INFLUENCE OF γ-RADIATION ON THE DIELECTRIC CHARACTERISTICS IN Rb2ZnCl4 SINGLE CRYSTALS AT INCOMMENSURATE-COMMENSURATE PHASE TRANSITION

In this paper the influence of γ-radiation on the dielectric constants of Rb₂ZnCl₄ crystal at incommensurate-commensurate phase transition (hereafter abbreviated as INC-C transition) are studied. The thermal hysteresis occurs upon both cooling and heating runs, irrespective of whether the samples have been treated with γ-radiation or not. For the γ-irradiated sample, its transition point, T_c, between the INC and C phases is not changed, but the peak value of the dielectric constant at T_c increases abruptly, compared with that before γ-irradiation, When this sample is annealed at 40℃, the peak value restores to the incipient value for the sample free from γ-irradiation. The origin of the phenomenon of the thermal hysteresis of the dielectric constant may be due to the pinning effect of dejects or impurities in the samples.     

Single crystal growth and characterizations of iron arsenide superconductor BaFe2-xNixAs2（0.0≤x≤0.12）

A series of big single crystals of BaFeFe_2-xNi_xAs₂ have been prepared by the FeAs self-flux method, with nominal nickel doping x = 0--0.12. The dimensions of the cleaved crystals are over 10~mm along ab plane and ～ 2~mm in maximum along the c direction. The measurements of x-ray diffraction, electrical resistance and magnetic property are carried out on the crystals. For the undoped parent compound BaFe₂As₂, both resistance and magnetization data display an anomaly associated with spin density wave and/or structural phase transition, with the transition temperatures at ～ 138~K. For Ni-doped BaFe_2-xNi_xAs₂ crystals, the superconducting critical temperature T_c ranges from 4.3~K for x=0.06 sample to 20~K for the optimally doped x=0.10 crystal.     

SUPERCONDUCTING TRANSITION TEMPERATURES AND NORMAL-STATE ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITIES OF Tm1-xPrxBa2Cu3O7-δ

Superconducting transition temperature T_c and normal-state electrical resistivities ρ of the Tm_1-xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ system have been measured. The results indicate that T_c remains constant for x = 0 to 0.08 before it drops steadily with higher x. Following the Abrikosov-Gor'kov model, a total suppression of superconductivity occurs at a critical Pr concentration x_cr≈0.56. It is found for the first time, as far as we know, that the logarithmic resistivity at 270 K increases linearly with increasing x, yielding ρ= ρ₀e^ax. Judging from the relation between dρ/dT and x, a metal to insulator transition occurs just beyond x_cr.     

MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF Dy2Fe17-xCrx AND Er2Fe17-xCrx(x=0-3)COMPOUNDS

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of R₂Fe_17-xCr_x(R=Dy,Er,0≤x≤3) compounds have been investigated by me ans of X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. These compounds have hexagonal Th₂Ni₁₇-type structure. The unit-cell volumes decrease with the increase of Cr concentration x. The Curie temperature T_c of the Er₂Fe_17-xCr_x compounds increases from 320 K for x=0 to 403 K for x=1.0 and then decreases with further increase of x. The Cur ie temperat ure T_c of Dy₂Fe_17-xCr_x compounds increases from 364 K for x=0 to 435 K for x=1.0 and then decreases with further increase of x. The saturation magnetization of these compounds shows an approximately linear decrease with the increase of x. Spin reorientation transitions occur s in Er₂Fe_17-xCr_x(x=2.0 and 3.0).     

