( Sr / Ca ) 14 Cu 24 O 41 spin ladders studied by NMR under pressure

⁶³Cu-NMR measurements have been performed on two-leg hole-doped spin ladders Sr_14-xCa_xCu₂₄O₄₁ single crystals 0 ? x ? 12 at several pressures up to the pressure domain where the stabilization of a superconducting ground state can be achieved. The data reveal a marked decrease of the spin gap derived from Knight shift measurements upon Ca substitution and also under pressure and confirm the onset of low lying spin excitations around P _c as previously reported. The spin gap in Sr ₂ Ca ₁₂ Cu ₂₄ O ₄₁ is strongly reduced above 20 kbar. However, the data of an experiment performed at P = 36 kbar where superconductivity has been detected at 6.7 K by an inductive technique have shown that a significant amount of spin excitations remains gapped at 80 K when superconductivity sets in. The standard relaxation model with two and three-magnon modes explains fairly well the activated relaxation data in the intermediate temperature regime corresponding to gapped spin excitations using the spin gap data derived from Knight shift experiments. The data of Gaussian relaxation rates of heavily doped samples support the limitation of the coherence length at low temperature by the average distance between doped holes. We discuss the interplay between superconductivity and the spin gap and suggest that these new results support the exciting prospect of superconductivity induced by the interladder tunneling of preformed pairs as long as the pressure remains lower than the pressure corresponding to the maximum of the superconducting critical temperature. Received 8 March 2001 and Received in final form 27 July 2001     

Raman scattering in ZrB<Subscript>12</Subscript> cage glass

High-precision measurements of the Hall effect and Raman scattering have been performed for single crystals of ZrB₁₂ superconductor in the wide temperature range of 5–300 K. For ZrB₁₂, the boson peak with ω_max ~ 100 cm^–1 has been observed for the first time within the low-frequency range of the Raman spectrum I(ω). The sizes of vibrational clusters with the correlation length ranging from 25 to 35 Å are estimated. The relation between the renormalization of the low-frequency density of vibrational states accompanying the transition to the cage-glass phase (T* ~ 90 K) and the enhancement of superconductivity in ZrB₁₂ is discussed.     

Resistivity superconducting transition in single-crystalline Cd0.95Ni0.05Sb system consisting of non-superconducting CdSb and NiSb phases

Resistivity superconducting transition has been for the first time found in single crystal of two-component 0.95(CdSb)–0.05(NiSb) system. End members of the system are not superconductors under normal conditions. Insulating behavior in temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity, which is due to hopping conductivity, precedes the transition. The resistivity superconducting transition is rather broad, since at cooling down the electrical resistivity starts to fall at 10.5 K, whereas zero resistivity is reached only at ~2.3 K. Longitudinal magnetic field gradually depresses superconductivity and shifts the superconducting transition to lower temperatures. Under magnetic field above 0.5 T, superconductivity is totally destroyed. Main features observed in the resistivity superconducting transition, including its unusually big width and insulating electrical behavior above the transition, can be related to inhomogeneity of the single crystal studied. According to XRD and SEM examinations, the single crystal consists of major CdSb phase and minor NiSb phase. The NiSb phase forms inhomogeneities in the CdSb matrix. Micro-sized needle-like NiSb crystals and nano-sized Ni_1-xSb_x clusters can be considered as typical inhomogeneities.     

Optical coefficients of Hg1 − x − y Cd x Eu y Se crystals

Optical properties of Hg_{1 ? x ? y} Cd _x Eu _y Se crystals grown by the Bridgman method have been investigated based on the independent reflectance and transmittance measurements, which were performed on a Nicolet 6700 spectrometer at T = 300 K in the wavelength range 0.9 ≤ λ ≤ 26.6 μm. The values of refractive index n, absorption index k, and absorption coefficient α have been determined for the crystals studied. Based on the dependences α = f(hν), the presence of direct allowed interband optical transitions in the crystals is established and the band-gap values are determined. The influence of temperature on the transmittance and band gap are investigated in the range T = 114–300 K.     

Influence of the low Mn intercalation on magnetic and electronic properties of 2H-TaS2 single crystals

The low-Mn-intercalated compounds 2H-Mn_xTaS₂ (x≤0.1) single crystals were successfully grown via the iodine chemical vapor transport technique; the electrical and magnetic properties have been investigated systematically. No signs of charge density wave and superconductivity transitions appear down to 2 K even when x=0.02, while a small resistivity upturn has been observed in the low-temperature region for Mn_xTaS₂ samples. A substantial magnetocrystalline anisotropy is observed and the Mn magnetic moments lie mainly parallel to the ab-plane. The glass behavior was observed in the low-temperature region firstly from the ac susceptibility measurement, the freezing of the glass may contribute to the upturn of the resistivity.     

