Superconductivity and magnetic properties of Nb—Al phases: Nb2Al and NbAl3

Magnetic properties of tetragonal phases in Nb—Al system have been investigated down to 0.42°K. It has been found that the-phase (Nb₂Al) and the intermetallic compound NbAl₃ are superconductors with superconducting transition temperature 0.74°K and 0.64°K, respectively. Magnetic susceptibility of the investigated phases does not depend on temperature within the range 4.2°K–300°K, and is equal =(1.0±0.1) × 10^–6 emu)/g for Nb₂Al, and =(0.9±0.03) × 10^–6 emu/g for NbAl₃.On leave of absence from Institute for Solid State Physics of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria     

Long-Time tails in a random diffusion model

Letw = {w(x)xZ^d} be a positive random field with i.i.d. distribution. Given its realization, letX _t be the position at timet of a particle starting at the origin and performing a simple random walk with jump rate w^–1(X_t). The processX={X _t:t0} combined withw on a common probability space is an example of random walk in random environment. We consider the quantities _t =(d/dt) E (X _t ² –M ^–1 t and _t(w) = (d/dt)E_w(X _t ² – M^– 1t). Here E_w. is expectation overX at fixedw and E = E_w (dw) is the expectation over bothX andw. We prove the following long-time tail results: (1) lim_t t^d/2_t= V²M^d/2–3(d/2)^d/2 and (2) lim_t t^d/4 _st(w)= Z_s weakly in path space, with {Z_s:s>0} the Gaussian process with EZ_s=0 and EZ_rZ_s= V²M^d/2–4(d)^d/2 (r + s)^–d/2. HereM and V² are the mean and variance of w(0) under . The main surprise is that fixingw changes the power of the long-time tail fromd/2 tod/4. Since , with ₀ the stationary measure for the environment process, our result (1) exhibits a long-time tail in an equilibrium autocorrelation function.     

Percolation and electrical resistivity in the YBa2Cu3O7−Ag composite system

We have measured the resistivity of the YBa₂Cu₃O₇–Ag composite system with Ag volume fraction,p _Ag ranging from 0–100%. The percolation behavior and the normal-state resistivity are studied. We find a three-dimensional threshold for the Ag matrix occurring atp _Ag 20% and a threshold for the superconducting matrix occurring at 1–p _Ag30%. The electrical resistivity is interpreted in terms of a resistivity model for granular YBa₂Cu₃O₇ proposed by Halbritter et al. [Z. Phys. B —Condensed Matter71, 411 (1988)]. Based on this model, we show that the resistivities between the YBa₂Cu₃O₇ grains and flaws in the grains are greatly diminished in the samples, indicating significantly improved grain growth behavior of the YBa₂Cu₃O₇ phase resulting from the addition of Ag. With the diminishing of the grain boundary resistivities, an intrinsic value for the temperature coefficient of resistivity, (1/gr)(d/dT), can be inferred, which is 3.3×10^–3/K at 300 K. This value is very close to that observed in the Cu–O₂ planes in single crystals and epitaxial films of YBa₂Cu₃O₇.     

Photoluminescence of AlxGa1−xAs/GaAs quantum well heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Low-temperature photoluminescence measurements on nominally undoped Al_xGa_1–xAs/GaAs quantum well heterostructures (QWHs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) exemplified the exclusivelyintrinsic free-exciton nature of the luminescence under moderate excitation conditions. Neither any spectroscopic evidence for alloy clustering in the Al_xGa_1–xAs barriers nor any extrinsic luminescence due to recombination with residual acceptors has been detected in single and double QWHs when grown at 670 °C under optimized MBE growth conditions. Carrier confinement in Al_xGa_1–xAs/GaAs QWHs starts at a well width ofL _z30 nm when x0.25. The minor average well thickness fluctuation ofL _z=4×10^–2nm as determined from the excitonic halfwidth allowed the realization of well widths as low asL _z=1 nm and thus a shift of the free-exciton line as high as 2.01 eV which is close to the conduction band edge of the employed Al_0.43Ga_0.57As confinement layer. The measurements further revealed a strongly enhanced luminescence efficiency of the quantum wells as compared to bulk material which is caused by the modified exciton transition probabilities due to carrier localization.     

