Ba2YCu3O7−δ crystal surface layers: Orthorhombic splitting, dislocations, and chemical etching

We find by transmission electron diffraction that the orthorhombic splitting of the upper surface layers ( <1 μm) of single crystal Ba₂YCu₃O_7−δ is reduced, differing by 10 to 30 percent from the bulk value. We also find by transmission electron microscopy that in general the surfaces are of inferior quality and, thus, not representative of the bulk. These results have important consequences for those experiments that probe only the upper surface layers. By etching with Br/ethanol and HClO₄/NaClO₄ the poor quality surfaces are removed.     

Surface and interface properties of epitaxial Fe3O4 films studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy

Stoichiometric Fe₃O₄ films have formed epitaxially on -Al₂O₃ and MgO single-crystal substrates by a reactive vapor deposition method. In order to apply conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy depth-selectively, a 5–7 Åthick probe layer containing ⁵⁷Fe was formed at various depths in inactive ⁵⁶Fe₃O₄ matrix films. At the topmost surfaces and also at the interfaces, the essential electronic features of bulk Fe₃O₄ are retained, including a rapid electron hopping between the Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions at B sites. Minor depth-dependent changes are confined to a few outermost atomic layers, and the changes depend on the orientation and the lattice mismatch with the substrate. For (111) growth on -Al₂O₃, the surface layer seems to be strongly relaxed to reduced the electric polarization, while a high density of defects seems to be concentrated at the interface with -Al₂O₃. For (001) growth on MgO, the surface retains the spinel lattice though slightly oxidized, while the interface with MgO has good crystallinity and stoichiometry. An enhanced thermal fluctuation of the Fe³⁺-spins in contact with the MgO substrate and in the topmost surface layer can be seen in their reduced magnetic hyperfine field at 300 K.     

Etch pits and tunnel barrier in chemically etched YBa2Cu3O7−δ crystals by scanning tunneling microscopy

By imaging in air the (001) surfaces of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ single crystals etched in dilute CH₃OH : Br₂ solution with scanning tunneling microscopy we have observed etch pits and followed their modification with time. The current-voltage characteristics of the junction are measured and described in terms of electron tunneling through a trapezoidal potential barrier of average thickness (≈ 25 Å). Such a barrier results from the passivated layer formed on the superconductor surface exposed to room air after the etching. The superconductor surface is metallic. The normalized conductance G(V) measured at room temperature is that of a metal-insulator-metal junction except at small bias. Sharp peaks assigned to local density-of-states features within 1 eV from the Fermi level are observed.     

Self-assembly of β-Ga2O3 nanobelts

Self-assembly of β-Ga₂O₃ (beta-gallium oxide) nanobelts with diameters of 50–100 nm and lengths of tens to hundreds of microns have been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Under appropriate conditions such as nanobelts concentration, controlled solvent evaporation, β-Ga₂O₃ nanobelts assemble into a fan-like structure on the substrate. A tendency of these nanobelts to align parallel to each other was also observed. The mechanism behind the formation of self-assembly of β-Ga₂O₃ nanobelts has been proposed on the basis of lateral capillary forces.     

Structural and transport properties of the triple-layer compounds Ba4(Pb1−xBix)3O10 (0≤ x<0.3)

A series of new compounds Ba₄(Pb_1−xBi_x)₃O₁₀ with 0≤x<0.3 has been prepared and characterized by X-ray and electron diffraction. The d.c. resistivity vs. temperature data for different x values are presented and structural features are compared to those of the superconducting phase Ba(Pb_1−xBi_x)O₃. The “mother-compound” Ba₄Pb₃O₁₀ is tetragonal, with lattice constants A=0.4280(1) and C=3.017(1) nm. Its structure can be regarded as a stacking of Ba(PbBi)O₃ triple-layers, separated by single BaO layers. Electron diffraction reveals the presence of a weak superstructure with the a-axis related to that of the perovskite by a=√2a_p. Frequent intergrowth of this phase with the perovskite structure is observed. The conductivity of the samples Ba₄Pb₃O₁₀ is nearly independent of temperature, while Bi-doped samples exhibit semiconductor-like behaviour at low temperature. No superconducting transition is observed down to 2K.     

Crystal structure of YBa2Cu3O7−x thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition with substrate bias voltage

The crystal structure of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x thin films has been investigated by cross-section transmission electron microscopy. The samples were deposited on MgO (100) substrates at 670°C with substrate bias voltages of ±300 V. For the unbiased case, c-axis, a-axis and (103) oriented domains normal to the substrate surface were observed. In this film, the c-axis oriented domains are dominant, but the crystal often exhibits a longer c-lattice constant than that of the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x system, so extra cationic layers are inserted in the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x intrinsic stacking sequence. For the case of −300 V, rotated domains were dominant in the entire film; however, c-axis oriented domains also grow from the substrate surface. Small-angle semicoherent grain boundaries between them were observed. In the case of +300 V, all the grains show c-axis oriented YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x. The degree of preferential orientation of the grains is reduced at negative bias voltage of −300 V and the structure defects are reduced by applying a positive bias of +300 V.     

Preparation and characterization of Y1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ single crystals

We present a reliable method for growing single crystals of Y_1−xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ high-T_c superconductors in ZrO₂ crucibles. This method results in crystals with greatly improved superconducting properties compared to crystals grown with the previously reported methods which use Al₂O₃ crucibles. We describe techniques for crystal growth in both Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂ crucibles using an excess of BaCo₃ and CuO as the flux. The crystals were characterized by means of DC magnetic-susceptibility measurements, electrical-resistivity measurements, and electron microprobe analysis. The effects of Al contamination on the conditions for crystal growth and on the superconducting properties of the crystals are found to be quite significant.     

Coercivity analysis in R17Fe83−χBχ magnets

We studied the coercivity in magnets of composition R₁₇Fe_83−χB_χ (R = Nd, Pr and χ = 8, 30), using measurements of the coercive field H_c, its angular dependence, and the magnetic viscosity coefficient S_v, for temperatures between 4.2 and 500 K. The results are discussed in relation to a model which does not specifically consider the detailed mechanisms involved in magnetization reversal, but which provides information about the magnetic properties in the activation volume v where magnetization reversal is initiated. It is concluded that the ordering temperature in v tends to be slightly smaller than in the bulk and that the room temperature anisotropy in v is not strongly reduced with respect to the bulk value. Finally, a direct evaluation of the dipolar interactions is in good agreement with results obtained from H_c(T).     

Preparation and spectroscopic characterization of γ-Al2O3 thin films

The electronic structure and surface properties of γ-Al₂O₃ thin films are studied. We have prepared the films by oxydizing Al foils under controlled conditions and we characterize the γ-Al₂O₃ samples by means of XPS, UPS, and TEM and found no charging. Pronounced effects in temperature-dependent changes of the work function are observed which result from changes in band bending and electron affinities by reorganisation and migration of defects. Thereby the ability of these systems for prototype studies in catalysis and analysis of defects is demonstrated.     

The contribution of Bc mesons to the search for B → τ ντ decays at LEP

We study the contribution of B_c mesons to the search for B → τν_τ decays. We find that at LEP the contributions from B_u and B_c mesons can be comparable. This observation can have a relevant impact on the extraction of constraints on new physics (such as charged-Higgs contributions) from current LEP limits on B → τν final states. Inclusion of the B_c contribution can reduce the current L3 limit on tan β/M_H from 0.38 GeV⁻¹ (90% CL) down to 0.27 GeV⁻¹ (90% CL).     

Surface termination, composition and reconstruction of Fe3O4(001) and γ-Fe2O3(001)

We address a current controversy concerning the nature of the surfaces of Fe₃O₄(001) and γ-Fe₂O₃(001) grown on MgO(001) by molecular beam epitaxy. Despite recent claims to the contrary, we show that γ-Fe₂O₃(001) unambiguously exhibits a (1×1) surface net, in contrast to Fe₃O₄(001), which assumes a R45 reconstruction. In addition, we present high-energy-resolution Fe 2p and O 1s core-level photoelectron spectra obtained at both normal and grazing emission for γ-Fe₂O₃(001) and Fe₃O₄(001). These spectra show that the Fe₃O₄(001) surface has a higher Fe(III)/Fe(II) ratio than the bulk, and that the asymmetry in the O 1s line shape for Fe₃O₄(001) is due to final state effects rather than the presence of a surface oxygen or hydroxyl species.     

