Composition-dependent ferroelectric properties of Ba1− x Sr x TiO3 ceramics

Pure and homogeneous nanopowders of Ba_{1? x} Sr _x TiO₃ with compositions x?=?0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30 and 0.35 were prepared by a polymerized complex method based on the Pechini-type reaction route, wherein mixed solutions of citric acid, ethylene glycol, titanium isopropoxide, barium carbonate and strontium carbonate were polymerized to form transparent resins used as precursors for the final oxide powders. X-ray diffraction data indicated the formation of tetragonal BaTiO₃ and cubic (Ba,?Sr)TiO₃ solid solutions, free from secondary phases. Ceramics with relative densities of 85–93% were obtained after sintering for 3?h at 1300°C and 1350°C, respectively. The Sr content influences the microstructure of the ceramic samples and their ferroelectric characteristics. The P(E) loops are strongly composition-dependent, with reducing the remnant polarization and coercive fields with increasing the Sr addition. The First Order Reversal Curve (FORC) analysis is used for describing the local switching properties and the ac-tunability characteristics. The maximum of the FORC distribution is located at low fields, meaning that small fields are necessary to switch the large majority of the domains of these systems. The tunability determined in the FORC experiment depends not only on the actual field, but also on the reversal field. For two compositions, higher FORC tunability at room temperature was found for the sample closer to its ferro-para phase transition. This result was interpreted in relationship with the domain walls mobility, which is higher for the ferroelectric sample close to its ferro-para phase transition.     

Luminescence properties of Sr3−x−3y/2MxCeyAlO4F (M=Ca,Ba, 0≤x≤0.9, 0.001≤y≤0.05) phosphors

Luminescent materials composed of Sr_3?x?3y/2M_xCe_yAlO₄F (M=Ca, Ba, 0≤x≤0.9, 0.001≤y≤0.05) were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the obtained oxyfluorides are exhibited for indexing peak positions. Dynamic excitation and emission spectra of the Ce³⁺-activated oxyfluoride phosphors are clearly monitored. The critical emission quenching as a function of Ce³⁺ contents in Sr_2.5?3y/2M_0.5Ce_yAlO₄F phosphors is revealed at quite low concentrations of the activator. CIE coordinates of blue and green Sr_2.5?3y/2M_0.5Ce_yAlO₄F phosphors are clearly measured. The relative quantum efficiency of Sr_2.4985Ca_0.5Ce_0.005AlO₄F based on the integrated emission is determined. The Sr_3?x?3y/2M_xCe_yAlO₄F phosphors excited near 410 nm light could be prominent phosphors in applications of NUV-LED.     

Microwave properties of Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3: a key role of the (x2−y2)-orbital effects

Transmittance of the colossal magnetoresistive compound Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ showing metal–insulator phase transition has been studied by means of the submm- and mm-wavelength band spectroscopy. An unusually high transparency of the material provided direct evidence for the significant suppression of the coherent Drude-weight in the ferromagnetic metallic state. Melting of the A-type antiferromagnetic states has been found to be responsible for a considerable increase in the microwave transmission, which was observed at the transition from the insulating to the metallic phase induced by magnetic field or temperature. This investigation confirmed a dominant role of the (x²−y²)-orbital degree of freedom in the low-energy optical properties of Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ and other doped manganites with planar (x²−y²)-orbital order, as predicted theoretically. The results are discussed in terms of the orbital-liquid concept.     

A study of Ba x Mg1 − x F2 optical films

Ba _x Me_{1 ? x} F₂ binary fluoride films (“Me” denotes calcium or magnesium fluoride) are studied. A method of processing the reflection and transmission spectra is proposed to determine the optical constants. The dispersion dependences of the refractive indices and absorption coefficients of films in the range of 1.3–12 μm are found. Dispersion in films in the regions of additional absorption bands, which are absent in single crystals, is observed for the first time. It is shown that the films of binary fluorides have a higher packing density, a lower absorption, and better operating characteristics than do films of pure fluorides. The films are promising for application as optical interference coatings in the mid-IR spectral region.     

Luminescent properties of red-emitting LiSr4B3O(9−3x/2)Nx:Eu2+ phosphor for white-LEDs

An Eu²⁺-activated oxynitride LiSr_(4?y)B₃O_(9?3x/2)N_x:yEu²⁺ red-emitting phosphor was synthesized by solid-state reactions. The synthesized phosphor crystallized in a cubic system with space group Ia–3d. The LiSr₄B₃O_(9?3x/2)N_x:Eu²⁺ phosphors exhibited a broad red emission band with a peak at 610 nm and a full width at half maximum of 106 nm under 410 nm excitation, which is ascribed to the 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺. The optimal doped nitrogen concentration was observed to be x=0.75. The average decay times of two different emission centers were estimated to be 568 and 489 ns in the LiSr_3.99B₃O_8.25N_0.5:0.01Eu²⁺ phosphors, respectively. Concentration quenching of Eu²⁺ ions occurred at y=0.07, and the critical distance was determined as 17.86 Å. The non-radiative transitions via dipole–dipole interactions resulted in the concentration quenching of Eu²⁺-site emission centers in the LiSr₄B₃O₉ host. These results indicate LiSr₄B₃O_(9?3x/2)N_x:Eu²⁺ phosphor is promising for application in white near-UV LEDs.     

Thermoelectric properties of the Nd2−x Ce x CuO4−y system

The temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficient (in region 300–900 K) and the lattice constants of Nd_2–x Ce_xCuO_4–y (x=0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) with different oxygen content were measured. The value of S is always negative and it decreases with both Ce content and oxygen non-stoichiometry. At a certain concentration of Ce and oxygen in the material, the Seebeck coefficient becomes temperature-independent.The authors would like to thank Professor J. Horák of University of Chemical Technology, Pardubice for helpful discussions.     

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of (1−x)Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3−xBa0.7Ca0.3TiO3 perovskites

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of (1?x)Ba_0.7Sr_0.3TiO₃?xBa_0.7Ca_0.3TiO₃ (BST?xBCT) (x=0.2–0.9) perovskite ceramics have been investigated. BCT has fully incorporated into BST lattice, forming a complete perovskite solid solution, whose lattice constant χ decreases almost linearly with increase in x from 0.2 to 0.4, while showing an anomalous expansion at 0.4<x≤0.6. This, together with the deviation of tetragonal–orthorhombic phase transition temperature (T_O–T) from the linear relation T_O–T (K)=?103.7x+239.3 at x=0.5, suggests that a small amount of Ca²⁺ has substituted for Ti⁴⁺. Curie temperature T_C increases linearly with increase in x from 0.2 to 0.9, which is mainly contributed to the increase of the Ba/Sr ratio. The calculated degree of relaxation (γ) is in the range of 1.41–1.53, indicating that the BST–xBCT ceramics are ferroelectric materials with diffuse phase transition. Strain and piezoelectric constant (d₃₃) decrease with increasing x, whereas planar electromechanical coefficient (k_p) reaches a maximum (17.0%) at x=0.6.     

Growth of Cu0.5Tl0.5Ba2Ca3Cu4−yZnyO12−δ superconductor with optimum carriers

We have tried to vary the carriers concentration in Cu_0.5Tl_0.5Ba₂Ca₃Cu_4?yZn_yO_12?δ (y = 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5) superconductor with the help of post-annealing experiments carried out in nitrogen, oxygen and air and to investigate its effects on the superconductivity parameters. The zero resistivity critical temperature [T_c(R = 0)], the magnitude of diamagnetism and critical current [I_c(H = 0)] are found to increase in Zn free samples after post-annealing in oxygen and air, while these superconducting properties have been suppressed after post-annealing in nitrogen at 550 °C for 6 h. The post-annealing of Zn-doped samples in air has marginally increased the superconducting properties, while these properties have been suppressed after post-annealing in nitrogen and oxygen. These studies have led us to the definite conclusion that the Zn-doped material has grown with optimum carriers concentration.     

