Coupling in Fe(2 ML)/V(y ML) and Fe(2 ML)/V(y ML)/Fe(3 ML)/V(y ML) (y ≥ 4) superlattices

Fe(2 ML)/V(y ML) and interleaved Fe(2 ML)/V(y ML)/Fe(3 ML)/V(y ML) superlattice systems with spacer thicknesses, y, (4 ≤ y ≤ 17) were investigated macro-magnetically to estimate the coupling strength and the magnetoresistance in these materials, and particularly in the antiferromagnetically coupled monolayers. The results from the magnetic and magnetoresistive measurements indicate that adding one monolayer of Fe increases the antiferromagnetic coupling and the magnetoresistivity ratio from 0.0075 mJ/m² at 20 K and 2 % at 10 K for Fe(2 ML)/V(y ML), to 0.05 mJ/m² and 2.5 % for Fe(2 ML)/V(y ML)/Fe(3 ML)/V(y ML) at the same temperatures. Both systems exhibit in-plane magnetic and magnetoresistive isotropy, therefore the increase of the conferred physical parameters is attributed mainly to the stresses at the interface as governing mechanisms over the magnetoelastic forces.      

Ultrasonic investigation in KTaO3

The anomalous ultrasonic attenuationα _c of longitudinal waves propagating along (100) direction in KTaO₃ has been analyzed above the phase transition temperature in the frequency range 150–300 MHz in the paraelectric phase. The attenuation of longitudinal ultrasonic waves in KTaO₃ is primarily due to a strong interaction with thermally-excited phonons in the soft mode. Frequency and temperature variations of attenuation are discussed.     

Field-induced splitting of the OH-Stretch absorption line in KTaO3 and KTaO3 :Li

Abstract

We have studied the electric field-induced splitting of a single OH stretch mode in KTaO₃ and KTaO₃ :Li. For the three prominent directions [100], [110] and [111] we observed polarized splitting patterns with up to six components. The line positions exhibit no mirror symmetry with respect to the zero-field frequency. This behaviour can be interpreted by taking into account a field-dependent shift of the Ta⁵⁺ ion and a change of the covalent character of the bond. Li-doped KTaO₃ samples show for [Li] < 2mol% a line broadening, while for [Li] < 3.5 mol% a field dependent phase transition has been observed with evidence for a 90 degree domain structure.     

High photorefractive sensitivity at 860 nm in reduced rhodium-doped KNbO(3)

We show that high-temperature reduction in a CO-CO(2) atmosphere increases the photorefractive sensitivity of KNbO(3):Rh at 860nm by 4 orders of magnitude compared with that of the as-grown crystal. The effective trap density is increased by a factor of 3, and the photoconductivity by a factor of 30, and the photorefractive response at a grating spacing of 0.15 mu;m is accelerated by a factor of 400. The grating buildup time at a grating spacing of 0.7 microm and an intensity of 1Wcm(-2) is 0.5 s, a value comparable with that of as-grown KNbO(3):Fe at visible wavelengths. The optical and photorefractive parameters of Rh-doped KNbO(3) subjected to reduction treatment are characterized for wavelengths of 0.48-1.064 microm .     

Anisotropic self-diffraction in KNbO3

Anisotropic diffraction and self-diffraction processes in KNbO₃ crystals are investigated utilizing the large elementr ₅₁ of the electro-optic tensor. Geometrical conditions, polarization changes, phase conjugation, phase doubling and the dynamics of hologram recording are studied theoretically and experimentally. Anisotropic diffraction with equal or different frequencies for recording and reading permits the determination of photo- and dark conductivity. Further material properties are estimated on the assumption that the charge transport is governed by diffusion effects.     

O(3) symmetric merons in an SU(3) Yang-Mills theory

We investigate irreducible, O(3) symmetric multiple-meron solutions to the classical SU(3) Yang-Mills equations in four-dimensional Euclidean space. The solutions have topological charge density equal to a sum of delta-functions with integer coefficients, and correspond to solutions of a system of two coupled singular elliptic equations. We prove the existence of twomeron solutions of the coupled system.Supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. PHY77-18762.     

Shallow traps in pure KTaO 3 crystals

We made Thermally Stimulated Conductivity (TSC), Thermoluminescence (TL) and Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) measurements on single crystals of potassium tantalate in the temperature range 4.2-290 v K. We revealed two sorts of O m shallow hole centers which are responsible for Photoconductivity (PC) and Photoluminescence (PL) enhancement. Both O m centers were identified by their ESR spectra. We show that these centers serve as radiative electron-hole recombination centers. The measurements of TSC and TL after UV irradiation revealed several glow peaks at temperatures 18-30 v K and 65-70 v K. Both TSC and TL are attributed to the thermal ionization of the same shallow donor centers related with oxygen vacancies. Experimental data were treated in a simple one-trap/one-recombination center model, which takes into account the presence of "thermally disconnected" deep electron traps.     

Defect solitons supported by parity-time symmetric defects in superlattices

The existence and stability of defect solitons supported by parity-time (PT) symmetric defects in superlattices are investigated. In the semi-infinite gap, in-phase solitons are found to exist stably for positive defects, zero defects, and negative defects. In the first gap, out-of-phase solitons are stable for positive defects or zero defects, whereas in-phase solitons are stable for negative defects. For both the in-phase and out-of-phase solitons with the positive defect and in-phase solitons with negative defect in the first gap, there exists a cutoff point of the propagation constant below which the defect solitons vanish. The value of the cutoff point depends on the depth of defect and the imaginary parts of the PT symmetric defect potentials. The influence of the imaginary part of the PT symmetric defect potentials on soliton stability is revealed.     

Unusual behavior of the ferroelectric polarization in PbTiO3/SrTiO3 superlattices

Artificial PbTiO3/SrTiO3 superlattices were constructed using off-axis rf magnetron sputtering. X-ray diffraction and piezoelectric atomic force microscopy were used to study the evolution of the ferroelectric polarization as the ratio of PbTiO3 to SrTiO3 was changed. For PbTiO3 layer thicknesses larger than the 3-unit cell SrTiO3 thickness used in the structure, the polarization is found to be reduced as the thickness is decreased. This observation confirms the primary role of the depolarization field in the polarization reduction in thin films. For the samples with ratios of PbTiO3 to SrTiO3 of less than one, a surprising recovery of ferroelectricity that cannot be explained by electrostatic considerations was observed.     

Two-dimensional type I quadratic spatial solitons in KNbO(3) near noncritical phase matching

Experiments on the properties of quadratic, two-dimensional spatial soliton properties in KNbO(3) near and at noncritical phase matching (NCPM) are reported. The NCPM geometry leads to unique features such as a large angular bandwidth for soliton generation, weak dependence of soliton composition on intensity and incidence angle, and unique multisoliton-generation properties.     

Protons and other defects in Fe-doped KTaO3

The properties of defects in Fe-doped KTaO₃, both in the form of single crystals and polycrystalline ceramics, have been investigated for a wide range of Fe concentrations. The techniques employed included infrared (IR) absorption, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and ac electrical conductivity together with complex-impedance analysis. Samples were pretreated (at 900° C) in water vapor to introduce protons which take the form of OH^· _O defects, and were also treated at various oxygen partial pressures. A calibration of the OH^– IR absorption band was carried out with the aid of a deuterium nuclear-probe method. EPR showed cubic and axial Fe³⁺ spectra, but only the axial spectrum appeared for crystals with high Fe concentrations. Pre-dominantly proton conductivity was observed for samples treated in reducing atmospheres, and a proton-hopping activation energy of 0.73 eV was deduced. For samples treated in high oxygen pressures, however, hole conduction dominated. Evidence for proton interaction effects was also found, but the nature of the traps is not clear.     

Intervalley electron scattering by phonons in (AlAs)1(GaAs)3(001) superlattices

Intervalley electron scattering by phonons in (AlAs)₁(GaAs)₃(001) superlattices is studied using the pseudopotential method and a phenomenological model of the bonding forces. The deformation potentials between the conduction band extrema of the superlattice involving short-and long-wavelength phonons are calculated. It is shown that the mixing of states from the zinc-blende L valleys plays a greater role in intervalley scattering in a superlattice than the Γ-X mixing. In particular, due to L-L mixing, the Γ-X ₃ transitions, analogous to Γ-L transitions in zinc blende, have higher intensities than the analogues of Γ-X transitions (Γ₁-M ₅ and (Γ₁-Γ₃ transitions). The deformation potentials averaged over the scattering channels in the superlattice agree with the corresponding potentials in a solid solution, but all transitions in the superlattice have higher intensities for the lower states.     

OH stretching vibrations in monodomain KNbO3

Infrared absorption bands due to OH stretching vibrations have been investigated in monodomain KNbO₃ at different temperatures. The results obtained in the orthorhombic phase for polarized light suggest hydrogen positions predominantly along the O-O directions of the oxygen octahedron parallel to the spontaneous polarization.     

The structure of strained perovskite KTaO(3) thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition

Epitaxial perovskite potassium tantalate (KTaO(3)) films with thicknesses of 7.4-36?nm are grown on SrTiO(3)(001) substrates by pulsed laser deposition. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals evolution of lattice strain with increasing film thickness. A biaxial compressive in-plane strain as large as -?2.1% is obtained in the 7.4?nm-thick film. A bi-layer microstructure is detected in the 18?nm-thick film, suggesting the possibility for an abrupt strain relaxation.     

Self-trapping of one-dimensional and two-dimensional optical beams and induced waveguides in photorefractive KNbO(3)

We demonstrate self-trapping of one-dimensional and two-dimensional optical beams in a photorefractive KNbO(3) crystal. We study the waveguides induced by the self-trapped beams for prospective applications of tunable nonlinear frequency conversion in soliton-induced waveguides.