INTERNAL FRICTION AND ULTRASONIC ATTENUATION RELATED TO CARRIERS IN HIGH Tc SUPERCONDUCTORS

For both BiSrCaCuO and TlBaCaCuO samples, internal frictions (Q^-1) in the kHz range reveal a plateau (Q^-1_p) above T_c and a rapid drop below T_c with the turning points located just at T_c for various samples with different T_c. This anomaly cannot be observed in non-superconducting samples. The ultrasonic attenuation (α) in TlBaCaCuO displays similar results to the internal friction. Moreover, it is discovered that the Q^-1_p is nearly proportional to the carrier density for Y(Pr)BaCuO and Gd(Pr)BaCuO with different Pr contents. These results show that the drop of Q^-1 and a below T_c is closely related to superconducting condensation. The Q^-1_p and α_p can be explained using coupling-model of carriers with local dynamic distortion because high T_c superconductors are strong-correlation systems. Furthermore, by taking account of the smearing of superconducting gap structure resulting from the recombination of quasi-particles and by modifying the BCS relative jump rate as S(E, E', Γ) = Re{1-Δ²/[(E-iΓ)(E'-iΓ)]}, the calculated results of internal friction and ultrasonic attenuation below T_c are in good agreement with the experimental data. The superconducting gap Δ and the damping rate Γ for both BiSrCaCuO and TlBaCaCuO have also been obtained, they are in accordance with those got by tunneling spectrum and NMR methods, etc.     

Magnetoresistance and Kondo Effect in Nodal-Line Semimetal VAs_2

We performed calculations of the electronic band structure and the Fermi surface,measured the longitudinal resistivity ρxx(T,H),Hall resistivity ρxy(T,H),and magnetic susceptibility as a function of temperature at various magnetic fields for VAs₂ with a monoclinic crystal structure.The band structure calculations show that VAs₂ is a nodal-line semimetal when spin-orbit coupling is ignored.The emergence of a minimum at around11 K in ρxx(T) measured at H=0 demonstrates that some additional magnetic impurities(V⁴⁺,S=1/2)exist in VAs₂ single crystals,inducing Kondo scattering,evidenced by both the fitting of ρxx(T) data and the susceptibility measurements.It is found that a large positive magnetoresistance(MR) reaching 649% at 10 K and 9 T,its nearly quadratic field dependence,and a field-induced up-turn behavior of ρxx(T) also emerge in VAs₂,although MR is not so large due to the existence of additional scattering compared with other topological nontrivial/trivial semimetals.The observed properties are attributed to a perfect charge-carrier compensation,which is evidenced by both the calculations relying on the Fermi surface and the Hall resistivity measurements.These results indicate that the compounds containing V(3d³4s²) element can be as a platform for studying the influence of magnetic impurities to the topological properties.     

PHASE TRANSITIONS IN Bi2Sr2(Cu1-zFez)O6+δ

We have investigated, by X-ray diffraction, a series of single crystals of Bi-based oxides with the nominal composition Bi₂Sr₂(Cu_1-zFe_z)O_6+δ(0≤z≤0.55). In this system we observed two structural phase transitions with the increase of the doping content. The first transition, from an incommensurate monoclinic phase to an incommensurate orthorhombic phase, occurs at a doping content of iron z_Fe=0.027. The second one corresponds to a phase transition from an incommensurate orthorhombic phase to a commensurate orthorhombic phase at z_Fe=0.34. The comparison of these results with those for more limited substitutions of Zn and Ni indicates the significant role of the insertion of the extra oxygen in the (Bi-O)_∞ double layers.     

EFFECT OF THE SUBSTITUTION OF Ga ON THE STRUCTURE AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF Dy2Fe17 COMPOUND

Dy₂Fe_17-xGa_x (x = 0,1,2,3,4, 5 and 6) compounds were prepared by arc melting. These compounds are of single phase, having a hexagonal Th₂Ni₁₇-type structure fox x=0 and rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure for x≥1. The substitution of Ga for Fe in the Dy₂Fe₁₇ leads to a linear increase of unit-cell volumes. The saturation magnetization M_s at 1.5K is found to decrease linearly with increasing Ga concentration, from 65emu/g for x= 0 to 5emu/g for x = 6; and the Fe magnetic moment μ_Fe is almost independent of Ga concentration. The Curie temperature T_C is found first to increase with increasing Ga content x, and goes through a maximum value of 559 K at about x = 3, then decreases. The sharp increase of T_C at lower Ga content may result from the increase of unit cell volumes. Dy₂Fe_17-xGa_x compounds with x≤5 exhibit easy plane anisotropy at room temperature, and those with x = 6 possess easy-axis.     

Observation of the Pinning-Induced Crystal-Hexatic-Glass Transition in Two-Dimensional Colloidal Suspensions

Identification of the glass formation process in various conditions is of importance for fundamental understanding of the mechanism of glass transitions as well as for developments and applications of glassy materials. We investigate the role of pinning in driving the transformation of crystal into glass in two-dimensional colloidal suspensions of monodisperse microspheres. The pinning is produced by immobilizing a fraction of microspheres on the substrate of sample cells where the mobile microspheres sediment. Structurally, the crystal-hexatic-glass transition occurs with increasing the number fraction of pinning ρ_(pinning), and the orientational correlation exhibits a change from quasi-long-range to short-range order at ρ_(pinning) = 0.02. Interestingly, the dynamics shows a nonmonotonic change with increasing the fraction of pinning. This is due to the competition between the disorder that enhances the dynamics and the pinning that hinders the particle motions. Our work highlights the important role of the pinning on the colloidal glass transition, which not only provides a new strategy to prevent crystallization forming glass, but also is helpful for understanding of the vitrification in colloidal systems.     

GINZBURG-LANDAU THEORY AND VORTEX LATTICE OF HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTORS

The thermodynamics of the vortex lattice of high-temperature superconductors has been studied by solving the generalized Ginzburg-Landau equations derived microscopically. Our numerical simulation indicates that the structure of the vortex lattice is oblique at the temperature far away from the transition temperature T_c, where the mixed s-d_x²-y² state is expected to have the lowest energy. Whereas, very close to T_c, the d_x²-y² wave is slightly lower energetically, and a triangular vortex lattice recovers. The coexistence and the coupling between the s and d waves would account for the unusual dynamic behaviours such as the upward curvature of the upper critical field curve H_C2(T), as observed in dc magnetization measurements on single-crystal YBa₂Cu₃O₇ samples.     

AGNETORESISTANCE,SPECIAL HEAT AND AC MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY IN La1-xCaxMnO3 SYSTEM

We have measured the resistivity, special heat and AC magnetic suceptibility versus temperature in La_1-xCa_xMnO₃(LCMO) bulk samples with x=0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6. In the LCMO (x=0.3 and 0.4) samples a transition from dρ/dT0 was observed, accompanied by a peak in specific heat. In AC magnetic suceptibility measurement, a ferromagnetic and an antiferromagnetic transitions were observed in LCMO (x=0.5) sample.     

EFFECTIVE POTENTIAL OF λφ41+3 AT ZERO AND FINITE TEMPERATURES

The effective potential of $\lambda$$\varphi$⁴₁₊₃ model with both signs of parameter m² is evaluated at T=0 by means of a simple but effective method for regularization and renormalization. Then at T≠0, the effective potential is evaluated in imaginary time Green function approach, using the Plana formula. A critical temperature for restoration of symmetry breaking in the standard model of particle physics is estimated to be T_c≌510 GeV.     

ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF Hg0.8Pb0.2Ba2Ca2Cu3O8+δ: THE ROLE OF Pb DOPING,OXYGEN DOPING AND HIGH PRESSURE

The effects of Pb doping, oxygen doping ($\delta$= 0.1,0.2,0.4 and 0.5) and high pressate (4, 8, 15 and 20GPa) on the electronic structure of Hg_0.8Pb_0.2Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O_8+δ have been examined by the recursion method. Our calculations show that Pb doping only decreases the hole concentration slightly and oxygen doping increases the hole concentration monotonically and significantly as δ varies from 0 to 0.5, with each excess oxygen atom contributing about 1.7 holes to the CuO₂ layers. The optimal δ is estimated to be around 0.4, The hole conceatration increases initially with pres-sure but decreases as P > 8GPa (i.e., dn/dP does change sign at ～ 8GPa). The suppressed T_c(P) by Pb substitution has to be described in the modified Neumeier's model.     

