Fir magnetospectroscopy on (CuIn)1?xMn2xTe2

The paramagnetic resonance of Mn²⁺ in the diluted magnetic semiconductor (CuIn)_1–xMn_2xTe₂ was observed in a pulsed magnetic field up to 15 T at temperatures ranging from 4.2 K to 45 K. The temperature dependence of the line width of the paramagnetic resonance in (CuIn)_1–xMn_2xTe₂ resembles the behaviour of other diluted magnetic semiconductors. A Dzyaloshinski-Moriya exchange constant of approximately 0.62 K was derived. This value fits well with the values reported for II–VI based diluted magnetic semiconductors [1], if we consider the larger degree hybridization of the 3d electrons with the band electrons in chalcopyrite semiconductors.     

Magnetic field and temperature-induced first-order transition in Gd5(Si1.5Ge2.5): a study of the electrical resistance behavior

Magnetic field (0–4 T) and temperature dependencies (4.2–320 K) of the electrical resistance of Gd₅(Si_1.5Ge_2.5), which undergoes a reversible first-order ferromagnetic↔paramagnetic phase transition, have been measured. The electrical resistance of Gd₅(Si_1.5Ge_2.5) indicates that the magnetic phase transition can be induced by both temperature and magnetic field. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistance, R(T), for heating at low temperatures in the zero magnetic field has the usual metallic character, but at a critical temperature of T_cr=216 K the resistance shows a 20% negative discontinuity due to the transition from the low-temperature high-resistance state to the high-temperature low-resistance state. The R(T) dependence for cooling shows a similar but positive 25% discontinuity at 198 K. The isothermal magnetic field dependence of the electrical resistance from 212T224 K indicates the presence of temperature-dependent critical magnetic fields which can reversibly transform the paramagnetic phase into the ferromagnetic phase and vice versa. The critical magnetic fields diagram determined from the isothermal magnetic field dependencies of the electrical resistance of Gd₅(Si_1.5Ge_2.5) shows that the FM↔PM transition in zero magnetic field on cooling and heating occurs at 206 and 213 K, respectively. The full isothermal magnetic filed hysteresis for the FM↔PM transition is 2 T, and the isofield temperature gap between critical magnetic fields is 7 K.     

57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy on disordered crystalline media with Ca-gallogermanate type structure. I. In the paramagnetic range

Polycrystalline strontium iron germanates of the type Sr_3–y Ln _y Fe_2+y Ge_4–y O₁₄(Ln=La, Nd;y=0, 1) were investigated by⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy in the temperature range 4.2–300 K. The crystal chemistry and the distribution of Fe³⁺ ions in the structure, as well as the crystallographic inequivalence of the oxygen polyhedra occupied by iron, were studied over the whole paramagnetic temperature region. A correlation of the experimental data with a local environment computation is given.     

Photoelectric properties of Pb1−x−y Sn x Ge y Te:In epitaxial films

Pb_1–x–y Sn _x Ge _y Te:In epitaxial films are examined in a wide temperature interval and at various background fluxes. These films have high sensitivity to infrared radiation in the spectral range <20m. The lifetime depends exponentially on temperature and varies from several seconds at T=10 K to 10^–2 s at T=20 K. The two-electron model of Jahn-Teller centers is proposed to explain the results. Multielement photoresistors based on these films are fabricated and D*=1.7×10¹³ cm Hz^1/2 W^–1 at T=25 K is achieved. Noise of the photoresistors is independent of background flux when it varies from 10¹² cm^–2 s^–1 to 10¹⁸ cm^–2 s^–1. As compared with Si:Ga and Ge:Hg photoresistors, the responsitivity is several orders larger at the operating temperature 25–30 K.     

Diffusion of Au in amorphous Zr x Ni100−x alloys studied by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry

The diffusion coefficients (D) of Au in three binary amorphous Zr _x Ni_100–x (x=61, 65, and 67) alloys were measured in the temperature range 549–623 K using the technique of the Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). The D values were found to lie in the range 1.0×10^–21–9.0×10^–20 m²s^–1 for different alloys. The activation energy (Q) was calculated in each case on the basis of an observed Arrhenius temperature dependence of D. The activation energy was found to scale with the crystallization temperature (T _x) of the alloy. Other published measurements for Au diffusion in amorphous Zr-Ni alloys also appear to follow the scaling relation between Q and T _x.     

Extraordinary Magnetic Properties of Ca1–xEuxS and Sr1–xEuxS Solid Solutions

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra and the stationary magnetic susceptibility are investigated for Ca_1–x Eu _x S and Sr_1–x Eu _x S solid solutions (0.00005 < x < 0.0032). The EPR spectrum of Eu²⁺ in both matrices contains a wide structureless line in addition to the narrow lines of the superfine structure characteristic of ions with high local symmetry. Because of the extraordinary temperature dependence of this line in CaS:Eu, it is associated with strongly interacting magnetic centers, namely, exchange-coupling pairs and chains or more complex clusters of magnetic ions. At the same time, the dependence of the stationary magnetic susceptibility in the temperature range 4.2–50 K has no peculiarities for CaS:Eu and SrS:Eu and obeys the Curie law.     

NMR relaxation times and proton motion in HxWO3

The relaxation timesT ₁,T _1q,T _1D, andT ₂ for¹H in the tetragonal-A phase of H_xWO₃ have been measured over the temperature range 190 to 490 K. The¹H relaxation behaviour appears to be governed by diffusion over inequivalent jump distances, approximating to a short range planar diffusion and a long range isotropic diffusion. Parameters for the latter motion are estimated asE _a = 68 kJ/mol and ₀=2.5×10^–13 s. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern for this phase of H_xWO₃ has been studied over the temperature range 300–470 K. The tetragonal distortion diminishes with temperature and H_0.43 WO₃ becomes cubic at about 435 K. Volumetric studies of hydrogen evolution show that decomposition accelerates at approximately this temperature.     

Investigation of the behaviour of the impurity atoms in Si by μ− SR-method

The dependence of the residual polarization of negative muons in p-type Si on temperature in the 4.2–270 K range has been investigated. Measurements were carried out in external magnetic field of 0.08 T transverse to the muon spin. The impurity concentration in the sample was 2 · 10¹³ cm^–3. Muon spin relaxation was observed at temperatures below 30 K. The relaxation rate atT=30 K is equal to 0.18±0.08s^–1. The relaxation rate grows with the decrease of temperature and at 4.2 K exceeds 30s^–1. The value of the residual polarization at zero timeP(t=0) is constant within the investigated temperature range.In the rangeT<30 K data on the relaxation rate are well described by the dependence =B·T^–q, whereq=2.75. Power dependence of may evidence the essential role of the phonon mechanism in the relaxation of the electron momentum of the acceptor center.The authors express their gratitude to V.B. Brudanin and I.A. Yutlandov for providing the sample, and to Yu.B. Gurov for advices.     

Magnetic and electric hyperfine interactions in the system EuSm

Magnetic and electric hyperfine interactions in the system EuSm were investigated with the isomeric 11/2^– state in¹⁴⁵Eu by applying the time-differential perturbed angular distribution (TDPAD) method. The temperature dependence of paramagnetism was studied between 90 K and 1000 K by measuring the magnetic hyperfine interaction frequency _L=g_NN¹ (T)B_ext. The paramagnetic correction factor strictly follows the Curie-Weiss relation =1+C/(T-), withC=–50(2) K and =–29(5) K. This is compatible with a hyperfine field ofB _int(0)=–25(1) T, a valence of two for Eu in Sm, and antiferromagnetic order at low temperatures.The temperature dependence of the electric quandrupole coupling constant v_Q, investigated between 100 K and 400 K, can be reproduced by a linear temperature variation v_Q(T)=v_Q(0) (1-AT), with v_Q(0)=16.2(4) MHz andA=7.2(8)·10^–4 K^–1.The paramagnetic relaxation time _rel of the nuclear alignment is proportional to the temperature of the sample, with _rel T^–1=3.7(2) ·10^–9s K^–1.This leads to the Korringa relation _J T=const=5.1(5)·10^–11s K for the relaxation time of the 4f electronic spinJ. Assuming that the relaxation ofJ is mainly caused by exchange interaction between conduction electrons and localized 4f electrons at the Eu site, an exchange integral of |J _eff|=0.10(2) eV can be deduced.     

Biomolecular solid state NMR with magic-angle spinning at 25K

A magic-angle spinning (MAS) probe has been constructed which allows the sample to be cooled with helium, while the MAS bearing and drive gases are nitrogen. The sample can be cooled to 25 K using roughly 3 L/h of liquid helium, while the 4-mm diameter rotor spins at 6.7 kHz with good stability (±5 Hz) for many hours. Proton decoupling fields up to at least 130 kHz can be applied. This helium-cooled MAS probe enables a variety of one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR experiments on biomolecular solids and other materials at low temperatures, with signal-to-noise proportional to 1/T. We show examples of low-temperature ¹³C NMR data for two biomolecular samples, namely the peptide Aβ_14–23 in the form of amyloid fibrils and the protein HP35 in frozen glycerol/water solution. Issues related to temperature calibration, spin–lattice relaxation at low temperatures, paramagnetic doping of frozen solutions, and ¹³C MAS NMR linewidths are discussed.     

