Structural properties of femtosecond laser-induced modifications in LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Structural modifications induced by femtosecond laser pulses in LiNbO₃ were studied. The influence of the processing and focusing parameters was investigated. Two different types of modifications could be identified. High laser fluences cause a refractive index decrease, material damage and stresses in the surrounding crystalline lattice. At low laser fluences, an extraordinary index increase was observed that allows for optical waveguiding. This kind of modification is thermally unstable and correlates to a weak distortion of the lattice. The electrooptic coefficient measured in a waveguide was found to be substantially reduced. The mechanisms underlying the structural modifications are discussed. PACS 61.80.Ba; 77.84.Dy; 42.82.Et; 42.65.Re     

Electro-optical polarization mode dispersion in PbMg<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> single crystals

The polarization mode dispersion induced by an external ac electric field in PbMg_1/3Nb_2/3O₃ single crystals is studied experimentally at frequencies of 10⁴–10⁷ Hz. It is established that the discovered electro-optical polarization mode dispersion (EPMD) displays anomalous properties related to the orientation of the induced dipole moments in microregions of the crystal. Analytical expressions describing the peculiarities of the physical properties of relaxors giving rise to the EPMD are obtained.     

The magnetoelectric effects in weak ferromagnetic YMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> modulated structure: a Landau theory approach

According to the group theory approach, linear magnetoelectric effect (ME) can not be obtained for the spatial group of YMn₂O₅, which was known to be mmm. Regard to the magnetic structure of these type of materials, we propose a magnetic group structure for the YMn₂O₅ by considering spin orientation of the Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ ions. According to the landau theory of phase transition it can be shown, how symmetrical rules result in relationship between quantities such as magnetic order, polarization, and etc. This relation shows a weak ferromagnetic state, associated with spontaneous polarization, arisen by Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya type interaction and a field induced change in magnetoelectrical susceptibility.     

Temperature dependence of coherent phonons in TbVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystal probed by ultrafast optical spectroscopy

We report on the monolithic integration of frequency converter and amplitude modulator in a single lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) chip by the use of focussed ultrashort laser pulses. The waveguiding structures are obtained by femtosecond-laser induced internal modification and the electrodes are ablated out of a gold-layer sputtered onto the sample surface.     

Magnetic linear birefringence in Yb<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> gallate garnet

The magnetic linear birefringence and the magnetic susceptibility of Yb₃Ga₅O₁₂ gallate garnet was investigated experimentally in the temperature range 78–295 K. It was shown that, in this temperature range, the magnetic linear birefringence of the garnet studied depends linearly on inverse temperature 1/T. The magnitude of this effect is determined only by the part of the crystal magnetization that is due to the difference in the thermal population of the ground state of the Yb³⁺ ion rather than the total magnetization. The results obtained are interpreted within the microscopic theory. According to this theory, the magnetic linear birefringence is determined by the quadrupole moment of the magnetoactive ion, which is induced by an external magnetic field.     

Coercive field enhancement in microstructured (La<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>Pr<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.67</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>0.33</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films

The perovskite material (La_0.4Pr_0.6)_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ (LPCMO) has complex electronic and magnetic behavior based on phase competition between ferromagnetic metallic (FMM) and insulating phases with similar free energies. Experimental evidence has indicated that in-plane stress anisotropy influences these phases and can affect electronic and magnetic properties. Here we investigate the roles that both stress and shape anisotropies may play in controlling the coercive field of the material. LPCMO thin films of various thicknesses (20, 25, and 30 nm) were deposited on (110) NdGaO₃ (NGO) substrates using pulsed laser deposition and the coercive fields were measured. Photolithography was then used to fabricate microstructured arrays of LPCMO on the NGO substrates for each of the films. The coercive fields of these arrays of LPCMO were compared to the behavior of the corresponding unpatterned LPCMO thin films across a range of temperatures. Microstructure arrays for the thicker (25 and 30 nm) films showed a substantial increase in the coercive field after forming the arrays, whereas a thinner film (20 nm) showed almost no change in the coercive field. Stress anisotropy continues to play a dominant role in the behavior of LPCMO thin films and dimensionality of the magnetic domains also influences the results. The films show 2D behavior when film thickness approaches the size of the critical radius for single-to-multidomain transitions. Making thicker films allows for 3D behavior and a role for shape anisotropy to influence the coercive fields.     

