Hyperfine fields and Fe magnetic moments in Fe−Ni invar alloys

Mössbauer spectra of Fe_1?x Ni _x withx=0.40, 0.35 and 0.32 were taken at various temperatures and fitted withB _hf distributions. TheP(B _hf) curves generally show a peak and a low-field tail. The peakB ^* and the average \(\bar B\) were obtained in theT→0 limit. Fe moments were deduced from these data with help of a semiempirical equation. While the average \(\bar \mu _{Fe} \) decreases withx (invar anomaly), a large fraction of Fe atoms retain the strong moment (≈ 2.7 μ_B) typical of Ni-rich alloys. This result is consistent with a two-states model for invar.     

Magnetic properties of U (Fe x Al1−x )2 and U(Fe y Ni1−y )2 compounds

The results of magnetic measurements and ferromagnetic resonance studies performed on U(Fe _x Al_1–x )₂ and U(Fe _y Ni_1–y )₂ compounds over a large temperature range are reported. The saturation magnetization decreases nearly linearly when substituting Fe by Al or Ni. In the composition range x<0.84 and y<0.81, the compounds are Pauli paramagnets, except in the region with y0.10. For UNi₂ two types of magnetic behaviours are shown. This compound can be both a ferromagnet withT _c =23.5 K and a Pauli paramagnet, depending on the crystal structure. Above the Curie temperatures, the reciprocal susceptibility for the compounds with x>0.84 and y>0.81 obeys a temperature dependence of the formX=X _o+C(T-) ^–1. The effective iron moments decrease when substituting iron by nickel or aluminium. The ferromagnetic resonance measurements show that theg values are not composition-dependent. A linear variation of the mean iron magnetization with the exchange field is observed. Finally, the magnetic behaviour of iron in these compounds is analysed.     

Tribological and mechanical properties of composites based on ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene and quasicrystalline Al−Cu−Fe filler

Samples of composites, in which ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer is used as a matrix and quasicrystalline Al?Cu?Fe powder as a filler with 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 vol % concentrations, are prepared. Electron microscopy studies of the sample structure are carried out. The influence of the filler on the crystallinity and temperatures of sample melting and destruction is investigated. The mechanical and tribological properties of the samples are tested. It is found that an increase in the filler content changes neither the mechanical nor thermodynamic characteristics of the material but significantly improves the tribological characteristics. The friction coefficient decreases twice at 1 vol % of the filler and the wear resistance increases by 40 times at 8 vol %. Experimental data indicate the probability of good adhesion of the filler particles to the fluoropolymer matrix. The composites under investigation may be of interest as promising materials for polymer friction bearings.     

Morphology and magnetic properties of Fe x Co1−x /Co y Fe3−y O4 nanocomposites prepared by surfactants-assisted-hydrothermal process

Recently, we have demonstrated the successful synthesis of Fe _x Co_1−x /Co _y Fe_3−y O₄ nanocomposites with various alkaline solutions by using surfactants-assisted-hydrothermal (SAH) process. In this article, the synthesis of Fe _x Co_1−x /Co_yFe_3−y O₄ nanocomposites with their sizes varying between 20 nm and 2 μm was reported. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analyses showed that the surfactants, pH, precipitator, and temperature of the system play important roles in the nucleation and growth processes. The magnetic properties tested by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) at room temperature exhibit ferromagnetic behavior of the nanocomposites. These Fe _x Co_1−x /Co _y Fe_3−y O₄ nanocomposites may have a potential application as magnetic carriers for drug targeting because of their excellent soft-magnetic properties.     

Calculation of the electronic structure and hyperfine fields for Fe1 − x Co x B and (Fe1 − x Co x )2B compounds by the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method

The magnetic properties of Fe_{1 ? x} Co _x B and (Fe_{1 ? x} Co _x )₂B disordered compounds were investigated using first-principles calculations of the electronic structure in the framework of the density functional theory with the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method. The concentration dependences of the magnetic moments and the electron density were calculated for the Fe_{1 ? x} Co _x B solid solutions. The results obtained were used to analyze in detail and to interpret the transition from a magnetic phase to a nonmagnetic phase, which was previously revealed from the experiments in the compounds under investigation. The performed analysis of the calculated hyperfine fields induced by the electronic shells at the iron and cobalt atoms in the (Fe_{1 ? x} Co _x )₂B borides made it possible to explain the experimentally observed magnetic anisotropy.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Si1−xGex thin films implanted with Fe ions

A series of Si_1?xGe_x (x = 1, 0.848, 0.591, 0.382, 0.209, 0.064, 0) thin films prepared by ion beam sputtering were implanted with Fe ions to different doses using the metal vapor vacuum arc technique. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) was used to characterize the local microstructure around the Fe atoms in Fe-doped Si_1?xGe_x samples. Structural analysis showed that for annealed samples of Ge-rich thin films (including pure Ge) implanted with low doses of Fe ions, almost all the Fe ions substituted at Ge sites. However, an anti-ferromagnetic Fe₆Ge₅ impurity phase existed in the annealed samples implanted with high doses of Fe. It was also found that the solubility of Fe ions was highest in pure Ge films and that with increasing Si concentration, the solubility decreased. Magnetic analysis showed that for the as-implanted and annealed samples of Ge-rich thin films implanted with Fe ions, room-temperature ferromagnetism was strongest in the pure Ge series of samples and that as the Ge concentration decreased, the ferromagnetism at room temperature weakened. In addition, annealing could increase the number of Fe ions at substitution sites, which resulted in the observed increase in the saturated magnetization after annealing. Experiment and theoretical analysis showed that the ferromagnetism of Fe-doped Ge-rich Si_1?xGe_x thin films samples originated from the s, p–d exchange interactions between the Si_1?xGe_x matrix and those Fe ions which substituted at Ge sites and that the ferromagnetism was mediated by carriers.     

Spin reorientation and magnetocrystalline anisotropy of (Nd1−xDyx) Fe14B

Spin reorientation and magnetocrytalline anisotropy of (Nd_1−xDy_x)₂Fe₁₄B (x=0.25, 0.5, 0.75) have been studied from mangetization curves of magnetically aligned powders. In (Nd_1−xDy_x)₂Fe₁₄B, the spin reorientation temperature (T_SR) decreases linearly on increasing Dy-substitution from 135 to 56 K with the ratio of ΔT_SR=−1.11 K/Dy at% in the composition range of 0⩽x⩽0.75. The spin reorientation angle at 4.2 K decreases on Dy-substitution from 30.4° at x=0 to 14.7° at x=0.75. From the investigation of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy at 4.2 K, the disappearance of the spin reorientation for compositions x≳0.85 is expected.     

Heat capacity and thermal conductivity of Fe x Mn1 − x S single crystals

This paper reports on the results of investigations of the thermal properties and thermal conductivity of single crystals of homogeneous solid solutions Fe _x Mn_{1 ? x} S with a cubic NaCl structure, which have been prepared by the cation substitution for divalent manganese ions in manganese monosulfide. It has been revealed that the heat capacity and thermal conductivity exhibit anomalies in the range of the magnetic transition. The cation substitution is accompanied by an increase in the phase transition temperature.     

Magnetic susceptibility studies of Zn1−xFexSe and Zn1−xFexS

The magnetic susceptibility of diluted magnetic semiconductors Zn_1−xFe_xSe and Zn_1−xFe_xS has been calculated within a crystal field model and by applying the extended nearest-neighbour pair approximation. The results are compared with available experimental data. It appears that a good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained for Zn_1−xFe_xSe taking the long-range exchange comprising several nearer interionic distances, whereas in Zn_1−xFe_xS the exchange interaction with nearest-neighbours alone gives a better solution.     

Magnetic properties and Mössbauer studies in Y1−x Gd x Fe2

Alloys of Y_1???x Gd _x Fe₂B _y (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1; y = 0, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2) have been prepared and investigated for structural and magnetic properties. The compounds with x = 0 and 1 are found to form in single phase with C15-type cubic Laves phase structure, while those with x = 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 are observed to form with small quantities of secondary (Y,Gd)Fe₃ phase. The lattice parameters, Curie temperature and the average Fe hyperfine field are found to increase with increasing x. The Gd–Gd and Gd–Fe interactions are attributed to be the main reason for the enhancement of magnetic properties. Boron was found to stabilize the (Y,Gd)Fe₂ phase without affecting the magnetic properties.     

Anomalous spin relaxation and quantum criticality in Mn1 − x Fe x Si solid solutions

We report results of the high frequency (60 GHz) electron spin resonance (ESR) study of the quantum critical metallic system Mn_{1 ? x} Fe _x Si. The ESR is observed for the first time in the concentration range 0 < x < 0.24 at temperatures up to 50 K. The application of the original experimental technique allowed carrying out line shape analysis and finding full set of spectroscopic parameters, including oscillating magnetization, line width and g factor. The strongest effect of iron doping consists in influence on the ESR line width and spin relaxation is marked by both violation of the classical Korringa-type relaxation and scaling behavior. Additionally, the non-Fermi-liquid effects in the temperature dependence of the ESR line width, which may be quantitatively described in the theory of Wölfle and Abrahams, are observed at quantum critical points x* ～ 0.11 and x _c ～ 0.24.     