Preparation and transport properties of Ba1−x Sr x CuO2+δ infinite layer films grown by molecular-beam epitaxy

Thin films of Ba_1–x Sr _x CuO₂₊ in the infinite layer structure were prepared by molecular beam epitaxy on SrTiO₃ substrates. Excellent in-plane order during growth was shown by RHEED. The lattice constant inc-direction was determined by x-ray diffraction. It changed from 0.404 nm to 0.345 nm whenx increased from 0 to 1. The film surfaces were smooth with some outgrowths as revealed by atomic force microscopy. Excellent crystal structure and epitaxy of the films was demonstrated by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The room temperature dc resistivities of the films varied from 10^–3 cm to 10² cm, depending onx and on the oxidation conditions during growth. The resistivities of most films showed negative temperature coefficients and obeyed the conduction model of variable range hopping at low temperatures. In the composition rangex=0.5–0.8, however, an anomalous resistance dependence on temperature was observed in many samples. The resistivities started to deviate from the monotonic behaviour just below 200 K and in some cases dropped remarkably at temperatures below 140 K.     

Ferroelectric phase transition of Ba1− x Sr x Ti0.6Zr0.4O3 ceramics

Perovskite type Ba_{1? x} Sr _x Ti_0.6Zr_0.4O₃ (with x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.5) ceramics have been synthesized through solid oxide reaction route. The room temperature XRD study suggests the compositions have single phase cubic symmetry. Microstructural studies have shown a step decrease in grain size. The dielectric study reveals that the materials are of relaxor type and undergo a diffuse type ferroelectric phase transition. The diffusivity increases with increase in Sr contents in the studied composition range. The transition temperature decreases with increase in Sr contents due to the decrease in grain size.     

Effect of film thickness on the electromagnetic properties of La1−x Sr x MnO3 coatings

Coatings of La_1?x Sr _x MnO₃ (x = 0.225) with thicknesses of 6 and 1000 nm are deposited by magnetron sputtering on LaAlO₃ substrates and the electromagnetic properties of obtained films are studied in detail. It is found that the colossal magnetoresistance observed in the samples is considerably influenced by interface effects.     

Neutron diffraction studies of the magnetic properties of Pr0.5Sr0.5Co1 ? x Mn x O3 solid solutions

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of a system of Pr_0.5Sr_0.5Co_{1 ? x} Mn _x O₃ solid solutions were studied by neutron diffraction and magnetization measurements. It is shown that, at a low manganese concentration, the structure can be described by the I/2a monoclinic space group; with increasing substitution level x the structure becomes orthorhombic. For x > 0.9 the crystal structure is tetragonal at high temperatures and the symmetry is lowered to orthorhombic with lowering the temperature. The substitution of cobalt for manganese leads to the destruction of long-range ferromagnetic order near x ?? 0.25. A transition from the high-temperature ferromagnetic phase to the A-type low-temperature antiferromagnetic phase is observed at x ?? 0.93 in the temperature range 110?C160 K.     

Magnetic properties and structure of Fe2 − x Mg x CrO4 chromites

The structural and magnetic properties of Fe_{2 ? x} Mg _x CrO₄ chromite synthesized by the ceramic method to receive analogs of natural minerals and to solve the rock magnetism problems are investigated. The dependences of cubic-lattice parameters and magnetic characteristics on composition, with slight deviation from linearity, are obtained. It is established in the course of experiments related to the partial thermal remanent magnetization in weak fields that some compositions are characterized by self-reversal under sample heating to 600°C in air. It is suggested that the self-reversal is caused by a nonuniform distribution of cations in chromite structure and phase transformation under oxidation.     

Magnetic and magneto-transport properties of (Ba0.8Sr0.2)2−xNdxFeMoO6

The variation in structural, magnetic and magneto-transport properties of the double perovskite system (Ba_0.8Sr_0.2)_2?xNd_xFeMoO₆ {0.0<X<0.5} induced by Nd³⁺ doping (electron doping) has been studied and compared. The samples were prepared by standard solid state reaction method in a reducing atmosphere. The parent compound showed a saturation magnetic moment value of 3.75 μ_B/f.u. at an applied field of 0.5 T and a change in magnetoresistance value up to 26% (77 K, 0.8 T). The Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction data showed a continuous decrease in lattice parameters and Fe–Mo ordering with increasing Nd³⁺ doping. The Curie temperature was found to increase with Nd³⁺ doping (3 K per % of Nd) while the saturation magnetic moment values and magnetoresistance values were found to decrease. The observed variations in magnetic and magneto-transport properties of the system are explained on the basis of increasing antisite disorder defects and band filling effects induced by electron doping. We have observed the dominant role of band filling in determining the low field magnetoresistance of these systems.     