Magnetic behaviour of U(MnxAl1−x)2 compounds

The results of magnetic measurements performed on U(Mn_xAl_1−x)₂ compounds in the temperature range 4.2K < T < 800K are reported. In the low temperature range (T < 200K), UMn₂ shows a Pauli-type paramagnetism. Above 420K a Curie-Weiss behaviour is evidenced. The magnetic properties of U(Mn_xAl_1−x)₂ compounds were analysed assuming a superposition of a temperature dependent term on a Pauli-type contribution, χ_O. The effective moments as well as the χ_O values were determined both in the low (T < 200K) and high (T > 420K) temperature range. The experimental data were discussed considering changes in the band structure and/or quenching of spin fluctuations.     

Al and Cu NMR study in UCu5Al

We have studied the microscopic properties of the tetragonal UCu₅Al Kondo compound by ²⁷Al and ^63,65Cu NMR in the paramagnetic state. NMR and susceptibility measurements performed on the powdered sample, but oriented along the applied field, showed χ>χ. Plots of K(T) against χ(T) at temperatures T≥100 K yield the transferred hyperfine fields of +5.9 kOe/μ_B for ²⁷Al nuclei, and +5.3 and −7.0 kOe/μ_B for ⁶⁵Cu nuclei in crystallographically inequivalent Cu(2) and Cu(1) sites, respectively. The Knight shift vs. susceptibility plots for T<100 K exhibit a deviation from the linear behaviour (absolute values of shifts become smaller than expected). We attribute this finding to the crystalline electric field effect in similar way as it was reported for several Ce-based compounds. The random distribution of the Al and Cu(2) atoms in the crystal lattice we consider as a reason of an unusual broadening of the NMR spectra, particularly at low temperatures.     

Magnetic behaviour ofCuAuFe alloys

The magnetic properties of Cu_99-xAu_xFe₁ alloys (x=12, 37 and 50.7 ats) have been investigated over the temperature range 4.2–70 K using low field AC magnetic susceptibility measurements and mössbauer spectroscopy. All alloys exhibit spin glass behaviour at low temperature with freezing temperatures T_f-5.7–7.6 K. Results of analysis of the high temperature (T3 T_f) Curie-Weiss behaviour are compared with those obtained from analysis of the broadly distributed 4.2 K Mössbauer spectra.     

The double-phase transition of ErFe4Ge2. An XRPD study

High-quality powder XRD data of the compound ErFe₄Ge₂ collected in the ESRF beam line BM16, are presented for the entire magnetically ordered regime (T_N=44 K). The data analysis reveals the occurrence of a double symmetry breaking at the magnetic transition. This experiment has allowed us to distinguish between structural and magnetic satellites, both present in the neutron patterns, and to demonstrate the interdependence of structural and magnetic transitions. The high-temperature (HT) phase disproportionates by a first-order transition into two distinct phases: P4₂/mnm (T_c, T_N=44 K)→Cmmm (majority LT phase)+Pnnm (minority IT Phase) which coexist in proportions varying with temperature down to 4 K. The phase diagram comprises three temperature regions: (a) the HT range with T>T_N for the tetragonal P4₂/mnm phase; (b) the IT (intermediate temperature) range, 20 K<T<T_N, where the two phases coexist in strongly variable proportions and the Pnnm phase reaches its highest concentration (≈31%) around 30 K and (c) the LT (low temperature) range, 1.5–20 K, where the Cmmm phase is dominating (up to 95%). We suggests that this phenomenon is the result of competing magneto-elastic mechanisms involving the Er crystal field anisotropy, the Er–Er, Er–Fe and the Fe–Fe exchange interactions and their coupling with the lattice strains.     

Low-temperature ferromagnetic resonance in epitaxial garnet films on paramagnetic substrates

The temperature dependence (4.2–300 K) of ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) in the 3-cm range in films of yttrium-iron garnet (YIG)1.7–3 m thick, epitaxially grown on a paramagnetic gadolinium-gallium garnet (GGG) paramagnetic substrate is studied. It is found that with decrease in temperature, beginning at T 70 K, the temperature dependences of the resonant FMR fields _res and _res for magnetic fields applied parallel and perpendicular to the normal to the film deviate from similar dependences for a free thin YIG plate, which approach the value of / for YIG. This deviation increases approximately in proportion to T^–1, reaching hundreds of Oe at T=4.2 K. It is established that the given effect is related to the additional static magnetic field H_p created in the YIG film by the paramagnetic substrate, and is dependent on the form of the latter.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 4, pp. 48–53, April, 1989.     

Spectral diagnostics of a unipolar high-frequency discharge excited in nitrogen and argon at pressures from 1 to 12 atm

By methods of spectral diagnostics, the temperature of neutral gas and the electron temperature and density have been determined in the channel of a unipolar high-frequency discharge excited at very high pressures. In nitrogen the h.f. discharge was excited at pressures of 1–5 atm, in argon at pressures of 1–12 atm. In the discharge excited in argon, the electron temperature does not change with increasing pressure and isT _e =(6–7)×10³ °K; the electron density increases with increasing pressure. It can be demonstrated that the electron velocity distribution is given by a Maxwellian distribution function although the plasma of a unipolar high-frequency discharge is non-isothermal (T _e –T _n 5×10³ °K).In conclusion, the author thanks Prof. Dr. V. Truneek for stimulating remarks and his kind interest in this work.     

Magnetic properties of amorphous Mn x B100−x alloys

Magnetic properties of amorphous Mn _x B_100–x alloys ranging fromx = 30 to 70 under high magnetic fields and low ac magnetic fields in the temperature range from 4.2 K to room temperature have been investigated. Samples which have Mn concentrations of aboutx = 40–60 show spin-glass-like properties in the low-temperature region. This spin-glass characteristics result from a frustration in the spin system which is caused by the competition of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions between randomly distributed Mn atoms. Both magnetization at 4.2 K and paramagnetic momentP _eff as a function of Mn concentration show a peak aroundx 44 which drops rapidly towards both sides of the Mn content.     

Superconducting EuBa2Cu3O7. A Mössbauer study

EuBa₂Cu₃O₇ shows a sharp transition to zero resistance atT _sc =85(1) K. Europium is entirely trivalent. The¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer recoilless fraction in the range 4–300 K is well-fitted by a Debye model withT _sc = 85(1) K. There is no anomaly around 240 K, nor atT _sc , and therefore no significant change in the vibrational amplitude of the rare-earth ion. Another sample doped with 1%⁵⁷Fe, shows two ferric quadrupole doublets associated with Fe³⁺ on Cu₁ and Cu₂ sites. There is no sign of any magnetic order down to 4.2 K.     

Temperature dependence of Debye-Waller factors at a cooperative high-spin (5T2) ⇌ low-spin (1A1) transition in dithiocyanatobis(2,2'-bipyridyl)iron(II)

Debye-Waller factors f were determined over the temperature range 4.2 to 298°K in Fe(bipy)₂(NCS)₂ from ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridyl). Whereas magnetic data and other physical properties show an abrupt change at the temperature of a cooperative ⁵T₂ ? ¹A₁ transition, T_c = 214°K, a continuous change of -ln f is found. The significance of this result is discussed.     

The sub-micrometer thickness n-InSb/i-GaAs epilayers for magnetoresistor applications at room temperatures of operation

Magnetotransport at fields up to 500 mT and LF-noise characteristics are reported for miniature magnetoresistors with ferrite concentrators based on Sn-doped n-InSb/i-GaAs heterostructures grown by MBE. The thickness of the InSb epilayers lie in the range 0.55–1.5 μm giving room temperature mobilities of 2.5–5.5 m² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ with carrier densities of (0.5–1.5)×10¹⁷ cm⁻³. The room temperature magnetoresistance (MR) for our two terminal devices could be as high as 115% at 50 mT which is comparable to the extraordinary MR (ExMR) recently reported in microscopic composite van der Pauw disks four terminal devices [Science 289 (2000) 1530]. In addition, a high signal-to-noise ratio and a good temperature stability of R(B)/R₀=0.5–0.83% K⁻¹ was observed for B<60 mT (below the saturation field B_sat for ferrite). Device resistance stability R₀(T) was equal to 0.27–0.66% K⁻¹ in zero field with a nominal device resistance R₀=197–224 Ω for DC currents in the range I=0.01–1.0 mA. The minimum detectable magnetic field is estimated from the reduced differential MR (∂R/∂B)/R=2000% T⁻¹ at B=31 mT and normalised 1/f current noise power spectral density measured at the same field. The resolution limit B_min=2.6 nT at 10² Hz and B_min=0.82 nT at 10³ Hz. These resolution limits are seven times better than those recently reported for the same material n-InSb/i-GaAs and ferrite fabricated Hall sensors [Magnetotransport and Raman characterization of n-InSb/i-GaAs epilayers, for Hall sensors applications over extremely wide ranges of temperature and magnetic field, Proceedings NGS 10, IPAP Conference Series 2, IPAP, Tokyo, 2001, pp. 151–154].