Direct measurement of electron spin-lattice relaxation time of paramagnetic centers and non-linear modulated responses in HTSC

The report consists of two parts. 1. The method is described to measure directly the electron spin-lattice relaxation timeT ₁ in high-T _c superconductors (HTSC). The technique is based on registering the oscillating longitudinal spin magnetization while saturating the EPR line by an amplitude-modulated microwave field. TheT ₁ values of the Cu²⁺ centers in YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x (x=0.24?0.9) and Y₂BaCuO₅ materials are measured and found to be about 1.4·10^?9 s independently ofx and temperature in the range 77–300 K. Besides much longer relaxation is displayed in degradated materials. The data obtained can be considered as an argument in favor of the “green-phase” origin of the “high-temperature” EPR spectra in the YBaCuO HTSCs. 2. Non-linear responses of the microwave (10¹⁰ Hz) and rf (10⁵–10⁷ Hz) absorption in HTSC materials to low-frequency magnetic modulation are studied and found to be quite different in the two frequency ranges. It is shown that at microwaves the effect is caused by non-linear interaction with shielding supercurrents whereas at lower frequencies it is due to jumps of fluxons over potential barriers. The models developed take into account the Josephson weak links and the thermo-assisted flux creep.     

Mechanism of the hysteretic behavior of the magnetoresistance of granular HTSCs: The universal nature of the width of the magnetoresistance hysteresis loop

The hysteretic behavior of the magnetoresistance R(H) of granular high-temperature superconductors (HTSCs) of the Y-Ba-Cu-O, Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O, and La-Sr-Cu-O classical systems is investigated for transport current densities lower and higher than the critical density (at H = 0). All systems exhibit universal behavior of the width of the magnetoresistance hysteresis loop: independence of transport current under identical external conditions. This means that flux trapping in HTSC grains is the main mechanism controlling the hysteretic behavior of the magnetoresistance of granular HTSCs, while pinning of Josephson vortices in the intragranular medium makes no appreciable contribution to the formation of magnetoresistance hysteresis (when transport current flows through the sample). Experimental data on relaxation of residual resistance after the action of a magnetic field also confirm this conclusion.     

The magnetic properties of the MgZn ferrite system by Mössbauer spectroscopy

Samples of the magnetism-zinc ferrite series Zn_xMg_1?xFe₂O₄ (x = 0.0 to 1.0) have been studied by the Mössbauer effect technique at 77 K. Mössbauer spectra for x = 0.0 to 0.6 suggest the existence of two hyperfine fields, one due to the Fe³⁺ tetrahedral ions (A-sites) and the other due to the Fe³⁺ octachedral ions (B-sites), while for x=0.7 it shows relaxation behaviour and for x?0.8 it exhibits a paramagnetic quadrupole doublet. The variation of nuclear magnetic fields at the A and B sites is explained on the basis of the AB and BB supertransferred hyperfine interactions. Analysis of the average Mössbauer line width as a function of zinc concentration suggests that the relaxation spectrum observed at x=0.7 (77 K) is possibly due to domain wall oscillations.     

Phase diagram of YBa2Cu3O7−y at T<T c according to transverse nuclear relaxation data for Cu(2)

Two peaks are observed at T=35 and 47 K in the transverse relaxation rate for Cu(2) nuclei in YBa₂Cu₃O_7?y . A comparison of the relaxation rates for isotopes ⁶³Cu(2) and ⁶⁵Cu(2) at T=47 K indicates the magnetic nature of relaxation. The enhancement of local magnetic field fluctuations perpendicular to CuO₂ planes at T=47 K is associated with critical fluctuations of orbital currents. The peak at T=35 K is attributed to the emergence of an inhomogeneous superconducting phase. The obtained experimental results and the available data from the literature made it possible to propose a qualitatively new phase diagram of the superconducting state.     

