Superparamagnetic behavior of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 nanoparticles prepared via sol-gel method

Magnetic nanoparticles of La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃ (LSMO) manganite were prepared by sol-gel method. Phase formation and crystal structure of the synthesized powder were examined by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) using the Rietveld analysis. The mean particle size was determined by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Infrared transmission spectroscopy revealed that stretching and bending modes are influenced by calcinations temperature. The temperature dependence of the ac magnetic susceptibility was measured at different frequencies and ac magnetic fields in the selected ranges of 40-1000 Hz and 80-800 A/m, respectively. The temperature dependence of ac susceptibility shows a characteristic maxima corresponding to the blocking temperature near room temperature. The frequency dependence of the blocking temperature is well described by the Vogel-Fulcher law. By fitting the experimental data with this law, the relaxation time τ₀=1.7×10⁻¹² s, characteristic temperature T₀=262±3 K, anisotropy energy E_a/k=684±15 K and effective magnetic anisotropy constant k_eff=2.25×10⁴ erg/cm³ have been obtained. dc Magnetization measurement versus magnetic field shows that some of LSMO nanoparticles are blocked at 293 K. The role of magnetic interparticle interactions on the magnetic behavior is also investigated.     

Temperature dependence of the far infrared reflectivity spectra of a KD2PO4

Complete data on far infrared reflectivity spectra of a KD₂PO₄ single crystal in the temperature range 7–300 K, from the millimeter wave up to 400 cm^–1, for all crystallographic orientations of the crystal, in the ferro- and paraelectric phase, are given for the first time. The temperature dependence of the phonon spectra is similar to that we have observed and published for KH₂PO₄.     

Diode-laser spectroscopy: Temperature dependence of R (0) line in the ν4 band of CH4 perturbed by N2 and O2

In this paper, we present a line profile study of the R (0) line in the ν₄ band of methane diluted in nitrogen and oxygen, from room temperature to 153 K. The measurements were performed over a total pressure range from 14 to 128 mbar. The collisional broadening and narrowing (Dicke effect) coefficients are derived from a fit of the experimental spectra by using the soft and hard collision models, taking into account the Dicke effect. For higher pressures, we have fitted the data with a model taking into account simultaneously the Dicke narrowing and the speed dependence effect. Finally, we have deduced the parameter n of the temperature dependence (inverse power law) of the broadening coefficients for the CH₄-N₂ and CH₄-O₂ gas mixtures.     

Size-effect on concentration quenching in Yb-doped Y3Al5O12 nano-crystals

Ytterbium-doped nano-crystalline powders of yttrium aluminium garnet Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (Yb³⁺-doped YAG) have been prepared by a modified Pechini method. The morphology of the annealed materials was observed using SEM images. The structure and the average crystalline grain sizes have been determined by X-ray powder diffraction measurements. An increase in elongated spherical crystalline grain sizes from 20 to 50 nm has been observed with annealing temperature increasing from 800 to 1200 °C. The Yb³⁺ concentration dependence of both luminescence spectra and lifetimes has been investigated and compared with those reported for the Yb³⁺-doped YAG bulk single crystals. Decays of Yb^{3+ 2}F_5/2 excited state, much longer in nano-crystalline powders than in bulk single crystals, are discussed in terms of refractive index dependence.     

Exciton photoluminescence, photoconductivity and absorption in GaSe0.9Te0.1 alloy crystals

The photoluminescence, photoconductivity and absorption in GaSe_0.9Te_0.1 alloy crystals have been investigated as a function of temperature and external electric field. It has been observed that the exciton peaks shift to lower energy in GaSe_0.9Te_0.1 alloy crystals compared to GaSe crystals. The long wavelength tails of interband photoluminescence, photoconductivity and absorption spectra are determined by the free exciton states and show an Urbach-Martienssen-type dependence to the photon energy. The maxima of the extrinsic photoluminescence and photoconductivity spectra were found to be determined by the acceptor centers with an energy of E_A=E_V+0.19 eV formed by the polytypism and defects complexes that include Se and Te anions.     

