Thermal diffusion near glass transition in Ge-Se glasses measured by photoacoustics

The glass transition in Ge _x Se_1−x ) (0·1 ⩽x ⩽ 0·25) glasses has been investigated using the photoacoustic (PA) technique. It is found that the PA amplitude and phase undergo anomalous changes at the glass transition temperatureT _g. The amplitude has critical minimum and phase has maximum values atT _g. The variation of the thermal diffusivity, determined by measuring the frequency dependence of the PA amplitude and phase, with temperature shows sharp decrease near the glass transition temperature. The temperature dependence of the optical energy gap also has been measured and it shows a decrease with temperature for all compositions, the rate of decrease being higher for temperatures greater thanT _g.     

The thermoelastic behaviour of the orientationally disordered ionic crystals in two dimensions

The anomalous temperature dependence of the elastic constantsc ₁₁ andc ₆₆ and the elastic instability temperatureT _c are obtained in the two-dimensional microscopic model of the alkali cyanides crystals. It has been found, by means of the Michel and Naudts' theory of the translation rotation coupling, that the orientational disorder in the high-temperature phase leads to the critical softening of the shear elastic constantc ₆₆.     

The vortex-like excitations detected by Nernst signals in high-Tc superconductors

The nature of the pseudogap state and its relation to the d-wave superconductivity in high-T _c superconductors is still an open issue. The vortex-like excitations detected by the Nernst effect measurements exist in a certain temperature range above superconducting transition temperature T _c, which strongly support that the pseudogap phase is characterized by finite pairing amplitude with strong phase fluctuations and imply that the phase transition at T _c is driven by the loss of long-range phase coherence. We first briefly introduce the electronic phase diagram and pseudogap state of high-T _c superconductors, and then review the results of Nernst effect for different high-T _c superconductors. Related theoretical models are also discussed.     

Approximate calculations for the two-dimensional Ising model

A self-consistent molecular field approximation for the two-dimensional, square-lattice Ising model is used to calculate the energy and magnetization. Agreement with the exact calculations is good except near the critical temperature, which differs from the exact critical temperature by 4%. The specific heat has no anomalous behavior asT approachesT _c from above, and the magnetization follows the incorrect Weiss (T _c-T)^1/2 law asT approachesT _c from below.     

On the s-type superconductivity in heavy-fermion compounds

The amplitude of scattering of f electrons has been calculated for the periodic Anderson model in the strong-correlation limit (U = ∞) in the Cooper channel. From the condition of the existence of a pole of this amplitude, an equation is derived for determining the critical temperature (T _c) of the transition to the superconducting phase with the s symmetry of the order parameter. The temperature T _c as a function of the electron density and hybridization parameter has been calculated by self-consistently solving the system of equations. The region of the existence of the superconducting phase is found to adjoin the region of the existence of the unsaturated ferromagnetic state and does not overlap it. The results can be used to describe the transition to the superconducting phase with the s symmetry of the order parameter in heavy-fermion skutterudite LaFe₄P₁₂. In this case, the inclusion of the scattering of fermions by spin fluctuations turns out to be substantial enough to obtain T _c values close to the experimental data.     

Polar relaxation mode in PbZrO3 crystals

Abstract

In antiferroelectric lead zirconate crystal with one phase transition a nearly monodispersive dipolar relaxation has been found in the paraelectric phase and temperature range 20 K below T _c in the frequency region 20—3 ′ 10⁵ Hz. This relaxation has a dominating influence on the temperature dependence of dielectric susceptibility. Relaxation time obeys the Arrhenius law increasing up to 1.5 ′ 10^?2s (11 Hz) at T _c and then exhibiting a distinct jump.     

Search for magnetic fields due to anyons in high-T c superconductors

We have searched for anomalous internal magnetic fields in highT _c materials which are predicted to occur in anyon and flux phase models of superconductivity. The magnitude, anisotropy and temperature dependence of the observed fields inc-axis oriented samples of sintered YBa₂CuO₃O₇ and of thick-film Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ are consistent with a conventional nuclear dipolar origin. An upper limit of ≲0.08 mT is set for any anomalous magnetic fields along thec-axis atμ ⁺ sites in bulk CuO₂ superconductors.     

Magnetic-field-induced valence transition in rare-earth systems

The magnetic-field-induced valence transition in rare-earth systems has been investigated using the periodic Anderson model supplemented by the Falicov-Kimball term. This model has been solved by first decoupling the Falicov-Kimball term as proposed by Khomskii and Koharjan and then taking the limit of infinite intra-site Coulomb repulsion. The valence transition both in the absence and in the presence of magnetic field as a function of temperature is studied. It has been found that the system makes transition from non-magnetic to magnetic state when the magnetic field increases beyond a critical value H _c. The phase boundary defined in terms of reduced field H _c(T)/H _c(0) and reduced temperature T/T _v (T _v being the valence transition temperature in the absence of field) is almost independent of the position of the localized level. The results are in qualitative agreement with experimental observations in Yb- and Eu-compounds.     

