Pressure dependence of the superconducting state parameters of metallic glass superconductor Mg70Zn30

Explicit expressions have been derived for the volume dependence of electron-phonon coupling strength (λ) and the Coulomb pseudopotential (μ^*) considering the variation of Fermi momentum (κ _F) and Debye temperature (θ _D) with volume. Ashcroft’s model pseudopotential and RPA form of dielectric screening have been used for obtaining pressure dependence of transition temperature (T _C) and the logarithmic volume derivative (Φ) of the effective interaction strength (N ₀ V) for metallic glass superconductor Mg₇₀Zn₃₀. It has been observed that T _C of the metallic glass Mg₇₀Zn₃₀ decreases rapidly with increase of pressure and the superconducting phase disappears at about 30% decrease of volume, for which the μ^* curve shows a minimum and an elbow is formed in the Φ graph.     

Superconducting state parameters of metallic glass Mg70Zn30 using linearized screened pseudopotential

A linearized form for the screened form factors of electron-phonon interaction in the metallic glass Mg₇₀Zn₃₀ is applied for the first time to predict the superconducting state parameters viz. electron-phonon coupling strength (λ), Coulomb pseudopotential (μ*), transition temperature (T _c), isotope effect exponent (α) and the interaction strength (N ₀ V). Computed results agree with the experimental data available in the literature.     

A pseudopotential approach to the superconducting state properties of Cu<Subscript>C</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>100-C</Subscript> binary metallic glasses

The theoretical investigation of the superconducting state properties viz. electron-phonon coupling strength λ, Coulomb pseudopotential μ*, transition temperature T _C, isotope effect exponent α and effective interaction strength N ₀ V of ten binary Cu_CZr_100-C (C = 25–60 at%) metallic glasses is performed, using Ashcroft’s empty core model potential. Five local-field correction functions proposed by Hartree (H), Taylor (T), Ichimaru-Utsumi (IU), Farid et al. (F) and Sarkar et al. (S) are used to study the screening influence on the aforesaid properties. It is shown that the electronphonon coupling strength λ and the transition temperature T _C are quite sensitive to the selection of the local-field correction functions, whereas the Coulomb pseudopotential μ*, isotope effect exponent α and effective interaction strength N ₀ V show a weak dependence on the local-field correction functions. The values of T _C obtained from the H-local-field correction function are found to be in qualitative agreement with available theoretical or experimental data and show almost linear behavior with respect to the concentration C of Cu. The present results are shown to be in good agreement with other available theoretical or experimental data. The obtained results confirm the existence of the superconducting phase in the metallic glasses.     

Superconducting state parameters of La<Subscript>100-<Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis></Subscript>Ga<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis></Subscript> binary metallic glasses

The theoretical investigations of the superconducting state parameters (SSP) viz. electron-phonon coupling strength λ, Coulomb pseudopotential μ*, transition temperature T _C , isotope effect exponent α and effective interaction strength N _O V of six binary La_100-C Ga _C (C = 16, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 at. %) metallic glasses have been reported using Ashcroft’s empty core (EMC) model potential for the first time. Five local field correction functions proposed by Hartree (H), Taylor (T), Ichimaru-Utsumi (IU), Farid et al. (F) and Sarkar et al. (S) are used in the present investigation to study the screening influence on the aforesaid properties. It is observed that the electron-phonon coupling strength λ and the transition temperature T _C are quite sensitive to the selection of the local field correction functions, whereas the Coulomb pseudopotential μ*, isotope effect exponent α and effective interaction strength N _O V show weak dependences on the local field correction functions. The T _C obtained from H-local field correction function are found in qualitative agreement with available experimental data and show almost linear nature with the concentration (C) of ‘Ga’ element. A linear T _C equation is proposed by fitting the present outcomes for H-local field correction function, which is in conformity with other results for the experimental data. Also, the present results are found to be in qualitative agreement with other such earlier reported data, which confirms the superconducting phase in the metallic glasses.      

