Hole concentration dependence of Mn eg orbital state in bilayer manganites studied by magnetic Compton profile measurement

Magnetic Compton profiles (MCP) have been measured in the [100], [110] and [001] directions on the single crystals of La_2−2xSr_1+2xMn₂O₇ (x=0.30, 0.35 and 0.42) at 10 K. The occupation numbers in t_2g and two e_g type orbitals (x²−y² and 3z²−r²) of Mn-3d state are evaluated from the line-shape analysis of MCP's in the [001] direction by using theoretical profiles derived from the ab initio calculations for (MnO₆)⁸⁻cluster. It has been found that the e_g state is dominated by the x²−y² type orbital at every hole concentration, x, and the 3z²−r² type orbital population decreases with increasing x. From the result, the connections of e_g orbital state with the electron correlation effect, exchange interactions, lattice distortion and electronic inhomogeneity are discussed.     

Electronic structures and magnetoelectric properties of tetragonal BaFeO3: an ab initio density functional theory study

First-principles calculations have been performed to investigate the ground state electronic properties of BaFeO₃ (BFO). Local spin density approximation (LSDA) plus U (LSDA+U) treatment modified the metallic behaviour to insulated one with a band gap of 4.12eV. The spontaneous polarization was found to be 89.3\muC/cm² with Berry phase scheme in terms of the modern theory of polarization. Fe-3d e_g were split into two singlet states (d_z² and d _x²-y²}), and Fe-3d t_2g were split into one doublet states(d_xz and d_yz) and one singlet states(d_xy) after Fe and O displaced along the c axis. Meanwhile the occupation numbers of d_z², d_yz, d_xz and O_T p_z (on the top of Fe) were increased at the expense of those in xy plane. Our results showed that it was the sensitivity of hybridization to ferroelectric distortions, not just the total change of hybridization, that produced the possibility of ferroelectricity. Moreover, the increasing occupation numbers of O_T p_z and Fe d_z² favoured the 180^o coupling between Fe-3d e_g and Fe-3d t_2g, leading to ferromagnetic ordering, which has been confirmed by the increase of magnetic moment by 0.13μ_B per formula unit in the polarized direction. Hence, the magnetization can be altered by the reversal of external electric field.     

Optical investigation of charge-transfer transitions in spinel Co3O4

Optical transitions in normal-spinel Co₃O₄ have been identified by investigating the variation of its optical absorption spectrum with the replacement of Co by Zn. Three optical-transition structures were located at about 1.65, 2.4, and 2.8 eV from the measured dielectric function of Co₃O₄ by spectroscopic ellipsometry. The variation of the absorption structures with the Zn substitution (Zn_xCo_3−xO₄) can be explained in terms of charge-transfer transitions involving d states of Co ions. The 1.65 eV structure is assigned to a d-d charge-transfer transition between the t_2g states of octahedral Co³⁺ ion and t₂ states of tetrahedral Co²⁺ ion, t_2g(Co³⁺)→t₂(Co²⁺). The 2.4 and 2.8 eV structures are interpreted as due to charge-transfer transitions involving the p states of O²⁻ ion: p(O²⁻)→t₂(Co²⁺) for the 2.4 eV absorption and p(O²⁻)→e_g(Co³⁺) for the 2.8 eV absorption. The observed gradual reduction of the 1.65 and 2.4 eV absorption strength with the increase of the Zn composition for Zn_xCo_3−xO₄ can be explained in terms of the substitution of the tetrahedral Co²⁺ sites by Zn²⁺ ions. The crystal-field splitting Δ_Oh between the e_g and the t_2g states of the octahedral Co³⁺ ion is estimated to be 2 eV.     

