Proton conductivity and ferroelectric phase transition in hydrogen-bonded ferroelectric NH4IO3

We report on the ac dielectric permittivity (ε) and the electric conductivity (σ_ω), as function of the temperature 300?K?T4IO₃. The main feature of our measured parameters is that, the compound undergoes a ferroelectric phase transition of an improper character, at (368?±?1)K from a high temperature paraelectric phase I (Pm2₁ b) to a low temperature ferroelectric phase II (Pc21n). The electric conduction seems to be protonic. The frequency dependent conductivity has a linear response following the universal power law (σ_{( ω )}?=?A(T)ω ^{s (T)}). The temperature dependence of the frequency exponent s suggests the existence of two types of conduction mechanisms.     

The sensitivity of the transition temperature to changes in α2 F(ω)

The transition temperature of a superconductor depends on α² F(ω), the spectral function of the effective interaction due to phonon exchange. We discuss how strongly the transition temperature is influenced by different frequency parts of α² F(ω). For this purpose the functional derivative δT _c /δα² F(ω) is calculated. It is shown that all frequency regions of α² F(ω) yield a positive contribution toT _c and that the most effective range covers frequencies, slightly above 2πT _c . The functional derivative is calculated numerically for several superconductors from their measured α² F(ω)-spectra. Finally, we discuss the change in transition temperature due to the softening of α² F(ω) which has been observed in amorphous superconductors.     

High-temperature phase transitions in the improper ferroelectric KIO3

The ac conductivity (σ_ac) and dielectric permittivity (?) are determined in the temperature range 300?K?T3 compound. The results indicated that the compound behaves as an improper ferroelectric and undergoes a ferroelectric phase transition from a high temperature rhombohedral phase I to a low temperature monoclinic phase II at T _c?=?(486?±?1)?K. A second structural phase transition was observed around 345?K. The conductivity varies with temperature range and for T?>?428?K intrinsic conduction prevails. Different activation energies in the different temperature regions were calculated. The frequency dependence of σ(ω) was found to follow the universal dynamic response [σ(ω)∝(ω) ^s(T)]. The thermal behaviour of the frequency exponent s(T) suggests the hopping over the barrier model rather than the quantum mechanical tunneling model for the conduction mechanism.     

Momentum conservation,time dependent Ginzburg Landau equation and paraconductivity

Superconductors exhibit increasing electrical conductivity as the temperature approachesT _c from above, due to superconducting fluctuations. The functions σ_f1=σ(ω, ?)-σ _n (ω), ?=(T-T _c )/T _c , have been derived by Schmidt phenomenologically using the time dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation (TDGL). These functions fail to vanish in the absolute clean limit τ → ∞ as they must. We have therefore reinvestigated the derivation of the linearized TDGL-equation and the corresponding current expression in the presence of a time dependent vector potential. We find several new terms, which are important for the rather clean superconductor only and are easily interpreted physically in terms of momentum conservation. Applying these corrected equations to the paraconductivity problem, we derive σ_fl(ω, ?) which has an extra factor (1 —iωτ)^?2 compared to Schmidt's result. There is also an additional term, which is connected to the problem of the contribution calculated by Maki. By comparison with the linear response function belowT _c , we show that this term is valid in the limit ¦ω¦?¦Δ¦ only and may not be continued to ω=0. There remains, however, a problem connected with this term, which cannot be solved within the present phenomenological framework.     

Die transversale,negative, differentielle Leitfähigkeit von n-Germanium: Zwei 2-Tal-Modelle ihrer statischen und dynamischen Eigenschaften

Taking into account two of the four 111-energy minima of the Ge-conduction band, expressions for the field and frequency dependent transverse differential conductivityσ _yy(ω, E _x) have been derived. Forω=0, one obtains the static properties, especially information concerning the critical fieldsE _xc defined byσ _yy(0,E _xc)=0. Forω≠0, the plasma frequenciesω _p have been calculated fromσ _yy(ω, E _x). One of these goes to zero forE _x→E _xc (soft mode). The optical quantities: refractive index, extinction and reflection coefficient have also been calculated. They show anomalies in the regionE _x=E _xc. To evaluate the equations quantitatively, the intervalley and the momentum scattering rate have been derived in the last part of this work using known distribution functions.     

