A survey on the effect of vanadium content on the magnetoelastic properties of YFe12−xVx alloys

Experimental results on the thermal expansion and magnetostriction of YFe_12−xV_x (1.5≤x≤3.5) alloys are reported. The results show that the anisotropic magnetostriction (Δλ) at a finite field (1.5 T) increases with increasing vanadium content in the range of x<2. But for x>2, a decrease in the magnetic anisotropy with increasing vanadium content causes a decrease in the saturation values of Δλ. In addition, the thermal expansion coefficient becomes a minimum for x≈2. Experimental curves exhibit that the forced volume magnetostriction (ΔV/V) is positive and increases linearly with the applied field at high fields. But in the low field region (≤0.5 T), a minimum appears in the isothermal curves of ΔV/V around the saturation field. The results are explained by considering the influence of vanadium content on the magnetization anisotropy of YFe_12−xV_x compounds.     

Sliding charge density waves in manganites?

We report on the linear and nonlinear conductivity measurements on charge-ordered La_1?xCa_xMnO₃ (x≈0.5 and x=0.75). Upon cooling below room temperature, the onset of charge ordering—T_co is marked by a peak in the logarithmic derivative of the resistivity (d ln ρ/d(1/T)) and by a change in the slope of the thermopower as a function of temperature. The I–V characteristics of samples with negative coefficient of resistivity (x=0.52 and 0.75) was measured by DC and pulsed currents. We show how the nonlinearity of the I–V characteristics vanishes when short, single current pulses are used. This work shows that when searching for dramatic phenomena such as sliding charge density waves in samples with negative temperature coefficient of resistivity, the first step should be to check if the I–V nonlinearity persists when using single, short current pulses.     

Thermal changes in the optical properties of SnSxSe2−x crystals

Optical measurements on crystals in the series SnS_xSe_2?x for 0 ? x ? 2, have yielded information on the changes in the ordinary refractive index $\text{Δn}\text{ΔT}$ and the energy gap $\text{ΔEg}\text{ΔT}$ in the temperature range 125–425 K. The coefficient $\text{Δn}\text{ΔT}$ has values +40 to +160 × 10^?6K^?1 and this confirms that covalent bonding predominantly exists in these materials. The coefficient $\text{ΔEg}\text{ΔT}$ remains fairly consistent for all values of x with an average value of -8.0×10^-4eV K^-1.     

Specific heat of Na1−x V2O5 single crystals

Temperature dependences of the specific heat C and the magnetic susceptibility χ of Na_1?x V₂O₅ single crystals (x=0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, and 0.04) are studied. In NaV₂O₅, the transition to the spin-gap state (T _c =34 K) is accompanied by a sharp decrease in χ, while C exhibits a λ-shaped anomaly. At low temperatures, the specific heat of NaV₂O₅ is approximated by the sum of phonon ～T ³ and magnon ～exp(?Δ/T) contributions, which makes it possible to estimate the Debye temperature Θ_D=336 K and the gap in the magnetic excitation spectrum Δ=112 K. With the departure from stoichiometry, the anomalies observed in the behavior of χ and C are spread and shifted to lower temperatures. The low-temperature specific heat of nonstoichiometric samples is determined by the sum of phonon and magnon components and the contribution due to the presence of defects. The values of magnetic entropy characterizing the phase transitions in Na_1?x V₂O₅ are calculated.     

Negative magnetoresistance and nonlinear conduction in Ti0.99V0.01Se2

Both magnetic and electric field dependences of transport coefficients are investigated on the layered material Ti_1-xV_xSe₂ (x = 0.01). In contrast to semimetallic TiSe₂, the resistivity of the V-doped samples increases with decrease of temperature even in the low temperature region. At liquid helium temperatures it is found that the resistivity is strongly dependent on electric field strength. The behaviour of the nonlinear conduction is similar to that observed in 1T-TaS₂. In the low field (Ohmic) region anomalously large negative mangetoresistance is observed, Δ?/?₀ = -80% at 1.6 K and 60 KOe. Moreover the Hall coefficient is also found to depend on both magnetic and electric fields. All the experimental data suggests that mobile carriers are excited by the applied fields.     