Fast magnetic relaxation, studied by microwave absorption in neutron-irradiated YBa2Cu3O7−x ceramic

A contactless microwave method is used to measure the fast magnetic relaxation of granular ceramic samples of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x irradiated by neutrons with fluences of 10¹⁶–10¹⁹ cm⁻². An experimental study of the time dependence of the relaxation of high-frequency (rf) absorption (f=100 MHz) after the action of an external magnetic field pulse has shown the magnetic relaxation times τ ₀ to be in the time interval of 0.5–150 ms. The rf-absorption mechanism is discussed in terms of an intergranular system with a thermally activated flux of vortices and their diffusion in the granular medium. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 977–981 (June 1997)     

129Xe and131Xe NMR of xenon on silica surfaces at 77 K

Little is known about¹²⁹Xe NMR spectral features and spin-lattice relaxation behavior, and the dynamics of xenon atoms, for xenon adsorbed on solid surfaces at cryogenic temperatures (≤77 K), where exchange with gas-phase atoms is not a significant complication. We report¹²⁹Xe NMR experiments at 9,4 T that provide such information for xenon adsorbed onto the hydroxylated surface of a number of microporous silica samples at 77 K. A convenient design for these cryogenic experiments is described. Dynamics of surface-adsorbed xenon atoms on the time scale of seconds can be observed by¹²⁹Xe NMR hole-burning experiments; much slower dynamics occurring over hours and days are evidenced from changes with time of the¹²⁹Xe NMR chemical shifts. The peak maxima occur in the region ca. 180–316 ppm, considerably downfield of¹²⁹Xe shifts previously reported on surfaces at higher temperatures, and closer to the shift of xenon bulk solid (316.4±1 ppm). The¹²⁹Xe spin-lattice relaxation timesT ₁ range over five orders of magnitude; possible explanations for both nonexponential relaxation behavior and extremely shortT ₁ values (35 ms) are discussed. Preliminary¹³¹Xe and¹H NMR results are presented, as well as a method for greatly increasing the sensitivity of¹²⁹Xe NMR detection at low temperatures by using closely-spaced trains of rf pulses.     

Relaxation of the remanent resistance of granular HTSC Y-Ba-Cu-O + CuO composites after magnetic field treatment

The hysteresis of magnetoresistance R(H) and relaxation of the remanent resistance R _rem with time after magnetic field treatment of HTSC (Y-Ba-Cu-O) + CuO composites are studied. Such a composite constitutes a network of Josephson junctions wherein the nonsuperconducting component (CuO) forms Josephson barriers between HTSC grains. By comparing the experimental R _rem(t) and R(H) dependences, it is shown that the relaxation of the remanent resistance is caused by the decreased magnetic field in the intergrain medium due to relaxation of magnetization. The reason is uncovered for the differences between the published values of pinning potentials determined by measuring the relaxation of magnetization or resistance and fitting them by the Anderson law.     

Surface-NMR relaxation and echo of aquifers in geomagnetic field

Macroscopic samples of near-surface water in pores or fractures of rocks down to 100 m and deeper are studied by the measurement of proton relaxation and echo in the Earth’s magnetic field. The excitation and reception of the surface nuclear magnetic resonance (SNMR) signal is accomplished with the help of an antenna, circle or 8-shaped (for the minimization of the outer electromagnetic jamming influence), placed at the surface. The frequency of magnetic resonance in the case considered amounts to several kilohertz, the dead time of the instrumentation to several milliseconds. Water in extremely small pores of water-resisting rocks (e.g., in argillaceous grounds), is chemically bound, crystallization or frozen water has smaller times of spin relaxation and is not registered. The distribution of water concentration with depth is determined by inversion of an integral equation, including the model and measured dependences of the SNMR signal against the intensity of excitation. The current state of the art of the SNMR sounding and perspectives of this method on the basis of free induction decay and spin echo detection and relaxation times measurement are presented. Free induction decayT ₂ ^* equal to 60 ms, spin-echoT ₂ equal to 220 ms, and inversion-recoveryT ₁ equal to 700 ms relaxation times have been measured for medium-to coarse-grained sand aquifer. Microscopic characteristics of the aquifer — longitudinal relaxivity (7·10^?3 cm/s), transverse relaxivity (3.5·10^?2 cm/s), and local magnetic field gradient (2·10^?2 G/cm) — have been estimated from experimental data. The importance of spin relaxation and echo measurements for obtaining the information about the microstructure of pores and fractures, as well as filtration, properties of aquifers and diamagnetic, paramagnetic and hydrocarbon contamination, is emphasized.     

