Effective activation energy Ue(T,J,H) in textured Bi1.84Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3Oy silver-clamped thick films

We have measured the resistivity of textured Bi_1.84Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y silver-clamped thick films as a function of temperature, current density ranging from 10 to 1×10³ A/cm² and magnetic field up to 0.3 T. We find that the effective activation energy U_e follows U_e(T,J,H)=U₀(1−T/T_p)^mln(J_c0/J)H⁻ with m=1.75 for Hab-plane and 2.5 for Hc-axis and =0.76 for Hab and 0.97 for Hc, for the current density regime above 100 A/cm², where T_p is a function of applied magnetic field and current density. This result suggests the effective activation energy U_e be correlated with the temperature, current density and magnetic field. The possible dissipative mechanisms responsible for the temperature, current density and magnetic field dependence of the effective activation energy are discussed.     

High critical current density YBa2Cu3O7−δ tapes prepared by the surface-oxidation epitaxy method

YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (YBCO) films with high critical current density (J_c) were successfully fabricated on nickel tapes buffered with epitaxial NiO. NiO was prepared on the textured nickel tape by the surface-oxidation epitaxy (SOE) method. We have reported so far a critical temperature (T_c) of 87 K and J_c=4–6×10⁴ A/cm² (77 K, 0 T) for the YBCO films on NiO/Ni tapes. To enhance the superconducting properties of the YBCO films on the SOE-grown NiO, depositions of thin oxide cap layers such as YSZ, CeO₂, and MgO on NiO were investigated. These oxide cap layers were epitaxially grown on NiO and provided the template for the epitaxial growth of YBCO films. Substantially improved data of T_c=88 K and J_c=3×10⁵ A/cm² (77 K, 0 T) and 1×10⁴ A/cm² (77 K, Hc, 4 T) were obtained for YBCO film on NiO, by using a MgO cap layer with a thickness of 50 nm. The method described in this paper is a simple way to produce long YBCO tape conductors with high-J_c values.     

Influence of the Tl- and Hg-content on magnetic and transport properties of the Pb, Sr-doped Tl-1223 and Hg-1223 superconductors

The effects of the thallium and mercury content x on the as-sintered and post annealed samples of M_xPb_0.4Sr_1.6Ba_0.4Ca₂Cu₃O_8+δ {M: Tl (0.32≤x≤0.74) or Hg (0.18≤x≤0.68)} have been studied by magnetization and transport measurements. For Tl-1223 we have found the optimum Tl doping level to be x=0.53 regarding the grain properties, the content of superconducting phase, the first penetration field H_pl^wl, the transport (J_c^tr), magnetic intergrain (J_c^M) and intragrain (J_c^g) critical current densities. The critical temperature T_c of the as-sintered Tl-1223 sample decreased with increasing Tl content. Post-annealing in oxygen improved the T_c for Tl contents of x≥0.53 and had generally positive effects on the critical current densities. The intergrain properties of the Hg-1223 samples were much worse than those of the Tl-based superconductors.     

Effects of 230 MeV Au irradiation on Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox

Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_x tapes were irradiated using 230 MeV Au¹⁴⁺ ions. Columnar defects were presumably produced due to irradiation. Zero-field-cooling (ZFC) magnetization increased up to a fluence of 1.6 × 10¹¹ Au⁺/cm², but field-cooling (FC) magnetization decreased, indicating the strong pinning effects resulting from the columnar defects. The critical current density as well as the irreversibility field, obtained from the hysteresis loops, were enhanced. Irreversibility fields are fitted by H_irr = A exp(−T/T_A). An effective activation energy for flux motion was obtained from the measurements of magnetization relaxation. The features of flux pinning as a result of the columnar defects were compared with those of point defects brought about by 120 MeV O⁷⁺ irradiation.     

Microstructures in Tl-1223/Ag tapes with different chemical compositions and Jc's

The microstructures of a Tl_0.8Pb_0.2Bi_0.2Sr_1.6Ba_0.4Ca₂Cu₃O_9+δ/Ag tape (tape I) with J_c of 17,600 A/cm² at 77 K and 0 T and three Tl_0.8Pb_0.2Bi_0.2Sr_1.8Ba_0.2Ca_2.2Cu₃O_9+δ/Ag tapes with J_c's of 9300 (tape II), 16,700 (tape III) and 25 200 A/cm² (tape IV) prepared using the powder-in-tube method and an in-situ reaction method, were investigated using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. In the tape preparation, an intermediate rolling process was incorporated during final heat-treatment for the last tape, but not for the rest of the tapes. Tl-1223 grains are in a thin plate-like shape. Tendency of directional grain-alignment increased in an order of tapes I, II, II and IV. In tape IV, Tl-1223 grains are clearly textured at least partly. In lattice defects, while stacking faults were prevalent in the former composition, dislocations and holes were frequently observed in the latter. Also impurity phases were appeared to be more abundant in the former than in the latter. The relationship between J_c and the microstructure in the tapes was explained in a term of grain-linking.     

