ELECTRIC-FIELD GRADIENT AT THE FE NUCLEUS IN EPSILON-FESI

The sign of the electric-field gradient tensor component along the pri ncipal axis, V-zz, in epsilon-FeSi has been determined by conversion e lectron Mossbauer spectroscopy measurements in an external magnetic fi eld. Additional and independent determination of the V-zz sign has bee n provided by the asymmetry of the quadrupole doublet observed in poly crystalline samples and attributed to internal stress. The experimenta l results are corroborated by ab initio full potential linear muffin-t in orbital calculations.