An anomaly in the magnetic susceptibility of the Mg1−x CuxO solid solutions with 0.01≤x≤0.20

The problem of localized superconductivity has motivated the preparation of Mg_1−x Cu_xO solid solutions with NaCl structure and 0.01≤x≤0.20, as well as a study of the magnetization and magnetic susceptibility χ in the 2–400 K temperature range and in magnetic fields of up to 5 T. The temperature dependence of χ is described for all compositions by the Curie-Weiss law, χ = C/(T − θ), where the constant C is close to the value calculated for each composition for μ_eff = 1.7–1.9μ_B, and θ is close to zero. For T < 30 K, χ(T) deviates for all compositions toward lower χ, which can be attributed to magnetic ordering of exchange-coupled clusters in the solid solution. At T∼320–330 K, an anomaly of a diamagnetic type, i.e., a decrease of χ by 6–30% of its paramagnetic value, has been observed for all compositions against the background of the generally paramagnetic χ(T). A discussion is presented of alternative reasons for this anomaly and of its possible connection with localized superconductivity. __________ Translated from Fizika Tverdogo Tela, Vol. 42, No. 4, 2000, pp. 701–703. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2000 by Samokhvalov, Arbuzova, Viglin, Naumov, Smolyak, Korolev, Lobachevskaya.     

Ionic conductivity in the single crystals of non-stoichiometric fluorite phases M1−xRxF2+x (M=Ca,Sr, Ba; R=Y,La-Lu)

The ionic conductivity has been measured of single crystals of rare earth fluoride solid solutions in Ca, Sr and Ba fluorides described by the formula M_1?xR_xF_2+x (M=Ca, Sr, Ba; R=Y, La-Lu). The measurements have been done using dc and ac within the temperature range 300–850 K. With the increase of RF₃ concentration up to x=0.05–0.15 (in different systems) conductivity steeply increases. With the further concentration growth the conductivity increases only slightly, reaching saturation value for the solid solution Ba_1?xR_xF_2+x. The dependence of solid solution conductivity on the chemical composition has been studied for isoconcentrates M_0.9R_0.1F_2.1. It has been established that in CaF_2- based series the crystals with R=Gd, Tb possess maximum conductivity and minimum activation energy. For SrF₂ and BaF₂-based series the highest conductivity was observed for crystals containing LaF₃. It has been established that for all the crystals, independent of the chemical composition and defect concentration, the conductivity logarithm at definite temperature linearly depends on the activation energy. Within the investigated class of substances the optimum composition for solid electrolytes is Sr_0.69La_0.31F_2.31.     

The spin-ladder and spin-chain system (La,Y,Sr,Ca)14Cu24O41: Electronic phases,charge and spin dynamics

The quasi-one-dimensional cuprates (La,Y,Sr,Ca)₁₄Cu₂₄O₄₁, consisting of spin-chains and spin-ladders, have attracted much attention, mainly because they represent the first superconducting copper oxide with a non-square lattice. Theoretically, in isolated hole-doped two-leg ladders, superconductivity is tightly associated with the spin gap, although in competition with a charge-density wave (CDW). Indeed, both the gapped spin-liquid and CDW states have been established in the doped spin-ladders of _{Sr14-xCaxCu24O41}${\mathrm{Sr}}_{14-x}{\mathrm{Ca}}_x{\mathrm{Cu}}_{24}{\mathrm{O}}_{41}$, however the relevance of these objects to electronic properties and superconductivity is still subject of intensive discussion. In this treatise, an appreciable set of experimental data is reviewed, which has been acquired in recent years, indicating a variety of magnetic and charge arrangements found in the chains and ladders of underdoped (La,Y)_y(S,Ca)_14−yCu₂₄O₄₁ and fully doped _{Sr14-xCaxCu24O41}${\mathrm{Sr}}_{14-x}{\mathrm{Ca}}_x{\mathrm{Cu}}_{24}{\mathrm{O}}_{41}$. Based on these data, phase diagrams are constructed for the chains of underdoped systems (as a function of La, Y-substitution), as well as for the chains and ladders of the fully doped ones (as a function of Ca-substitution). We try to reconcile contradictory results concerning the charge dynamics in the ladders, like the hole redistribution between ladders and chains, collective modes and pseudogap, field-dependent transport and the temperature scales and doping levels at which the two-dimensional CDW develops in the ladder planes. The remaining open issues are clearly extracted. In the discussion the experimental results are contrasted with theoretical predictions, which allows us to conclude with two important remarks concerning the nature of the competing CDW and superconducting ground states. A density wave in ladders, characterized by a sinusoidal charge modulation, belongs to the class of broken symmetry patterns, which is theoretically predicted for strongly correlated low-dimensional electron systems; however its precise texture and nature is still an open issue. As for superconductivity, the presence of the spin gap in the normal state points towards d  -wave symmetry and magnetic origin of the attractive interaction. However, there is a finite density of mobile quasi-particles that appears for high Ca contents and increases with pressure, concomitantly with increased two-dimensionality and metallicity. For this reason the superconductivity in the doped ladders of _{Sr14-xCaxCu24O41}${\mathrm{Sr}}_{14-x}{\mathrm{Ca}}_x{\mathrm{Cu}}_{24}{\mathrm{O}}_{41}$ which occurs under high pressure cannot simply be a stabilization of the d-wave superconductivity expected for a pure single ladder system.     

Isotope effect on the Peierls transition temperature of TTF-TCNQ

Conductivity measurements on isotopically substituted single crystals of TTF-TCNQ show a relatively large shift in the phase transition temperatures at 52.5 K (T₁) and 37.7 K (T₃). Deuteration of both TTF and TCNQ chains increases T₁ by 0.75 ± 0.15 K, N¹⁵ substitution increases T₁ by 0.6±0.1 K while deuteration of the TTF chains apparently has no significant effect. Different possible interpretations of these results are briefly discussed.     

Isotope effect on the Peierls transition temperature of TTF-TCNQ

Conductivity measurements on isotopically substituted single crystals of TTF-TCNQ show a relatively large shift in the phase transition temperatures at 52.5 K (T₁) and 37.7 K (T₃). Deuteration of both TTF and TCNQ chains increases T₁ by 0.75 ± 0.15 K, N¹⁵ substitution increases T₁ by 0.6 ± 0.1 K while deuteration of the TTF chains apparently has no significant effect. Different possible interpretations of these results are briefly discussed.     

Multiple andreev reflections spectroscopy of superconducting LiFeAs single crystals: Anisotropy and temperature behavior of the order parameters

The superconducting state of LiFeAs single crystals with the maximum critical temperature T _c ≈ 17 K in the 111 family has been studied in detail by multiple Andreev reflections (MAR) spectroscopy implemented by the break-junction technique. The three superconducting gaps, Δ_Γ = 5.1–6.5 meV, Δ_L = 3.8–4.8 meV, and Δ_S = 0.9–1.9 meV (at T ? T _c), as well as their temperature dependences, have been directly determined in a tunneling experiment with these samples. The anisotropy degrees of the order parameters in the k space have been estimated as <8, ～12, and ～20%, respectively. Andreev spectra have been fitted within the extended Kümmel-Gunsenheimer-Nikolsky model with allowance for anisotropy. The relative electron-boson coupling constants in LiFeAs have been determined by approximating the Δ(T) dependences by the system of the two-band Moskalenko and Suhl equations. It has been shown that the densities of states in bands forming Δ_Γ and Δ_L are approximately the same, intraband pairing dominates in this case, and the interband coupling constants are related as λ_ΓL ≈ λ_LΓ ? λ_SΓ, λ_SL.     

Two-band BCS mechanism of superconductivity in a Ba(Fe0.9Co0.1)2As2 high-temperature superconductor

Terahertz and infrared spectra of the conductivity, σ(ν), and dielectric constant, ?(ν), of a Ba(Fe_0.9Co_0.1)₂As₂ film (T _c = 20 K) have been analyzed together with previous specific-heat and angular resolved photoelectron spectroscopy data. It has been shown that the spectra σ(ν) and ?(ν) of Ba(Fe_0.9Co_0.1)₂As₂ in the superconducting phase at T = 5 K, as well as the magnetic field penetration depth, can be described well using the standard Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) model with an additive contribution of electron and hole bands. It has been found that the measured temperature dependence of the magnetic field penetration depth in a wide temperature range 5 K < T < T _c can be described only with the introduction of interband pairing interaction. The coupling constant of electron and hole bands, λ_{1, 2} = 0.1, as well as the temperature dependences of superconducting gaps in the electron and hole subsystems, has been determined using the model of two-band superconductivity developed earlier for MgB₂.     

Critical exponents of S=1/2 Heisenberg ladders with ferromagnetic interchain interaction in magnetic fields

The critical properties of the S=1/2 Heisenberg two-leg ladders with a ferromagnetic interchain interaction in magnetic fields are investigated by combining the numerical exact diagonalization method and the finite-size-scaling analysis based on conformal field theory.     

