Jahn‐Teller Effect in the 4T1(1) and 4T2(1) States of Tetrahedrally Coordinated Mn2+

An interpretation of the 4T1(1) → 6A1 luminescence and 6A1 → 4T2(1) absorption spectrum of Mn2+ in ZnS is presented. These transitions show only two closely spaced zero‐phonon lines which is in contrast to static crystal field theory. It is shown that strong Jahn‐Teller coupling to E‐vibrations, which fully quenches the linear spin–orbit interaction, can account for the observed zero‐phonon line doublets and the size of the splittings. The results apply also to Mn2+ in CdS, GaP, and ZnSe, where similar zero‐phonon doublets have been observed.