Nanoscale multiphase separation at La(2/3)Ca(1/3)MnO3/SrTiO3 interfaces

55Mn nuclear magnetic resonance experiments are reported on a series of fully strained epitaxial La(2/3)Ca(1/3)MnO3 thin films on SrTiO3. We have found evidence of multiple phase segregation into ferromagnetic metallic and nonmetallic regions as well as regions that are nonferromagnetic and insulating. These insulating regions are mainly located close to interfaces and may have a significant impact on the performance of spin-tunnel devices. As a result of phase segregation, the ferromagnetic coupling within the metallic regions is depressed. This accounts for the reduction of the Curie temperature and conductivity in nanometric thin films.     

Possible quantum critical point in La(2/3)Ca(1/3)Mn(1-x)Ga x O3

We study the magnetic ground state in La(2/3)Ca(1/3)Mn(1-x)Ga x O3 manganites, where a quantum critical point (QCP) has been theoretically predicted. The metallic ferromagnetic ground state for low Ga doping breaks down for x > or = 0.11, an insulating state being established at low temperatures. Long-range ferromagnetism coexists with short-range magnetic correlations in the concentration range 0.11 < or = x < or = 0.145 while only the short-range correlations survive for x > or = 0.16. We discuss the implications of such a QCP to the physics of manganites and compare to other QCP systems.     

Al(111)/Al_3Li(111)的界面性质

运用基于第一性原理的平面波贋势法,计算研究了Al (111)/Al_3Li (111)的界面性质.结果表明:Al (111)/Al_3Li (111)的界面具有三种原子配位关系结构,其中界面处仍保持与基体Al一致的三明治堆垛构型的界面稳定性最好.计算表明,该结构界面最薄弱层,位于Al_3Li (111)内,其分离功最小(约1.53 J/m~2),强度最弱,而基体Al和Al_3Li内部的强度随着到界面距离的增大而逐渐增强.     

(La1-xYx)2/3Ca1/3MnO3(x=0.195)系统中的磁电阻行为

本文实验上探讨了 (La1-xYx)2/3Ca1/3MnO3(x=0.195)窄带系统不同磁场下的磁电阻行为.实验表明,最大磁电阻效应随磁场增加而实质性提高,例如,7T磁场下最大磁电阻效应高达1.8×105%.同时,我们在远远低于半导体-金属转变温度下也观察到明显的磁电阻效应.文中就磁电阻的起因进行了讨论,特别是基于最近提出的自旋-极化子模型,对实验数据进行了定量的比较性分析,结果表明,该模型虽能预言实验的主要特征,但理论预言随磁场增加而明显偏离实验.     

Specific-heat anomaly caused by ferroelectric nanoregions in Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))O3 and Pb(Mg(1/3)Ta(2/3))O3 relaxors

The specific heat of typical relaxors, Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))O3 (PMN) and Pb(Mg(1/3)Ta(2/3))O3 (PMT), was measured by adiabatic and relaxation methods between 2 and 420 K. A broad anomaly was found in the specific heat curve over the wide temperature range between 150 and 500 K for PMN, and between 50 and 400 K for PMT, which provides evidence for the formation of ferroelectric nanoregions (FNR) in the paraelectric matrix. The entropy of the anomaly was estimated as 3.3 J K(-1) mol(-1) and 2.9 J K(-1) mol(-1) for PMN and PMT, respectively, which implies an order-disorder-type mechanism for the formation of FNR.     

(La_(1-x)Ce_x)_(2/3)Ca_(1/3)MnO_3体系的结构和输运性质研究

对Ce掺杂锰氧化物 (La1 -xCex) 2 3Ca1 3MnO3(x =0— 1.0 )多晶样品的结构和输运性质系统研究的结果 .实验表明 ,在低掺杂浓度下 ,样品呈现完整的正交钙钛矿结构 ;随掺杂浓度的增加 ,有少量CeO2 杂相出现 ,同时伴随有Ce3 和Ce4 离子两种价态的涨落和Mn2 Mn3 Mn4 混合价态的共存 ,Ce掺杂导致的体系无序度增加 ,使得绝缘体 -金属 (I M)和顺磁 -铁磁 (PM FM)转变温度向低温方向移动 .有趣的是 ,Ce掺杂样品的电阻率测量I M转变峰值温度TIM 较PM FM转变温度Tc 为高 ,其差值ΔT(=TIM -Tc)随Ce掺杂含量的增加而增加 ,最大差值ΔT达 5 0K .各样品的磁电阻则随温度的降低而增加 ,在Tc 附近MR达到最大值 ,且随Ce掺杂含量增加Tc 附近的MR最大值迅速增加 ,达到 10 4 %以上 ,表现出很强的庞磁电阻效应 .在x≥ 0 .7时 ,磁电阻效应则表现出反常减小 .整体上而言 ,各样品的磁特性与输运行为间有较强的关联 ,电输运特性可用双交换作用模型进行很好的解释 ,在高温区满足热激活模型 .最后 ,在Ce掺杂对Tc 和MR的影响机理方面进行了初步讨论 .     

(Pr,Nd)_(2/3)Sr_(1/3)MnO_3体系中的低温比热反常现象

主要研究了(Pr1-yNdy)2/3Sr1/3MnO3体系多晶样品在低温下的比热反常现象.Pr2/3Sr1/3MnO3在低温下没有比热反常现象,但随着Nd替代Pr,比热反常开始出现,峰值逐渐增加,峰值出现温度逐渐减小;在磁场的作用下,峰值减小,峰值出现温度逐渐增加;经分析,该低温比热反常现象与Schottky效应相关.     

Effects of strontium on the characteristics of Pb(Zr1/2Ti1/2)O3--Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics

The dielectric and piezoelectric properties of pyrochlore-free lead zirconate titanate-lead zinc niobate ceramics were investigated systematically as a function of Sr doping. The powders of Pb_{(1? x )}Sr _x [0.7(Zr_{1 / 2}Ti_{1 / 2})–0.3(Zn_{1 / 3}Nb_{2 / 3})]O₃, where x?=?0–0.06 were prepared using the columbite-(wolframite) precursor method. The ceramic materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction, dielectric spectra, hysteresis and electromechanical measurements. The phase-pure perovskite phase of Sr-doped PZN--PZT ceramics was obtained over a wide compositional range. The results showed that the optimized electrical properties were also achieved at composition x?=?0.0, which were K _P?=?0.69, d ₃₃?=?670?pC?N^?1, P _r?=?31.9?µC?cm^?2 and ε_rmax?=?18600. Maximum dielectric constant values of the systems decreased rapidly with increasing Sr concentration. Moreover, with increasing Sr concentration dielectric constant versus temperature curves become gradually broader. The diffuseness parameter increased significantly with Sr doping. Furthermore, Sr doping has been shown to produce a linear reduction in the transition temperature (T _m)?=?294.1–12.7x°C with concentration (x). Sr shifts the transition temperature of this system at a rate of 12.7°C?mol^?1%.     

Facile preparation and performance of novel high-TC xBi(Ni1/2Ti1/2)O3-(1-x)Pb(Zr1/2Ti1/2)O3 piezoceramics

High Curie temperature (T_C) xBi(Ni_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃-(1-x)Pb(Zr_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃ (xBNT-(1-x)PZT, BNT-PZT) piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by the conventional ceramic processing. The composition-induced morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) and its influences on structure and electrical performance were investigated. The synthesized BNT-PZT ceramics exhibit rather pure perovskite structure, and densified microstructure morphology with uniform elementals distribution in both grains and grain boundaries. With increasing the content of Bi(Ni_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃ (BNT), crystal structure of the BNT-PZT ceramics transform from tetragonal phase to rhombohedral phase, and dielectric response peaks change from narrow shape to very broad shape but all presenting dielectric frequency dispersion. The diffused and relaxation dielectric behavior can be fitted well by the quadratic law, and the Vogel-Fulcher law fitting provides additional information on the relaxation characteristic. The MPB effects are confirmed further by ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties measurements. High-T_C combined with excellent piezoelectric performance can be realized in the BNT-PZT system, which presents promising applications in geothermal exploration, aerospace and related elevated temperatures fields.     

First-principles study of the difference in permittivity between Ba(Mg1 / 3Ta2 / 3)O3 and Ba(Mg1 / 3Nb2 / 3)O3

This paper discusses the difference in permittivity at infrared frequencies between Ba(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃ (BMT) and Ba(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ (BMN) based on a first-principles calculation. The permittivity, far-infrared and Raman spectra are successfully computed. Analysis of these results shows that the smaller amplitude of O in the low frequency mode E_u² (BMT), which is caused by the larger polarizability of Ta⁵⁺, is the origin of the smaller permittivity of BMT.     

Composition Dependence of Electrocaloric Effect in (1-x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3 Single Crystals

Composition dependence of electrocaloric effect is investigated in (1-x)Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O_3-xPbTiO₃ single crystals by using an eighth-order Landau—Devonshire theory. The applied electric field along [001] direction reduces the ferroelectric-ferroelectric phase transition temperatures, but increases the Curie temperatures. The electrocaloric coefficients of tetragonal phase are much larger than that of rhombohedral and monoclinic phase. A negative electrocaloric effect is observed near the M_C-T phase transition in 0.69 Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-0.31 PbTiO₃ single crystal. The application of a strong enough electric field results in a high adiabatic temperature change over a broad range of temperature. Therefore, it would be useful to construct a solid state cooling cycle over a broad temperature range for practical applications.     

Dielectric and impedance measurements on (1−x)Ba(Fe1/2Ta1/2)O3-xBa(Zn1/3Ta2/3)O3 ceramics

In this work, ((1−x)Ba(Fe_1/2Ta_1/2)O₃-xBa(Zn_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃), ((1−x)BFT-xBZT) ceramics with x = 0.00–0.12 were synthesized by the solid–state reaction method. X-ray diffraction data revealed that both the powders and ceramics were of a pure-phase cubic perovskite structure. All ceramics showed large dielectric constants. For the x = 0.12 sample, a very high dielectric constant (>20,600) was observed. A lowering in the dielectric loss compared to pure BFT ceramics was observed with the BZT addition. The impedance measurements indicated that BZT has a strong effect on the bulk grain and grain boundary resistance of BFT ceramics. These results are in agreement with the measured dielectric properties. Based on dielectric and impedance results, (1−x)BFT-xBZT ceramics could be of great interest for high performance dielectric materials applications due their giant dielectric constant behavior.     

Analysis of （1, 2） （1, 3） and （2, 3） Bands in the c^3Ⅱu- b^3Ⅱg System of P2

We investigate the high resolution absorption spectroscopy of P2 radical, generated in ac glow discharge of PC13 buffered with helium, using optical heterodyne magnetic rotation enhanced concentration modulation spectroscopy in the visible region. The （1, 2）, （1, 3） and （2, 3） bands of c^3Ⅱu- b^3Ⅱg in the range 16620-17860cm^-1 are observed and their 3II2 3II2 subbands are rotationally analysed. A set of effective molecular constants for the Ω= 2 component of the states involved are determined.     

0.90(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3–0.05(Bi1/2K1/2)TiO3– 0.05BaTiO3 transducer for ultrasonic wirebonding applications

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramic 0.90(Bi_1/2Na_1/2)TiO₃–0.05(Bi_1/2K_1/2)TiO₃–0.05BaTiO₃ (BNKBT-5) rings (OD=12.7 mm, ID=5.1 mm and 2.3-mm thick) were fabricated and characterized. Four ceramic rings were used as the driving element in an ultrasonic wirebonding transducer and the performance of the transducer was characterized. The lead-free transducer was found to have comparable voltage rise and fall times as a lead-based PZT transducer and has a relatively large vibration amplitude, thus showing that BNKBT-5 has the potential to be used in fabricating lead-free ultrasonic wirebonding transducers. PACS 77.22.Ej; 77.84.-s; 85.50.-n     

Noise probe of the dynamic phase separation in La(2/3)Ca(1/3)MnO3

Giant random telegraph noise (RTN) in the resistance fluctuation of a macroscopic film of perovskite-type manganese oxide La(2/3)Ca(1/3)MnO3 has been observed at various temperatures ranging from 4 to 170 K, well below the Curie temperature ( T(C) approximately 210 K). The amplitudes of the two-level fluctuations vary from 0.01% to 0.2%. We discuss the origin of the RTN to be a dynamic mixed-phase percolative conduction process, where manganese clusters switch back and forth between two phases that differ in their conductivity and magnetization.     

Crystal structures and phonon modes of Ba(Ca1/2W1/2)O3, Ba(Ca1/2Mo1/2)O3 and Ba(Sr1/2W1/2)O3 complex perovskites investigated by Raman scattering

This work investigates the crystal structures and phonon modes of Ba(Ca_1/2W_1/2)O₃, Ba(Ca_1/2Mo_1/2)O₃ and Ba(Sr_1/2W_1/2)O₃ perovskites by Raman spectroscopy. The samples were produced by conventional solid‐state processing at 1200 °C. X‐ray diffraction showed that single‐phase homogeneous materials were produced, which are cubic or pseudo‐cubic in symmetry. The existing controversies in the literature for these complex perovskites were investigated by comparing experimental Raman data with group‐theory analysis. Ceramics with Ca and W or Mo were found to be cubic, space group Fm3 m. For these materials, four Raman‐active bands were observed and the fitting parameters showed that the Ba(Ca_1/2Mo_1/2)O₃ ceramic presents bands at lower wavenumbers if compared with the Ba(Ca_1/2W_1/2)O₃ sample. For the Ba(Sr_1/2W_1/2)O₃ material, two hypotheses were investigated for monoclinic or triclinic structures. The experimental results showed 12 Raman‐active modes for this ceramic, which is in perfect agreement with the theoretical predictions for a monoclinic (I2/m) structure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ferromagnetic domain structures and nanoclusters in Nd(1/2)Sr(1/2)MnO3

Magnetic domain structures of Nd(1/2)Sr(1/2)MnO3 were investigated by means of low-temperature Lorentz electron microscopy. On cooling, magnetic domain walls started to appear at 250 K, and they were oriented straight along the [100] and [110] directions. With a further decrease in temperature, the volume of each magnetic domain increased with discontinuous domain-wall jumps. A characteristic granular image was observed at around 140 K, near the charge-ordering transition temperature. We consider that this originated from ferromagnetic nanoclusters that appeared in the antiferromagnetic matrix.     

Coexistence of ergodicity and nonergodicity in LaFeO(3)-modified Bi(1/2)(Na(0.78)K(0.22))(1/2)TiO(3) relaxors

The effect of LaFeO(3) addition to Bi(1/2)(Na(0.78)K(0.22))(1/2)TiO(3) ceramics on the phase stability and macroscopic functional properties was investigated. Similarly to other chemical modifiers known in the literature, LaFeO(3) addition suppresses an electric-field-induced long-range ferroelectric order, giving rise to a giant unipolar strain of ～0.3% at 2?mol% LaFeO(3) addition. Time-dependent changes in polarization and strain hysteresis loops both during successive electrical cycling and after removal of the electric field suggest that a specimen with 2?mol% LaFeO(3) consists of both ergodic and nonergodic phases, which is unique among the known relaxor materials.     

Piezoelectric and electro optic properties of tetragonal(1-x)Pb(Mg_(1/3)Nb_(2/3))O_3-xPbTiO_3 single crystals by phenomenological theory

An eighth-order Landau–Devonshire theory is constructed to investigate the piezoelectric and electro–optic properties of tetragonal(1- x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–x Pb Ti O3 single crystals(x = 0.38 and x = 0.4). The dielectric stiffness coefficients of the Landau potential are obtained by fitting to the dielectric properties and the phase transition temperature between cubic phase and tetragonal phase. It is indicated that tetragonal(1- x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–x Pb Ti O3 single crystals have the firstorder cubic-tetragonal phase transitions. The dielectric constants are in great agreement with the experimental results.The piezoelectric coefficients d33 and d31at room temperature are about 145 p C/N and-62 p C/N respectively which are smaller than that of(1- x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–x Pb Ti O3 single crystals around the morphotropic phase boundary.Moreover, tetragonal(1- x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–x Pb Ti O3 single crystals have the linear electro–optic coefficients rc =33.7 pm/V and rc = 28.8 pm/V for x = 0.38 and x = 0.4, respectively which are in accordance with the measurements.