Magnetic properties and magnetoresistance effect of Y1-xGdxMn6Sn6 (x=0－1) compounds

The magnetic properties and magnetoresistance effect of Y_1-xGd_xMn₆Sn₆ (x=0－1) compounds have been investigated by magnetization and resistivity measurements in the applied field range (0－5 T). Compounds with x=0.4－1 display ferrimagnetic behaviours in the whole magnetic ordering temperature range, while compounds with x=0－0.2 display a field-induced metamagnetic transition, and the threshold fields decrease with increasing Gd content. The compounds with x=0.1－0.2 undergo an antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition with increasing temperature. The cell-parameter a and c and cell-volume V of compounds (x=0－1) increase with increasing Gd content. It was found that the saturation magnetization M_s of the compounds (x=0.4－1) decreases, while the ordering points of the compounds (x=0－1)increase with increasing Gd content. A large MR effect was observed in the compound with x=0.2, and the maximum absolute value of MR at 5 K under 3 T is close to 19.3%.     

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.     

STRUCTURE, MAGNETIC PROPERTIES AND GIANT MAGNETORESISTANCE OF YMn6Sn6-xGax (x=0-0.6) COMPOUNDS

Structure, magnetic and transport properties of YMn₆Sn_6-xGa_x (0≤x≤0.6) compounds with a HfFe₆Ge₆-type structure were investigated. It was found that the Ga substitution leads to a contraction of the unit-cell volume. A transition from an antiferromagnetic to a ferromagnetic (or ferrimagnetic) state can be observed for samples (0.1≤x≤0.2) with increasing temperature. The antiferro-ferromagnetic transition for samples with x≤0.2 can also be induced by an external field. The required field is very low, and decreases with increasing Ga concentration. More Ga concentration (x≥0.3) leads to the samples being ferromagnetic in the whole temperature range below the Curie temperature. The Ga substitution weakens the interlayer magnetic coupling between the Mn spins. Corresponding to the metamagnetic transition, a magnetoresistance as large as 32% under a field of 5 T was observed at 5 K for the sample with x=0.2.     

FORMATION AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF Dy2Fe17-xMnxC(x = 0-17) PREPARED BY ARC-MELTING

We report on alloys formed by replacing iron with manganese in the compound Dy₂Fe₁₇C_1.0 Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and magnetic measure-ments, The 2:17-type structure can be crystallized in the whole range of manganese substitution. The Curie temperature of the series of Dy₂Fe_17-xMn_xC_1.0(x= 0-17) drops down considerably from 515K for x = 0 to about 20K for compounds with high manganese concentration, and the compensation point was observed in a narrow range of x≈4-6. The rapid decrease of the magnetization shows that the manganese substitution is not a simple magnetic dilution to the transition-metal sublattice mo-ment, it indicates that the moment of Mn may be antiparallel to that of Fe. The field dependence of the magnetization of Dy₂Fe_17-xMn_xC_1.0 may indicate the existence of the nonlinear magnetic structure for the samples with high Mn conoentrations.     

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).     

The effect of Si content on the martensitic transfor-mation temperature of Ni55.5e18Ga26.5-xSix alloys

This paper investigates the effects of substitution of Si for Ga on the martensitic transformation behaviours in Ni-Fe-Ga alloys by using optical metallographic microscope and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods. The structure type of Ni_55.5Fe₁₈Ga_26.5-xSi_x alloys is determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD), and the XRD patterns show the microstructure of Ni-Fe-Ga-Si alloys transformed from body-centred tetragonal martensite (with Si content x = 0) to body-centred cubic austenite (with x = 2) at room temperature. The martensitic transformation temperatures of the Ni_55.5Fe₁₈Ga_26.5-xSi_x alloys decrease almost linearly with increasing Si content in the Si content range of x ≤ 3. Thermal treatment also plays an important role on martensitic transformation temperatures in the Ni-Fe-Ga-Si alloy. The valence electronic concentrations, size factor, L2₁ degree of order and strength of parent phase influence the martensitic transformation temperatures of the Ni-Fe-Ga-Si alloys. An understanding of the relationship between martensitic transformation temperatures and Si content will be significant for designing an appropriate Ni-Fe-Ga-Si alloy for a specific application at a given temperature.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Dy2Co17—xMnx compounds

Using x-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements, we have studied the structural and magnetic properties of Dy₂Co_17-xMn_x (x=0∽5) compounds with a rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure. With an increasing Mn concentration x, the unit-cell volume V was found to increase linearly. The Curie temperature T_c decreases linearly, and the saturation magnetization M_s at 5K first increases slightly for x<1, then decreases rapidly for x>1 with a further increase of Mn concentration x. In compounds for x=1～3, a spin reorientation was found. A magnetic diagram of the compounds is given.     

