NMR study of hyperfine interactions in R1−xLuxFe2 (R = Gd, Tb)

Spin-echo NMR measurements on ¹⁵⁵Gd, ¹⁵⁹Tb and ¹⁷⁵Lu have been done for the cubic Laves phase compounds Gd_1−xLu_xFe₂ and Tb_1−xLu_xFe_x. The observed hyperfine fields of Gd and Lu in those compounds increase with increasing Lu concentration. The concentration dependence of the Lu hyperfine field is qualitatively discussed.     

Magnetism and hyperfine interactions of Fe, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er and Yb in RM4Al8 compounds (R = rare earth or Y, M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu)

Mössbauer and magnetic susceptibility studies of sixty tetragonal RM₄Al₈ compounds (R = 4f, M = 3d element), show a wide variety of magnetic phenomena in the behaviour of 3d transition elements. The rare earths order antiferromagnetically at temperatures below 10–30 K in all compounds. The 3d elements, however, all behave differently. Fe in RFe₄Al₈ has a localized moment (effective moment of 4.4 _μB) and orders independently of the rare earth sublattice. Mn in RMn₄Al₈ has also a localized moment (1 _μB) but orders only when the rare earths order. Cr in RCr₄Al₈ has no moment of its own, but it has an induced moment (.1 _μB) by its magnetic rare earth neighbours. Cu in RCu₄Al₈ is nonmagnetic. The Mössbauer studies of ¹⁵¹Eu, ¹⁵⁵Gd, ¹⁶¹Dy, ¹⁶⁶Er, ¹⁷⁰Yb and a ⁵⁷Fe probe yield all hyperfine interaction parameters including the orientation of the hyperfine field relative to the crystallographic c-axis. In addition, the studies yield the Ce, Eu and Yb valencies in the various compounds. Eu in EuFe₄Al₈ and in EuMn₄Al₈ and Yb in YbCr₄Al₈ are in a mixed valent state.     

Short-range order and F ion diffusion inside the Pb1 − xAlxF2 + x solid solution Part II: Al NMR investigation and proposal of clustering process

A ²⁷Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) investigation at room temperature of the Pb_{1 − x}Al_xF_{2 + x} (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.12) solid solution and of the ordered Pb₉Al₂F₂₄ phase is carried out. Two different types of aluminium ions are identified and their ratio is determined as a function of x. A clustering process based on the formation of column clusters, more and more extended when x increases, is proposed on the basis of results issued from the ¹⁹F (Part I) and ²⁷Al NMR investigations.     

Nax/2Bi1−x/2MoxV1−xO4 and Bi1−x/3MoxV1−xO4 New Scheelite-related phases

New Scheelite-related solid solutions of the compositions Na_x/2Bi_1−x/2Mo_xV_1−xO₄ (0≤x≤1) and Bi_1−x/3 Mo_xV_1−xO₄(0≤x≤0.2) have been synthesised by the substitution of Na and Mo at the A and B sites respectively of the ABO₄ type ferroelastic BiVO₄. The phases were characterised using chemical analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, EDAX, and Raman spectroscopy. While almost a continuous solid solution is obtained for the series Na_x/2Bi_1−x/2Mo_xV_1−xO₄, the absence of Na at the A-site results only in a narrow stability region for the other series, Bi_1−x/3 Mo_xV_1−xO₄ where 0≤x≤0.2. Raman spectra of selected samples at room temperature also suggest that vanadium and molybdenum atoms are disordered at the tetrahedral sites.     

NMR study of Laves phase (Mg1−xRx)Co2 compounds

Nuclear magnetic resonances of ⁵⁹Co nuclei in (Mg_1−xR_x)Co₂ (R = Y, Gd) compounds at 4.2 K have been observed for 0x1. By replacing Mg with R, the ⁵⁹Co hyperfine field decreases or is nearly constant in the C14 range and increases in the C15 range. These results are explained by the difference of the contribution from R atoms.     

