Abstract :
We report on the first observation of the 89Y NMR signal in the hexagonal trideuteride phase YD2.98 at 14.7 MHz (7.04 T) and 302 K. In this phase the 89Y nuclei are in an environment characterized by the shift tensor components δiso=361, δaniso=90 ppm and ηs≈0.1. The spin–lattice relaxation time is estimated to be of the order of 7×103 s at 302 K. Magnetic measurements show that the magnetic susceptibility is small and diamagnetic in the temperature range 1.8–300 K. For comparison, the 89Y NMR and susceptibility data for yttrium metal and its dideuteride phase YD1.99 are also given and discussed.