Influence of the special features of the effective magnetic anisotropy on the temperature dependences of the magnetoimpedance of nanocrystalline Fe<Subscript>73.5</Subscript>Si<Subscript>16.5</Subscript>B<Subscript>6</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>3</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>1</Subscript> strips

The influence of the thermal treatment type on the temperature dependences of the magnetoimpedance of nanocrystalline Fe_73.5Si_16.5B₆Nb₃Cu₁ alloy strips is investigated. The main mechanisms determining the temperature behavior of the magnetoimpedance of strips with induced magnetic anisotropy having various special features are established. The prospects for application of the alloy strips nanocrystallized in the presence of a magnetic field as sensitive elements of temperature sensors and special magnetic field detectors are demonstrated.     

Electronic structure of paramagnetic In<Subscript>1-x</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>x</Subscript> As nanowires

The electronic structure, spin splitting energies, and g factors of paramagnetic In_1-xMn_xAs nanowires under magnetic and electric fields are investigated theoretically including the sp-d exchange interaction between the carriers and the magnetic ion. We find that the effective g factor changes dramatically with the magnetic field. The spin splitting due to the sp-d exchange interaction counteracts the Zeeman spin splitting. The effective g factor can be tuned to zero by the external magnetic field. There is also spin splitting under an electric field due to the Rashba spin-orbit coupling which is a relativistic effect. The spin-degenerated bands split at nonzero k_z (k_z is the wave vector in the wire direction), and the spin-splitting bands cross at k_z = 0, whose k_z-positive part and negative part are symmetrical. A proper magnetic field makes the k_z-positive part and negative part of the bands asymmetrical, and the bands cross at nonzero k_z. In the absence of magnetic field, the electron Rashba coefficient increases almost linearly with the electric field, while the hole Rashba coefficient increases at first and then decreases as the electric field increases. The hole Rashba coefficient can be tuned to zero by the electric field.     

Modulation of ultrafast laser-induced magnetization precession in BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-coated La<Subscript>0.67</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.33</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films

The ultrafast laser-excited magnetization dynamics of ferromagnetic (FM) La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃ (LSMO) thin films with BiFeO₃ (BFO) coating layers grown by laser molecular beam epitaxy are investigated using the optical pump-probe technique. Uniform magnetization precessions are observed in the films under an applied external magnetic field by measuring the time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect. The magnetization precession frequencies of the LSMO thin films with the BFO coating layers are lower than those of uncoated LSMO films, which is attributed to the suppression of the anisotropy field induced by the exchange interaction at the interface between the antiferromagnetic order of BFO and the FM order of LSMO.     

Magnetic and EPR studies of the EuFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> single crystal

Magnetic and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) properties of EuFe₃(BO₃)₄ single crystals have been studied over the temperature range of 300–4.2 K and in a magnetic field up to 5 T. The temperature, field and orientation dependences of susceptibility, magnetization and EPR spectra are presented. An antiferromagnetic ordering of the Fe subsystem occurs at about 37 K. The easy direction of magnetization perpendicular to the c axis is determined by magnetic measurements. Below 10 K, we observe an increase of susceptibility connected with the polarization of the Eu sublattice by an effective exchange field of the ordered Fe magnetic subsystem. In a magnetic field perpendicular to the c axis, we have observed an increase of magnetization at T < 10 K in the applied magnetic field, which can be attributed to the appearance of the magnetic moment induced by the magnetic field applied in the basal plane. According to EPR measurements, the distance between the maximum and minimum of derivative of absorption line of the Lorentz type is equal to 319 Gs. The anisotropy of g-factor and linewidth is due to the influence of crystalline field of trigonal symmetry. The peculiarities of temperature dependence of both intensity and linewidth are caused by the influence of excited states of europium ion (Eu³⁺). It is supposed that the difference between the g-factors from EPR and the magnetic measurements is caused by exchange interaction between rare earth and Fe subsystems via anomalous Zeeman effect.     

