Magnetic and superconducting phase diagrams in ErNi2B2C

We present measurements of the superconducting upper critical field H_c2(T) and the magnetic phase diagram of the superconductor ErNi₂B₂C made with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). The magnetic field was applied in the basal plane of the tetragonal crystal structure. We have found large gapless regions in the superconducting phase diagram of ErNi₂B₂C, extending between different magnetic transitions. A close correlation between magnetic transitions and H_c2(T) is found, showing that superconductivity is strongly linked to magnetism.     

The magnetic phase diagram of CsNiF3 as determined by neutron diffraction

By neutron diffraction we investigated the magnetic properties of CsNiF₃ around and below T_N with and without magnetic field. We measured the phase diagram for 1.9 K ≤ T ≤ T_N = 2.7 K in an external field. The phase transition in this temperature-range is always continuous. We were able to measure the critical scattering connected with the magnetic phase transition. This critical scattering is centered around the position of the magnetic Bragg reflections. The critical scattering was found to be similar everywhere on the phase-separation line (H ≠ )0 and at T_N(H = 0). When applying a small field only processes were found, which correspond to a growing or diminishing of certain domains.     

Transition De Phase Metamagnetique Du Bromure Ferreux

In a magnetic field parallel to the magnetization axis of an antiferromagnetic Fe Br₂ single crystal, a caracteristic metamagnetic behaviour is observed. The transition from an antiferromagnetic phase to a paramagnetic phase is studied by help of magnetization measurements in a steady field (H < 60 kOe). The measurement precision has allowed a detailed study of the magnetization isotherms, caracteristic of a first order magnetization phase transition (T < T_c = 4, 7 K) and of a second order phase transition (T_c < T < T_N = 14, 2 K).We have observed an original phase diagram. In a certain temperature and field range, the ordered phase is stable on the high temperature side of the transition point. Some theoretical studies in an Ising model, or in the hypothesis of a strong magnetoelastic coupling forecast the existence of such a magnetic phase diagram.At present, we proceed to a theoretical study, in a molecular field approximation, of the magnetic phase diagram of compounds similar to Fe Br₂ where we take into account the relative values of parameters J₁, J₂ and D associated with ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions and crystalline anisotropy.     

Effect of magnetic field on the TC and magnetic properties for the aligned MnBi compound

In the compound MnBi, a first-order transition from the paramagnetic to the ferromagnetic state can be triggered by an applied magnetic field and the Curie temperature increases nearly linearly with an increase in magnetic field by ∼2 K/T. Under a field of 10 T, T_C increases by 20 and 22 K during heating and cooling, respectively. Under certain conditions a reversible magnetic field or temperature induced transition between the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic states can occur. A magnetic and crystallographic H-T phase diagram for MnBi is given. Magnetic properties of MnBi compound aligned in a Bi matrix have been investigated. In the low temperature phase MnBi, a spin-reorientation takes place during which the magnetic moments rotate from being parallel to the c-axis towards the basal plane at ∼90 K. A measuring Dc magnetic field applied parallel to the c-axis of MnBi suppresses partly the spin-reorientation transition. Interestingly, the fabricated magnetic field increases the temperature of spin-reorientation transition T_s and the change in magnetization for MnBi. For the sample solidified under 0.5 T, the change in magnetization is ∼70% and T_s is ∼91 K.     

Superconducting properties of tin embedded in nanometer-sized pores of glass

The electrical resistance of tin embedded from a melt in porous glasses with an average pore diameter of ??7 nm has been investigated at low temperatures in magnetic fields up to 2 T. The temperatures of the transition to the superconducting state for nanocrystalline tin have been determined in magnetic fields of 0, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 T. It has been found that the temperature and magnetic-field dependences of the electrical resistance of the nanocomposite under investigation exhibit two transitions to the superconducting state. The nature of the double superconducting transitions has been discussed. The H _c -T _c phase diagram has been constructed using the entire set of data on the magnetic-field and temperature dependences of the electrical resistance of nanostructured tin. This phase diagram indicates that the upper critical magnetic field H _c2(0) for nanostructured tin is almost two orders of magnitude higher than the corresponding field for bulk tin.     

