ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the distribution of spin Hamiltonian parameters and their relation to conformational distribution of biomolecular structure. Distribution of a g-value or “g-strain” leads to an inhomogeneous broadening of the resonance line. Just like the g-value, also the linewidth, W, in general, turns out to be anisotropic, and this has important consequences for “powder patterns,” that is, for the shape of EPR spectra from randomly oriented molecules. A statistical theory of g-strain is developed, and it is subsequently found that a special case of this theory (the case of full correlation between strain parameters) turns out to properly describe broadening in bioEPR. The possible cause and nature of strain in paramagnetic proteins is discussed.