Magnetic and Magnetodielectric Properties of Ho<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Nd<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The magnetic and magnetodielectric properties of Ho_0.5Nd_0.5Fe₃(BO₃)₄ ferroborate with the competing Ho–Fe and Nd–Fe exchange couplings have been experimentally and theoretically investigated. Step anomalies in the magnetization curves at the spin-reorientation transition induced by the magnetic field B ║ c have been found. The spontaneous spin-reorientation transition temperature T_SR ≈ 8 K has been refined. The measured magnetic properties and observed features are interpreted using a single theoretical approach based on the molecular field approximation and calculations within the crystal field model of the rare-earth ion. Interpretation of the experimental data includes determination of the crystal field parameters for Ho³⁺ and Nd³⁺ ions in Ho_0.5Nd_0.5Fe₃(BO₃)₄ and parameters of the Ho–Fe and Nd–Fe exchange couplings.     

Neutron diffraction investigation of a metamagnetic transition in the Tb<Subscript>0.1</Subscript> Tm<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Co<Subscript>2</Subscript> compound

The Tb_0.1Tm_0.9Co₂ compound is investigated using neutron diffraction. It is shown that this compound undergoes an irreversible band metamagnetic transition induced by an external magnetic field. The magnetization of the Co sublattice increases from 0.2 to 0.6 μ_B. The critical field strength is approximately equal to 1 T at temperatures of 1.8 and 4.0 K. As the temperature increases, the effect of the magnetic field on the magnetic state of the sample weakens and, at 25 K, no noticeable changes are observed in an external field of 0.75 T. The metamagnetic transition at 1.8 K is accompanied by the disappearance of rhombohedral distortions and brings about a lattice expansion by approximately 1%.     

Magnetotransport in thin epitaxial Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript> films

The magnetoconductivity of thin Bi₂Se₃ films covered by a protective Se layer and grown at (111) BaF₂ substrates is studied. It is shown that the negative magnetoconductivity observed at low magnetic fields and caused by the effect of weak antilocalization, as well as the Shubnikov?de Haas oscillations at higher fields, is determined only by the magnetic field component perpendicular to the film plane. The obtained experimental results can be reasonably interpreted under the assumption that the studied films exhibit two-dimensional topologically protected electron states. Moreover, the contribution of these states to the total conductivity turns out to be the dominant one.     

Rashba effect in Ga<Subscript>x</Subscript>In<Subscript>1-x</Subscript>As/InP quantum wire structures

An overview is given on the Rashba effect in Ga_xIn_1-xAs/InP quantum wires. First, the effect of Rashba spin–orbit coupling on the energy level spectrum of quantum wires with different shapes of the confining potential is theoretically investigated. The wave functions as well as the spin densities in the quantum wire are analyzed for different magnetic fields. It is found that, owing to the additional geometrical confinement, a modification of the characteristic beating pattern in the magnetoresistance can be expected. The theoretical findings are compared to measurements on two different types of wires: First, single wires and, second, sets of parallel wires. A characteristic beating pattern in the Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations is observed for wires with an effective width down to approximately 400 nm. The beating pattern is significantly better resolved for the samples with sets of parallel wires, owing to the effective suppression of conductance fluctuations. A comparison with theoretical simulations confirms that the strength of the Rashba effect is basically not affected by the geometrical confinement of the wires. However, for wires with a very small effective width the strong carrier confinement leads to a suppression of the characteristic beating pattern in the Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations. PACS 71.70.Ej; 73.63.-b; 71.70.Di     

Magnetic properties of an easy-plane trigonal NdFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> antiferromagnet