EFFECT OF MANGANESE SUBSTITUTION IN R2AlFe16-x Mnx(R=Y,Ho,Nd AND Pr)COMPOUNDS ON STRUCTURAL AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES

The structural and magnetic properties of R₂AlFe_16-xMn_x(0≤x≤8 for Y,Ho,0≤x≤10 for Pr, 0≤x≤16 for Nd)compounds have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements.The R₂AlFe_16-xMn_x compounds have a hexagonal Th₂Ni₁₇-type structure for R=Y and Ho, and a rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure for Nd and Pr.With increasing x,the unit-cell volumes have a small increase initially,followed by a greater linear increase.The Curie temperature and the saturation magnetizati on of these compounds show marvelous drop with increasing x.Compensation point was observed in the temperature dependence of the magnetization for Ho₂AlFe₁₂Mn₄ compound.     

EFFECT OF THE SUBSTITUTION OF Ga AND Sn FOR Cu ON THE ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE AND SUPERCONDUCTIVITY OF La1.85Sr0.15CuO4

The electronic structure of La_1.85Sr_0.15CuO₄， as well as the two cases of substitution of Ga and Sn for Cu, has been studied by the recursion method. The change of hole concentration and the effective local magnetic moment have also been calculated. Our calculations show that Ga and Sn destroy the two-dimensional character of the CuO₂ plane and lead to the disorder of the electronic structure, accompanied by the migration of electrons which canines the decrease of the hole concentration in the CuO₂ planes. From our point of view, these changes may be responsible for the destruction of superconductivity of the Ga and Sn-doped systems.     

FORMATION AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF NEW COMPOUNDS R3Fe29-xCrx(R=Y,Ce,Nd,Sm,Gd,Tb,and Dy)

A systematic investigation of structure and magnetic properties of the new R₃Fe_29-xCr_x compounds(R=Y,Ce,Nd,Sm,Gd, Tb,and Dy)has been performed. The Curie temperature of R₃Fe_29-xCr_x increased with increasing atomic number fromR=Ce to Gd and de creased from Gd to Dy. The saturation magnetization of R₃Fe_29-xCr_x at 4.2 K decreased gradually with increasing atomic number from R=Y to Dy,except for Ce. The spin reorientations of the easy magnetization d irection were observed at around 230 K for Nd₃Fe_24.5Cr_4.5 and 180 K for Tb₃Fe_28.0Cr_1.0,and the magnetohistory effects were obser ved for Nd₃Fe_24.5Cr_4.5 and Sm₃Fe_24.0Cr_5.0 in a low field of about 0.04 T. First order magnetization process occurs in magnetic field of around 2.3 T at room temperature for Tb₃Fe_28.0Cr_1.0. The saturation magnetization of Y₃Fe_27.2Cr_1.8 at 4.2 K is 52.2μ_B/f.u., which corresponds to an average magnetic moment of 1.92μ_B per each Fe atom.     

Magnetism and magnetic entropy change in LaFe11Al2Cx compounds around room temperature

Magnetism and magnetic entropy changes in LaFe11A12Cx(x=0.0, 0.2 and 0.5) compounds have been investigated.The Curie temperature TC is conveniently controlled from 200K to room temperature by varying the carbon concentration.Large magnetic entropy change is obtained over a wide temperature range due to the high magnetization and the drastic decrease in the magnetization around TC.The large magnetic entropy change in wide temperature range,low cost and the convenience of controlling TC suggest that the LaFe11Al2Cx compounds are promising candidates for magnetic refrigerants in the corresponding temperature range.     

MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF Pr2Co17-x Mx ( M＝Ga,Si) COMPOUNDS

The influence of Ga or Si substitution for Co on the structural and magnetic properties of Pr₂Co₁₇ compounds is investigated. All samples studied here are single phase and have the rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure. The unit-cell volume is found to increase linearly by the substitution of Ga for Co,but reduce by the substitution of Si for Co in Pr₂Co₁₇ compounds. In Pr₂Co_17-x M_x, the Curie temperature decreases monoto nically with increasing at an approximate rate of 153K per Ga atom and 175K per Si atom. The saturation magnetic moment of Pr₂Co_17-x M_x ( M=Ga,Si) decreases with increasing x. The rates of the decrease are larger than that expected as a simple dilution. For Pr₂Co_17-xSi_x ,the spin reorientation transition is observed above room temperature. The spin-reorientation temperature Tsrfirst decreases with increasing Si content and then increases at higher x values (x>2). The spin reorientat ion behavior is interpreted by the competition between the Pr and Co sublattice anisotropies. The easy magnetization direction in Pr₂Co_17-xGa_x compounds is perpendicular to the c-axis, and no spin reorientation transition is observed.     

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects of Mn5Ge3-xGax

We report on the magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects of Mn5Ge3-xGax compounds with x=0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4,0.6 and 0.9. All samples crystallize in the hexagonal Mn5Si3-type structure with space group P63/mcm and order ferromagnetically.The Curie temperature of these compounds decreases with increasing x, from 306K (x=0.1) to 274K (x=0.9).The average Mn magnetic moments increases with increasing Ga content,reaching a maximum value at x=0.6.The magnetic entropy changes in these compounds are determined from the temperature and field dependence of the magnetization using the thermodynamic Maxwell relation.The Ga substitution has two kinds of influence on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of Mn5Ge3.One is that the magnitude of the magnetic entropy change decreases,the other is that the MCE peak becomes broadened.     

CRYSTAL STRUCTURE AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF La1.2Sr1.8-xCaxMn2O7

The effect of divalent cation substitution on the structure and magnetic properties of La_1.2Sr_1.8-xCa_xMn₂O₇ (x = 0－0.900) is investigated in this paper. Partly replacing divalent cation Sr²⁺ by Ca²⁺ ions results in the weakening and then disappearance of long-range ferromagnetic ordering, and the formation of spin canting and low-temperature spin-glass. Based on structural analysis by Rietveld profile fitting, we suggest that this variation of magnetic property be related to a Jahn－Teller-type attice distortion of MnO₆ octahedra due to the introduction of the smaller sized Ca²⁺ ions.     

POSITRON LIFETIME STUDIES OF Y1-xCaxBa2Cu3O7-δ AND Y1-xCaxBa2Cu3-xFexO7-δ

In this paper it is reported that the measurement of the bulk positron lifetime as a function of substitution content x in the temperature range from 70 to 220K was performed in two high-T_c superconducting systems, Y_1-xCa_xBa₂Cu_3-xFe_xO_7-δ and Y_1-xCa_xBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ. It was found that τ_B of both systems decreases significantly with x and the temperature dependence of τ_B is very weak in normal state. In lower temperature region (Tc), a dramatic x-dependent temperature variation of τ_B was observed in the Ca-substituted system: from a decrease of τ_B with decreasing T to an increase of τ_B. With increasing x, the temperature dependence of τ_B remains weak in the Ca- and Fe- substituted systems. Compared with the experimental data of positron lifetime in other substituted systems and the calculation of the positron density distribution, the authors suggest that positron bulk lifetime spectra behaviour can be interpreted by the physical model based on the transfer of electron density between the CuO₂ planes and Cu-O chains. Therefore, the study of positron lifetime spectra provides a useful means to detect the local charge density and to study the correlation between the electronic structure and the high-T_c superconductivity.     

LECTRONIC STRUCTURE STUDIES OF Bi2Sr2CaCu2-xSnxO8+δ SYSTEM

Photoemission measurements have been carried out for Bi₂Sr₂CaCu_2-xSn_xO_8+δ system with conventional x-ray photoemission spectroscopy for core-level spectra and synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy for valence band. With Sn doping, all core levels shift differently in binding energy, and the intensity near fermi energy becomes smaller in valence hand. From the experiment, we can deduce that the shifts of all core levels and valence hands may involve some other mechanisms, such ms electrostatic effects, in addition to binding energy referencing effects. We argue that the chemical environment plays a crucial role in the electronic structure of high-temperature superconductors.     

