A Magnetic resonance study of La1−x SrxMnO3 manganites

Single crystals of La_0.9Sr_0.1MnO₃ and La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ manganites are examined using magnetic resonance in the temperature range 80–370 K. It is found that magnetostatic oscillations arise near the Curie temperature. The possible reasons for the appearance of additional lines in the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectrum are considered, and the anisotropy field and the type of crystalline magnetic anisotropy in the La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ compound are determined. It is shown that the crystalline magnetic anisotropy in the La_0.9Sr_0.1MnO₃ compound exhibits specific features associated with its type of crystal structure.     

Heat capacity of La1−x SrxMnO3 single crystals in different magnetic states

The heat capacity of three single-crystal samples of La_1?x Sr_xMnO₃ (x=0, 0.2, and 0.3) is measured in the temperature range 4–400 K. It is found that the heat capacity undergoes abrupt changes due to the transitions from the antiferromagnetic phase to the paramagnetic phase (x=0) and from the ferromagnetic phase to the paramagnetic phase (x=0.2 and 0.3). The phonon contribution to the heat capacity and the Debye characteristic temperatures for the La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ sample are determined over a wide range of temperatures. The electronic density of states at the Fermi level is evaluated. It is demonstrated that an increase in the strontium concentration x brings about an increase in the electronic density of states at the Fermi level. The contributions of spin waves to the heat capacity and the entropy are estimated under the assumption that the phonon spectrum remains unchanged upon doping with Sr.     

Anisotropic optical properties of single-crystal GdBa2Cu3O7−δ

The optical spectrum of reduced-T _c GdBa₂Cu₃O_7– has been measured for polarizations parallel and perpendicular to theab plane. The sample was an oxygen-deficient single crystal with a large face containing thec axis. The polarized reflectance from this face was measured from 20–300 K in the spectral region from 30–3000 cm^–1, with 300 K data to 30000 cm^–1. Kramers-Kronig analysis was used to determine the spectral dependence of theab and thec components of the dielectric tensor. The optical properties are strongly anisotropic. Theab-plane response resembles that of other reduced-T _c materials whereas thec axis, in contrast, shows only the presence of several phonons. There is a complete absence of charge carrier response alongc aboveand belowT _c. This observation allows us to set an upper limit to the free-carrier spectral weight for transport perpendicular to the CuO₂ planes.Permanent address: Institute of Physics, CSAV, Prague, Czechoslovakia     

Effect of film thickness on the electromagnetic properties of La1−x Sr x MnO3 coatings

Coatings of La_1?x Sr _x MnO₃ (x = 0.225) with thicknesses of 6 and 1000 nm are deposited by magnetron sputtering on LaAlO₃ substrates and the electromagnetic properties of obtained films are studied in detail. It is found that the colossal magnetoresistance observed in the samples is considerably influenced by interface effects.     

Transport properties of the single-crystal La2−xBaxCuO4 (0≤x≤0.11)

We report on the temperature dependence of the in-plane electrical resistivity ρ_ab and the in-plane Hall coefficient R_H in various magnetic fields of the single-crystal La_2−xBa_xCuO₄ with x=0.083 and 0.11. In x=0.11, which is close to x=1/8, where the superconductivity is strongly suppressed, a clear jump in ρ_ab and a drop in R_H have been observed at T_d2∼53 K, where the structural phase transition between the orthorhombic mid-temperature and tetragonal low-temperature phases occurs. Moreover, a sign reversal of R_H has been observed below ∼25 K and the magnitude of the sign reversal increases with increasing magnetic field. In x=0.083, on the other hand, there is neither jump in ρ_ab nor drop in R_H at T_d2, and also no sign reversal in R_H at low temperatures even in magnetic fields up to 9 T. In conclusion, there is no doubt that a static stripe order of holes and spins, observed in La_1.6−xNd_0.4Sr_xCuO₄ with x∼1/8, is formed below T_d2 also in La_2−xBa_xCuO₄ with x∼1/8. The R_H in the stripe-ordered state has a negative value, which is consistent with the recent theory by Prelovšek et al.     

Thermal-expansion and magnetostriction anomalies in phase transitions in La1−x SrxMnO3

A study is reported on phase transitions in the La_1?x Sr_xMnO₃ system, both spontaneous and induced by a pulsed magnetic field of up to 250 kOe, accompanied by anomalies in magnetoelastic properties. The temperatures of the polaron (charge) and magnetic ordering, as well as those of structural transitions, are observed to be in good agreement with the results obtained by other methods. Jumps in the field dependence of longitudinal and transverse magnetostriction associated with field-induced orbital ordering have been found. A strong temperature dependence of the corresponding threshold fields is observed.     

Synthesis and optical properties of La1−XCeXMnO3 studied by infrared reflectivity measurements

The bulk polycrystalline La_1−xCe_xMnO₃ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) manganites were synthesized through citrate sol-gel auto-combustion method for a wide range of composition 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis suggests the single phase rhombohedral (R-3c) symmetry for parent LaMnO₃ compound, however a secondary cubic (Fm-3 m) phase of cerium oxide (CeO₂) is appeared when Ce is incorporated into the LaMnO₃. A detailed XRD study of these materials were discussed, and specifically the infrared reflectivity measurements on La_1−xCe_xMnO₃ materials are discussed in this study for the first time. The phonon softening and hardening was observed for different modes but softening was found to be more pronounced which implied strong electron–phonon coupling. The most affected phonon mode was appeared for the doping range 0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.4, in which the largest softening was observed. The Lyddane–Sachs–Teller relation is verified by experimental FTIR data.     

Magnetic and electrical properties of weakly doped manganese-deficient La1 − x Ca x Mn1 − z O3 manganites

Samples of La_{1 ? x} Ca _x Mn_{1 ? z} O_{3 + δ} (x = 0.05?0.15) with deficient manganese and excess oxygen δ do not pass into a metallic state and have low spin ordering temperatures T _C at acceptor Mn⁴⁺ concentrations near the percolation threshold. These results are explained by carrier localization in clusters near cation vacancies. A break in the carrier transport chain Mn-O-Mn in the form of absent manganese favors cluster formation and decreases the double exchange energy and T _C of the samples. Closeness to the percolation threshold results in strong (more than four orders of magnitude) changes in the electrical resistivity in a magnetic field. The changes in the cluster sizes with the temperature and the magnetic field that are determined from the magnetotransport properties are satisfactorily described in the model of phase separation into small-radius metallic droplets in a dielectric paramagnetic and an antiferromagnetic matrices.     

Magnetic and piezoelectric properties of the Bi1 − x La x FeO3 system near the transition from the polar to antipolar phase

The crystal structure, piezoelectric and magnetic properties of the Bi_{1 ? x} La _x FeO₃ solid-solution system near the structural transition between the rhombohedral and orthorhombic phases (0.15 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) have been investigated. The regions of existence of the polar rhombohedral and orthorhombic phases have been determined, and the sequence of structural transitions as a function of the lanthanum ion concentration and temperature has been studied. The maximum piezoelectric signal is found for the solid solution with the composition x = 0.16, which has a single-phase rhombohedral structure. The relation between the type of crystal structure distortions and the increase in the magnetization upon the concentration-driven structural transition from the polar to antipolar phase has been established.     

Features of high-frequency ultrasound propagation in the temperature range of structural and magnetic phase transitions in La1−x SrxMnO3 (x=0.175) manganite

The propagation of ultrasonic waves at a frequency of 770 MHz in a La_0.825Sr_0.175MnO₃ single crystal is investigated in the temperature range 350–150 K. It is found that the velocity, attenuation, and mode composition of ultrasonic waves change at temperatures of 315–280 and 220 K. These changes correlate with the structural and magnetic phase transitions and can be explained in terms of the Jahn-Teller distortions of the crystal lattice.     

On the microstructure of the charge density wave observed in La1− x Ca x MnO3

We have used low temperature (90?K) transmission electron microscopy to investigate the ‘charge ordering’ modulation in the mixed valent manganite, La_{1? x} Ca _x MnO₃. It has been stated that Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ ions order at low temperature to produce a structural modulation composed of supercells whose size is an integer multiple of the unmodulated unit cell. Here, we use convergent beam electron diffraction to show that the periodicity of the modulation need not be an integer multiple of the undistorted cell, even on the smallest scales. We therefore suggest that this modulation is a charge density wave with a uniform periodicity. We show that the modulation wavevector lies close to the a* axis of the crystal but need not be exactly collinear. A typical grain of size 0.5?µm in La_0.48Ca_0.52MnO₃ had a wavevector which varied on a scale of tens of nanometres with an average of ?q??=?0.450a * and a standard deviation Δq?=?0.004?a* in its magnitude and Δθ?=?0.56° in its direction at 90?K. The magnitude of the wavevector in this composition fell by 20% as the temperature was increased from 90?K to room temperature. This change occurred by nucleation and growth. Although weak, the modulation was still present at room temperature, some 30?K above the ‘charge ordering temperature’.     

Radiation effects on the optical properties of Se85−x Te15Sb x thin films

The optical absorption of the as-deposited and γ-irradiated (doses of 3, 10, 12, 15 Mrad) thermally evaporated Se_85?x Te₁₅Sb _x (x=0, 6, 9) films was measured. The refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k of the films were calculated using an analytical method developed by Zheng et al. The Urbach relation was used in the fundamental edge region to calculate the width of the band tail states. The behavior of the composition with high concentration of antimony (x=9) was attributed to the produced Se–Sb bonds and an excess of Te–Te bonds, which break the chain structure of the Se–Te system and generate defects in the film. The related optical parameters were also calculated and discussed.     

On the ferromagnetic perovskite with potential GMR properties: The manganite La1−x K x MnO3

We investigate structural features (cell distortions), magnetic and electric properties versus temperature for La_1-x K _x MnO₃ (0.05 < x < 0.2) perovskites. All the phases crystallize in a rhomboedral symmetry (R3c) and are ferromagnetic. Curie temperatures are strongly dependent of x, with a maximum around 308 K for La_0.8K_0.2MnO₃. A sharp decrease of the resistivity is observed just below the Curie temperature, accompanied by a very steep increase of the spontaneous magnetization, characteristic of a conventional Brillouin type curve. The average magnetic moment of Mn is about 88 e.m.u/g at 5 K for the composition La_0.8K_0.2MnO₃. The transition from ferromagnetic-metallic to paramagnetic-semiconducting states is explained from the suggested distribution of the cations (La³⁺ _1-x K⁺ _x )_A(Mn⁴⁺ _1-2x Mn⁴⁺ _2x )_BO₃ by the double exchange of Mn³⁺-Mn⁴⁺ pairs at the B-sublattice. Preliminary magnetoresistance measurements on bulk ceramic samples display an MR effect of the same amplitude as in the case of the alkaline earth substituted La manganites.     

Composition-dependent ferroelectric properties of Ba1− x Sr x TiO3 ceramics

Pure and homogeneous nanopowders of Ba_{1? x} Sr _x TiO₃ with compositions x?=?0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30 and 0.35 were prepared by a polymerized complex method based on the Pechini-type reaction route, wherein mixed solutions of citric acid, ethylene glycol, titanium isopropoxide, barium carbonate and strontium carbonate were polymerized to form transparent resins used as precursors for the final oxide powders. X-ray diffraction data indicated the formation of tetragonal BaTiO₃ and cubic (Ba,?Sr)TiO₃ solid solutions, free from secondary phases. Ceramics with relative densities of 85–93% were obtained after sintering for 3?h at 1300°C and 1350°C, respectively. The Sr content influences the microstructure of the ceramic samples and their ferroelectric characteristics. The P(E) loops are strongly composition-dependent, with reducing the remnant polarization and coercive fields with increasing the Sr addition. The First Order Reversal Curve (FORC) analysis is used for describing the local switching properties and the ac-tunability characteristics. The maximum of the FORC distribution is located at low fields, meaning that small fields are necessary to switch the large majority of the domains of these systems. The tunability determined in the FORC experiment depends not only on the actual field, but also on the reversal field. For two compositions, higher FORC tunability at room temperature was found for the sample closer to its ferro-para phase transition. This result was interpreted in relationship with the domain walls mobility, which is higher for the ferroelectric sample close to its ferro-para phase transition.     

