Superconductivity in the RexMo6S8

The rare earth molybdenum sulfides RE_xMo₆S₈ (RE = rare earth) have been synthesized and are found to be superconducting with a few exceptions. This result, which is surprising in view of the high concentration of magnetic ions, is correlated with the particular structure of these compounds based on on units of Mo₆S₈.     

Magnetization and heat capacity studies of double perovskite compounds Ba2SmRuO6 and Ba2DyRuO6

Here we report the magnetic and heat capacity studies of the double perovskite compounds Ba₂SmRuO₆ and Ba₂DyRuO₆. Antiferromagnetic transitions are inferred at 54 and 47 K in Ba₂SmRuO₆ and Ba₂DyRuO₆, respectively, in the magnetization measurements. Heat capacity measurements show large jumps at the corresponding temperatures and confirm the bulk magnetic ordering. Both the measurements provide clear indication of the ordering of the rare earth moments also along with the Ruthenium moments. However, the heat capacity results suggest that the ordering of rare earth magnetic moments is spread over a large temperature range. An anomaly observed in the magnetization measurements at 42 K (below the magnetic ordering) in Ba₂SmRuO₆ is discerned as a reorientation of Sm³⁺ moments.     

Magnetic properties of RE0.7Ca0.3Mn0.95Fe0.05O3 (RE=Sm and Gd) manganites at low temperature

The magnetic properties of RE_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_0.95Fe_0.05O₃ perovskite with rare-earth cations (RE=Sm and Gd) were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and low temperature (4.2-266 K) magnetization measurements. Structural characterization of these compounds shows that they both have orthorhombic (Pbnm) structure. The Mössbauer spectra show clear evidence of local structural distortion of the Mn(Fe)O₆ octahedron, which is based on the non-zero nuclear quadrupole interactions for high-spin Fe³⁺ ions. It was found that the local structural distortion increases significantly when Sm³⁺ is replaced by Gd³⁺. This distortion is attributed to the Jahn-Teller coupling strength as estimated from the Mössbauer effect results. The magnetic results indicate that the Curie temperature decreases as a result of replacing Sm by Gd. This is due to the decrease of the average A-site cationic radius 〈r_A〉. The rapid increase of magnetization at low temperature indicates the magnetic ordering of rare earth ions at the A-site.     

稀土含量对速凝工艺制备(Nd,Dy)-(Fe,Al)-B合金结构和磁性能的影响

采用双合金法制备了不同稀土含量的(Nd,Dy)-(Fe,Al)-B合金系列,研究了稀土含量的多寡对薄带和最终烧结磁体的微观结构和磁性能的影响.研究结果表明,适量的稀土含量(～3145%)不仅能改善速凝带主相(Nd,Dy)₂Fe₁₄B的单相性,还有利于富稀土(Nd,Dy)相在晶界的均匀分布.当主相薄带的稀土含量在接近2∶14∶1相稀土含量时,磁体的内禀矫顽力和磁能积显著提高.当稀土含量较少时,对速凝薄带的合适时效热处理将能有效地提高最终烧结NdFeB磁体的磁特性. 关键词： 双相烧结 速凝技术 微观结构 磁性能     

Magnetic and structural studies of the double perovskites Ba2REMoO6

A magnetic, electronic and structural study of the double perovskites Ba₂REMoO₆ (RE=Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy) has been performed. All materials crystallise in the cubic symmetry space group and the cell volume decreases as RE varies from Sm to Dy in accordance with Vegard's law. An antiferromagnetic transition is observed below T_N=130 and 112 K for RE=Sm and Eu, respectively. The Néel temperatures of these ordered rare earth molybdenum double perovskites are much higher than previously observed in double perovskites containing Eu or Sm and a 4d or 5d transition metal arranged in an ordered rock salt configuration. The high Néel temperatures arise due to a strong superexchange magnetic interaction via the Mo-O-RE-O-Mo pathway. All of the phases are electronically insulating and there is no evidence of magnetoresistance at any temperature.     

Specific heat and modulated magnetic structures in the HoNi0.5Cu0.5 and ErNi0.6Cu0.4 compounds

Specific heat measurements performed on HoNi_0.5Cu_0.5 and ErNi_0.6Cu_0.4 have confirmed the role of the rare earth nature on the thermal stability of modulated magnetic structures. With non Kramers ions (Ho for instance) lying in a very low symmetry site a modulated structure can remain stable down to zero Kelvin; the magnetic moment being induced by the exchange field, no entropy is associated with the modulation. With Kramers ions (Er for instance), for which an intrinsic moment always exists, a modulated structure transforms at low temperature into an antiphase structure.     

Pr0.2Yb0.8-xLaxBa2Cu3O7-δ体系的超导电性和磁性

本文研究了Pr_0.2Yb_0.8-xLa_xBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ体系的晶体结构,超导电性和磁性。结果表明,在Pr含量不变的条件下,超导转变温度随稀土离子半径增大而降低,当x≈0.65时,T_c=0;电子比热和费密能级上的态密度也随稀土离子半径增大而降低。并讨论了稀土离子半径与杂化的关系。 关键词：     

Impact of Bi2O3 addition on the normal state properties of Bi3.4Pb0.3Sr2Ca1.3−x RExCu2Oy ceramics

The impact of Bi₂O₃ addition on the structural, microhardness (Vickers microhardness (VHN)), resistivity and Hall coefficient measurements of Bi_3.4Pb_0.3Sr₂Ca_1.3−x RE_xCu₂O_y ceramic samples with various x and RE is investigated. X-ray diffraction results indicate that all the peaks belong to Bi: 2212 and 2201 phases. The moderate amount of 2212 phase exists as a major phase, while the 2201 phase as a minor. The net intensity of all peaks I_max for 2212 phase increases with Y as compared to undoped sample, followed by a gradual decrease with further increase in rare earth (RE) up to La. While the vice versa is recorded for both 2201 phase and VHN. Except Y sample, a good link between flake-type grains is observed in the SEM photographs of the considered samples. The electrical resistivity turns from quiet metallic for undoped sample to semiconducting behavior for all substituted samples without any transition to the superconducting state. The Hall coefficient sign is found to be positive for undoped and Y samples and it changed from positive to negative for the other RE-substituted samples. The possible reasons for superconductivity quenching by RE substitution in this type of ceramic materials are reported.     

Photoluminescence spectra of rare earth doped CaGa2S4 single crystals

Six kind CaGa₂S₄ single crystals doped with different rare earth (RE) elements are grown by the horizontal Bridgman method, and their photoluminescence (PL) spectra are measured in the temperature range from 10 to 300 K. The PL spectra of Ce or Eu doped crystals have broad line shapes due to the phonon assisted 4f-5d transitions. On the other hand, those of Pr³⁺, Tb³⁺, Er³⁺ or Tm³⁺ doped samples show narrow ones owing to the 4f-4f transitions. The assignments of the electronic levels are made in reference to the reported data of RE 4f multiplets observed in same materials.     

Measurement of elastic modulus c11 in terbium with cds transducers

CdS transducers are found to have a strong adhesion to a well cleaned rare earth metal surface. They allow ultrasonic measurements to be made in regions found impossible using bonded quartz transducers. Measurements of C₁₁ in Tb as a function of magnetic field are presented to demonstrate their performance.     

Magnetic properties of the ternary hydrides of Nd6Mn23 and Sm6Mn23

The intermetallic compounds Nd₆Mn₂₃ and Sm₆Mn₂₃ and their ternary hydrides were studied by X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure (Th₆Mn₂₃ type) is preserved after hydrogen absorption. From the change in lattice constants a volume increase of about 14% was deduced. The temperature dependence of the magnetization of Nd₆Mn₂₃, Sm₆Mn₂₃ and their hydrides was studied in the range 4–500 K. The uncharged compounds have magnetic ordering temperatures above 400 K while in the hydrides magnetic ordering occurs close to 200 K. Indications were obtained of a substantial weakening of the magnetic coupling between the rare earth and manganese sublattice magnetization.     