Measurement of the temperature dependence of line mixing and pressure broadening parameters between 296 and 90 K in the ν3 band of CH4 and their influence on atmospheric methane retrievals

We measured the temperature dependence of the nitrogen broadening, narrowing and line-mixing coefficients of four lines of the P9 manifold in the ν₃ band of ¹²CH₄ for atmospheric purposes. The data were collected using our tunable diode laser (TDL) spectrometer with active wavenumber control coupled to a newly developed cold Herriott cell with a path length of 5.37 m and a temperature uniformity of better than 0.01 K along the cell. We recorded and analyzed spectra recorded at sample temperatures between 90 K and room temperature. We have investigated the influence of our new results in the inversion model used to retrieve methane profiles from atmospheric spectra; our new results make it possible to retrieve significantly more precise methane profiles. The atmospheric spectra we utilized were obtained by several of us with a balloon-born Fourier Transform infrared experiment in a limb configuration. Differences up to 7% on the retrieved volume mixing ratio were found compared to an inversion model using only HITRAN04 spectroscopic parameters.     

Birefringence of CuGa2S4 crystals

The interference of optical transmission spectra of thin CuGaS₂ single crystals is measured in E||c and E⊥c polarizations. The spectral dependencies of the refractive indexes n_o, n_e and Δn = n_o − n_e near the absorption edge have been determined from interference spectra. The intersection of refractive indexes at two wavelengths has been revealed at 300 K and 10 K. The characteristics of Band-Pass-Mode Filter and Band-Elimination-Mode Filter have been measured, which possess 7 narrow absorption (transmission) bands and represent a comb filter. The characteristics of these filters have been studied.     

Anomalous temperature dependence of phonon modes in Bi2Ti4O11 and modified Bi2Ti4O11

We have observed the anomalous temperature dependence of the phonon modes in the Raman spectra of Bi₂Ti₄O₁₁ and the modified Bi₂Ti₄O₁₁ with the dopant of PbO. The square of the lowest mode frequency in both substances decreases linearly with increasing temperature, while the damping constant increases reaching a peak value at the transition temperature. The mode frequency, however, does not tend to zero but stays finite and the damping constant decreases above the transition temperature. The mode is Raman-active both above and below the transition temperature.     

Structure and optical properties of films of the ternary compound CuGa5Se8

We have used a laser deposition method to obtain films of the ternary compound CuGa₅Se₈. We have studied their composition and structure. We have established that both the crystals and the films of the indicated compound crystallize in a defect-containing chalcopyrite structure. We have determined the energy and nature of the optical transitions from the transmission spectra in the region of the intrinsic absorption edge. We have calculated the valence-band crystal-field (Δ_CF) and spin–orbit (Δ_SO) splitting energies according to Hopfield’s quasicubic model for the ternary compound CuGa5Se8.     

Optical and electrical properties of thermally evaporated In49Se48Sn3 films

Nearly stoichiometric thin films of In₄₉Se₄₈Sn₃ were deposited at room temperature, by conventional thermal evaporation of the presynthesized materials, onto precleaned glass substrates. The microstructural studies on the as-deposited and annealed films, using transmission electron microscopy and diffraction (TEMD), revealed that the as-deposited films are amorphous in nature, while those annealed at 498 K are crystalline. The optical properties of the investigated films were determined from the transmittance and reflectance data, in the spectral range 650-2500 nm. An analysis of the optical absorption spectra revealed a non-direct energy gap characterizing the amorphous films, while both allowed and forbidden direct energy gaps characterized the crystalline films. The electrical resistance of the deposited films was carried out during heating and cooling cycles in the temperature range 300-600 K. The results show an irreproducible behavior, while after crystallization the results become reproducible. The analysis of the temperature dependence of the resistance (ln(R) vs. 1000/T) for crystalline films shows two straight lines corresponding to both extrinsic and intrinsic conduction. The room temperature I-V characteristics of the as-deposited films sandwiched between similar Ag metal electrodes shows an ohmic behavior, while non-ohmic behavior attributed to space charge limited conduction has been observed when the films are sandwiched between dissimilar Ag/Al metal electrodes.     

Photoluminescence investigations on the nanoscale phase transition in Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3

The temperature dependence of the photoluminescence spectra of the relaxor ferroelectric Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ has been reported. The temperature behaviours of the 1.57, 1.67 and 1.73 eV bands indicate a phase transition at 110 K. This is attributed to a structural phase transition in the charged nanoshell. Analysis of the temperature dependence of 1.67 eV band intensity with a thermal quenching model indicated the existence of a phonon mode at 1153 cm⁻¹. This mode is identified in the Raman spectra measurement. The intensity of the 1.73 eV band showing an anomalous behaviour at 210 K is attributed to a transition from a crystalline phase to an amorphous phase in the charged nanoshell.     