Phase transition in V1+xTe2 (0.04⩽x⩽0.11)

1T-V_1+xTe₂ was synthesized in a composition range of 0.04?x?0.11. The reversible first order transition was observed by DTA (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility (χ), and d.c. electrical resistivity (?) measurements. Transition temperature (T_t is 474 K for V_1.04Te₂, and decreases with increasing x. Heat of transition, ΔH was estimated to be as high as 500 cal mol^?1 from the endothermical peak in DSC. The expansion of the c-axis is observed at T_t. χ exhibits a jump at T_t, showing the paramagnetic temperature dependence both below and above T_t. ? measurements show the metallic-like behavior with a slight decrease at T_t. Preliminary electron diffraction examination suggests the formation of a super-structure below T_t.     

Anomalous paramagnetic behavior in the paramagnetic phase of La2/3−xYxCa1/3MnO3 studied through EPR and its relation to colossal magnetoresistance

Electron paramagnetic resonance on La_2/3−xY_xCa_1/3MnO₃ in the paramagnetic (PM) regime is presented for 0≤x≤0.133. The resonance linewidth (ΔH_pp) decreases with cooling, reaches the minimum at T_min, and then anomalously increases with further cooling toward T_c. Our analysis on ΔH_pp(T) below T_min shows that the anomalous PM behavior below T_min is due to the appearance of a ferromagnetic (FM) phase within the PM matrix caused by the applied magnetic fields. The correlation between the anomalous PM and the colossal magnetoresistance is discussed. We argue that both are caused by the phase segregation in which the compound is phase-separated into a mixture of FM and PM regions.     

Influence of Si and Co substitutions on magnetoelastic properties of R2Fe17 (R=Y, Er and Tm) intermetallic compounds

The magnetostriction of the off-stoichiometric R₂Fe₁₇-type intermetallic compounds based on R₂Fe_14−xCo_xSi₂ (R=Y, Er, Tm and x=0, 4) was measured, using the strain gauge method in the temperature range 77-460 K under applied magnetic fields up to 1.5 T. All compounds show sign change and reduction in magnetostriction values compared to the R₂Fe₁₇ compounds by Si substitution. For Y₂Fe₁₄Si₂ and Er₂Fe₁₄Si₂, saturation behaviour is observed near magnetic ordering temperature (T_C), whereas for Tm₂Fe₁₄Si₂, saturation starts from T>143 K. Also, Co substitution has different effects on the magnetostriction of R₂Fe₁₄Si₂ compounds. In Er₂Fe₁₀Co₄Si₂ and Tm₂Fe₁₀Co₄Si₂, saturation occurs below the spin reorientation temperature (T_SR). In addition, in Er₂Fe₁₄Si₂, a sign change occurs in the anisotropic magnetostriction (Δλ) as well as the volume magnetostriction (ΔV/V) at their T_SR values. The volume magnetostrictions of the Tm-containing compounds show an anomaly around their T_SR. In R₂Fe₁₄Si₂ compounds, parastrictive behaviour is also observed in ΔV/V near their T_C values. In addition, the magnetostriction of the sublattices is investigated. Results show that in R₂Fe₁₄Si₂ compounds, the rare-earth sublattice contribution to magnetostriction is negative and comparable to the iron sublattice, whereas, in R₂Fe₁₀Co₄Si₂ compounds, the rare-earth sublattice contribution is positive and larger than Fe sublattice. These results are discussed based on the effect of Si and Co substitutions on the anisotropy field of these compounds. Influence of the spin reorientation transition on the magnetostriction of these compounds is discussed in terms of the anisotropic sublattice interactions.     

The thermoelectric power in AgxTiS2 and AgxNiPS3. Part II. The ionic component of the thermoelectric power

The EMF of the isothermal cells: Ag/AgI/Ag_xTiS₂: 0<x<1, T=150–200°C/Ag_xNiPS₃: 0<x<3, T=150–350°C has been measured. From the EMF-x curves the existence ranges of the 2-phase (stage I and II) regions ?0.16<x<0.32 for the Ag/Ag_xTiS₂ system at 190°C; 0.20 < x < 0.50 and 1 < x < 2 for the Ag/Ag_xNiPS₃ system at 400°C - have been determined. The results are sustained by X-ray diffraction and electrical conductivity measurements. From the EMF-T curves the partial enthalpy (ΔH?_Ag) and entropy (ΔS?_Ag) of dissolution of silver in the Ag_xSSE (solid solution electrode) materials were obtained. In the case of Ag_xTiS₂, ΔH?_Ag has a low absolute value, while ΔS?_Ag is distinctly positive. The EMF of the Ag/Ag_xNiPS₃ system also has a positive temperature coefficient. Furthermore, the ionic component of the thermoelectric power, ΔE/ΔT, of the thermogalvanic cells: Ag/AgI/Ag_xSSE/AgI/Ag Ag_xTiS₂: 0 < x < 1, T = 150–200°C( T ) (T+ΔT) Ag_xNiPS₃: 0 < x < 1, T= 150–350°C has been measured. The kinetically important heat of transport of silver ions in the Ag_xSSE materials has been determined in two ways: first from the dependence of the ionic Seebeck coefficient (?_Ag+) on reciprocal temperature; and second from direct calculation, using the data for ?_Ag+ and ΔS?_Ag. The heat of transport is much smaller than the activation enthalpy for Ag⁺-conduction, indicating a high ionic polaron binding energy in these materials.     

Electrical conductivity and local structure of lithium iron tungsten vanadate glass

A relationship between physical properties and local structure of 20Li₂O·10Fe₂O₃·xWO₃·(70–x)V₂O₅ glass, abbreviated as xLFWV glass (x?=?0???25 in mol%), was investigated by ⁵⁷Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential thermal analysis (DTA), leaching test using 20 vol% HCl and DC two- or four-probe method. ⁵⁷Fe-Mössbauer spectra of xLFWV glass showed an increase of quadrupole splitting (Δ) from 0.67 to 0.73_±0.02 mm s^???1 and a constant isomer shift (δ) of 0.39_±0.01 mm s^???1 with an increase of ‘x’ from 0 to 25. This suggests that Fe^IIIO₄ tetrahedra gradually increase their local distortion along with a substitution of WO₃ for V₂O₅. DTA of xLFWV glass showed an increase in glass transition temperature (T _g) from 252 to 298 $_{\pm 5}^{\circ}$ C with an increase of ‘x’. Composition dependency of T _g and Δ indicates that Fe^III atoms occupy substitutional sites of WO₆ octahedra as network former (NWF), since a large slope of 680 K (mm s^???1)^???1 was obtained in T _g ? Δ plot. Comparable electrical conductivities (σ) of 2.5 × 10^???6, 1.9 × 10^???6, 8.4 × 10^???7 and 2.9 × 10^???6 S cm^???1 obtained for xLFWV glasses with ‘x’ of 0, 10, 20 and 25, respectively increased to 2.4 × 10^???2, 2.4 × 10^???3, 3.5 × 10^???4 and 8.8 × 10^???5 S cm^???1 after annealing at 400 °C for 100 min. Smaller Δ values of 0.58 and 0.67_±0.02 mm s^???1 obtained in annealed xLFWV glasses with ‘x’ of 0 and 10, respectively indicate that structural relaxation occurs in VO₄ units of vanadate glass units, as had been observed in other vanadate glasses.     

Transition from the Kondo regime to long-range magnetic order in the FexV1−x S system

A study is reported on the electrical and magnetic characteristics of the Fe_xV_1?x S solid-solution system with x≤0.5. A maximum in the temperature dependence of resistivity ρ(T) characteristic of the Kondo effect has been observed for small x(x<0.01). For x>0.1, long-range magnetic order sets in in the system with T _K ≈ 100 K. Near x=0.05, the Fe²⁺ impurity behavior crosses over to a magnetically ordered phase. The electronic properties of Fe_xV_1?x S are typical of those of strongly correlated electronic systems. Both the electrical and magnetic data imply that carrier delocalization is the strongest at x=0.4.     

High pressure study of BaPb0.7Bi0.3O3 films

The resistance R, the superconducting transition temperature T_c and the energy gap Δ(T) have been measured on the BaPb_0.7Bi_0.3O₃ films up to 14 kbar. We have found that up to 14 kbar: (1) pressure suppresses T_c and Δ(T) while enhances R, (2) the value of 2Δ(0)/kT_c is 3.8±0.1, independent of pressure, and (3) the Δ(T)/Δ(0) varies with T/T_c in a BCS fashion but only for T/T_c<0.75 and independent of pressure. The results show that BaPb_1?xBi_xO₃ is a weak-coupling superconductor, but fail to provide information about the cause for the high T_c of the compound.     

Scaling of the temperature-dependent resistivity in SrFe2−xNixAs2

We show that the zero-field normal-state resistivity of temperature-dependent resistivity ρ(T) of SrFe_2?xNi_xAs₂ can be reproduced by the expression ρ(T) = ρ₀ + c T exp(?2Δ/T). ρ(T) can be scaled using both this expression where the energy scale Δ, c and the residual resistivity ρ₀ are scaling parameters and a recently proposed model-independent scaling method (H.G. Luo, Y.H. Su, T. Xiang, Phys. Rev. B 77 (2008) 014529). The scaling parameters have been calculated and the compositional variation of 2Δ(x) has been determined. This dependence show almost a linear decreasing in the underdoped regime similar to that reported for cuprates. The existence of a universal metallic ρ(T) curve in a wide temperature range which, however, is restricted for the underdoped compounds to temperatures above a structural and anitiferromagnetic transition is interpreted as an indication of a single mechanism which dominates the scattering of the charge carriers in SrFe_2?xNi_xAs₂ (x = 0–0.3).     

Nuclear spin relaxation in itinerant electron antiferromagnetic Cr1−xVx system

Nuclear spin relaxation rate T^?1₁ for ⁵¹V in an incommensurate antiferromagnetic Cr_1?xV_x system has been measured in a temperature range between 1.3 and 4.2 K and in a range of magnetic field from 0 to 13.3 kOe by using a field-cycling nuclear magnetic resonance technique. In the (T₁T)^?1 vs x curve a pronounced maximum was observed near the critical concentration (x_c～0.040). Furthermore for alloys with x = 0.038 and 0.040 a deviation from the Korringa relation, T₁T = constant, was observed. The experimental results of (T₁T)^?1 are interpreted in terms of the spin-fluctuation and d-orbital contributions.     

Point-contact Andreev-reflection spectroscopy in ReFeAsO1−xFx (Re = La,Sm): Possible evidence for two nodeless gaps

A deep understanding of the character of superconductivity in the recently discovered Fe-based oxypnictides ReFeAsO_1?xF_x (Re = rare-earth) necessarily requires the determination of the number of the gaps and their symmetry in k space, which are fundamental ingredients of any model for the pairing mechanism in these new superconductors. In the present paper, we show that point-contact Andreev-reflection spectroscopy experiments performed on LaFeAsO_1?xF_x (La-1111) polycrystals with T_c ～ 27 K and SmFeAsO_0.8F_0.2 (Sm-1111) polycrystals with T_c ～ 53 K gave differential conductance curves exhibiting two peaks at low bias and two additional structures (peaks or shoulders) at higher bias voltages, an experimental situation quite similar to that observed by the same technique in pure and doped MgB₂. The single-band Blonder–Tinkham–Klapwijk model is totally unable to properly fit the conductance curves, while the two-gap one accounts remarkably well for the shape of the whole experimental dI/dV vs. V curves. These results give direct evidence of two nodeless gaps in the superconducting state of ReFeAsO_1?xF_x (Re = La, Sm): a small gap, Δ₁, smaller than the BCS value (2Δ₁/k_BT_c ～ 2.2–3.2) and a much larger gap Δ₂ which gives a ratio 2Δ₂/k_BT_c ～ 6.5–9.0. In Sm-1111 both gaps close at the same temperature, very similar to the bulk T_c, and follow a BCS-like behaviour, while in La-1111 the situation is more complex, the temperature dependence of the gaps showing remarkable deviations from the BCS behaviour at T close to T_c.The normal-state conductance reproducibly shows an unusual, but different, shape in La-1111 and Sm-1111 with a depression or a hump at zero bias, respectively. These structures survive in the normal state up to T¹ ～ 140 K, close to the temperatures at which structural and magnetic transitions occur in the parent, undoped compound.     

BCS-like behaviour in the superconducting state of itinerant antiferromagnetic CrRe alloys

Measurements of the heat capacity and the magnetic susceptibility have revealed BCS-like behaviour in the superconducting state of itinerant antiferromagnetic Cr_1?xRe_x alloys for x = 0.30) and 0.26. The thermodynamic quantities, such as electronic heat capacity and thermodynamic critical field have been reproduced with the BCS theory with the energy gap Δ = (1.76 ± 0.05)k_BT_s, where T_S is the superconducting transition temperature for the corresponding system: T_S = 3.61 K (2.35 K) for x = 0.30 (0.26).     

The suppression of structural phase transformation in LaVO3 and La1−xSrxVO3 thin films fabricated by pulsed laser deposition

Highly oriented (100) thin films of LaVO₃ and La_1−xSr_xVO₃ have been fabricated by pulsed laser deposition in a reducing atmosphere. The films show a transition from insulating to metallic behaviour in the composition region of x, 0.175<x<0.200. In the single crystals of the antiferromagnetic insulating phase, a first-order structural phase transition is observed few degrees below the magnetic transition, which manifests itself as a kink in the temperature dependence of resistivity. In the highly oriented thin films of LaVO₃ and La_1−xSr_xVO₃ fabricated on lattice matched substrates in this study, the structural phase transformation in the insulating phase has been suppressed. The electrical conduction is found to take place via hopping through localized states at low temperatures. The metallic compositions show a non-linear (T^1.5) behaviour in the temperature dependence of resistivity. V (2p) core level spectra of these films show a gradual change in the relative intensities of V³⁺ and V⁴⁺ ions as the value of x increases.     

Enhanced magnetocaloric effect in Eu-doped La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 compounds

Orthorhombic La_0.7-xEu_xCa_0.3MnO₃ samples (x = 0.04–0.12) with apparent density of ρ = 3.9–4.1 g/cm³ prepared by solid-state reactions have been studied. The analysis of temperature-dependent magnetization for an applied field H = 500 Oe indicated a decrease of the Curie temperature (T_C) from about 225 K for x = 0.04 through 189 K for x = 0.08–146 K for x = 0.12. The magnetocaloric (MC) study upon analyzing M(H, T) data has revealed that the magnetic entropy change around T_C reaches the maximum (|ΔS_max|), which is dependent on both x and H. For an applied field interval of ΔH = 60 kOe, |ΔS_max| values are about 5.88, 4.93, and 4.71 J/kg⋅K for x = 0.04, 0.08, and 0.12, respectively. Though |ΔS_max| decreases with increasing x, relative cooling power (RCP) increases remarkably from 383 J/kg for x = 0.04 to about 428 J/kg for x = 0.08 and 0.12. This is related to the widening of the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition region when x increases. Particularly, if combining two compounds with x = 0.04 and 0.08 (or 0.12) as refrigerant blocks for MC applications, a cooling device can work in a large temperature range of 145–270 K, corresponding to RCP ≈ 640 J/kg for H = 60 kOe. M(H) analyses around T_C have proved x = 0.04 exhibiting the mixture of first- and second-order phase transitions while x = 0.08 and 0.12 exhibit a second-order nature. The obtained results show potential applications of Eu-doped La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ materials for magnetic refrigeration below room temperature.     

Spin glass properties of vanadium diluted in Ti2O3

The initial magnetic susceptibility χ_r, the thermoremanent and isothermal remanent magnetizations have been measured below 10 K on single crystals of (Ti_1?xV_x)₂O₃ for x = 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07. The data clearly show a spin glass behaviour, with peaks in the curve χ_r(T). These results are related to the anomaly in the low temperature specific heat of these compounds, reported elsewhere. It is shown that this anomaly is mainly due to spin glass properties and only partly to electronic properties. This leads to a reinterpretation of the mechanism by which V in Ti₂O₃ induces the metallic phase and at the same time carries a magnetic moment.     

The influence of the sintering temperature on the structural and the magnetic properties of doped manganites: La0.95Ag0.05MnO3 and La0.75Ag0.25MnO3

La_1−xAg_xMnO₃ samples were synthesized by standard sol-gel method with Ag concentrations of x=0.05 and 0.25. The samples from each concentration were pressed and sintered at 1000, 1200 and 1400 °C for 24 h in air for a systematic study. They were examined structurally by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and magnetically by Magnetic Properties Measurements System (MPMS). AFM and SEM analyses show that surface morphology changes with Ag concentration and sintering temperature (T_S). It was observed that high temperature sintering leads Ag to leave material as determined from EDS analyses. XRD spectra exhibited that the crystal structure changes with Ag concentration while showing pronounced change with the sintering temperature. From the magnetic measurements, the Curie temperatures (T_C) and the isothermal magnetic entropy changes (−ΔSM) were calculated. It was observed that T_C increases with Ag concentration and decreases with T_S. The maximum −ΔSM was calculated to be 7.2 J/kg K under the field change of 5 T for the sample sintered at 1000 °C with x=0.25.