On the high-frequency measurement of the dynamic properties of nano-particle colloids

Measurement of the magnetic complex susceptibility, χ(ω)=χ′(ω)−iχ″(ω) by means of the transmission line technique, is a well established method for the determination of the dynamic properties of nano-particle colloids, such as magnetic fluids. From polarising studies one can obtain accurate data on the anisotropy constant, K, anisotropy field, H_A, gyromagnetic constant γ, and the damping parameter, α. From data on χ(ω), one can determine the loss tangent, tan δ, of the samples and also a value of the precessional decay time, τ₀. From polarized studies, one can investigate the presence of any hysteresis. The technique is also suitable for the investigation of the magnetic properties of composite samples. In this paper a review of the above mentioned topics are presented with examples of results obtained for a number of magnetic fluids.     

Density of states effective mass of n-type CuInSe2 from the temperature dependence of Hall coefficient in the activation regime

The Hall coefficient R_H of n-type CuInSe₂ single crystals is measured between 10 and 300 K in pulsed magnetic field up to 35 T. The threshold field B_th, above which the magnetic freezeout starts to occur, varies linearly with temperature. From the analysis of the temperature dependence of electron concentration in the activation regime above 100 K at different field values, it is established that the density of states effective mass is independent of the magnetic field B and the activation energy E_D, above around 6 T, varies as B^1/3. Similar B^1/3 dependence of the magnetoresistance in the high magnetic field regime, reported earlier in the same material, suggests that theoretical work that could explain this coincidence is needed.     

Experimental constraints on the phase diagram of titanium metal

The phase transformations of titanium metal have been studied at temperatures and pressures up to 973 K and 8.7 GPa using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The equilibrium phase boundary of the α-ω transition has a dT/dP slope of 345 K/GPa, and the transition pressure at room temperature is located at 5.7 GPa. The volume change across the α-ω transition is ΔV=0.197 cm³/mol, and the associated entropy change is ΔS=0.57 J/mol K. Except for ΔV, our results differ substantially from those of previous studies based on an equilibrium transition pressure of 2.0 GPa at room temperature. The α-ω-β triple point is estimated to be at 7.5 GPa and 913 K, which is comparable with previous results obtained from differential thermal analysis and resistometric measurements. An update, more accurate phase diagram is established for Ti metal based on the present observations and previous constraints on the α-β and ω-β phase boundaries.     

Propagation regimes of intense circularly polarized laser beam in magnetoactive plasma

This paper presents an analytical and numerical investigation of an intense circularly polarized wave propagating along the static magnetic field parallel to oscillating magnetic field in magnetoactive plasma. In the relativistic regime such a magnetic field is created by pulse itself. The authors have studied different regimes of propagation with relativistic electron mass effect for magnetized plasma. An appropriate expression for dielectric tensor in relativistic magnetoactive plasma has been evaluated under paraxial theory. Two modes of propagation as extraordinary and ordinary exist; because of the relativistic effect, ultra-strong magnetic fields are generated which significantly influence the propagation of laser beam in plasma. The nature of propagation is characterized through the critical-divider curves in the normalized beam width with power plane For given values of normalized density (ω_p/ω) and magnetic field (ω_c/ω) the regions are namely steady divergence (SD), oscillatory divergence (OD) and self-focusing (SF). Numerical computations are performed for typical parameters of relativistic laser-plasma interaction: magnetic field B = 10-100 MG; intensity I = 10¹⁶ to 10²⁰ W/cm²; laser frequency ω = 1.1 × 10¹⁵ s⁻¹; cyclotron frequency ω_c = 1.7 × 10¹³ s⁻¹; electron density n_e = 2.18 × 10²⁰ cm⁻³. From the calculations, we confirm that a circularly polarized wave can propagate in different regimes for both the modes, and explicitly indicating enhancement in wave propagation, beam focusing/self-guiding and penetration of E-mode in presence of magnetic field.     

Stability of bipolarons in the presence of a magnetic field

The stability of large Fröhlich bipolarons in the presence of a static magnetic field is investigated with the path integral formalism. We find that the application of a magnetic field (characterized by the cyclotron frequence ω _c) favors bipolaron formation: (i) the critical electronphonon coupling parameter α _c (above which the bipolaron is stable) decreases with increasing ω _c and (ii) the critical Coulomb repulsion strength U _c (below which the bipolaron is stable) increases with increasing ω _c. The binding energy and the corresponding variational parameters are calculated as a function of α, U and ω _c. Analytical results are obtained in various limiting cases. In the limit of strong electron-phonon coupling (α ? 1) we obtain for ω _c ? 1 that E _estim ? E _estim(ω _c = 0) + c(u)ω _c/α ⁴ with c(u) an explicitly calculated constant, dependent on the ratio u = U/α where U is the strength of the Coulomb repulsion. This relation applies both in 2D and in 3D, but with a different expression for c(u). For ω _c ? α ²? 1 we find in 3D E _estim ? ω _c - α ² A(u) ln²(ω _c/α ²), (also with an explicit analytical expression for A(u)) whereas in 2D E _estim ^2D ? ω _c - α√ω _cπ(u-2-√2)/2. The validity region of the Feynman-Jensen inequality for the present problem, bipolarons in a magnetic field, remains to be examined.     

First-principles calculations on ferroelectricity and lattice dynamics of Type-II multiferroic SmMn2O5

In this work, we report on the structural, electronic, and ferroelectric properties of SmMn₂O₅ by using first-principles density functional theory plus on-site Coulomb interaction (DFT + U) calculations. A thorough analysis was preformed to reveal the competing characteristics of different high-temperature (T) phases and the polarization mechanism in the low-T multiferroic phase. We show that the structural characteristics of the high-T phases have a strong influence on the low-T multiferroicity. In addition to the spin-induced lattice distortion that reduces substantially the purely electronic ferroelectricity, the dominant polarization mechanism in low-T SmMn₂O₅ still originates from the electronic polarization. By performing mode decomposition of the Hellmann–Feynman forces and the lattice distortion induced by the q = (0.5, 0, 0) magnetic order, we find that the Raman-active A_g mode characterized by the Mn⁴⁺O₆ octahedron distortion and synergistic displacement of Mn³⁺ and Sm ions is of primary importance, while the infrared (IR)-active B_2u mode plays a secondary role. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for future studies concerning the enhanced magnetoelectric effects of SmMn₂O₅ due to its pure exchange–striction mechanism.     

Hole transport anomaly in high-TC ferromagnet (Zn,Mn)GeP2

Anomalous Hall effect and a large negative magnetoresistance (up to −8.5%) have been found in the high-T_C ferromagnetic chalcopyrite (Zn,Mn)GeP₂. The elevated manganese concentration in the top diffusion layer grown on ZnGeP₂ isolated substrate gives rise to the increased hole conductivity and the temperature dependence of electric resistance ρ(T) typical of a metallic trace which indicate the charge carrier degeneration in combination with ferromagnetism. Additionally, we found a hysteresis of magnetoresistance Δρ/ρ₀ vs. H is associated with change in a magnetic order at low temperatures, T<50 K. The effect accompanies the reversal sign of Δρ/ρ₀ and is consistent with a singularity of magnetization vs. temperature. These anomalies observed for the first time in the high-T_C ferromagnetic chalcopyrites II-IV-V₂:Mn are explained by the phenomenological cluster model for ferromagnets.     

The A2Π-X2Σ+ emission spectrum of zinc deuteride

The A²Π-X²Σ⁺ emission of ZnD was studied at moderate and high resolution in the region 346–505 nm. A detailed rotational analysis of 10 bands has been performed using the ²Π formulas of Mulliken and Christy, with the Almy and Horsfall centrifugal distortion term. The principal molecular constants for the X²Σ⁺ state are (cm^?1): B_e = 3.3990, α_e = 0.0964, D_e = 1.16 × 10^?4, β_e = 6.4 × 10^?6, γ₀ = 0.122, ω_e = 1141.54, ω_ex_e = 24.29, and, for the A²Π state, T_e = 23 280.55, B_e = 3.7772, α_e = 0.0868, D_e = 1.14 × 10^?4, A₀ = 343.29, p₀ = 0.149, q₀ = 1.53 × 10^?3, ω_e = 1361.49, and ω_ex_e = 20.69. RKR potential curves and A-X Franck-Condon factors were calculated. A comparison was made with the spectrum of ZnH and the isotopic splitting for ⁶⁴ZnD, ⁶⁶ZnD, and ⁶⁸ZnD is briefly discussed.     

Thermomagnetic hysteresis and electrical transport in amorphous films

We report resistivity and magnetization measurements on an amorphous Ni₇₄Mn₂₄Pt₂ thin film in the temperature range of 3–300 K. Two significant features are apparent in both the magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity. A low-temperature (low-T) anomaly is observed at about 40 K, where a cusp appears in the resistivity, while a concomitant step-like increase in zero-field-cooled (ZFC) magnetization (M) appears with increasing temperature. The low-T anomaly is attributed to a crossover from a pure re-entrant spin-glass within individual domains to a mixed ferro-spin-glass regime at lower temperatures. By contrast, the high-temperature (high-T) anomaly, signaled by the appearance of hysteresis below 250 K, corresponds to the freezing of transverse spins in individual domains acting independently. Between the low-T and high-T anomalies a small but discernable magnetic hysteresis is observed for warming vs. cooling in the field-cooled (FC) case. This behavior clearly indicates the presence of domain structure in the sample, while the disappearance of this hysteresis at lower temperatures indicates the complete freezing of the spin orientation of these domains. According to these results, we have divided the magnetic state of this sample into three regions: at temperatures above 250 K, the sample behaves like a soft ferromagnet, exhibiting M vs. H loops with very small hysteresis (less than 5 Oe). As the temperature is lowered into the intermediate region (the range 40–250 K), spins become frozen randomly and progressively within the individual domains. These domains behave independently, rather than as a cooperative behavior of the sample. Weak irreversibility sets in, indicating the onset of transverse spin freezing within the domains. At temperatures below 40 K, the M vs. H loops exhibit larger hysteresis, for both the ZFC and FC cases, as in a pure spin-glass. We have also demonstrated giant noise in the resistivity at temperatures just below 250 K. Such noise can originate from fluctuations of the domains near the film surface because of competing effective bulk and surface anisotropy fields. The large observed amplitude may be explained by means of a large ferromagnetic anisotropy in the resistivity due to the large spin–orbit effect seen in NiMn systems. Finally, the low-T peak in the resistivity has been analyzed using Fisher and Langer's expression based on the Friedel Model proposed for critical transitions in transition metals (s–d systems). The fitted results are in satisfactory agreement with the predictions of this model.     

The resonance decay function method in the determination of the pre-factor of the Néel relaxation time of single-domain nanoparticles

In its simple form, the relaxation time of the Néel relaxation process of the magnetic moment of single-domain particles is given by τ_N=τ_0Nexp(σ), σ being the ratio of anisotropy energy to thermal energy. The pre-factor, τ_0N, is normally given a value of 10⁻⁹ s, but values ranging from 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² s have been reported in literature. Here, by means of the field and frequency dependence of the complex magnetic susceptibility, χ(ω,H)=χ′(ω,H)−iχ″(ω,H), of a magnetic fluid sample, in the MHz-GHz range, in conjunction with the determination of the sample decay function, b(t), the pre-factor τ_0N is determined. b(t) is readily obtained through the inverse Fourier transformation relationship, which exists between b(t) and χ″(ω).     

Isotope effects in the kinetics of simultaneous H and D thermal desorption from Pd

The kinetics of simultaneous hydrogen and deuterium thermal desorption from PdH_xD_y has been investigated. A novel experimental approach for the study of the transition state (TS) characteristics of the surface recombination reaction is proposed based on the analysis of the H and D partitioning into H₂, HD and D₂ molecules. It has been found that the hydrogen molecular isotopes distribution is determined by the energy differences of the corresponding TS of the atom-atom recombination reactions. On the other hand, the mechanisms and activation energies of the desorption process have been obtained. At 420 K, the desorption reaction changes from a surface recombination limiting mechanism during desorption from β-PdH_xD_y to a reaction limited by the rate of β to α phase transformation during the two phase coexistence. Surface recombination reaction becomes again rate limiting above 480 K, due to a change in the catalytic properties of the Pd surface. TS energies obtained from the kinetic analysis of the thermal desorption spectra are in good accordance with those obtained from the analysis of the H₂, HD and D₂ distributions. Anomalous TS energies have been observed for the H-D recombination reaction, which may be related to the heteronuclear character of this molecule.     

Role of effective mass in modulating linear and non-linear response properties of single carrier quantum dots: Interplay with system parameters

We explore the pattern of effective mass dependence of linear and non-linear optical (NLO) response of one electron quantum dots harmonically confined in two dimensions. For different combinations of transverse magnetic field strength (ω_c), harmonic confinement potential (ω₀), and anharmonic interaction, the influence of the effective mass (m^*) of the dot on linear (α), and the first (β), and second (γ) NLO responses of the system is computed through linear variational route. The investigation reveals a complicated interplay between the effective mass and the system parameters.     

Numerical simulation of magnetic interactions in polycrystalline YFeO3

The magnetic behavior of polycrystalline yttrium orthoferrite was studied from the experimental and theoretical points of view. Magnetization measurements up to 170 kOe were carried out on a single-phase YFeO₃ sample synthesized from heterobimetallic alkoxides. The complex interplay between weak-ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions, observed in the experimental M(H) curves, was successfully simulated by locally minimizing the magnetic energy of two interacting Fe sublattices. The resulting values of exchange field (H_E=5590 kOe), anisotropy field (H_A=0.5 kOe) and Dzyaloshinsky–Moriya antisymmetric field (H_D=149 kOe) are in good agreement with previous reports on this system.     

Photo-induced bias of the hysteresis loop in ferrites at room temperature with long-time memory

New photo-magnetic effects with an indefinitely long-time memory are found at room temperature in the epitaxial Mg_0.75Mn_0.21Co_0.04Fe₂O₄ ferrite film. Illumination of the ferrimagnetic material with low-intensity (0.4 W cm⁻²) circularly polarized light with or without a static magnetic field in the Faraday effect geometry results in a number of nonlinear effects in both space and time. In a uniform crystal with cubic symmetry, the long-lived photo-induced magnetization (PIM) with a unidirectional anisotropy appears along the direction of the incoming light. The effects depend on a combination of magnetic field H and the helicity of circularly polarized light σ. Two combinations H⁺,σ⁺ and H⁻,σ⁻ lead to a photo-induced unidirectional anisotropy with a shift of the hysteresis loop along an applied field and a change in loop parameters. The loop contracts by a factor of two, the shift of the mid-point H_sh increases by factor of five surpassing the coercivity H_c, the coercivity H_c1 and remanence M_r1 (for decreasing applied field) reverse the sign, increasing by 9 Oe and reducing by a factor of 4.5, respectively. The effects cannot be erased by a conventional demagnetization (using an AC current that is reduced to zero amplitude), but can be removed using an illumination with two other combinations (H⁺,σ⁻ and H⁻,σ⁺) as well as by heating at temperatures higher than the Curie temperature. This long-lived room-temperature memory effect may arise from the formation of complex photo-induced defects including photo-induced magnetic polarons. The possible mechanisms responsible for the appearance of a room-temperature photo-induced unidirectional anisotropy with a long-lived memory are discussed. These new photo-magnetic effects may find an application in magneto-optical memory devices.     

Single crystal EPR and optical absorption study of Cr doped l-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate

EPR study of the Cr³⁺ ion doped l-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate single crystal is done at room temperature. Two magnetically inequivalent interstitial sites are observed. The hyperfine structure for Cr⁵³ isotope is also obtained. The zero field and spin Hamiltonian parameters are evaluated from the resonance lines obtained at different angular rotations and the parameters are: D=(300±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, E=(96±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, g_x=1.9108±0.0002, g_y=1.9791±0.0002, g_z=2.0389±0.0002, A_x=(252±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_y=(254±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_z=(304±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ for site I and D=(300±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, E=(96±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, g_x=1.8543±0.0002, g_y=1.9897±0.0002, g_z=2.0793±0.0002, A_x=(251±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_y=(257±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_z=(309±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ for site II, respectively. The optical absorption studies of single crystals are also carried out at room temperature in the wavelength range 195-925 nm. Using EPR and optical data, different bonding parameters are calculated and the nature of bonding in the crystal is discussed. The values of Racah parameters (B and C), crystal field parameter (Dq) and nephelauxetic parameters (h and k) are: B=636, C=3123, Dq=2039 cm⁻¹, h=1.46 and k=0.21, respectively.     

On the formulation of D = 11 supergravity and the composite nature of its three-form gauge field

The underlying gauge group structure of the D = 11 Cremmer-Julia-Scherk supergravity becomes manifest when its three-form field A₃ is expressed through a set of one-form gauge fields, , , η_1α, and E^a, ψ^α. These are associated with the generators of the elements of a family of enlarged supersymmetry algebras parametrized by a real number s. We study in detail the composite structure of A₃ extending previous results by D’Auria and Fré, stress the equivalence of the above problem to the trivialization of a standard supersymmetry algebra E^(11|32) cohomology four-cocycle on the enlarged superalgebras, and discuss its possible dynamical consequences. To this aim we consider the properties of the first order supergravity action with a composite A₃ field and find the set of extra gauge symmetries that guarantee that the field theoretical degrees of freedom of the theory remain the same as with a fundamental A₃. The extra gauge symmetries are also present in the so-called rheonomic treatment of the first order D = 11 supergravity action when A₃ is composite. Our considerations on the composite structure of A₃ provide one more application of the idea that there exists an extended superspace coordinates/fields correspondence. They also suggest that there is a possible embedding of D = 11 supergravity into a theory defined on the enlarged superspace .     

Growth temperature dependence of the hysteretic behavior of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 thin films

Herein, a discussion of the effect of deposition temperature on the magnetic behavior of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ thin films. The thin films were grown by r.f. sputtering technique on (1 0 0) MgO single-crystal substrates at deposition temperatures ranging between 400 and 800 °C. The grain boundary microstructure was analyzed via atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM images show that grain size (φ∼70-112 nm) increases with increasing deposition temperature, according to a diffusion growth model. From magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) measurements at room temperature, coercive fields, H_c, between 37and 131 Oe were measured. The coercive field, H_c, as a function of grain size, reaches a maximum value of 131 Oe for φ ∼93 nm, while the relative saturation magnetization exhibits a minimum value at this grain size. The behaviors observed were interpreted as the existence of a critical size for the transition from single- to multi-domain regime. The saturation magnetization (21 emu/g<M_s<60 emu/g) was employed to quantify the critical magnetic intergranular correlation length (L_c≈166 nm), where a single-grain to coupled-grain behavior transition occurs. Experimental hysteresis loops were fitted by the Jiles-Atherton model (JAM). The value of the k-parameter of the JAM fitted by means of this model (k/μ_o∼50 A m²) was correlated to the domain size from the behavior of k, we observed a maximum in the density of defects for the sample with φ∼93 nm.     

A kinetic study of the thermal decomposition process of potassium metabisulfite: Estimation of distributed reactivity model

The thermal decomposition kinetics of potassium metabisulfite was studied by thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermogravimetric (DTG) techniques using non-isothermal experiments. The apparent activation energy (E_a) is determined using the differential (Friedman) isoconversional method. The results of the Friedman's isoconversional analysis of the TG data suggests that the investigated decomposition process follows a single-step reaction and the observed apparent activation energy was determined as 122.4±2.1 kJ mol⁻¹. A kinetic rate equation was derived for the decomposition process of potassium metabisulfite with contracting area model, f(α)=2(1−α)^1/2, which is established using the Malek's kinetic procedure. The value of pre-exponential factor (A) is also evaluated and was found to be A=1.37×10¹² min⁻¹. By applying the Miura's procedure the distributed reactivity model (DRM) for investigated decomposition process was established. From the dependence α versus E_a, the experimental distribution curve of apparent activation energies, f(E_a), was estimated. By applying the non-linear least-squares analysis, it was found that the Gaussian distribution model (with distribution parameters E₀=121.3 kJ mol⁻¹ and σ=1.5 kJ mol⁻¹) represents the best reactivity model for describing the investigated process. Using the Miura's method, the A values were estimated at five different heating rates and the average A values are plotted against E_a. The linear relationship between the A and E_a values was established (compensation effect). Also, it was concluded that the E_a values calculated by the Friedman's method and estimated distribution curve, f(E_a), are correct even in the case when the investigated decomposition process occurs through the single-step reaction mechanism.     

磁畴壁在复合外场中的运动方程及其在磁弹性内耗的应用

在以速率α匀速增加的磁化场中,测量铁磁性材料的内耗时,材料中畴壁所受的力除了外加磁化场所提供的主驱动力A₀⁰+A₁⁰αt,以及测量内耗所用交变应力所提供的微扰交变驱动力A₃⁰sinωt之外,经分析表明,还存在一项在数值上与主驱动力及交变驱动力的乘积成正比的交互作用驱动力,可写为A₂⁰sinωt。这里的A₀关键词：     

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.