Manganese location and magnetic structure determination of SrMn2—W hexagonal ferrite by means of neutron diffraction

The Mn cation distribution in the seven sublattices of theW-type structure has been determined from high temperature neutron diffraction data of a SrMn₂Fe₁₆O₂₇ powder sample. The Mn²⁺ ions enter the tetrahedral sites of blockS with a preference for site 4e. Mn³⁺ ions in small amounts are found in the octahedral sites, substituting for Fe³⁺, while 0.3 Fe²⁺ has been found in site 6g. The sample has the formula SrMn_2.4Fe_15.6O₂₇. The crystal structure has been described in the non-centrosymmetric Pˉ62c space group, instead of the usual P6₃/mmc one. The magnetic structure, obtained from low temperature (4.2 K) data, is collinear, with the spins parallel to thec axis, according to the Gorter model. The magnetic moments of the sites give an experimental magnetization valueM _s=28.4(1.5) μ_B/f.u., in good agreement with magnetic measurements and the theoretical value.     

FORMATION AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF A NOVEL Gd3(Fe,Ti)29Ny NITRIDE

The novel Gd₃(Fe_0.978Ti_0.022)₂₉ compounds and their nitride have been synthesized. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the Gd₃(Fe,Ti)₂₉N_y and its parent compounds were indexed in the Nd₃(Fe,Ti)₂₉-type structure with a monoclinic symmetry and space group P2₁/c, Both the nitride and the parent compounds exhibit ferrimagnetlc coupling. Nitrogenatio led to an increase in Curie temperature and saturation magnetization. The Curie temperatures are 517K for the parent and 765K for the nitride. The saturation magnetizations σ_s at 4.2K are 101.9A·m²/kg for the parent and 128A·m²/kg for the nitride. Both the nitride and parent exhibit a planar anisotropy. Nitrogenation led to a decrease of the contribution of Fe-sublattice to planar anisotropy. The anisotropy fields at 4.2K are 9.8T for the parent and 6.5 T for the nitride.     

ANISOTROPY OF CRITICAL CURRENT DENSITY IN c-AXIS ORIENTED EPITAXIAL YBa2Cu3O7-δ FILMS

The dependence of critical current density J_c on the angle α between the directions of the applied magnetic field H (which was rotated in the c-axis-I plane) and the in-plane current I was measured on a c-axis oriented epitaxial YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ films at 81 K, with the magnetic field strength up to 6T. Analysis of the experimental results on the basis of the classical scaling law of pinning force shows that there exist simultaneously planar-pinning and volume-pinning mechanisms, and the contribution of volume pinning increases wish decreasing while that of the planar pinning decreases, We propose that the decrease of Lorentz-force-independent critical current density with increasing H for H∥I results from the suppression of superconductivity by the magnetic field, The fact that the contribution of volume pinning increases with decreasing α also arises from the suppression of superconductivity in CuO₂ plane by the magnetic field.     

Magnetic phase transition and the corresponding magnetostriction of intermetallic compounds RMnsGe2（R=Sm,Gd）

The temperature dependence of lattice constants a and c of intermetallic compounds RMn₂Ge₂ (R=Sm, Gd) is measured in the temperature range 10－800K by using the x-ray diffraction method. The magnetoelastic anomalies of lattice constants are found at the different kinds of spontaneous magnetic transitions. The transversal and longitudinal magnetostrictions of polycrystalline samples are measured in the pulse magnetic field up to 25T. In the external magnetic field there occurs a first-order field-induced antiferromagnetism－ferromagnetism transition in the Mn sublattice, which gives rise to a large magnetostriction. The magnitude of magnetostrictions is as large as 10^-3. The transversal and longitudinal magnetostrictions have the same sign and are almost equal. This indicates that the magnetostriction is isotropic and mainly caused by the interlayer Mn－Mn exchange interaction. The experimental results are explained in the framework of a two-sublattice ferrimagnet with the negative exchange interaction in one of the sublattices by taking into account the lattice constant dependence of interlayer Mn－Mn exchange interaction.