The field and temperature dependences of magnetization and the temperature dependences of the initial magnetic susceptibility have been theoretically studied for three crystallographic directions in a trigonal NdFe₃(BO₃)₄ antiferromagnetic crystal. The calculations were performed using a molecular field approximation and a crystal field model for the rare-earth subsystem. The obtained theoretical expressions are applied to the interpretation of recent experimental data [1–4] on the magnetic properties of NdFe₃(BO₃)₄. The results of calculations show a good agreement with experiment. The proposed theory adequately describes (i) anomalies of the Schottky type in the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility, (ii) nonlinear curves of magnetization in the basal plane in a magnetic field up to 1 T (showing evidence of the first-order phase transitions) and their evolution with the temperature, and (iii) the field and temperature dependences of magnetization in a magnetic field up to 9 T.     

Peculiarities of the amorphous-to-crystalline-state transition in intermetallic LaNi<Subscript>5</Subscript>

The peculiarities of the transition of LaNi₅ films from the metastable amorphous state to the equilibrium crystalline state have been studied. It is shown that surface coatings with a composition corresponding to LaNi₅ can be obtained, which have, depending on the deposition and treatment conditions, structures from amorphous to single-phase crystalline, free of internal stress.     

Effect of a magnetic field on the permittivity of 80%La<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/20%GeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite

The dielectric properties of a magnetoresistive conducting two-phase 80%La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃/20%GeO₂ (wt %) composite have been studied near the percolation threshold in magnetic fields from 0 to 15 kOe at frequencies of the measurement field from 5 kHz to 1 MHz. The samples have inductive impedances; i.e., their permittivities can be considered negative due to a high conductivity in this frequency range. The permittivity increases in magnitude in magnetic field, and the values of the magnetodielectric coefficient reach 23% at room temperature. The reasons for the effect of magnetic field on the dielectric permittivity of samples are discussed.     

Energy spectra of exciton states in disk-shaped GaAs-Ga<Subscript>1-x</Subscript>Al<Subscript>x</Subscript>As quantum dots under growth-direction magnetic fields

A theoretical study, within the effective-mass approximation, of the effects of applied magnetic fields on excitons in disk-shaped GaAs-Ga_1-xAl_xAs quantum dots is presented. Magnetic fields are applied in the growth direction of the semiconductor heterostructure. The parity of the excitonic envelope function related to the simultaneous exchange of z_e→-z_e and z_h→-z_h is a good quantum number and the wave function, both the odd and even parity, can be expanded as combination of products of the quantum well electron and hole function that preserves the parity with appropriate Gaussian functions. We have simultaneously obtained the energies of the excitonic ground and excited states and discuss the behavior of these energies as a function of the magnetic field.     

Synthesis and nanostructural investigation of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanorods doped by SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

TiO₂ Nano rods can be used as dye-sensitized solar cells, various sensors and photocatalysts. These nanorods are synthesized by a hydrothermal corrosion process in NaOH solution at 200°C using TiO₂ powder as the source material. In the present work, the synthesis of TiO₂ nanorods in anatase, rutile and Ti₇O₁₃ phases and synthesis of TiO₂ nanorods by incorporating SiO₂ dopant, using the sol–gel method and alkaline corrosion are reported. The morphologies and crystal structures of the TiO₂ nanorods are characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) study. The obtained results show not only an aggregation structure at high calcination temperatures with spherical particles but also Ti–O–Si bonds having four-fold coordination with oxygen in SiO^4 −.     

Enhanced electrochemical performance of Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-modified Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Cu₂O composite was prepared by ball milling Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ and Cu₂O with further heat treatment. The structure and electrochemical performance of the composite were investigated via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests. Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Cu₂O composite exhibited much better rate capability and capacity performance than pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. The discharge capacity of the composite at 2 C rate reached up to 122.4 mAh g^?1 after 300 cycles with capacity retention of 91.3 %, which was significantly higher than that of the pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (89.6 mAh g^?1). The improvement can be ascribed to the Cu₂O modification. In addition, Cu₂O modification plays an important role in reducing the total resistance of the cell, which has been demonstrated by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis.