Orthorhombic structure: a necessity in superconducting 1-2-3 compounds

X-ray and resistivity measurements on YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (1-2-3) samples show that for the same but low oxygen concentration,δ⋍0·55, no superconducting transition down to 4·2 K is observed for the tetragonal phase samples while the orthorhombic phase shows aT _c ∼ 31 K. The effect of oxygen concentration onT _c is isolated.T _c=91±1 K has, however, been observed continuously for the normal oxygen annealed samples,δ⋍0·07. The experimental results suggest strongly the necessity of the 1-2-3 compound to be in the orthorhombic phase for the superconducting mechanism to be operative.     

Neutron,x-ray and lattice dynamical studies of paraelectric Sb2S3

Neutron and x-ray diffraction studies of Sb₂S₃ indicate extensive diffuse scattering in the plane perpendicular to the chain axis of polymer-like (Sb₄S₆) _n molecules. The crystal structure of the paraelectric phase is said to be orthorhombic with space group D _2h ¹⁶ with four molecules per unit cell. The observed diffuse scattering may be due to static disorder or some dynamical effects. In this paper the authors have examined the possible dynamical origin by recourse to lattice dynamical studies. Dispersion relation of phonons along the three symmetry directionsa*,b* andc* is evaluated based on a lattice dynamical model incorporating Coulomb, covalent and a Born-Mayer-like short range interactions. Group theoretical analysis based on the group of neutral elements of crystal sites (GNES) was essential in order to examine and aid in the numerical computations. The group theoretical technique involving GNES extended to ‘pseudo-molecular’ systems is also discussed in this context. The phonon dispersion relation shows that there are rather flat TA-TO branches of very low frequency in thea andc directions which may give rise to diffuse scattering. The branches along theb-axis are quite dissimilar to those alonga andc axes because of anisotropy. Variation of the potential parameters leads to instability of the lowest TA-TO branch. This is suggestive of a temperatures or pressure-dependent phase transition. However since these modes are optically ‘silent’ one needs to carry out either high resolution neutron scattering or ultrasonic studies to confirm various aspects of the theoretical studies.     

Effect of substitution of Ce on superconducting properties of Bi1.7Pb0.3Sr2Ca2−x Ce x Cu3O10+δ system

We have investigated the superconducting properties of the Bi_1.7 Pb_0.3Sr₂Ca_2−xCe _x Cu₃O_10+δ system with x=0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.1 by X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility. The substitution of Ce for Ca has been found to drastically change the superconducting properties of the system. X-ray diffraction studies on these compounds indicate decrease in the c-parameter with increased substitution of Ce at Ca site and volume fraction of high T _c (2 : 2 : 2 : 3) phase decreases and low T _c phase increases. The magnetic susceptibility of this compound shows that the diamagnetic on set superconducting transition temperature (onset) varies from 109 K to 51 K for x=0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.1. These results suggest the possible existence of Ce in a tetravalent state rather than a trivalent state in this system; that is, Ca²⁺ → Ce⁴⁺ replacement changes the hole carrier concentration. Hole filling is the cause of lowering T _c of the system.     

Polarons in axial transport in single-layer high-T<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis></Subscript> superconductors

The temperatureT dependencies ρ(T) of normal state electric resistivitiesρ _c (axial) andρ _ab (in plane) of single-layer high-T _c superconductors show common trends: AsT is raised, the resistivity first drops steeply before it starts rising αT above an apparent semiconductor-to-metal crossoverT _cross . To analyze ρ(T) we plottT/ρ againstT at various dopingsx for bothρ _c andρ _ab .T/ρ is inversely proportional to the traversal time across a potential barrier as an ionic particle drifts in an electric field. We findT/ρ in good agreement with theT dependence of the quantum rate of migrating particles: AsT is raised, a zero-point rate at the lowestT is extended to a nearly flat plateau before a thermally activated branch sets in. We also find evidence for the admixture of 1- & 2-phonon absorptions below the Arrhenius range. These features shape the semiconductor-like branch below T _cross . AboveT _cross a metallic-like branch sets in, its αT character deriving from the field coupling of the migrating particle. Our analysis suggests that metal physics may not suffice if ionic features play a role in transport. We attribute our conclusions to the drift of strong-coupling polarons along Cu−O bonds. These “bond polarons” originate from carrier scattering by double-well potentials associated with the bonds. A bond polaron dissociates to a free hole as it passes onto a neighboring O-O link.     