Defects and transport in SrFe1−xCoxO3−δ

The non-stoichiometry and chemical diffusion coefficient of SrFe_1−xCo_xO_3-δ have been measured by steady state and transient thermogravimetry in the temperature range 750–1200 °C at different oxygen partial pressures. At high oxygen partial pressures, the chemical diffusion coefficient was in the range 1·10⁻⁴ – 7·10⁻⁴ cm²/s. This, combined with high concentration of disordered vacancies make these materials perhaps the fastest solid oxygen ion diffusers known at high temperatures and high oxygen partial pressures. However, due to the high concentration of defects in SrFe_1−xCo_xO_3-δ the compound transforms from a cubic (disordered) perovskite to a brownmillerite type of structure under reduced oxygen partial pressures below approx. 900 °C. Due to this phase transition, the mobility of oxygen vacancies in SrFe_1−xCo_xO_3-δ decreases up to about an order of magnitude at 850 °C. We also observe an ordering effect at 1000 °C, although smaller in size, and this is suggested to be due to short range ordering of four-coordinated polyhedra of Fe. For possible use as oxygen separation membranes, phase stability against sulphur and carbon containing atmospheres is also discussed with respect to the formation of carbonates and sulphates. Paper presented at the 6th Euroconference on Solid State Ionics, Cetraro, Calabria, Italy, Sept. 12–19, 1999.     

57Fe Mössbauer and infrared studies of the system Co1−x Cd x Fe2O4

Mössbauer and infrared studies were made on samples of the ferrite system Co_1–xCd_xFe₂O₄ x=0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 and 1. Mössbauer spectra were taken at room temperature. The spectra of the samples withx0.7 showed well defined Zeeman patterns and they have been analyzed with two components, one due to A-site Fe³⁺ ions, and the other due to B-site Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ ions. The pattern due to B-site appeared to be composite and an explanation is given. The spectra withx=0.9 and 1 showed only a quadrupole splitting. The effect of cadmium substitution on the various hyperfine interactions has been discussed and the cationic distribution has been deduced for all values ofx. Far infrared spectra of the ferrite samples in the range 200–700 cm^–1 were reported. Four bands were observed: the high frequency bandv ₁ is assigned to tetrahedral complexes, and the low frequency bandv ₂ to octahedral complexes, a small bandv ₃ is due to Co²⁺-O^2– complexes andv ₄ is assigned to the lattice vibration of the system. The splitting occurred in thev ₁ andv ₂ bands atx=0.9 and inv ₂ atx=1, indicating the presence of Fe²⁺ ions in octahedral sites.     

Substrate effect on the electronic structure in GaxIn1−xAsySb1−y/GaSb and GaxIn1−xAsySb1−y/InAs

We present a theoretical study of the substrate effect on electronic structure in cubic Ga_xIn_1−xAs_ySb_1−y lattice-matched to GaSb and InAs. Our calculations are based on the empirical pseudopotential formalism within the virtual crystal approximation where the effect of disorder is taken into account. We show that the electronic band structure of the quaternary alloy Ga_xIn_1−xAs_ySb_1−y is altered by the change of substrate for the entire range of alloy compositions x. Moreover, we find that at Ga concentrations (x≤0.8), the ionicity is less important when Ga_xIn_1−xAs_ySb_1−y is lattice-matched to GaSb instead of InAs. The information will be useful for the choice of substrate in the composition range 0–1 and hence for the determination of the lattice-matching conditions for Ga_xIn_1−xAs_ySb_1−y quaternary materials.     

Magnetic properties and microstructure of Sm2Fe17−xTax compounds

The magnetic properties and microstructure of cast and annealed Sm₂Fe_17−xTa_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) alloys were investigated by means of microstructural, X-ray diffraction and thermomagnetic analysis. A process for obtaining the Sm₂Fe₁₇ phase nearly free of iron in the as-cast state is described. The method consists of adding 5 at% of Ta to the melt. By this addition of Ta to the basic alloy, a two phase structure of the as-cast ingots consisting of Sm₂Fe₁₇ phase and a Pauli paramagnetic hexagonal Laves phase - TaFe₂, can be obtained. X-ray diffraction showed an increase of the lattice spacing dependent upon the tantalum concentration in the alloy, which indicated some solid solubility of Ta in the Sm₂Fe₁₇ phase. Quantitative electron probe microanalysis confirmed the solid solubility of tantalum in the Sm₂Fe₁₇ phase of up to 2.3 (± 0.5) at%. This resulted in an increase of the Curie temperature of the Sm₂Fe_17−x phase, which was determined by means of thermomagnetic analysis.     

Pb1−x Fe x films prepared by vapor condensation

ZF, LF and TF SR experiments with antiferromagnetic (AF) ceramical samples La_2–x Sr _x CuO_4–y have been performed in the temperature range 10–300 K. Zero field muon spin polarization functions obtained below the Neel temperature clearly show a nonzero initial precession phase-–0.35 rad. We propose an explanation based on existence of the dynamical magnetic fields on the muon.We thank Drs. A.G. Chistov and A.M. Brjazkalo from RSC Kurchatov Institute for the preparation the #2 La₂CuO_4–y sample.     

Thermal expansion of ScxTi1−x Fe2 itinerant magnets

A study of the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of the Sc_xTi_1−x Fe₂ itinerant magnets has been made within the 5–1200 K range at the transition from the TiFe₂ antiferromagnet (T _N=270 K) to the ScFe₂ ferromagnet (T _C=540 K). A negative TEC magnetic contribution α _m(T) has been found, which is associated with the formation of spin-fluctuation-induced local magnetic moments in both the magnetically ordered and the paramagnetic state. The specific features in the α _m(T) dependence are shown to be due to the shape of the density-of-states function near the Fermi level. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 2174–2178 (December 1999)     

Characterization and magnetic properties of electrospun Co1−x Zn x Fe2O4 nanofibers

By the electrospinning and calcination techniques, we have prepared uniform nanofibers of Co_1−x Zn _x Fe₂O₄ (0.0≤x≤0.5) ferrites with diameters of 110–130 nm. The Co_1−x Zn _x Fe₂O₄ nanofibers are single-phase spinels and the lattice constant with Zn content deviates from the Vegard’s law for these Co_1−x Zn _x Fe₂O₄ nanofibers. The Co_1−x Zn _x Fe₂O₄ nanocrystal grains by which are built nanofibers increase with calcination temperature. Variations of coercivity and saturation magnetization with calcination temperature can be explained in terms of the grain-size (D) effect. The coercivity (H _c) of Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanofibers varies as D ^0.65 and basically follows the predicted D ^2/3 dependence based on the random anisotropy model in a D range below the single-domain size around 40 nm. The saturation magnetization of Co_1−x Zn _x Fe₂O₄ nanofibers initially increases with increasing Zn content, reaches a maximum value at x=0.3 and then decreases with further increase of Zn content, while the coercivity exhibits a continuous reduction with the increase of Zn content.     

Electrical properties and electronic structure of Cu1−xZnxInSe2 and Cu1−xZnxInS2 single crystals

Temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity of CuInS₂–ZnIn₂S₄ and CuInSe₂–ZnIn₂Se₄ solid solutions possessing n-type conductivity has been studied. It has been established that when the temperature decreases down to ~100 to 27 K, the hopping mechanism of electrical conductivity with a variable jumping length between localized states positioned in a narrow energy band near the Fermi level becomes dominant. The main parameters of the hopping conductivity have been determined. At higher temperatures (150–300 K), in the CuInSe₂–ZnIn₂Se₄ single crystals containing 15 and 20 mol% ZnIn₂Se₄ the thermally activated conductivity with activation energy of 0.018 and 0.04 eV, respectively, is detected. Among the CuInSe₂–ZnIn₂Se₄ single crystals, samples with 5 and 10 mol% ZnIn₂Se₄ were found to be close to degenerate semiconductors. Temperature dependences of the electrical conductivity of CuInS₂–ZnIn₂S₄ single crystals are described by a more complicated function that may indicate a competition of several conduction mechanisms in these compounds. For the CuInS₂–ZnIn₂S₄ solid solutions, X-ray photoelectron core-level and valence-band spectra have been measured for both pristine and Ar⁺ ion-bombarded surfaces. Our results indicate that the Cu_1−xZn_xInS₂ single-crystal surfaces are sensitive to Ar⁺ ion-bombardment. Additionally, for the Cu_1−xZn_xInS₂ crystal with the highest ZnIn₂S₄ content, namely 12 mol% ZnIn₂S₄, the X-ray emission bands representing the energy distribution of the Cu 3d, Zn 3d and S 3p states have been measured and compared on a common energy scale with the X-ray photoelectron valence-band spectrum.