Anomalous behavior of ultrasonic properties near 50 K in Rb0.30MoO3 and Rb0.30(Mo1−xVx)O3

Depending on the temperature, the charge density wave (CDW) nonlinear conductivity of the blue bronzes A_0.30MoO₃ (A=K, Rb) shows two different regimes: a strongly damped motion above ∼50 K and motion with almost no damping below ∼50 K. In a search for an elastic signature of this CDW behaviour, we performed ultrasonic measurements on Rb_0.30MoO₃ and Rb_0.30(Mo_1−xV_x)O₃ single crystals between 4 K and 300 K. In Rb_0.30MoO₃, at T∼50 K, upon cooling, a large increase of the sound velocity is observed. The ultrasonic attenuation coefficient shows an increase down to 50 K followed by a plateau. In Rb_0.30(Mo_1−xV_x)O₃ (x=0.4 at%) the anomaly broadens and is shifted towards higher temperatures. The results are discussed in terms of CDW glass.     

Polarized infrared reflectivity study in charge density wave conductor Tl0.3MoO3

Polarized infrared reflectivity measurements between 300 and 10 K have been carried out on charge density waves (CDW) conductor blue bronze Tl_0.3MoO₃. Three important features are observed: (i) A bump at 1155 cm⁻¹ in the reflectivity spectra of Tl_0.3MoO₃ at 300 K is a precursor of the Peierls gap due to optical excitations across a pseudogap, and this kind of Peierls-like gap opens gradually with decreasing temperature from 180 to 160 K. (ii) The three sharp modes as “triplet” of infrared reflectivity between 800 and 1000 cm⁻¹ of Tl_0.3MoO₃ along [1 0 2] axis show red shift compared to K_0.3MoO₃ and Rb_0.3MoO₃, which is assigned to the increase of the distance of Mo-O bond with the substitution of thallium ions. (iii) Two peaks at about 514 and 644 cm⁻¹ in the far-infrared reflectivity spectra of Tl_0.3MoO₃ along [1 0 2] direction are suggested to be the electronic transitions from the valence band to the midgap state and from occupied midgap state to the conduction band, respectively.     

Temperature dependence of the second threshold field for rubidium blue bronze Rb0.3MoO3

We have investigated the threshold properties of Rubidium blue bronze Rb_0.3MoO₃ under high dc electric field in a large temperature range 20-150 K. The second threshold fields have been observed at temperature up to 102.4 K, and have quasi-linear relationships with temperatures 20-45 K and 55-100 K, respectively. A novel crossover platform has been found firstly in the temperature dependence of the second threshold field E_T2 at about 45-55 K. The results indicate that the dynamical behavior of the second threshold effects may originate from different mechanisms. We suggest that the highly conducting state at 20-45 K and 55-100 K result from the undamped sliding motion of rigid CDW and current inhomogeneity, respectively.     

Charge-density-wave partial gap opening in quasi-2D KMo6O17 purple bronze studied by angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy

Low dimensional (LD) metallic oxides have been a subject of continuous interest in the last two decades, mainly due to the electronic instabilities that they present at low temperatures. In particular, charge density waves (CDW) instabilities associated with a strong electron-phonon interaction have been found in Molybdenum metallic oxides such as KMo₆O₁₇ purple bronze. We report an angle resolved photoemission (ARPES) study from room temperature (RT) to T ∼40 K well below the Peierls transition temperature for this material, with CDW transition temperature T_CDW ∼120 K. We have focused on photoemission spectra along ΓM high symmetry direction as well as photoemission measurements were taken as a function of temperature at one representative k_F point in the Brillouin zone in order to look for the characteristic gap opening after the phase transition. We found out a pseudogap opening and a decrease in the density of states near the Fermi energy, E_F, consistent with the partial removal of the nested portions of the Fermi surface (FS) at temperature below the CDW transition. In order to elucidate possible Fermi liquid (FL) or non-Fermi liquid (NFL) behaviour we have compared the ARPES data with that one reported on quasi-1D K_0.3MoO₃ blue bronze.     

Size effects on the charge-density-wave pinning in the quasi-one-dimensional conductor K0.30MoO3

We report size effects on the charge-density-wave pinning in the quasi-one-dimensional conductor K_0.30MoO₃ in the temperature range 77 K-160 K. The threshold field is approximately one order of magnitude larger in needle-like samples than in bulk crystals, temperature independent and strongly dependent on the width of the sample. In addition, the nonlinear conductivity shows a maximum near 130 K. The results are discussed in relation with various pinning models and CDW dislocations.     

