Sm3（F3,Co,Mn）29 compounds：promising materials for permanent magnets

The outstanding hard-magnetic properties are reported of Sm_3Fe_{28.1-x}Co_xMo_{0.9} compounds with x=12, 14, 16. In this alloy system, only a small amount of Mo is needed to stabilize the 3:29 structure so that the magnetic properties are not seriously affected by the presence of this nonmagnetic element. Substitution of Co for Fe leads to a significant increase of the magnetic anisotropy, and for x≥14 the easy magnetization direction changes from easy plane to the easy axis. In this alloy system, the compound Sm_3Fe_{12.1}Co_{16}Mo_{0.9} is a very promising candidate for permanent magnet applications. Its room temperature saturation magnetization (μ_0M_s=1.5 T) and anisotropy field (B_{an}=6.5 T) are comparable to the values for Nd_2Fe_{14}B (μ_0M_s=1.6 T and B_{an}=7 T). However, the Curie temperature of Sm_3Fe_{12.1}Co_{16}Mo_{0.9} is 1020 K, which is appreciably higher than that for Nd_2Fe_{14}B (T_C=588 K).     

Microwave Magnetic Properties of Nd2Fe17N3-δ with Planar Anisotropy

Microwave magnetic properties are studied for rhombohedral structure Nd2Fe17N3-δ with planar magnetic anisotropy. Its resin composites show the permeability μ＇0 = 4.15 at low frequency, the natural resonance frequency fT = 1.71 GHz and the resonance bandwidth 6.66 GHz. The calculated static permeability of Nd2Fe17N3-δ reaches 133. The microwave magnetic properties are determined by the c-axis anisotropy field, basal plane anisotropy field and high saturation magnetization. Based on microwave measurement and theoretical fitting on complex permeability spectra, Nd2Fe17N3-δ may be a promising microwave absorber with bandwidth wider than traditional hexaferrites materials in GHz ranges.     

Influence of relaxation effects on probabilities of the 2s2p35S2－2s22p2 3P1，2 intercombination transitions in NII

Transition probabilities of the 2s2p^3 {}^5S_2－2s^22p^2 {}^3P_{1,2} intercombination transitions in NII have been calculated by using a large-scale multiconfiguration Dirac－Fock method. In the calculation the most important effects of relativity, correlation, and relaxation are considered. From the calculated transition probabilities, the lifetime of the 2s2p^3 {}^5S_2 metastable state is derived. The result is in excellent agreement with the latest experimental result. In the meantime the influence of anomalously strong relaxation effects on probabilities of the 2s2p^3 {}^5S_2－2s^22p^2 {}^3P_{1,2} lines in NII have been found.     

Analysis of the laser performance of Tm3+, Tb3+(Ho3+):YVO4 crystals at ～1.5μm wavelength

The absorption spectra of Tb,Tm:YVO_4 and Ho,Tm:YVO_4 are measured. The radiant and non-radiant transition probabilities from higher level to lower level, A_{i,j} and ω_{i,j}, and the cross-elaxation probability are calculated in virtue of Judd－Ofelt and Dexter theories. The fluorescence lifetime of Tm^{3+} in the Tb^{3+} (or Ho^{3+}) co-doped crystal is calculated. It indicates that the lifetime of initial level {}^3H_4 of the laser transition can be shorter than that of terminal level {}^3F_4 of the transition if the atomic percentage of Tb^{3+} (or Ho^{3+}) ions is bigger than about 1 at%: namely, by means of the co-doping Tb^{3+} (or Ho^{3+}) ions the self-termination phenomenon of laser light can be eliminated. Inserting the optic parameters to the formula deduced here on the laser threshold power P^{(4)}_{th} and the slope efficiency η^{(4)}_s of the four-energy-level system, we obtain the relationship of threshold power P^{(4)}_{th} to the concentration of Tm^{3+} ions and discuss the effect of Tb^{3+} (or Ho^{3+}) ion concentration on the laser threshold power P^{(4)}_{th} around 1.5μm wavelength. The result shows that Tb,Tm:YVO_4 crystal is a better choice to make the laser at ～1.5μm wavelength than Ho,Tm:YVO_4 crystal. We give the appropriate composition of (1－2) at% Tb, (1－2) at% Tm:YVO_4, just for reference.     

