Annealing effect on the superconductivity of In2O3–ZnO thin films

We have investigated the relation among ρ–T characteristics, superconductivity, annealing conditions and the crystallinity of polycrystalline (In₂O₃)_1−x–(ZnO)_x films. We annealed as-grown amorphous films in air by changing annealing temperature and time. It is found that the films annealed at 200 °C or 300 °C for a time over 0.5 h shows the superconductivity. Transition temperature T_c and the carrier density n are T_c < 3.3 K and n ≈ 10²⁵–10²⁶ m⁻³, respectively. Investigations for films with x = 0.01 annealed at 200 °C have revealed that the T_c, n and crystallinity depend systematically on annealing time. Further, we consider that there is a suitable annealing time for sharp resistive transition because the transition width becomes wider with longer annealing times. We studied the upper critical magnetic field H_c2(T) for the film with different annealing time. From the slope of dH_c2/dT for all films, we have obtained the resistivity ρ dependence of the coherence length ξ(0) at T = 0 K.     

An analysis of DC conductivity in terms of degradation mechanisms induced by thermal aging in polypyrrole/polyaniline blends

Measurements of the d.c. electrical conductivity on thermally treated polypyrrole/polyaniline (PPy/PANI) samples, in which the PPy content increased by 10% w.w. starting from pure PANI to pure PPy, followed a σ(t, T) = σ₀(t)exp[−(T₀/T)^1/2] law. This is consistent with a heterogeneous structure of the granular metal type, in which aging is accompanied by the shrinking of the conductive grains causing the decrease of the sample conductivity, a process which is described by the increase of the parameter T₀. The preexponential factor σ₀(t) depends on the intrinsic conductivity of the grains and geometrical factors affecting the carrier paths through the energy barriers, as are the grain size distribution and the mean volume occupied by the conducting grains in the material. It was found that for the samples as a whole the thermal aging law, which predicts ln σ(t, T)∝t^1/2 is followed for a given temperature T, where t is the time of the thermal treatment, in accordance with a granular metal type structure. On the other hand, the preexponential factor σ₀(t) decreases with the aging, following a different law [σ(t = 0, T)−σ(t, T)]/σ(t = 0, T)∝t^1/2, where σ(t = 0, T) is the initial value of σ₀(t), that of the fresh sample. This law reveals an aging caused by a degradation proceeding into the interior of the grains in a diffusion-like manner. So, the two different laws of aging, one from T₀ and the other from σ₀, reveal that the aging does not simply reduce the size of the grains, but affects their interior, this degradation decreases with depth.     

Effect of annealing temperature on some physical properties of MgB2 by using the Hall probe ac-susceptibility method

A commercially available powder of MgB₂ is used as starting material for the examination of the influence of the annealing temperature on the properties of this intermediate-T_c superconductor. We performed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Hall ac-susceptibility measurements as a function of temperature and ac-field amplitude on samples annealed at 650, 750, 850 and 950 °C. The imaginary part of ac-susceptibility measurements is used to calculate both the inter-granular critical current density, J_c(T_p) and density of pinning force, α_j(0). It was observed that all T_c, J_c(T_p) and α_j(0) exhibit a non-monotonic behavior on the annealing temperature range studied in this work. T_c is measured to be 39.85±0.02 K and J_c(T_p) is estimated to be as high as 60 A/cm² at 39.2 K for the sample annealed at 850 °C. The peak temperature, T_p, in the imaginary part of the ac-susceptibility curves shifts to lower temperatures with both decreasing the annealing temperature and increasing the amplitude of the ac-magnetic fields. A comparison of the experimental ac-susceptibility data with theoretical critical-state models that are currently available is performed. SEM investigations showed that the grain size increases, and the grain connectivity improves when the annealing temperature increases up to 850 °C. The possible reasons for the observed changes in transport, microstructure and magnetic properties due to annealing temperature are discussed.     

Energy levels of vanadium ions in CdTe

In CdTe doped with vanadium the photoluminescence due to the ³ T ₂(F) ³ A ₂(F) transition of V³⁺(d ²) is detected. Its decay time is determined as (630±20) s, a result comparable to the analogous emissions in various host lattices. Further emissions around 5000 cm^–1 and 9000 cm^–1 are caused by charge-transfer transitions or bound-exciton decay. Excitation and sensitization spectra yield information on the positions of the energy levels within the gap, which are discussed using two different models. At T=4.2 K, the distance of the V²⁺/V³⁺ donor level is 7300 cm^–1 and 5700 cm^–1 referred to the valence and the conduction band edges, respectively. The absence of V²⁺(d ³) centres is tentatively ascribed to the existence of deeply bound excitons.     

Changes in electrical properties in α- and γ-exposed PADC track detector

The changes in the dielectric properties and temperature dependence of the d.c. conductivity of α-exposed poly allyl diglycol carbonate (PADC) have been studied. On α-irradiation the dielectric constant (′) as a function of frequency has been found to decrease significantly. The temperature dependence of resistivity in pristine and γ-irradiated samples is of the form ρ(T)=ρ_∝ exp(T₀/T) which can be attributed to conduction of thermally generated carriers. In case of (γ+α) irradiated samples the temperature dependence of resistivity is of the form ρ(T)=ρ_∝ exp(T₀/T)^1/2 which is due to one-dimensional hopping of carriers.     

NMR relaxation times and proton motion in HxWO3

The relaxation timesT ₁,T _1q,T _1D, andT ₂ for¹H in the tetragonal-A phase of H_xWO₃ have been measured over the temperature range 190 to 490 K. The¹H relaxation behaviour appears to be governed by diffusion over inequivalent jump distances, approximating to a short range planar diffusion and a long range isotropic diffusion. Parameters for the latter motion are estimated asE _a = 68 kJ/mol and ₀=2.5×10^–13 s. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern for this phase of H_xWO₃ has been studied over the temperature range 300–470 K. The tetragonal distortion diminishes with temperature and H_0.43 WO₃ becomes cubic at about 435 K. Volumetric studies of hydrogen evolution show that decomposition accelerates at approximately this temperature.     

Note on the interfacial tension of phase-separated polymer solutions

Earlier theoretical calculations of the interfacial tension of phase-separated polymer solutions as a function of the degree of polymerizationN and the temperatureT, based partly on the mean-field approximation, had led toN ^–1/4(1–T/T _c )^3/2 for fixedN1 andT approaching the critical solution temperatureT _c It is here remarked that the scaling procedure of de Gennes then modifies this toN ^–0.37(1–T/T _c )^1.26, which is in close accord with the experimentalN ^–0.44(1–T/T _c )^1.26. The simplest mean-field picture yieldsN ^–1/2(1–T/T _c )^3/2.     

Gas‐Kinetic Temperature of Planar High‐Frequency Capacitive Discharge Plasma in N2/CO2/He Gas Mixtures

Using methods of emission spectroscopy, we have determined the gaskinetic temperature fields of planar highfrequency capacitive discharge plasma in N₂/CO₂/He gas mixtures depending on the excitation frequency, discharge current, pressure, and chemical composition of the mixture. It is shown that the dominant contribution to the neutral component heating in the center of the discharge chamber is made by the processes of V–T relaxation of vibrationally excited molecules N₂(X ¹, V) and CO₂(X ¹, V), whereas in the zones near the electrodes an important role in the heating is played, along with the V–T relaxation of the N₂(X ¹, V) and CO₂(X ¹, V) molecules, by the processes of deactivation of the metastable states A ³ of the N₂ molecule.     

Scaling function for energy-density correlations: Dispersion theory andε-expansion forT>T c

A dispersion representation for the static energy-density correlation function ² (q) ²(–q) _c =C(q,T)=A+Bt ^–h(z ²), wherez=q , t=(T—T)_c/T _c and is the correlation length, is discussed.h(z ²) is calculated to order ² in the zero-field critical region (T>T _c) for the standard isotropicn-component ⁴Ginzburg-Landau-Wilson model. Utilizing a procedure similar to that introduced by Bray for the two-point correlation function, the-expansion results are used in conjunction with an approximant for the spectral functionF(z/2) Imh(—z ²) based on the asymptotically exact short-distance expansion resulth ^–1(z ²)z ^/v[D ₀+D ₁ z ^{–(1 —)/v} +D ₂ z ^–1/v ] to predict quantitatively the full momentum dependence ofC(q,T) forT>T _c. In contrast to the two-point correlation function,C(q,T) is found to be a monotonic function as the critical temperature is approached at fixedq (forT>T _c).     

Isomeric transitions between shape coexisting states in iodine isotopes withA=115, 119 and 121

Applying delayed- r.f. coincidences and generalized centroid-shift analysis, nanosecond isomers in some odd-A iodine isotopes are studied in-beam. The reactions¹⁰⁶Cd(¹²C,p2n) and^116,118Sn(⁶Li,3n) have been used. The following half-lives were determined:T _1/2(565 keV)=0.50±0.10 ns andT _1/2(837 keV) =0.90±0.20 ns in¹¹⁵I,T _1/2(687 keV)=5.50±0.50 ns andT _1/2(2418 keV)=4.0±0.50 ns in¹¹⁹I as well asT _1/2(812 keV)=0.35±0.20 ns andT _1/2(445 keV)<0.10 ns=">¹²¹I. A systematics of the absolute probabilities for the transitions deexciting theg _9/2 9/2⁺ and _11/2 11/2 ₁ ^– band heads in^115–125I is presented and discussed.Partly supported by the Bulgarian National Research Foundation under contracts PH14, and PH31 and Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Stabsabteilung Internationale Beziehungen     

Variation of electronic properties and evidence for a reversible defect induced metal to semiconductor transition in PbMo6S8 observed by ion irradiation and subsequent annealing of thin films

The influence of lattice disorder varied by low temperature irradiation with 20 MeV³²S-ions and subsequent isochronal thermal annealing on Hall-effectR _H (T), resistivityp(T) and superconducting critical temperatureT _c of thin films of the Chevrel-phase PbMo₆S₈ is reported. It is found that the well known, unusual sensitivity ofT _c is correlated with drastic changes of normal state transport properties e.g.R _H (T) andp(T). In the low fluence regime (6·10¹³ cm^–2,T _c 2 K) annealing leads to a monotonous restoration of the initial properties with the main recovery occurring at temperatures as low as 500 K. Contrary to this, annealing of highly disordered samples (10¹⁵ cm^–2) creates semiconductor-like conduction behavior. This manifests itself by a strong increase of the electrical resistivity with decreasing temperature which becomes more pronounced at higher annealing temperaturesT _A . AfterT _A =800 K the resistivityp(15K) is enhanced by more than a factor of 1000 withp(15K)/p(280 K)=210 compared to as irradiated. Further annealing at 900 K and 1000K results in the reappearance of metallicp(T)-behavior and superconductivity (T _c >10K). The observed effects can be understood by systematic changes of the electronic density of states consistent with an earlier proposed defect model.     

Relaxation effects in the Mössbauer spectra of iron complexes with fatty acids

Six new oxo trinuclear iron(III) complexes of the type [Fe₃O(R–COO)₆(H₂O)₃] X, where X= or Cl^– and R=C₅, C₇, C₈, C₉ were synthesized and investigated by Infra Red, Mössbauer Spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. The data pointed to a high spin state (S=5/2) for iron and for antiferromagnetic interactions. The asymmetrical shape of the Mössbauer doublet and its temperature dependence was treated using the Blume relaxation model. The relaxation process is influenced by both X and R components.     

Nuclear spin relaxation of Xe in liquid Te

By the method of time differential perturbed angular distribution following a nuclear reaction, the relaxation rateT _r ^–1 of the 8 msI =10⁺ isomer of¹³²Xe has been measured in liquid Te. Between 670 °K (supercooled liquid) and 1,000 °K the rate decreases from about 720/s by about a factor of two. From existing experimental material it is concluded thatT _r ^–1 is mainly due to quadrupolar interaction (T _r ^–1 T _Q ^–1 ). Its magnitude is discussed considering the metallic and the noble gas limit as models for the Xe-Te-interactions. The temperature dependenceT _Q(T) apparently does not correlate with the diffusion constant of Te in contrast to a simplified theoretical treatment. — The nuclearg value of the isomer has been determined to be g=(–)0.195(5) thus confirming the configuration (vh_11/2)².     

Analysis of inelastic scattering processes of electrons by localized electrons in quantum dots

The inelastic Coulomb scattering rate 1/τ_in of conduction electrons has been theoretically evaluated in the presence of localized states such as quantum dots. By a diagrammatical method, we have formulated 1/τ_in and its relation to the conductivity σ_loc(ω) through localized states. The dependence of τ_in on temperature T is examined in the case that σ_loc(ω) follows the Mott's model. It is found that 1/τ_in varies as T²(ln Δ/T)^d+1 where d is the dimensionality and Δ is tunneling energy between the localized states in the asymptonic T = 0 limit, in agreement with Imry's calculation. It is also found that calculated 1/τ_in deviates from T²(ln Δ/T)^d+1 as T increases, suggesting the importance of correction term at high temperature.     

Dielectric/piezoelectric properties and temperature dependence of domain structure evolution in lead free single crystal

(K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃ (KNN) single crystals were grown using a high temperature flux method. The dielectric permittivity was measured as a function of temperature for [001]-oriented KNN single crystals. The ferroelectric phase transition temperatures, including the rhombohedral–orthorhombic T_R−O, orthorhombic–tetragonal T_O−T and tetragonal–cubic T_C were found to be located at −149  C, 205 C and 393 C, respectively. The domain structure evolution with an increasing temperature in [001]-oriented KNN single crystal was observed using polarized light microscopy (PLM), where three distinguished changes of the domain structures were found to occur at −150  C, 213 C and 400 C, corresponding to the three phase transition temperatures.     

Laser- and gamma-ray induced crystallization of IR-transmitting calcium gallate glass

Ar⁺-laser (=488 nm) irradiation of calcium gallate (CG) glass with the composition of 60CaO·39Ga₂O₃·Fe₂O₃ resulted in a distinct decrease in the IR transmittance (T) due to the formation of crystalline CaGa₂O₄ and CaGa₄O₉ phases. The Mössbauer spectrum of non-irradiated glass comprised a broad doublet due to distorted Fe³⁺(T_d) with, , and of 0.20, 1.33, and 1.00 mm s^–1, respectively. An additional doublet due to Fe³⁺(T_d) was observed in the Ar⁺-irradiated glass and, , and were 0.17, 1.32, and 0.75 mm s^–1, respectively. A decrease inT was also observed after the⁶⁰Co -ray irradiation with doses 10⁵Gy, and the precipitation of CaO, Ga₂O₃, and CaGa₄O₇ phases was confirmed by X-ray diffraction.     

Almost periodic Jacobi matrices associated with Julia sets for polynomials

Let be the Jacobi matrix associated with polynomialT(z) of degreeN2. The spectrum of is the Julia set associated withT(z) which in many cases is a Cantor set. Let ⁽¹⁾ denote the result of omitting the first row and column ofJ. Then it is shown that the spectrum of ⁽¹⁾ may be purely discrete.It is also shown that forT(z)= ^NC_N(z/) for > , whereC _N is a Chebychev polynomial the coefficients of and ⁽¹⁾ are limit periodic extending the work of Bellissard, Bessis, and Moussa (Phys. Rev. Lett.49, 701–704 (1982)).Supported in part by N.S.F. grant DMS-8401609Supported in part by N.S.F. grant MCS-8203325     

Spin physics in solid helium: Experimental results and applications

We have observed optical pumping signals from Cs atoms trapped in solid⁴He. While the longitudinal electronic spin relaxation timeT ₁ is found to be in the range of 1–2 s, the transverse relaxation timeT ₂, as inferred from magnetic resonance linewidths has a lower bound of 150 s, and is determined by magnetic field inhomogeneities. We present a quantitative discussion of how paramagnetic species trapped in solid He might be used in a highly sensitive search for permanent atomic electric dipole moments.     

Measurement of the LT-asymmetry in πelectroproduction at the energy of the Δ(1232)-resonance

The reaction p(e, e'p)π⁰ has been studied at Q² = 0.2 (GeV/c)² in the region of W = 1232MeV. From measurements left and right of , cross-section asymmetries ρ_LT have been obtained in forward kinematics ρ_LT( = 20^°) = (- 11.68±2.36_stat±2.36_sys) and backward kinematics ρ_LT( = 160^°) = (12.18±0.27_stat±0.82_sys) π⁰. Multipole ratios {S₁₊ ^* M₁₊}/| M₁₊|² and {S₀₊ ^* M₁₊}/| M₁₊|² were determined in the framework of the MAID2003 model. The results are in agreement with older data. The unusally strong negative {S₀₊ ^* M₁₊}/| M₁₊|² required to bring also the result of Kalleicher et al. in accordance with the rest of the data is almost excluded.     

Critical thermodynamics of dysprosium ethyl sulphate, a pure dipolar Ising ferromagnet

Using a SQUID magnetometer the magnetization of the Ising ferromagnet dysprosium ethyl sulphate has been measured in the temperature range 0.015–3K and in external fields 0.004–30 Oe. The results atT0.4 K (precritical regime) confirm the pure dipolar nature of the magnetic interactions. Particular interest has been paid to the immediate neighbourhood of the critical pointT _c =118.17 mK andH=0 where the zero-field susceptibility(T) aboveT _c , the spontaneous magnetizationM _s (T), and the magnetization atT _c ,M _c (H), can be described by mean field laws modified by logarithmic singularities. The critical amplitudes, B, andD of, M _s andM _c , respectively, satisfy the relation (2/3B ²)^1/3=D. All these results agree with predictions of (i) the Larkin-Khmel'nitskii theory and (ii) exact solutions of the renormalization group equations for 3-dimensional dipolar Ising ferromagnets.