Far-infrared spectroscopy of the supreconductor YBa2Cu4O8

The frequencies of allB _1u (z) phonon modes predicted by a group-theoretical analysis were measured and found to agree well with recent lattice dynamical calculations for this compound. We report also the determination of two superconducting gap values in YBa₂Cu₄O₈ through phonon self-energy effects in the normal and superconducting conducting state. The gap-to-T _c ratios obtained from an analysis of these effects are 2 ₁/kT _c 2.5 and 5.82 ₂/kT _c 9.2. This coincides with previous results of both phononic and electronic Raman scattering where values of 2.1 and 6.3 were found. We further find anomalous softenings of two phonon modes 40 Kabove T _c , which correlate with an observed deviation from the linear temperature dependence of the average plasma frequency _p (T).     

Upper bounds onT c for one-dimensional Ising systems

We present upper bounds on the critical temperature of one-dimensional Ising models with long-range,l/n interactions, where 1<2. In particular for the often studied case of =2 we have an upper bound onT _c which is less than theT _c found by a number of approximation techniques. Also for the case where is small, such as =1.1, we obtain rigorous bounds which are extremely close, within 1.0%, to those found by approximation methods.     

Contribution of quantum corrections and superconducting fluctuations to the magnetic field and temperature dependence of the conductivity in amorphous CuTi and CuZr alloys

We report conductivity measurements on Cu _x Ti_100–x and Cu _x Zr_100–x glasses as a function of magnetic field (0B6T) and temperature (1.5–5. At low temperatures the measured conductivity(T,B)= ₀+(T)+(B,T) is compared quantitatively with the predictions of diagrammatic perturbation theories including quantum interference effects, spin-orbit scattering and electron-electron interaction. We obtain a set of characteristic fields for inelastic and spin orbit scattering from both the magnetic field and the temperature dependence of the measured (T, B). Below about 4K the Coulomb interaction determines (T) in consistence with the Hall effect, whereas quantum interference processes and spin-orbit scattering dominate the magnetic field dependence. In case of Cu _x Zr_100–x , (B, T) can be explained by taking into account superconducting fluctuations (Maki-Thompson and Aslamasov-Larkin parts) in addition. Superconducting fluctuations dominate the temperature dependence as well. For high magnetic fields and lower temperatures (B/T>1T/K) we find discrepancies between experiment and calculations from perturbation theory.     

Critical properties and finite-size effects of the five-dimensional Ising model

Monte Carlo calculations of the thermodynamic properties (energy, specific heat, magnetization suceptibility, renormalized coupling) of the nearest-neighbour Ising ferromagnet on a five-dimensional hypercubic lattice are presented and analyzed. Lattices of linear dimensionsL=3, 4, 5, 6, 7 with periodic boundary conditions are studied, and a finite size scaling analysis is performed, further confirming the recent suggestion thatL does not scale with the correlation length (the temperature variation of which near the critical temperatureT _c is |1-T/T _c |^–1/2), but rather with a thermodynamic lengthl (withl|1-T/T _c |^–2/d ,d=5 here). The susceptibility (extrapolated to the thermodynamic limit) agrees quantitatively with high temperature series extrapolations of Guttmann. The problem of fluctuation corrections to the leading (Landau-like) critical behaviour is briefly discussed, and evidence given for a specific-heat singularity of the form |1-T/T _c |^1/2, superimposed on its leading jump.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. H.E. Müser on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Multiple scattering in random media I. Restricted two-body additive approximation

We present a microscopic theory of the problem of finding the properties of a particle interacting with potentials located at random sites. The sites are governed by a general probability distribution. The starting point is the multiple scattering equations for the amplitude k ₁|T |k ₂ in terms of the individual scattering amplitudes k ₁|T |k ₂. We work with quantitiesA defined by k ₁|T |k ₂=k ₁|T |k ₂exp[i(k ₁–k ₂)R ]. The theory is based on a splitting of the fundamental equation forA into equations for the mean A and the fluctuationsAA . Neglect of the fluctuations yields the quasicrystalline approximation. We rearrange the equation forAA to isolate the collective part of the fluctuations. We then make the simplest microscopic truncation which is thatAA is a restricted two-body additive function of the site positions. With the contribution of the collective fluctuations, this yields results forA that are accurate to ordert ⁴.Work supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Contract No. NSF DMRWork supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Contract No. NSF DMR     

Parametric dependence of the properties of pulsed-laser-deposited diamond-like carbon films

The properties of Pulsed-Laser-Deposited Diamond-Like Carbon (PLD DLC) films are studied as functions of the power density and the wavelength of the laser beam, and the incident angle of the beam relative to the normal of the target surface. All the films have a similar structure consisting of graphite particulates embedded in a continuous matrix, so the macroscopic performance of the films is determined by the overall contributions of the particulates and the matrix. The use of higher, shorter, or larger leads to an enhancement of the diamond-like characteristics and a simultaneous increase of the particulate density. These two effects give opposite contributions to the electrical conductivity _R, leading to the following results. (i) _R drops with increasing in the low range (region I) due to the stronger diamond-like nature of the matrix, but increases sharply after has exceeded a threshold _min as a result of the rapid increase in particulate density. (ii) In region I, the use of shorter or larger leads to a more diamond-like matrix, and this overwhelms the degradation effect caused by the slight increase in particulate density. The samples thus become more insulating. In the high region (region II), however, the use of shorter or larger gives rise to higher particulate density, thereby increasing the electrical conductivity.     

Proton dipolar spin-lattice relaxation in hexagonal ice

The ultraslow motion of defects in high purity hexagonal H₂O ice has been studied by proton dipolarT _1D measurements in the strong collision limit, using the Jeener technique. The obtained NMR correlation times agree rather well with both the Schottky H₂O diffusion timest _s=r ²/6D and the deuteron correlation times in D₂O ice, suggesting that Schottky rather than interstitial diffusion dominates spin-lattice relaxation in both H₂O and D₂O ice.On leave of absence from University of Ljubljana, Institute J. Stefan.     

Unusual behaviour of conductivity and superconductivity in solid Sn−Xe mixtures

We have measured the normal statedc conductivity , the superconducting transition temperatureT _c and the critical superconducting currentI _c0 of frozen Sn–Xe mixtures in dependence of the Sn atomic fractionc. A new, high-T _c phase is observed forc between 0.58±0.02 and 0.74±0.02. This phase has aT _c-value of about 5.7 K, it shows a strong decrease in and inI _c0 and transforms into disordered Sn during annealing between 15 K and 50 K.It is a pleasure for us to dedicate this paper to Prof. Dr. S. Methfessel on the occasion of his 60^th birthday.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungs-gemeinschaft     

Wetting transition on grain boundaries in Al contacting with a Sn-rich melt

The contact angle at the intersection of a grain boundary in Al bicrystals with the solid Al/liquid Al–Sn interphase boundary has been measured for two symmetric tilt <011> {001} grain boundaries with tilt angles of 32° and 38.5°. The temperature dependencies (T) present the evidence of the grain boundary wetting phase transition at T_w. The observed hysteresis is consistent with the assumption that the wetting transition is of first order. The determined discontinuity in the temperature derivative of the grain boundary energy is–5.6 J/m²K (T w1=617°C) for the boundary with a low energy (=38.5°) and –17 J/m²K (T w2=604°C) for the grain boundary with a high energy (=32°).     

Soft mode dynamics and spatio-temporal symmetry breaking in a thermo-convective system

Using neutron scattering we have studied the behaviour of an oscillatory soft mode in a thermoconvective liquid crystal. As a function of an applied vertical temperature difference T the behaviour of the soft-mode frequency defines four regimes, separated by cross-over values at which spatio-temporal symmetry is broken. Breaking of time symmetry manifests itself in different phase relations among localized oscillators. Incomplete softening at the convection threshold T _c is interpreted as anharmonic coupling to low-energy, internal director fluctuations in the nematic. Subtracting the anharmonic contribution, the renormalized frequency squared gives a susceptibility critical index for each of the four regimes. The values range between 1.1 and 2.7, indicative of a change of the spatial dimensionality as TT _c. The widths in T of the regimes converge as the Feigenbaum ratio (4.6), and the meaning of this is discussed.Dedicated to Professor Harry Thomas on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

On X-ray measurements of residual stresses in materials with lattice strain gradient

The non-linear distribution of lattice strain ³¹⁰vs sin² observed on the surface of a polished steel specimen can be interpreted by tri-axial stress state with surface components of stress tensor ₁₁(0)= ₂₂(0) and gradientsg ₁₁= ₁₁/T, g ₃₃= ₃₃/T. The distribution of experimental values is duscussed from the viewpoint of various ways of calculating ₁₁.The authors would like to thank Dr. J. Musil, D. Sc. of the Institute of Physics of Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences for kindly providing the samples which made possible this study.     

Strong-coupling effects in high-T c superconductors

It is conceivable that the high-T _c superconducting perovskites are conventional electronphonon superconductors. In this case one expects significant strong-coupling effects because of the unusually high ratiok _B T _c / of the order 0.1 and greater. We use a set of reasonable models for the Eliashberg function ² F() (which takes into account available information on the phonon spectra and which fit the measuredT _c 's) and calculate strong-coupling effects in the specific heatc _s (T)/T _c , the ratio ₀/k _B T _c , the critical fieldsH _c (T) andH _c2 (T) including Pauli limiting, and other measurable quantities. Strongcoupling corrections turn out to be in the range of 0 to about 100%, depending on the quantity of interest. We discuss the perspectives of using strong-coupling effects as indicators for conventional electron-phonon superconductivity in the new materials.     