INFLUENCE OF SPIN AND CHARGE FLUCTUATIONS ON THE HIGH-Tc SUPERCONDUCTIVITY

In the framework of the weak coupling theory of superconductivity, we have proved that spin and charge fluctuations in the high-T_c superconductors can pro-duce respectively, pair-breaking and pair-forming effects on the superconductivity resulting from the "generalized BCS mechanism". With the coupling constant for spin fluctuations larger than that for charge fluctuations, they combine to produce a temperature-dependent effective pair-breaking effect, which makes T_c decrease more rapidly than Δ(0), the superconducting gap at T=0, and therefore, enhances the ratio 2Δ(0)/T_c. This provides a reasonable physical interpretation for the relevant experimental results.     

Evolutionary snowdrift game with disordered environments in mobile societies

We investigate an evolutionary snowdrift game on a square $N=L\times L$ lattice with periodic boundary conditions, where a population of $n_{0}$ ($n_{0}\leq N$) players located on the sites of this lattice can either cooperate with or defect from their nearest neighbours. After each generation, every player moves with a certain probability $p$ to one of the player's nearest empty sites. It is shown that, when $p=0$, the cooperative behaviour can be enhanced in disordered structures. When $p>0$, the effect of mobility on cooperation remarkably depends on the payoff parameter $r$ and the density of individuals $\rho$ ($\rho=n_{0}/N$). Compared with the results of $p=0$, for small $r$, the persistence of cooperation is enhanced at not too small values of $\rho$; whereas for large $r$, the introduction of mobility inhibits the emergence of cooperation at any $\rho<1$; for the intermediate value of $r$, the cooperative behaviour is sometimes enhanced and sometimes inhibited, depending on the values of $p$ and $\rho$. In particular, the cooperator density can reach its maximum when the values of $p$ and $\rho$ reach their respective optimal values. In addition, two absorbing states of all cooperators and all defectors can emerge respectively for small and large $r$ in the case of $p>0$.     

Quantum critical behavior in an antiferromagnetic heavy-fermion Kondo lattice system(Ce_(1-x)La_x)_2Ir_3Ge_5

The measurements on temperature dependences of magnetic susceptibility χ(T), specific heat C(T), and electrical resistivity ρ(T) were carried out for the antiferromagnetic(AFM)(Ce_(1-x)La_x)_2Ir_3Ge_5(0 ≤ x ≤ 0.66) system. It was found that the Neel temperature TNdecreases with increasing La content x, and reaches 0 K near a critical content xcr =0.6. A new phase diagram was constructed based on these measurements. A non-Fermi liquid behavior in ρ(T) and a log T relationship in C(T) were found in the samples near xcr, indicating them to be near an AFM quantum critical point(QCP) with strong spin fluctuation. Our finding indicates that(Ce_(1-x)La_x)_2Ir_3Ge_5 may be a new platform to search for unconventional superconductivity.     

Top-Quark Condensate at Finite Temperature and Electroweak Symmetry Restoration

The gap equation at finite temperature in the top-quark condensate scheme of electroweak symmetry breaking is proven to have the identical form in both the imaginary and real time formalisms of thermal field theory. By means of the gap equation, combined with the basic relation to define the vacuum expectation value v of the effective Higgs field, we analyze the dependence on temperature T and chemical potential p of the dynamical top-quark mass as the order parameter characteristic of symmetry breaking, and obtain the p-T criticality curve for symmetry restoration. We find out that the critical temperature T_c = 2υ for μ = 0 and the critical chemical potential μ_c = 2 π υ / √3 for T = 0. When μ = 0, the top-quark mass near T_c has the leading (T_c² - T²)^1/2 behavior with an extra factor dependent on temperature T and the momentum cutoff Λ. However, it is generally argued that the symmetry restoration at T ≥ T_c is still a second-order phase transition.