Oxygen content of superconducting Ba2YCu3O6.5+x

Single-phase non-stoichiometric Ba₂YCu₃O_6.5+x with –0.248x0.300 can be obtained by annealing prereacted samples at 0.01–1 bar oxygen partial pressure. Samples withx=–0.248 are semiconducting, samples at 0.239x0.300 are metallic withT _c increasing from 92.2 to 94.0 K for annealing in 0.02–1 bar O₂.     

Valence change of europium in the Eu(Ir1−x Pd x )2Si2 silicides

Eu(Ir_1–x Pd _x )₂Si₂ solid solutions which exist only for 0x0.125 and 0.75x1 crystallize in the tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂-type structure. X-ray diffraction data, magnetic susceptibility and¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer measurements suggest that these compounds can be characterized as homogeneous mixed valence systems. At room temperature and for 0x0.125, the europium valence decreases asx increases. For 0.75x1, a sharp continuous valence transition from Eu²⁺ to Eu³⁺ occurs near 48 K, 54 K and 78 K forx=0.75, 0.81 and 0.94 respectively. These valence changes are discussed in relation with the Eu–(Ir, Pd) interatomic distance.     

Measurement of the refractive index and optical absorption spectra of epitaxial bismuth substituted yttrium iron garnet films at uv to near-ir wavelengths

Refractive-index and optical-absorption spectra of Bi-substituted yttrium iron garnet films, epitaxially grown by liquid-phase epitaxy, have been measured in the spectral regime 0.26 m1.9 m by thin-film interference for 0.52 m and by ellipsometry for0.52 m. The Y_3–x–y Bi _x Pb _y Fe_5–z Pt _z O₁₂ films contain bismuth in the range Ox 1.42, lead in the range 0.01 y0.08 and platinum in the range 0.005<=z0.03. There is satisfactory coincidence between the results from ellipsometry and thin-film interference in the overlapping wavelength region. The materials investigated are the same as reported earlier from this laboratory in ter mof their magnetic and magnetooptic properties.     

On the magnetic susceptibility of the liquid Pd1−x Si x alloy system at 1825 K

The isothermal magnetic susceptibility (x) of the completely miscible liquid Pd_1–x Si _x alloy system shows a rapid monotonous decrease withx from strong paramagnetism to weaklyx-dependent diamagnetism. The measured susceptibility isotherm at 1825 K is analysed within 0x1 by using a semiphenomenological method of decomposing the magnetic susceptibility into its constituent parts. Because of the empirical similarity between liquid and glassy metals this interpretation also provides assertions about the magnetism of glassy Pd_1–x Si _x aroundx=0.2.     

Magnetic properties of Nd3+ in Nd−Ba−Cu−O-compounds

Neutron diffraction, neutron spectroscopy and magnetization measurements have been employed to study the structural, electronic, and magnetic behavior of eleven compounds with the general formula Nd_1+y Ca _v Ba_2–y–v Cu₃O _x (0y0.5; 0v0.25; 6x7). The structure turned out to react to oxygen reduction similar as other 123-compounds, yielding discontinuities close to the metal-insulator-transition and the well-known relations of bond lengths as a function ofT _c. The crystalline electric field (CEF) interaction, splitting the 10-fold degenerate ground-state J-multiplet of the Nd³⁺-ions into five doublet states, was investigated by neutron spectroscopy. The derived CEF parameters have been used to determine changes in the electronic surroundings of the Nd³⁺ ions. In addition, with the help of the CEF parameters the thermodynamic magnetic properties of these compounds were calculated which turn out to be in good agreement with the experimental data.     

An unambiguous procedure for discovering relaxation influence on Mössbauer spectra

A mathematical procedure which gives an opportunity to distinguish between relaxation and distribution mechanisms of the Mössbauer line broadening is proposed. It is based on the method of Mössbauer line sharpening developed recently [1] and allows one to answer unambiguously the question whether or not relaxation manifests itself in Mössbauer measurements by examining the wings of the spectrum. The procedure is applied to the spectra of high spin ferric metmyoglobin and (Fe_0.65Ni_0.35)_1–x Mn _x alloys. Analysis of the metmyoglobin spectra manifests the presence of the relaxation influence in the temperature range 10 KT100 K. Analysis of the alloy spectra shows that for the temperatures 4 KT300 K and Mn concentrations 0x0.245 no relaxation is observed and the line broadening is mainly caused by the distributions of magnetic hyperfine fields. A possible explanation of this result is given.     

