Re-entrant ferrimagnetism in TbMn6Ge6

The magnetic ordering of the hexagonal compound TbMn₆Ge₆ has been studied by neutron diffraction at various temperatures between 1.8 and 500 K. In almost the whole magnetically ordered regime the magnetic structures are incommensurate with the crystal lattice. The corresponding wave vector q₁ = (0,0,q_z) is strongly temperature dependent and decreases from q_z = 0.1307 r.l.u. at 1.8 K to q_z = 0.091 r.l.u. at 410 K. The low-temperature range (T < 85 K) is characterised by a triple ferrimagnetic spiral structure with net moment along the c-direction. At T_t = 85 K the net moment disappears and the magnetic ordering changes into a flat spiral structure that probably persists up to the magnetic ordering temperature, T_N = 450 K. Before reaching the magnetic ordering temperature, however, an additional ferrimagnetic component perpendicular to the c-direction develops, marking the onset of re-entrant ferrimagnetism. The resulting structure described by two propagation vectors corresponds to a distorted spiral. Various models are discussed. The observed re-entrant ferrimagnetism is in agreement with results of previously reported magnetic measurements.     

Neutron scattering studies on heavy-fermion superconductors

We review recent neutron scattering studies on uranium-based heavy-fermion superconductors. The coupling between magnetic and superconducting order parameters was observed in UPt₃, UPd₂Al₃, URu₂Si₂, and UNi₂Al₃. In UPd₂Al₃, the superconducting gap appears in the spin excitation spectra. These results are indicative of the strong interplay between magnetism and superconductivity. We also report the unusual behaviors of the weak antiferromagnetic ordering, the long-range magnetic correlation in UPt₃ at ultra-low temperatures, and the pressure-induced magnetic transition from the weak (0.02μ_B/U) to a high moment state (0.4μ_B/U) at 1.5 GPa in URu₂Si₂.     

Neutron diffraction study of the MnPd3 phase

The magnetic structure of MnPd₃ has been refined using improved crystal structure data for the I4/mmm space group. The magnetic moment on Pd atoms coupled antiparallel to the Mn moments of 4.1 ± 0.3 μ_B was found by neutron diffraction to be 0.15 ± 0.03 μ_B in the 4(c) and 4(e) positions. The Pd moments on the 4(d) sites are assumed to be zero on symmetry grounds.     

Ising spin glass on a D = 3 hierarchical lattice: Effects of tailed coupling distributions

Within a real-space renormalization-group framework, we approach the cubic lattice through a D = 3 diamond-like hierarchical lattice. The model is a standard, nearest-neighbor, Ising spin glass with coupling constants {J_ij} distributed according to the family of continuous probability distributions P_q(J_ij) ∝ 1/[1 + (q − 1)J_ij²/2J²]^{1/(q − 1)} (if 1 + (q − 1) J_ij²/2J² > 0, and zero otherwise; q ). Such distributions, which arise naturally in the treatment, within the recently proposed nonextensive thermostatistics, of anomalous diffusion, reproduce the usual, Gaussian case, for q → 1. Moreover, they present a second moment J_ij² proportional to (5 − 3q)⁻¹ for q < 5/3, diverging for q ≥ 5/3, but keeping a finite width at midheight. In the limit q → 3, P_q(J_ij) collapses with the abscissa, and so the width at midheight diverges. We compute the q-dependence of the spin-glass critical temperature T_c. We show numerically that T_c does not scale with J_ij^21/2 (contrary to the usual belief), but rather with the width at midheight of P_q(J_ij). Our results suggest that T_c vanishes as −1/q when q → −∞; furthermore, we verified that T_c diverges exponentially when q approaches 3 from below.     

The NQR picture of electronic phase separation in the lanthanum–barium cuprates

We report the results of Cu and La NQR investigations of the spin and charge separation in La_2−xBa_xCuO₄ compounds. For Ba doping inducing the low-temperature tetragonal phase our Cu–NQR measurements revealed three inequivalent Cu sites in CuO₂ planes. In terms of the stripe-phase picture we assign them to the charged stripe, to its neighborhood and to the AF correlated regions free of holes correspondingly. The last site corresponds to the ordered Cu magnetic moment of 0.29μ_B.     

