Variational Calculation of the Sternheimer Factors for the Ferrous Ion

The Sternheimer factors for the ferrous ion are calculated using the free-ion wave functions of Watson and the variational method of Das and Bersohn. The results of this calculation are $R=+0.22\mathrm{}$ and ${\gamma }_{\infty }=-10.6\mathrm{}$. With these factors and previously published ferrous quadrupole splitting data, the quadrupole moment of the first excited state of iron-57 is estimated to be +0.15 b.