Effect of the ion current density on the temperature dependences of ion-induced electron emission from carbon-based materials

The effect of ion current density j on the temperature dependences of the ion-induced electron emission yield γ(T) of carbon-based materials (polycrystalline graphite MPG-8, highly oriented pyrolytic graphite UPV-1T, and some glassy carbons) under irradiation by atomic and molecular nitrogen ions with energies of several tens of keV has been experimentally studied. The most significant effect of the density j on the dependences γ(T) is observed for low-temperature glassy carbons.     

Pyroelectric properties of high-resistant KTiOPO4 crystals in the temperature range 4.2–300 K

The results of measuring the pyroelectric coefficient γ _s ^σ of nominally perfect KTiOPO₄ (KTP) crystals grown from solution in a melt with a potassium to phosphorus ratio of ～2 are presented. The γ _s ^σ (T) dependence is monotonic in the range from 4.2 to 250 K. Deviations from a linear dependence are observed beginning from 250 K, which is considered to be due to interstitial-potassium transport in the KTP crystal field. The spontaneous polarization of unclamped KTP samples is estimated from the results of the measurements. In terms of the crystal-physics approach, it is shown that the main contribution to a polar state of KTP is made by the dipole moments of two nonequivalent mesoscopic tetrahedra forming two sublattices that are polarized in opposite directions and bound by Ti(1) ions.     

Specific features of the pyroelectric properties of actual RbTiOPO4 single crystals in the temperature range 4.2–300 K

The pyroelectric properties of samples cut from various growth sectors of RbTiOPO₄ single crystals grown from solution in a melt were measured in the temperature range from 4.2 to 300 K. The experimental values of the pyroelectric coefficient range from ?1.3 × 10^?5 to ?4.6 × 10^?5 C/m² K. For the samples cut from the (100) sector, pronounced anomalies were revealed at 85 and 275 K, which, in our opinion, can be due to the contribution of associates formed by the coordination tetrahedra PO₄(1) and PO₄(2) and interstitial rubidium Rb _i . At T > 280 K, superionic conductivity begins to manifest itself in all of the samples studied, which indicates the decomposition of the dipole complexes with increasing temperature. From the measured pyroelectric coefficient and birefringence along the polar direction, the spontaneous polarization of rubidium titanyl is calculated to be 0.5 C/m² at 250 K, which is comparable in magnitude to that of lithium tantalate.     

Observation of a transition from BCS to HTSC-like superconductivity in Ba1 − x KxBiO3 single crystals

The temperature dependences of the upper critical field B _c2(T) and surface impedance Z(T) = R(T) + iX(T) have been measured in Ba_{1 ? x} K_xBiO₃ single crystals with transition temperatures 6 ≤ T _c ≤ 32 K (0.6 > x > 0.4). A transition from the BCS to an unusual type of superconductivity has been revealed: B _c2(T) curves of the crystals with T _c > 20 K have positive curvature (as in some HTSCs), and those of the crystals with T _c < 15 K described by the usual Werthamer-Helfand-Hohenberg (WHH) formula. The R(T) and X(T) dependences of the crystals with T _c ≈ 32 K and T _c ≈ 11 K in the temperature range T ? T _c are linear (as in HTSCs) and exponential (BCS), respectively. The experimental results are discussed using the extended saddle point model by Abrikosov.     

Microwave response of high-T c superconducting crystals: Results, problems, and prospects

The results of studying temperature behavior of the microwave surface impedance Z _s (T) and conductivity tensor $\hat \sigma (T)$ (T) of high-T _c superconducting (HTSC) single crystals are analyzed. The emphasis is on the experimental facts that are inconsistent with the known electrodynamic concepts of conductivity mechanisms in these materials. Possible reasons for the inconsistency are discussed in the context of structural features of the HTSC crystals, and the outlook for future investigations is outlined.     

Pyroelectric properties of lithium triborate in the temperature range from 4.2 to 300 K

Temperature dependences of pyroelectric coefficients γ^T and γ^S corresponding to the mechanically free (T) and clamped (S) states of a lithium triborate (LBO) sample are studied and found to be nonmonotonic. It is proposed that the anomalies are associated with an increase in anharmonism of the lithium sublattice of LBO long before its transition to the superionic state. The spontaneous polarization at T=200 K is estimated to be 0.25 C/m². In the structural motif, the mesotetrahedra responsible for the emergence of spontaneous polarization of LBO are singled out.     

