A Cr3+ EPR study of lithium heptagermanate crystals, Li2Ge7O15 (LHG),
close to the phase transition is reported. Orientation dependences of
the spectra in the paraelectric phase of LHG have been measured. An an
omalous broadening of the resonant lines accompanied by a crossover in
their shape was found in the vicinity of the transition point. Double
t splitting of the EPR lines was observed to occur below Te as a resul
t of emergence of two structurally nonequivalent positions for Cr3+ io
ns. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.