Vortex structure and anisotropy of electric resistance in Bi2Sr1.65La0.35CuO6 + δ single crystals

The vortex structure of Bi₂Sr_1.65La_0.35CuO_6+δ single crystals in tilted magnetic fields has been studied by the decoration method. From the observed pattern of vortex chains in the basal plane, the parameter of anisotropy in the superconducting state has been estimated as γ_S = 460 ± 40. The electric resistance of Bi₂Sr_1.65La_0.35CuO_6+δ single crystals has been studied in a broad range of temperatures (T _c < T < 300 K) and magnetic fields (up to 16 T). The ratio of resistivities in the direction perpendicular to the basal plane and in plane near the critical temperature T _c amounted to ρ⊥/ρ‖ = 3.2 × 10⁵. A possible relationship between the anisotropy in the normal and superconducting states is discussed.     

Magnetic and structural characteristics of the RInCu2 compounds in the Heusler L21 structure

Magnetic and structural behaviour of materials of composition RInCu₂ (R = rare earth) were investigated. All the compounds (R = La-Lu) were found to be isotypic and to crystallize with the Heusler L2₁ type structure. The magnetic behaviour of the compounds was studied in the temperature range 2–300 K. The RInCu₂ (R = Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy) compounds are antiferromagnetically ordered at low temperatures T_N = 12 K for GdInCu₂, Ce in CeInCu₂ is in a pure trivalent state. LaInCu₂ is Pauli paramagnetic and LuInCu₂ is diamagnetic. No superconductivity was observed for temperatures as low as 1.8 K. The observed magnetic properties result from indirect exchange interaction and crystal field effects and compared to the isomorphous MnInCu₂.     

Anomalous superconductivity in black phosphorus under high pressures

Pressure induced superconductivity in single crystals of black phosphorus has been studied. Maximum onset T_c was near 13 K. The anomalous superconductivity may be explained in terms of excitonic mechanism.     

Annealing effects on the crystal structure and physical properties of FeSe1−xTex (0.6 ≦ x ≦ 1) single crystals

Annealing effects of FeSe_1?xTe_x (0.6 ≦ x ≦ 1) single crystals have been investigated from measurements of the powder X-ray diffraction and specific heat. Through the annealing, several peaks of powder X-ray diffraction have become sharp and a clean jump of the specific-heat at the superconducting (SC) transition temperature, T_c, has been observed for x = 0.6–0.9, indicating bulk superconductivity. For annealed single-crystals of x = 0.6–0.8, the SC condensation energy, U₀, and the SC gap, Δ₀, at 0 K have been estimated as ～1.8 J/mol and 2.3–2.5 meV, respectively. The value of 2Δ₀/k_BT_c is 3.9–4.5, indicating a little strong-coupling superconductivity. Both the electronic specific-heat coefficient in the normal state, γ_n, and the residual electronic specific-heat coefficient in the SC state, γ₀, have been found to show significant x dependence. The values of γ_n are much larger than those estimated from the band calculation.     

Raman spectroscopy of SrB<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> single crystals in the temperature range 300–1273 K

The polarized Raman spectra of SrB₄O₇ (SBO) single crystals are studied in detail in the temperature range of 300–1273 K. The TO, LO, and IO phonon lines of A₁, A₂, B₁, and B₂ symmetries of rhombic SBO at 300 K are identified. The behavior of the Raman spectra of SBO crystals is studied upon heating up to their melting. The relation of Raman spectra with the structure of boron–oxygen fragments, as well as the transformation of spectra in the process of melting of SBO crystals, is discussed.     

The thermal activation energy of crystalline As2Se3

The conductivity of As₂Se₃ single crystals has been measured, both 6 b and ⊥ b, in the temperature range 300–400°K. Thermal activation energies of 0.94 and 1.1 eV were obtained for H₂ and I₂-grown crystals, respectively.     

Existence of two types of perfect Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>2−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>La<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>CuO<Subscript>6+δ</Subscript> single crystals

It is found that perfect Bi₂Sr_2?x La _x CuO_6+δ single crystals with the same concentrations of lanthanum x = 0.64 and excess oxygen δ = 0.237 exist in two types. Single crystals of the first type are obtained by slow cooling (the synthesis time is 90–105 h). They have a monoclinic superlattice and exhibit no superconducting transition down to 2 K. Crystals of the second type are obtained by rapid cooling (the synthesis time is 30–40 h) and are characterized by a orthorhombic superlattice and T _c = 18 K. Thus, the superconducting transition temperature is determined not only by the concentration of carriers but also by the configuration of defects. A rhombic superlattice prevails in single crystals obtained by slow cooling in the lanthanum concentration range x = 0.3–0.5, while a monoclinic superlattice dominates in the range x = 0.75–0.85. This fact explains the high values of T _c at optimal doping (x = 0.4) and the absence of high-T _c superconductivity at p < 0.10.