Superconductivity in LiTi2O4 Prepared by Hybrid Microwave Method

The well-known superconducting oxide LiTi2 04 has a structural phase transition from spinel to ramsdellite around 900℃. We have successfully obtained the superconducting spinel phase and the non-superconducting ramsdellitephase of LiTi2O4 using a hybrid microwave method. The samples are characterized by x-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and measurements of resistivity and magnetic susceptibility. The results show thatthe low-temperature spinel phase is a superconductor with Tc=13K, while the high-temperature ramsdellite phase is a semiconductor. By comparison between the crystal structures of the spinel and the ramsdellite phases, it is suggested that the geometrical frustration plays an important role in the superconductivity of the spinel LiTi2O4.     

The vibration spectrum and high temperature phase transition of NaBF_4 single crystal

The polarized Raman spectrum of NaBF_4 single crystal measured by use of different geometric arrangements are reported. The obvious anisotropy of the crystal results in the degradation of degenerated modes of BF_4. Experiments show that the vibration frequencies decrease with the increasing of temperature. But when it above the phase transition point the v_1 symmetric stretching vibration is restored. From this, the phase transition temperature can be estimated to be 250℃ (523K).     

In Situ Observation of Skeletal Shape Transition during BaB2O4 Crystal Growth in High-Temperature Solution

The transition from a fiat solid-liquid interface to a skeletal shape during BaB2O4 （BBO） single crystal growth in Li2B4O7 flux is observed in real time by an optical high-temperature in-situ observation system. The movement of crystal step is also investigated. The observation results demonstrate that the steps propagate along and parallel to the fiat interface when the crystal size is small. Nevertheless, they will ‘bend＇ close to the face centre if the crystal size becomes greater. Atomic force microscopy reveals that more deposition places near the face centre give rise to the bending of advancing steps and thus the formation of a vicinal interface structure. Measurements of step velocity show that the velocity keeps nearly constant at different moments for one specific step, whereas the step on a newly formed layer advanced faster than that on a previously formed one when the crystal size is larger than 210μm or so. Thus interracial morphological instability occurs and a skeletal interface is obtained.     

RAMAN STUDIES ON THE PHASE TRANSITIONS OF (NH4)2SnBr6 CRYSTALS

We report here the structural phase transitions of the crystal (NH₄)₂SnBr₆ investigated by Raman scattering at temperatures ranging from 10K to room temperature. Two phase transitions occurring at 150 and ll0K are found. Based on the group theory, it is proposed that the crystal undergoes a second-order phase transition at 150 K, resulting from a ferro-distortion with symmetry Γ⁴⁺. The change of structure is confirmed to be O⁵_h to C⁵_4h, which is assigned to the rotary of [SnBr₆]^2- ion groups around the axis of <001>. Furthermore the crystal undergoes an order-disorder phase transition at ll0K which is related with the reorientation of the ammonium ion group. It is noticed that the change of the vibrational modes at 77K does not show any phase transition.     

Efficient 266nm Ultraviolet Beam Generation in K2Al2B2O7 Crystal

The ultraviolet beam at 266nm was obtained by fourth harmonic generation of 1064nm Nd:YAG laser radiation through a nonlinear crystal K2Al2B2O7 (KABO).The fundamental frequency of a flash-lamp pumped Nd:YAG laser was doubled in a β-Ba2B2O4 crystal to generate a second harmonic output at the wavelength of 532nm,and then doubled again in the KABO crystal to generate the fourth harmonic output at 266nm.The optical conversion efficiency from 532 to 266 nm was investigated for the first time,and 13% was achieved.     

High-Pressure Phase Transition in CTAB-Micellar Solutions： A Raman Spectroscopic Study

We use a diamond anvil cell for the first time to investigate the Raman spectra of an aqueous micellar solution of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide （CTAB） at pressures up to 3.85 GPa. The pressure-induced phase transition between the micellar and coagel phases is found to occur at 0.64 GPa and 60℃. This phase transition has a pressure hysteresis, and thus exhibits the first-order phase transition properties. Further experimental results show that although the structure of the coagel phase is similar to that of the CTAB crystal, the interchain distance is slightly larger in the coagel phase than that in the CTAB crystal.     

Anisotropic Magnetoresistivity in Semimetal TaSb_2

We investigate the anisotropic magnetic transports in topological semimetal TaSb2. The compound shows the large magnetoresistance(MR) without saturation and the metal-insulator-like transition no matter whether the magnetic field is parallel to c-axis or a-axis, except that the MR for B‖c is almost twice as large as that of B‖a at low temperatures. The adopted Kohler's rule can be obeyed by the MR at distinct temperatures for B‖c,but it is slightly violated as B‖a. The angle-dependent MR measurements exhibit the two-fold rotational symmetry below70 K,consistent with the monoclinic crystal structure of TaSb2. The dumbbell-like picture of angle-dependent MR in TaSb2 suggests a strongly anisotropic Fermi surface at low temperatures. However, it finally loses the two-fold symmetry over 70 K, implying a possible topological phase transition at around the temperature where Tm is related to a metal-insulator-like transition under magnetic fields.     

Transport Behavior in Spinel Oxide MgTi2O4

Spinel oxide MgTi2O4 is synthesized by the spark plasma sintering method. The temperature dependences of magnetic susceptibility and resistance are measured and investigated in detail. It is shown that the transition of MgTi2O4 occurs at the phase transition temperature Tt - 258K. The fits of resistance versus temperature curve demonstrate that MgTi2O4 displays metal behavior above Tt, while a dual conducting mechanism, the Mort-insulator-like variable range hopping and normM activated conduction, is suggested to be responsible for the transport behavior of MgTi2O4 below Tt.     

Martensitic transformation and giant magnetic entropy change in Ni_(42.8)Mn_(40.3)Co_(5.7)Sn_(11.2) alloy

The crystal structure, phase transition, and magnetocaloric effect in Ni42.8Mn40.3Co5.7Sn11.2 alloy are investigated by structure analysis and magnetic measurements. A large magnetic entropy change of 45.6 J/kg.K is obtained at 215 K under a magnetic field of 30 kOe （1 Oe = 79.5775 A.m-1）. The effective refrigerant capacity of Ni42.8Mn40.3Co5.7Sn11.2 alloy reaches 72.1 J/kg under an applied field changing from 0 to 30 kOe. The external magnetic field shifts the martensitic transition temperature about 3-4 K/10 kOe towards low temperature, indicating that magnetic field can retard the phase transition to a certain extent. The origin of large magnetic entropy change is discussed in the paper.     

Pressure induced magnetic and semiconductor–metal phase transitions in Cr_2MoO_6

We investigate magnetic ordering and electronic structures of Cr_2MoO_6under hydrostatic pressure. To overcome the band gap problem, the modified Becke and Johnson exchange potential is used to investigate the electronic structures of Cr_2MoO_6. The insulating nature at the experimental crystal structure is produced, with a band gap of 1.04 eV, and the magnetic moment of the Cr atom is 2.50 μB, compared to an experimental value of about 2.47 μB. The calculated results show that an antiferromagnetic inter-bilayer coupling–ferromagnetic intra-bilayer coupling to a ferromagnetic inter-bilayer coupling–antiferromagnetic intra-bilayer coupling phase transition is produced with the pressure increasing. The magnetic phase transition is simultaneously accompanied by a semiconductor–metal phase transition. The magnetic phase transition can be explained by the Mo–O hybridization strength, and ferromagnetic coupling between two Cr atoms can be understood by empty Mo-d bands perturbing the nearest O-p orbital.