Spin-0 and spin-1/2 particles in a constant scalar-curvature background

We study the Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations in the presence of a background metric ds²=−dt²+dx²+e^−2gx(dy²+dz²) in a semi-infinite lab (x>0). This metric has a constant scalar-curvature R=6g² and is produced by a perfect fluid with equation of state p=−ρ/3. The eigenfunctions of spin-0 and spin-1/2 particles are obtained exactly, and the quantized energy eigenvalues are compared. It is shown that both of these particles must have nonzero transverse momentum in this background. We show that there is a minimum energy E²_min=m²c⁴+g²c²?² for bosons (E_KG>E_min), while the fermions have no specific ground state (E_Dirac>mc²).     

Temperature-dependent photoluminescence in La2/3Ca1/3MnO3

Visible photoluminescence and its temperature dependence of La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃ in the temperature range 138-293 K were measured. It was observed that the main broad band centered at ∼1.77 eV with the shoulders at ∼1.57 and ∼1.90 eV existed in the entire temperature range. It can be well fitted by three Gaussian curves B₁, B₂ and B₃ centered at ∼1.52, ∼1.75 and ∼1.92 eV, respectively. The intensities of the peak B₁ and B₂ vary as temperature increases. In the entire temperature range, the intensity of B₁ increases with increasing temperature, whereas that of B₂ decreases. The photoluminescence mechanisms for La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃ are presented based on the electronic structures formed by the interactions among spin, charge and lattice, in which B₁ was identified with the charge transfer excitation of an electron from the lower Jahn-Teller split e_g level of a Mn³⁺ ion to the e_g level of an adjacent Mn⁴⁺ ion, B₂ is assigned to the transition between the spin up and spin down e_g bands separated by Hund's coupling energy E_J and B₃ is attributed to the transition, determined by the crystal field energy E_C, between a t_2g core electron of Mn³⁺ to the spin up e_g bands of Mn⁴⁺ by a dipole allowed charge transfer process.     

Influence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide on the morphology of AWO4 (A = Ca, Sr) prepared by cyclic microwave irradiation

AWO₄ (A = Ca, Sr) was prepared from metal salts [Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O or Sr(NO₃)₂], Na₂WO₄·2H₂O and different moles of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in water by cyclic microwave irradiation. The structure of AWO₄ was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of nanoparticles in clusters with different morphologies; spheres, peaches with notches, dumb-bells and bundles, influenced by CTAB. Six Raman vibrational peaks of scheelite structure were detected at 908, 835, 793, 399, 332 and 210 cm⁻¹ for CaWO₄ and 917, 833, 795, 372, 336 and 192 cm⁻¹ for SrWO₄, which are assigned as ν₁(A_g), ν₃(B_g), ν₃(E_g), ν₄(B_g), ν₂(A_g) and ν_f.r.(A_g), respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra provided the evidence of W-O stretching vibration in [WO₄]²⁻ tetrahedrons at 793 cm⁻¹ for CaWO₄ and 807 cm⁻¹ for SrWO₄. The peaks of photoluminescence (PL) spectra were at 428-434 nm for CaWO₄, and 447-451 nm for SrWO₄.     

Effects of nickel doping on structural and optical properties of spinel lithium manganate thin films

Spinel LiNi_xMn_2−xO₄ (x≤0.9) thin films were synthesized by a sol-gel method employing spin-coating. The Ni-doped films were found to maintain cubic structure at low x but to exhibit a phase transition to tetragonal structure for x≥0.6. Such cubic-tetragonal phase transition can be explained in terms of Ni³⁺(d⁷) ions with low-spin (t_2g⁶,e_g¹) configuration occupying the octahedral sites of the compound, thus being subject to the Jahn-Teller effect. By X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy both Ni³⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions were detected where Ni²⁺ is more populated than Ni³⁺. Optical properties of the LiNi_xMn_2−xO₄ films were investigated by spectroscopic ellipsometry in the visible-ultraviolet range. The measured dielectric function spectra mainly consist of broad absorption structures attributed to charge-transfer transitions, O²⁻(2p)→Mn⁴⁺(3d) for 1.9 (t_2g) and 2.8-3.0 eV (e_g) structures and O²⁻(2p)→Mn³⁺(3d) for 2.3 (t_2g) and 3.4-3.6 eV (e_g) structures. Also, sharp absorption structures were observed at about 1.6, 1.7, and 1.9 eV, interpreted as being due to d-d crystal-field transitions within the octahedral Mn³⁺ ion. In terms of these transitions, the evolution of the optical absorption spectrum of LiMn₂O₄ by Ni doping could be explained and the related electronic structure parameters were obtained.     

The Electronic Transition Moment Function for the BΠ-XΔ System of TiO

Several vibronic bands associated with v′=0, 1, and 2 for the B³Π-X³Δ transition of TiO have been observed using a dispersed laser induced fluorescence (DLIF) technique. From intensity distributions of the DLIF spectra, the dependence of the electronic transition moment R_e(r) for the B³Π-X³Δ system was determined as a function of the internuclear distance r. For the determination of the R_e(r) function, a merged fit of the observed distributions, the reported radiative lifetimes of three vibrational levels in the B³Π state, and the reported value of R_e(r) for the (0, 0) band were performed; R_e(r) was determined as R_e(r)=1.3723(79)[1−0.316(81)(r−r₀)+2.0(10)(r−r₀)²](r₀=1.6648 Å and 1.5131 Å≤r≤1.8636 Å). The r-dependence of R_e(r) was much smaller than the reported theoretical predictions. The obtained values of R_e(r) were analyzed simultaneously with the hyperfine coupling constants for the X³Δ state and the spin-orbit constants for the X³Δ and B³Π states to assess the ionic and orbital characters. It was found that the r-dependence of R_e(r) could be accounted for by both the configuration interaction in the B³Π state and the polarization in the unpaired 9σ and 4π orbitals.     

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.     

An interpretation of the g factors for the tetragonally-compressed Cr centers in YVO4 and YPO4 crystals

The g factors g_∥ and g_⊥ for the tetragonally-compressed (CrO₄)³⁻ clusters in YMO₄ (M=V, P) crystals are calculated from the high-order perturbation formulas based on the two-mechanism model for the compressed d¹ tetrahedra with the ground state |d_z²〉. From the calculated values and by considering a small admixture of the first excited state |d_x²−y²〉 to the ground state |d_z²〉 due to the vibrational motion of ligands (which leads a twinkling compressed tetrahedron to become an elongated one), the observed g_∥ and g_⊥ for Cr⁵⁺ centers in YMO₄ crystals are explained reasonably. The difficulty of the large deviations of g_∥ from g_e (≈2.0023) in the two systems is therefore removed and the above dynamic effect may be the cause which results in the large deviation of g_∥ from g_e for some (CrO₄)³⁻ clusters in crystals.     

ESR of Cu doped cadmium (II) formate dihydrate

Electron spin resonance (ESR) of Cu²⁺ doped cadmium formate dihydrate single crystal was studied at room temperature. Copper enters the lattice substitutionally and is trapped at two magnetically inequivalent sites. The observed spectra are fitted to a spin-Hamiltonian of rhombic symmetry with the following values of the spin-Hamiltonian parameters, Cu²⁺(I): g_x=2.097±0.002, g_y=2.1166±0.002, g_z=2.2887±0.002 and A_x=(140±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_y=(151±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_z=(239±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, Cu²⁺(II): g_x=2.0843±0.002, g_y=2.1045±0.002, g_z=2.2742±0.002 and A_x=(141±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_y=(158±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_z=(267±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹. The ground state wave function of the Cu²⁺ ion in this lattice is evaluated. It is found that the ground state is predominantly |x²−y²〉. The g-factor anisotropy is also calculated and compared with the experimental value. With the help of the optical absorption study, the nature of bonding in the complex has been discussed.     