Superconducting state parameters of CuCZr100-C metallic glasses

The theoretical investigation of the superconducting state parameters (SSP) viz. electron-phonon coupling strength λ, Coulomb pseudopotential μ*, transition temperature T _c, isotope effect exponent α and effective interaction strength N ₀ V of ten Cu _C Zr_100−C metallic glasses have been reported using Ashcroft’s empty core (EMC) model potential. Three local field correction functions proposed by Hartree (H), Taylor (T) and Ichimaru-Utsumi (IU) are used in the current investigation to study the screening influence on the aforesaid properties. It is observed that the electron-phonon coupling strength λ and the transition temperature T _C are quite sensitive to the selection of the local field correction functions, whereas the Coulomb pseudopotential μ*, isotope effect exponent α and effective interaction strength N ₀ V show weak dependences on local field correction functions. The T _c obtained from IU-local field correction function are found an excellent agreement with available theoretical or experimental data. Also, the present results are found in qualitative agreement with other such earlier reported data, which confirms the superconducting phase in metallic glasses.      

Superconducting state parameters of binary metallic glasses

Ashcroft’s empty core (EMC) model potential is used to study the superconducting state parameters (SSPs) viz. electron-phonon coupling strength λ, Coulomb pseudopotential μ*, transition temperature T _C , isotope effect exponent αand effective interaction strength N _O V of some binary metallic glasses based on the superconducting (S), conditional superconducting (S’) and non-superconducting (NS) elements of the periodic table. Five local field correction functions proposed by Hartree (H), Taylor (T), Ichimaru-Utsumi (IU), Farid et al. (F) and Sarkar et al. (S) are used for the first time with EMC potential in the present investigation to study the screening influence on the aforesaid properties. The T _C obtained from the H-local field correction function are in excellent agreement with available theoretical or experimental data. In the present computation, the use of the pseudo-alloy-atom model (PAA) was proposed and found successful. Present work results are in qualitative agreement with such earlier reported experimental values which confirm the superconducting phase in all metallic glasses. A strong dependency of the SSPs of the metallic glasses on the valence ‘Z’ is identified.      

Screening-dependent superconducting state parameters of transition metals-based binary alloys

Study of the screening-dependent superconducting state parameters, namely, electron-phonon coupling strength λ, Coulomb pseudopotential μ*, transition temperature T _C , isotope effect exponent α, and effective interaction strength N ₀ V of 3d-transition metals-based binary alloys is made extensively using a model potential. A considerable influence of different exchange and correlation functions on λ and μ* is found. The obtained results are in qualitative agreement with the available experimental data wherever exist.     

Compression behavior of Zr<Subscript>41</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>14</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>12.5</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>10</Subscript>Be<Subscript>22.5</Subscript> bulk metallic glass up to 24 GPa

The compression of a Zr₄₁Ti₁₄Cu_12.5Ni₁₀Be_22.5 bulk metallic glass (BMG) is investigated at room temperature up to 24 GPa using in-situ high pressure energy dispersive X-ray diffraction with a synchrotron radiation source. The pressure-induced structural relaxation is exhibited. It is found that below about 8 GPa, the existence of excess free volume contributes to the rapid structural relaxation, which gives rise to the rapid volumetric change, and the structural relaxation results in the structural stiffness under higher pressure.     

Microstructure of Cu<Subscript>60</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>20</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>20</Subscript> bulk metallic glass rolled at different strain rates

The structural evolution of Cu₆₀Zr₂₀Ti₂₀ bulk metallic glass during rolling at different strain rates and cryogenic temperature was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). It is revealed that the deformation-induced transformation is strongly dependent on the strain rate. At the lowest experimental strain rate of 1.0×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, no phase transformation occurs until the highest deformation degree reaches 95%. In a strain rate range of 5.0×10⁻⁴−5.0×10⁻² s⁻¹, phase separation occurs in a high deformation degree. As the strain rate reaches 5.0×10⁻¹ s⁻¹, phase separation and nanocrystallization concur. The critical deformation degree for occurrence of phase transformation decreases with the strain rate increasing. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50471016)     

Study of superconducting state parameters of amorphous metals by a pseudopotential theory

The theoretical computation of the superconducting state parameters (SSP) viz; electron-phonon coupling strength λ, Coulomb pseudopotential μ ^*, transition temperature T _c , isotope effect exponent α and effective interaction strength N _O V of some monovalent (Cu and Au), divalent (Ca, Sr, Ba, αHg, βHg and Ra) and polyvalent (Lu, Rh, Sc, Y, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Ac, Th, Hf, Ru, Os, Ir, V, Ta, Pa, Cr, Mo, U, Re, Np and Pu) amorphous metals based on the different groups of the periodic table have been carried out for the first time using the well known Ashcroft’s empty core (EMC) model pseudopotential. Herein, we have employed five different types of local field correction functions proposed by Hartree (H), Taylor (T), Ichimaru-Utsumi (IU), Farid et al. (F) and Sarkar et al. (S) to study the exchange and correlation effects on the present investigations. A very strong influence of all the exchange and correlation functions have been observed in the present study. Our results are in fair agreement with documented theoretical as well as experimental data. A strong dependency of the SSP of amorphous metals on the valency Z was found.      

Structural relaxation of Zr<Subscript>41</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>14</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>12.5</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>10</Subscript>Be<Subscript>22.5</Subscript> bulk metallic glass under high pressure

Zr₄₁Ti₁₄Cu_12.5Ni₁₀Be_22.5 bulk metallic glass (BMG) is annealed at 573 K under 3 GPa and its structural relaxation is investigated by X-ray diffraction, ultrasonic study, compression as well as sliding wear measurements. It is found that after the ZrTiCuNiBe BMG sample was annealed under high pressure, the mechanical properties were improved. Moreover, theBMG with relaxed structure exhibits markedly different acoustic properties. These results are attributed to the fact that relaxation under high-pressure results in a microstructural transformation in the BMG.     

Study of superconducting state parameters of alkali–alkali binary alloys by a pseudopotential

A detailed study of the superconducting state parameters (SSP) viz. electron–phonon coupling strength λ, Coulomb pseudopotential μ^*, transition temperature T_C, isotope effect exponent and effective interaction strength N_OV of ten alkali–alkali binary alloys i.e. Li_1−xNa_x, Li_1−xK_x, Li_1−xRb_x, Li_1−xCs_x, Na_1−xK_x, Na_1−xRb_x, Na_1−xCs_x, K_1−xRb_x, K_1−xCs_x and Rb_1−xCs_x are made within the framework of the model potential formalism and employing the pseudo-alloy-atom (PAA) model for the first time. We use the Ashcroft’s empty core (EMC) model potential for evaluating the superconducting properties of alkali alloys. Five different forms of local field correction functions viz. Hartree (H), Taylor (T), Ichimaru–Utsumi (IU), Farid et al. (F) and Sarkar et al. (S) are used to incorporate the exchange and correlation effects. A considerable influence of various exchange and correlation functions on λ and μ^* is found from the present study. Reasonable agreement with the theoretical values of the SSP of pure components is found (corresponding to the concentration x = 0 or 1). It is also concluded that nature of the SSP strongly depends on the value of the atomic volume Ω₀ of alkali–alkali binary alloys.     

Phase transition in Pd<Subscript>40</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>10</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>30</Subscript>P<Subscript>20</Subscript> bulk metallic glass under HP &; HT

The phase transitions in Pd₄₀Ni₁₀Cu₃₀P₂₀ bulk metallic glass (BMG) have been studied under high pressure and high temperature (HP & HT) by X-ray diffaction measurements with synchrotron radiation source. We found that the BMG underwent a phase transitions of amorphous-crystalline-amorphous at 10 GPa upon heating. The parallel experiments were carried out at 7 GPa, while we did not observe the amorphous-crystalline-amorphous transitions by increasing temperature. Quenching the melted BMG at 7 GPa, it was found that the phase crystallized from the melt differed from the primary phase crystallized from the starting amorphous solid upon heating suggesting there existed a distinct mechanism in two cases.     

Effect of heat treatment on the structure and elastic properties of a bulk Pd<Subscript>40</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>30</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>10</Subscript>P<Subscript>20</Subscript> metallic glass

The effect of heat treatment over the range from room temperature to 500°C on the elastic properties of a bulk amorphous Pd₄₀Cu₃₀Ni₁₀P₂₀ alloy was studied. It is shown that the increase in the shear modulus under crystallization of the alloy is two-staged and that the most significant increase in the modulus occurs at the second stage. The obtained results are compared to the x-ray structural data. It is also found that the density characteristics of the as-cast material change very slightly during the transformation from the amorphous to the crystal state, with the density decreasing slightly due to crystallization.     

Stress relaxation and viscosity of a bulk Pd<Subscript>40</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>30</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>10</Subscript>P<Subscript>20</Subscript> metallic glass under isochronous heating conditions

Isochronous relaxation of tensile stresses is measured in a bulk Pd₄₀Cu₃₀Ni₁₀P₂₀ metallic glass in the initial state and after certain thermal treatments. The results of measurements are used to find the energy spectrum of irreversible structural relaxation, from which the temperature dependence of shear viscosity is then calculated. This dependence is also found independently from measurements of creep in the same glass. The calculated viscosity is shown to agree well with the experimental data.     

Ca70Mg30金属玻璃形成过程热力学、 动力学和结构特性转变机理的模拟研究

采用分子动力学方法对Ca₇₀Mg₃₀合金快速凝固玻璃形成过程进行了计算机模拟, 深入分析了液-固玻璃转变过程热力学、 动力学和结构特性的转变机理, 对不同方法所确立的玻璃转变温度之间的关系进行了探讨. 结果表明: 本模拟计算所获得的Ca₇₀Mg₃₀金属玻璃的结构因子和玻璃转变温度均与实验结果符合, 而且二十面体局域结构对Ca₇₀Mg₃₀金属玻璃的形成起决定性作用. 由于周围原子形成的瞬时"笼子效应", 过冷液体动力学特性逐渐偏离Arrhenius规律而满足模态耦合理论的幂指数规律. 动力学玻璃转变温度接近于微观结构玻璃转变温度, 但高于热力学玻璃转变温度; 而且它们与理想动力学玻璃转变温度之间满足Odagaki关系.     

Effect of Ta<Superscript>5+</Superscript> substitution for Mn on the ground state of La<Subscript>0.67</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>0.33</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

We report the charge state modification effects at the Mn site on the ground state properties of colossal magnetoresistive manganites. Ta⁵⁺ substitution results in an appreciable increase in the lattice parameters and unit cell volume due to increased Mn³⁺ concentration. The ferromagnetic-metallic ground state modifies to a cluster glass insulator for . The reduction in the transition temperatures with increasing x is ∼39 K/at.%. Besides the modification of majority carrier concentration due to increased Mn³⁺ concentration and enhanced local structural effects, the local electrostatic potential of the substituent seems to contribute to the unusually strong reduction of the transition temperatures of the compounds. Thermo magnetic irreversibility just below Curie temperature (T_c), non-saturation of magnetization, two distinct magnetic transitions in ac susceptibility in an appropriate static field: close to T_c and other at low temperature (the spin freezing temperature (T_g)) and non-stationary dynamics with a characteristic maximum in the magnetic viscosity close to T_g confirm a cluster glass state for . These results find additional support from a linear low temperature magnetic specific heat of x = 0.10 with a characteristic broad maximum close to T_g.     

Impact of a physiological medium on the aggregation state of C<Subscript>60</Subscript> and C<Subscript>70</Subscript> fullerenes

The C₆₀ and C₇₀ fullerene-cluster size distribution in aqueous solutions and a physiological medium is studied via dynamic light scattering. The initial aqueous solutions of fullerenes obtained via different methods are found to contain clusters with a characteristic size of about 100 nm. The additional aggregation of fullerenes is observed after their transfer into a physiological medium (0.9% NaCl) and is established to depend on the preparation method. The cluster-size distribution in a fullerene–pectic-acid mixture is found to vary in water and a physiological medium. The results reveal the need for additional studies of the structure and properties of C₆₀ and C₇₀ molecules, as well as their complexes with medicines, in a physiological medium for medical applications.     

Double-stage continuous-discontinuous superconducting phase transition in the Pauli paramagnetic limit of a 3D superconductor: the URu<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript> case

The sharp suppression of the de-Haas van-Alphen oscillations observed in the mixed superconducting (SC) state of the heavy fermion compound URu₂Si₂ is shown to confirm a theoretical prediction of a narrow double-stage SC phase transition, smeared by fluctuations, in a 3D paramagnetically-limited superconductor. The predicted scenario of a second order transition to a nonuniform (FFLO) state followed by a first order transition to a uniform SC state, obtained by using a non-perturbative approach, is also found to be consistent with recent thermal conductivity measurements performed on this material.