Self-diffusion in α-Fe2O3 natural single crystals

Measurements of¹⁸O self-diffusion in hematite (Fe₂O₃) natural single crystals have been carried out as a function of temperature at constant partial pressure a_{O 2}=6.5·10^?2 in the temperature range 890 to 1227 °C. The a_{O 2} dependence of the oxygen self-diffusion coefficient at fixed temperature T=1150 °C has also been deduced in the a_{O 2} range 4.5·10^?4 - 6.5·10^?1. The concentration profiles were established by secondary-ion mass spectrometry; several profiles exhibit curvatures or long tails; volume diffusion coefficients were computed from the first part of the profiles using a solution taking into account the evaporation and the exchange at the surface. The results are well described by $$D_O \left( {{{cm^2 } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{cm^2 } s}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} s}} \right) = 2.7 \cdot 10^8 a_{O_2 }^{ - 0.26} \exp \left( { - \frac{{542\left( {{{kJ} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{kJ} {mol}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {mol}}} \right)}}{{RT}}} \right)$$ From fitting a grain boundary diffusion solution to the profile tails, the oxygen self-diffusion coefficient in sub-boundaries has been deduced. They are well described by $$D''_O \left( {{{cm^2 } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{cm^2 } s}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} s}} \right) = 3.2 \cdot 10^{25} a_{O_2 }^{ - 0.4} \exp \left( { - \frac{{911\left( {{{kJ} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{kJ} {mol}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {mol}}} \right)}}{{RT}}} \right)$$ Experiments performed introducing simultaneously¹⁸O and⁵⁷Fe provided comparative values of the self-diffusion coefficients in volume: iron is slower than oxygen in this system showing that the concentrations of atomic point defects in the iron sublattice are lower than the concentrations of atomic point defects in the oxygen sublattice. The iron self-diffusion values obtained at T>940 °C can be described by $$D_{Fe} \left( {{{cm^2 } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{cm^2 } s}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} s}} \right) = 9.2 \cdot 10^{10} a_{O_2 }^{ - 0.56} \exp \left( { - \frac{{578\left( {{{kJ} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{kJ} {mol}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {mol}}} \right)}}{{RT}}} \right)$$ The exponent - 1/4 observed for the oxygen activity dependence of the oxygen self-diffusion in the bulk has been interpreted considering that singly charged oxygen vacancies V _O ^? are involved in the oxygen diffusion mechanism. Oxygen activity dependence of iron self-diffusion is not known accurately but the best agreement with the point defect population model is obtained considering that iron self-diffusion occurs both via neutral interstitals Fe _x ⁱ and charged ones.     

Ionoluminescence and formation of color centers in α-Al2O3 single crystals under proton irradiation

This paper describes results of experimental studies on radiation defects in nominally pure single crystals of corundum in two initial states: α-Al₂O₃ with an unperturbed lattice and α-Al₂O₃:C with a high concentration of anion vacancies. Defects were identified from optical absorption spectra, ionoluminescence, pulsed cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence spectra. It is shown that mostly color centers of the F- and F⁺-types are formed in the α-Al₂O₃ lattice under irradiation with 5,7 MeV protons.     

Electrostimulation of the magnetoplastic effect in LiF crystals by an “internal” electric field induced during indentation

Indented LiF crystals demonstrate a change in the length of the dislocation rosette rays during their exposure to jointly acting dc magnetic and electric fields. It is shown that magnetic field with induction B = 1 T causes the electrostimulation or electrosuppression depending on the magnitude and direction of the external electric field with respect to the “internal” electric field induced by the charge transfer due to dislocations moving during the indentation.     

Lowering of magnetic field intensity at the surfaces of α-Fe2O3 and FeBO3 single crystals

Depth-selective conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to study magnetic properties of the thin surface layers of the α-Fe₂O₃ and FeBO₃ single crystals. An analysis of the experimental spectra indicates that the magnetic properties of the layers at a depth of more than ～100 nm from the surface are similar to the properties of crystal bulk, and the corresponding spectra consist of narrow lines. The lines gradually broaden as the crystal surface is approached. The spectra of the ～10-nm-thick surface layers consist of broad lines, indicating a wide distribution δ=2.1 T of the effective magnetic field about its mean value of 32.2(4) T. The experimental spectra were used to determine the effective magnetic fields (H _eff) for the iron ions situated in the surface layers of thickness ～100 nm. The effective fields in these layers were found to gradually decrease at room temperature (291 K) as the crystal surface was approached. The H _eff values in the 2.4(9)-nm-thick surface layer of the α-Fe₂O₃ crystal and 4.9(9)-nm layer of FeBO₃ are 0.7(2) and 1.2(3)%, respectively, smaller than for the nuclei of the ions in the bulk of these crystals.     