The anomalous behaviour of Gd atoms (Fe1−xMnx)2 compounds

The educed Gd atoms in the X-structure (Th₆Mn₂₃-type) of Gd(Fe_1−xMn_x)₂ were magnetically investigated by comparing with Gd₆(Fe_1−yMn_y)₂₃ whose structure is Th₆Mn₂₃-type. The magnetic properties of Gd(Fe_1−xMn_x)₂ (0.4≤x≤0.7) were observed to be quite similar to those of Gd₆(Fe_1−yMn_y)₂₃ (0.4≤y≤0.7).     

Fabrication, microstructure and critical current density of screen-printed Ag-(Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox superconducting tapes

The influence of the sintering conditions on the microstructure and critical current density J_c has been studied on screen-printed Ag-(Bi, Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_x tapes with a ceramics mono-layer core. Three kinds of fabrication processes, which consist of a combination of cold working (rolling and/or pressing) and sintering, are applied. Four times repetition of pressing and sintering after the pre-sintering produces the highest c-axis alignment and achieves J_c= 1.5 × 10⁴ A/cm² (77 K, 0 T). The J_c versus θ data with an angle θ between B and the c-axis elucidate the relation between the anisotropy ratio γ=J_c(Bc)/J_c(B|c and the half-height angular width Δθ of a peak for Bc. This is related to both grain alignment and the J_c value. An increase in J_c, which comes from an improvement for grain alignment, enhances γ and narrows Δθ. The J_c versus θ data are fitted to the expression J_c(B, θ)=J _c(B, 90°)/[(γ−1)|cos θ|ⁿ+1] by regarding both γ and n as adjustable parameters. Fabrication of screen-printed tapes with multilayers (1≤N≤5) is presented, where the critical current increases from 8.0 A to 30.2 A at 77 K and 0 T as N increases.     

Hyperfine fields at Y nuclei in Y(Fe1−xTx)3 (T = Al, Co)

The spin echo spectra of ⁸⁹Y hyperfine fields in Y(Fe_1−xT_x)₃ with low concentration x consist of two main lines and of satellite lines caused by the replacement of the Fe atoms by the T atoms. Values of the magnetic moments of the T atoms are estimated by observing the satellite lines.     

Magnetic and mechanical properties of amorphous Fe-Y alloys

The magnetic and mechanical properties of amorphous Fe_100−xY_x alloys (20 ≤ x ≤ 60) fabricated by rapid quenching have been measured. The dependence of the density, Young's modulus and magnetic moment per Fe atom on x shows a break point between x = 30 and 40, accompanied by a drastic change in the X-ray diffraction pattern. The spontaneous volume magnetostriction as well as the forced volume magnetostriction are a maximum at x = 20 and decrease rapidly with increasing x. The variation of the magnetic and mechanical properties with x is explained by a change of the local atomic arrangement in the amorphous state, reflecting the structure of corresponding crystalline compounds.     

Investigation of the HFS in the 4d 5p zP3,4 states of Mo and Mo by levelcrossing spectroscopy

The hyperfine structures of the z⁷P₃ and z⁷P₄ states of ⁹⁵Mo and ⁹⁷Mo have been investigated by levelcrossing spectroscopy. A fit of the experimental signal curves yields the magnetic and electric hfs coupling constants: ⁹⁵Mo z⁷P₃ |A| = 86.19(10) MHz, |B|=5.2(30) MHz, A/B0⁹⁵Mo z⁷P₄ |A|=64.05(30) MHz, |B|=4.3(30) MHz, A/B<0; ⁹⁷Mo z⁷P₃|A|= 88.0(1) MHz, |B|=60.0(20) MHz, A/B<0; ⁹⁷Mo z⁷P₄ |A|=65.4(3) MHz, |B|=50.0(50) MHz, A/B0. For the ratio of the electric quadrupole moments we fine ⁹⁷Q/⁹⁵ Q= -11.5(70).     