On the critical exponent for random walk intersections

The exponent _d for the probability of nonintersection of two random walks starting at the same point is considered. It is proved that 1/2<₂3/4. Monte Carlo simulations are done to suggest ₂=0.61 and ₃0.29.     

Gentle perturbations

By introducing a specific type of perturbation,A, in the Hamiltonian, we define a class of gently perturbed states, ,A, of a canonical ensemble, . The perturbations are chosen so as to preserve a relationship of the form ,A constant ×. Applications in ergodic theory and phase transitions are described.     

From ferromagnetic to non-magnetic singlet ground state in CePd1-x Ni x

Magnetic, resistivity and specific heat measurements were performed on the CePd_1-x Ni _x system, which ranges between a ferromagnetic (CePd) and non-magnetic (CeNi) singlet ground state. The Curie temperature (T _c ) grows with Ni concentration, reaching a maximum value ofT _c =(10.5±0.1) K for 0.5x0.8. Both, the concentration dependence ofT _c and the Curie-Weiss temperature ( _P ) follow the predicted competition between the magnetic exchange interactions and the Kondo effect. In the crossover region (x0.9) the entropy gain shows that only the doublet crystal field ground state is involved in the singlet ground state formation.Partially supported by the Direction de la Coopération Scientifique et Technique du Ministère des Relations Extérieures of France     

The classification of differential structures on quantum 2-spheres

Exterior algebras of differential forms on quantum 2-spheresS _qc ² ,q[–1, 1]/{0},c[0, ] (c=0 forq=±1), are classified. In the definition of exterior algebras we assume the invariance w.r.t. the action of the quantumSU(2) group and dimensionality conditions (which imply that we deal with two-dimensional manifolds). The exterior algebras exist only forc=0 and are unique in that case. The corresponding generalized directional derivatives are provided.     

Continuity of type-I intermittency from a measure-theoretical point of view

We study a simple dynamical system which displays a so-called type-I intermittency bifurcation. We determine the Bowen-Ruelle measure and prove that the expectation (g) of any continuous functiong and the Kolmogoroff-Sinai entropyh() are continuous functions of the bifurcation parameter. Therefore the transition is continuous from a measure-theoretical point of view. Those results could be generalized to any similar dynamical system.     

Electrical and thermal properties of chalcogenide glass system Se75Ge25−x Sb x

The dc and thermal conductivities of five different compositions of the chalcogenide glass system Se₇₅Ge_25–x Sb _x have been studied in a temperature range below T _g. The dc conductivity results indicate that each composition has a single activation energy in the considered temperature range. The coefficient of thermal conductivity increased linearly with temperature below T _g for the compositions investigated. The increase of Sb content in the chalcogenide glass system leads to an increased coefficient of electrical conductivity , an increased coefficient of thermal conductivity , and to a decreased activation energy E and pre-exponential factor ₀. The observed compositional dependencies of and E have been correlated with the increase of weak bond density and the decrease of covalent bond density in the structure of the compositions investigated with increasing Sb content at the expense of Ge content. The decrease in ₀ and the increase in has been, respectively, correlated with the decrease in mobility and the increase in phonon velocity.     

Theory of percolation in fluids of long molecules

We use the reference interaction site model (RISM) integral equation theory to study the percolation behavior of fluids composed of long molecules. We examine the roles of hard core size and of length-to-width ratio on the percolation threshold. The critical density _c is a nonmonotonic function of these parameters exhibiting competition of different effects. Comparisons with Monte Carlo calculations of others are reasonably good. For critical exponents, the theory yields =2=2 for molecules of any noninfinite lengthL. WhenL is very large, the theory yields _cL ^–2. These predictions compare favorably with observations of the conductivity for random assemblies of conductive fibers. The threshold region where asymptotic scaling holds requires the correlation length (/ _c ) ^–v to be much larger thanL. Evidently, the range of densities in this region diminishes asL increases, requiring that density deviations from _c be no larger thanL ^–2. Otherwise, crossover behavior will be observed.     

Monotonicity properties of the family of trapezoidal maps

Trapezoidal maps which are everywhere expanding out of their plateau form a three parameter familyT, up to affine changes of coordinates. We show that splittingT according to the various possible dynamical behaviors (we make this word precise in the process), yields a codimension one foliation. Some consequences of our result in terms of the monotonicity along simple one parameter families inT are then drawn. All together, aperiodic behavior is rare both from the topological and the measure theoretical point of view inT.