Effect of Zr,Ti substitutions onT c in superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−δ system

Zr and Ti have been substituted in the system Y_1−x M _x Ba₂Cu₃O_7−δ(M=Zr, Ti,x=0.05,0.1). We find that theT _c value is unchanged, ∼90K for Zr substitutions up to 10% and in the case of Ti substitutions theT _c drops significantly. These changes may arise from their site preference.     

Studies of synthesizing behaviors and superconductivity of sol-gel YBa2Cu3O7-x samples in flowing oxygen atmosphere

Systematic studies of synthesizing behaviors of sol-gel YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x samples in flowing oxygen atmosphere and their superconductivity have been performed. A set of high temperature ρ-T curves has been obtained for the whole synthesizing process. After four rounds of synthesizing, the resistivity of the sample was around ρ=1.00×10⁻³Ω · cm at room temperature. The ρ-T curve of the fourth round shows that the orthorhombic to tetragonal phase transformation of the sample occurs around 600 °C, which is lower than that of the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x sample prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method. Other measurements, such as X-ray diffraction, SEM measurement and low temperature R-T and M-T measurement, were also performed. And the R-T and M-T measurement results suggest that during the synthesizing process, there exist some state at which the sample has better superconductivity than the other states. Moreover, we found screw dislocations presenting on the sample broken surface from the SEM images. This will change the concept that the screw dislocations can only grow on the surface of the YBCO thin films and single crystals.      

Colossal magnetoresistance in layered manganite Nd2−2x Sr1+2x Mn2O7 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5)

The layered manganite Nd_2−2x Sr_1+2x Mn₂O₇, with x varying between 0 and 0.5, has been synthesized using solid-state reaction method. We have found that Nd_2−2x Sr_1+2x Mn₂O₇ do not form the single-phase layered compound with A₃B₂O₇ structure. Instead, mixtures of various phases, such as, orthorhombic perovskite, i.e., Nd_1−z Sr _z MnO₃, layered manganite and unreacted starting compounds, have been obtained. Except for x=0.4, which is found to be an antiferromagnetic insulator, all other x values yielded metal-insulator transition and ferromagnetic ordering.     

Magnetic properties of Zr doped Y9Co7

Detailed measurements of magnetization and ac susceptibility at low temperatures of 1% Zr-substituted Y₉Co₇ are presented. All results are indicative of itinerant weak ferromagnetism withT _c ∼ 9.5 K. The zero-field magnetizations followT ² orT ^4/3 behaviour as in the Ni-substituted system. The estimated critical exponents areβ=0.38±0.03,γ=1.16±0.05. It is argued that the main effect of the non-magnetic Zr-substitution in Y₉Co₇ is to stabilize the ferromagnetic ordering by suppressing the ‘hopping’ of Co atoms along thec-axis sites of the hexagonal structure.     

On the addition of silver to highT c (Y1Ba2Cu3O7−x ) superconductor

The superconducting transition temperature of the highT _c compound Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7−x does not show degradation consequent upon the addition of metallic silver up to a concentration of 60 wt per cent. The X-ray diffraction data confirm that the oxygen deficient distorted orthorhombic perovskite structure of the pure compound stays intact as if silver does not enter the crystal lattice. SEM studies do show the presence of silver at the grain boundaries only. Silver is found to restrict the grain growth.     

Metal-insulator transition in electron-doped Ba1−x La x MnO3 compounds

Electron-doped (Ba_1−x La _x )MnO₃ compounds were prepared for x=0−0.5. Measurements of X-ray diffraction (XRD) at room temperature and temperature variation of dc electrical resistivity down to 20 K were carried out. Samples with x=0.2–0.5 exhibit metal-insulator (M-I) transition. The maximum M-I transition temperature (T _c) of 289 K was observed for 30% of La doping (x=0.3). XRD patterns of these samples (x=0.2−0.5) were analyzed using Rietveld refinement. These samples are found to be mostly in single-phase form with orthorhombic symmetry (space group Pbnm). We have found strong correlation between Mn-O-Mn bond angles and T _c of M-I transition. The resistivity data below T _c could be fitted to the expression ρ=ρ ₁+ρ ₂ T ² and this shows that double exchange interaction plays a major role even in Mn⁴⁺-rich compound. Above T _c the resistivity data were fitted to variable range hopping and small polaron models.     