Mössbauer and XRD study of pulse plated Fe–P and Fe–Ni thin layers

⁵⁷Fe conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, electrochemical and magnetic measurements were used to study pulse electroplated Fe–P and Ni–Fe coatings. XRD and ⁵⁷Fe CEMS measurements revealed the amorphous character of the novel pulse plated Fe–P alloys. CEM spectra indicated significant differences in the short range order and in the magnetic anisotropy between the Fe–P deposits pulse plated at medium long deposition time (t _on?=?2 ms), with short relaxation time (t _off?=?9 ms) and low current density (I _p?=?0.05 Acm^?2) or at short deposition time (t _on?=?1 ms) with long relaxation time (t _off?=?250 ms) and high current density (I _p?=?1.0 Acm^?2). The broad peaks centred around the fcc reflections in XRD of the pulse plated Ni-22 wt.% Fe deposit reflected a microcrystalline Ni–Fe alloy with a very fine, 5–8 nm, grain size. The CEM spectrum of the pulse plated Ni-22 wt.% Fe coating corresponded to a highly disordered solid solution alloy containing a minute amount of ferrihydrite. Extreme favourable soft magnetic properties were observed with these Ni–Fe and Fe–P pulse plated thin layers.     

Side-hole to anti-hole conversion in time-resolved spectral hole burning of ruby: Long-lived spectral holes due to ground state level population storage

We report time-resolved transient spectral hole burning of Verneuil-grown 20 ppm and ca. 0.6 ppm ruby (Al₂O₃:Cr³⁺) in zero field and low magnetic fields B∥c at 4 K. The hole-burning spectroscopy of the 20 ppm sample implies relatively rapid cross relaxation in the ⁴A₂ ground state on the ∼1 ms timescale both in zero field and in low magnetic fields, B∥c, up to 0.2 T. In the 0.6 ppm sample, side-hole to anti-hole conversion is observed both in zero field and in low magnetic fields. This conversion is caused by population storage in ⁴A₂ ground state levels. Spin-lattice relaxation, on the 200 ms timescale, is directly observed from the time dependence of the resonant hole and anti holes in B∥c, consistent with a very low cross-relaxation rate. However, in zero field cross relaxation in the ⁴A₂ ground state is still a significant relaxation mechanism for the 0.6 ppm sample resulting in hole decay in ∼50 ms.     

Polaron-like vortices, dissociation transition, and self-induced pinning in magnetic superconductors

Vortices in magnetic superconductors polarize spins nonuniformly and repolarize them when moving. At a low spin relaxation rate and at low bias currents, vortices carrying magnetic polarization clouds become polaron-like and their velocities are determined by the effective drag coefficient that is significantly bigger than the Bardeen-Stephen (BS) one. As the current increases, vortices release polarization clouds and the velocity as well as the voltage in the I–V characteristics jump to values corresponding to the BS drag coefficient at a critical current J _c . The nonuniform components of the magnetic field and magnetization drop as the velocity increases, resulting in weaker polarization and a discontinuous dynamic dissociation depinning transition. Experimentally, the jump shows up as a depinning transition and the corresponding current at the jump is the depinning current. As the current decreases, on the way back, vortices are retrapped by polarization clouds at the current J _r < J _c . As a result, the polaronic effect suppresses dissipation and enhances the critical current. Borocarbides (RE)Ni₂B₂C with a short penetration length and highly polarizable rare earth spins seem to be optimal systems for a detailed study of vortex polaron formation by measuring I–V characteristics. We also propose to use a superconductor-magnet multilayer structure to study polaronic mechanism of pinning with the goal to achieve high critical currents. The magnetic layers should have large magnetic susceptibility to enhance the coupling between vortices and magnetization in magnetic layers while the relaxation of the magnetization should be slow. For Nb and a proper magnet multilayer structure, we estimate the critical current density J _c ～ 10⁹ A/m² at the magnetic field B ≈ 1 T.     

Hole spin relaxation in Ge quantum dots

Hole spin relaxation in an isolated Ge quantum dot due to interaction with phonons is investigated. Spin relaxation in this case occurs through the mechanism of the modulation of the spin-orbit interaction by lattice vibrations. According to the calculations performed, the spin relaxation time due to direct single-phonon processes for the hole ground state equals 1.4 ms in the magnetic field H = 1 T at the temperature T = 4 K. The dependence of the relaxation time on the magnetic field is described by the power function H^?5. At higher temperatures, a substantial contribution to spin relaxation is made by two-phonon (Raman) processes. Because of this, the spin relaxation time decreases to nanoseconds as the temperature is raised to T = 20 K. Analysis of transition probabilities shows that the third and twelfth excited hole states, which are intermediate in two-step relaxation processes, play the main part in Raman processes.     

NMR study of tomato pericarp tissue by spin-spin relaxation and water self-diffusion

Pericarp tissues of tomato varieties Quest and Cameron were studied by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) at a controlled temperature of 20°C. The spin-spin relaxation times and the water diffusion coefficients were measured with Carr-Parcell-Meiboom-Gill and pulsed field gradient multi-spin-echo (PFGMSE) NMR sequences. Four relaxing components were extracted from the spin-spin relaxation. The components withT ₂=11 ms,T ₂=65 ms,T ₂=430 ms andT ₂=1500 ms were related to the nonexchangeable protons and water proton in each cell compartment (i.e., cell wall-extracellular space, cytoplasm and vacuole, respectively). In contrast to the relative intensities, theT ₂ values appeared insensitive to variety and harvest period. The difference in relative intensity was related to the size of the pericarp cell. The water self-diffusion coefficients for each cell compartment were determined simultaneously with the PFGMSE sequence. The water self-diffusion coefficients for the vacuole and cytoplasm were not affected by the harvest date or variety. However, the water self-diffusion in the cell wall-extracellular space was significantly different between the two varieties.     

A new viscous sublayer influx (VSI) concept for near-wall turbulent momentum,heat and mass transfer

This paper presents a new viscous sublayer influx (VSI) concept to describe near-wall turbulent momentum, heat and mass transfer. Based on visual studies, this concept takes account of a viscous sublayer adjacent to the wall, which is not directly affected by the bursts occurring in the wall region. Fluid penetrates only due to a wallward flow into this viscous sublayer. Thus, in contrast to the known surface renewal concept, the new VSI concept is consistent with visual flow studies and, in addition, makes it possible to meet the experimentally found limiting condition Sh ∼ ³√Sc_Sc→∞ for mass transfer. In this work, two models have been developed from the new VSI concept. The simplified viscous sublayer influx model follows the known models in literature and provides analytical equations for the profiles in the wall region. This model gives an explanation for the varying experimental results on the time intervals between successive bursts and predicts them in quantity by using measured Sherwood numbers at very high Schmidt numbers. The second, more detailed viscous sublayer influx model approximates the wallward flow in the viscous sublayer with a spherical stagnation point flow. The profiles are calculated from two ordinary differential equations. Using measured Sherwood numbers at very high Schmidt numbers, this model provides normal velocity fluctuations at the wall that agree well with experimental data. Furthermore, both models provide axial velocity fluctuations near the wall and Nusselt/Sherwood numbers in the range 0.5 ≤ Pr, Sc≤ 10⁵ that both correspond with experimental data.     

Influence of a constant magnetic field on the dispersion of surface magnetostatic waves in a structure consisting of ferrite and granular high-temperature superconductor

The dispersional properties of a surface magnetostatic wave (MSW) in a laminar structure consisting of ferrite film and a high-temperature superconducting (HTSC) layer are studied in detail. The propagation of surface MSW in this structure is investigated, and the dispersional equation is obtained; the granular character of the HTSC films and the influence of constant magnetic field are taken into account here. The magnetic field is responsible for breakdown of the Josephson layer of granular HTSC films and the appearance of nonsuperconducting layers close to the film surface. It follows from the calculation results that, when the HTSC film passes to the superconducting state, the dispersional characteristics of the MSW undergo a discontinuity. The magnitude of the discontinuity depends on the film thickness, the critical current, and the granule size. The results obtained may be used in designing various microelectronic devices based on granular HTSC films. Tomsk State Academy of Control Systems and Radioelectronics. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 6, pp. 72–77, June, 1996.     

Levitation performance of the magnetized bulk high-Tc superconducting magnet with different trapped fields

To a high-T_c superconducting (HTS) maglev system which needs large levitation force density, the magnetized bulk high-T_c superconductor (HTSC) magnet is a good candidate because it can supply additional repulsive or attractive force above a permanent magnet guideway (PMG). Because the induced supercurrent within a magnetized bulk HTSC is the key parameter for the levitation performance, and it is sensitive to the magnetizing process and field, so the magnetized bulk HTSC magnets with different magnetizing processes had various levitation performances, not only the force magnitude, but also its force relaxation characteristics. Furthermore, the distribution and configuration of the induced supercurrent are also important factor to decide the levitation performance, especially the force relaxation characteristics. This article experimentally investigates the influences of different magnetizing processes and trapped fields on the levitation performance of a magnetized bulk HTSC magnet with smaller size than the magnetic inter-pole distance of PMG, and the obtained results are qualitatively analyzed by the Critical State Model. The test results and analyses of this article are useful for the suitable choice and optimal design of magnetized bulk HTSC magnets.     

Effect of low-temperature treatment and subsequent high-temperature annealing on the critical current density of YBa2Cu3O y

The field dependences of the critical current density of the HTSC compound YBa₂Cu₃O _y recovered at T = 920?C950°C after the low-temperature treatment have been investigated. At T = 200°C, structural defects are formed in a wet environment, which are capable of initiating pinning of magnetic vortices. A short-term (1?C3 h) recovery annealing performed at T = 930?C950°C leaves in the samples a fairly large amount of structural defects formed during the low-temperature treatment, which results in a substantial increase in the critical current density in magnetic fields of ??2 T as compared to the ceramics not subjected to double annealing. A longer high-temperature treatment removes the structural defects formed and brings the electrophysical properties of YBa₂Cu₃O _y to the level characteristic of the ceramics produced by standard technology.     

Spin lattice relaxation in TmNi5 above its curie temperature

The hexagonal compound TmNi₅ was investigated by means of ¹⁶⁹Tm Mössbauer spectroscopy in the temperature range 4–350 K. Above T_c=4.5 K the magnetic hyperfine interactions were found to be governed by paramagnetic relaxation. This behaviour was interpreted in terms of a stochastic spin-down model. The spin lattice relaxation time was found to follow an exponential temperature dependence.     

Process of magnetic field penetration into the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−δ

The processes of magnetic field penetration into the ceramic samples of the HTSC YB₂Cu₃O_～6.95 at T<T _c are studied by the methods of internal friction and magnetization measurements. A clearly manifested correlation is observed between the field dependences of the internal friction spectrum parameters (the logarithmic damping decrement Q ^?1 and the resonance frequency f) and the trapped magnetic flux ΔM. The magneto-mechanical approach we used reveals a significant difference in the field dependences of the densities of pinned (N _p) and free (N _f) Abrikosov vortices for H>H _c1.