Low-temperature structural phase transition in a monoclinic KDy(WO4)2 crystal

The low-temperature thermal and magnetic-resonance properties of a monoclinic KDy(WO₄)₂ single crystal are investigated. It is established that a structural phase transition takes place at T _c=6.38 K. The field dependence of the critical temperature is determined for a magnetic field oriented along the crystallographic a and c axes. The initial part of the H-T phase diagram is plotted for H∥a. The prominent features of the structural phase transition are typical of a second-order Jahn-Teller transition, which is not accompanied by any change in the symmetry of the crystal lattice in the low-temperature phase. The behavior of C(T) in a magnetic field shows that the transition goes to an antiferrodistortion phase. An anomalous increase in the relaxation time (by almost an order of magnitude) following a thermal pulse is observed at T>T _c(H), owing to the structural instability of the lattice. A theoretical model is proposed for the structural phase transition in a magnetic field, and the magnetic-field dependence of T _c is investigated for various directions of the field. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 750–758 (April 1998)     

Anomalous ferromagnetic resonance in manganese- and aluminum-doped germanium layers deposited from the laser plasma

Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) with an anomalous angular dependence has been observed in the Ge:(Mn, Al)/GaAs nanolayers deposited from laser plasma at a reduced temperature of 150°C. The resonance is associated with the needle-like inclusions of a high-temperature ferromagnetic phase with the Curie temperature T _C > 293 K. Such a magnetic anisotropy is confirmed by the atomicforce and magneticforce microscopy of a side chip. A low-temperature ferromagnetic phase with normal FMR and T _C < 212 K is formed between the needle-like inclusions. This phase manifests itself in the anomalous Hall effect at 77 K and probably is a solid solution of manganese in germanium.     

The vortex-like excitations detected by Nernst signals in high-T c superconductors

The nature of the pseudogap state and its relation to the d-wave superconductivity in high-T _c superconductors is still an open issue. The vortex-like excitations detected by the Nernst effect measurements exist in a certain temperature range above superconducting transition temperature T _c, which strongly support that the pseudogap phase is characterized by finite pairing amplitude with strong phase fluctuations and imply that the phase transition at T _c is driven by the loss of long-range phase coherence. We first briefly introduce the electronic phase diagram and pseudogap state of high-T _c superconductors, and then review the results of Nernst effect for different high-T _c superconductors. Related theoretical models are also discussed.     

Anomalous ferromagnetic resonance in manganese- and aluminum-doped germanium layers deposited from the laser plasma

Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) with an anomalous angular dependence has been observed in the Ge:(Mn, Al)/GaAs nanolayers deposited from laser plasma at a reduced temperature of 150°C. The resonance is associated with the needle-like inclusions of a high-temperature ferromagnetic phase with the Curie temperature T _C > 293 K. Such a magnetic anisotropy is confirmed by the atomicforce and magneticforce microscopy of a side chip. A low-temperature ferromagnetic phase with normal FMR and T _C < 212 K is formed between the needle-like inclusions. This phase manifests itself in the anomalous Hall effect at 77 K and probably is a solid solution of manganese in germanium.

     

Investigation of the photothermally modulated ferromagnetic resonance signal from magnetostatic modes in yttrium iron garnet films

The conventional and photothermally modulated (PM) ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) of magnetostatic modes (MSM) in yttrium iron garnet (YIG) films have been investigated as a function of temperature. Approaching the ferrimagnetic transition at T _c=560 K a strong enhancement of the PM-FMR signal amplitude is observed which is accompanied by a change of the signal shape. The observations are discussed in the framework of a model that takes into account the temperature derivatives of those quantities that contribute to the high-frequency susceptibility. At temperatures still below T _c a paramagnetic line emerges. The MSM disappear in a state of finite magnetization which is explained on the basis of damping of the MSM being important in the vicinity of the magnetic phase transition. Additionally, frequency and power dependent measurements are presented and the imaging ability of PM-FMR is demonstrated.     

Proton conductivity and phase transition in potassium hydroxide monohydrate

The ionic conductivity of a proton conductor, namely, potassium hydroxide monohydrate, has been studied in the temperature range of 200–410 K. It has been established that the temperature dependence of the conductivity has the Arrhenius form with an activation enthalpy of ～0.4 eV. The pre-exponential factors for the intervals above and below room temperature differ by a factor of ～2.5. The anomalous temperature behavior observed in the range of 285–345 K indicates a phase transition with T _c ～ 295 K. The mechanism of proton transport has been discussed.     