Microwave properties of film Ba x Sr1 ? x TiO3 ferroelectric variconds with a magnesium-containing additive

The electrophysical properties of bulk ceramics based on Ba _x Sr_{1 ? x} TiO₃ solid solutions with a Mg-containing additive and planar variconds based on ferroelectric films obtained by the ion-plasma sputtering of targets with different elemental compositions are studied. Controllability n(U) = C(0)/C(U) and the dielectric loss tangent (tan??) of ferroelectric variconds are measured as functions of the elemental composition of the ferroelectric. The figure of merit of the variconds is estimated, and the film composition providing the best electrophysical parameters is determined.     

Introduction of bismuth into the highT c superconductor La2−x Sr x CuO4−y

Novel high-T _c superconductors La_2–x Bi _x Sr _x–x CuO_4–y have been isolated and studied. The influence of the experimental conditions of synthesis on the superconductivity has been especially studied for the composition La_1.7Bi_0.1Sr_0.2CuO_4–y ; it is shown thatT _c decreases as oxygen is introduced into the matrix, likely due to the partial oxidation of Bi(III) to Bi(V). The highT _c value observed for one sample (T _c 42 K), as compared withT _c 38 K of La_1.8Sr_0.2CuO_4–y suggests that bismuth is also a potential candidate for improving the superconducting properties in these oxides.     

Pressure Effects in the Raman Spectra of La 2−x Sr x CuO 4

Micro-Raman measurements under hydrostatic pressures up to 6 GPa have been carried out on high-quality La 2 m x Sr x CuO 4 polycrystalline compounds with Sr concentration up to x =0.45. The zz scattering polarization has been investigated, where two strong modes due to La/Sr and the apex oxygen, and (in the low Sr concentrations) the soft mode at ～100 cm m 1 are observed. The frequency of the strong modes increases almost linearly with pressure for the Sr concentrations studied. Modifications in the increment rate d y /d p and the phonon width have been detected depending on the amount of doping. For x =0.45 a considerable increase in the width of both strong phonons with pressure was found, which must reflect a separation into phases, since this concentration is close to the solubility limit. The relative intensity of the strong phonons was investigated in connection with its correlation to the transition temperature.     

Polaronic and charge ordering effects in Pr 0.5 Sr 0.5 Mn 1− x Fe x O 3

In this work we report the results of X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy for the systems Pr_0.5Sr_0.5Mn_1???x Fe _x O₃ (with x?=?0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30). XRD patterns indicated that all samples were single phase with slightly distorted orthorhombic symmetry. Room temperature Mössbauer spectra are all quadrupole split, indicating paramagnetic relaxation of the Fe moment for all values of Fe concentrations. The spectra are fitted with two doublet components associated with Fe^3?+? ions in octahedral sites with different distortions. Mössbauer spectra recorded at liquid nitrogen temperature for this system also indicate paramagnetic relaxation of the Fe moments down to liquid nitrogen temperature (LNT). In these spectra a third quadrupole component with quadrupole splitting close to zero develops. This component is associated with the delocalization of the charge carriers and the consequent disappearance of lattice distortions produced by the polaronic effect at room temperature. The component with the high quadrupole splitting (0.81 to 1.07 mm/s) results from Jahn–Teller distortion as a consequence of charge ordering transition at low temperature.     

Pressure-Induced Enhancement of the Photoluminescence in Ca 1−x Sr x F 2 :Mn 2+

The surprising disappearance of the Mn 2+ photoluminescence (PL) on passing from CaF 2 to SrF 2 through the Ca 1 m x Sr x F 2 :Mn 2+ series is investigated through pressure spectroscopy, and as a function of the temperature. The PL quenching which is observed along the series is explained on the basis of multiphonon relaxation mechanisms, which are described by a thermally activated process. In non-luminescent crystals, PL can be recovered by applying pressure. The results are accounted for through an universal equation relating the PL lifetime as a function of P (or V ) and T , using an activation energy and a transition rate that are strongly dependent on the lattice parameter (crystal volume).