Structural studies and T c dependence in La2−x Dy x Ca y Ba2Cu4+y O z type mixed oxide superconductors

A new series of mixed oxide superconductors with the stoichiometric composition La_2−x Dy _x Ca _y Ba₂Cu_4+y O _z (x=0.0 − 0.5, y=2x) has been studied for structural and superconductiong properties. Our earlier studies on La_2−x (Y/Er) _x Ca _y Ba₂Cu_4+y O _z series, show a strong dependence of T _c on hole concentration (p _sh). In the present work, the results of the analysis of the neutron diffraction measurements at room temprerature on x=0.3 and 0.5 samples are reported. It is interesting to know that Ca substitutes for both La and Ba site with concomitant displacement of La onto Ba site. Superconductivity studies show that maximum T _c is obtained for x=0.5, y=1.0 sample (T _c ∼ 75 K), for La_1.5Dy_0.5Ca₁Ba₂Cu₅O _z (La-2125).     

TDPAC studies of Hf doped YBCO

Time differential perturbed angular correlation measurements of the 133–482 keVγ-γ cascade of¹⁸¹Ta in Hf-doped YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x are presented. The¹⁸¹Hf precurser nuclei are incorporated into the sample by thermal neutron irradiation. Two quadrupole interaction frequencies are observed in the as-irradiated sample:v _Q1=161±10 MHz with intensityf ₁=75%, asymmetry parameterη ₁=0.32 and damping parameter Λ₁=0.42, andv _Q2=1108±40 MHz withf ₂=25%,η ₂=0.62, and Λ₂=0.60. On annealing the sample in air at various temperaturesT _a and quenching to room temperature,f ₁ remained nearly constant forT _a<600°C andv _Q1 for all annealing temperatures indicating that these are insensitive to oxygen stoichiometry. This frequency is interpreted to be due to¹⁸¹Hf substitutingY sites. BeyondT _a=600°C,f ₁ increased and reached a constant value of 90% forT _a=800°C. The value ofv _Q2 showed a slight variation between 1086 and 1160 MHz, whilef ₂ remained nearly constant at 25% forT _a<600°C. This component is identified to be due to¹⁸¹Hf substituting Cu 1 sites in the Cu-O chains of YBCO. Above 600°Cv _Q2 decreased and reached a value of 808 MHz beyond 750°C.     

Paracharge phenomenology: systematics of the new hadrons

A systematic semiquantitative account of all aspects of the strong and electromagnetic interactions of all the newly discovered hadronic states (theψ’s, theχ’s, etc.) is presented within the framework of the paracharge scheme. Extensions of ideas familiar from the SU₃ classification scheme to SU₄ are shown to provide an understanding of the new states seen in the decays ofψ (3.1) andψ′ (3.7), including their masses and gross decay characteristics. The decays ofψ (3.1) andψ′ (3.7) themselves are studied in some detail. Since these are of electromagnetic origin in the scheme, their electromagnetic mixing with the resonance at 4.15 GeV (theP-state of the scheme) is important. Once this is taken into account, the resulting picture is in excellent agreement with available data.     

Carrier concentration dependence and impurity effects of microwave response in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+ y

We report the surface impedance (Z _s ) measurements in high quality single crystals of Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+y . At relatively low oxygen content, the change of the penetration depth, Δλ(T) ≡λ(T)-λ(0), of the pure single crystals exhibits linear temperature dependence both parallel to the CuO₂ planes and in thec direction. In contrast to this behavior, by further oxygenation or 0.6% Zn substitution, theT-linear dependence is disrupted andT ² dependence of Δλ is observed. We also found that 0.9% Ni-substitution induces no pairbreaking effect. The present results suggest that the low-lying excitation spectrum of quasiparticles depends on the carrier concentration and is easily changed by a small amount of Zn substitution.     

Application of low field NMR T2 measurements to clathrate hydrates

Low field (2 MHz) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) proton spin–spin relaxation time (T₂) distribution measurements were employed to investigate tetrahydrofuran (THF)—deuterium oxide (D₂O) clathrate hydrate formation and dissociation processes. In particular, T₂ distributions were obtained at the point of hydrate phase transition as a function of the co-existing solid/liquid ratios. Because T₂ of the target molecules reflect the structural arrangements of the molecules surrounding them, T₂ changes of THF in D₂O during hydrate formation and dissociation should yield insights into the hydrate mechanisms on a molecular level. This work demonstrated that such T₂ measurements could easily distinguish THF in the solid hydrate phase from THF in the coexisting liquid phase. To our knowledge, this is the first time that T₂ of guest molecules in hydrate cages has been measured using this low frequency NMR T₂ distribution technique. At this low frequency, results also proved that the technique can accurately capture the percentages of THF molecules residing in the solid and liquid phases and quantify the hydrate conversion progress. Therefore, an extension of this technique can be applied to measure hydrate kinetics. It was found that T₂ of THF in the liquid phase changed as hydrate formation/dissociation progressed, implying that the presence of solid hydrate influenced the coexisting fluid structure. The rotational activation measured from the proton response of THF in the hydrate phase was 31 KJ/mole, which agreed with values reported in the literature.     