Surface nanostructure effects on optical properties of Pb(Zr x Ti1−x )O3 thin films

Optical scattering properties of nanostructured matter have crucial impact on performance efficiency of various photonic components, such as waveguides, display elements, and solar cells. In this paper, diffuse transmission properties of nanocrystalline Pb(Zr _x Ti_1?x )O₃ thin films with a high refractive index of ~2.5 and optical transmittance are presented. Thin films with a thicknesses ranging from 50 to 500 nm were studied using integrating sphere technique and results were compared to simulations performed by a scalar scattering theory. Thin films were deposited by pulsed laser deposition at room temperature on MgO(100) substrates and post-annealed at a temperature of 800 °C. Structural phase evolution-induced surface effects, which introduced periodicity on the film surface, cause the definite diffuse elements in transmission spectra of the films. Low and evenly distributed scattering amplitudes in k-space were seen for highly tetragonal- or trigonal-oriented films with non-textured surfaces, which led to low diffuse transmission values (T _D ≈ 5 %), while confined and increased scattering amplitudes in k-space were seen for tetragonal–trigonal-oriented films, with phase co-existence, which led to microstructure-induced textured surfaces and increased diffuse transmission values (T _D ≈ 50 %). For highly textured surfaces, scattering amplitudes distributed in tilted ellipsoid shape in k-space was observed. Difference between modeled and measured values was 3.8 % in maximum.     

Effects of laser irradiation on optical properties of a-Se100−x Te x thin films

The effect of laser irradiation on the optical properties of thermally evaporated Se_100?x Te _x (x=8, 12, 16) chalcogenide thin films has been studied. The result shows that the irradiation causes a shift in the optical gap. The results have been analyzed on the basis of laser irradiation-induced defects in the film. The width of the tail of localized state in the band gap has been evaluated using the Urbach edge method. As the irradiation time increases, the values of the optical energy gap for all compositions decrease, while tail energy width increases. It is also observed that the optical energy gap decreases with increasing Te content in the alloy. These changes are a consequence of an increment in disorder produced by laser irradiation in the amorphous structure of thin film.     

First-principle calculations of the fundamental properties of CuBrxI1−x ternary alloy

Ab initio full-potential linearised augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within density functional theory is applied to study the effect of composition on the structural, electronic and thermodynamic properties of CuBr_xI_1?x ternary alloy. The structural properties at equilibrium are investigated by using the new form of generalised gradient approximations that are based on the optimisation of total energy. For band structure calculations, both Engel–Vosko and modified Becke–Johnson of the exchange-correlation energy and potential, respectively, are used. Deviation of the lattice constants from Vegard's law and the bulk modulus from linear concentration dependence are observed. The microscopic origins of the gap bowing were explained by using the approach of Zunger and co-workers. On the other hand, the thermodynamic stability of this alloy was investigated by calculating the excess enthalpy of mixing ?Hm as well as the phase diagram by calculating the critical temperatures. A numerical first-principle calculations of the elastic constants as function of pressure is used to calculate C₁₁, C₁₂ and C₄₄.     

Defect chemistry and electrical properties of La1−xSrxCoO3−δ IV. Electrical properties

This paper considers electrical properties of La_1−xSr_xCoO_3−δ in terms of defect models, such as random defect model and the cluster model. It is shown that the experimental data of the electrical conductivity may be explained in terms of the random defect model rather than the cluster model.