Magnetic moments and Fe hyperfine field interactions in Y(Fe1−xRux)2 ternaries

Measurements of magnetization and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra have been made for Y(Fe_1−xRu_x)₂. The C15 type cubic structure is stabilized for xx 0.7. The C15 compounds is ferromagnetic with T_c200 K and its saturation moment decreases monotonically with increasing x, while the ⁵⁷Fe hyperfine field decreases only slightly with x. From these results, it is deduced that the Ru atoms have an induced moment of ≈1μ_B in the range x 0.2. In the C14 type phase, no magnetic ordering develops even at 4.2 K.     

Magnetic behavior of Pr1 − xMxCo5 compounds (M = Ti, Zr and Hf)

Magnetic characteristics of Ti-, Zr- and Hf-substituted PrCo₅ alloys have been studied over the temperature range from 77 to 300 K and for applied fields up to 20 kOe. It is established that Ti, Zr and Hf substitute for Pr. Single-phase materials are formed for all values of x up to 0.2 in the system Pr_1−xZr_xCo₅ but for x only up to 0.1 for Pr_1−xTi_x Co₅ and Pr_1−xHfxCo₅ alloys. Larger amounts of Zr can be substituted if the material is made hyperstoichiometric in Co, e.g., Pr_0.7Zr_0.3Co_5.5. All the alloys show a decrease in magnetic moment and an increase in Curie temperature as x increases. Anisotropy fields decrease as x increases at 295 K. Anomalous behavior is observed at 77 K, suggested that these ternary alloys may have a cone structure at this temperature.     

Short-range order and F ion diffusion inside the Pb1 − xAlxF2 + x solid solution Part I: F-NMR investigation

A ¹⁹F-NMR investigation of the Pb_{1 − x}Al_xF_{2 + x} (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.12) solid solution and of the ordered Pb₉Al₂F₂₄ phase is undertaken as a function of temperature. Several F⁻ ion groups become progressively mobile at the NMR time scale at increasing temperature, the first, (F_i)_pb and (F_n)_pb, are located in the surroundings of Pb²⁺ cations, the second ones, (F_rd)_AI and (F_ra)_Al, in that of Al³⁺ cations. Four types of fluoride ions are distinguished in the ¹⁹F-NMR spectra of rigid lattice at low temperature (T = 175 K) and the distribution of fluoride ions among the four sites is determined by deconvolution of the spectra registered. The sites occupied by the (F_n)_pb anions are identified with the normal anionic sites of the fluorite network, the others with different interstitial sites.     

Disruption of antiferromagnetic order in Zn-doped La2CuO4

The magnetic phase diagram of La₂(Cu_1−xZn_x)O₄ has been determined from zero-field muon-spin-rotation (ZF-μSR) data taken at LAMPF for 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10. Antiferromagnetic onset temperatures follow T_N(x) from susceptibility measurements on the same samples. However, the order becomes long range, as evidenced by a well-defined internal magnetic field, only at temperatures well below T_N. Extrapolation of our results yields T_N → 0 K at x = 0.11 for a single (Cu_1−xZn_x)O₂ plane, and comparison with YBa₂(Cu_1−xZn_x)₃O₆ implies identical disruption of magnetism by Zn doping in the single- and double-plane systems.     

Lithium insertion to ReO3-type metastable phase in the Nb2O5–WO3 system

Lithium insertion to distorted ReO₃-type metastable solid solution Nb_xW_1−xO_3−x/2 (0≤x<0.25) has been studied by chemical and electrochemical methods. In the course of lithium insertion into tetragonal compounds, transition to a cubic phase was found to occur in the region where values of y (in Li_yNb_xW_1−xO_3−x/2) fall between 0.2 and 0.3, and the phase transition was found to depend on the conditions of the reaction. Changes in OCV and lattice parameters in tetragonal region (y<0.2) were discussed from the viewpoint of the ordering of lithium ions. Also, the component diffusion coefficient of lithium in tetragonal compounds Li_0.1Nb_xW_1−xO_3−x/2 (0≤x≤0.23) was found to increase with niobium content when x≤0.10, and to saturate at 4×10⁻⁹ cm²/s.     

Phonon Raman scattering in Nd1+xBa2−xCu3O7−δ and Pr1+xBa2−xCu3O7−δ single crystals

The polarized Raman spectra of Nd_1+xBa_2−xCu₃O_7−δ (−0.023≤x≤0.107) and Pr_1+xBa_2−xCu₃O_7−δ (0.01≤x≤0.15) single crystals have been investigated. It was found that the Cu(2) A_g mode softens by 6 cm⁻¹ in Nd 1:2:3 and 4 cm⁻¹ in Pr 1:2:3 as x increases. These frequency shifts cannot be explained by the change in the relevant bond lengths due to Nd(Pr)-substitution for Ba. The variations with x of the two low frequency modes may be affected by change of their hybridization and/or change of their force constants. The linewidths of Ba mode in Pr 1:2:3 are broader than those in Y 1:2:3. This result suggests that the Pr substitution on Ba sites occurred even in a very small value of x. In x(yy) geometry the relative intensity of the Ba and O(4) modes in Nd 1:2:3 is greater than those in Pr 1:2:3. The difference between Nd 1:2:3 and Pr 1:2:3 in the relative intensity of the Ba and O(4) modes may be produced by the chains.     

Temperature-dependent magnetic moment in the MnAs-CrAs system

Magnetic susceptibilities have been measured for the mixed compounds Mn_1−xCr_xAs (0≤x≤1) and the compound MnP in the temperature region up to 1400 K. The _X¹_g vs. T curves of Mn_1−xCr_xAs follow the Curie-Weiss law only in the temperature region where the crystal structure is of the B8₁ type. Some important problems are pointed out from the data.     

Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of Fe-Nd alloy thin films

A study of the magnetic properties of Fe_{100 − x}Nd_x (18 x 50) films made by rf sputtering has been carried out. The perpendicularly magentized films were fabricated for compositions in the range from x = 35 to 50 at substrate temperatures between 210 to 290°C. The intrinsic perpendicular magnetic anisotropy constant K_u is maximum at about x = 40 where K_u is about 1 × 10⁷ erg/cm³ at room temperature. The temperature dependence of K_u implies that the origin of the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy may be related to some sort of atomic ordering of crystalline clusters in an amorphous matrix.     

Magnetic behavior of 3d dopants in superconducting REBa2Cu3−xFexO7+δ (RE=Dy, Er)

Mössbauer studies on ⁵⁷Fe-doped superconducting REBa₂Cu₃O_7+δ (RE=Er, Dy) were made as a function of temperature for x=0.15 and 0.30. The magnetic behavior of the 3d dopants, which mainly occupy Cu(1) sites, undergoes antiferromagnetic ordering which is coexistent with superconductivity at low temperature. The dimensionality of the magnetic interaction changes from 2D to 3D when the rare earth changes from Er to Dy. the line-widths of the Mössbauer subspectra are characteristic of magnetic fluctuation behavior in the vicinity of a phase transition. Combining these results with those of Fe-doped Y-123 (pseudo 1D) and Gd (3D), the magnitude of the rare earth moments appears to be strongly correlated with the dimensionality of the magnetic interaction of Fe dopants in these compounds. However, the Mössbauer spectrum for ¹⁵⁵Gd in GdBa₂Cu_2.85Fe_0.15O_7+δ (T_{N(Fe) 14 K}) shows no magnetic order at 4.9 K.     

Influence of magnetization on lattice constants of 3d transition metal alloys

A simple relation is found in 3d transitional metal alloys between the lattice constant and the magnetization, which can be described with an equation: a(x) = a₀^A· (1 − x) + a₀^B. x + C μ(x). It is proposed that studies of lattice constants at high temperatures may serve as an experimental method to detect the existence of localized moments above T_c. The anomalous thermal expansion of the Invar alloy is explained as a result of the collapse of localized moments above T_c.