecting formulae without deriving them; comprehensive and instructive descriptions have already been given at length in a number of introductory books ([7--39] in Chap. 1). Readers who are primarily interested in understanding their Mössbauer spectra without too much physical ballast may skip this chapter at first reading and proceed directly to Chap.{\thinspace}4. However, for the understanding of some aspects of line broadening and the preparation of optimized samples discussed in Chap.{\thinspace}3, the principles described here might be necessary.