NMR study of hyperfine interactions in R1−xLuxFe2 (R = Gd, Tb)

Spin-echo NMR measurements on ¹⁵⁵Gd, ¹⁵⁹Tb and ¹⁷⁵Lu have been done for the cubic Laves phase compounds Gd_1−xLu_xFe₂ and Tb_1−xLu_xFe_x. The observed hyperfine fields of Gd and Lu in those compounds increase with increasing Lu concentration. The concentration dependence of the Lu hyperfine field is qualitatively discussed.     

Electrical and structural properties of epitaxially grown Y1Ba2Cu3O7 − x and Y2Ba4Cu8O16 − x thin films using the BaF2 method

Thin films of Cu, Y and BaF₂ are co-condensed in ultrahigh vacuum onto SrTiO₃ (1 0 0)-substrates at room temperature without any additional oxygen supply. It is found that the temperature of the ex situ fluorine-oxygen exchange reaction in flowing wet oxygen essentially determines whether the Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_{7 − x}-phase (T_ex = 850°C) or the Y₂Ba₄Cu₈O_{16 − x}-phase (T_ex = 800°C) forms or any mixture of both phases in between. Small-angle X-ray diffraction verifies the strictly epitaxial growth of the superconducting phases. The variation of the composition around the ideal 1,2,3-stoichiometry affects only the superconducting and normal conducting properties which are measured using the four-probe Montgomery method. The values of the normal state resistivity and its temperature dependence are discussed in combination with a reduced cross section of the conduction paths in the films.     

Microstructure and transport properties of YBa2Cu3O7−δ films produced by laser ablation from a BaF2/Y2O3/CuO target

The effects of varying the temperature and duration of the post-deposition anneal in watersaturated oxygen were investigated for YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ films of varying thickness. The films were produced by laser ablation from pressed powder targets consisting of BaF₂,Y₂O₃, and CuO mixtures. This technique produces superconducting films with a highly textured surface. The films were fabricated on SrTiO₃ substrates and were analyzed with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and temperature dependent resistivity. Critical current density (J_c) measurements were performed in magnetic fields up to 1 T. For film thickness on the order of 900 nm, completely c-axis oriented films were obtained with a 60 min anneal at 850°C. Thinner films required less annealing, either shorter times or lower temperatures, to achieve similar results, indicating that the optimal annealing conditions are dependent on film thickness.     

Ramans study of Y1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ and YB2Cu3−xZnxO7−δ single crystals

Single crystals with known T_c values of Y_1−xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (Y---Pr1:2:3) and YBa₂Cu_3−xZn_3−xZn_xO_7−δ (Y---Zn1:2:3) systems are studied by Raman measurements. The Raman spectra for (Y---Pr1:2:3) single crystals show that the frequencies of Ba and O_z modes increase as the Pr content increases. The results are consistent with the hole-localization scheme proposed for the suppression of superconductivity in the polycrystalline Y---Pr1:2:3 systems. On the other hand, in the Y---Zn1:2:3 system, all the Raman modes do not change in frequencies. However, the FWHM of the Cu(2) mode increases with the decrease of T_c, indicating strong scattering of charge carriers by the substituted Zn ions in the CuO₂ planes. The induced disorder in the CuO₂ planes may be related with suppression of T_c in the Y---Zn1:2:3 system. Thus, the suppression mechanism in the Y---Zn1:2:3 systems seems to be different from that in the Y---Pr1:2:3 systems.     

阎隙碳原子对Er2Fe17Cx化合物结构与磁性的影响

利用快淬手段获得高碳含量的Er₂Fe₁₇C_x单相化合物,系统研究了Er₂Fe₁₇C_x(x=0.0,0.5,1.0,1.5,2.0,2.5,2.8和3.0)的结构、相稳定性及内禀磁性,讨论了间隙碳原子对化合物中原子磁矩、交换作用和各向异性的影响,同时用⁵⁷Fe穆斯堡尔效应分析了化合物中各个铁晶位的超精细场随碳含量的变化。 关键词：     

Magnetic properties of Y2Fe15Cr2 single crystal

A Y₂Fe₁₅Cr₂ single crystal with the Th₂Ni₁₇-type structure has been prepared by the Czochralski method and investigated by means of Laue back-reflection, metallographic observation, X-ray diffraction, the singular point detection technique and magnetic measurements. A magnetohistory effect has been observed at a low temperature. Magnetization curves have been measured along the easy and hard directions in fields up to 6.5 T. The saturation magnetization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy field decrease with increasing temperature. The experimental magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant is in good agreement with the calculation results on first approximation.     

