Ferromagnetism and the metal-insulator transition in the magnetic semiconductor system FexMn1−x S

The results of investigations of the structure, electrical, and magnetic properties in the system of antiferromagnetic semiconductors Fe_xMn_1−x S (0<x⩽0.5) are described. It is established that metal-insulator transitions with respect to concentration and temperature are connected with changes in the magnetic properties of the system. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 276–277 (February 1998)     

Magnetic, electrical, and crystallographic properties of thin La1−x SrxMnO3 films

A study is reported of the magnetic, electrical, and crystallographic properties of La_1−x Sr_xMnO₃ (0.15⩽x⩽0.23) epitaxial films grown on single-crystal substrates of (001)ZrO₂(Y₂O₃) having the fluorite structure and (001)LaAlO₃ having the perovskite structure. It was found that films with close compositions for x=0.15 and 0.16, grown on different substrates, have different properties, namely, the film on a fluorite substrate is semiconducting and has a coercive strength 30 times that of the film on a perovskite substrate; the temperature dependence of electrical resistance of the latter film has a maximum around the Curie point T _C and follows metallic behavior for T<T _C. These differences are explained as due to different structures of the films. The x=0.23 film on the perovskite substrate has been found to exhibit a combination of giant magnetoresistance at room temperature with a resistance of ≈300 Ω which is useful for applications. The maxima in resistance and absolute value of negative magnetoresistance are accounted for by the existence of two-phase magnetic states in these films. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 290–294 (February 1998)     

Characteristics of magnetic order in perovskite manganites La1−x CaxMnO3

Solid solutions of the system La_1−x Ca_xMnO₃ are synthesized, and their magnetic and electrical properties are investigated. As x is increased, the crystal lattice changes symmetrically from an orthorhombic (x=0 and x=0.8) to a cubic structure (0<x⩽0.6 and x=1). Nonstoichiometric LaMnO₃ and compositions with a low Ca content (0<x<0.4) are collinear ferromagnets. A metal-insulator transition is observed in them near the Curie temperature. Compositions with 0.6⩽x⩽0.9 exhibit a semiconductor-type conductivity and an unusual temperature behavior of the magnetization and the susceptibility with very distinct Curie and Néel temperatures. The magnetic properties of the solid solutions are explained on the basis of the model of ferro-antiferromagnetic phase separation. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 116, 1664–1675 (November 1999)     

Rotation of the Fermi surface in the transition layer of bicrystals of an anisotropic metal

The Shubnikov-de Haas effect is investigated in bicrystals of p-type Bi_1−x Sb_x (0.063⩽x⩽0.088) alloys in static magnetic fields up to 15 T. The constant-energy surface of -holes in the transition layer of the bicrystals is found to be rotated ∼90° from its position in single domains (monoblocks). Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1713–1716 (October 1997)     

Magnetic phases in Mn<Subscript>1</Subscript>_<Subscript>x</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>x</Subscript>WO<Subscript>4</Subscript> studied by neutron powder diffraction

The magnetic structures of Mn_1-xFe_xWO₄ with x = 0.0, 0.16, 0.21, 0.225, 0.232, 0.24, 0.27, 0.29, and 1.0 were refined from neutron powder diffraction data. The magnetic phase diagram could be completed in the coexistence range of different magnetic structures up to x = 0.29. For the magnetic state at 1.5 K a commensurate antiferromagnetic structure with a propagation vector = (±1/4, 1/2, 1/2) was found for x ⩽ 0.22 while the magnetic spins order with = (1/2, 0, 0) for x ≥ 0.22. In the latter phase, additionally, weak magnetic reflections indexed to an incommensurate ordering with = (- 0.214, 1/2, 0.457) occur in the diffraction pattern up to x = 0.29 indicating the occurence of a reentrant phase. For 0.12 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.29 the low temperature phases are separated from a magnetic high temperature phase showing only magnetic reflections indexed to a spin arrangement with = (1/2, 0, 0). The magnetic phase diagram is discussed qualitatively considering random superexchange between the statistically distributed Mn²⁺- and Fe²⁺-ions in the coexistence range 0.12 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.29 of different magnetic structures related to those of pure MnWO₄ and FeWO₄. Received 9 October 2002 Published online 14 March 2003     

Phase transitions and magnetic-transport phenomena in the system La2/3Ba1/3(Mn1−x Cox)O3

A study is performed of the crystalline structure, magnetization, and magnetotransport properties of the system La_2/3Ba_1/3(Mn_1−x Co_x)O₃ with perovskite structure. It is shown that cubic solid solutions exist over the entire range of cobalt concentrations 0⩽x⩽1. Compositions with x⩽0.2 are ferromagnets with maximum resistance near T _C . Compositions with 0.2<x<0.4 manifest properties of inhomogeneous ferromagnets. Measurements of magnetic properties indicate the absence of long-range magnetic order in compositions with 0.5⩽x⩽0.9, which are probably spin glasses. The spontaneous magnetization of cobaltate (2μ _B per formula unit) corresponds to ferromagnetic ordering of the moments of the Co³⁺ and Co⁴⁺ ions found in the intermediate spin state. It is conjectured that the magnetoresistance consists of an extrinsic and an intrinsic contribution. The first arises as a result of intergrain transport of spin-polarized charge carriers, and the second, as a result of magnetic ordering near T _C . The magnetoresistance is essentially independent of the spontaneous magnetization and decreases abruptly as the cobalt concentration is increased with a corresponding transition from long-range to short-range magnetic order. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 116, 604–610 (August 1999)     

Electrical and magnetic properties of titanium diselenide intercalated with cobalt

This paper discusses experimental studies of the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility, electrical conductivity, and Seebeck coefficient of the compounds Co_xTiSe₂ (0.1⩽x⩽0.5), along with the structural behavior exhibited by these compounds. For Co_0.5TiSe₂, the observed temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility is characteristic of an antiferromagnet with a Néel temperature of 510 K. The data obtained on the structural characteristics and physical properties of the intercalated phases are interpreted using a model that assumes the formation of bands of localized states near the Fermi level. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1618–1621 (Sepember 1997)     

The antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic transition in the system Zn1−x CuxCr2S4

The magnetization and paramagnetic susceptibility of the system of compounds Zn_1−x Cu_xCr₂S₄ (0<x⩽1) are investigated at low temperatures. It is shown that as the content of Cu increases the system exhibits a transition from an antiferromagnetic to a ferromagnetic state. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 278–279 (February 1998)     

Frozen magnetic states in quasi-two-dimensional Cr1/3−x NixTaS2 compounds with competing exchange interactions

A study of the dynamic and static magnetic susceptibility of quasi-two-dimensional, doubly intercalated compounds Cr_1/3−x Ni_xTaS₂ (0.08⩽x⩽0.23) is reported. It is shown that cooling from paramagnetic phase in this concentration range produces a spin-glass-type frozen magnetic state. In contrast to the classical 3D spin glasses, however, this state sets in within a broad temperature range rather than at a phase transition. A magnetic phase diagram of the studied compounds has been constructed. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1801–1805 (October 1997)     

Influence of structural deformations on the magnetic properties of Jahn-Teller complexes of divalent copper in CaxSr1−x F2 mixed crystals

Crystals of variable constituency Ca_xSr_1−x F₂:Cu (0⩽x⩽0.05, x≅0.5, 1.0⩾x⩾0.95) are investigated by EPR and x-ray structural analysis. The electron-Zeeman, intrinsic hyperfine, and ligand hyperfine interaction parameters are determined; they characterize the magnetic properties of the copper paramagnetic complexes formed in the crystals. Models of the molecular structures of these complexes are discussed, along with the influence of structural deformations and vibronic interactions on their magnetic properties. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 445–451 (March 1998)     

Near-ordering structural transitions in amorphous metal alloys

The temperature variations in the modulus of elasticity (Young’s modulus) E and internal friction Q ⁻¹ of the amorphous metal alloys Ti₅₀Cu_50−x Ni_x (5⩽x⩽20) are studied at temperatures of 300–800 K. There is an anomalous increase in E(T) at temperatures above T _x (which varies from 440 to 525 K, depending on the composition). When the amount of nickel in the alloy is high (x>12 at. %), a small peak shows up in Q ⁻¹(T). These effects are related to structural transitions in near-ordering regions (clusters). A model for structural relaxation of near ordering in amorphous alloys is proposed on the basis of these experiments. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 389–392 (March 1998)     

Iron garnet films with enhanced thermal stability of their magnetic parameters

The ferromagnetic resonance in Y₃Fe_5−x Ga_xO₁₂ (0⩽x⩽0.63), iron garnet films obtained by liquid phase epitaxy on substrates of gadolinium gallium garnet is studied at temperatures of 213–353 K. It is found that in the case of liquid phase epitaxy the distribution coefficient of the gallium in the films varies from 2.2 to 4.0, depending on the composition and growth conditions. It is found that the resonance magnetic fields can be temperature stabilized through temperature-induced changes in the saturation magnetization and anisotropy field. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 46–50 (September 1998)     

X-ray,electrical conductivity,magnetic and infrared studies of the system Co2−x Ge1−x Fe2x O4

X-ray, electrical conductivity, magnetic hysteresis and IR studies for the system Co_2−x Ge_1−x Fe_2x O₄ were carried out. All the compounds, 0⩽x⩽1, showed cubic symmetry. X-ray intensity calculations, magnetic hysteresis measurements and IR studies indicated the presence of Ge⁴⁺ at tetrahedral, Co²⁺ at octahedral and Fe³⁺ at both the sites. The activation energy and threshold frequency decreased with increasing value ofx. The compounds withx⩽0.5 arep-type and those withx⩾0.75 aren-type semiconductors. Magnetic hysteresis indicated that all the compounds are ferrimagnetic except forx=0 which is antiferromagnetic. The shapes of χ/χ _i vsT plots, highH _c values andJ _R/J_s ratios showed that all the compounds exceptx=0 exhibit single-domain behaviour. Curie temperature,T _c increased with increasing Fe³⁺ ions. The probable ionic configuration for the system is suggested as Ge _1−x ⁴⁺ Fe _x ³⁺ [co _2−x ²⁺ Fe _x ³⁺ ]O ₄ ²⁻ .     

Non-fermi liquid transport in <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>Co<Subscript>2</Subscript>-based alloys

Results on the experimentally investigated dependence of the electrical resistivity of quasibinary alloys R _x Y_1−x Co₂, where R stands for magnetic rare earth elements, on temperature (2–300 K), composition (x = 0–1), and magnetic field (0–15 T) are presented. Non-Fermi liquid behavior of electrical resistivity in a magnetic field was observed in paramagnetic Gd _x Y_1−x Co₂ alloys. The relative magneto-thermopower of these alloys exhibits diverging behavior with decreasing temperature, indicating anomalous temperature variation of the thermopower in the non-Fermi liquid regime.     

Anomalies of the electronic properties of alloys in the presence of variation of the local magnetic moments

The concentration dependences of the electronic properties (residual electrical resistivity, diffusion thermoelectric power, normal Hall effect, and low-temperature specific heat) and the magnetic characteristics (magnetization and paramagnetic susceptibility) of quasibinary (Pd_xPt_1−x )₃Fe, Pt₃Mn_xFe_1−x , (Pd_xAu_1−x )₃Fe, and Sc_xTi_1−x Fe₂ alloys are investigated. A relationship is established between the anomalous behavior of the kinetic properties and the variation of the local magnetic moments. The absence of corresponding anomalies in the concentration dependence of the specific heat indicates that the density of states at the Fermi level does not change significantly and, therefore, that the conventional Mott two-band model cannot be used to describe the anomalies in the properties of the alloys in question. A single interpretation of the sum-total of the experimental results is given on the basis of the theory of local fluctuations of the electron spin density in metal magnets. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1257–1262 (July 1997)     

New line of thermodynamic phase transitions on the x-T diagram of a dilute Heisenberg system with short-range interactions Li0.5Fe2.5−x GaxO4

It is established on the basis of an investigation of the temperature dependences of the saturation magnetization σ_S(T) and the magnetic contribution to the specific heat C _m(T) that in the reentrant region of the x-T diagram (0.9⩽x⩽1.5) of dilute iron spinels Li_0.5Fe_{2.5− x} Ga_xO₄ there exists between the line of Curie points T _C(x) and the line of freezing temperatures T _f(x) another line of first-order phase transitions T ₁(x) to a noncollinear ferrimagnetic phase: T _C(x)⩽T ₁(x)⩽T _f(x). Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 67, No. 5, 329–333 (10 March 1998)     

Atomic structure and transport and magnetic properties of the Sm1−x SrxMnO3 system

This is the first study of the temperature dependences of the atomic structure by neutron diffraction, as well as of the resistivity, differential magnetic susceptibility, and magnetoresistance of the ceramic system ¹⁵⁴Sm_1−x Sr_xMnO₃ (x∼0.16–0.4). Samples (x⩾0.3) having an initially orthorhombic structure transfer upon cooling from the insulating to the metallic state and exhibit giant magnetoresistance, which at liquid-helium temperature reaches as high as 90% in magnetic fields up to 30 kOe. At lower doping levels (x⩽0.25), the compound has monoclinic structure. The resistivity of such compounds in zero magnetic field displays insulating behavior upon lowering the temperature to 77 K. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 1271–1276 (July 1998)     

Effect of oxygen deficiency on the electrical and magnetic properties of the manganites La1 ? x Ca x MnO3 ? α ( x = 0.5, 0.6, and 0.7)

The electrical conductivity of La_{1 − x} Ca _x MnO_{3 − α} (x = 0.5) alloys in a magnetic field of 0.6 T is investigated in the temperature range 78–300 K. According to the phase diagram, this compound at α = 0 corresponds to an intermediate region between the ferromagnetic conducting (x < 0.5) and antiferromagnetic semiconducting (x s> 0.5) phases and contains islands of the metallic phase. Under oxygen-deficient conditions, the fraction of the metallic phase increases and the semiconductor-metal transition takes place. The formation of bound islands of the metallic phase is observed under oxygen-deficient conditions in the La_0.4Ca_0.6MnO_{3 − α} compounds. Original Russian Text ? Yu.M. Baĭkov, E.I. Nikulin, Yu.P. Stepanov, 2008, published in Fizika Tverdogo Tela, 2008, Vol. 50, No. 8, pp. 1448–1451.     

Effect of constant-energy surface anisotropy on the thermoelectric figure-of-merit of the n-Bi2 (Te,Se,S)3 solid solutions

A study is reported of the thermoelectric and galvanomagnetic properties of n-Bi₂Te_3−x−y Se_xSe_y solid solutions for 0.12⩽x⩽0.36 and 0.12⩽y⩽0.21 within the 80–300 K temperature region. The thermoelectric figure-of-merit Z has been found to correlate with the parameters of the many-valley energy-band model including anisotropic carrier scattering. It is shown that a decrease in the constant-energy surface anisotropy and scattering anisotropy results in a growth of Z for optimum carrier concentrations in the solid solution. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 187–192 (February 1999)     

Conductivity jumps and low-temperature magnetoresistance in the new semiconducting perovskites La1− x BixMnO3+δ

Abrupt jumps are observed on the temperature dependences of the electrical conductivity of La_{1− x} Bi_xMnO_3+δ (0.1<x<0.7) and La_0.3Bi_0.7Na_0.1MnO_3+δ ceramics. The temperatures at which the jumps take place can be reduced by several degrees by applying an external magnetic field of 15 kOe. It can be seen from the magnetization data that the poorly conducting low-temperature phase is not antiferromagnetic (it is likely ferromagnetic) and hence the real-space charge ordering mechanism is not sufficient for explaining the experimental results. An interpretation in terms of magnetic phase nonuniformity is proposed. All the samples studied exhibit high low-temperature magnetoresistance. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 64, No. 4, 250–253 (25 August 1996) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Edited by Steve Torstveit.