A 62 K superconductor with an original structure: Sr4−xBaxTlCu2CO3O7

A new superconductor with an original structure, Sr_4−xBa_xTlCu₂CO₃O₇ has been isolated for 1≤x≤2. It crystallizes in a A-type space group with a=3.84 Å≈a_p, b≈8 × a_p, c≈17.0 Å. The HREM study of this new curprate shows that it derives from the Tl_0.5Pb_0.5Sr₄Cu₂CO₃O₇ structure by a shearing mechanism. Indeed, it can be described as ribbons of the latter structure, four octahedra thick, shifted c/2 with respect to each other. It results in infinite single perovskite layers waving along the (001) plane and connected through flat mixed layers [(TIO)₄(CO)₄]∞. This oxycarbonate can also be described as a 1201-type structure in which the [TIO]∞ layers are replaced by mixed [(TIO)₄(CO)₄]∞ layers. The susceptibility measurements show that this cuprate exhibits a significantly higher critical temperature than the 1201-cuprates. The T_{c onset} of the synthesized phase is 56 K and it can be increased up to 62 K by hydrogen annealing; in the same way, one observes a large Meissner volume fraction of 35% at 4.2 K.     

Steps and facets on annealed LaAlO3{100} and {110} surfaces

Lanthanum-aluminate (LaAlO₃) is one of the optimum substrates for epitaxic growth of thin oxide films. In this paper, the structures of the {100} and {110} surfaces of annealed LaAlO₃ are studied using reflection electron microscopy (REM). 010 steps have been observed on {100}, these are the lowest energy steps. The {100} surface is atomically flat, but the {110} surfaces exhibit high-density fine structures distributed on large surface terraces. These fine structures correspond to the formation of small width (100) and (010) facets on the (110) surface. A growth model is given to interpret the formation of large steps and large terraces on the {110} surfaces.     

Microstructure and transport properties of YBa2Cu3O7−δ films produced by laser ablation from a BaF2/Y2O3/CuO target

The effects of varying the temperature and duration of the post-deposition anneal in watersaturated oxygen were investigated for YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ films of varying thickness. The films were produced by laser ablation from pressed powder targets consisting of BaF₂,Y₂O₃, and CuO mixtures. This technique produces superconducting films with a highly textured surface. The films were fabricated on SrTiO₃ substrates and were analyzed with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and temperature dependent resistivity. Critical current density (J_c) measurements were performed in magnetic fields up to 1 T. For film thickness on the order of 900 nm, completely c-axis oriented films were obtained with a 60 min anneal at 850°C. Thinner films required less annealing, either shorter times or lower temperatures, to achieve similar results, indicating that the optimal annealing conditions are dependent on film thickness.     

Structural study and magnetoresistance effect of epitaxial La0.67Sr0.33MnO3–δ and Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3−δ multilayer films

La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO_3−δ (LSMO) and Pr_0.7Ca_0.3MnO_3−δ (PCMO) multilayer epitaxial films, which were fabricated with different LSMO and PCMO layer thickness on LaAlO₃ single crystal substrates of (0 0 1) orientation by a direct current magnetron sputtering technique, were studied further, after the structure, magnetoresistance effect and magnetic properties of LSMO/PCMO/LSMO (LPL) trilayer epitaxial films were systemically studied. The superlattice structures of multilayer films were observed according to the diffraction peaks of X-ray diffraction patterns at small angles. The metal–insulator transition temperature (T_P) and peak resistivity (ρ_max) obviously changed when we altered the thickness of PCMO middle layer and the intra-field related with the thickness of those layers and their interaction. Considering the effect of the distribution of electrical field and current, and the interaction among the layers of LSMO and PCMO, an effective fact n* was introduced to replace n (the number of layer). All the calculated values of ρ (the resistivity of multilayer films) accorded with the experimental values.     

Systematic thermopower measurements of the thallium cuprates Tl(Ba,Sr)2Cam−1CumO2m+3−δ and Tl2Ba2Cam−1CumO2m+4+δ

The thermoelectric power (TEP) S versus temperature has been systematically investigated for several series of the superconducting cuprates Tl(Ba,Sr)₂Ca_m−1Cu_mO_2m+3−δ (m = 2, 3) and Tl₂Ba₂Ca_m−1Cu_mO_2m+4+δ (m = 1, 2, 3). The consideration of the S(T_c) curves allows two important points to be found evidence for. The first one deals with the fact that all these superconducting thallium cuprates are systematically overdoped whatever T_c, and whatever the number of Cu or Tl layers; no underdoped superconducting cuprate could be obtained. The second point shows that there exist two classes of Tl cuprates: the weakly overdoped cuprates that exhibit a T_{c max} ≥ 100 K (all the triple copper layer cuprates and the 2212 cuprates) and those which can be heavily doped that exhibit a T_{c max} ≤ 90 K (the 2201 and the 1212 cuprates). The different behavior of thallium cuprates compared to YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ and to bismuth cuprates is discussed.     

Structural, magnetic and transport properties of NiFeχAg(1−χ) heterogeneous alloys

We carried out a comprehensive study of structural, magnetic and electrotransport properties of as-deposited and annealed (Ni₈₀Fe₂₀)_χAg(_1−χ) heterogenous alloys prepared by sputtering. The NiFe atomic concentration was varied between 15% and 40%. These alloys consist of small magnetic particles (Ni₈₀Fe₂₀) embedded in a nonmagnetic matrix (Ag). The structures of these alloys were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution cross-section transmission electron microscopy. The magnetic measurements were made using SQUID magnetometry and ferromagnetic resonance. Magnetoresistance was measured with a conventional four-point probe between 1.5 K and room temperature in field range 0–6T. Three contributions to the magnetoresistance of these granular alloys have been clearly identified: the spin-valve (or giant) magnetoresistance as in multilayers, scattering on magnetic fluctuations (as in any ferromagnetic metal around its magnetic ordering temperature), and anisotropic magnetoresistance. These three contributions have their own dependences on the size of the magnetic particles, on the degree of intermixing between Ni₈₀Fe₂₀ and Ag, and on temperature. We discuss the different shapes and amplitudes of magnetoresistance versus Ni₈₀Fe₂₀ concentration or temperature and their evolution upon annealing in terms of the relative roles of these three contributions. The magnetoresistance in multilayers (current in-plane or perpendicular to the plane) and granular alloys are also compared.     

Transmission of low-energy (< 10 eV) O ions through Au films on TiO2(110)

In an attempt to identify the fundamental processes that influence ion transport through metallic surface layers, we have studied the transmission of O⁺ ions through discontinuous Au films adsorbed on TiO₂(110). A low energy (< 10 eV) O⁺ ion beam is generated via electron stimulated desorption when an Au-dosed TiO₂(110) substrate is bombarded with a focused 250 eV electron beam. Low energy ion scattering data indicate that Au evaporated under ultrahigh vacuum conditions at 300 K forms three-dimensional clusters on TiO₂(110). As the Au coverage increases, the formation of Au clusters on TiO₂(110) blocks a fraction of the TiO₂ surface and the O⁺ yield is attenuated. However, for high coverages (≥30% Au covered substrate) the O⁺ signal decreases at a faster rate than the TiO₂ open area fraction. We attribute the attenuation of the O⁺ yield for high Au coverages mainly to blocking of O⁺ by Au clusters, to deflection of trajectories by the image force between ions and Au clusters, and to charge transfer between desorbing O⁺ and neighboring Au clusters.     

Nax/2Bi1−x/2MoxV1−xO4 and Bi1−x/3MoxV1−xO4 New Scheelite-related phases

New Scheelite-related solid solutions of the compositions Na_x/2Bi_1−x/2Mo_xV_1−xO₄ (0≤x≤1) and Bi_1−x/3 Mo_xV_1−xO₄(0≤x≤0.2) have been synthesised by the substitution of Na and Mo at the A and B sites respectively of the ABO₄ type ferroelastic BiVO₄. The phases were characterised using chemical analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, EDAX, and Raman spectroscopy. While almost a continuous solid solution is obtained for the series Na_x/2Bi_1−x/2Mo_xV_1−xO₄, the absence of Na at the A-site results only in a narrow stability region for the other series, Bi_1−x/3 Mo_xV_1−xO₄ where 0≤x≤0.2. Raman spectra of selected samples at room temperature also suggest that vanadium and molybdenum atoms are disordered at the tetrahedral sites.     

Ramans study of Y1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ and YB2Cu3−xZnxO7−δ single crystals

Single crystals with known T_c values of Y_1−xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (Y---Pr1:2:3) and YBa₂Cu_3−xZn_3−xZn_xO_7−δ (Y---Zn1:2:3) systems are studied by Raman measurements. The Raman spectra for (Y---Pr1:2:3) single crystals show that the frequencies of Ba and O_z modes increase as the Pr content increases. The results are consistent with the hole-localization scheme proposed for the suppression of superconductivity in the polycrystalline Y---Pr1:2:3 systems. On the other hand, in the Y---Zn1:2:3 system, all the Raman modes do not change in frequencies. However, the FWHM of the Cu(2) mode increases with the decrease of T_c, indicating strong scattering of charge carriers by the substituted Zn ions in the CuO₂ planes. The induced disorder in the CuO₂ planes may be related with suppression of T_c in the Y---Zn1:2:3 system. Thus, the suppression mechanism in the Y---Zn1:2:3 systems seems to be different from that in the Y---Pr1:2:3 systems.