Spin-dependent transport in α-MnS single crystals

The electrical resistivity of single crystal α-MnS in crystallographic directions [111] and [100] was found to be anisotropic in the temperature interval 77–300 K. The change in activation energy below the Néel temperature was determined. Magnetoresistance was revealed, and reversal of its sign in the (111) plane above the Néel point was found. The experimental data are analyzed in terms of the s-d model, with the manganese ion holes interacting with localized spins assumed to be free carriers.     

Cu-EPR in YBa2Cu3O6+δ single crystals

We report on the observation of Cu-EPR signals in single crystalline material of YBa₂Cu₃O₆₊ in the narrow oxygen concentration range 0.7<<0.9 and for temperatures 80 K<T<200 K. We provide evidence that the signal results from Cu²⁺ ions located in Cu(1)OCu(1) chain fragments.     

The movement of single 90° domain walls of BaTiO3 in an alternating electric field

Single crystals of BaTiO₃, containing one 90° domain wall, were used to study the origin and character of the movement of such a wall in an alternating electric field having a frequency of 50 c/s. The experimental results are discussed from the phenomenological point of view.

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90- BaTiO₃

iO₃, 90- , 50 Hz. .

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The authors would like to thank A. Glanc for preparing the crystals for measurement, V. Dvoák, J. Kaczér and V. Janovec for fruitful discussions.     

Structure determination of MnO2 films grown on single crystal α-Al2O3 substrates

Manganese oxide films have been grown by atomic layer deposition and investigated using electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM). The films were deposited on the (001) surface of monocrystalline α-Al₂O₃. The films were found to consist of an ordered version of the hexagonal ε-MnO₂ (Akhtenskite) type. Using X-ray diffraction, the cell parameters were determined to be a?=?2.75(2)?Å and c?=?4.302(5)?Å. The films are epitaxial with a specific orientation relative to the Al₂O₃ substrate. The [210] and [001] axes of ε-MnO₂ are parallel to the [110] and [001] axes of α-Al₂O₃, respectively. Evidence of cation ordering was found by parallel beam electron diffraction. The ordered domains are needle shaped with widths of 2–10?nm. The unit cell of the ordered structure was found to be orthorhombic with cell dimensions a?=?2.75, b?=?4.76, c?=?4.302?Å and space group Pmnn (No. 58).     

Atom location in complex lattices: Pb in α-Al2O3

The channeling technique has been used to locate Pb implanted into α-Al₂O₃ single crystal. The main purpose has been to learn how to obtain information about the location of an impurity in a complex structure. A Pb location is proposed according to data of full angular scans through different axial and planar channeling dips.     

Improvement in refractive-index change in LiNbO3：Ce：Cu by applying an external electric field

By jointly solving two-centre material equations with a nonzero external electric field and coupled-wave equations, we have numerically studied the dependence of the non-volatile holographic recording in LiNbO3：Ce：Cu crystals on the external electric field. The dominative photovoltaic effect of the non-volatile holographic recording in doubly doped LiNbO3 crystals is directly verified. And an external electric field that is applied in the positive direction along the c-axis （or a large one in the negative direction of the c-axis） in the recording phase and another one that is applied in the negative direction of the c-axis in the fixing phase are both proved to benefit strong photorefractive performances. Experimental verifications are given with a small electric field applied externally.     

Thermoluminescence of α-Al 2O 3 by neutron irradiation at low temperature

Thermoluminescence (TL) mechanisms of neutron-irradiated α-Al₂O₃ at 20 K is reported. The TL glow curves of neutron-irradiated and γ-ray-irradiated α-Al₂O₃ were observed. The TL emission bands near 340, 430, 530 and 694 nm were observed in the neutron-irradiated α-Al₂O₃. The γ-ray-irradiated α-Al₂O₃ only showed the TL emission line nearly at 694 nm, corresponding to the R lines of α-Al₂O₃:Cr³⁺. Therefore, the first three emission bands are related to the atomic displacement defects as F-type centers caused by neutron irradiation.     

Possible cage motion of interstitial Fe in α-Al 2 O 3

In addition to spectral components due to Fe^2?+? and Fe^3?+?, a single line is observed in emission Mössbauer spectra following low fluence (<10¹⁵ cm^???2) implantation of ⁵⁷Fe*, ⁵⁷Mn and ⁵⁷Co in α-Al₂O₃. For the ⁵⁷Co and ⁵⁷Mn implantations, the intensity of the single line is found to depend on the emission angle relative to the crystal symmetry axis. This angular dependence can be explained by a non-isotropic f-factor and/or motion of the Fe ion between sites in an interstitial cage. It is argued that interstitial cage motion is a more likely explanation, as this can account for the lack of quadrupole splitting of the line.     

Nature of the anomalies of the thermolumenescence properties of dosimetric α-Al2O3 crystals

The results of investigations into the anomalies of the thermoluminescence properties of dosimetric corundum crystals are presented. The decisive role of deep-lying traps in the quenching of luminescence in anion-defect Al₂O₃ monocrystals is shown. The existence of deep-lying traps is demonstrated by the method of direct observations of thermoluminescence (TL) peaks associated with them. Experimental evidence for the influence of the degree of occupation of deep-lying traps on the main features of the TL dosimetric peak at 450 K is given. The results obtained are interpreted for a model of the interactive system of traps, which differs radically from the models described in the literature by a consideration of the temperature dependence of the probability of trapping of charge carriers on deep-lying traps. We believe that the heat quenching of luminescence is due to the thermal ionization of excited F-center states. Ural State Technical University. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebhykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 3, pp. 55–65, March, 2000.     

Strain analysis of misfit dislocations in α-Fe2O3/α-Al2O3 heterostructure interface by geometric phase analysis

The α-Fe₂O₃/α-Al₂O₃ heterostructure interfaces have been studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The interface exhibited coherent regions separated by equally spaced misfit dislocations. The misfit dislocations were demonstrated to be edge dislocations with dislocation spacing of ∼4 nm. The strain fields around the misfit dislocation core were mapped using a combination of geometric phase analysis and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images. The strain measurement results were compared with the Peierls–Nabarro dislocation model and the Foreman dislocation model. These comparisons show that the Foreman model (a = 2) is the most appropriate theoretical model to describe the strain fields of the dislocation core.     

Crystal field of Dy implanted in Cu single crystals obtained by Mössbauer spectroscopy

The field dependence of the hyperfine interaction of¹⁶¹Dy impurities in Cu has been studied in external magnetic fields up to 3.21 T by means of Mössbauer spectroscopy. ¹⁶¹Dy was introduced into a single crystal of Cu by means of low temperature ion implantation. From the measurements we determine the parameters of the cubic crystalline electric field acting on the Dy nuclei:A ₄<r⁴>=–28±58 K and . The ground state is a doublet, separated well from a excited quartet by .     

Optics of nuclear diffraction with synchrotron radiation using α-57Fe2O3 single crystals

Nuclear Bragg diffraction of synchrotron radiation with -⁵⁷Fe₂O single crystals has achieved a counting rate as high as 20,000 cps at the accumulation ring AR of TRISTAN, KEK. The development of crystal optics using nuclear monochromators is described. Topographic images of -⁵⁷Fe₂0 nuclear diffraction has been observed.     

Tunneling in single-layer Bi2Sr2CuO6+δ single crystals in high magnetic field

In tunneling experiments with high-quality single crystals of a single-layer cuprate superconductor Bi₂Sr₂CuO_6+δ using the break junction and point-contact techniques at T<T _c, the coexistence of the superconducting-state gap and the normal-state gap was observed. The values of the superconducting energy gap 2Δ_p?p are in the range from 13.4 to 15 meV (Δ_p?p=6.7–7.5 meV). The values of 2Δ_p?p are similar for two samples with T _c=4 K and for two samples with T _c=9–10 K and are independent of the carrier concentration. The normal-state gap, with the magnitude approximately equal to 50 meV, persists at T<T _c and in the magnetic field H?H _c2 up to 28 T. After the transition of the sample to the normal state, the intensity of the tunneling conductance rapidly decreases with increasing magnetic field strength and temperature. The observed large broadening of the tunneling spectra and large zero-bias conductances can be caused by a strong angular dependence of the superconducting gap. The tunneling results are in full agreement with the data of the angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements.