High-temperature study of SrFe<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mo<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>3−<Emphasis Type="Italic">z</Emphasis></Subscript> perovskites

The structure of high-temperature SrFe_{1 − x} Mo _x O_{3 − z} (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) phases was studied. Such studies are necessary to understand the mechanism of oxygen transport in membrane materials used for high-temperature oxygen separation.     

Heat capacity and magnetocaloric properties of La<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>K<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> manganites

The magnetocaloric effect and the heat capacity of La_{1 − x} K _x MnO₃ (x = 0.1, 0.15, 0.175) ceramic samples have been studied at temperatures in the range 77–350 K and in magnetic fields of up to 27 kOe. The technique for preparing the samples has been described. The heat capacity anomalies related to the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic magnetic phase transition have been revealed and interpreted. It has been demonstrated that the change in the magnetic entropy ΔS calculated from the data on the heat capacity C _p and direct measurements of the magnetocaloric effect ΔT reaches values that are of practical interest.     

Ordered phases of lithium nickelite Li<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>−<Emphasis Type="Italic">z</Emphasis></Subscript>Ni<Subscript>1+<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

A symmetry analysis of ordering in lithium nickelite Li_1?x?zNi_1+xO₂ (Li_1?x?z□_yNi_1+xO₂) was performed with regard to the substitution of Li and Ni atoms and the occurrence of structural vacancies □ in the metal sublattice. For all the ordered phases, the k ₉ ⁽³⁾ ray of the Lifshitz {k₉} star is present in the order-disorder transition channel. This ray determines the consecutive alternation of atomic planes filled with only Ni atoms or only Li atoms and vacancies in the \([1\bar 11]_{B1} \) direction. It was shown that the rhombohedral ordered LiNiO₂ phase is formed in the defect-free lithium nickelite, whereas a family of three monoclinic Li₃□Ni₄O₈ (C2/m space group) and Li₂□Ni₃O₆ (C2/m and C2 space groups) superstructures arises as the concentration of structural vacancies increases. For all the superstructures, the order-disorder phase-transition channels were determined and the distribution functions of Li and Ni atoms have been calculated. The long-range order parameters describing each superstructure were found as functions of the Li_{1?x? z}Ni_1+xO₂ composition.     

Magnetothermal properties of Gd<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Y<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ni<Subscript>2</Subscript> compounds

The heat capacity of pseudobinary intermetallic compounds Gd_1−x Y _x Ni₂ (0≤x≤1) has been studied. The magnetic contribution to the total heat capacity is isolated with the use of the data obtained for the paramagnetic analogs Lu_1−y Y _y Ni₂ possessing the same molar masses as the gadolinium compounds. It has been found that the difference between the entropies of the Gd_1−x Y _x Ni₂ (x<0.8) compounds and the corresponding paramagnetic Lu_1−y Y _y Ni₂ analogs reaches larger values than those expected from the calculations performed under the assumption that only Gd ions contribute to the magnetic part of the total entropy. The existence of an additional contribution of magnetic nature to the entropy of the Gd_1−x Y _x Ni₂ compounds, as well as the large values of the γ coefficient in the linear-in-temperature term of the heat capacity, is assigned to the spin fluctuations induced by the f—d exchange in the subsystem of Ni 3d electrons.     

Anomalous magnetotransport in LaMn<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Te<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The LaMn_1−x Te _x O_3+δ (x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3) were synthesized using solid-state reaction method for the first time. X-ray photoemission spectrum (XPS) shows that in the samples the Te ions have a valence of Te⁴⁺, and Mn³⁺ ions are partly converted into Mn²⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ due to the excess oxygen and Te doping. The magnetotransport associated with Mn²⁺, Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ was investigated. The experimental results show that the samples are insulator at 0 T when the amount of Mn³⁺ is much larger or less than the sum of Mn²⁺ and Mn⁴⁺; by contrast, the samples display metal to insulator transition with increasing temperature when the amount of Mn³⁺ is close to the sum of Mn²⁺ and Mn⁴⁺. These anomalous magnetotransport behaviors were analyzed in the frame of the double-exchange (DE) mechanism. Supported by the National Major Fundamental Research Program of China (Grant No. G1998061412) and the Foundation for Fostering Elitists of Beijing, China (Grant No. 20071D1100500379)     

Magnetostriction of Fe<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>S (<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis> = 0.27) crystals

The magnetostriction of Fe _x Mn_{1 − x} S (x = 0.27) single crystals in strong magnetic fields up to 120 kOe has been investigated. It has been found that the magnetostriction reaches colossal values (±3 × 10⁻⁴) atypical of compounds of 3d elements. It has been found that the magnetostriction changes sign when varying temperature and magnetic field; this behavior indicates an important role of the spin-phonon interactions in the formation of the magnetic order in solid solutions of iron-manganese sulfides.     

Magnetocaloric properties of La<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>K<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> manganites

A technology for obtaining single-phase ceramic samples of La_{1 − x} K _x MnO₃ manganites, as well as the dependence of their structure parameters on the potassium content, is described. The magnetocaloric effect in the samples has been measured by two direct methods, the classical method and the magnetic field modulation method, and has been calculated from the specific heat data. The values of the magnetocaloric effect obtained by these methods are significantly different. The observed discrepancies have been explained. Correlation between the doping level and the value of the effect has been found. It has been shown that the magnetic-field dependence of variation of the magnetic entropy near T _C in weak fields corresponds to theoretical calculations and that the value of the magnetocaloric effect in high magnetic fields can be predicted using this dependence.     

Charge density of Ga<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Al<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Sb

Charge density calculations and electronic band structures for Ga _x Al_{1 − x} Sb with x = 1.0, 0.5 and 0.0 are presented in this work. The calculations are performed using the empirical pseudopotential method. The charge density is computed for a number of planes, i.e. z = 0.0, 0.125 and 0.25 A ₀ by generating the potential through a number of potential parameters available in the literature. The virtual crystal approximation was applied for the semiconducting alloy. The characteristics of the band structure and charge density are observed to be affected by the potential parameters. Calculated band gaps and the nature of gaps are in good agreement with the experimental data reported. The ionicity is also reasonably in good agreement with other scales proposed in the literature; however the formulation needs to be improved. The present work also demands indirect experimental band gap for the alloy.      

Structural study of CuCr<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>V<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>S<Subscript>2</Subscript> substitutional solid solutions

The local structure and charged state of metal atoms in the CuCrS₂ matrix and CuCr_{1 − x} V _x S₂ solid solutions of substitution of vanadium for chromium (0 < x < 0.25) are studied by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAFS) using synchrotron radiation. According to XANES spectra (near-edge fine structures), introducing vanadium does not change the charged state of matrix elements and they exist as Cu(1+), Cr(3+), V(3+), and S(2−) in the solid solution. According to EXAFS spectra (extended fine structures), introducing vanadium slightly distorts the local structures of both Cr and Cu atoms (to a greater extent for copper than for chromium). The XAFS analysis data show that vanadium only partially filled vacant positions (specified by the composition of the initial mixture) in the chromium sublattice, the majority of them being located in irregular positions of slightly distorted octahedrons consisting of sulphur atoms. It is shown that the substitution effect leads to deformation (compression) of the lattices of CuCr_{1 − x} V _x S₂ samples without changing their crystallochemical structures and symmetries, but changes their magnetic structures.     

Knight shift in superconducting oxides BaPb<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Bi<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis> < 0.35)

The Knight shift ²⁰⁷K_s for the ²⁰⁷Pb nuclei in the metal phase of the oxides BaPb_1?xBi_xO₃ (x < 0.35) has been analyzed as a function of the concentration. The shift, which is proportional to the density of states near the Fermi energy: ²⁰⁷K_s ～ N(E_F), reaches a maximum for an oxide with the maximum superconducting transition temperature T_c(x ≈ 0.25) = 12 K. A significant increase in the width of the shift distribution with the Bi concentration testifies to the formation of a nonuniform state of the electronic system in the conduction band of superconducting oxides, which is accompanied by an increase in short-wavelength contributions to the spin susceptibility. To detect the ²⁰⁷Pb NMR spectra in superconducting oxides with x > 0.2, the ¹⁷O-²⁰⁷Pb spin-echo double-resonance method is used, which provides successful detection of the ²⁰⁷Pb NMR signal with an anomalously high rate of spin-spin relaxation T ₂ ^?1 > 500 ms^?1. Thus, fundamental restrictions arising in investigations of rapidly relaxing ²⁰⁷Pb nuclei, which are “unobservable” in superconducting oxides BaPb_1?xBi_xO₃ when they are studied by traditional single-resonance methods of pulse NMR spectroscopy, have been overcome.     

Electronic structure and ground state parameters of Ru<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">Me</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Al refractory alloys

The electronic structure and ground state parameters of B2 RuAl-based refractory alloys have been investigated in the framework of the density functional theory using the exact muffin-tin orbital method in combination with the coherent potential approximation. It has been demonstrated that the number of states at the Fermi level for the Ru_{1 − x} Me _x Al alloys as a function of the alloying metal content has a minimum, which indicates a change in the Fermi surface topology and the presence of specific features in the behavior of elastic constants. It has been concluded that the electronic structure of the alloys can be described in terms of the rigid band model. The nonlinear variations of the lattice parameters of the alloys has been explained.     

Physical properties of Fe<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Dy<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Si crystals

The results of experimental investigation of magnetic and electric properties of Fe_1?x Dy _x Si crystals are reported. It is shown that the magnitude and position of the anomaly observed in the temperature dependences of magnetization are controlled to a considerable extent by the external magnetic field. It is found that the introduction of Dy ions leads to a weak magnetoresistive effect.     

Magnetic structure of Ce<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>17 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> intermetallic compounds

The magnetic structure of intermetallic compounds Ce₂Fe_{17 − x} Mn _x (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) was studied using neutron diffraction. The neutron diffraction patterns measured at 4.2 K contain satellites indicating a modulated structure with the wave vector k = [0, 0, τ]. As the concentration x increases, the value of τ increases, while the average magnetic moment of Fe/Mn atoms decreases. A change in the magnitudes of the average magnetic moment and wave vector k is explained by competition between exchange interactions at distances of nearest neighbor transition element atoms.     

Features of properties of microinhomogeneous PdMn<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Fe<Subscript>1− <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> alloys

Complex investigation of the properties of PdMn _x Fe_{1? x} ternary alloys with interacting magnetic and structural order parameters has been performed. It is shown that the complex structural and magnetic state near the transition from the atomically ordered PdFe ferromagnet to the intermetallic antiferromagnetic PdMn compound leads to unusual features not only in magnetic and lattice characteristics but also in electronic properties.     

Polarization characteristics of graded thick Ba<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Sr<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> films

The barium strontium titanate ceramics Ba_{1 − x} Sr _x TiO₃ with a spatially variable composition has been prepared according to the thick film technology (tape casting). The strontium content over the film thickness is varied from 0 to 30 mol %. The structure and polarization characteristics of the samples prepared have been investigated. It has been found that the polarization characteristics of multilayer structures are determined by the ratio between the thicknesses of layers with different compositions and by their properties. No shift of the hysteresis loops in the graded thick Ba_{1 − x} Sr _x TiO₃ ( _x = 0–0.3) films has been revealed. The results obtained have been analyzed in the framework of modern theoretical approaches.     

Thermal and magnetic properties of La<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Pb<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The thermodynamic and magnetic properties of the La_{1 − x} Pb _x MnO₃ (0.24 ≤ x ≤ 0.40) solid solution system were investigated in the temperature range of 4.2–340 K. All objects were ferromagnetics with Curie temperature T _C ≈ 320–340 K, which slowly increased with x. The M(T) behavior in the magnetic ordering region indicated a nonuniform ground state, due possibly to the competition of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions. The increase in the saturation magnetic moment with x can be described by a simple model of the binary bonds in La_{1 − x} Pb _x MnO₃.     

Theory of the giant magnetoresistance in La<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>A<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

To clarify the origin of the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) observed in La_1?x A _x MnO₃ (A²⁺=Sr²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Ca²⁺), we have investigated theoretically the electrical resistivity ρ of carriers in the background of Mn spins which interact with each other through the double exchange interaction. It has been found that extraordinarily large pin fluctuations caused by the instability of the ferromagnetic state are responsible for the transport anomalies including the GMR.     

Metallic-like conductivity of asymmetric <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-In<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ga<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>As quantum wells

The temperature dependence of the conductivity of the two-dimensional hole gas in an asymmetric GaAs/In _x Ga_{1 ? x} As/GaAs quantum well has been investigated. It is shown that fast spin relaxation leads to metallic-like behavior of the temperature dependence of the conductivity.     

The theory of morphotropic phase transition in PbZr<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ti<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The concept of the mechanism of formation of morphotropic boundaries in T?x phase diagrams of solid solutions of complex oxides with the perovskite structure has been formulated. This concept is illustrated by calculation of the conditions for existence of morphotropic phase transition in a quasy-binary solid solution of the PbZr_{1 ? x} Ti _x O₃ and (1 ? x)PbMg_1/3Nb_2/3O₃ + xPbTiO₃ compositions.     

Mössbauer studies of multiferroics BiFe<Subscript>1 – <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cr<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis> = 0–0.20)

The Mössbauer studies on ⁵⁷Fe nuclei in multiferroics BiFe_{1 – x} Cr _x O₃ (x = 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20) have been performed at room temperature. The multiferroics BiFe_{1 – x} Cr _x O₃ (x = 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20) with the rhombohedral R3c structure have been prepared by solid-state synthesis under high pressures. The effect of substitution of Cr cations for Fe cations on the spatial spin-modulated structure, and also hyperfine electrical and magnetic interactions of ⁵⁷Fe nuclei has been studied. The substituted ferrites demonstrate an anharmonic modulated spin structure of cycloid type, in which iron atoms with different cation environments take part. The anharmonism parameter of the cycloid linearly increases from m = 0.10 at x = 0 to m = 0.78 ± 0.02 at x = 0.20. The constants of magnetic uniaxial anisotropy K _u are estimated at room temperature: K _u ≈ 0.36 × 10⁶ erg/cm³ at x = 0 and K _u ≈ 4.22 × 10⁶ erg/cm³ at x = 0.20.