The thermoelectric power of charge-density-wave conductors Rb0.3MoO3 and Rb0.15K0.15MoO3

The thermoelectric power (TEP) of the quasi-one-dimensional charge-density-wave (CDW) conductors rubidium blue bronze Rb_0.3MoO₃ and its alloy Rb_0.15K_0.15MoO₃ were measured in the temperature range 80-280 K. The result showed a sign change from a small positive value to a great negative value where the Peierls transition temperatures (T_p) are 183 and 180 K for Rb_0.3MoO₃ and Rb_0.15K_0.15MoO₃, respectively. Above T_p, the TEP for both samples can be described with the empirical relation S=AT+B; while below T_p, the TEP fits well the relation S=AT+B/T based on the experimental data. The Fermi energies ε_F for Rb_0.3MoO₃ and Rb_0.15K_0.15MoO₃ are estimated to be 1.55 and 0.53 eV, respectively.     

Soliton analysis of the electro-optical response of blue bronze

In recent measurements on the charge-density-wave (CDW) conductor blue bronze (K_0.3MoO₃), the electro-transmittance and electro-reflectance spectra were searched for intragap states that could be associated with solitons created by injection of electrons into the CDW at the current contacts [Eur. Phys. J. B16 (2000), 295; Eur. Phys. J. B35 (2003) 233]. In this work, we adapt the model of soliton absorption in dimerized polyacetylene to the blue bronze results, to obtain the (order of magnitude) estimate that current induced solitons occur on less than ∼10% of the conducting chains. We discuss the implications of these results on models of soliton lifetimes and motion of CDW phase dislocations.     

Quasiperiodic noise voltage and metastability in the charge density wave conductivity of K0.30MoO3

Slow relaxation phenomena as well as quasiperiodic noise have been studied in the non linear regime of conductivity which takes place above a well defined threshold electric field in the semiconducting incommensurate phase of the quasi one-dimensional blue bronze K_0.30MoO₃. The noise frequencies are found to be proportional to the excess current attributed to the charge density wave (CDW). In some temperature range, the CDW current is found to decrease logarithmically vs time. These results indicate the presence of metastable states related to domains and domain walls.     

X-ray study of field induced deformation of sliding CDW in K0.30MoO3

A deformation of the CDW is investigated under the electric field whose magnitude is intensionally made inhomogeneous in the one-dimensional conductor K_0.30MoO₃. It is verified that the CDW's deformation, which occurs in the transverse (2a¹-c¹)-direction, is caused by the field gradient in the sample. In the sample where the CDW deformation is found without the intensional inhomogeneity of the electroc field, the deformation is not uniform from point to point. Possible relations are discussed between the structural change and the electrical polarization observed in pulse measurements of the conductivity.     

CDW evidence in one-dimensional K0.3MoO3 by means of Raman scattering

Raman scattering measurements on the one-dimensional (1-D) blue bronze K_0.3MoO₃ are reported as function of temperature. At about 50 cm^-1 a Raman line of A_g(A) symmetry was found with an anomalous temperature dependence. The line symmetry, the softening of the eigenfrequency and the apparent disappearing of the coupling constant at the critical temperature, allow us to assign this line to the amplitude mode of the CDW, predicted by the theory of the Peierls transition. A Peierls precursor at room temperature was also observed and is discussed.     

Charge-density wave instability and nonlinear transport in Tl0.3MoO3 a new blue molybdenum oxide bronze

Single crystals of Tl_0.3MoO₃ blue bronze were grown by the temperature gradient flux technique for the first time. Tl_0.3MoO₃ crystalizes with monoclinic symmetry, space group C2, C2/m or Cm, $\text{a = 18.486(1)}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{b = 7.5474(6)}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c = 10.0347(7)}\text{A}\text{?}$, β = 118.377(6)° and appears to be isostructural with the K_0.3MoO₃ blue bronze. The physical properties of Tl_0.3MoO₃ are similar to those of the K₃MoO₃ and Rb₃MoO₃ phases. The resistivity of Tl_0.3MoO₃ is highly anisotropic and its temperature susceptibility (4.2–300K) decreases sharply with decreasing temperature near the transition seen in the resistivity. The onset of another transition <60K is also indicated by the susceptibility data. Non-linear current-voltage (I–V) characteristics observed at ～70K above applied threshold voltages of the order of ～300mV/cm suggest the sliding of charge density condensate.     

Thermal conductivity of K0.3MoO3

Measurements of thermal conductivity of the blue bronze K_0.3MoO₃ are reported in the range 90–300K. A large anomaly at 183 K ascribed to the CDW transition and an overall good agreement of the experimental results with the estimations based on the Wiedemann-Franz are found.     

Current induced deformation of charge density waves in orthorhombic TaS3

The low electric field ohmic resistance R of orthorhombic TaS₃ measured at 90 and 120 K well below the Peierls transition temperature depends on the product of a temperature difference ΔT applied along the sample and the sign of a previously applied current pulse if this pulse is larger than threshold for non-ohmic conductivity. This resistance change is about ΔR/RΔT ∽ 1×10^-3 K^-1 for a pure sample and ΔR/RΔT ∽ 6×10^-3 K^-1 for a slightly electron irradiated one at 90 K. The relative resistance change is insensitive to the sample length. We deduce that the CDW current changes inhomogeneously the Peierls gap E_g. ΔE_g < O at the contact where the CDW current enters and ΔE_g > O at the exit. The effect is attributed to a CDW current induced inhomogeneous deformation of the CDW itself.     