A complete measurement of spin-observables for intermediate-energy inclusive quasielastic polarized proton scattering from C

The complete set of Wolfenstein parameters, the polarization, the asymmetry of scattering and the unpolarized double-differential cross section are presented for inclusive quasielastic proton scattering from ¹²C at a central momentum transfer of q = 1.9 fm⁻¹ and incident energies of 290 and 420 MeV. The spin observables D₀, D_x, D_y and D_z as well as the longitudinal-to-transverse ratio of spin-flip probabilities are extracted from the data. Across the quasielastic continuum, the experimental data is compared to the variations expected from a single-scattering Fermi-gas approximation using the free NN amplitudes. Medium effects are evident in the pronounced quenching of the polarization parameter relative to the free value.     

Phase slippage at the interface: normal metal/sliding charge-density wave

Phase slippage is required at the current electrodes of quasi-one-dimensional conductors with a charge density wave (CDW) ground state for the conversion from free to condensed carriers. We have performed at the ESRF high-resolution X-ray measurements of the spatially varying shift q(x) of the CDW satellite wave vector between current contacts on a thin NbSe₃ whisker in the sliding state. Applying direct currents, we observe at 90 K a steep exponential decrease of the shift within a few hundred microns from the contact. The CDW strain profile q(x) reflects the carrier conversion process, via nucleation and growth of phase-dislocation loops. Pulsed current measurements of the shift q show important differences between pulsed and dc current data, revealing a spatially dependent relaxational behaviour of the CDW strain. Using time-resolved high spatial resolution X-ray we observe at 300 μm from the electrode a stretched exponential-type decay of the shift q(t) upon switching off the current (T=75 K): q(t)=q₀[exp(−t/τ)^μ] with τ=23 ms and μ=0.36.     

Charge susceptibility and charge correlation function in the d---p model

The properties of the charge fluctuation are investigated in the d---p model with the repulsion U_pd between holes on the nearest-neighbor Cu and O sites and the infinite on-site repulsion U_d at the Cu site. We calculate the charge susceptibility χ^c(q, iω_n) and the charge correlation function S^c(q) = TΣ_ωn χ^c(q, iω_n). It is found that S^c(q) has a peak at the Γ point and a maximum in a ring around the Γ point. The former is due to Tχ^c(q, 0). Its intensity is proportional to temperature T and strongly enhanced by U_pd. The latter is due to TΣ_{ωn ≠ 0} χ^c(q, iω_n) and shows a weak T and U_pd dependence. The intensity of the diffuse X-ray scattering on taking the charge fluctuation into account is also calculated. The result is consistent with the experiments in La_2−δSr_δCuO₄.     

The Arnol''d cat: Failure of the correspondence principle

The classical Hamiltonian H = p²/2m + ε(q²/2)Σδ[s-(t/T)] has an integrable mapping of the plane, [q_n+1, p_n+1]= [q_n+1+p_n, q_n+2p_n], as its equations of motion. But then by introducing periodic boundary conditions via (mod 1) applied to both q and p variables, the equations of motion become the Arnol'd cat map, [q_n+1, p_n+1] = [q_n + p_n, q_n + 2p_n], (mod 1), revealing it to be one of the simplest fully chaotic systems which can be derived from a Hamiltonian and analyzed. Consequently, we here quantize the Arnol'd cat and examine its quantum motion for signs of chaos using algorithmic complexity as the litmus. Our analysis reveals that the quantum cat is not chaotic in the deep quantum domain nor does it become chaotic in the classical limit as required by the correspondence principle. We therefore conclude that the correspondence principle, as defined herein, fails for the quantum Arnol'd cat.     