The elastic behaviour of ferroelastic Sb5O7I polytype 2MC studied by ultrasonic experiments and Brillouin scattering

The temperature dependence of the elastic functions of the improper ferroelastic polytype 2MC-Sb₅O₇I has been investigated in the temperature range from room temperature to well above the structural phase transition atT _c=481 K. The stiffnessesc(c^*c^*),c(a,a),c ₂₂ andc(c^*a) show a considerable softening up to 20% aroundT _c whereasc ₄₄ remains unaffected by the phase transition. The experimental results are discussed considering cubic and quartic anharmonic coupling between two components of the zone boundary order parameter and elastic waves.Carried out in Laboratories RCA Ltd, Zürich, SwitzerlandCarried out in Fakultät für Physik der Universität, Regensburg, Federal Republic of Germany     

Ultrasonic investigation in KTaO3

The anomalous ultrasonic attenuationα _c of longitudinal waves propagating along (100) direction in KTaO₃ has been analyzed above the phase transition temperature in the frequency range 150–300 MHz in the paraelectric phase. The attenuation of longitudinal ultrasonic waves in KTaO₃ is primarily due to a strong interaction with thermally-excited phonons in the soft mode. Frequency and temperature variations of attenuation are discussed.     

Specific features of the formation of the ferroelectric phase in polytypes of TlGaSe2 crystals

The polytypism of layered crystals of thallium gallium diselenide TlGaSe₂ has been found to substantially affect the temperature of phase transformations and the mechanism of formation of the polar state in these ferroelectrics. In particular, it is shown that the phase transition observed in the C-TlGaSe₂ polytype is an improper ferroelectric phase transition occurring at a temperature T _c ≈ 108 K, whereas the phase transition observed in the 2C-TlGaSe₂ polytype is a proper ferroelectric phase transition occurring at a higher temperature T _c ≈ 111 K. It is concluded that the elucidation of the polytype of a particular sample is a necessary stage of investigation of the TlGaSe₂ crystals.     

Structural transformations in a single‐crystal Rb2NaYF6: Raman scattering study

This paper reports Raman spectroscopy investigation of phase transitions in Rb₂NaYF₆ crystal. The experimental spectra were compared with the calculated one. The spectra were obtained in temperature range from 8 to 300 K. The Raman spectra shows anomalous temperature‐dependent behavior at T₁ = 154 and T₂ = 122 K. Soft mode restoration has been found, which allows us to attribute first transition at 154 K to displacive type. Detailed analysis temperature dependencies of the line positions and widths have been performed. We found no effects of possible lattice disorder anywhere, except narrow (about 20 K) range above the T₁ temperature. The Raman spectra of Rb₂NaYF₆ crystal have been obtained and analyzed under hydrostatic pressure up to 4.33 GPa (at T = 295 K). The high pressure experiment up to 4.33 GPa did not disclose any effects associated with phase transitions. The lattice vibration spectra were calculated up to 10 GPa. The calculation has been demonstrated that the Rb₂NaYF₆ does not undergo high pressure phase transition. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ultrasonic investigation of phase transitions in K2SnCl6

The velocities and the attenuation of ultrasonic waves have been investigated as a function of temperature (255KT350K) for the cubic phase of K₂SnCl₆ which undergoes a structural transition atT _c1263K. An anomalous decrease of the shear stiffness constantc=1/2(c ₁₁ –c ₁₂) of about 30% between room temperature andT _c1 is found in this cubic high temperature phase whenT _c1 is approached from above. Whereas the softening ofc extends over a substantial temperature range (about 50 K), the other shear constantc ₄₄ shows only a weak decrease, which is an order of magnitude smaller and restricted toT–T _c110 K. NearT _c1, a strong increase occurs in the attenuation of the shear acoustic wave propagated along the [111] direction, while such an anomalous attenuation is not observed for the transverse acoustic wave propagated along [100]. Furthermore, atT _c1 a hysteresis is detected for the longitudinal sound wave velocityv _L[100], which is restricted to the temperature region 262KT263.5 K. In addition, the room-temperature elastic constants of (NH₄)₂SiF₆ and the hydrostatic pressure derivatives of the elastic constants of K₂SnCl₆ and (NH₄)₂SiF₆ at room-temperature are presented and discussed in terms of mode softening behaviour.     

Anomalous Tc-behavior of LaSn3 under pressure

The superconducting transition temperature T_c of LaSn₃ has been measured up to ～ 22 kbar and was observed to increase through a maximum under hydrostatic compression. The anomalous T_c-behavior is attributed to a pressure induced Fermi surface topology change.