Fourier transform emission spectroscopy of the EΠ-XΣ transition of CaH and CaD

The emission spectra of CaH and CaD have been recorded at high resolution using a Fourier transform spectrometer and bands belonging to the E²Π-X²Σ⁺ transition have been measured in the 20 100-20 700 cm⁻¹ region. A rotational analysis of 0-0 and 1-1 bands of both the isotopologues has been carried out. The present measurements have been combined with the previously available pure rotation and vibration-rotation data to provide improved spectroscopic constants for the E²Π state. The constants ΔG(½) = 1199.8867(34) cm⁻¹, B_e = 4.345032(49) cm⁻¹, α_e = 0.122115(92) cm⁻¹, r_e = 1.986633(11) Å for CaH, and ΔG(½)=868.7438(46) cm⁻¹, B_e = 2.212496(51) cm⁻¹, α_e = 0.036509(97) cm⁻¹, r_e = 1.993396(23) Å for CaD have been determined.     

Large amplitude bending motion in CsOH, studied through ab initio-based three-dimensional potential energy functions

The large-amplitude bending motion in CsOH, a ‘classical’ molecule whose microwave spectrum was first recorded in 1967, has been studied ab initio. The three-dimensional potential energy surface has been calculated at the RCCSD(T)_DK3/[QZP + g ANO-RCC (Cs, O, H)] level of theory and employed in MORBID calculations of the rotation-vibration energies and intensities. The ground electronic state is ¹Σ⁺ with the equilibrium structure r_e(Cs-O) = 2.3930 Å, r_e(O-H) = 0.9587 Å, and ∠_e(Cs-O-H) = 180.0°. The O-H moiety is bound to Cs by an ionic bond and the molecule can be described as Cs^δ+(OH)^δ-. Hence, the bending potential is shallow and gives rise to large-amplitude bending motion. The ro-vibrationally averaged structural parameters, determined as expectation values over MORBID wavefunctions, are 〈r(Cs-O)〉₀ = 2.3987 Å, 〈r(O-H)〉₀ = 0.9754 Å, and 〈∠(Cs-O-H)〉₀ = 163°. Although the averaged structure in the vibrational ground state is far from being linear, the Yamada-Winnewissi-linearity parameter for CsOH is γ₀≈-1.0, the value characteristic for a linear molecule.     

ESR and optical study of Cu-doped Bis(l-asparaginato)zinc(II)

The Electron spin resonance (ESR) study of Cu²⁺-doped Bis(l-asparaginato)zinc(II) has been done at room temperature. Two magnetically equivalent sites for Cu²⁺ have been observed. The spin-Hamiltonian parameters evaluated with the fitting of spectra to rhombic symmetry crystalline field are g_x=2.0341±0.0002, g_y=2.0649±0.0002, g_z=2.2390±0.0002, A_x=(51±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_y=(75±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹and A_z=(169±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹. The ground state wave function of Cu²⁺ has also been determined. The g-anisotropy has been estimated and compared with the experimental value. Further with the help of optical study, the nature of bonding of metal ion with different ligands in the complex has been discussed.     

The multiphoton ionization spectrum of jet-cooled pyrimidine in the 3p Rydberg and B1 (π,n) states

Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) has been applied to study the n → 3p Rydberg transition of pyrimidine (jet-cooled sample and mass resolved spectrum). Only the one component, the 3p_z(B₂), appears in the (2 + 1) REMPI and the active vibrations are ν_6a = 622, ν₁ = 946, and ν_9a = 1116 cm⁻¹. The symmetry of the state was determined by polarization measurements (linear, circular polarization). The first (π^∗,n) ³B₁ triplet state appears as a one-photon resonance in the three-photon ionization process.     

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.     

Magnetic properties of (Nd,Pr)–Fe–B nanocomposite over quenched and annealed ribbons

The base alloys of nominal composition (Nd_0.75Pr_0.25)_yFe_balanceB_x (y=10−9.2 and x=6−19.2) were chosen to study the influence of RE/B ratio, smaller than stochiometric composition on magnetic properties of over quenched and annealed ribbons. From X-ray diffraction analysis of these ribbons, the α-Fe and Fe₃B phases were observed along with (Nd,Pr)₂Fe₁₄B major phase. The average grain size was calculated using these patterns as: 35 nm for α-Fe, 45 nm for (Nd,Pr)₂Fe₁₄B and 22 nm for Fe₃B particles. TEM analysis also supported the nano distribution of the above phases. These X-ray graphs support the idea of exchange coupling between hard and soft phases responsible for the observed magnetic properties. In these ribbons the saturation magnetization J_s and remnant magnetization J_r increases from 1.19 T to 1.66 T and from 0.65 T to 0.91 T, respectively as RE/B ratio increases. The increase in J_s and J_r may be attributed to the presence of exchange coupling between these phases. The corresponding coercivity _jH_c decreases from 673.33 to 271.33 k Am⁻¹. The maximum energy product (BH)_max initially increases from 72.42 kJ m⁻³to 109.85 kJ m⁻³ up to RE/B≈1 and then decreases to 58.5 kJ m⁻³, depending on the shape of second quadrant B–H loop. The coercivity mechanism observed from initial hysteresis curve was considered to be nucleation of domain wall.     

Ground-state constants, ab initio anharmonic force field, and equilibrium structure of F2BOH

The millimeterwave spectra of F₂¹⁰BOH and F₂¹¹BOH (difluorohydroxyborane) have been measured in their ground vibrational state. Accurate rotational and centrifugal distortion constants have been determined. The equilibrium geometry and anharmonic force fields have been calculated at the CCSD(T) level of theory. The ab initio centrifugal distortion constants and rotation-vibration interaction constants are compared to the experimental values. Some discrepancies are found and discussed. Particularly, it is explained why the semi-experimental structure is not reliable. The best equilibrium structure is: r_e(BF_cis) = 132.29 pm, r_e(BF_trans) = 131.29 pm, r_e(BO) = 134.48 pm, r_e(OH) = 95.74 pm, ∠_e(FBF) = 118.36°, ∠_e(F_cisBO) = 122.25°, and ∠_e(BOH) = 113.14°.     

Fourier transform infrared emission spectra of MnH and MnD

Fourier transform infrared emission spectra of MnH and MnD were observed in the ground X⁷Σ⁺ electronic state. The vibration-rotation bands from v = 1 → 0 to v = 3 → 2 for MnH and from v = 1 → 0 to v = 4 → 3 for MnD were recorded at an instrumental resolution of 0.0085 cm⁻¹. Spectroscopic constants were determined for each vibrational level and equilibrium constants were found from a Dunham-type fit. The equilibrium vibrational constant (ω_e) for MnH was found to be 1546.84518(65) cm⁻¹, the equilibrium rotational constant (B_e) is 5.6856789(103) cm⁻¹ and the eqilibrium bond distance (r_e) was determined to be 1.7308601(47) Å.     

ππ production by ee annihilation in the ϱ energy range with the Orsay storage ring

A large solid angle detector has been used to observe two body events produced by electron-positron collisions in the Orsay storage ring. From the π⁺π⁻ excitation curve in the ? region we have deduced the amplitude and the phase of the ω-? interference, and the ? resonance paramaters: M_? = (775.4±7.3) MeV, Γ_? = (149.6 ± 23.2) MeV, √B(ω→π⁺π⁻) = 0.19 ± 0.05, φ = (85.7 ± 15.3)⁰, σ(e⁺e⁻→?) = (1.00 ± 0.13) μb at S = M_?², B(?→e⁺e⁻ = (4.1 ± 0.5) × 10⁻⁵, Γ(?→e⁺e⁻) = (6.1 ± 0.7) keV, (g_?²/4π) = 2.26 ± 0.25, (g_?ππ²/4π) = 2.84 ± 0.50.