Chiral thermodynamics in a magnetic field

The phase structure of the QCD vacuum in a magnetic field H is investigated at low temperatures T. The free energy of the hadronic phase in a constant homogeneous magnetic field is calculated in the one-loop approximation of chiral perturbation theory. The quark and the gluon condensate are found as functions of temperature and the field strength. It is shown that the order parameter $\left\langle {\bar qq} \right\rangle $ for the chiral phase transition remains constant when the temperature T and the magnetic field H change in such a way that H=const×T ².     

Monte Carlo study of the Ising antiferromagnetic with a longitudinal field on the anisotropic square lattice

The Ising antiferromagnetic in the presence of a magnetic field on an anisotropic square lattice is studied by Monte Carlo simulation. We obtained the phase diagram in the T-H plane investigating the reentrant behavior around of the critical field Hc=2Jy. Using the Binder cumulant we locate the critical temperature Tc as a function of H. In order to test our simulation, for null field we obtain the critical behavior of Tc as a function of r=Jy/Jx and is in excellent agreement with exact solution of Onsager. Our results indicate a second-order transition for all values of H and particular case r=1 (independent of the ratio r≠0), where not reentrant behavior was observed.     

Neutron scattering investigation of the tricritical point in DyPO4

Neutron scattering experiments on DyPO₄ were performed without and with external field at temperatures between 1.65 and 3.5 K in order to determine the phase diagram and critical properties. In contrast to previous results the M(H)-curve shows typical first order behaviour fot T ? 2 K and H ? 4.2. kG. The H_c(T)-curve agrees quite well with the previous results. Critical scattering was observed at 1.65 K around the (110) magnetic Gragg-peak. A structure refinement at room temperature was also done mainly in order to check for the importance of extinction.     

Domain structure of a thin single-crystal plate of terbium iron garnet near the magnetic compensation point

The domain structure of a thin single-crystal plate of the iron garnet Tb₃Fe₅O₁₂ has been investigated using the magneto-optical method in the temperature range near the magnetic compensation point of this ferrimagnet T _c = 248.6 K. It has been shown that, when the temperature of the sample approaches the magnetic compensation point, the domain width significantly increases, but remains finite at T = T _c . The magnetic H-T phase diagram, which determines the boundary between the multidomain and domain-free (uniformly magnetized) states of the sample, has been constructed using the data on visual observations of the transformation of the domain structure with variations in the temperature and external magnetic field. The results obtained have been interpreted in terms of the thermodynamic theory of stability of different magnetic phases of a two-sublattice cubic ferrimagnet near T _c .     

Magnetostriction of Hexagonal HoMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and YMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Single Crystals

We report on the magnetostriction of hexagonal HoMnO₃ and YMnO₃ single crystals in a wide range of applied magnetic fields (up to H = 14 T) at all possible combinations of the mutual orientations of magnetic field H and magnetostriction ΔL/L. The measured ΔL/L(H, T) data agree well with the magnetic phase diagram of the HoMnO₃ single crystal reported previously by other authors. It is shown that the nonmonotonic behavior of magnetostriction of the HoMnO₃ crystal is caused by the Ho³⁺ ion; the magnetic moment of the Mn³⁺ ion parallel to the hexagonal crystal axis. The anomalies established from the magnetostriction measurements of HoMnO₃ are consistent with the phase diagram of these compounds. For the isostructural YMnO₃ single crystal with a nonmagnetic rare-earth ion, the ΔL/L(H, T) dependences are described well by a conventional quadratic law in a wide temperature range (4–100 K). In addition, the magnetostriction effect is qualitatively estimated with regard to the effect of the crystal electric field on the holmium ion.     

Magnetic transitions in K2MnCl4·2H2O

Results of (dM/dH) measurements on tetrahedral K₂MnCl₄·2H₂O as a function of temperature and magnetic field, are presented. An antiferromagnetic transition along the tetragonal axis is observed at T_N = (3.05±0.05) K. The H-T magnetic phase diagram was completely determined, and shows the usual characteristics of that of a low anisotropy antiferromagnet. The T = 0 critical fields are compatible with the values H_E = (29.2±0.3) kOe and H_A = (5.9±0.6) kOe for the exchange and anisotropy fields.     

Specific features of magnetic phase diagram of an MnSi helimagnet

Magnetization curves of MnSi single crystals have been measured in a range of temperatures T = 5.5–35 K and magnetic field strengths H ≤ 11 kOe for H ∥ [1 1 1], [0 0 1], and [1 1 0]. Special attention has been paid to the temperature interval near T _N = 28.8 K, where MnSi exhibits a transition to the state with a long-period helical magnetic structure. Some new features in the magnetic behavior of MnSi have been found. In particular, in an intermediate temperature region above the transition (28.8 K = T _N ≤ T < 31.5 K), the dM(H)/dH curves exhibit anomalies that are not characteristic of the typical paramagnetic state. It is established that the line of the characteristic field H*(T) of this anomaly is a natural extrapolation of the temperature dependence of the field of the transition from a conical phase to an induced ferromagnetic phase observed at T < T _N. It is concluded that the properties of MnSi in the indicated intermediate region are related to and governed by those of the conical phase (rather than of the A phase). Based on these data, magnetic phase diagrams of MnSi for H ∥ [1 1 1], [0 0 1], and [1 1 0] are plotted and compared to diagrams obtained earlier by other methods.     

Vortex lattice in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ well above the first-order phase-transition boundary

Measurements of non-local in-plane resistance originating from transverse vortex-vortex correlations have been performed on a Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ high-T_c superconductor in a magnetic field up to 9 T applied along the crystal c-axis. Our results demonstrate that a rigid vortex lattice does exist over a broad portion of the magnetic field-temperature (H-T) phase diagram, well above the first-order transition (FOT) boundary H_FOT(T). The results also provide evidence for the vortex lattice melting and vortex liquid decoupling phase transitions, occurring above the H_FOT(T).     

Effects of a magnetic field on a modulated phase

The effects of a magnetic field on a modulated phase are studied. A modulated phase is found to have two critical fields H₁ and H₂. For a large enough magnetic field, H₁ and H₂ can be approximated by a linear law. As a result, the minimum magnetic field needed to destroy a modulated phase is a constant. The minimum magnetic field also greatly depends on the order of a commensurate phase. A very high order commensurate phase and an incommensurate phase cannot survive a magnetic field. The behaviour of a magnetoelastic chain in a magnetic field can be described by a harmless devil's staircase. The inverse temperature is found to play a role similar to that of a special magnetic field. The deeper physics underlying these new phenomena is the breaking of the left-right symmetry of a phase diagram. As a result a controllable path to a modulated phase is found.     

Features of magnetic and magnetoelectric properties of rare-earth multiferroic PrFe3(BO3)4 with the singlet ground state

The features of magnetization of rare-earth multiferroic PrFe₃(BO₃)₄ with the singlet ground state have been investigated theoretically. The magnetic anisotropy of the crystal has been studied. The temperature dependences of anisotropy constants have been calculated. The phase H-T diagram has been constructed. The dependences of the behavior of magnetization vectors of magnetic sublattices on the external magnetic field have been obtained. The magnetoelectric effect has been investigated, and the dependences of polarization on the temperature and field have been found for its various orientations. The theoretical data have been compared with the experimental data and their good agreement has been established.     

Influence of the ground state of the Pr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ion on magnetic and magnetoelectric properties of the PrFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> multiferroic

The magnetic, magnetoelectric, and magnetoelastic properties of a PrFe₃(BO₃)₄ single crystal and the phase transitions induced in this crystal by the magnetic field are studied both experimentally and theoretically. Unlike the previously investigated ferroborates, this material is characterized by a singlet ground state of the rare-earth ion. It is found that, below T _N = 32 K, the magnetic structure of the crystal in the absence of the magnetic field is uniaxial (l ∥ c), while, in a strong magnetic field H ∥ c (H _cr ～ 43 kOe at T = 4.2 K), a Fe³⁺ spin reorientation to the basal plane takes place. The reorientation is accompanied by anomalies in magnetization, magnetostriction, and electric polarization. The threshold field values determined in the temperature interval 2–32 K are used to plot an H-T phase diagram. The contribution of the Pr³⁺ ion ground state to the parameters under study is revealed, and the influence of the praseodymium ion on the magnetic and magnetoelectric properties of praseodymium ferroborate is analyzed.     

Magnetic superconductors of HoMo6S8 type: The effect of magnetic field and supercurrent

We study the magnetic superconductors for which the second order phase transition to the ferro-magnetic state would take place at the temperature θ_c ? T_c1 if the superconductivity was absent. In this case the inhomogeneous magnetic structure of domain-like type (DS phase) appears in superconductors below T_M ≈ θ_c. The effect of the magnetic field H on DS phase is analysed and the region of DS phade existence in the plane (H, T) is found. The new peaks 2nQ (n is integer) should appear in the neutron scattering in the presence of the magnetic field. The wavevector Q of magnetic structure decreases with the growth of magnetic field or supercurrent.     

Magnetoresistance and magnetic phase transitions in a Pr11B6 antiferromagnet

In isotopically pure praseodymium hexaboride (Pr¹¹B₆) single-crystal samples, the transverse magnetoresistance Δρ/ρ has been measured in a temperature range of 2–20 K in magnetic fields up to 80 kOe. The field and angular dependences Δρ/ρ(H, ?, T ₀) reveal a new magnetic phase in the AFM state of Pr¹¹B₆ which is observable only for the external magnetic field orientation in a narrow angular range near H ‖ 〈110〉. The data remove the previous contradictions in the Pr11B6 magnetic phase diagram representation and can be explained under the assumption that the spin-polarized regions (ferrons) are involved in the formation of the complex magnetic structure in the Pr¹¹B₆ AFM state in the 5d band in the vicinity of the rare-earth ions.     

Phase diagram of uniaxial antiferromagnetic particles: Field perpendicular to the easy axis

We consider a spherical uniaxial antiferromagnetic particle in the presence of an external magnetic field perpendicular to its easy axis. The model is described by a classical Heisenberg Hamiltonian including a single-ion uniaxial anisotropy, where the magnetic moments of the particle are represented by continuous spin vectors. We employ mean-field calculations and Monte Carlo simulations to determine the phase diagram of the system. The phase diagram in the plane field versus temperature is obtained for particles with radii ranging from three up to twelve spacing lattice units. We have seen that a particle with more than nine shells behaves as a true thermodynamic system. We find the explicit dependence of the zero temperature critical field and the Néel temperature on the diameter of the particle. At low temperatures, we have also shown that, for particles with three or more shells, the critical field follows a T² law, which is in agreement with the predictions of the spin-wave theory, when the field is perpendicular to the easy axis.     

Surface superconductivity and twinning-plane superconductivity in aluminum

The critical supercooling field H _sc is measured in aluminum single crystals and twinned bicrystals in a temperature range slightly below T _c0 (T _c0 ? 0.055 K < T < T _c0), where T _c0 is the critical superconducting transition temperature. It is found that, even in this small temperature range, the H _sc(H _c) dependence, which is considered to be identical to the H _c3(H _c) dependence for single crystals, is substantially nonlinear. The H _sc(H _c) dependences of the twinned bicrystals and single crystals are shown to be significantly different. The qualitative features of the phase diagram of the twinned aluminum bicrystals coincide with those of the phase diagram of twinning-plane superconductivity obtained earlier for tin in [1]. These findings allow the conclusion that the phenomenon of twinning-plane superconductivity also exists in face-centered cubic crystal lattices.