Structural evolution and epitaxial stabilisation of pulsed laser deposited Sm0.55Nd0.45NiO3 solid solution nanostructured films on undoped Si (1 0 0) and NdGaO3 substrates

We report on the effects of substrate, ambient oxygen pressure and deposition time on the crystal structure, and morphology of Sm_0.55Nd_0.45NiO₃ solid solution nanostructured films synthesized by pulsed-laser deposition. In each film the structure was found to be consistent with a perovskite structure with preferential planes growth and reveals a strong orientation along the orthorhombic (2 1 0) plane of the perovskite subcell for the film deposited on NdGaO₃ where highly crystalline films were obtained within 15 min deposition time with a low surface roughness of 8.79 nm. Similar structure is observed on Si (1 0 0) substrate only at O₂ pressure of 0.4 mbar. The surface morphology of the different samples shows a net dense film structure with several droplets population. The nano-scaled droplets are in general spherical in shape; a detailed analysis indicates that the laser ablation of this nickelate family is governed to a certain extent by a heat transfer phenomenon.     

Defect chemical and statistical thermodynamic studies on oxygen nonstoichiometric Nd2 − xSrxNiO4 + δ

In order to elucidate how oxygen content changes in Nd_2 − xSr_xNiO_4 + δ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4), defect chemical and statistical thermodynamic analyses were carried out. The relationship among δ, P(O₂), and T were analyzed by a defect equilibrium model. Since Nd_2 − xSr_xNiO_4 + δ shows metal like band conduction at high temperatures, chemical potential of hole is expressed by the integration of the Fermi-Dirac distribution function and the density of state. The nonstoichiometric variation of oxygen content in Nd_2 − xSr_xNiO_4 + δ can be explained by the defect equilibrium model with a regular solution approximation. Partial molar entropy and partial molar enthalpy of oxygen are calculated from the nonstoichiometric data and Gibbs–Helmholtz equation. The relationship among defect structure, defect equilibrium, and thermodynamic quantities is elucidated by the statistical thermodynamic model. Thermodynamic quantities are calculated by the statistical thermodynamic model with the results of defect chemical analysis and compared with those obtained from experimental results. Thermodynamic quantities calculated by the statistical thermodynamic model can explain rough tendency of those obtained from the δ–T–P(O₂) relationship.     

Electrochemical study of the Nd1.95NiO4 + δ/oxide electrolyte interface

Nickelate-based oxides are potential cathodes in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells operating at intermediate temperatures. The chemical compatibility between apatite electrolyte, i.e., La₉Sr₁Si₆O_26.5, and Nd-deficient nickelate, i.e., Nd_1.95NiO_4 + δ, has been characterized. The equilibrium between the nickelate material and the gas phase has been studied as functions of temperature and oxygen partial pressure, using potentiometric measurements with microelectrodes, i.e., metallic or ceramic point electrodes. Two solid electrolytes were used, i.e., apatite and yttria-stabilized zirconia. The response of the nickelate is discussed in terms of oxygen stoichiometry.     

电弧炉制备的Sm2Fe17-xCrx化合物的结构与磁性

通过X射线衍射、磁测量等手段对电弧炉制备的不同热处理条件的Sm₂Fe_17-xCr_x（x=1—3）化合物的结构和磁性进行了研究.结果表明1050 ℃下退火5 d的Sm₂Fe_17-xCr_x（x=1—3）化合物具有菱方相的Th₂Zn₁₇型结构,同样温度下退 关键词： 2Fe_17-xCr_x化合物')" href="#">Sm₂Fe_17-xCr_x化合物 磁体积效应 居里温度 磁晶各向异性     

Control of p-type conductivity in Sr doped LaTiO3 thin films

We report on in situ growth by pulsed laser deposition of Sr-doped LaTiO₃ (Sr, 0<x<0.1) thin films, with epitaxial c-axis perovskite structure. According to the increase of Sr doping, resistivity of samples decreases and films reveal metallic behaviour. We found that both crystallographic and electrical properties are very sensitive to oxygen pressure during the deposition. The charge carrier was found to be p-type for Sr doping from 0 to 10% and mobility is much higher than previously reported.     

Structural, magnetic properties and magnetostriction studies of Sm1−xNdxFe1.55 alloys

Structural, magnetic properties and magnetostriction studies of Sm_1−xNd_xFe_1.55 (0≤x≤0.56) alloys have been performed. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the presence of single cubic Laves phase in Sm_1-xNd_xFe_1.55 alloys with 0≤x≤0.48. The lattice parameter of alloys increases linearly with increase in Nd content while the Curie temperature behaves in the opposite way. The alloy x=0.08 exhibits a giant magnetostriction value (λ_∥-λ_⊥) of −2187 ppm at a magnetic field of 12 kOe due to the anisotropy compensation between Sm³⁺ and Nd³⁺ ions.     

Growth and structure of Bi0.5(Na0.7K0.2Li0.1)0.5TiO3 thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition technique

Bi_0.5(Na_0.7K_0.2Li_0.1)_0.5TiO₃ (BNKLT) thin films were prepared on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The films prepared were examined by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The effects of the processing parameters, such as oxygen pressure, substrate temperature and laser power, on the crystal structure, surface morphology, roughness and deposition rates of the thin films were investigated. It was found that the substrate temperature of 600 °C and oxygen pressure of 30 Pa are the optimized technical parameters for the growth of textured film, and all the thin films prepared have granular structure, homogeneous grain size and smooth surfaces.     

Structural analysis and crystal-field calculations of Nd^3＋ in Gdx Lu1-x TaO4（x = 0.85） polycrytalline

The crystal structural parameters of Nd 3+-doped rare earth orthotantalate Gd x Lu 1 x TaO 4(x = 0.85) are determined by applying the Rietveld refinement to its X-ray diffraction,and its emission and excitation spectra at 77 K are analysed.The relativistic model of ab initio self-consistent DV-Xα method,which is applied to the cluster NdO 8 in Gd x Lu 1 x TaO 4,and the effective Hamiltonian model are used to investigate its spin-orbit and crystal-field parameters.The free-ions and crystal-field parameters are fitted to the experimental energy levels at 77 K with a root-mean-square deviation of 14.92 cm 1.According to the crystal-field calculations,96 levels of Nd 3+ are assigned.Finally,the fitting results of free-ions and crystal-field parameters are compared with those already reported for Nd 3+:YAlO 3.The results indicate that the free-ion parameters are similar to those of the Nd3+ in Gdx Lu1-x TaO4 and YAlO 3 hosts,and the crystal-field interaction of Nd3+ in Gdx Lu1-x TaO4 is stronger than that in YAlO 3.     

Formation of the chemical composition of transition metal dichalcogenide thin films at pulsed laser deposition

The formation of the chemical composition of dichalcogenide films at pulsed laser deposition in vacuum and in rarefied gases (Ar, H₂) is investigated with MoSe _x thin-film coatings. It is found that deposition in gases increases the selenium concentration and somewhat flattens the composition over the substrate surface. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the MoSe _x film formation, a computer model is used that simulates the motion of a pulsed laser-initiated atomic flux through a rarefied gaseous medium. Using this model, the energy and angular parameters of atomic Mo and Se fluxes toward the substrate are calculated. It is shown that the expansion dynamics of laser plume components (Mo and Se) and the selective sputtering of selenium are the main factors governing the formation of the chemical composition and its distribution over the substrate. The influence of the sort of gas on the efficiency of atomic flux slowdown and scattering and on material losses during deposition is considered.     

Pulsed reactive crossed beam laser ablation of La0.6Ca0.4CoO3 using O: Where does the oxygen come from?

The composition of thin perovskite films, especially the oxygen content, is a crucial parameter which influences many physical properties, such as conductivity and catalytic activity. Films produced by pulsed laser deposition are normally annealed in an oxygen atmosphere after deposition to achieve a desired oxygen content. In pulsed reactive crossed beam laser ablation, no annealing step is necessary, but a fundamental question regarding this deposition technique is still open: where does the oxygen in the films come from?There are three possibilities, i.e. from the target, from the gas background, or from the gas pulse. To answer this question two experiments were performed: ¹⁸O₂ was used during the deposition process as background gas with ¹⁶O anions in the target and ¹⁶O₂ gas pulse, and a ¹⁸O₂ gas pulse with ¹⁶O from the target and background. These experiments revealed that the quantification of the oxygen origin is only possible, when no oxygen exchange occurs at the deposition temperature. The films are characterized after deposition by elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) to determine the ¹⁶O/¹⁸O ratio. Experiments with different oxidizing species in the gas pulse (N₂O and O₂) confirm that the oxidizing potential (N₂O > O₂) as well as the number of molecules are important.     

Nd crystal-field study of weakly doped Nd1−xCaxMnO3

Nd³⁺ crystal-field excitations in Nd_1−xCa_xMnO₃ (x=0.025, 0.05 and 0.1) single crystals are studied via infrared transmission as a function of temperature and external magnetic field. We report excitations associated with Nd³⁺ sites as detected in NdMnO₃ and excitations due to Ca doping. The latter reveal phase separation between the usual A-type antiferromagnetic states and the insulating canted (ferromagnetic) spin states in the vicinity of doped Ca²⁺ ions. Both Nd³⁺ crystal-field levels could be described using calculated parameters for NdMnO₃. Also, while oxygen stoichiometry and coherent Jahn–Teller distortions seem not to be affected by Ca doping, increased absorption bandwidths characterize the doped crystals.     