Properties of RF sputtered ZnxCd1−xS thin films

Zn _x Cd_1–x S thin films (0x0.20) were prepared using rf sputtering in argon atmosphere and characterized using X-ray diffraction, optical transmission, electrical resistivity and photoconductive decay measurements. The films were found to possess hexagonal structure. The crystallite size and degree of preferential orientation were found to decrease with the increase ofx and to improve upon annealing in vacuum at 250 °C. The transmission edge shifted towards shorter wavelengths with the increase ofx in agreement with the expected shift in the energy band gap. The films were found to exhibit room temperature resistivity in the range 100–1000 cm. The obtained values of long wavelength transmission (70–80%) and minority carrier diffusion length (30 m) are high enough for the application of these films in the field of solar cells.     

57Fe Mössbauer investigations in the series Fe4−2xRuxSix(1.0≦x≦1.7)

⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer and magnetization studies on a new series Fe_4–2xRu_xSi_x (1.0x1.7) are reported. The system is seen to transform from a collinear ferromagnet for x1.2 to a cluster spin glass for x>=1.54 In the intermediate region the magnetic behaviour of the system, as probed by the Mössbauer effect, is dominated by the presence of clusters and their dynamics. The alloys have large ordering temperatures ( 750 K) throughout the series except for x>1.54 where they drop sharply. The moment values, in contrast, fall sharply from 4.8_B at x=1 to 0.5_B at x=1.6C. The average value of the HF at⁵⁷Fe measured at 15 K does not change significantly throughout the series.     

On the magnetic susceptibility of Pd1−x Ag x in the range 0.5≦x≦1

The weak variation of the magnetic bulk susceptibility of Pd_1–x Ag _x with temperature T and silver mole fractionx within 0.5x1 has been investigated in the range 5KT400K. Experimental evidence can be given for an intersection point of the susceptibility isotherms (T=const,x) atx=0.55. The observed dependence of on T andx is interpreted by means of a semiphenomenological alloy susceptibility function (T,x).     

Effect of thallium on magnetic susceptibility of arsenic sulphides

Magnetic susceptibility was studied of samples of Tl_2xAs₂S_3+x and Tl_2xAs₂S₄ series where 0x1 differing in abundance of bonds in structural units. Absolute value of specific magnetic susceptibility decreases with increasing thallium content. Separation of susceptibility in dia- and paramagnetic parts made it possible to refer to the correlation of absorption edge position and paramagnetic susceptibility component.     

The Peierls transition of Perylene radical cation salts with 2:1 stoichiometry containing tetrahydrofuran

Crystal structure, microwave conductivity and static magnetic susceptibility were analyzed for the conducting perylene (PE) radical cation salts of nominal composition (PE)₂(PF₆)_1–x (AsF₆) _x ·2/3 THF for 0x1. Crystallographic phase transitions in the high-temperature metal phase were also characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and electron spin resonance. The Peierls transition occuring at 100–120 K (depending onx) and the opening of the energy gap in the semiconductor phase were determined from the magnetic data. The dependence of these properties on the size of the complex anions and the packing of the PE molecules is discussed.     

Hyperbolic initial-boundary-value problem for magnetic flux compression by plane liners

Based on the (relativistic) Maxwell equations with displacement current E/t, the initial-boundary-value problem for the compression of an initially homogeneous magnetic fieldB={0,B(x,t),0} between a fixed liner atx=0 and a detonation-driven liner atx=s(t) is solved analytically. By homogenizing the boundary conditions at the moving boundary, the transient electromagnetic fields are shown to be a superposition of quasistatic elliptic (E/t=0) and hyperbolic (E/t0) wave solutions. The wave equation is solved by a Fourier expansion in time-dependent eigenfunctionsf _n =f _n [nx/s(t)] for the variable region 0xs(t), where the Fourier amplitudes _n (t) are determined by coupled differential equations of second order. It is concluded that the conventional elliptic flux compression theories (E/t=0) hold approximately for nonrelativistic liner speeds , whereas the hyperbolic theory (E/t0) is valid for arbitrary liner speeds .     

The small momentum transfer k L o C→K S 0 C regeneration at high energies

Results of the first elastic K _S ^o regeneration experiment on carbon, using magnetic spark chamber spectrometer, are presented in the beam momentum interval 10p50 GeV/c. The d ifferentia cross section d/dt is reconstructed in the range 0·0025–t0·02 (GeV/c)² and its slopeB is found to be momentum independent with an average valueB=(65±11) (GeV/c)^–2. The results are in agreement with the calculations using the coherent production model.     

On the suppression of superconductivity in ErBa2Cu3Ox

Powder samples of ErBa₂Cu₃O_x prepared by a desorption-absorption procedure were studied by susceptibility and neutron-diffraction experiments for variousx(6x7). The suppression of superconductivity does not coincide with the orthorhombic-to-tetragonal phase transition, but with a significant charge redistribution between the Cu–O chains and planes. Upon oxygen removal, asT _c (x)O, step-like anomalies are observed in some bonding lengths and atomic distances, which support an all-electronic mechanism for the oxide superconductivity.     

LaAg x In1−x

The structures of LaAg _x In_1–x alloys withx=0.75, 0.89 are determined by neutron diffraction on powder samples. The space group isI4/mmm (D _4h ^/17 ). The lattice constants splitting, the order parameter and the mean square vibrational amplitudes of the atoms are given in the temperature range from 20 KT300 K.     

Ion irradiation—a technique providing a criterion to distinguish between amorphous and nanocrystalline In1−x Pd x films

In_1–x Pd _x films with 0.2x0.75 have been prepared by vapour quenching at 4.2 K or 77 K, respectively. To test whether amorphous (a-) phases can be obtained in this way, the resistance behavior and the electron diffraction patterns of the as-prepared and annealed films were studied insitu. For films withx=0.25 additional information could be acquired from their superconducting behavior. Combining these results one concludes that a-phases exist for the compositional range 0.2x0.6, which are stable up to crystallization temperaturesT _x within the range 250 KT _x 420 K. Irradiation of the crystallized films at low temperatures (4.2 K or 77 K) with heavy ions (350 keV Ar⁺ or Kr⁺) leads to complete re-amorphization. Forx=0.67 corresponding to InPd₂ a nanocrystalline (n-) phase is obtained by vapour quenching at 77 K as inferred from x-ray diffraction. AtT _x =700 K, thesen-films exhibit a drop of the electrical resistance indicating the beginning of significant grain growth. After recooling, Kr⁺ bombardment at 77 K does not restore the high electrical resistance of the as-quenchedn-film. This result can be used as a criterion when studying quenched films withx=0.625 corresponding to In₃Pd₅. In this case, a resistance drop is found atT _x =600 K, but the diffraction techniques do not allow an uniquevocal distinction between amorphous and nanocrystalline. This becomes possible by low temperature ion irradiation after annealing atT>T _x . The bombardment results in resistance changes, which saturate well-below the value of the as-quenched sample implying nanocrystallinity for the latter. Based on this criterion, a phase-diagram for quenched In_1–x Pd _x is provided with 0x1 containing the newly detecteda- andn-phases.     

Properties of yttrium-iron-metalloid glasses

We report the results of measurements on metallic glasses of the form Y₆₆(Fe_1–x M _x )₃₄. For M = B we find that there is an extended range of glass formation (0x0.40) and that properties such as atomic density, electrical resistivity, microhardness, and thermal stability are functions ofx. For M = C, Si, or Ge we find a restricted range of glass formation (0 x0.10) and no significant changes in the properties of the glasses. Using Fe⁵⁷ Mössbauer effect spectroscopy we find that the M = B case is again unique in that the structure of the glass is sensitive to B content. We relate the differences in glass formation for the M = B and M = C, Si, Ge glasses to the existence of Y rich compounds in the C, Si, and Ge cases and the lack of such compounds in the M = B case.     

The electrical resistivity of the reentrant spin glass alloys (Fe0.65Ni0.35)1−x Mn x in the temperature range 4 to 280 K

The specific electrical resistivityp(T) was measured for the reentrant spin glass system (Fe_0.65Ni_0.35)_1–x Mn _x (0x0.102) in the temperature range 4 KT280 K. We used our own phenomenological ansatz to explain the results obtained in order to provide the fitted parameters with physical meaning. The cause of the observed minimum in the measured curves can be given by a model of local magnetism.     

Phases and phase transitions in the mixed molecular system (NaCN)1−x(KCN)x

The phase diagram of (NaCN)_1–x(KCN)_x was examined by neutron powder diffraction in the temperature range 5K T300 K. Several non-cubic low-temperature phases were identified for concentrationsx<x _c1=0.15 andxx _c2=0.89. Lattice parameters and ferroelastic deformations were determined from the observed powder patterns. The phase transformations were characterized following the temperature dependence of the appropriate order parameters.     

Singular measures without restrictive intervals

For the transformationT:[0,1][0,1] defined byT(x)=x(1–x) with 04, a is shown to exist for whichT has no restrictive intervals, hence is sensitive to initial conditions, but for which no finite absolutely continuous invariant measure exists forT.Supported by the U.S. Army Research Office through the Mathematical Sciences Institute of Cornell University