Specific heat and critical behavior of Tl0.3MoO3 near the Peierls phase transition

The specific heat of the quasi-one-dimensional charge-density-wave (CDW) compound Tl_0.3MoO₃ has been measured using an adiabatic continuous heating method from 100 to 220 K. A specific heat jump associated with the Peierls phase transition occurs at 172.3 K. A good scaling relation between the excess specific heat and the susceptibility is found between 140 K and 190 K. Further analysis indicates that the width of the critical region of Tl_0.3MoO₃ is about 10 K and the specific-heat critical behavior can be well described by the three-dimensional XY model.     

横向交、直流电流对蓝青铜K0.3MoO3的I-V特性的调制效应

通过I-V特性测量，研究了横向交、直流电流对蓝青铜K_0.3MoO₃中电荷密度波(CDW)动力学行为的影响.实验结果表明，无论是直流还是交流，随着横向调制电流的增大，CDW滑移的阈值电场均会相应地减小；但横向交流电流的调制效应较小，可能更接近本征的效应.考察了横向交流电流的调制效应与其频率的依赖关系. 关键词： 0.3MoO₃单晶')" href="#">K_0.3MoO₃单晶 电荷密度波 横向电流调制效应     

“Quantization” of the q-vector in microcrystals of K0.3MoO3 and NbSe3

We report steps of conductivity between discrete conducting states in microsamples of quasi-one-dimensional conductors K_0.3MoO₃ and NbSe₃. The steps reveal single phase-slip events, and the discrete states reveal “quantization” of the wave vector q of the charge-density wave. The “quantization” is observed due to the coherence of the CDW within the sample volume and tight boundary conditions at the contacts. The distribution of steps in temperature gives the temperature dependences of the q-vectors, while the steps' height provides the carriers' mobilities. For the case of NbSe₃ we give the 1st direct confirmation of the extremely high mobility of the “pocket” holes at low temperatures.     

Magnetic and magneto-transport investigations of Co37Ni34Al29 alloy

Ferromagnetic shape memory alloy with nominal composition Co₃₇Ni₃₄Al₂₉ is investigated by transport and magnetic measurements. The anomaly due to the martensitic transition is observed around 130-210 K. The thermal hysteresis, observed due to martensitic transition in the dc magnetization versus temperature data, gets suppressed at higher applied field. Below 50 K, magnetization varies with temperature perfectly as T^3/2, which signifies that spin wave excitations are largely responsible for thermal demagnetization. The sample shows small negative magneto-resistance, which varies non-monotonically with temperature showing largest value at around 200 K.     

Magnetic susceptibility of NbSe3 and TaSe3

The magnetic susceptibility of NbSe₃ shows a decrease beginning slightly above its upper charge density wave transition (CDW) of 144 K, but no change within our resolution near the 59 K transition. The change in the density of states at the Fermi level due to the upper transition is 0.14 states-eV/Nb. TaSe₃ on the other hand has a temperature independent susceptibility. In some cases the trichalcogenides are contaminated with their corresponding dichalcogenide. Such contamination can be observed by susceptibility measurements in the case of 2HTaSe₂ but not of 2HNbSe₂. We also report an anomaly in the susceptibility of 4HaNbSe₂, which suggests a CDW transition at 45 K.     

Electrical and magnetic properties of non-stoichiometric (La0.8Sr0.2)1−xMnO3 perovskites

The structure, transport and magnetic properties of (La_0.8Sr_0.2)_1−xMnO₃ (0≤x≤0.30) polycrystalline perovskite manganites have been investigated. For all the samples the Curie temperatures, T_c, remain nearly unchanged (329±3 K). Resistivity versus temperature curves for the samples show a double-peak behavior. A significant magnetoresistance (MR) effect and different temperature dependences of the MR ratios of the samples are observed. The shapes of the MR-T curves of the samples can be adjusted by changing x. For the x=0.30 sample, a nearly constant MR ratio of (9.5±0.5)% is obtained over the temperature range from 205 to 328 K.     

X-ray evidence for a deformation of CDW during the sliding motion in K0.30MoO3

The wave vector and the correlation length of the CDW ordering in K_0.30MoO₃ are studied by x-ray diffraction as functions of electric fields applied along the one-dimensional axis. Several samples change their CDW-ordering above a threshold field. The change of the wave vector occurs mainly in the (2a¹-c¹) - direction, which is perpendicular to the one-dimensional b¹ - axis. It depends also on the field direction and magnitude. Time resolved x-ray experiments show that characteristic time of this change is of the order of 1 ms. The correlation length becomes longer along the (2a¹-c¹)-direction in the transient period.