Structure of the local environment and hyperfine interactions of <Superscript>57</Superscript>Fe probe atoms in DyNiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> nickelate

The local structure of DyNiO₃ nickelate at both sides of the insulator (T < T _im) ? metal (T > T _im) phase transition was studied by probe ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The character of change in the hyperfine parameters of probe iron atoms specifically near the phase-transition temperature (T ≈ T _im) was analyzed.     

Preparation,Structure, and Dielectric and Magnetic Properties of SrFe<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>W<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Ceramics

Polycrystalline samples of SrFe_2/3W_1/3O₃ (SFWO) ceramic were obtained by solid-phase reactions with subsequent sintering using conventional ceramic technology. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that at room temperature, the SFWO ceramic is single-phase and has a perovskite-type structure with tetragonal symmetry and parameters a = 3.941(9) Å, c = 3.955(6) Å, and c/a = 1.0035. In studying the magnetic properties and the Mössbauer effect in SFWO ceramics, it is found that the material is a ferrimagnet, and the iron ions are only in the valence state of Fe³⁺. It is suggested that in the temperature range of T = 150–210°C, a smeared phase transition from a cubic (paraelectric) phase to a tetragonal (ferroelectric) phase takes place in SFWO with decreasing temperature.     

The oxygen content and its ordering in the chain planes in fine-grained HTSC YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>

A comparative analysis of the results of the X-ray and Mösbauer studies of the high-temperature superconductor (HTSC) YBa₂Cu₃O _y and YBa₂Cu_{3 ? x} ⁵⁷Fe _x O _y (x = 0.015, T _c ≈ 91.5 K) samples with different average grain sizes <D> in the micron and submicron ranges has been performed. The regularities in the change in the lattice parameter c and in the degree of occupation of different oxygen sites in the CuO_δ chain planes taking place at the decrease in <D> have been studied. The quantitative interrelation between the parameter c and the oxygen content δ in the CuO_δ planes exceeding the amount of the mobile oxygen due to the interplane oxygen redistribution is established.     

State of spin glass in SmFeTi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

The SmFeTi₂O₇ compound has been synthesized using the solid-phase reaction method. In order to determine the magnetic state, X-ray structural, Mössbauer, calorimetric, and magnetic measurements have been performed. The state of spin glass with the freezing point T _f = 7 K has been found for SmFeTi₂O₇.     

Spatial spin-modulated structure and hyperfine interactions of 57Fe nuclei in multiferroics BiFe1–x T x O3 (T = Sc,Mn; x = 0, 0.05)

The results of the Mössbauer studies on ⁵⁷Fe nuclei in multiferroics BiFe_1–x T _x O₃ (T = Sc, Mn; x = 0, 0.05) in the temperature range of 5.2–300 K have been presented. The Mössbauer spectra have been analyzed in terms of the model of an incommensurate spatial spin-modulated structure of cycloid type. Information has been obtained about the effect of the substitution of Sc and Mn atoms for Fe atoms on the hyperfine parameters of the spectrum: the shift and the quadrupole shift of the Mössbauer line, the isotropic and anisotropic contributions to the hyperfine magnetic field, and also the parameter of anharmonicity of the spatial spin-modulated structure.     

Synthesis and properties of barium ferrigermanate Ba<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>GeO<Subscript>7</Subscript>

The magnetic susceptibility and specific heat of single crystals of the Ba₂Fe₂GeO₇ barium ferrigermanate are investigated. It is revealed that the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility exhibits a kink at a temperature T = 8.5 K. The number of nonequivalent positions of Fe³⁺ ions and their occupancies are determined using Mössbauer spectroscopy. It is shown that the Fe³⁺ ions located in tetrahedral positions T2 are ordered incompletely, which is inconsistent with the results obtained previously. An assumption is made regarding the possible ground magnetic state of the Ba₂Fe₂GeO₇ compound.     

Valence and magnetic states of impurity iron ions in the La<Subscript>0.75</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.25</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.98</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.02</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> perovskite

The local magnetic and valence states of impurity iron ions in the rhombohedral La_0.75Sr_0.25Co_0.98 ⁵⁷Fe_0.02O₃ perovskite were studied using Mössbauer spectroscopy in the temperature range 87–293 K. The Mössbauer spectra are described by a single doublet at 215–293 K. The spectra contained a paramagnetic and a ferromagnetic component at 180–212 K and only a broad ferromagnetic sextet at T < 180 K. The results of the studies showed that, over the temperature range 87–295 K, the iron ions are in a single (tetrahedral) state with a valence of +3. In the temperature range 180–212 K, two magnetic states of Fe³⁺ ions were observed, one of which is in magnetically ordered microregions and the other, in paramagnetic microregions; these states are due to atomic heterogeneity. In the magnetically ordered microregions in the temperature range 87–212 K, the magnetic state of the iron ions is described well by a single state with an average spin S = 1.4 ± 0.2 and a magnetic moment μ(Fe) = 2.6 ± 0.4μ _B .     

Magnetic and electrical properties of Fe<Subscript>1.91</Subscript>V<Subscript>0.09</Subscript>BO<Subscript>4</Subscript> warwickite

We have performed a complex investigation of the structure and the magnetic and electrical properties of a warwickite single crystal with the composition Fe_1.91V_0.09BO₄. The results of Mössbauer measurements at T=300 K indicate that there exist “localized” (Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺) and “delocalized” (Fe_2.5+) states distributed over two crystallographically nonequivalent positions. The results of magnetic measurements show that warwickite is a P-type ferrimagnet below T=130 K. The material exhibits hopping conductivity involving strongly interacting electrons. The experimental data are analyzed in comparison to the properties of the initial (unsubstituted) Fe₂BO₄ warwickite. The entire body of data on the electric conductivity and magnetization are interpreted on a qualitative basis.     

Enhancement of pseudogap anomalies induced by nanoscale structural inhomogeneity in YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>6.93</Subscript> high-<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis><Subscript>c</Subscript> superconductor

The magnetization M(H) in the superconducting state, dc magnetic susceptibility χ(T) in the normal state, and specific heat C(T) near the superconducting transition temperature T _c have been measured for a series of fine-crystalline YBa₂Cu₃O _y samples having nearly optimum values of y = 6.93 ± 0.3 and T _c = (91.5 ± 0.5) K. The samples differ only in the degree of nanoscale structural inhomogeneity. The characteristic parameters of superconductors (the London penetration depth and the Ginzburg–Landau parameter) and the thermodynamic critical field H _c are determined by the analysis of the magnetization curves M(H). It is found that the increase in the degree of nanoscale structural inhomogeneity leads to an increase in the characteristic parameters of superconductors and a decrease in H _c(T) and the jump of the specific heat ΔC/T _c. It is shown that the changes in the physical characteristics are caused by the suppression of the density of states near the Fermi level. The pseudogap is estimated by analyzing χ(T). It is found that the nanoscale structural inhomogeneity significantly enhances and probably even creates the pseudogap regime in the optimally doped high-T _c superconductors.     

Compton polarimetry detection of small circularly and linearly polarized impurities in Mössbauer 8.4 keV (3/2-1/2) M1 γ-transition of 169Tm

The arrangement of an experiment to detect the P?odd and P, T?odd polarized part of the Mössbauer (⁺3/2– ⁺1/2) gamma transition of a deformed ¹⁶⁹Tm nucleus with an energy of 8.4 keV by Compton polarimetry is discussed. Tm ₂O₃ single crystal with a quadrupolarly split Mössbauer spectrum is proposed as a resonance polarizer. A Be-scatterer-based Compton polarimeter and a synchronously detecting system will be used to measure the P-odd circular polarization P_Cand P, T-odd linear polarization P_L.The expected accuracy of measuring the relative magnitude of the P, T-odd contribution is about 1% of the magnitude of usual weak nucleon–nucleon interaction.     

Physical properties of FeSe<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Te<Subscript>0.5</Subscript> single crystals grown under different conditions

We report on structural, magnetic, conductivity, and thermodynamic studies of FeSe_0.5Te_0.5 single crystals grown by self-flux and Bridgman methods. The lowest values of the susceptibility in thenormal state, the highest transition temperature T _c of 14.4 K, and the largest heat-capacity anomaly at T _c were obtained for pure (oxygen-free) samples. The criticalcurrent density j _c of 8.6 × 10⁴A/cm² (at 2 K) achieved in pure samples is attributed to intrinsic inhomogeneity due to disorder at the anion sites. The samples containing an impurity phase of Fe₃O₄ show increased j _c up to2.3 × 10⁵A/cm² due to additional pinning centers. The upper critical field\(H_{c2}\)of ~500 kOe is estimated from the resistivity studyin magnetic fields parallel to the c-axis using a criterion of a 50%drop of the normal state resistivity R _n . The anisotropy ofthe upper critical fieldγ _{H c2} =H ^ab _c2/H _c2 ^c reaches a value ~6 at\(T\longrightarrow T_c\). Extremely low values of the residualSommerfeld coefficient \(\gamma_r\) of about 1 mJ/mol K²,compared to the normal state Sommerfeld coefficient γ _n = 25mJ/mol K² for pure samples indicate a high volume fraction of thesuperconducting phase (up to 97%). The electronic contribution to the specific heat in thesuperconducting state is well described within a single-band BCS model with a temperature dependent gapΔ(0 K) = 27(1) K. A broad cusp-like anomaly in the electronic specific heat observed at low temperatures in samples with suppressed bulk superconductivity is ascribed to a splitting of the ground state of the Fe²⁺ ions at the 2c sites. This contribution is fully suppressed in the ordered state in samples with bulk superconductivity.     

Critical magnetic field of the vortex-free state in NbC thin films and prospects for its observation in MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The critical magnetic fields H _c‖ and H _c2 are measured for thin films of the isotropic superconductor NbC. It is revealed that the critical fields exhibit strong anisotropy due to the vortex-free state of the film in a magnetic field aligned parallel to its surface. The H _c‖/H _c2 ratio at 2 K exceeds 6 and increases with increasing temperature. The dependence H _c‖(T) agrees quantitatively with the concepts of microscopic theory on the vortex-free state of a thin film of a clean superconductor in the temperature range below T _c . As the electron mean free path decreases under irradiation of the film with a low dose of He⁺ ions, the critical field H _c‖ remains unchanged near T _c but increases significantly at lower temperatures. The well-known theoretical models are used to estimate the electronic parameters and thicknesses of MgB₂ films for which the specific features associated with the vortex-free state of the two-gap superconductor can manifest themselves in the temperature dependence of the critical magnetic field H _c‖(T).     

Superconductivity in two-band systems with a variable carrier density: The case of MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript>

A theory of the thermodynamic properties of a two-band superconductor with a low carrier density is developed; it is based on a phonon superconductivity mechanism with a strong electron-phonon coupling. This theory can describe the variation of the critical temperature T _c, the energy gaps Δ₁ and Δ₂, and the relative electronic specific heat jump (C _S ? C _N)/C _N at T = T _c with the carrier density in the compound MgB₂ when substitutional impurities of various valences are introduced into this system. The values of T _c, Δ₁, and Δ₂ are shown to decrease as this compound is doped by electrons and to remain constant (or almost constant) as it is doped by holes. This behavior follows from the mechanism of filling the σ and π energy bands, which overlap at the Fermi surface. The theory agrees qualitatively with experimental data. This agreement is found to be better when intra-and interband electron scattering by an impurity potential is taken into account.     

X-ray study of [N(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>ZnCl<Subscript>4</Subscript> at low temperatures

The unit cell parameters a, b, and c of [N(CH₃)₄]₂ZnCl₄ have been measured by x-ray diffraction in the temperature range 80–293 K. Temperature dependences of the thermal expansion coefficients α_a, α_b, and α_c along the principal crystallographic axes and of the unit cell thermal expansion coefficient α_V were determined. It is shown that the a=f(T), b=f(T), and c=f(T) curves exhibit anomalies in the form of jumps at phase transition temperatures T₁=161 K and T₂=181 K and that the phase transition occurring at T₃=276 K manifests itself in the a=f(T) and b=f(T) curves as a break. A slight anisotropy in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the crystal was revealed. The phase transitions occurring at T₁=161 K and T₂=181 K in [N(CH₃)₄]₂ZnCl₄ were established to be first-order.     

Mössbauer study of the modulated magnetic structure of FeVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Mössbauer spectroscopy is used to study the FeVO₄ multiferroic, which undergoes two magnetic phase transitions at T _N1 ≈ 22 K and T _N2 ≈ 15 K. The first transition (T _N1) is related to transformation from a paramagnetic state into a magnetically ordered state of a spin density wave, and the second transition (T _N2) is associated with a change in the type of the spatial magnetic structure of the vanadate. The electric field gradient tensor at ⁵⁷Fe nuclei is calculated to perform a crystal-chemical identification of the partial Mössbauer spectra corresponding to various crystallographic positions of Fe³⁺ cations. The spectra measured in the range T _N2 < T < T _N1 are analyzed on the assumption about amplitude modulation of the magnetic moments of iron atoms μ_Fe. The results of model intersection of the spectra recorded at T < T _N2 point to a high degree of anharmonicity of the helicoidal magnetic structure of the vanadate and to elliptic polarization of μ_Fe. These features are characteristic of type-II multiferroics. The temperature dependences of the hyperfine interaction parameters of ⁵⁷Fe nuclei that were obtained in this work are analyzed in terms of the Weiss molecular field model on the assumption of orbital contribution to the magnetic moments of iron cations.     

Magnetic and valence states of iron ions in the Perovskite Bi<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>FeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Single-phase rhombohedral perovskites (Bi_0.9Sr_0.1)FeO₃ were studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy at temperatures of 293, 87, and 680 K. The Neel temperature T _N = 652 ± 2 K of the magnetic transition was measured. Three states of trivalent iron ions in the octahedral states were discovered. Substitution of Sr²⁺ for 0.1 mol % Bi³⁺ breaks the spatially spin-modulated structure.     

Mössbauer study of the magnetocaloric compound AlFe<Subscript>2</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">B</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript>

Mössbauer spectroscopy in the ferromagnetic AlFe₂ B ₂ reveals T_c=299 K and shows good agreement with magnetic measurements. The crystals are plate-shaped. The flakes are found from X-ray diffraction to be in the crystallographic ac-plane in the orthorhombic system. The axes of the principle electric field gradient tensor are, by symmetry, colinear with the crystal a-, b- and c-axes. By using information about the quadrupole splitting and line asymmetry in the paramagnetic regime together with the quadrupole shift of the resonance lines in the ferromagnetic regime the magnetic hyperfine field direction is found to be in the ab-plane having an angle =40^° to the b-axis.     

An <Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis><Subscript>α</Subscript>-discrete variation method for calculating the electronic structure and parameters of Mössbauer spectra of <Superscript>57</Superscript>Fe nuclei in iron oxide compounds exhibiting high states of oxidation

An X _α-discrete variation method is ab initio applied to calculate the electronic structure and chemical bonding parameters in [Fe^m+O₄]^{m ? 8} and m = 3+ … 8+ clusters in iron oxide compounds. The tendencies of change in the Mössbauer spectra parameters of iron within these clusters can be accounted for by the formation of two types of Fe3d-AO sub-bands, the occupied hybrid structureless and the vacant basic.     

Sign inversion of the radiation-induced plastic effect in C<Subscript>60</Subscript> single crystals upon the SC-FCC phase transition

A reversible variation in the microhardness of C₆₀ single crystals induced by low-dose β irradiation is found to change sign in the vicinity of the phase transition at T_c=250–260 K. Radiation hardening is observed at T<T_c and radiation softening, at T>T_c. The kinetic characteristics of the β-induced variation in the microhardness of C₆₀ and its recovery to the initial value are studied in the temperature range 170–350 K. Both processes are found to be thermally activated. The activation energies are determined and are shown to be different for sc and fcc lattices.     

The influence of phase transitions in the Rb<Subscript>2</Subscript>CdI<Subscript>4</Subscript> ferroelastic on the exciton absorption spectrum

The parameters of the long-wavelength exciton band for Rb₂CdI₄ films are investigated in the temperature range 90–410 K. It is found that the Rb₂CdI₄ films undergo a sequence of phase transitions at temperatures T_c1=380 K (paraphase → incommensurate phase), T_c2=290 K (incommensurate phase → ferroelastic phase I), and T_c3 = 210 K (ferroelastic phase I → ferroelastic phase II). The parameters of the exciton band (such as the spectral position and the half-width) measured during heating and cooling of the Rb₂CdI₄ film differ significantly. This is especially true for the incommensurate phase. Upon heating of the incommensurate phase, the domain boundaries become frozen, whereas the cooling of this phase is accompanied by the generation of solitons and their pinning, which, in turn, results in a first-order phase transition at the temperature T_c2. It is revealed that the oscillator strength of the exciton band anomalously increases in the range of existence of commensurate phase I (T_c3<-T<-T_c2) due to ordering of the Rb₂CdI₄ crystal lattice.