Magnetic phase transition and the corresponding magnetostriction of intermetallic compounds RMnsGe2（R=Sm,Gd）

The temperature dependence of lattice constants a and c of intermetallic compounds RMn₂Ge₂ (R=Sm, Gd) is measured in the temperature range 10－800K by using the x-ray diffraction method. The magnetoelastic anomalies of lattice constants are found at the different kinds of spontaneous magnetic transitions. The transversal and longitudinal magnetostrictions of polycrystalline samples are measured in the pulse magnetic field up to 25T. In the external magnetic field there occurs a first-order field-induced antiferromagnetism－ferromagnetism transition in the Mn sublattice, which gives rise to a large magnetostriction. The magnitude of magnetostrictions is as large as 10^-3. The transversal and longitudinal magnetostrictions have the same sign and are almost equal. This indicates that the magnetostriction is isotropic and mainly caused by the interlayer Mn－Mn exchange interaction. The experimental results are explained in the framework of a two-sublattice ferrimagnet with the negative exchange interaction in one of the sublattices by taking into account the lattice constant dependence of interlayer Mn－Mn exchange interaction.     

First principles study on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of Fe--Ga magnetostrictive alloys

This paper investigates the electronic structure and magnetocrystalline anisotropy of Fe--Ga magnetostrictive material by means of the full potential-linearized augmented plane-wave method within the generalized gradient approximation. The 3d-orbit splitting of Fe atoms in D0₃, B2-like and L1₂ crystalline structures of Fe--Ga is calculated with consideration of the crystal field as well as the spin--orbit coupling effect. Because of the frozen orbital angular momenta of the 3d-orbit for Fe atoms in Fe--Ga magnetostrictive alloys and the spin--orbit coupling, the distribution of the electron cloud is not isotropic, which leads to the anisotropy of exchange interaction between the different atoms. A method on estimating the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of Fe--Ga alloys by means of calculating orbit-projected density of states for Fe atoms is performed. The anisotropic distribution of the electron cloud of Fe atoms in these three crystalline structures of Fe--Ga is studied based on the above method showing the highest magnetic anisotropy for B2-like structure. This qualitative method comes closer to physical reality with a vivid physical view, which can evaluate the anisotropy of electron cloud for 3d transition atoms directly. The calculated results are in good agreement with both the previous theoretical computation and the tested value on the magnetic anisotropy constant, which confirms that the electron cloud anisotropy of Fe atoms could well characterize the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of Fe--Ga magnetostrictive material.     

Charge disproportionation induced exchange bias in La0.5Ca0.5FeO3-δ

We observed an exchange bias effect in La0.5Ca0.5FeO3 perovskite compound.The exchange bias is associated with the charge disproportionation transition from Fe4+ions to Fe3+and Fe5+ions below 175 K.The competition between the ferromagnetic interaction of Fe3+and Fe5+ions and the antiferromagnetic one of Fe3+and Fe3+ions results in a unidirectional anisotropy in the cluster-glass system.An antiferromagnetically interfacial exchange coupling constant Ji1.95 meV at the cluster-glass region was yielded by fitting the cooling field-dependence of the exchange bias field.     

Spin-glass-like behaviour and positive magnetoresistance in oxygen deficient La2/3Ca1/3MnO3-δ thin films

The magnetism and magnetoresistance (MR) in a series of oxygen-deficient La_{2/3}Ca_{1/3}MnO_{3-δ} (LCMO) thin films have been investigated. Compared with the films with stoichiometric oxygen concentration, the oxygen-deficient LCMO thin films show a spin-glass-like behaviour at low temperatures, and a positive MR effect above the metal－insulator transition temperature. The mechanism of such unusual phenomena is discussed.     

Effects of Fe－Fe bond length change in NaZn13-type intermetallic compounds on magnetic properties and magnetic entropy change

In this paper the effects of Fe－Fe bond length change on magnetic properties and magnetic entropy change have been investigated on LaFe_{12.4-x}Si_xCo_{0.6} and LaFe_{12.3-x}Al_xCo_{0.7} intermetallic compounds. According to the analyses of Fe－Fe bond length change, the variation of Curie temperature and the unusual magnetic phase transition which results in the large magnetic entropy change were explained. The effects of the substitution of Co and Si for Fe on magnetic entropy change and field-induced itinerant-electron metamagnetic transition in LaFe_{12.4-x}Si_xCo_{0.6} compounds were also studied and the considerable magnetic entropy change has been achieved.     