Effect of substrate temperature on electrical and magnetic properties of epitaxial La1−x Pb x MnO3 films

Epitaxial La_1−x Pb _x MnO₃ (LPMO) thin films, grown on (100) SrTiO₃ substrates by laser ablation technique at different temperatures between 600 and 850°C, have been characterized for electrical and magnetic properties. The temperature dependence of resistivity showed that the metal-insulator transition temperature (T _MI) decreases with increasing substrate temperature, which has been attributed to decrease in Pb content in the filsm. The YBa₂Cu₃O _x /La_1−x MnO₃ heterostructures, exhibiting both superconductivity and ferromagnetism, have been fabricated.     

Magnetic and transport properties of monocrystalline<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fe</Emphasis><Subscript>3</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis><Subscript>4</Subscript>

A monocrystal ofFe ₃ O ₄ is characterized by resistance, magnetoresistance and magnetic measurements in a temperature range from 4.2 K to 350 K and magnetic field-cycling from −9 T to 9 T. The resistance measurements revealed a metal-insulator Verwey transition (VT) atT _v =123.76 K with activation energy E=92.5 meV at T >T _v and temperature-substitute for the activation energy below the VT,T ₀=E/k _B ≈3800 K within 70 K–110K. The magnetotransport results independently verified the VT at 123.70 K, with discontinuous change in the magnetic moment ΔM≈0.21 ΔM≈0.21μ _B and resistance hysteresis, dependent on the magnetic field in a narrow temperature range of 0.4° around theT _v . The magnetic characterization established self consistentlyT _v as ≈123.67 K, the jump in the magnetization at the VT≈0.25μ _B and confirmed, that the magnetocrystalline anisotropy is the main microscopic mechanism responsible for the magnetization of the monocrystal (88%) with additional natural and imposed defects contributing as 12%.     

Effect of Nd on the Superconductivity of Nd1+x Ba2-x Cu3O y with 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.35

The effect of Nd substitution at the Ba sites has been studied in Nd_1+x Ba_2-x Cu₃O _y system for 0.1 x 0.35. Orthorhombic to tetragonal structural phase transition occurs at about x = 0.17. With the increase of Nd, the T _c value decreases and T increases, where T is the difference between the onset and critical temperatures and indicates the sharpness of the transition. These changes are explained by ac-susceptibility measurements on Nd_1.1Ba_1.9Cu₃O_7.12 at 0.10 Oe. The susceptibility curves show the presence of about four phases, which are not detectable by X-ray diffraction technique.     

Pr0.7(Sr1-xCax)0.3MnO3多晶体系中的小极化子性质

采用基于柠檬酸体系的溶胶-凝胶法制备了Pr_0.7（Sr_1-xCa_x）_0.3MnO₃系列的多晶块材, 同时还用脉冲激光沉积技术（PLD）在SrTiO₃（100）衬底上外延生长了同一系列的薄膜, 系统研究了它们的晶格结构和电输运行为. 多晶和薄膜样品都具有正交晶格结构, 电输运行为在居里温度T_Ｃ以上的高温顺磁相都很好 关键词： 0.7（Sr_1-xCa_x）_0.3MnO₃')" href="#">Pr_0.7（Sr_1-xCa_x）_0.3MnO₃ 绝热小极化子模型 双交换作用 Jahn-Teller晶格畸变     

La2-xNdxCuO4+δ(0.1≤x≤1.2)体系中滞弹性弛豫与相变内耗研究

通过对La_2-xNd_xCuO_4+δ(0.1≤x≤1.2)体系中滞弹性弛豫与相变内耗性能的研究发现,当0.1≤x≤1.0时,在250K左右存在一个与间隙氧有关的弛豫内耗峰,并且当0.1≤x≤0.4时,弛豫内耗峰峰高随着x值的增大而升高,此时体系为正交结构;当0.5≤x≤1.0时,体系在宏观上呈现四方结构,此时内耗峰峰高随着x< 关键词： 2-xNd_<i>xCuO_4+δ')" href="#">La_2-xNd_<i>xCuO_4+δ 间隙氧 弛豫内耗峰 相变内耗峰