A mean-field study on the thermo-magnetic properties of GdxCo1−x amorphous alloys (0.16⩽x⩽0.25)

We present a mean-field study on the thermo-magnetic properties of Gd_xCo_1−x amorphous alloys in the 0.16⩽x⩽0.25 composition range. A single set of exchange integrals and fixed values of the angular momenta of Gd and Co fairly describe the temperature dependence of magnetization. The magnetic specific heat and magnetic entropy show field and composition dependence. Both the specific heat anomaly and the saturated entropy, at the temperature of the magnetic phase transition, increase with increasing Co concentration. The two magnetic subnetworks and their cross-interactions contribute differently to the specific heat.     

57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetization study of YFexAl12−x (4.4⩽x⩽5)

YFe_xAl_12−x in the composition range 4.4⩽x⩽5 was prepared by induction melting followed by annealing in vacuum at 1270 K. Magnetization data below 150 K show complex magnetic behaviour dependent on applied field, composition and temperature. The transition temperature T_c, corresponding to the main maximum of the magnetization vs. temperature curves and below which magnetic interactions are observed for a significant fraction of the Fe atoms in the Mössbauer spectra, decreases from 180 K for x=4 down to 100 K for 4.2⩽x⩽4.7 and rises again up to 160 K for x=5. The analysis of the spectra obtained at 5 K is consistent with full occupation of the 8f sites by Fe atoms and sharing of the 8j sites by Fe and Al as deduced from the Rietveld analysis of X-ray powder diffraction data. The Mössbauer spectra further show a dependence of magnetic hyperfine fields and isomer shifts on the crystallographic site and on the number of the Fe nearest neighbours similar to that observed in UFe_xAl_12−x (4⩽x⩽6) and RFe_xAl_12−x (R=Y, Lu, x=4, 4.2). The magnetic properties of the UFe_xAl_12−x and YFe_xAl_12−x series are compared and the magnetic interactions between the different Fe sublattices are discussed.     

A magnetic study of HoMn6Sn6−xGax single crystals (0.14⩽x⩽1.89)

Single crystals of hexagonal HfFe₆Ge₆-type HoMn₆Sn_6−xGa_x compounds (0.14⩽x⩽1.89) have been obtained by a flux method and studied by magnetisation measurements. All the compounds order ferrimagnetically (308⩽T_c⩽386 K) with moments lying in the (0 0 1) plane and undergo a moment reorientation transition at lower temperatures (156⩽T_SR⩽195 K). At 5 K, the moments are aligned along an intermediate direction (44⩽φ_c⩽50°). These results are discussed and compared with the neutron diffraction results related to the isotypic TmMn₆Sn_6−xGa_x and TbMn₆Sn_6−xGa_x series where a change of the easy direction is observed with increasing gallium contents.     

Properties of Hg1−xZnxSe (0.09 ⩽ x ⩽ 1.0) thin films prepared by flash evaporation technique

Flash evaporated mercury zinc selenide films are observed to grow as single phase ternary alloys of the type Hg_1−xZn_xSe in the composition range 0.09 ⩽ x ⩽ 1.0, with a f.c.c./sphalerite structure on substrates maintained at T_s between 30°C and 175°C. The grain size is observed to increase with increase in T_s for all compositions. The films are observed to have a direct optical band gap which increases from 0.01 to 2.60 eV as the Zn concentration x is varied between 0.09 and 1.0. The band gap V_scomposition shows a bowing, typical of pseudobinary solid solutions. Zn rich films were observed to be p-type whereas Hg-rich films were n-type. Room temperature resistivity was observed to increase with Zn concentration x, which can be attributed to the increase in the band gap of the semiconductors. Higher resistivity in films deposited at high substrate temperatures is due to the decrease in contribution to conduction from the highly conducting grain boundaries.     

The magnetism of Zn-doped colossal magnetoresistance materials Fe1−xZnxCr2S4 (0⩽x⩽1)

The polycrystalline samples of Zn-doped Fe_1−xZn_xCr₂S₄ (0⩽x⩽1) were prepared by the conventional solid-state synthesis method. The magnetic homogeneity has been proved by the measurements of the alternating current (AC) magnetic susceptibility. We presented a detailed study of Zn-doping effect on the magnetism. It is found that the magnetism does not change monotonically with substituting nonmagnetic Zn²⁺ ions for Fe²⁺ ions. The difference between the magnetic moments for the samples with respective doping level can be ascribed to the variation of compensation between the Fe²⁺ and Cr³⁺ sublattices as the Fe²⁺ concentration is varied. The Zn-doping leads to spin reversal of Cr³⁺ ions. Based on the spin orientation of Fe²⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions in FeCr₂S₄ and ZnCr₂S₄ at 0 K, we suggest a phenomenological model describing the magnetism and the doping level dependence of the up-spin proportion of Cr³⁺ ions. The up-spin proportion of Cr³⁺ ions, denoted by y, as a function of doping level in zero fields is linear. However, y in magnetic fields cannot be fitted linearly, which shows a maximum. The above results can be described qualitatively by the effect of the applied magnetic field on the AB, AA, and BB interactions of the spinels with the formula ABS₄.     

Preparation and properties of substances in the series Cd2−xAg2xP2Se6, 0⩽x⩽2

Cd₂P₂Se₆ - Ag₄P₂Se₆ system was investigated and Cd_2−xAg_2xP₂Se₆ mixed crystals have been found for 0<x<0.3. Their conductivity has been found to have ionic character. Silver ion conductivity values are reported. From diffuse reflectance data, the bandgaps for Cd₂P₂Se₆ and Ag₄P₂Se₆ have been estimated as equal to 2.4 eV and 1.8 eV, respectively.     

Critical behavior of single crystal CuCr2Se4−x Br x (x=0.25)

The doping of bromine has prominent effect on the transport properties of CuCr₂Se₄, where the conductivity of CuCr₂Se_4?x Br _x changes from metallic behavior with x=0 to semiconductor with x=1. In this work, the critical behavior of single crystal CuCr₂Se_4?x Br _x with x=0.25, which lies at the boundary between the metallic and insulating state, is investigated through the magnetization under high magnetic field. The critical exponents β=0.39±0.03 and γ=1.25±0.05 are obtained by the Kouvel–Fisher method, and δ=4.79±0.01 is generated by the critical iso-thermal analysis. The obtained exponent β is close to the prediction of the three-dimensional (3D) Heisenberg model, while γ approaches that of the 3D-Ising model. Although the bromine doping has prominent effect on the transport behavior, the critical exponents are hardly changed. The obtained results indicate that the ferromagnetism is established through one-dimensional Cr–Se–Cr bonds. However, the nearest-neighbor magnetic interaction belonging to the 3D-Heisenberg model also contributes to the ferromagnetic exchange.     

Colossal magnetoresistance in La0.7Ca0.3−xHgxMnO3 (0⩽x⩽0.2) system over wide temperature range

The divalent substitutions in rare-earth manganites create quenched disorders; those are responsible for the modification of magnetoelectronic properties through competition of two phases. In this regards, the substitution of divalent Hg is rarely studied. Here, we present the results on effect of Hg²⁺ substitution in LCMO manganites. We have synthesized polycrystalline samples with nominal compositions La_0.7Ca_0.3?xHg_xMnO₃ (0?x?0.2) by the standard solid-state reaction method. The X-ray diffraction data revealed monophasic nature without a signature of Hg related or any other impurity phase. The ac susceptibility measurement showed variation in the magnetic transition temperature as well as the transition width. The electrical resistivity measurement showed variation in metal-insulator transition temperature. The magnetoresistance (MR) measurements were carried out at 5 T magnetic field. The samples show varying magnitude of magnetoresistance as high as 74.48%. The distinct feature seen with Hg substitution is the increase in the magnitude of MR and temperature range over which MR value is sustained. It also improves the microstructure of the samples.     

Pressure effect on magnetic properties of NdMn2−xFexGe2 (0.1⩽x⩽1.0) series of solid solutions

Temperature and pressure dependence of magnetic properties in the NdMn_2−xFe_xGe₂ series of solid solutions (0.1⩽x⩽1.0) are reported. The (P, T) magnetic phase diagrams are determined on the basis of the AC magnetic susceptibility measured in a weak magnetic field. The measurements were carried out under hydrostatic pressure up to 1.5 GPa in the temperature range 80−430 K. The reported data show that in the studied series of solid solutions, a drastic change in magnetic properties takes place in a narrow dilution parameter range (0.4⩽x⩽0.5). While taking into account the magnetic properties, the studied range of Fe content could be divided into four regions. Only in the case of x=0.3 and 0.4, the external pressure significantly influences the magnetic properties of the samples.     

X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer Studies of γ′-(Fe1−xSnx)4N compounds (0.0⩽x⩽0.3)

The structure and magnetic properties of γ′-(Fe_1−xSn_x)₄N samples have been studied using X-ray diffraction and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. It has been shown that the single-phase (Fe_1−xSn_x)₄N compounds can be prepared in the composition range of 0.0⩽x⩽0.3, which have the similar structure as γ′-Fe₄N The lattice parameter with the increase of Sn concentration can be well fitted with two linear relationships a₀(x)=3.795+0.019x (with x⩽0.10 ) and a₀(x)=3.797+0.228(x−0.10) (with 0.1⩽x⩽ 0.3). The fitting results of Mössbauer spectra indicate that the hyperfine parameters have the same changing tendency with lattice parameter, and the Sn atoms have a preference to be located at the corner site.     

Characterizing ZnS x Se(1 − x) films of various compositions via EXAFS spectroscopy

ZnS _x Se_{(1 ? x)} (x = 0.36, 0.68, and 0.73) films of various compositions are prepared by the thermal deposition of a mixture of zinc sulfide and zinc selenide powders in ultrahigh vacuum. It is shown that the produced films and the source materials are close in chemical composition. The crystal structure of the films is studied via X-ray diffraction. The local atomic environment of selenium and zinc atoms is studied by means of EXAFS spectroscopy.     

Exchange integrals and magnetic short range order in the system CdCr2−xGaxSe4(0⩽x⩽0.06)

High-temperature series expansions are derived for the magnetic susceptibility and two-spin correlation functions for a Heisenberg ferromagnetic model on the B-spinel lattice. The calculations are developed in the framework of the random phase approximation and are given for both nearest and next-nearest neighbour exchange integrals $J_1$ and $J_2$, respectively. Our results are given up to order 6 in $\beta =(k_{\mathrm{B}}T{)}^{-1}$and are used to study the paramagnetic region of the ferromagnetic spinel CdCr_2−xGa_xSe₄. The critical temperature $T_{\mathrm{c}}$ and the critical exponents $\gamma$ and $\nu$ associated with the magnetic susceptibility $\chi (T)$ and the correlation length $\xi (T)$, respectively are deduced by applying the Padé approximate methods. The results as a function of the dilution x obtained by the present approach are found to be in agreement with the experimental ones.     

Mössbauer study of an amorphous iron III flouride: FeF3, xHF (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1)

A ferric amorphous flouride FeF₃, xHF with 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1 synthesized by a soft chemistry reaction was studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy. The hyperfine characteristics are very close to those of deposited variety previously published: they show that the Fe³⁺ ions are surrounded by weakly distorted octahedra of flourine atoms. The study under external magnetic field indicates that the spins are randomly distributed: FeF₃, xHF has a speromagnetic behaviour like deposited amorphous FeF₃. Elsewhere the similarity between the two amorphous forms is confirmed by susceptibility measurements.     

Photovoltaic structures using AgSb(S x Se1−x )2 thin films as absorber

Photovoltaic structures were prepared using AgSb(S _x Se_1?x )₂ as absorber and CdS as window layer at various conditions via a hybrid technique of chemical bath deposition and thermal evaporation followed by heat treatments. Silver antimony sulfo selenide thin films [AgSb(S _x Se_1?x )₂] were prepared by heating multilayers of sequentially deposited Sb₂S₃/Ag dipped in Na₂SeSO₃ solution, glass/Sb₂S₃/Ag/Se. For this, Sb₂S₃ thin films were deposited from a chemical bath containing SbCl₃ and Na₂S₂O₃. Then, Ag thin films were thermally evaporated on glass/Sb₂S₃, followed by selenization by dipping in an acidic solution of Na₂SeSO₃. The duration of dipping was varied as 3, 4 and 5 h. Two different heat treatments, one at 350 °C for 20 min in vacuum followed by a post-heat treatment at 325 °C for 2 h in Ar, and the other at 350 °C for 1 h in Ar, were applied to the multilayers of different configurations. X-ray diffraction results showed the formation of AgSb(S _x Se_1?x )₂ thin films as the primary phase and AgSb(S,Se)₂ and Sb₂S₃ as secondary phases. Morphology and elemental detection were done by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies showed the depthwise composition of the films. Optical properties were determined by UV–vis–IR transmittance and reflection spectral analysis. AgSb(S _x Se_1?x )₂ formed at different conditions was incorporated in PV structures glass/FTO/CdS/AgSb(S _x Se_1?x )₂/C/Ag. Chemically deposited post-annealed CdS thin films of various thicknesses were used as window layer. J–V characteristics of the cells were measured under dark and AM1.5 illumination. Analysis of the J–V characteristics resulted in the best solar cell parameters of V _oc = 520 mV, J _sc = 9.70 mA cm^?2, FF = 0.50 and η = 2.7 %.     

Structural deformations of the cubic lattice of the Zn1 ? x Fe x Se (x = 0.001) crystal

The structural state of a Zn_{1 ? x} Fe _x Se (x = 0.001) crystal has been studied using thermal neutron diffraction. The diffraction patterns of the cubic crystal have been found to contain diffuse scattering regions concentrated in the vicinity of the strong Bragg reflections. It has been shown that the diffuse scattering effects are due to local transverse displacements of the crystal lattice atoms, and these displacements are induced by iron ions that demonstrate the static Jahn-Teller effect of the tetragonal type in the ZnSe compound.