Hyperfine fields at Y nuclei in Y(Fe1−xTx)3 (T = Al, Co)

The spin echo spectra of ⁸⁹Y hyperfine fields in Y(Fe_1−xT_x)₃ with low concentration x consist of two main lines and of satellite lines caused by the replacement of the Fe atoms by the T atoms. Values of the magnetic moments of the T atoms are estimated by observing the satellite lines.     

High field magnetization of the Laves phase compounds M(Co1−xAlx)2 (M = Y, Lu)

Magnetization measurements have been carried out on the Laves phase compounds M(Co_1−xAl_x)₂(M = Y, Lu) up to 42 T. Sharp metamagnetic transitions with small hysteresis are found in Y(Co_1−xAl_x)₂, while broad transitions with large hysteresis are found in Lu(Co_1−xAl_x)₂. The results suggest that the former compounds are magnetically homogeneous but the latter inhomogenous.     

Magnetic moments and Fe hyperfine field interactions in Y(Fe1−xRux)2 ternaries

Measurements of magnetization and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra have been made for Y(Fe_1−xRu_x)₂. The C15 type cubic structure is stabilized for xx 0.7. The C15 compounds is ferromagnetic with T_c200 K and its saturation moment decreases monotonically with increasing x, while the ⁵⁷Fe hyperfine field decreases only slightly with x. From these results, it is deduced that the Ru atoms have an induced moment of ≈1μ_B in the range x 0.2. In the C14 type phase, no magnetic ordering develops even at 4.2 K.     

NMR study of Laves phase (Mg1−xRx)Co2 compounds

Nuclear magnetic resonances of ⁵⁹Co nuclei in (Mg_1−xR_x)Co₂ (R = Y, Gd) compounds at 4.2 K have been observed for 0x1. By replacing Mg with R, the ⁵⁹Co hyperfine field decreases or is nearly constant in the C14 range and increases in the C15 range. These results are explained by the difference of the contribution from R atoms.     

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.     

Short-range order and F ion diffusion inside the Pb1 − xAlxF2 + x solid solution Part II: Al NMR investigation and proposal of clustering process

A ²⁷Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) investigation at room temperature of the Pb_{1 − x}Al_xF_{2 + x} (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.12) solid solution and of the ordered Pb₉Al₂F₂₄ phase is carried out. Two different types of aluminium ions are identified and their ratio is determined as a function of x. A clustering process based on the formation of column clusters, more and more extended when x increases, is proposed on the basis of results issued from the ¹⁹F (Part I) and ²⁷Al NMR investigations.     

Trapping mechanism of superconductivity suppression induced by Pr substitution in the Ho1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ system

Pr concentration dependence of the superconducting transition temperature T_c in the Ho_1−xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ system is determined from measurements of DC electrical resistance. This dependence coincides with that for the parallely studied Y_1−xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ reference system. Both systems have the same value of the critical concentration x_c=0.58, in accordance with nearly equal ionic radii of Ho³⁺ and Y³⁺ ions. It has been shown that the T_c(x) curve can be described with a single mechanism based on a decreasing number of sheet holes trapped by Pr^IV-ions, if one takes also into account that the number of these ions changes with x.     

Superconductivity and crystallographic properties of La2 − xMxCuO4 − δ (M = Na, K)

Superconductivity and crystallographic properties of La_{2 − x}M_xCuO_{4 − δ} (M = Na, K) are studied. In the La_{2 − x}M_xCuO_{4 − δ} system, superconductivity is detected for x 0.2. Oxygen content analysis shows that the system has more oxygen vacancies than the La_{2 − x}Sr_xCuO_{4 − δ} system. These oxygen vacancies may reduce the hole concentration, and high Na-doping is needed to produce superconductivity. In the La_{2 − x}K_xCuO_{4 − δ} system, superconductivity is observed for the first time. Resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements show that T_c(onset) is 40 K and the Meissner volume fraction is about 4% for x = 0.7. The system changes from orthorhombic to a tetragonal K₂NiF₄ structure at x ≈ 0.3 and only tetragonal samples show superconductivity.     

Oxygen tracer diffusion in La1 − xSrxCoO3

Tracer diffusion of ¹⁸O in dense, polycrystalline La_1−xSr_xCoO₃ for x = 0.1 has been measured in the temperature range 400 to 600 °C and at 500 °C for x = 0.2 at an oxygen partial pressure of 1 × 10⁵ Pa. Depth profiles were obtained by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The diffusion coefficient for La_0.9Sr_0.1CoO₃ is given by D = (17–247) exp[(−232 ± 8 kJ/mole)/RT] cm²/s. This value is several orders of magnitude lower than D extrapolated from the results for x = 0.2 measured in the 700–900 °C temperature range. One possible explanation for the discrepancy is that the two measurements reflect different diffusion paths. As expected, La_0.8Sr_0.2CoO₃ exhibits a higher diffusivity at 500 °C than does La_0.9Sr_0.1CoO₃.     

Superconductivity in Ba2−xSrxYCu3Oz prepared at GPa

The compounds Ba_1.4Sr_0.6YCu₃O_z (7.0≤z<7.4) were synthesized at 2 GPa to clarify the effect of high temperature and pressure on the superconducting properties. The structure as observed by powder X-ray diffraction was tetragonal for z≥7.2, and orthorhombic or tetragonal for z<7.1. It has been revealed that high-pressure syntheses suppress the superconductivity in the compounds with z<7.1. Recovery of the superconducting properties occurs above z≥7.2. The effect of Sr substitution on the superconducting properties was also studied. The magnitude of diamagnetism at 5–30 K decreases monotonically from −0.003 to −0.0002 emu/g Oe with increasing x in Ba_2−xSr_xYCu₃O_z (x≥1.2).     

Short-range order and F ion diffusion inside the Pb1 − xAlxF2 + x solid solution Part I: F-NMR investigation

A ¹⁹F-NMR investigation of the Pb_{1 − x}Al_xF_{2 + x} (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.12) solid solution and of the ordered Pb₉Al₂F₂₄ phase is undertaken as a function of temperature. Several F⁻ ion groups become progressively mobile at the NMR time scale at increasing temperature, the first, (F_i)_pb and (F_n)_pb, are located in the surroundings of Pb²⁺ cations, the second ones, (F_rd)_AI and (F_ra)_Al, in that of Al³⁺ cations. Four types of fluoride ions are distinguished in the ¹⁹F-NMR spectra of rigid lattice at low temperature (T = 175 K) and the distribution of fluoride ions among the four sites is determined by deconvolution of the spectra registered. The sites occupied by the (F_n)_pb anions are identified with the normal anionic sites of the fluorite network, the others with different interstitial sites.     

Magnetic properties of Gd2(Fe1−x−yCoyTix)17

Serial single-phase Gd₂(Fe_1−x−yCo_yTi_x)₁₇ compounds have been synthesized. These compounds have a crystal structure belonging to rhombohedral lattice with space group. The lattice parameters of compounds decrease with cobalt content and increase with titanium content, respectively. The saturation magnetization decreases with increasing cobalt and titanium contents. The anisotropy fields increase to maximum then decrease with cobalt concentration. The magnetocrystalline anisotropy constants increase with cobalt content from negative to positive maximum and then decrease with Co concentration. The saturation moment of the compounds decreases linearly with cobalt concentration and decreases nonlinearly with titanium concentration.     

Study on the superconducting composite material formation in the system Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x/Al-containing phases

Phase evolution in the Bi---Sr---Ca---Cu---Al---O system was studied. Two Al-containing phases BiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z and (Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ (x = 0.4 − 0.45) were determined to be chemically compatible with Bi_2.18Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+x (Bi-2212) at temperatures of the samples processing. The phase equilibria in the title system were investigated above the solidus temperature. The BiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z was found to be in equilibrium only with the melt and the (Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ phase. This latter aluminate equilibrated with Ca,Sr cuprates, CaO, the Cu-free phase, and the liquid. The melting and solidification in Bi-2212, doped with the aluminate, corresponded to the reversible reaction Bi-2212 + BiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z ↔ (Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ + liquid. Two sets of superconducting composite materials with initial compositions Bi-2212 + nBiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z and Bi-2212 + m(Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ were prepared by solidification from the partial melt. The former material was composed mostly of large Bi-2212 lamellas separated by the BiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z phase, which destroyed superconducting links between Bi-2212 grains. The latter material consisted of a Bi-2212 polycrystalline matrix with high concentration of small (ca. 3 μm) grains of (Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ imbedded in Bi-2212 lamellas. The Bi-2212 + m(Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ materials displayed a trend to enhance flux pinning at T = 60 K with the increase of aluminate phase content.     

Phonon Raman scattering in Nd1+xBa2−xCu3O7−δ and Pr1+xBa2−xCu3O7−δ single crystals

The polarized Raman spectra of Nd_1+xBa_2−xCu₃O_7−δ (−0.023≤x≤0.107) and Pr_1+xBa_2−xCu₃O_7−δ (0.01≤x≤0.15) single crystals have been investigated. It was found that the Cu(2) A_g mode softens by 6 cm⁻¹ in Nd 1:2:3 and 4 cm⁻¹ in Pr 1:2:3 as x increases. These frequency shifts cannot be explained by the change in the relevant bond lengths due to Nd(Pr)-substitution for Ba. The variations with x of the two low frequency modes may be affected by change of their hybridization and/or change of their force constants. The linewidths of Ba mode in Pr 1:2:3 are broader than those in Y 1:2:3. This result suggests that the Pr substitution on Ba sites occurred even in a very small value of x. In x(yy) geometry the relative intensity of the Ba and O(4) modes in Nd 1:2:3 is greater than those in Pr 1:2:3. The difference between Nd 1:2:3 and Pr 1:2:3 in the relative intensity of the Ba and O(4) modes may be produced by the chains.     

The effect of hydrogenation in HgxCd1 − xTe thin films grown on p-CdTe (211) B substrates

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) transmission, Hall effect, and nuclear resonance reaction measurements have been carried out to investigate the effect of hydrogenation on the deep levels and the hydrogen depth profiling in nominally undoped Hg_xCd_{1 − x}Te layers grown on undoped p-CdTe (211) B-orientation substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. After hydrogenation, the FTIR spectra showed that the transmittance intensity increased in comparison to that of the as-grown Hg_xCd_{1 − x}Te and that the absorption edge shifted to the short wavelength range. Hall effect measurements showed that the carrier concentration decreased and the mobility increased after hydrogenation. After hydrogenation, p-type Hg_xCd_{1 − x}Te is converted to n-type Hg_xCd_{1 − x}Te with high resistivity. Nuclear resonance raaction measurements show that the concentration and the penetration depth of the hydrogen atom in n-Hg_0.77Cd_0.23Te are 3.5% and 640 Å, respectively. The areal density of the hydrogen-containing layer at the surface of the hydrogenated n-Hg_0.77Cd_0.23Te film is 4.39 × 10¹⁵ atoms/cm². These results indicate that hydrogen atoms not only effectively passivate impurities or defects in the Hg_xCd_{1 − x}Te film but also change the carrier type of p-Hg_xCd_{1 − x}Te.     

Effects of structure on exchange interactions in crystalline and amorphous alloys GdxY50−xAg50

Magnetic interactions and effects of dilution with nonmagnetic Y on the magnetic properties of crystalline and amorphous alloys Gd_xY_50−xAg₅₀ (10 ≤ x ≤ 50) have been investigated by measurements of bulk magnetization and susceptibility and by Mössbauer spectroscopy with ¹⁵⁵Gd. The crystalline alloys order antiferromagnetically for all Gd concentrations with a noncollinear arrangement of Gd moments induced by negative biquadratic exchange interactions. In amorphous alloys, ferromagnetic order is found for large Gd concentrations (x ≥ 40). Below the critical concentration x_cr, in the range 30<x_cr<40, properties typical for magnetic cluster glasses are observed. Magnetic hyperfine fields B_hf at ¹⁵⁵Gd nuclei vary with x in opposite directions in amorphous and in crystalline alloys. In crystalline alloys, the variation is due to a positive transferred hyperfine field. In amorphous alloys, a reduction of |B_hf| with decreasing Gd concentration is caused by a reduction of the frozen Gd moments in the cluster glass phase.     

Thermodynamic analysis of BaxK1 − xBiO3 using the Eliashberg theory

In order to understand the mechanism that gives rise to superconductivity in the ceramic superconductors of the type Ba_xK_{1 − x}BiO₃, we analyze the thermodynamic properties with the use of the Eliashberg equations. For these calculations we used the electron-phonon spectral density function ²(ω)F(ω), calculated by Shirai et al. [1] from first principles for two different K concentrations, x=0.5 and x=0.7.     

Shaped crystal growth and scintillating properties of Yb:(Gd,Lu)3Ga5O12 solid solutions

Shaped single crystals of (Lu_xGd_1−x)₃Ga₅O₁₂ (0.0x1.0) and (Yb_0.05Lu_xGd_0.95−x)₃Ga₅O₁₂ (0.0x0.9) were grown by the modified micro-pulling-down method. Continuous solid solutions with garnet structure and a linear compositional dependency of crystal lattice parameter in the system Yb:(Gd,Lu)₃Ga₅O₁₂ are formed. Measured optical absorption spectra of the samples show 4f–4f transitions related to Gd³⁺ ion at 275 and 310 nm, and also an onset of charge transfer transitions from oxygen ligands to Gd³⁺ or Yb³⁺ cations below 240 nm. A complete absence of Yb³⁺ charge transfer luminescence under X-ray excitation in any of the investigated samples was explained by the overlapping of charge transfer absorption of Yb³⁺ by that of Gd³⁺ ions. For specific composition of Lu_1.5Gd_1.5Ga₅O₁₂ an intense defect-host lattice-related emission, which achieve of about 40% integrated intensity compared with Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂, was found.     

NMR study of coexistence of ferro- and antiferromagnetism in (Zr1−xNbx)Fe2

The magnetic phase diagram has been investigated in the C14 type (Zr_1−xNb_x)Fe₂ with x0.7 from ⁹³Nb NMR and magnetization measurements. In the compound with x = 0.825 a first order-like transition has been found to occur around 25 K from a canted state with the ferromagnetic moment in the basal plane to a ferromagnetic state with decreasing temperature.     

Erbium in silicon–germanium quantum wells

Strained Si_1−xGe_x/Si quantum wells have been doped with erbium by implantation. A comparison is made with strained Si_1−xGe_x/Si quantum wells and relaxed Si_1−xGe_x, with x between 10% and 25%, doped with erbium during MBE growth. The erbium concentration was between 1×10¹⁸ and 5×10¹⁸ cm⁻³ throughout the active regions. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence studies indicate that good regrowth can been achieved after full amorphisation by implantation of the strained quantum wells. The erbium luminescence is more intense in the Si_1−xGe_x/Si layers, but erbium-implanted samples containing Si_1−xGe_x exhibit defect luminescence in the region of 0.9–1.0 eV. These defects are also present when Si_1−xGe_x/Si quantum wells are implanted with an amorphising dose of silicon, and then regrown. They are attributed to small germanium-rich platelets, rather than to erbium-related defects. Electroluminescence is presented from a forward biased erbium-implanted Si_0.87Ge_0.13/Si structure at a drive current density of only 1.8 mA/cm².