Investigation of TmFe4Al8 and DyFe4Al8 by means of 169Tm and 161Dy Mössbauer spectroscopy

We have performed ¹⁶⁹Tm and ¹⁶¹Dy Mössbauer spectroscopy on TmFe₄Al₈ and DyFe₄Al₈. From the temperature dependence of the electric quadrupole splitting of the ¹⁶⁹Tm spectra of TmFe₄Al₈ we have determined the second order crystal field potential V⁰₂ = (100 ± 10) K and the exchange field term g_Jμ_BH_M = (1 ± 1) K. The temperature dependence of the hyperfine field of the ¹⁶¹Dy spectrum of DyFe₄Al₈ gives g_Jμ_BH_M = (15 ± 3) K. With these exchange fields magnetic transition temperatures of the rare earth sublattices were found, which are consistent with experiment. The relaxation behaviour of the Tm sublattice below T_N = 187 K is discussed.     

N2-broadening coefficients in the ν3 band of CS2 at room and low temperatures

Using a tunable diode-laser spectrometer, N₂-broadening coefficients have been measured for 15 lines in the ν₃ band of C³²S₂ at room and low temperatures (298, 273.2, 248.2, 223.2, and 198.2 K). These lines with J values ranging from 2 to 62 are located in the spectral range 1519-1545 cm⁻¹. The collisional widths are obtained by fitting each measured spectral line with a Voigt and a Rautian lineshape model and for a few lines we also used a Galatry model. From these results, we have determined the n parameter of the temperature dependence of each broadening coefficient. A semiclassical calculation of these broadenings has been performed by considering in addition to the main electrostatic quadrupole-quadrupole interaction an anisotropic dispersion contribution leading to satisfactory results at all temperatures and providing the n temperature dependence parameter in good agreement with the experimental determination.     

Multiple antiferromagnet/ferromagnet interfaces as a probe of grain-size-dependent exchange bias in polycrystalline Co/Fe50Mn50

We have used ferromagnet/antiferromagnet/ferromagnet trilayers and ferromagnet/antiferromagnet multilayers to probe the grain size dependence of exchange bias in polycrystalline Co/Fe₅₀Mn₅₀. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy show that the Fe₅₀Mn₅₀ (FeMn) grain size increases with increasing FeMn thickness in the Co (30 Å)/FeMn system. Hence, in Co(30 Å)/FeMn(t_AF Å)/Co(30 Å) trilayers the two Co layers sample different FeMn grain sizes at the two antiferromagnet/ferromagnet interfaces. For FeMn thicknesses above 100 Å, where simple bilayers have a thickness-independent exchange bias, we are therefore able to deduce the influence of FeMn grain size on the exchange bias and coercivity (and their temperature dependence) simply by measuring trilayer and multilayer samples with varying FeMn thicknesses. This can be done while maintaining the (1 1 1) orientation, and with little variation in interface roughness. Increasing the average grain size from 90 to 135 Å results in a fourfold decrease in exchange bias, following an inverse grain size dependence. We interpret the results as being due to a decrease in uncompensated spin density with increasing antiferromagnet grain size, further evidence for the importance of defect-generated uncompensated spins.     

Electron spin lifetimes in Hg0.78Cd0.22 Te and InSb

We have made direct pump–probe measurements of spin lifetimes in long wavelength narrow-gap semiconductors at wavelengths between 4 and 10 μm and from 4 to 300 K. In particular, we measure remarkably long spin lifetimes, τ_s300 ps, even at 300 K for epilayers of degenerate n-type InSb. In this material the mobility is approximately constant between 77 and 300 K, and we find that τ_s is approximately constant in this temperature range. In order to determine the dominant spin relaxation mechanism we have investigated the temperature dependence of τ_s in non-degenerate lightly n-type Hg_0.78Cd_0.22Te of approximately the same band gap as InSb, and find that τ_s varies from 356 ps at 150 K to 24 ps at 300 K. Our results, both in magnitude and temperature dependence of τ_s, imply that the Elliott–Yafet model dominates in these materials.     

EPR of Cr2O3 in the phase transition region

The temperature dependence of the Cr₂O₃ EPR spectra is obtained. The linewidth of the EPR is defined by the phonon's modulation of the exchange interactions at T >T_N + 4–5 K though at T_N < T < T_N + 4 K the critical broadening of the EPR in Cr₂O₃ is determined by fluctuation effects.     

Optical and FTIR properties of Se93−XZn2Te5InX chalcogenide glasses

In this work, we report the optical properties of bulk Se_93−XZn₂Te₅In_X (X=0, 2, 4, 6 and 10) chalcogenide glasses. Refractive index, extinction coefficient, real dielectric constant (ε′), imaginary dielectric constant (ε″), absorption coefficient (α) and energy band gap were obtained from analysis of common range (250-1100 nm) UV/Visible transmittance spectrum. Besides, transmission percentages were obtained from FTIR spectra in wave number range 4000-400 cm⁻¹.The concentration dependence structural phenomena have been explained with help of average coordination 〈z〉.     

High field ESR measurements of spin gap system MCu2(PO4)2

Submillimeter and millimeter wave ESR measurements of spin gap systems SrCu₂(PO₄)₂ and PbCu₂(PO₄)₂, which have four kinds of dimers, have been performed to investigate the magnetic properties of spin gap systems using the pulsed magnetic field up to 35T. The observed ESR spectra of powder sample SrCu₂(PO₄)₂ show sharp and single peak in the temperature range from 4.2 to 80 K. The anisotropy of the g-values turned out to be very small compared to the usual anisotropic powder spectra of copper compounds. The dynamical properties will be discussed from the temperature dependence measurements.     

Exchange interaction and spin dynamics in pentanuclear clusters, Cu3Ln2(ClCH2COO)12(H2O)8 (Ln = Nd3+, Sm3+, Pr3+)

New compounds, [Cu₃Ln₂(ClCH₂COO)₁₂(H₂O)₈]·2H₂O with Ln = Nd³⁺ (I), Sm³⁺ (II), Pr³⁺ (III), built up of pentanuclear clusters were synthesized and studied by means of X-ray analysis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). X-ray data show that all compounds are isostructural and the pentanuclear clusteres may be considered as a linear system with alternating Cu(II) and Ln(III) ions: Cu(2)-L¹-Ln-L²-Cu(1)-L²-Ln-L²-Cu(2) with L¹ and L² being bridging fragments and Cu(1) and Cu(2) being structurally nonequivalent copper complexes. EPR studies demonstrate that in the temperature range of 100–293 K the signals due to only one type of the copper complexes are observed in the spectra of I–III. AtT<100 K the spectral temperature dependence is nontrivial. AtT<30 K new signals are detected in the spectra of I and II. The temperature dependence of the EPR spectra is interpreted under the assumption that the parameter of the exchange interaction Cu(2)-Ln considerably exceeds the parameter of the interaction Cu(1)-Ln. EPR spectra are calculated for the fragments of five paramagnetic centers in the frames of the model taking into account the nonequivalence of two copper complexes, short longitudinal and transverse paramagnetic relaxation times of the rare-earth ions at room temperature and the change of the relaxation rates when the temperature decreases. The results of the calculations show that it is possible to obtain information about the interactions in the system on the basis of the analysis of the temperature dependence of the EPR spectra of the central copper complex. The parameter of the isotropic part of the exchange interaction between copper and neodymium ions (for the interaction Cu(2)-Nd) is estimated as about 15 cm⁻¹. A considerable rearrangement of the spin states when the temperature changes is found for all complexes.     

New infrared integrated band intensities for HC3N and extensive line list for the ν5 and ν6 bending modes

The infrared spectrum of cyanoacetylene (also called propynenitrile) has been investigated from 400 to 4000 cm⁻¹ at a resolution of 0.5 cm⁻¹. Integrated intensities of the main bands and a number of weaker bands have been obtained with an uncertainty better than 5%. Inaccurate values in previous studies have been identified in particular concerning the intensity of the strong ν₅ stretching band at 663.2 cm⁻¹. Former results on the temperature dependence of integrated intensities have also been revisited.Synthetic spectra calculation has been performed for the ν₅ and ν₆ bands on the basis of the best available high resolution data. It has been shown that the GEISA line parameters for HC₃N are not sufficient to reproduce the band intensities and some hot band features observed in our experimental spectra at room temperature. As a first step, the model spectra has been improved by including a number of missing hot subbands and by calculating accurately the hot band relative intensities. Finally, a perfect agreement between calculated and observed spectra was achieved on the basis of a global analysis of HC₃N levels up to 2000 cm⁻¹ combined with the new integrated intensity measurements. A new extensive line list for the ν₅ and ν₆ bending modes of HC₃N has been compiled.