Limits on neutrino electromagnetic properties — an update

Limits on neutrino electromagnetic properties from laboratory experiments and astrophysical arguments are reviewed with an emphasis on the currently favored range of small neutrino masses. We derive a helioseismological limit on the charge and dipole moment for all flavors of e_ν6×10⁻¹⁴e and μ_ν4×10⁻¹⁰μ_B (Bohr magneton). The most restrictive limits remain those from the plasmon decay in globular-cluster stars of e_ν2×10⁻¹⁴e and μ_ν3×10⁻¹²μ_B.     

Magnetic ordering in U4Cu4P7 single crystal

The magnetic ordering in the tetragonal ternary compound U₄Cu₄P₇ has been studied by neutron diffraction. It orders below T_N = 146 K with an antiferromagnetic structure of wave vector k = (001). The magnetic ordering corresponds to a stacking of ferromagnetic (001) uranium planes according to the sequences m₁, m₁, m₂, -m₂, -m₁, -m₁, -m₂, m₂ where m₁ and m₂ represent the magnetic moment, directed along the tetragonal axis of the two uranium sites U(1) (0,0,± z₁) and U(2) (0,0, ± z₂) respectively. The magnetic moments on these two sites have different temperature dependencies as well as well as they reach the different values of 1.1 and 2.2.μ_B for the U(1) and U(2) sites, respectively.     

Effects of cation- or oxide ion-defect on conductivities of apatite-type La–Ge–O system ceramics

A series of apatite-type La–Ge–O ceramics were prepared and their cation-defect at the 4f+6h sites and oxide ion-defect at 2a site were investigated. In La_xGe₆O_12+1.5x ceramics of x=6–12, the higher conductivities were obtained in the region of apatite composition, La_x(GeO₄)₆O_1.5x−12 (x=8–9.33), and the highest conductivity was achieved for La₉(GeO₄)₆O_1.5 (x=9), where the number of cation (La³⁺) occupying the 4f+6h sites is 9 and the number of oxide ion occupying the 2a site is 1.5. The ceramics with cation- and oxide ion-defects were La_9−0.66xSr_x(GeO₄)₆O_1.5 (x=0–1), La_9−1.33xZr_x(GeO₄)₆O_1.5 (x=0–1), La_9−xSr_x(GeO₄)₆O_1.5−0.5x (x=0–3), La_9−xZr_x(GeO₄)₆O_1.5+0.5x (x=0–1), La_x(GeO₄)_3x−21(AsO₄)_27−3xO_1.5 (x=0–3), La_x(GeO₄)_33−3x(AlO₄)_3x−27O_1.5 (x=0–3), La₉(GeO₄)_6−x (AlO₄)_xO_1.5−0.5x (x=0–3), La₉(GeO₄)_6−x(AsO₄)_xO_1.5+0.5x (x=0–1), La_9.33−xSr_x(GeO₄)₆O_2−0.5x (x=0–1.2) and La_x(GeO₄)_4.5(AlO₄)_1.5O_1.5x−12.75 (x=8.8–9.83), which were prepared by the partial substitution of La³⁺and GeO₄⁴⁻of the basic apatite La₉(GeO₄)₆O_1.5 with Sr²⁺ or Zr⁴⁺ and AlO₄⁵⁻ or AsO₄³⁻. Such substitutions lowered the conductivity of La₉(GeO₄)₆O_1.5. These results were discussed by the electrostatic interaction between Sr²⁺, Zr⁴⁺, AlO₄⁵⁻ or AsO₄³⁻ and oxide ion as a conductive species.     

Landau damping in degenerate solid state plasmas

Helicon waves are found useful for studying Landau damping in degenerate plasmas. The damping is analyzed as the phase velocity of the wave is increased from ω/q v_F to ω/q v_F. There is no first-orderlike transition at ω/q = V_F. In the collisionless limit, the damping tends to zero as ω/q → v_F. For finite collision times τ it does not vanish for ω/q > v_F. Nonlocal corrections to the wavelength exhibit a peak at ω/q = V_F, which degenerates into a shoulder for ωτ 100.     