Effect of phonon scattering mechanisms on the lattice thermal conductivity of skutterudite-related compound

We have prepared the skutterudite-related compounds FeCo_3Sb_{12} and La_{0.75}Fe_3CoSb_{12} with different average grain sizes (about 0.8 and 3.9μm) by hot pressing. Samples were characterized by XRD, EPMA and SEM. The lattice thermal conductivity was investigated in the temperature range from room temperature to 200℃. Based on the Debye model, we analyse the change in lattice thermal conductivity due to various phonon scattering mechanisms by examining the relationship between the weighted phonon relaxation time τ(ω/ω_D)^2 and the reduced phonon frequency ω/ω_D. The effect of grain boundary scattering to phonon is negligible within the range of grain sizes considered in this study. The large reduction in lattice thermal conductivity of FeCo_3Sb_{12} compound contributes to the electron－phonon scattering. As for La_{0.75}Fe_3CoSb_{12} compound, the atoms of La filled into the large voids in the structure of the skutterudite produce more significant electron－phonon scattering as well as more substitute of Fe at Co site at the same time. Moreover, the point-defect scattering appears due to the difference between the atoms of La and the void. In addition, the scattering by the rattling of the rare-earth atoms in the void is another major contribution to the reduced lattice thermal conductivity. Introducing the coupling of the electron－phonon scattering with the point-defect scattering and the scattering by the rattling of the rare-earth atom is an effective method to reduce the lattice thermal conductivity of the skutterudite-related compounds by substitution of Fe for Co and the atoms of La filled in the large voids in the skutterudite structure.     

Effective Field Based on the Exchange Interaction in Gd3Ga5O12 under Low and Moderate Magnetic Field at Low Temperature

The roles of the exchange interaction between different magnetic ions in the gadolinium gallium garnet Gd3 Ga5O12 are systematically investigated. The effective field based on the exchange interaction is expressed as functions of the temperature T and applied field He. Furthermore, the effects of T and He on the magnetic moment and the entropy of GdsGa5O12 are studied in the ranges of 0 〈 He 〈 9 T and 3 〈 T 〈 40K. The computational results are consistent with the experimental data. Our study reveals that the applied field and temperature have important influences on the exchange interaction of Gd3 Ga5 O12 at low temperature.     

Total cross sections for scattering of electrons from O2, H2O, H2, O3, CO and CO2 at 100－2000eV

A complex optical model potential rewritten by the concept of bonded atom, which considers the overlap of electron clouds, is employed to calculate the total cross sections for electron scattering from several simple molecules (O_2, H_2O, H_2, O_3, CO and CO_2) consisting of C, H and O atoms in an incident energy range of 100－2000eV by the use of the additivity rule at Hartree－Fock level. In the study, the complex optical potential composed of static, exchange, correlation polarization plus absorption contributions firstly uses the bonded-atom concept. The quantitative molecular total cross section results are compared with experimental data and with the other calculations wherever available and good agreement is obtained. It is shown that the additivity rule along with the complex optical model potential rewritten by the concept of bonded atom can be used successfully to calculate the total cross section of electron－molecule scattering above 100eV, whereas the rule together with the complex optical model potential not rewritten by the concept of bonded atom is only successfully used above 300－500eV. So, the introduction of the bonded-atom concept in the complex optical potential can improve the accuracy of the total cross section calculations.     

Magnetic Properties and magnetic phase diagrams of intermetallic compound GdMn2Ge2

A modified Yafet－Kittle model is applied to investigate the magnetic properties and magnetic phase transition of the intermetallic compound GdMn_2Ge_2. Theoretical analysis and calculation show that there are five possible magnetic structures in GdMn_2Ge_2. Variations of external magnetic field and temperature give rise to the first-order or second-order magnetic transitions from one phase to another. Based on this model, the magnetic curves of GdMn_2Ge_2 single crystals at different temperatures are calculated and a good agreement with experimental data has obtained. Based on the calculation, the H－T magnetic phase diagrams of GdMn_2Ge_2 are depicted. The Gd－Gd, Gd－Mn, intralayer Mn－Mn and interlayer Mn－Mn exchange coupling parameters are estimated. It is shown that, in order to describe the magnetic properties of GdMn_2Ge_2, the lattice constant and temperature dependence of interlayer Mn－Mn exchange interaction must be taken into account.     

Spin polarization effect for Tc2 molecule

Density functional method (DFT) (B3p86) of Gaussian98 has been used to optimize the structure of the Tc_2 molecule. The result shows that the ground state for Tc_2 molecule is an 11-multiple state and its electronic configuration is {}^{11}Σ_g^-, which shows the spin polarization effect of Tc_2 molecule of a transition metal element for the first time. Meanwhile, we have not found any spin pollution because the wavefunction of the ground state does not mingle with wavefunctions of higher energy states. So, that the ground state for Tc_2 molecule is an 11-multiple state is indicative of the spin polarization effect of Tc_2 molecule of a transition metal element: that is, there exist 10 parallel spin electrons. The non-conjugated electron is greatest in number. These electrons occupy different spacious tracks, so that the energy of Tc_2 molecule is minimized. It can be concluded that the effect of parallel spin of the Tc_2 molecule is larger than the effect of the conjugated molecule, which is obviously related to the effect of electron d delocalization. In addition, the Murrell--Sorbie potential functions with the parameters for the ground state {}^{11}Σ_g^- and other states of Tc_2 molecule are derived. Dissociation energy D_e for the ground state of T_{c2} molecule is 2.266eV, equilibrium bond length R_e is 0.2841nm, vibration frequency ω_e is 178.52cm^{-1}. Its force constants f_2, f_3, and f_4 are 0.9200aJ·nm^{-2}, --3.5700aJ·nm^{-3}, 11.2748aJ·nm^{-4} respectively. The other spectroscopic data for the ground state of Tc_2 molecule ω_eχ_e, B_e, α_e are 0.5523cm^{-1}, 0.0426cm^{-1}, 1.6331×10^{-4}cm^{-1} respectively.     

Preparation and spectral characterization of new Er3+-doped TeO2－B2O3－WO3－ZnO－ZnS glasses

Erbium-doped TeO_2-based oxysulfide glasses have been prepared in argon atmosphere in graphite crucibles. The results of thermal analysis and spectroscopic properties of Er^{3+} have been studied in terms of sulfide influence. As a function of composition, we have measured principally the optical absorption, spontaneous emission, and lifetime of the materials. Judd－Ofelt theory was introduced to calculate bandwidth and emission cross-section of Er^{3+}. The results demonstrate that addition of sulfide in tellurite glasses results in broad emission spectra, with high emission cross-section, slightly low emission lifetime and a comparatively high thermal stability as pure oxide glasses.     

Novel material for nonvolatile ovonic unified memory (OUM)－Ag11In12Te26Sb51 phase change semiconductor

In this paper, Ag_{11}In_{12}Te_{26}Sb_{51} phase change semiconductor films have been prepared by dc sputtering. The crystallization behaviour of amorphous Ag_{11}In_{12}Te_{26}Sb_{51} thin films was investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffraction. It was found that the crystallization temperature is about 483K and the melting temperature is 754.8K and the activation energy for crystallization, E_a, is 2.07eV. The crystalline Ag_{11}In_{12}Te_{26}Sb_{51} films were obtained using initializer. The initialization conditions have a great effect on the sheet resistance of Ag_{11}In_{12}Te_{26}Sb_{51} films. We found that the effect of the initialization condition on the sheet resistance can be ascribed to the crystallinity of Ag_{11}In_{12}Te_{26}Sb_{51} films. The sheet resistance of the amorphous (R_{amo}) film is found to be larger than 1×10^6Ω and that of the crystalline (R_{cry}) film lies in the range from about 10^3 to 10^4Ω. So we have the ratio R_{amo}/R_{cry}=10^2～10^3, which is sufficiently large for application in memory devices.     

Comparative study of spectroscopic properties of Er^3＋／Yb^3＋-codoped tellurite glass and fibres under 980nm excitation＊

A tellurite fibre of TeO_{2}－ZnO－La_{2}O_{3}－Li_{2}O glass codoped with 20000 ppm ytterbium and 5000 ppm erbium was fabricated by the suction casting and rod-in-tube technologies. The absorption spectrum of Er^{3+}/Yb^{3+} -codoped bulk glass has been measured. From the Judd－Ofelt intensity parameters, the spontaneous emission probability and radiative lifetime τ_{rad} of Er^{3+}:{}^{4}I_{13/2}→{}^{4}I_{15/2} transition for the bulk glass have been calculated. The emission fluorescence spectra and lifetimes around 1.5μm, and subsequent upconversion fluorescence in the range of 500－700nm were measured in fibres and compared with those in bulk glass. The changes in amplified spontaneous emission with fibre length and pumping power was also measured. It was found that the emission spectrum from erbium in fibres is almost twice as broad as the corresponding spectrum in bulk glass when pumped at 980nm.     