Comment on the intensity and the temperature dependence of the nitrogen-broadened half-width of the P(6) line in the CO fundamental

The recent line-center absorption coefficient measurements on the P(6) line of the CO fundamental have been shown to be consistent with S_v(T) = 273(273/T)cm^-2atm^-1 and γ⁰(T) = 0.0652(300/T)^0.66 for the absolute intensity of the band and the nitrogen-broadened line width in the temperature range 300–800°K.     

Specific features in thermal expansion of <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>Fe<Subscript>11</Subscript>Ti single crystals

Thermal expansion and its anomalies in the vicinity of spin-reorientation phase transitions in single crystals of RFe₁₁Ti (R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er) compounds are investigated by the tensometric technique in the temperature range 77–400 K. The temperature dependences of the thermal expansion coefficient α(T) are obtained. It is found that the YFe₁₁Ti and HoFe₁₁Ti uniaxial magnetic materials exhibit pronounced anomalies in the α coefficient at T=200 and 290 K. For the TbFe₁₁Ti single crystal, the α coefficient is close to zero in the vicinity of the spin-reorientation phase transition (at T=325 K). For the DyFe₁₁Ti single crystal, which is characterized by two spin-reorientation phase transitions (at T=120 and 250 K), no features in the α(T) dependence are revealed in the region of the low-temperature spin-reorientation phase transition. In the ErFe₁₁Ti single crystal, the specific feature of thermal expansion is observed at T ～ 220 K.     

Superionic transitions and conductivity anisotropy in Na4.6FeP2O8.6F0.4 single crystals

The cation conductivity in the directions parallel (σ_‖[001]) and perpendicular (σ_⊥[001]) to the [001] crystallographic direction of Na_4.6FeP₂O_8.6F_0.4 single crystals has been investigated at 293–734 K. The specific features of the ionic conductivity have been studied near two phase transitions at T _{tr, 1} ～ 450 K and T _{tr, 2} ～ 545 K. At T = T _{tr, 1}, the activation enthalpy for the dependences σ_‖[001](T) and σ_⊥[001](T) decreases from 0.45 ± 0.01 to 0.33 ± 0.02 eV, and the σ_‖[001](T) curve has a jump of the ionic conductivity by a factor of almost two at T = T _{tr, 2}; the jump is related to a manifestation of commensurate modulation of the crystal structure. In the Na_4.6FeP₂O_8.6F_0.4 crystals, the ionic transport is anisotropic with the ratio σ_‖[001]/σ_⊥[001] = 7.7, 5.2, and 6.6 at 293 K (T < T _{tr, 1}), 500 K (T _{tr, 1} < T < T _{tr, 2}), and 700 K (T < T _{tr, 2}), respectively. The mechanism of cation conductivity in the Na_4.6FeP₂O_8.6F_0.4 crystals is discussed.     

Spin-state transition, magnetic, electrical and thermal transport properties of the perovskite cobalt oxide Gd0.7Sr0.3CoO3

The magnetization, resistivity ρ, thermoelectric power (TEP) S, and thermal conductivity κ in perovskite cobalt oxide Gd_0.7Sr_0.3CoO₃ have been investigated systematically. Based on the temperature dependence of susceptibility χ_g(T) and Seebeck coefficient S(T), a combination of the intermediate-spin (IS) state for Co³⁺ and the low-spin (LS) state for Co⁴⁺ can be suggested. A metal-insulator transition (MIT) caused by the hopping of σ* electrons (localized or delocalized e_g electrons) from the IS Co³⁺ to the LS Co⁴⁺ is observed. Meanwhile, S(T) curve also displays an obvious phonon drag effect. In addition, based on the analysis of the temperature dependence of S(T) and ρ(T), the high-temperature small polaron conduction and the low-temperature variable-range-hopping conduction are suggested, respectively. As to thermal conduction κ(T), rather low κ values in the whole measured temperature range is attributed to unusually large local Jahn-Teller (JT) distortion of Co³⁺O₆ octahedra with IS state.     

Low-temperature thermal conductivity of terbium-gallium garnet

Thermal conductivity of paramagnetic Tb₃Ga₅O₁₂ (TbGG) terbium-gallium garnet single crystals is investigated at temperatures from 0.4 to 300 K in magnetic fields up to 3.25 T. A minimum is observed in the temperature dependence κ(T) of thermal conductivity at T _min = 0.52 K. This and other singularities on the κ(T) dependence are associated with scattering of phonons from terbium ions. The thermal conductivity at T = 5.1 K strongly depends on the magnetic field direction relative to the crystallographic axes of the crystal. Experimental data are considered using the Debye theory of thermal conductivity taking into account resonance scattering of phonons from Tb³⁺ ions. Analysis of the temperature and field dependences of the thermal conductivity indicates the existence of a strong spin-phonon interaction in TbGG. The low-temperature behavior of the thermal conductivity (field and angular dependences) is mainly determined by resonance scattering of phonons at the first quasi-doublet of the electron spectrum of Tb³⁺ ion.     

Heat capacity and lattice dynamics of yttrium diboride in the temperature range 5–300 K

This paper reports an experimental study of the heat capacity and crystal lattice parameters of a polycrystalline sample of yttrium diboride prepared by high-temperature synthesis from elements. The electronic and lattice contributions to the heat capacity are isolated. The temperature dependences of the characteristic temperature, the linear thermal expansion coefficients α_a(T) and α _c (T), the bulk thermal expansion coefficient β(T), and the Grüneisen coefficient are calculated. A region of negative values of α _c (T) and β(T) is revealed. Anharmonicity is found to exert only a minor effect on the YB₂ lattice dynamics over a larger part of the temperature range covered.     

Evidence of sustained ferroelectricity in glycine sodium nitrate single crystal

The nonlinear optical single crystals of glycine sodium nitrate were grown by the slow evaporation method. XRD confirmed monoclinic structure. Thermal stability and melting point (225 °C) were investigated. The dielectric behaviour of the crystals in the frequency range 20 Hz–2 MHz at different temperatures is reported in which a ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition at T_c = 56 °C is observed. The activation energies of GSN were found to be 3.615 eV, 0.593 eV and 0.0733 eV in three temperature regions of conductivity plot due to a hopping conduction mechanism. The crystal has shown high piezoelectric charge coefficient (d₃₃) of 16 pC/N which is nearly double of observed value for γ-glycine single crystal. The spontaneous polarization P_s at room temperature was found to be 1.489 μC/cm² at applied maximum field of 26 kV/cm (1.194 μC/cm² at 12 kV/cm) and the pyroelectric coefficient was determined to be 400 μC/m²/°C. High value of squareness parameter (1.93) makes the GSN crystal suitable for switching applications. Detailed investigations of Ferro-/Piezoelectricity were observed for the first time in glycine sodium nitrate crystals which was found to preserve the ferroelectricity even after applying an electric field much higher than the saturation electric field (12–26 kV/cm). Application of GSN crystals as sensor, high power switch gears and storage memories has been established.     

Variable-range hopping conduction in LaMnO<Subscript>3 + δ</Subscript>

The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity ρ(T) for ceramic samples of LaMnO_{3 + δ} (δ = 0.100–0.154) are studied in the temperature range T = 15–350 K, in magnetic fields of 0–10 T, and under hydrostatic pressures P of up to 11 kbar. It is shown that, above the ferromagnet-paramagnet transition temperature of LaMnO_{3 + δ}, the dependence ρ(T) of this compound obeys the Shklovskii-Efros variable-range hopping conduction: ρ(T) = ρ₀(T)exp[(T ₀/T)^1/2], where ρ₀(T) = AT ^9/2 (A is a constant). The density of localized states g(?) near the Fermi level is found to have a Coulomb gap Δ and a rigid gap γ(T). The Coulomb gap Δ assumes values of 0.43, 0.46, and 0.48 eV, and the rigid gap satisfies the relationship γ(T) ≈ γ(T _v)(T/T _v)^1/2, where T _v is the temperature of the onset of variable-range hopping conduction and γ(T _v) = 0.13, 0.16, and 0.17 eV for δ = 0.100, 0.125, and 0.154, respectively. The carrier localization lengths a = 1.7, 1.4, and 1.2 Å are determined for the same values of δ. The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the variable-range hopping conduction in LaMnO_{3 + δ} with δ = 0.154 is analyzed, and the dependences Δ(P) and γ_v(P) are obtained.     

Anisotropy of the hopping conductivity in TlGaSe2 single crystals

The temperature dependences of the conductivities parallel and perpendicular to the layers in layered TlGaSe₂ single crystals are investigated in the temperature range from 10 K to 293 K. It is shown that hopping conduction with a variable hopping length among localized states near the Fermi level takes place in TlGaSe₂ single crystals in the low-temperature range, both along and across the layers. Hopping conduction along the layers begins to prevail over conduction in an allowed band only at very low temperatures (10–30 K), whereas hopping conduction across the layers is observed at fairly high temperatures (T?210 K) and spans a broader temperature range. The density of states near the Fermi level is determined, N _F=1.3×10¹⁹eV·cm³)^?1, along with the energy scatter of these states J=0.011 eV and the hopping lengths at various temperatures. The hopping length R along the layers of TlGaSe₂ single crystals increases from 130 Å to 170 Å as the temperature is lowered from 30 K to 10 K. The temperature dependence of the degree of anisotropy of the conductivity of TlGaSe₂ single crystals is investigated.     

H nuclear magnetic resonance study of the ferroelastic and superionic phase transitions of (NH4)4LiH3(SO4)4 single crystals

We investigated the temperature dependences of the line shape, spin-lattice relaxation time, T₁, and spin-spin relaxation time, T₂, of the ¹H nuclei in (NH₄)₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄ single crystals. On the basis of the data obtained, we were able to distinguish the “ammonium” and “hydrogen-bond” protons in the crystals. For both the ammonium and hydrogen-bond protons in (NH₄)₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄, the curves of T₁ and T₂ versus temperature changed significantly near the ferroelastic and superionic phase transitions at T_C (=232 K) and T_S (=405 K), respectively. In particular, near T_S, the ¹H signal due to the hydrogen-bond protons abruptly narrowed and the T₂ value for these protons abruptly increased, indicating that these protons play an important role in this superionic phase transition. The marked increase in the T₂ of the hydrogen-bond protons above T_S indicates that the breaking of O-H?O bonds and the formation of new H-bonds with HSO₄^- contribute significantly to the high-temperature conductivity of (NH₄)₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄ crystals.     

Calculation of the energy dependence of the fusion cross section and total cross sections for peripheral reactions on the basis of an analysis of data on elastic heavy-ion scattering: Strongly bound ions

A method is proposed for calculating the energy dependence of the fusion cross section (in general, the sum of the cross sections for complete and incomplete fusion, quasifission, and reactions of deep-inelastic scattering) σ _F (E) and the total cross section for peripheral (or quasielastic) reactions, σ _D (E). The method is based on an analysis of a limited set of angular distributions for the elastic scattering in a given pair of nuclei. The predictive power of the method is illustrated by considering the ¹⁶O + ²⁰⁸Pb, ¹⁶O + ⁴⁰Ca, and ¹⁶O + ²⁸Si systems. For each of these systems, the calculations were performed at energies in the range extending from subbarrier values to those exceeding the barrier height substantially. The results of the calculations are found to be in good agreement with relevant experimental data, whereby the reliability of the method is confirmed. By virtue of this, it is proposed to employ the method to study the energy dependences σ _F (E) and σ _D (E) in collisions involving unstable nuclei, for which it is difficult to determine experimentally the above dependences because of a low intensity of secondary beams.     

Charge transport in a spin-polarized 2D electron system in silicon

The temperature dependences of the conductivity σ(T) of a strongly interacting 2D electron system in silicon have been analyzed both in zero magnetic field and in a spin-polarizing magnetic field of 14.2 T that is parallel to the sample plane. The measurements were carried out in a wide temperature range of 1.4–9 K in the ballistic regime of electron-electron interaction, i.e., for Tτ > 1. In zero magnetic field, the data obtained for σ(T) are quantitatively described by the theory of interaction corrections. In the fully spin-polarized state, the measured σ(T) dependences are not linear and even nonmonotonic in the same temperature range, where the dependences σ(T) are monotonic in the absence of the field. Nevertheless, the low-temperature parts of the experimental σ(T) dependences are linear and qualitatively consistent with the calculated quantum corrections.     

Linear temperature dependence of low temperature pyroelectric coefficient

Due to the deformation of electronic charge clouds, the Dick-Overhauser exchange charge in ionic materials is shown to have quadratic temperature dependence as T tends to zero in non-centrosymmetric crystals. It follows that the pyroelectric coefficient π has a linear temperature dependence in the same low temperature limit. The order of magnitude of π obtained theoretically by a simple model at T = 5 K is 2 × 10^?7 μC cm^?2 K^?1, which is in fairly good agreement with that obtained experimentally on LiTaO₃ by Lines.     

Surface superconductivity and twinning-plane superconductivity in aluminum

The critical supercooling field H _sc is measured in aluminum single crystals and twinned bicrystals in a temperature range slightly below T _c0 (T _c0 ? 0.055 K < T < T _c0), where T _c0 is the critical superconducting transition temperature. It is found that, even in this small temperature range, the H _sc(H _c) dependence, which is considered to be identical to the H _c3(H _c) dependence for single crystals, is substantially nonlinear. The H _sc(H _c) dependences of the twinned bicrystals and single crystals are shown to be significantly different. The qualitative features of the phase diagram of the twinned aluminum bicrystals coincide with those of the phase diagram of twinning-plane superconductivity obtained earlier for tin in [1]. These findings allow the conclusion that the phenomenon of twinning-plane superconductivity also exists in face-centered cubic crystal lattices.