The phonon densities of states of trigonal,vitreous and red amorphous selenium

For trigonal, vitreous and red amorphous Se the phonon densities of states F(hω) have been determined by inelastic neutron scattering from powder samples. For trigonal Se F(hω) is compared with the phonon dispersion measured by Teuchert[1] and a frequency spectrum derived from a model calculation by Etchepare et al.[2]. This calculation helps interpreting the changes in characteristic vibrational modes when going from the ordered to the disordered phase of Se. It is shown that at present, however, the models for trigonal Se are not good enough to calculate a reliable F(hω). The ω-dependence of F(hω) at low frequencies nicely confirms the predictions of a model which was developed for high polymeric chains by Genensky et al.[3]. For all three modifications the lattice specific heat c_v(T) was deduced from the phonon spectra. The data obtained for the different modifications are compared among each other and also with the measured data of Grosse et al.[4] (c_v(T) for red amorphous Se has not been measured before). From our data as well as from the c_p-data of Grosse the Debye temperatures as a function of temperature have been calculated. For vitreous Se between 10 and 160 K the agreement is excellent, for trigonal Se there are certain deviations which are discussed.     

Functional derivative of Tc with α2(ω)F(ω) for an anisotropic superconductor

The functional derivative δT_c/δα²(ω)F(ω) of the critical temperature (T_c) with the electron-phonon spectral density (α²(ω)F(ω)) gives information on the effectiveness of various phonon modes in enhancing T_c. For an anisotropic superconductor, it is found that δT_c/δα²(ω)F(ω) goes negative at some small but finite phonon energy. This contrasts with the isotropic case for which it is well known that the functional derivative is positive everywhere. Thus, very low energy phonons reduce T_c in an anisotropic superconductor which is similar to the known effects of static impurities that wash out anisotropy and hence reduce T_c.     

Super-linear frequency dependence of ac conductivity of disordered Ag2S–Sb2S3 at cryogenic temperatures

The ac conductivity of a new class of disordered solids, i.e. mechanochemically synthesized amorphous fast ion conducting Ag₂S–Sb₂S₃ materials, has been investigated in the audio frequency range (10–10⁷?Hz) down to cryogenic temperatures (～10?K). The conductivity spectra exhibit the usual signature of a disordered system at higher temperatures, well described by the Jonscher power law (JPL) i.e., σ′(ω)?=?σ _dc?+?A(T)ω*, although the frequency exponent (n?<?1) is found to be a weak function of temperature. However, as the temperature is lowered, the frequency width of the σ _dc region decreases gradually and that of the JPL region increases. Eventually, the σ _dc region disappears and the JPL region alone dominates the spectrum. However, at the lowest temperatures, both the σ _dc and JPL regions disappear and σ′(ω) obeys a super-linear power law (SPL) (σ′?∝?ω^m , m?≥?1). It is observed that the SPL has strikingly similar characteristics to the well-established nearly-constant-loss (NCL) behaviour corresponding to m?=?1. Both SPL and NCL appear in the same time–temperature (low-temperature/low-frequency) domain. Furthermore, in both cases the conductivity is a distinctly weak function of temperature but quite sensitive to frequency, and the SPL/NCL?→?JPL crossover frequency is thermally activated with almost the same energy as the ac activation energy. The presence of the SPL is further manifested in the form of a well-defined minimum in the dielectric loss, ε″(ω), spectra. It is therefore proposed that the entire low-temperature/low-frequency spectra can be described by a modified Jonscher power law, σ′(ω)?=?σ _dc(T)?+?A(T) ωⁿ ?+?B(T)ω^m , m?=?1 (NCL), m?>?1 (SPL), where the second term with n?<?1 accounts for the JPL and the third term with m?≥?1 accounts for SPL/NCL. The results and some other low-temperature/low-frequency conductivity data are consistent with an asymmetric double well potential (ADWP) model.     

AC conductivity and dielectric behavior of bulk Furfurylidenemalononitrile

AC conductivity and dielectric behavior for bulk Furfurylidenemalononitrile have been studied over a temperature range (293–333 K) and frequency range (50–5×10⁶ Hz). The frequency dependence of ac conductivity, σ_ac, has been investigated by the universal power law, σ_ac(ω)=Aω^s. The variation of the frequency exponent (s) with temperature was analyzed in terms of different conduction mechanisms, and it was found that the correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model is the predominant conduction mechanism. The temperature dependence of σ_ac(ω) showed a linear increase with the increase in temperature at different frequencies. The ac activation energy was determined at different frequencies. Dielectric data were analyzed using complex permittivity and complex electric modulus for bulk Furfurylidenemalononitrile at various temperatures.     

A thermal and Raman investigation of the phase transitions above room temperature in anhydrous potassium acetate

Results using thermal and Raman techniques are presented on the phase transition in potassium acetate occurring above room temperature. Two phase transitions are observed at T_c1 = 349K and T_c2 = 413K. The magnitude of the entropy change at T_c1 and the Raman results suggest that this transition is orientational in nature and is due to rotation of the acetate ion about the c-c axis. The T_c2 transition is displacive in nature, and the Raman results show a marked softening of the lowest frequency mode as T_c2 is approached from below.     

Dielectric properties and relaxation behavior of [TMA]2Zn0.5Cu0.5Cl4 compound

The [TMA]₂Zn_0.5Cu_0.5Cl₄ hybrid material was prepared and its dielectric spectra were measured in the 10⁻¹ Hz-10⁶ Hz frequency range and 200-305 K temperature interval. The dielectric permittivity showed a ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition at 293 K. Double relaxation peaks are observed in the imaginary part of the electrical modulus, suggesting the presence of grain and grain boundary in the sample. The frequency dependent conductivity was interpreted in term of Jonscher's law: σ(ω)=σ_dc+Aωⁿ. The temperature dependent of the dc conductivity (σ_dc) was well described by the Arrhenius equation: σ_dcT=σ_o×exp(−E_a/kT).     

Thermodynamics of SU(3) lattice gauge theory

The pressure and the energy density of the SU(3) gauge theory are calculated on lattices with temporal extent N_τ = 4, 6 and 8 and spatial extent N_σ = 16 and 32. The results are then extrapolated to the continuum limit. In the investigated temperature range up to five times T_c we observe a 15% deviation from the ideal gas limit. We also present new results for the critical temperature on lattices with temporal extent N_τ = 8 and 12. At the corresponding critical couplings the string tension is calculated on 32⁴ lattices to fix the temperature scale. An extrapolation to the continuum limit yields T_c/√σ = 0.629(3). We furthermore present results on the electric and magnetic condensates as well as the temperature dependence of the spatial string tension. These observables suggest that the temperature dependent running coupling remains large even at T ≅ 5T_c. For the spatial string tension we find √σ_s/T=0.566(13)g²2(T) with g² (5T_c) ≅ 1.5.     

Dielectric and AC ionic conductivity investigations in K3H(SeO4)2 single crystal

Optical observation under the polarizing microscope and DSC measurements on K₃H(SeO₄)₂ single crystal have been carried out in the temperature range 25-200 °C. It reveals a high-temperature structural phase transition at around 110 °C. The crystal system transformed from monoclinic to trigonal. Electrical impedance measurements of K₃H(SeO₄)₂ were performed as a function of both temperature and frequency. The electrical conduction and dielectric relaxation have been studied. The temperature dependence of electrical conductivity indicates that the sample crystal became a fast ionic conductor in the high-temperature phase. The frequency dependence of conductivity follows the Jonscher's universal dynamic law with the relation σ(ω)=σ(0)+Aωⁿ, where ω is the frequency of the AC field, and n is the exponent. The obtained n values decrease from 1.2 to 0.1 from the room temperature phase to fast ionic phase. The high ionic conductivity in the high-temperature phase is explained by the dynamical disordering of protons between the neighboring SeO₄ groups, which provide more vacant sites in the crystal.     

非晶态超导体转变温度Tc的经验公式

本文提出一个非晶态非过渡金属超导体的T_c经验公式,T_c=Aλ<ω>^1/2/(<ω>/ω₀+(1+λ)/20),式中A=(1/5)^(K1/2)。计算值和实验值,以及和Garland理论值的比较表明,T_c经验公式能很好地描述非晶态超导体的T_c值。 关键词：     

On the problem of high temperature superconductivity

This article is a brief review of the present situation in theoretical investigations of high temperature superconductivity. The main subject is a discussion of the formula for a critical temperature T_c for a homogeneous and isotropic substance with arbitrary permeability ?(q, ω). The problem of the maximum possible value of T_c is discussed. It is concluded that at present there are no grounds to consider that values of T_c ? 100°K to be impossible. The paper ends with some remarks on the exciton mechanism of superconductivity for the case of superconductors with a plane geometry.     

c-axis penetration depth in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ single crystals measured by ac-susceptibility and cavity perturbation technique

The c-axis penetration depth Δλ_c in Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ (BSCCO) single crystals as a function of temperature has been determined using two techniques, namely, measurements of the ac-susceptibility at a frequency of 100 kHz and the surface impedance at 9.4 GHz. Both techniques yield an almost linear function Δλ_c(T)∝T in the temperature range T<0.5T _c. Electrodynamic analysis of the impedance anisotropy has allowed us to estimate λ_c(0)≈50 µm in BSCCO crystals overdoped with oxygen (T _c≈84 K) and λ_c(0)≈150 µm at the optimal doping level (T _c≈90 K).     

Quantum theory of nonresonant electromagnetic and ultrasonic absorption in glasses

We develop quantum theory of nonresonant ultrasonic and electromagnetic absorption in glasses at low temperatures. In the quantum region where ?ω?kT the nonresonant absorption coefficients are proportional to ω³ which seems to be in agreement with the existing experimental data.The existence of characteristic temperature T_c (or characteristic energy E_c = kT_c) of the order of 10 + 20 K is established. At higher interlevel spacing E the concept of two-level systems in their conventional form is not applicable because of their strong coupling to the phonons. Neither the perturbation theory is applicable for calculation of absorption in the frequency interval ?ω?_c or at temperature interval T?T_c = E_c/k.     

Equation of state for rotating nuclei at finite temperature

The equation of state ω(T, I) is derived for temperatures in the range0 ? T ? 0.5 MeV and spins in the range 0 ? I ? 24. It is demonstrated that if the yrast line backbends, then the equation of state contains a critical point at temperature T_c, and that backbending disappears for T > T_c.     

Electrical and electromechanical properties of lead-potassium-yttrium-niobate ceramics—piezoelectric applications

Tungsten bronze (TB)-type oxide ceramic Pb_0.74K_0.13Y_0.13Nb₂O₆ (PKYN) has been synthesized by the standard solid state reaction method. Single phase formation, orthorhombic crystal structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The substitution of Y³⁺ in Pb_0.74K_0.52Nb₂O₆ (PKN) decreased the unit cell volume and T_C=260 °C. PKYN exhibited the remnant polarization, P_r=8.5 μC/cm², and coercive field, E_c=28.71 kV/cm. Electrical spectroscopy studies were carried out over the temperature (35-595 °C) and frequency (45 Hz-5 MHz) ranges, and the charge carrier phenomenon, grain-grain boundary contribution and non-Debye-type relaxation were analyzed. The relaxation species are immobile charges in low temperature and oxygen vacancies at higher temperature. The theoretical values computed using the relations, ε′=ε_∞+sin(n(T)π/2)(a(T)/ε₀)(ω^n(T)−1); σ(ω)=σ_dc+Aωⁿ are fitted with the experimental one. The n and A parameters suggested that the charge carrier's couple with the soft mode and become mobile at T_C. The activation enthalpy, H_m=0.38 eV, has been estimated from the hopping frequency relation ω_p=ω_e exp(−H_m/k_BT). The piezoelectric constants K_t=35.4%, d₃₃=69×10⁻¹² C/N, d₃₁=−32×10⁻³ mV/N, S₁₁^E=17.8 pm²/N, etc., achieved in PKYN indicate the material is interesting for transducer applications. The activation energies from different formalisms confirmed the ionic-type conduction.