Magnetocaloric effects in (Gd1−xTbx)Co2

The structures and magnetocaloric effects of (Gd_1−xTb_x)Co₂ (x=0, 0.25, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, and 1) pseudobinary compounds were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and magnetic properties measurement. The results show that the T_c of the alloy is near room temperature when X=0.6. The magnetic entropy changes of the compounds increase from 1.7 to 3.6 J/kg K with increasing the content of Tb under an applied field up to 2 T. All the compounds exhibit second order magnetic change. As a result, the values of their ΔS_M are lower than that of some large magnetocaloric effect materials.     

Magnetic properties of TmxDy1−xFeO3 single crystals

The magnetic behaviour of Tm_xDy_1?xFeO₃ (x = 0.3; 0.5; 0.7; 1.0) single crystals in the temperature range 90-4.2° K were investigated. The transition from the weak ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic state was observed at about 9° K for Tm_0.3Dy_0.7FeO₃ single crystal. The reorientation of weak ferromagnetic moment from c- to a-axis was observed for Tm_0.7Dy_0.3FeO₃ single crystal at 35–65° K. The magnetic structure change of iron and rare-earth ions took place when external magnetic field was applied. The thulium and disprosium ion interaction does not essentially influence on the single crystal magnetic properties of the substituted compounds in a low temperature range.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance in Y1−cH1.92:Erc

We have investigated the EPR of isotopically enriched ¹⁶⁸Er³⁺ in Y_1?cH_1.92:Er_c where c = 100 and 1400 ppm, at both 1.4 and 9 GHz and between 1.5 and 50 K. Resonance lines were observed from Er³⁺ ions in both sites of cubic symmetry and sites of axial symmetry. We determine the numbers of Er³⁺ in cubic, and C_4v axial symmetry to be in the ratio 2:1. The cubic site resonance line is at g = 6.85 ± 0.07 and is attributed to a Γ₇ doublet. The linewidth has a linear thermal broadening of 3.9 ± 0.05 gauss K^-1 below circa 7 K. From the nonlinear thermal broadening above this temperature we determine the first excited state, in the cubic crystal field scheme, to be a Γ₈ at 35 ± 10 K above the Γ₇ ground state. We have investigated the origins of the (T = 0) residual linewidth for the ions in cubic symmetry, and conclude there to be a small but significant contribution due to unresolved transferred hyperfine structure from the surrounding hydrogen nuclei.     

Mn1−xFexIn2Se4: a new layered semiconductor system

Mn_1−xFe_xIn₂Se₄ compounds (x=0.1; x=0.7) were grown by the chemical vapor transport method. X-ray diffraction analysis data show that these compositions crystallize as different polytypes that belong to the hexagonal structure. The crystal symmetry of the sample with x=0.1 belongs to the space group Rm and for the sample with x=0.7 the space group is P6₃mc.The magnetic behavior of both samples has been investigated in the temperature range between 5 and 300 K. Spin-glass-like behavior below the freezing temperature T_f=9 K has been found for the sample with x=0.7. The sample with Fe content x=0.1 behaves as a paramagnet down to the lowest experimental measured temperature. High-temperature susceptibility data follow the Curie-Weiss law with a negative paramagnetic temperature indicating predominant antiferromagnetic interactions.Optical studies reveal that both samples (x=0.1; 0.7) are direct band gap semiconductors. The temperature dependence of the energy gap fits Varshni relation quite well.     

Effect of Ni doping on structural and magnetic properties of Co1-xNixFe1.9Mn0.1O4

Nickel-substituted iron-deficient cobalt ferrite containing small quantity of manganese having the chemical composition Co_1−xNi_xFe_1.9Mn_0.1O₄ with x=0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8, were prepared by the standard double sintering ceramic technique. The thermal decomposition process of the powder (i.e. grounded starting materials) was studied by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The compositional analysis was carried out by EDAX pattern. The infrared spectroscopy studies show the presence of tetrahedral and octahedral group complexes within the spinel phase. Microstructural features were studied by scanning electron microscopy, grain size found to be decreasing with increasing Ni content. Room temperature hysteresis measurement was carried out under the field of 6 kOe for all samples which reveal monotonic decrease of magnetization at 6 kOe (M_6 kOe). The coercive field (H_c) decreases up to concentration of Ni²⁺ (x=0.6) and a small increase was observed for x=0.8. Initial permeability (μ_i) plotted against temperature at 10 kHz shown sharp drop at Curie temperature and values observed at transition are found to be dependent on the nickel content.     

Antiferromagnetic resonance in Rb2Mn(1−x)CrxCl4: A randomly mixed insulating antiferromagnet and ferromagnet

Electron spin resonance experiments at submillimeter and millimeter wavelengths have been performed on the random mixture, Rb₂Mn_(1-x)Cr_xCl₄ of an insulating antiferromagnet Rb₂MnCl₄ and an insulating ferromagnet Rb₂CrCl₄. From the antiferromagnet resonance in the Mn-rich concentrations, the antiferromagnetic exchange field is shown to become small with Cr concentration. Thus, a competition between the antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic exchange interactions really exists in this mixed system.A competition of the uniaxial anisotropy of Rb₂MnCl₄ with the planar one of Rb₂CrCl₄ has also been found.     

Investigations of Sm6(Mn1-xFex)23 system

The new Sm₆(Mn_1-xFe_x)₂₃(0?x?1.0) system hasbeen synthesized and investigated in a wide temperature range by the X-ray, magnetometric and Mössbauer effect methods. The X-ray studies show that the system forms solid solutions which are isostructural with the Th₆Mn₂₃ type crystal structure throughout the entire compositional range. Both Fe-rich and Mn-rich regions of the system are magnetically ordered and are separated from each other by the non-magnetically ordered 0.22?x?0.33 region. The substitution of Fe atoms for Mn atoms in the Mn-rivh region and similarly of Mn atoms for Fe atoms in the Fe-rich region decreases both the Curie temperature and the value of the magnetic moment per molecule. The temperature dependence of the reciprocal susceptibility obeys the Néel law. The Mössbauer absorption spectra reflect wide distributions of the ⁵⁷Fe hyperfine interaction parameters, and disappearance of long range magnetic coupling of Fe atoms in the magnetically ordered x=0 to 0.22 composition range.     

Weakferromagnetism in FexNi1−xS2 (x = 0−0.075)

The effects of nonmagnetic impurities (Fe²⁺ in a low spin state) on the weakferromagnetism in NiS₂ were investigated. The weak-ferromagnetic moment decreases rapidly with Fe content (x) and almost vanishes at about x = 0.05. On the other hand, T_c remains quite constant. Above T_c, two anomalies in the temperature dependence of the susceptibility were observed except for samples with x = 0 and 0.006. The effective magnetic determined from the susceptibility above T_c is about 3 μ_B/Ni, and is independent of x. Discussions are given on the origin of weakferromagnetism and on the hysteresis of the virgin magnetization curve.     

Investigations of crystal and magnetic properties of the Mn5−xFexGe3 intermetallic compounds

The Mn_5?xFe_xGe₃ intermetallic compounds are investigated with X-ray, neutron diffraction, magnetometric and Mössbauer effect methods. It is found that crystal structure of x = 1 compound is of D8₈ type while the structure of x = 3, 4 and 5 compounds is of B8₂ type. All are ferromagnets with collinearly ordered atomic spins. The lattice constants are derived from X-ray diffraction patterns, while magnetometric measurements yield the Curie temperatures and Weiss constants as well as the values of magnetic moments per molecule in ferromagnetic and paramagnetics states. The distributions of Fe and Mn atoms among two non-equivalent crystal sites are determined with the neutron diffraction method and are confirmed by the Mössbauer effect measurements. The parameters of hyperfine interactions are derived from Mössbauer absorption spectra and are attributed to iron atoms in two non-equivalent crystal sites.     

Effect of pressure and magnetic field on bilayer La1.25Sr1.75Mn2O7 single crystal

We report the temperature dependence of susceptibility for various pressures, magnetic fields and constant magnetic field of 5 T with various pressures on La_2−2xSr_1+2xMn₂O₇ single crystal to understand the effectiveness of pressure and magnetic field in altering the magnetic properties. We find that the Curie temperature, T_c, increases under pressure (dT_c/dP=10.9 K/GPa) and it indicates the enhancement of ferromagnetic phase under pressure up to 2 GPa. The magnetic field dependence of T_c is about 26 K for 3 T. The combined effect of pressure and constant magnetic field (5 T) shows dT_c/dP=11.3 K/GPa and the peak structure is suppressed and broadened. The application of magnetic field of 5 T realizes 3D spin ordered state below T_c at atmospheric pressure. Both peak structure in χ_c and 3D spin ordered state are suppressed, and changes to 2D-like spin ordered state by increase of pressure. These results reveal that the pressure and the magnetic field are more competitive in altering the magnetic properties of bilayer manganite La_1.25Sr_1.75Mn₂O₇ single crystal.     

The influence of easy direction of magnetisation on 59Co NMR spectrum in R2(Co1−xMnx)17 compounds

The spin echo NMR spectra of ⁵⁹Co in R₂(Co_1-xMn_x)₁₇, (R = Y, Gd) measured at 4.2 K are reported. The large shift of resonance lines is observed, that is explained as caused by reorientation of easy axis of magnetisation from easy plane to easy direction (c axis). It is suggested to explain quantitatively the spectra, that only two of four Co sites (9d and 18f) in R₂Co₁₇ structure play a dominant role in determining of anisotropy energy and the Co atoms at the 6c sites (“dumb-bell” atoms) give no direct contribution to the anisotropy energy of the compound. The corresponding changes of local anisotropy energy and the orbital part of cobalt magnetic moment characteristic for each of cobalt structural sites are calculated and discussed.     

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.     

Magnetic and structural investigations of GdMn2-GdNi2 intermetallic compounds

Magnetic and structural properties of the intermetallic system Gd(Mn_1-xNi_x)₂ were investigated. The 0?x?0.4 and 0.7<x?1 compounds are Laves phases of the MgCu₂ type. The remaining compounds 0.4?x?0.7. crystallize with the hexagonal structure. For single crystal GdMn_0.8Ni_1.2 the P6₃/mmc space group and the lattice parameters a=5.175 Å and c=16.731 Å are obtained. The magnetic properties of investigated series are investigated in stationary and in pulsed magnetic fields in the temperature range 2.6–700 K. For 0.4?x?0.8 two magnetic transitions are observed. In the paramagnetic range the χ^-1_M (T) is described by a Néel type variation and the molecular field coefficients N_{i j} are calculated. The localized character of the magnetic moment of Mn is observed.     

Temperature dependence of slope of exponential absorption edge and the temperature shift of absorption edge in Ge20SbxS80−x glasses

The temperature dependence of the slope exponential absorption edge of glasses Ge₂₀Sb_xS_80?x (for x = 5, 10, 20, 25) has been determined and the results described using Mahr's formula. Adopting the idea of phonons-generated microfields given by Yacobi et al., the temperature shift of exponential edge is described in the weak field approximation of Franz.     

Evidence for a spin glass state in the intermetallic compounds Gd3Pd4−xPtx

Magnetic susceptability measurements in static fields have shown that the intermetallic compound Gd₃Pd_4?xPt_x exhibits a transition from antiferromagnetism for x = 3 to a spin glass state for x < 2 below 7.5 K. For x = 3 long-range ordering is established and for x = 2 both long-range ordering and the spin glass state are clearly present.     

Observation of mixed-phase behavior in the Mn-doped cobaltite La0.7Sr0.3Co1−xMnxO3 (x=0-0.5)

Studies on La_0.7Sr_0.3Co_1−xMn_xO₃ (x=0-0.5) compounds evidence that the interaction between Mn and Co ions in this system is antiferromagnetic super-exchange and not ferromagnetic (FM) double-exchange (DE). As a result, antiferromagnetism and magnetic glassiness develop steadily with increasing Mn content and the system becomes a spin glass at x∼0.1. Analyses of high-field magnetization data indicate that the system consists of two major phases: a metallic FM phase which magnetically saturates in rather low field, and an insulating non-FM phase which has a linear dependence of magnetization on magnetic field. In the low doping regime, the fraction of the non-FM component expands with temperature at the expense of the FM phase and becomes maximal at T_C. Ferromagnetism reappears in highly doped (x≥0.2) compounds due to the presence of DE interaction between the Mn ions. The small volume fraction of the FM phase derived from the M(H) data in high-field region supports the coexistence of insulating and FM behaviors in the highly doped samples.     

Large magnetoresistance in low temperature metallic region of manganite compounds (La0.7−2xEux)(Ca0.3Srx)MnO3 (0.05≤x≤0.15)

Magnetoresistance (MR) and magnetization (dc and ac) measurements have been carried out on the manganites, (La_0.7−2xEu_x)(Ca_0.3Sr_x)MnO₃ (0.05≤x≤0.15), in the temperature range of 5-320 K. At 5 K, an unusually large MR of almost 98% is observed in the x=0.15 sample, nearly up to fields of 4-5 T. This large high-field MR occurs in the metallic region, far below the insulator-metal transition temperature, and does not vary linearly with applied field. The unusual magnetoresistance is explained in the light of various possibilities such as phase segregation, cluster spin-glass behavior, etc.     

Magnetic ordering in EuxSr1−xSySe1−y

Specific heat and ac-susceptibility measurements are reported for Eu_xSr_1?xS_ySe_1?y samples. The critical concentrat ion for long-range magnetic ordering x_c increases with decreasing y, for y = 0.1, x_c = 1.0 holds. For samples with x < x_c a broad peak in the specific heat and a peak in the susceptibility at lower temperatures indicates a spin glass type of magnetic ordering.     

Shubnikov de haas oscillations in Cd3-xZnxAs2 alloys

These first measurements of the Shubnikov de Haas effect in Cd_3-xZn_xAs₂ alloys were performed with x values ≤0.6. The electron effective mass is shown to be anisotropic but much less than Cd₃As₂ samples of similar Fermi energies. Spin splitting was observed yielding g values of up to 43 for the purest sample.     

High magnetostriction at low fields of (Tb1−xDyx)0.2Pr0.8(Fe0.4Co0.6)1.88C0.05 intermetallic compounds

The structure and magnetostriction of the (Tb_1−xDy_x)_0.2Pr_0.8(Fe_0.4Co_0.6)_1.88C_0.05 intermetallic compounds (0≤x≤1) were studied by X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. The formation of an approximate single Laves phase with a MgCu2-type cubic structure was observed in this series of compounds. It was found that the Curie temperature and the saturation magnetization of the compounds would decrease with increase in the Dy content up to x=1. The magnetostriction λ_a (λ_a=λ_‖-λ_⊥) gently rises when x≤0.6, and follows with a precipitous fall when x exceeds 0.6, with the highest value of λ_a being reached in the compounds with x=0.6. The magnetostriction of all the samples was observed to approach their own saturation in the magnetic fields higher than 4 kOe. This indicates that the addition of a small amount of Dy could effectively improve the low-field magnetostriction of the Tb_0.2Pr_0.8(Fe_0.4Co_0.6)_1.88C_0.05 compounds, which could become a kind of promising magnetostrictive material.