Crystal and magnetic structure of the Sm0.55Sr0.45MnO3 and (Nd0.545Tb0.455)0.55Sr0.45MnO3 manganites

Neutron diffraction data are presented for the ¹⁵²Sm_0.55Sr_0.45MnO₃ (SSM) and (Nd_0.545Tb_0.455)_0.55Sr_0.45MnO₃ (NTSM) manganites. The Nd and Tb contents in the latter composition are such that the average radius of the A cation 〈r _A 〉 in these two compounds is the same. The difference in local tolerance factor fluctuations was about 10%. It was found that replacement of a rare-earth cation with leaving 〈r _A 〉 unchanged has practically no effect on the structural and transport properties; indeed, both compounds are metals at low temperatures, have the same crystal structure from liquid-helium to room temperature, and exhibit the same pattern of structural distortions at the onset of magnetic ordering. Magnetic moments of Mn ions in both compositions are ferromagnetically ordered at low temperatures, with T _C =122 and 90 K for the SSM and NTSM, respectively. Below 80 K, the rare-earth cation moments in NTSM undergo additional ordering. In contrast to compositions that are close in Sr concentration (x _Sr=0.4, 0.5), which feature a phase-separated state with a mixture of the ferromagnetic metallic and antiferromagnetic insulator phases, the ground state of both studied compositions with x _Sr=0.45 is uniformly ferromagnetic and metallic. __________ Translated from Fizika Tverdogo Tela, Vol. 46, No. 9, 2004, pp. 1650–1656. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2004 by Kurbakov, Trounov, Balagurov, Pomyakushin, Sheptyakov, Gorbenko, Kaul.     

Dynamics of a pulsed laser generated tin plasma expanding in an oxygen atmosphere

Semiconducting tin oxide can be successfully deposited by means of the laser ablation technique. In particular by ablating metallic tin in a controlled oxygen atmosphere, thin films of SnO _x have been deposited. The partial oxygen pressure at which the films are deposited strongly influences both the stoichiometry and the structural properties of the films. In this work, we present a study of the expansion dynamics of the plasma generated by ablating a tin target by means of a pulsed laser using time and space resolved optical emission spectroscopy and fast photography imaging of the expanding plasma. Both Sn I and Sn II optical emission lines have been observed from the time-integrated spectroscopy. Time resolved-measurements revealed the dynamics of the expanding plasma in the ambient oxygen atmosphere. Stoichiometry of the films has been determined by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and correlated to the expansion dynamics of the plasma.     

Optical emission spectroscopic studies on laser ablated TiO2 plasma

Optical emission spectroscopic investigations of the plasma produced during Nd:YAG laser ablation of sintered TiO₂ targets, in oxygen and argon gas environments are reported. The spatial variations of electron temperature (T_e) and electron number density (N_e) are studied. The effect of oxygen/argon pressure on electron temperature (T_e) and electron number density (N_e) is presented. The kinematics of the emitted particles and expansion of plume edge are discussed. Spatio-temporal variations of various species in TiO₂ plasma were recorded and corresponding velocities were calculated. The effect of oxygen pressure on intensity of neutral/ion species and their corresponding velocities is also reported.     

CW and pulsed Pb1–xSnxSe diode laser spectroscopy of 14NH3 and 15NH3 molecules

The absorption spectra of ¹⁴NH₃ and ¹⁵NH₃ molecules from 930 cm^-1 to 1220 cm^-1 have been obtained with CW and pulsed Pb_1–xSn_xSe diode lasers. The laser emission frequency has been tuned by varying crystal composition, diode temperature, hydrostatic pressure, or injection current. The registration of the absorption spectra with CW PbSe laser continuously tuned by varying hydrostatic pressure has been accomplished. The possibility of gas isotope abundancies measurements by diode lasers is considered.     

氧压对SrTiO3和SrNb0.2Ti0.8O3薄膜晶格参数的影响及激光感生热电电压效应

采用脉冲激光沉积技术制备了SrTiO₃和SrNb_0.2Ti_0.8O₃薄膜.X射线衍射分析表明在LaAlO₃(100)单晶平衬底上生长的SrTiO₃及SrNb_0.2Ti_0.8O₃薄膜是沿［001］取向的近外延生长.随着氧压在一定范围内逐渐增大,SrTiO₃薄膜的晶格参数减小,而SrNb_0.2Ti_0.8O₃薄膜的晶格参数先减小后增大.同时摸索出制备具有二维电子气超晶格(SrTiO₃/SrNb_0.2Ti_0.8O₃)_L的最佳氧压为1.0×10^-2Pa.另外在LaAlO₃(100)倾斜衬底上制备的SrNb_0.2Ti_0.8O₃薄膜中观察到激光感生热电电压效应. 关键词： 0.2Ti_0.8O₃薄膜')" href="#">SrNb_0.2Ti_0.8O₃薄膜 晶格参数 激光感生热电电压 脉冲激光沉积     

Pulsed laser deposition synthesis of superconducting (Cu,C)Ba2CuOx thin films

(Cu, C)–Ba–O thin films have been deposited at low growth temperature of 450–570 °C by pulsed laser deposition method. A control of CO₂ gas pressure and the growth temperature, usage of BaCu_yO_x pellet target resulted in an expansion of twice c-axis length of BaCuO₂ structure (2c phase) and a significant rise of conductivity. Measurements of in-situ XPS suggest that the 2c phase should be (Cu, C)Ba₂CuO_x [(Cu, C)-1201]. The maximum temperature of onset of the superconducting transition and zero resistance state obtained so far were 60 and 47 K, respectively.