ESR of double-perovskite Sr2FeMoO6

We present an ESR study of Sr₂FeMoO₆ in the paramagnetic region. A single line at g≈2 was associated with Fe³⁺ ions. The intensity follows Curie–Weiss law in the whole T range. For T >500 K a secondary line is attributed to ferromagnetic (FM) impurities. The line width is described by ΔH_pp(T)=ΔH_pp(∞)(1−Θ/T) with a high value for ΔH_pp(∞). The absence of narrowing effects is a signature of double-exchange (DE) interactions and indicates that DE drives the FM ordering at a relatively high T_c.     

Anomalous temperature dependence of magnetization in single-crystal Fe65Ni35 alloy

Magnetization (0–10 Oe) and magnetic relaxation measurements were carried out in the temperature range between 4.2 and 300 K for three picture-frame samples of Fe₆₅Ni₃₅ alloy whose edges were parallel to 100, 110 and 111, respectively. The typical temperature T_g and the magnetic field H_g which correspond to the anomalous temperature in the χ-T curve and inflection field in the σ-H curve, respectively are summarized and H-T_g and H_g-T diagrams are obtained. A strong magnetic relaxation is observed along the H_g-T line. The dependence of H_g on the crystallographic direction and on the temperature are discussed by the thermal activation process of the 180° domain wall which is pinned strongly by the antiferromagnetic clusters below T_g. The anomaly of magnetization of Fe₆₅Ni₃₅ alloy can be interpreted by the macroscopic picture of the coexistence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic-like regions which may be caused by a statistical fluctuation of alloy composition.     

Direct measurement of the magnetocaloric effect in La0.67Ca0.33MnO3

Polycrystalline perovskite La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ was synthesized by a sol–gel method. Its adiabatic temperature change ΔT_ad induced by a magnetic field change was measured directly. At 268 K, near its Curie temperature T_C, ΔT_ad of La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ induced by a magnetic field change of 2.02 T reaches 2.4 K. The latent heat Q and magnetic entropy change −ΔS_M induced by a magnetic field change were calculated from the temperature dependence of ΔT_ad and zero-field heat capacity C_p. The maximum values of Q and −ΔS_M in La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ induced by a magnetic field change of 2.02 T are 1.85 J g⁻¹ and 6.9 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. The former is larger than the phase transition latent heat of heating or cooling, which is about 1.70 J g⁻¹.     

Anomalous temperature dependence of magnetization in polycrystalline Fe65Ni35 alloy

Magnetization at 0.3 and 140 Hz (0–10 Oe) and magnetic relaxation measurements were carried out in detail in the temperature range between 4.2 and 300 K for a polycrystalline Fe₆₅Ni₃₅ alloy. The typical temperature T_g and the magnetic field H_g which correspond to the anomalous temperature in χ-T curves and inflection field in σ-H curves, respectively, are summarized and a H-T diagram is obtained. A strong magnetic relaxation is observed along the H_g-T line. The temperature dependence of H_g is discussed by the thermal activation of 180° domain wall which is pinned strongly by the antiferromagnetic-like clusters below T_g. It is find that H _g is a linear function of T .     

Thermodynamic properties of the clathrate-type silver-oxide Ag6O8AgHF2

We report normal-state and superconducting properties of the clathrate-type silver-oxide Ag₆O₈AgHF₂. We present electrical resistivity, DC- and AC-susceptibility and specific-heat measurements of single crystalline Ag₆O₈AgHF₂. In the normal state, Ag₆O₈AgHF₂ exhibits metallic conductivity and a phase transition near 110 K, possibly a structural phase transition as observed in the related compound Ag₆O₈AgNO₃. The onset of superconductivity of our samples is observed around 1.2–1.5 K, and the H–T phase diagram is determined for the first time. The upper critical field H_c2(0) is estimated to be about 2000–2200 Oe and the coherence length ξ_GL(0) to be 40 nm.     

Temperature dependence of the critical current in YBa2Cu3O7−δ and Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8 Josephson junctions

We have studied the stationary Josephson effect on YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (T_c=90 K) and Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂ O₈ (T_c=80 K and 87 K for two samples of different origin) ceramic based junctions. The temperature dependence of the critical current near T_c has been found as I_c≈(T_c-T) for the Y-Ba-Cu-O samples indicating that they should be classified as S-N-I-N-S type junctions. The I-V curves of the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu samples show the typical behaviour of S-I-S structures. Using Ambegaokar-Baratoff's theory for Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂O₈, the temperature dependence of the superconducting state gap Δ(T) was calculated and it was evaluated that 1.452Δ(0)/k_BT_c3.5.     

A microwave absorption study in the thermochromic SrMnO3

We report electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and magnetically modulated microwave absorption spectroscopy (MAMMAS) studies at X-band (8.8–9.6 GHz) on powdered SrMnO₃ in the 90–400 K temperature range. EPR spectrum shows one broad single-line at room temperature, which is observed only above 280.5 K, being compatible with an antiferromagnetic order. The onset of the para–antiferromagnetic transition has been determined from the temperature dependence of three main parameters extracted from the EPR spectra: resonant field (H_res), peak-to-peak linewidth (ΔH_pp) and integrated intensity (I_EPR). The MAMMAS response shows a change in the region 276–283 K, compatible with the para–antiferromagnetic transition, without presenting any significant change in the region of thermochromism.     

Anomalous magnetic behavior of the Co0.53Ga0.47 spin glass above the freezing temperature

We present here the detailed analysis of the magnetic behavior of the Co_0.53Ga_0.47 alloy, especially at temperatures above the freezing temperature T_f = 10 K. Low field static magnetization measurements were performed by using the SQUID magnetometer in the temperature range 5–65 K and magnetic fields up to 100 Oe. The temperature dependence of the field cooled susceptibility π_FC(T) at T > T_f has an anomaly, which is displayed in the double change of the curvature near T_s = 24 K. The data of magnetization M_FC in an external field H lie on a universal curve M_FC(H/T) at temperatures T_f < T < T_s. The plots of π^-1_FC(T) and non-linear magnetic susceptibility π^nl_FC(T^-3) are linear lines in the temperature range T_f−T_s. The strong deviation of π^-1_FC(T) and π^nl_FC(T^-3) from straight line, taking place at T T_s, indicates that T_s is an upper temperature limit of the classical superparamagnetic behavior with the constant cluster moment. The results suggest that such phenomena may be fairly universal for spin glasses.     

Annealing dependence of magnetic properties in nanostructured Sm0.5Y0.5Co5

Nanocrystalline Sm_0.5Y_0.5Co₅ powders with high coercivity H_C and enhanced remanence M_r were prepared by mechanical milling and subsequent annealing. Annealing temperatures T ranging from 973 to 1173 K, and times t ranging from 1 to 5 min were used. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and DC-magnetization measurements were carried out to study the microstructure and magnetic properties of these samples. XRD patterns demonstrate that the average grain size D of the nanocrystalline powders depends on the annealing temperature T and time t: D ranges from 11 nm (for T=973 K and t=1 min) to 93 nm (for T=1173 K and t=5 min). Magnetic measurements performed at room temperature indicate high coercivity values (H_C>955 kA/m), and enhanced remanence (M_r/M_max>0.5) for all samples. A strong annealing-induced grain size dependence of these magnetic properties was found.     

Dilatometry of the high-temperature proton conductor Ba3Ca1.18Nb1.82O9 − δ

Firstly, the production of solid bulk specimens of the proton conductor Ba₃Ca_1.18Nb_1.82O_{9 − gd} (BCN18) of known water content up to [H^.] = n_H/n_Ba = 0.16 is described. Secondly, measuring the length change of such samples versus water content [H^.] demonstrated that the sample lengths increased linearly with a slope of (Δl/l)/[H^.] = (2.13 ±0.07) × 10⁻². Thirdly, the density of bulk samples was found to decrease linearly with water content [H^.]. This decrease was in good agreement with the above values derived from the length change. Fourthly, high temperature dilatometry showed that samples reach the thermodynamic solubility values in water vapor atmospheres only at temperatures above 700 °C. Two time scales were observed for the time-dependence of the elongation upon exposure to water vapor. A fast process occurred within minutes above 700 °C, a slow one took several hours. The fast one was identified as the chemical diffusion of the diffusion pair H^. and V_o^. which is required for the water uptake and loss of BCN18. The chemical diffusivity of water is described by the parameters D₀ = (0.022 ± 0.002) cm²/s and ΔH* = (0.79 ± 0.05) eV.     

Aspects of “low field” magnetotransport in epitaxial thin films of the ferromagnetic metallic oxide SrRuO3