The magnetization reversal behaviour for SmCo6.8Zr0.2 and SmCo6.8Zr0.2/α-（Fe,Co） nanocrystalline magnets at low temperature

This paper reports that the SmCo 6.8 Zr 0.2 nanocrystalline permanent magnets and SmCo 6.8 Zr 0.2 /α-(Fe,Co) nanocomposite permanent magnets are successfully produced by mechanical alloying and subsequently annealing at 700 C for 10 minutes.The x-ray diffraction results show that the phase structure of SmCo 6.8 Zr 0.2 nanocrystalline permanent magnets is composed of SmCo 7 phase and SmCo 6.8 Zr 0.2 /α-(Fe,Co) nanocomposite permanent magnets is composed of SmCo 7 and α-(Fe,Co) phases.The mechanism of magnetization reversal is mainly controlled by inhomogeneous domain wall pinning in SmCo 6.8 Zr 0.2 and SmCo 6.8 Zr 0.2 /α-(Fe,Co) magnets.The inter-grain exchange interaction at low temperature is investigated,which shows that the inter-grain exchange interaction of SmCo 6.8 Zr 0.2 /α-(Fe,Co) magnets increases greatly by the decrease of the measured temperature.According to Δm irr-H/H cj,Δm rev-H/H cj and χ irr-H/H cj curves at room temperature and 100 K,the changes of irreversible and reversible magnetization behaviours of SmCo 6.8 Zr 0.2 and SmCo 6.8 Zr 0.2 /α-(Fe,Co) magnets with the decreasing temperature are analysed in detail.The magnetic viscosity and the activation volume of SmCo 6.8 Zr 0.2 and SmCo 6.8 Zr 0.2 /α-(Fe,Co) magnets at different temperatures are also studied.     

Photoluminescence properties of Y0.75-xGdxAl0.10BO3:Eu3+0.10, 0.05R3+ (R= Sc, Bi) (0.00≤x≤0.45)

Y$_{0.75 - x}$Gd_xAl_0.10BO$₃:Eu$^{3+}_0.10, 0.05R³⁺ ($R$=Sc, Bi) ($0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.45$) powder samples are prepared by solid-state reaction and their luminescence properties are investigated. With the replacement of Y³⁺$ ions by Sc³⁺$ (or Bi³⁺)$ and Gd³⁺$ ions in (Y,Al)BO$₃:Eu, the intensities of emission at 254 and 147~nm are remarkably improved, because Sc³⁺$ ions can absorb UV light and transfer the energy to Eu³⁺$ ions efficiently. Moreover, Gd³⁺$ and Bi$^{3 + }$ ions act as an intermediate ``bridge' between the sensitizer and the activator (Eu³⁺)$ in energy transfer to produce light in the (Y, Gd)BO$₃:Bi³⁺$, Eu³⁺$ system more effectively. After doping an appropriate concentration of Gd³⁺$ into Y$_{0.50}$Gd$_{0.25}$Al_0.10BO$₃:Eu³⁺_{0.01}$, Bi$^{3+}_{0.05}$, the emission intensity reaches its maximum, which is nearly 110{\%} compared with the red commercial phosphor (Y,Gd)BO$₃:Eu and better chromaticity coordinates (0.650, 0.350) are obtained.     

Superconducting anisotropy and vortex pinning in CaKFe_4As_4 and KCa_2Fe_4As_4F_2

The vortex pinning determining the current carrying capacity of a superconductor is an important property to the applications of superconducting materials.For layered superconductors,the vortex pinning can be enhanced by a strong interlayer interaction in accompany with a suppression of superconducting anisotropy,which remains to be investigated in iron based superconductors(FeSCs)with the layered structure.Here,based on the transport and magnetic torque measurements,we experimentally investigate the vortex pinning in two bilayer FeSCs,CaKFe₄As₄(Fe1144)and KCa₂Fe₄As4F₂(Fe12442),and compare their superconducting anisotropyγ.While the anisotropyγ≈3 for Fe1144 is much smaller thanγ≈15 in Fe12442 around Tc,a higher flux pinning energy as evidenced by a higher critical current density is found in Fe1144,as compared with the case of Fe12442.In combination with the literature data of Ba_0.72K_0.28Fe2As₂ and Nd Fe As_O0.82F_0.18,we reveal an anti-correlation between the pinning energy and the superconducting anisotropy in these Fe SCs.Our results thus suggest that the interlayer interaction can not be neglected when considering the vortex pinning in Fe SCs.