Abnormal magnetic properties of the Ce24Co11 hexagonal phase

The lighter rare earth-cobalt and thorium-cobalt binary systems were revised on the rare earth or thorium side, by metallographic, electron microprobe and X-ray methods. In agreement with previous works, it is confirmed that, in these systems, the first intermetallic compound corresponds to the following stoichiometry: 3:1 for trivalent La, Pr and Nd; 7:3 for tetravalent Th; 24:11 for Ce. The electronic structure of Ce in the hexagonal (P6₃mc) Ce₂₄Co₁₁ phase was investigated via magnetic susceptibility measurements in the 4.2–1300 K temperature range. The results show that the Curie-Weiss law is not followed, no magnetic order occurs down to 4.2 K and a very small change in the thermal behaviour of the magnetic susceptibility appears above the melting point of the phase (750 K). The abnormally low values of the magnetic susceptibility of Ce₂₄Co₁₁ could be understood by assuming Co is a non-magnetic state and Ce in a temperature dependent mixed valence state.     

稀土金属间化合物RFe2Zn20-xInx的结构属性研究

RFe₂Zn₂₀（R代表稀土元素）型稀土金属间化合物因其低稀土含量和良好的铁磁性,已成为铁磁材料的研究热点之一.添加第四组元对该系列化合物的晶体结构和材料性能会产生一定影响.利用晶格反演方法获得了一系列有效的原子间相互作用势,对三元RFe₂Zn₂₀和四元RFe₂Zn_20-xIn_x化合物进行原子级模拟计算.研究表明,随着稀土元素原子量的增加,三元体系的晶格参数和体积呈线性下降,第四组元引入与否对该线性关系无直接影响.第四组元In替代Zn时,择优占据16c晶位,占满16c后选择占据96g晶位,始终不占据48f晶位.择优占位的结论符合实验观测,并与晶格反演势分析的结果一致. 关键词： 原子间相互作用势 择优占位 晶体结构     

Evidence of glassy ferromagnetic phase and kinetic arrest of electronic phase in Sm0.35Pr0.15Sr0.5MnO3 manganites

The effect of doping of rare earth Pr³⁺ ion as a replacement of Sm³⁺ in Sm_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ is investigated. Temperature dependent dc and ac magnetic susceptibility, resistivity, magnetoresistance measurements on chemically synthesized (Sm_0.5−xPr_x)Sr_0.5MnO₃ show various unusual features with doping level x=0.15. The frequency independent ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition at higher temperature (∼191 K) followed by a frequency dependent reentrant magnetic transition at lower temperature (∼31 K) has been observed. The nature of this frequency dependent reentrant magnetic transition is described by a critical slowing down model of spin glasses. From non-linear ac susceptibility measurements it has been confirmed that the finite size ferromagnetic clusters are formed as a consequence of intrinsic phase separation, and undergo spin glass-like freezing below a certain temperature. There is an unusual observation of a 2nd harmonic peak in the non-linear ac susceptibility around this reentrant magnetic transition at low temperature (∼31 K). Arrott plots at 10 and 30 K confirm the existence of glassy ferromagnetism below this low temperature reentrant transition. Electronic- and magneto-transport measurements show a strong magnetic field—temperature history dependence and strong irreversibility with respect to the sweeping of magnetic field. These results are attributed to the effect of phase separation and kinetic arrest of the electronic phase in this phase separated manganite at low temperatures.     

A new family of ternary intermetallic superconducting/magnetic stannides

A new family of rare earth-rhodium-tin intermetallic compounds, with the representative formula (RE)Rh_xSn_y, has been synthesized in single crystal form. The compounds containing the heavier rare earths are superconducting and those with the lighter rare earths are generally magnetic. The compound ErRh_1.1Sn_3.6 exhibits reentrant superconductivity with T_c = 0.97 K and T_m = 0.57 K as determined from ac magnetic susceptibility measurements. The synthesis and X-ray characterization of the series are described and the results of electrical resistivity, upper critical magnetic field, magnetic susceptibility, specific heat and neutron scattering measurements on the Er compound are given.     

Thermoluminescence of rare earth activated CdSO4, SrSO4 and BaSO4

The thermoluminescence (TL) of rare earth (RE) activated sulfates of Cd, Sr and Ba was studied above room temperature. Many of the phosphors prepared exhibit an extremely bright TL following X-irradiation (most notably with Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy and Tm dopants), having an efficiency comparable to that of the highest sensitivity phosphors available for TL dosimetry, and exhibiting activator-induced glow peaks between 405 and 480°K. In a given lattice, the RE³⁺ ions produce a characteristic glow peak at the same temperature (independent of the particular RE ion), whereas Eu²⁺ produces a single glow peak at a different temperature. A decrease in glow peak temperature with increasing interatomic spacing was observed in the homologous SrSO₄-BaSO₄ system - this shift being most pronounced in the Eu²⁺ -doped materials. TL emission spectra were obtained for trivalent Sm, Tb, Dy and Tm and for divalent Eu in these sulfates (and also in CaSO₄).     

Electronic structure of the metallic tungsten bronces Lax−yGdyWO3 (ESR measurements)

ESR- and magnetic susceptibility measurements on the metallic bronce La_x?yGd_yWO₃ (x = 0.10, 0.15; y ? x) prove that the 6s²5d¹ orbitals of the rare earth (RE) ions do not contribute to the conduction band of the WO₃ complex. The RE ions are completely decoupled from it; crystal field effects, therefore, are observable.     

Magnetic properties of ternary RMn2Si2 and RMn2Ge2 compounds

Magnetic properties of RMn₂Si₂ and RMn₂Ge₂ compounds, where R is a rare earth metal, have been investigated by magnetometric measurements. RMn₂Ge₂ (where R is a light rare earth) and LaMn₂Si₂ are ferromagnets. Remaining compounds have antiferromagnetic properties. DyMn₂Si₂ and ErMn₂Si₂ show ferromagnetic properties at low temperatures. It was confirmed that the value of Curie (or Néel) temperature for the Mn sublattice decreases with increasing c constant.     

Possible observation of the coexistence of superconductivity and long-range magnetic order in NdRh4B4

The ternary rare earth compound NdRh₄B₄ has been studied by means of critical field, low temperature heat capacity, and static magnetic susceptibility measurements. Features in the upper critical field and heat capacity data at 1.31 K and 0.89 K suggest the occurrence of long-range magnetic order in the superconducting state. The temperature dependence of the static magnetic susceptibility follows a Curie-Weiss law with an effective magnetic moment μ_eff = 3.58 ± 0.05 μ_B and a Curie-Weiss temperature θ_p = ?6.2 ± 1.0 K between 20 K and room temperature. However,, magnetization vs. applied magnetic field isotherms suggest the development of a ferromagnetic component in the Nd³⁺ magnetization at low temperatures.     

Magnetic properties of R3Rh2 compounds with R=Gd, Tb,Dy, Ho and Er

Bulk magnetic measurements performed on polycrystalline samples of the tetragonal compounds R₃Rh₂ with R=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er are presented. All the compounds are ferromagnetic at low temperature. However in Tb₃Rh₂ an antiferromagnetic behaviour is observed between 14 and 24 K. In Gd₃Rh₂, where the magnetocrystalline anisotropy must be negligible, it seems that the magnetic structure is not collinear. In the other compounds the observed properties essentially result from indirect exchange interactions and crystal field effects acting on the rare earth ions which lie in low symmetry sites.