Magnetic properties and percolation threshold in diluted B-spinel ZnCr2xAl2−2xS4: a study through high-temperature expansions

By making use of high-temperature series expansions (HTSE) of the correlation functions, we study the thermal and disorder variation of the short-range order (SRO) in the particular B-spinel ZnCr_2xAl_2−2xS₄. We developed the HTSE for the q-dependent static structure factor S(q) to the order 6 in reciprocal temperature including both the nearest- and next-nearest-neighbour interactions J₁ and J₂, respectively. Respecting the experimental fact that the broad diffuse peak of the neutron is situated at the particular wave vector q₀=[0 0 0.79] and is insensitive to the temperature for a given ratio of dilution x, we have estimated the thermal variation of J₁ and J₂ in the case of the pure compound.

The bond percolation threshold x_p of the ZnCr_2xAl_2−2xS₄ is determined by studying the disorder variation of the correlation length ξ. The x_p is considered as the concentration at which ξ vanishes. The obtained values are x_p=0.27 when only J₁ is considered and 0.23 when both J₁ and J₂ are taken into account.     

Magnetic excitations in invar alloys, Fe65Ni35 and Fe3Pt

Magnetic excitations in Fe₆₅Ni₃₅ and ordered Fe₃Pt have been studied by neutron scattering. It has been found that both alloys show common anomalous dynamical properties. At 5 K, well defined magnon groups could be detected up to 80 meV, but the temperature variations of the magnetization M(T) cannot be explained only by the magnon excitations. The integrated intensity measurements of the magnon spectra suggest that no other excitations take part in M(T). The magnons dampen significantly with the linewidth Γ(q, T) obeying a relation Γ(q, T) = (Γ₀+aT)q² with 1. The results suggest that the magnetic excitations with volume change occur in a slow relaxation process.     

On long-range order in low-dimensional lattice-gas models of nematic liquid crystals

The problem of the orientational ordering transition for lattice-gas models of liquid crystals is discussed in the low-dimensional case d = 1, 2. For isotropic short-range interactions, orientational long-range order at finite temperature is excluded for any packing of molecules on the lattice Z^d; on the other hand, for reflection-positive long-range isotropic interactions, we prove the existence of an orientational ordering transition for high packing (μ > μ₀) and low temperatures (β > β_c(μ)).     

Final-state interactions and single-spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering

Recent measurements from the HERMES and SMC Collaborations show a remarkably large azimuthal single-spin asymmetries A_UL and A_UT of the proton in semi-inclusive pion leptoproduction γ^*(q)p→πX. We show that final-state interactions from gluon exchange between the outgoing quark and the target spectator system lead to single-spin asymmetries in deep inelastic lepton–proton scattering at leading twist in perturbative QCD; i.e., the rescattering corrections are not power-law suppressed at large photon virtuality Q² at fixed x_bj. The existence of such single-spin asymmetries requires a phase difference between two amplitudes coupling the proton target with J^z_p=±1/2 to the same final-state, the same amplitudes which are necessary to produce a nonzero proton anomalous magnetic moment. We show that the exchange of gauge particles between the outgoing quark and the proton spectators produces a Coulomb-like complex phase which depends on the angular momentum L^z of the proton's constituents and is thus distinct for different proton spin amplitudes. The single-spin asymmetry which arises from such final-state interactions does not factorize into a product of distribution function and fragmentation function, and it is not related to the transversity distribution δq(x,Q) which correlates transversely polarized quarks with the spin of the transversely polarized target nucleon.     

Helicoidal magnetic structure of Ru2FeSi

Magnetic susceptibility, X-ray and neutron diffraction measurements have been performed on Ru₂FeSi intermetallic compound, which was found to be antiferromagnetic below 280 K. Neutron diffraction data obtained at 300 K indicate that Ru₂FeSi exhibits a chemically ordered structure with some admixture of L2₁ type of ordering. The magnetic ordering observed at 4.2 and 78 K consists of two components: - a collinear one formed by ferromagnetic (111) planes coupled antiferromagnetically, - an antiferromagnetic cone spiral with propagation vector k = 0.6a^*, parallel to the [001] direction. The total magnetic moment of 3.7μ_B at 4.2 K was found to be localized on iron ions only.