Fabrication, microstructure and critical current density of screen-printed Ag-(Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox superconducting tapes

The influence of the sintering conditions on the microstructure and critical current density J_c has been studied on screen-printed Ag-(Bi, Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_x tapes with a ceramics mono-layer core. Three kinds of fabrication processes, which consist of a combination of cold working (rolling and/or pressing) and sintering, are applied. Four times repetition of pressing and sintering after the pre-sintering produces the highest c-axis alignment and achieves J_c= 1.5 × 10⁴ A/cm² (77 K, 0 T). The J_c versus θ data with an angle θ between B and the c-axis elucidate the relation between the anisotropy ratio γ=J_c(Bc)/J_c(B|c and the half-height angular width Δθ of a peak for Bc. This is related to both grain alignment and the J_c value. An increase in J_c, which comes from an improvement for grain alignment, enhances γ and narrows Δθ. The J_c versus θ data are fitted to the expression J_c(B, θ)=J _c(B, 90°)/[(γ−1)|cos θ|ⁿ+1] by regarding both γ and n as adjustable parameters. Fabrication of screen-printed tapes with multilayers (1≤N≤5) is presented, where the critical current increases from 8.0 A to 30.2 A at 77 K and 0 T as N increases.     

ESR of double-perovskite Sr2FeMoO6

We present an ESR study of Sr₂FeMoO₆ in the paramagnetic region. A single line at g≈2 was associated with Fe³⁺ ions. The intensity follows Curie–Weiss law in the whole T range. For T >500 K a secondary line is attributed to ferromagnetic (FM) impurities. The line width is described by ΔH_pp(T)=ΔH_pp(∞)(1−Θ/T) with a high value for ΔH_pp(∞). The absence of narrowing effects is a signature of double-exchange (DE) interactions and indicates that DE drives the FM ordering at a relatively high T_c.     

Frequency, field, and temperature dependence of the AC penetration depth of a GdBa2Cu3O7−δ film in the mixed state

We report on a systematic mutual induction measurement of the complex AC penetration depth λ of a sputtered high-quality GdBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ film in the mixed state by a very small coil system arranged near the sample surface. The complex penetration depth λ(B, T, ω) for DC inductions B 0.65 T (perpendicular to the film), for temperatures 36 K T 81 K, and for frequencies 1 kHz ω/2π 500 kHz was determined from the measured signal by a novel inversion scheme. The results are consistent with theoretical predictions based upon single vortex pinning. The Labusch parameter , the flux creep relaxation time τ, as well as the effective activation energy U are simulateneously determined.     

Anomalous temperature dependence of magnetization in polycrystalline Fe65Ni35 alloy

Magnetization at 0.3 and 140 Hz (0–10 Oe) and magnetic relaxation measurements were carried out in detail in the temperature range between 4.2 and 300 K for a polycrystalline Fe₆₅Ni₃₅ alloy. The typical temperature T_g and the magnetic field H_g which correspond to the anomalous temperature in χ-T curves and inflection field in σ-H curves, respectively, are summarized and a H-T diagram is obtained. A strong magnetic relaxation is observed along the H_g-T line. The temperature dependence of H_g is discussed by the thermal activation of 180° domain wall which is pinned strongly by the antiferromagnetic-like clusters below T_g. It is find that H _g is a linear function of T .     

Specific heat and anisotropic superconducting and normal-state magnetization of HoNi2B2C

The magnetization of single-crystal HoNi₂B₂C has been measured as a function of applied field (H) and temperature in order to probe the interplay between superconductivity and magnetism in this complex layered system. The normal-state magnetic susceptibility of HoNi₂B₂C is highly anisotropic with a Curie-Weiss-like temperature dependence for H applied perpendicular to the c-axis and with a much weaker temperature dependence for H applied parallel to the c-axis, indicating that the Ho⁺³ magnetic moments lie predominately in the tetragonal a−b plane below 20 K. High-field magnetization (2000 Oe), low-field magnetization (20 Oe) and zero-field specific heat all give an antiferromagnetic ordering temperature of T_N=5.0 K. Remarkably, in 20 Oe applied field both superconductivity (T_c=8.0 K) and antiferromagnetism (T_N=5.0 K) clearly make themselves manifest in the magnetization data. From these magnetization data a phase diagram in the H−T plane was constructed for both directions of applied field. This phase diagram shows a non-monotonic temperature dependence of H_c2 with a deep minimum at T_N=5 K. The high-field magnetization data for H applied perpendicular to the c-axis also reveal a cascade of three phase transitions for T < 5 K and H < 15 000 Oe, contributing to the rich H versus T phase diagram for HoNi₂B₂C at low temperatures.     

Effect of a magnetic field on MnAs0.88P0.12 below 80 K

MnAs_0.88P_0.12 has been studied by powder neutron diffraction in external magnetic fields up to 15.2 kOe and temperatures down to 4.2 K. MnAs_0.88P_0.12 takes the MnP type atomic arrangement and exists in para-, ferro- and different (essentially) helimagnetic states. The observation of a double 000^± satellite at 4.2 K < T 70 K adds further evidence to the chain of arguments for distinction between the helimagnetic states H'_a (4.2 K < T < T_S,1 ≈ 70 K) and H_a (T_S,2 ≈ 180 K < T < T_N = (243 ± 5) K). External magnetic fields at 4.2 K < T < 70 K evoke a new magnetic state, which is also characterized by a satellite doublet, and is tentatively designated H'_a,fan.     

Pinning model derived from resistive measurements on melt processed Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8

On melt processed samples of the 86 K superconductor Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ we have performed resistive measurements in the low field limit B0.13 T and 40 KT77 K. The voltage drop is found to rise exponentially with current E ∝exp j/j₀, which is interpreted in terms of thermal activation of pinned flux lines. An activation energy U₀(T)90 meV is derived from the transition width j₀(T) and is related to a plausible core pinning interaction of flux lines with normal conducting precipitates. This reproduces the measured j_c(B, T) values in the whole regime investigated. We conclude that pinning centers must have a minimum size in order to control flux creep. Finally we demonstrate that conventional summation of the single site pinning forces cannot account for the observed macroscopic depinning current density.     

Vortex penetration depth of κ-(ET)2Cu[N(CN)2]Br

The magnetic field dependence of the in-plane penetration depth λ_|(H) for single crystal κ-(ET)₂Cu[N(CN)₂]Br has been measured at 3, 9.6, and 36 MHz. Over a limited range, λ_| scales with a characteristic field H^*(T) that coincides with a shoulder in the λ_| vs. H curves. Above that field, λ_| increases sharply toward a second inflection point at H^**(T) that coincides with is close to the irreversibility line measured by magnetization. For fields larger than H^** the penetration depth diverges, suggesting that the vortex lattice has melted. The field dependence at one frequency agrees qualitatively with a model of pinned vortices at low fields giving way to flux flow at higher fields. However, the observed frequency dependence deviates significantly from the predictions of this model, suggesting that collective effects play a major role. Our technique also yields a new measurement for the interplane penetration depth λ 300 μm, implying an anisotropy λ/λ_| > 200.     

Critical behavior of transverse and longitudinal ac susceptibilities in a random anisotropy magnet a-Dy16Fe84

We have investigated critical lines in the H-T plane in a random anisotropy magnet (RAM) a-Dy₁₆Fe₈₄ with a small effective ratio of the anisotropy (D) to the exchange constant (J) by means of ac susceptibility (χ) in static fields H parallel and perpendicular to the ac field. We found that the transverse χ exhibits an anomaly along the irreversible line H(T_f) determined by previous magnetization measurements, while the longitudinal χ does so along a characteristic line H(T_i) in a lower temperature region. Above H(T_f) we also found an extra characteristic line H(T_c). The lines were almost independent of the measured frequency. Both the present results and previous magnetization results suggest that an equilibrium phase transition occurs, and the critical lines analogous to those in Heisenberg spin glasses are present in a weak RAM.     

Anomalous magnetotransport phenomena in θ-(BEDT-TTF)2I3

Anomalous magnetotransport phenomena have been observed in θ-(BEDT-TTF)₂I₃ crystals at temperatures below 15 K. The magnetoresistance M : (1) is a linear function of the magnetic field H, (2) is not affected by the angle between the electric current and the magnetic field, (3) but depends on the magnetic field orientation with respect to the crystal axis. Magnetoresistance is expressed as M = (aH²_a + bH²_b + cH²_c)₀^-3/2/H in terms of H = (H_a, H_b, H_c), the zero field resistivity ₀, and parameters a, b, and c which are independent of temperature and magnetic field. We have found that b a > c. Magnetoresistance up to 40 is observed for H = 7T along the b-axis at T = 1.5K.     

Ising spin glass on a D = 3 hierarchical lattice: Effects of tailed coupling distributions

Within a real-space renormalization-group framework, we approach the cubic lattice through a D = 3 diamond-like hierarchical lattice. The model is a standard, nearest-neighbor, Ising spin glass with coupling constants {J_ij} distributed according to the family of continuous probability distributions P_q(J_ij) ∝ 1/[1 + (q − 1)J_ij²/2J²]^{1/(q − 1)} (if 1 + (q − 1) J_ij²/2J² > 0, and zero otherwise; q ). Such distributions, which arise naturally in the treatment, within the recently proposed nonextensive thermostatistics, of anomalous diffusion, reproduce the usual, Gaussian case, for q → 1. Moreover, they present a second moment J_ij² proportional to (5 − 3q)⁻¹ for q < 5/3, diverging for q ≥ 5/3, but keeping a finite width at midheight. In the limit q → 3, P_q(J_ij) collapses with the abscissa, and so the width at midheight diverges. We compute the q-dependence of the spin-glass critical temperature T_c. We show numerically that T_c does not scale with J_ij^21/2 (contrary to the usual belief), but rather with the width at midheight of P_q(J_ij). Our results suggest that T_c vanishes as −1/q when q → −∞; furthermore, we verified that T_c diverges exponentially when q approaches 3 from below.     

Magnetic properties and domain structure of polycrystalline DyFe3

Magnetization σ vs. temperature T was measured from 80 to 700 K in polycrystalline DyFe₃ in a magnetic field H = 10 kOe. From σ = f(T), the Curie temperature was determined. Also, σ was measured vs. H from 0 to 70 kOe at 4.2 K. Magnetization at saturation σ₀ at 4.2 K and the magnetic moment of DyFe₃ were also determined. First observations of domain structure in DyFe₃ are reported. The mean domain with is determined in its dependence on the grain size . The magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant of polycrystalline DyFe₃ is determined as K₁ = -1.2×10⁷ erg/cm³.     

Magnetic anisotropy in the paramagnetic phase of TbAl2

The magnetic anisotropy of a single crystal of TbAl₂ has been measured by torque magnetometry from below the Curie point up to 170 K, well into the paramagnetic phase. Within a (110) plane the torque can be described by the expression L(θ) = {P sin 2θ} H² + {Q sin 2θ + S sin 4θ} H⁴ + {T sin 4θ} H⁶, where θ is the an gle formed by the magnetization vector with a [001] axis. The first term (in H²) is interpreted as produced by arrays of defects with axial symmetry. The second (in H⁴) and third (in H⁶) terms arise from anisotropic fourth and sixth rank tensor paramagnetic susceptibilities. On the other hand if the anisotropy is described in terms of effective conventional anisotropy constants K₁ and K₂ within the temperature range 90–170 K it is found that both constants change continuously across the Curie temperature and furthermore the [111] direction remains the easy direction in the paramagnetic range. Anisotropy measurements reveal themselves as a sensitive indicator of the level of macroscopic defects in magnetic crystals.     

Anomalous magnetic behavior of the Co0.53Ga0.47 spin glass above the freezing temperature

We present here the detailed analysis of the magnetic behavior of the Co_0.53Ga_0.47 alloy, especially at temperatures above the freezing temperature T_f = 10 K. Low field static magnetization measurements were performed by using the SQUID magnetometer in the temperature range 5–65 K and magnetic fields up to 100 Oe. The temperature dependence of the field cooled susceptibility π_FC(T) at T > T_f has an anomaly, which is displayed in the double change of the curvature near T_s = 24 K. The data of magnetization M_FC in an external field H lie on a universal curve M_FC(H/T) at temperatures T_f < T < T_s. The plots of π^-1_FC(T) and non-linear magnetic susceptibility π^nl_FC(T^-3) are linear lines in the temperature range T_f−T_s. The strong deviation of π^-1_FC(T) and π^nl_FC(T^-3) from straight line, taking place at T T_s, indicates that T_s is an upper temperature limit of the classical superparamagnetic behavior with the constant cluster moment. The results suggest that such phenomena may be fairly universal for spin glasses.