Epitaxial thin films of the conductive ferromagnetic oxide SrRuO₃ were grown on an (0 0 1) SrTiO₃ (STO) substrate by using DC sputtering technique. The magnetic and magnetoresistive properties of the films were measured by applying the magnetic field both perpendicular (out-of-plane) and parallel (in-plane) to the film plane and ever maintaining the direction of the applied field perpendicular to that of the transport current. The films grown on an (0 0 1) STO substrate showed identical magnetization properties in two orthogonal crystallographic directions of the substrate, [1 0 0]_S and [0 0 1]_S (in-plane and out-of-plane geometry), which suggests the presence of a multi domain structure within the plane of the film. For such samples, no anisotropic field (hard axis) along de [0 0 1]s direction, i.e., perpendicular to the film-plane could be detected. Nevertheless, a distinguishable temperature dependent out-of-plane anisotropic magnetoresistance (MR) along with strong temperature dependent low field hysteretic MR(H) behavior was detected for the studied films. A negative MR ratio MR(T)=[ρ(μ₀H=9 T; T)−ρ( μ₀H=0 T; T)]/ρ( μ₀H=0 T; T) on the order of a few percent, with maximums of 6% and 4% (right at the Curie temperature, T_C 160 K) was calculated for an in-plane and out-of plane measuring geometry, respectively. In addition there is an equally strong MR effect at low temperatures, which might be related to the temperature dependence of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy together with a magnetization rotation. Both the MR(T) behavior and the achieved values (except for T<30 K) are similar to those obtained on SrRuO₃ films grown on 2° miscut (0 0 1) STO substrates with the current parallel to the field and parallel to the direction, which was identified as the easier axis for magnetization.     

Magnetic properties and domain structure of polycrystalline DyFe3

Magnetization σ vs. temperature T was measured from 80 to 700 K in polycrystalline DyFe₃ in a magnetic field H = 10 kOe. From σ = f(T), the Curie temperature was determined. Also, σ was measured vs. H from 0 to 70 kOe at 4.2 K. Magnetization at saturation σ₀ at 4.2 K and the magnetic moment of DyFe₃ were also determined. First observations of domain structure in DyFe₃ are reported. The mean domain with is determined in its dependence on the grain size . The magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant of polycrystalline DyFe₃ is determined as K₁ = -1.2×10⁷ erg/cm³.     

Specific heat and anisotropic superconducting and normal-state magnetization of HoNi2B2C

The magnetization of single-crystal HoNi₂B₂C has been measured as a function of applied field (H) and temperature in order to probe the interplay between superconductivity and magnetism in this complex layered system. The normal-state magnetic susceptibility of HoNi₂B₂C is highly anisotropic with a Curie-Weiss-like temperature dependence for H applied perpendicular to the c-axis and with a much weaker temperature dependence for H applied parallel to the c-axis, indicating that the Ho⁺³ magnetic moments lie predominately in the tetragonal a−b plane below 20 K. High-field magnetization (2000 Oe), low-field magnetization (20 Oe) and zero-field specific heat all give an antiferromagnetic ordering temperature of T_N=5.0 K. Remarkably, in 20 Oe applied field both superconductivity (T_c=8.0 K) and antiferromagnetism (T_N=5.0 K) clearly make themselves manifest in the magnetization data. From these magnetization data a phase diagram in the H−T plane was constructed for both directions of applied field. This phase diagram shows a non-monotonic temperature dependence of H_c2 with a deep minimum at T_N=5 K. The high-field magnetization data for H applied perpendicular to the c-axis also reveal a cascade of three phase transitions for T < 5 K and H < 15 000 Oe, contributing to the rich H versus T phase diagram for HoNi₂B₂C at low temperatures.     

Cu NMR study of the superconducting thiospinel Cu1.5Rh1.5S4

The ⁶³Cu NMR Knight shift K and spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T₁ have been measured to study the thiospinel superconductor Cu_1.5Rh_1.5S₄ from a microscopic viewpoint. K is negative and has a weak dependence on temperature, and the hyperfine coupling constant H_hf^d is estimated to be −52.4 kOe/μ_B. 1/T₁ is proportional to the temperature in the normal state. In the superconducting state, 1/T₁ takes a coherence peak just below T_c, and decreases exponentially well below T_c, from whose temperature dependence the superconducting energy gap has been proved to be close to 2Δ = 3.52k_BT_c given by the BCS theory.     

Effective activation energy Ue(T,J,H) in textured Bi1.84Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3Oy silver-clamped thick films

We have measured the resistivity of textured Bi_1.84Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y silver-clamped thick films as a function of temperature, current density ranging from 10 to 1×10³ A/cm² and magnetic field up to 0.3 T. We find that the effective activation energy U_e follows U_e(T,J,H)=U₀(1−T/T_p)^mln(J_c0/J)H⁻ with m=1.75 for Hab-plane and 2.5 for Hc-axis and =0.76 for Hab and 0.97 for Hc, for the current density regime above 100 A/cm², where T_p is a function of applied magnetic field and current density. This result suggests the effective activation energy U_e be correlated with the temperature, current density and magnetic field. The possible dissipative mechanisms responsible for the temperature, current density and magnetic field dependence of the effective activation energy are discussed.     

Effect of a magnetic field on MnAs0.88P0.12 below 80 K

MnAs_0.88P_0.12 has been studied by powder neutron diffraction in external magnetic fields up to 15.2 kOe and temperatures down to 4.2 K. MnAs_0.88P_0.12 takes the MnP type atomic arrangement and exists in para-, ferro- and different (essentially) helimagnetic states. The observation of a double 000^± satellite at 4.2 K < T 70 K adds further evidence to the chain of arguments for distinction between the helimagnetic states H'_a (4.2 K < T < T_S,1 ≈ 70 K) and H_a (T_S,2 ≈ 180 K < T < T_N = (243 ± 5) K). External magnetic fields at 4.2 K < T < 70 K evoke a new magnetic state, which is also characterized by a satellite doublet, and is tentatively designated H'_a,fan.     

Anomalous magnetotransport phenomena in θ-(BEDT-TTF)2I3

Anomalous magnetotransport phenomena have been observed in θ-(BEDT-TTF)₂I₃ crystals at temperatures below 15 K. The magnetoresistance M : (1) is a linear function of the magnetic field H, (2) is not affected by the angle between the electric current and the magnetic field, (3) but depends on the magnetic field orientation with respect to the crystal axis. Magnetoresistance is expressed as M = (aH²_a + bH²_b + cH²_c)₀^-3/2/H in terms of H = (H_a, H_b, H_c), the zero field resistivity ₀, and parameters a, b, and c which are independent of temperature and magnetic field. We have found that b a > c. Magnetoresistance up to 40 is observed for H = 7T along the b-axis at T = 1.5K.     

Desorption of H2 from W(110) and Fe covered W(110) surfaces

The kinetics of H₂ desorption from H/W(110) and H/Fe₁/W(110) were studied by measuring work function changes Δø vs time at a number of temperatures. Combination with previously determined Δø vs coverage data and differentiation at various fixed coverages gave rate vs T data from which activation energies of desorption could be obtained. E vs coverage results agree well with previously determine ΔH_des results. In the case of H/Fe₁/W(110) this includes a rise from 20 to 30 kcal mol⁻¹ of H₂ at H/Fe = H/W > 0.3. Plots of rate −dθ/dt vs θ (θ being coverage in units of H/W) vary much more steeply than θ² at most coverages for both systems. The θ dependence can be explained almost quantitatively in terms of the variations of ΔH_des and surface entropy S_s with coverage, by assuming that rates of desorption are equal to the equilibrium rates of adsorption. The latter can be formulated thermodynamically, except for a sticking coefficient, s. Values for s(θ, T) can also be obtained and show relatively little temperature dependence.     

Field-induced parameters of re-entrant magnets and concentrated spin glasses

We have used electron spin resonance measurements to derive the temperature and frequency dependences of the field-induced magnetization [M(T, f)] and anisotropy field [H_an (T)] in a number of amorphous alloys belonging to the series (Fe_pNi_1−p)₇₅P₁₆B₆Al₃. In re-entrant (p > p_c, the critical concentration for ferromagnetism) alloys at hi gh frequencies (f = 35 GHz, field ≈ 12 kOe) M reduces as T^3/2 at high T and as T below ≈ 40 K, the deviation from T^3/2 becoming more marked as p → p⁺_c. For p close to p_c, lowering the frequency first causes the T term to increase and ultimately ( ≈ 4 GHz) changes the variation of M with T to that discovered previously for concentrated spin glasses, namely M is constant at low T and drops linearly at high temperatures. For the re-entrants, the results are interpreted on the basis of a model which invokes an energy gap in the spin-wave spectrum, introduces a non-zero density of states of the gap energy and takes into consideration a low-q cut-off in the spin-wave integral in thelow-T (T) regime.In the concentrated spin glasses [M (0) - M (T)]/ M (0) is well represented by the function [exp (Δ / T) - 1]^-1, where Δ has values close to the corresponding Curie-Weiss temperatures θ_p but much larger than the respective spin glass transition temperatures T_SG. The temperature dependence of H_an is largely given by the function (1 - T/T^*), where T^* is equal to the zero-field freezing temperature for the re-entrants and T_SG for the spin glasses, respectively.     

Anisotropic dielectric properties of PbYb1/2Ta1/2O3 single crystals

PbYb_1/2Ta_1/2O₃ single crystals were obtained for the first time. They were grown by the flux method. The PbOPbF₂B₂O₃ system was used as a solvent. Dielectric investigations were carried out in 1 0 0_c, 1 1 0_c and 1 1 1_c pseudocubic directions. These studies pointed to anisotropy of dielectric properties. Frequency-independent ε′(T) and ε″(T) maxima related to the antiferroelectric–paraelectric (AFE—PE) phase transition are observed for all directions at 562 K. The frequency-dependent ε′(T) and ε″(T) maxima near 400 K related to the ferroelectric (FE)–AFE phase transition are observed only in 1 1 1_c direction. The hysteresis loops were observed in this direction only. These results point that ferroelectric relaxor properties appear only in 1 1 1_c direction. We propose to consider the ferroelectric phase as ferrielectric one.