Curie temperatures of Y3Fe5O12/Gd3Fe5O12 superlattices

The magneto-optical Kerr effects (MOKE) of epitaxial Y₃Fe₅O₁₂/Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ (YIG/GGG) garnet superlattices grown on (1 1 1)GGG previously by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) were measured. A series of superlattices were investigated with the thickness of the ferrimagnetic YIG layer varied from six unit cells to only one unit cell while keeping the Curie paramagnetic GGG fixed at one unit cell. It was demonstrated that the ellipsometric technique employing photoelastic modulators (PEM) is sensitive enough to measure the MOKE signals of these ultrathin oxide samples. The Curie temperatures, determined by MOKE, are fit with a power law, yielding a shift exponent λ = 3.1 ± 1.2.     

Thermal-expansion anomalies and spontaneous magnetostriction of Lu2Fe17−xSix intermetallic compounds

The thermal expansion of Lu₂Fe_17−xSi_x solid solutions has been measured by X-ray powder diffraction. The magnetic ordering in all compounds within the homogeneity range (x3.4) is accompanied by a large spontaneous volume magnetostriction, distributed anisotropically over the principal axes of the hexagonal crystal structure. The volume effect ω_s in the ground state reaches 14.7×10⁻³ in Lu₂Fe₁₇ and decreases monotonously to 8.9×10⁻³ for x=3.4, following the reduction of magnetic moment. Despite a still large ω_s, the Invar behavior observed in Lu₂Fe₁₇ changes to a positive thermal expansion for x>1 due to an increasing Curie temperature.     

Fabrication and growth rate estimation of PrBa2Cu3O7−δ single crystal by the modified top seeded crystal pulling method

Recently, we succeeded in fabricating single crystals of PrBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ by a modified top seeded crystal pulling method called the SRL-CP (Solute Rich Liquid-Crystal Pulling) method. Y₂O₃ and MgO polycrystalline crucibles and a MgO single crystal crucible were used to grow the single crystals. The crystal growth temperature was set in the range of 968°C to 972°C. The grown crystals were identified as PrBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ by X-ray diffraction. In the case of using Y₂O₃ crucibles the composition of the grown crystals was Y_xPr_1−xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (0.48 < x < 0.57) and in the case of using MgO crucibles a relatively small amount of Mg contamination to the grown crystals occurred at a typical concentration of approximately 1 at.% of the sum of cations. According to the crystal growth model of the SRL-CP method [1–5], a maximum growth rate of 1.7 × 10⁻⁵ cm/s was calculated with the aid of the phase diagram studies we reported earlier [6]. This value is reasonably in agreement with the experimental results.     

Spin fluctuations of Y(Mn1−xAlx)2 and Y1−xScxMn2

The thermal expansion and low temperature and low temperature specific heat were measured for Y_1−xScxMn2. The results are discussed in terms of spin fluctuations and compared with those of Y(Mn_1−xAl_x)₂, which show al local moment character. It is revealed that Y_1−xSc_xMn₂ is a typical nearly antiferromagnet in which giant spin fluctuations are thermally excited.     

Determination of different oxygen transport mechanisms and measurement of the oxygen ion conductivity of Y1Ba2Cu3O7−x

By undertaking AC electrochemical impedance experiments on yttria stabilised zirconia electrolytes with polished Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7−x electrodes, the activation energy for oxygen ion transport within the bulk of Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7−x, in air, over the temperature range 823 K–1043 K, was determined to be 1.50 ± 0.05 eV. At 1000 K the oxygen ionic conductivity was calculated to be around one order of magnitude lower than that in yttria stabilised zirconia. Typical calculated values were σ=5×10⁻⁵ (ω cm)⁻¹ and 6×10⁻³ (ω cm)⁻¹ at the respective temperatures 823 K and 1043 K. By employing a similar cell but with Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7−x paste electrodes, oxygen transfer between the Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7−x and the electrolyte was found to occur via a surface diffusional processes. Over the temperature range 873 K–1098 K, in air, the activation energy for in-diffusion at the surface was found to be 1.4±0.1 eV and that for out-diffusion at the surface to be 1.76±0.05 eV.     

Ion-implantation-induced structural modifications in Y1Ba2Cu3O7−δ superconductor

Ion-implantation-induced structural modifications in Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7−δ superconductor are examined by a grazing angle X- ray diffraction technique. By employing a range of grazing angles from 0.3° to 10° it is shown that 100 KeV Ar⁺ inplantation of the superconductor leads to amorphization as well as modification of grain size and orientation at dose values lower than 10¹⁶ ions/ cm². At the dose of 5 × 10¹⁶ ions/ cm² the X-ray diffraction intensity is a factor of 6 less as compared to the original pellet, though the lines themselves are sharp. This shows coexistence of perovskite grains and amorphous matrix.     

Dielectric behavior of hexaferrites BaCo2−xZnxFe16O27

The dielectric constant (′) and dielectric loss (tan δ) for hexaferrites BaCo_2−xZn_xFe₁₆O₂₇ have been studied as a function of frequency (f), temperature (T) and composition (x). The experimental results indicate that ′ and tan δ above the relaxation frequency only decrease as the frequency increases and as the temperature decreases. Tan δ shows the dielectric relaxation at certain critical frequencies which rise as temperature increases. The activation energy for the dielectric relaxation (E_D), ′, and tan δ are found to be minimum for x = 0.8.     

The weak center nature and their pinning anisotropy of radiation damage defects in Y1Ba2Cu3O7−δ single crystals

A field induced weak pinning center, in MeV proton irradiated Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7−δ (YBCO) single crystal and in ⁶Li-doped sintered YBCO exposed to thermal neutron irradiation, has been identified. The pinning contribution of those radiation caused weak centers (RWCs) showed strong field dependence, which resembles that of the common weak centers of oxygen deficient regions (OWCs) in most of the bulk YBCO materials. The radiation dose dependence of the pinning enhancement, in proton irradiated single crystal, showed strong angular dependence, when the field orientation relative to the crystal was changed. This is believed to be due to the different flux line size (orξ) in different directions, and the so caused volume or line pinning effects. No angular dependence has been observed in neutron irradiated YBCO, which is polycrystalline in nature.     

Coercivity analysis in R17Fe83−χBχ magnets

We studied the coercivity in magnets of composition R₁₇Fe_83−χB_χ (R = Nd, Pr and χ = 8, 30), using measurements of the coercive field H_c, its angular dependence, and the magnetic viscosity coefficient S_v, for temperatures between 4.2 and 500 K. The results are discussed in relation to a model which does not specifically consider the detailed mechanisms involved in magnetization reversal, but which provides information about the magnetic properties in the activation volume v where magnetization reversal is initiated. It is concluded that the ordering temperature in v tends to be slightly smaller than in the bulk and that the room temperature anisotropy in v is not strongly reduced with respect to the bulk value. Finally, a direct evaluation of the dipolar interactions is in good agreement with results obtained from H_c(T).     

Trapping mechanism of superconductivity suppression induced by Pr substitution in the Ho1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ system

Pr concentration dependence of the superconducting transition temperature T_c in the Ho_1−xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ system is determined from measurements of DC electrical resistance. This dependence coincides with that for the parallely studied Y_1−xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ reference system. Both systems have the same value of the critical concentration x_c=0.58, in accordance with nearly equal ionic radii of Ho³⁺ and Y³⁺ ions. It has been shown that the T_c(x) curve can be described with a single mechanism based on a decreasing number of sheet holes trapped by Pr^IV-ions, if one takes also into account that the number of these ions changes with x.     