Resonant shielding of an inhomogeneous gyrotropic plasma slab

Conclusions The problem of the incidence of a plane TM electromagnetic wave on an isotropic, symmetric, resonance plasma slab (n=2, 4, 6, ...), discussed in [1], was solved by an iteration method in a recent paper [6]. The physical results found there are the same as those of [1]. Zhivulin and Makarov [6] then applied the iteration method to the analogous problem of a gyrotropic resonance plasma slab [7]. The analysis in these papers furnishes a clearer mathematical justification of the results of [1] and the present paper and thus of the method used there. The present method, which satisfies only a physical condition of rigor, is preferable to the mathematically more rigorous methods (in particular, the iteration method) because of its simplicity, its graphic nature, and its clear physical meaning. It also answers many questions which cannot be answered in the more rigorous approach because of the serious difficulties which arise (and which have not yet been overcome).N. G. Denisov has called our attention to the fact that complete shielding was actually found previously by Rytov and Yudkevich [8], who treated the problem of the incidence of a plane TE electromagnetic wave on a slab with a dielectric constant (x)=₁ – A₁/(a – x)² for x<0. (x)=₂ – A₂/(b + x)² for x>0, and ₁ – A₁/(a² = ₂ – A₂/b² in the plane x=0. In the limita0, b0, they found results corresponding to a slab with a dielectric constant having a first-order pole; it is in this case that complete shielding is achieved. This method for obtaining the corresponding results is analogous to the method used in [1] and the present paper. We also note that the distribution of the effective dielectric constant (6) in the immediate vicinity of the pole—where the contribution of the last term. (1–u)x², can be neglected—is the same as the distribution adopted in [8] if we seta-b-0, ₁ = ₂, A₁=A₂=u.Scientific-Research Institute of Radiophysics. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 19, No. 8, pp. 1130–1141, August, 1976.     

Baryonic decay and 1p-shell hypernuclear spectroscopy

The detailed discussion of baryonic decay channels is presented. Levels built on sp^–1, PP^–1 and ss^–1 configurations are considered. The results presented are obtained in the calculations based on the Translationally Invariant Shell Model which automatically includes some intruder states through the kinematic correlations. The role of the intruder states in the proton decay is discussed. The evolution of the baryonic decay width with increasing nucleon number A in the 1p-shell hypernuclei is traced. Hypernuclear decays into the bound excited states either of secondary hypernuclei or nuclei are revealed. Information which could be extracted from the de-excitation of the baryonic decay products whenever they were measured is discussed. From the suggested new set of theN interaction parameters for the sp^–1 configuration some new information on the proton decay of the ¹² C hypernucleus pp^–1 low-lying levels is given.We would like to express our sincere thanks to R. Chrien, D. Davis, H. Ejiri, K. Itonaga, J. Milener, T. Motoba, O. Richter, M. Sotona and Yu. Smirnov for many illuminating discussions. One author (L.M.) is indebted to Prof. T. Motoba for warm hospitality in Kyoto and Osaka, where a part of this report was prepared.     

Thermally Stimulated Electron–Hole and Ionic Processes in Zinc Oxide Crystals

The principal results of the investigation of thermally stimulated electron–hole and ionic processes in hydrothermal and gas-phase ZnO single crystals preexcited at low temperatures, based on simultaneous study of photo-EPR and thermoluminescence (TL), are presented. The nature of the traps determining the TL peaks at 17, 24, 40, 53, 90–110, 140–150, and 160–200 K is discussed. In particular, it has been established that the lithium paramagnetic centers (Li_Zn ⁺–O^I) play the role of hole traps in ZnO giving green and red TL in the temperature range 160–200 K and, in the case of association with small-sized donors, also TL in the temperature range 90–110 K. The other traps are electronic in character, and in the presence of acceptor lithium in the crystals, they form yellow-orange TL. Optical quenching of TL has been evaluated, and it has been found that there is a difference E 0.75 eV between the thermal and optical energies of ionization of lithium acceptors. Irreversible ionic processes associated with the healing of cationic vacancies at T 360–420 K have been revealed.     

Solubility of Na2Co3 in NaCl:CaCl2 crystals

Measurements of electrical conductivity of NaCl 10^–5 molar fr. CaCl2 (1–80)×10^–5 molar fr. Na₂CO₃ crystals have been used to determine the temperature dependence of the solubility of CO₃-ions over the temperature range from 75 to 530 °C. The total solubility of CO₃-ions and that of [CO ₃ ^2– -vacancy] complexes may be expressed by simple relationships andc _ka=3·19× 10^–2 exp (–0·25 eV/kT), resp. The heat of solution of complexes is equal to 0·25 eV and that of free CO ₃ ^2– ions is higher than 1·2 eV. Under conditions of the thermal equilibrium between the solid solution and precipitate, the ratio of Na₂CO₃ and CaCO₃ components in the precipitate has been calculated at various temperatures and CO₃ concentrations.     

Distortional phase transitions accompanying spin reorientation in the intermetallide Tb0.5Nd0.5Fe2

The thermal expansion and spin reorientation in the intermetallide Tb_0.5Nd_0.5Fe₂ at temperatures ranging from 4.2 to 300°K were studied by the method of low-temperature x-ray diffractometry. It was established that with spin reorientation in Tb_0.5Nd_0.5Fe₂ the orientation of the magnetic moment vector changes from <111> to <110> with the formation of corner magnetic phases.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 7, pp. 85–88, July, 1987.     

Low temperature acoustic properties in YBa2Cu3O7−δ

Temperature dependencies of acoustic lossesQ ^–1 and of relative sound velocity change v/v in YBa₂Cu₃O_7– up to 60 K are calculated by the tunneling model theory. The tunneling systems are related to the off-centered positions of the apical oxygen atoms O(A) and are described through the pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect. Tunneling systems' parameters are distributed in narrow range of values and are in correspondence with the experimentally observed infrared phonon spectra and thermal ellipsoids of O(A). Respective relaxation times are calculated by the adapted reaction rate method. The calculatedQ ^–1(T) and v(T)/v dependencies are in good agreement with the experimental data, which is an additional support to the conclusion about the existence of tunneling systems in YBa₂Cu₃O_7– due to the pseudo Jahn-Teller effect.     

Wetting transition on grain boundaries in Al contacting with a Sn-rich melt

The contact angle at the intersection of a grain boundary in Al bicrystals with the solid Al/liquid Al–Sn interphase boundary has been measured for two symmetric tilt <011> {001} grain boundaries with tilt angles of 32° and 38.5°. The temperature dependencies (T) present the evidence of the grain boundary wetting phase transition at T_w. The observed hysteresis is consistent with the assumption that the wetting transition is of first order. The determined discontinuity in the temperature derivative of the grain boundary energy is–5.6 J/m²K (T w1=617°C) for the boundary with a low energy (=38.5°) and –17 J/m²K (T w2=604°C) for the grain boundary with a high energy (=32°).     

Beta-decay asymmetries in polarized12B and12N and theG-parity non-conservation

The decay asymmetries (A) in polarized¹²B and¹²N have been measured as a function of -ray energies (E). The coefficients _± inA = ±P(p/E) (1+_± E) have been determined to be _–(¹²B) =+(0.31±0.06)%/MeV and ₊(¹²N) = –(0.21±0.07)%/MeV. The experimental value, _––₊=(0.52±0.09)%/MeV, is larger than the prediction according to conservation of vector current which includes no second-class current, _––_{+ CVC}0.27%/MeV, and indicates the existence of the second-class induced-tensor current.This work has been done in collaboration with I. Tanihata and J. Göring.     

Spin dynamics in the spin glass phase of Y(Mn1−xAlx)2

Zero field SR has been used to probe spin dynamics in the concentrated spin glass Y(Mn_0.9Al_0.1)₂. The spectra follow a stretched exponential form, G_z(t)=exp(–(t)), with reaching 1/3 as the freezing temperature, T_g=60K, is approached. The evolution of G_z(t) with temperature is suggestive of the behaviour of the spin correlation function found by Ogielski in Monte Carlo simulations of the dynamics of the Ising spin glass model. The SR results are correlated with results previously obtained by inelastic neutron scattering.     

Extra-drude contribution to the far infrared conductivity oxygen deficient YBCO films

We measured reflectance spectra R(v) of oxygen deficient Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7–x (YBCO) films of different thickness, with critical temperatures between 85 and 87 K. Measurements were made at room temperature between 15 and 25000 cm^–1. The measured R(v) have a maximum below 100 cm^–1 and then decrease for v 0. This low frequency behaviour of R(v) can be accounted for by considering a relevant extra-Drude contribution to the far infrared optical conductivity of YBCO.     

Contribution of quantum corrections and superconducting fluctuations to the magnetic field and temperature dependence of the conductivity in amorphous CuTi and CuZr alloys

We report conductivity measurements on Cu _x Ti_100–x and Cu _x Zr_100–x glasses as a function of magnetic field (0B6T) and temperature (1.5–5. At low temperatures the measured conductivity(T,B)= ₀+(T)+(B,T) is compared quantitatively with the predictions of diagrammatic perturbation theories including quantum interference effects, spin-orbit scattering and electron-electron interaction. We obtain a set of characteristic fields for inelastic and spin orbit scattering from both the magnetic field and the temperature dependence of the measured (T, B). Below about 4K the Coulomb interaction determines (T) in consistence with the Hall effect, whereas quantum interference processes and spin-orbit scattering dominate the magnetic field dependence. In case of Cu _x Zr_100–x , (B, T) can be explained by taking into account superconducting fluctuations (Maki-Thompson and Aslamasov-Larkin parts) in addition. Superconducting fluctuations dominate the temperature dependence as well. For high magnetic fields and lower temperatures (B/T>1T/K) we find discrepancies between experiment and calculations from perturbation theory.     

Quadrupole moment of41Sc by use of new nuclear quadrupole resonance detection

Quadrupole effects in -NMR spectra of⁴¹Sc(I =7/2^–,T _1/2=0.596 s) implanted in a TiO₂ single crystal were detected by use of a modified -NMR technique. Using the field gradient in the crystal determined by the pulsed-Fourier-transformed NMR of⁴⁵Sc in TiO₂, the quadrupole moment of⁴¹Sc has been determined as |Q(⁴¹Sc; 7/2^–)|=166±8 mb.     

Magnetic properties of the mixed spinel NiAlxCrxFe2-2xO4

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of the Al and Cr cosubstituted disordered spinel series NiAl_xCr_xFe_2-2xO₄ are investigated by means of Xray diffraction, magnetization, a.c. susceptibility and Mössbauer effect measurements. The lattice constants are determined and the applicability of Vegard's law has been tested. The variation of the saturation magnetic moment per formula unit measured at 77 K and 300 K with Al–Cr content is satisfactorily explained on the basis of Neel's collinear spin ordering model for =0.1–0.5. The Mössbauer spectra at 300 K have been fitted with two sextets in the ferrimagnetic state corresponding to Fe³⁺ at tetrahedral (A) and octahedral (B) sites for 0.5. Mössbauer results confirm a collinear ferrimagnetic structure for =0.1–0.5. The Curie temperature obtained from a.c. susceptibility decreases nearly linear with increase of Al–Cr concentration from =0.1 to 0.5.     

Cantor spectrum and singular continuity for a hierarchical Hamiltonian

We study the spectrum of the HamiltonianH onl ₂() given by (H)(n)=(n+1)+(n–1)+V(n)(n) with the hierarchical (ultrametric) potentialV(2 ^m (2l+1))=(1–R ^m )/(1–R), corresponding to 1-, 2-, and 3-dimensional Coulomb potentials for 0<R<1,R=1 andR>1, respectively, in a suitably chosen valuation metric. We prove that the spectrum is a Cantor set and gaps open at the eigenvaluese _n (1)<e _n (2)<...<e _n (2 ⁿ –1) of the Dirichlet problemH=E, (0)=(2 ⁿ )=0,n1. In the gap opening ate _n (k) the integrated density of states takes on the valuek/2 ⁿ . The spectrum is purely singular continuous forR1 when the potential is unbounded, and the Lyapunov exponent vanishes in the spectrum. The spectrum is purely continuous forR<1 in (H)[–2, 2] and =0 here, but one cannot exclude the presence of eigenvalues near the border of the spectrum. We also propose an explicit formula for the Green's function.Work supported by the Fonds National Suisse de la Recherche Scientifique, Grant No. 2.042-0.86 (H.K. and R.L.) and 2.483-0.87 (A.S.)On leave from the Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Largo E. Fermi 2, I-50125 Firenze, Italy     

Rates of change in high temperature electrical resistivity and oxygen diffusion coefficient in Ba2YCu3Ox

The change in electrical resistance with time for bulk, thick-film, and thin-film Ba₂YCu₃O_x at atmospheric pressure is described as a function of the oxygen partial pressure (100 to 0.001%) and temperature (320°–750°C). The potential usefulness of these materials as oxygen sensors is demonstrated. The rate of equilibration is faster during oxygen uptake than during its loss. Time constants to reach equilibration (1/e remaining), qualitatively scale with sample dimensions. For a 1m film at 600° C, <1 s for the range of P_O2 (O2 being a shorthand for O₂) from 100% to 0.001%. The rate increases markedly with increasing P_O2. The actual resistance decreases with P_O2 at a rate of log/log P_O2 = 0.4 at 700° C showing adequate sensitivity for sensor purposes. Times for the transient resistance change in the sample where used to estimate the oxygen diffusion coefficient in the ceramic. The diffusivities obtained are 4·10^–11–1·10^–12 cm²/s in the 435°–320° C range, with an activation energy of 27 kcal/mole.     

Change in the structural state of the β-phase of TiNi with active precipitation of Ti11Ni14

X-ray diffraction is used to study the phase composition of alloys containing 50.0–53.0 at. % and 60.0 at. % Ni after quenching from the region of homogeneity of the -phase (T_que=1073 K). The change in phase composition after annealing at 773 K over 100 h is also studied. The change in phase composition and the structural state of the -phase in the alloy Ti+51.0 at. % Ni is investigated in relation to temperature and annealing time at 773 K. It is established that the aging of this alloy under conditions of active precipitation of Ti₁₁Ni₁₄, consists of three stages, each of which is characterized by its own phase composition and -phase structural state. The possible effect of these changes in the -phase on martensite transformation characteristics is indicated.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 5, pp. 5–9, May, 1989.