Irreversibility line and anisotropy of magnetic melt textured Y1Ba2Cu3O7−δ studied by AC susceptibility

Magnetically melt textured YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ samples have been studied by AC initial susceptibility measurements in the low field limit. The critical dynamic fields h^*_c and the relative position of the irreversibility line and of the critical line show that magnetic melt texturing leads to the creation of strong pinning sites. The anisotropy factor A is in agreement with the value obtained from magnetization under high DC fields. The A values are lower than in single cystals, but in agreement with the important orientation effects introduced by magnetic field texturing. These values also are typical of fabrication techniques involving a melting at some stage.     

Preparation and characterization of Y1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ single crystals

We present a reliable method for growing single crystals of Y_1−xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ high-T_c superconductors in ZrO₂ crucibles. This method results in crystals with greatly improved superconducting properties compared to crystals grown with the previously reported methods which use Al₂O₃ crucibles. We describe techniques for crystal growth in both Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂ crucibles using an excess of BaCo₃ and CuO as the flux. The crystals were characterized by means of DC magnetic-susceptibility measurements, electrical-resistivity measurements, and electron microprobe analysis. The effects of Al contamination on the conditions for crystal growth and on the superconducting properties of the crystals are found to be quite significant.     

New red Y0.85Bi0.1Eu0.05V1−yMyO4 (M=Nb, P) phosphors for light-emitting diodes

The Y_0.85Bi_0.1Eu_0.05V_1−yM_yO₄ (M=Nb, P) as new near-ultraviolet excited phosphors were synthesized and their luminescence properties under 365 nm excitation were investigated in detail. It indicated that by doping small amount of P⁵⁺ into V⁵⁺ sites, the excitation intensity of charge transfer (CT) band of Bi–O (330–400 nm) was greatly improved. By substituting Nb⁵⁺ for V⁵⁺, both the CT bands of Bi–O and Eu–O (240–320 nm) were significantly enhanced. As a result, the emission intensity of Y_0.85Bi_0.1Eu_0.05V_1−yM_yO₄ (M=Nb, P) could be improved about 90% by doping 5 mol% P⁵⁺ and 110% by doping 5 mol% Nb⁵⁺. Comparing with the commercial Y₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ phosphors, the Y_0.85Bi_0.1Eu_0.05V_0.95M_0.05O₄ (M=Nb, P) phosphors exhibited excellent color purity and much higher brightness. The results showed that these Y_0.85Bi_0.1Eu_0.05V_1−yM_yO₄ (M=Nb, P) phosphors could be considered as promising red phosphors for application in LED.     

Phase formation and magnetic properties of Nd2Fe14B-type Nd16Co76B8−xCx alloys and their hydrides

An attempt is made to synthesize Nd₂Co₁₄C compound by mechanical alloying Nd₁₆Co₇₆B_8−xC_x (0x8) alloys and subsequent annealing. Phase formation and magnetic properties of Nd₂Fe₁₄B-type Nd₁₆Co₇₆B_8−xC_x alloys and their hydrides are investigated. The Nd₂Co₁₄(B,C) phase with Nd₂Fe₁₄B-type structure is formed for Nd₁₆Co₇₆B_8−xC_x (0x7) alloys, while NdCo₇C_δ phase with TbCu₇-type structure is observed in Nd₁₆Co₇₆C₈ alloy. The lattice parameter c of the Nd₂Co₁₄(B,C) phase decreases with increasing the carbon content. A limit volume of the unit cell to form the Nd₂Fe₁₄B-type structure is estimated to be 0.870 nm³. The spin-reorientation temperature T_SR increases with increasing the carbon content, due to an enhancement of magnetocrystalline anisotropy caused by carbon substitution for boron. After hydrogenation, the lattice expansion is observed for Nd₁₆Co₇₆B_8−xC_x (0x7) alloys. The spin-reorientation temperature of Nd₁₆Co₇₆B_8−xC_xH_y (0x7) is much lower than that of the host alloys. Some structural and magnetic properties of hypothetic Nd₂Co₁₄C and Nd₂Co₁₄CH_y compounds are estimated by extrapolation.