The elastic stiffness constants of β-NH4LiSO4 around its phase transition at 460 K

The complete tensor of the elastic stiffness constantsC _ij (i,j=1 to 6) of -NH₄LiSO₄ has been measured in the temperature range 290 K to 540 K including the ferroelectric phase transition at 460 K, by the ultrasonic pulse echo overlap method.Some ultrasonic attenuation coefficients were determined.The elastic stiffness constants were calculated using Landau Theory. The elastic stiffness constants are all well described within this theory with the exception ofC ₆₆, which can not be reproduced with coupling terms allowed by group theoretical arguments. This together with double peaks observed in the specific heat and in sound attenuation in some directions leads one to suspect an intermediate phase between the paraelectric and the ferroelectric phases.     

Acoustic anomalies in SrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>−BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> solid solutions

The results of acoustic investigations of solid solutions SrTiO₃?BiFeO₃ in the temperature range from 100 to 650 K have been presented. The measurements of the velocity and attenuation of the longitudinal ultrasonic mode at a frequency of 10 MHz were carried out by the pulse-echo method. The observed anomalies in velocity and attenuation correlate with the maxima of the dielectric constant in the temperature range of the relaxor state. In addition, the attenuation peaks in the temperature range 400–600 K, which define Burns and T* temperatures, which are characteristic of relaxors, have been identified. The obtained results have allowed the clarifying of the phase diagram of the solid solution system SrTiO₃?BiFeO₃.     

Structural instability in high-T c superconducting oxides

Two broad internal friction (attenuation as well) peaks in YBCO measured at around 120 K and 250 K are found to exhibit the characteristics of a first-order phase transition. X-ray diffraction indicates no symmetry change on cooling from room temperature but only a downward jump of the lattice parameters was observed. This is referred to as a phase-like transition (PLT) and further confirmed by stress-strain, specific heat and Debye-Waller factor measurements. There always occurs a phase-like transition at 10-30 K above T _c in YBCO, BSCCO and TBCCO which disappears in the non-superconducting phases. Ultrasonic studies on single-crystal BSCCO reveal a pronounced elastic anisotropy in the c-plane and a velocity minimum associated with PLT. The overall trend of elastic stiffening below room temperature and some discrepancies and questions in elasticity measurements so far observed for high-T _c oxides have been explained or clarified in terms of an abnormal fast change of lattice parameters.     

Weak ferromagnetism in copper metaborate CuB2O4

CuB₂O₄ single crystals have been grown and their magnetic and resonance properties have been investigated for the first time. The temperature dependence of the susceptibility was found to contain features at T=21 and 10 K. The CuB₂O₄ single crystal transformed at T=21 K to a weakly ferromagnetic state. The sharp drop in susceptibility at T<10 K is caused by a transition of the magnetic system of CuB₂O₄ to an antiferromagnetic state. The effective magnetic moment of the Cu₂₊ ion, determined from the high-temperature part of the magnetic susceptibility, is 1.77 μ _B. The room-temperature g factors are, respectively, 2.170 and 2.133 for magnetic field parallel and perpendicular to the c axis of the crystal. The antiferromagnetic resonance parameters in the weakly ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases were measured. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 1267–1271 (July 1999)     

Anomalies in the longitudinal ultrasonic attenuation and the velocity variation in the mixed state of a V3Si single crystal

In addition to sharp attenuation peaks of longitudinal sound waves propagating along the [001] axis of a V₃Si single crystal at the upper critical fields H_c2, new large attenuation and broad velocity peaks were observed in the mixed state. The new anomaly is explained by a mechanism related to the anisotropy of flux in the crystal tetragonally deformed by the band Jahn-Teller effect.     

Magnetic and EPR studies of the EuFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> single crystal

Magnetic and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) properties of EuFe₃(BO₃)₄ single crystals have been studied over the temperature range of 300–4.2 K and in a magnetic field up to 5 T. The temperature, field and orientation dependences of susceptibility, magnetization and EPR spectra are presented. An antiferromagnetic ordering of the Fe subsystem occurs at about 37 K. The easy direction of magnetization perpendicular to the c axis is determined by magnetic measurements. Below 10 K, we observe an increase of susceptibility connected with the polarization of the Eu sublattice by an effective exchange field of the ordered Fe magnetic subsystem. In a magnetic field perpendicular to the c axis, we have observed an increase of magnetization at T < 10 K in the applied magnetic field, which can be attributed to the appearance of the magnetic moment induced by the magnetic field applied in the basal plane. According to EPR measurements, the distance between the maximum and minimum of derivative of absorption line of the Lorentz type is equal to 319 Gs. The anisotropy of g-factor and linewidth is due to the influence of crystalline field of trigonal symmetry. The peculiarities of temperature dependence of both intensity and linewidth are caused by the influence of excited states of europium ion (Eu³⁺). It is supposed that the difference between the g-factors from EPR and the magnetic measurements is caused by exchange interaction between rare earth and Fe subsystems via anomalous Zeeman effect.     

Orientation distribution function of aromatic molecules in frozen liquid crystals from their triplet E.S.R.-spectra

The motional narrowing of ¹⁹F N.M.R. resonance of the halothane tri-o-thymotide clathrate was studied as a function of temperature. It was shown that the CF₃ group exhibits free rotation about its C₃ axis at temperatures as low as 108 K. Other motional narrowings were observed as the temperature was raised and finally at a temperature of about 25 K below the melting point of the clathrate diffusion of the halothane molecules through the lattice reduced the second moment to practically zero.     

Multiferroic and exchange bias in La0.85Sr0.15FeO3−δ perovskite nanoparticles

Multiferroic and exchange bias was observed in La_0.85Sr_0.15FeO_3?δ nanoparticles sample which was prepared by co-precipitation method. These nanoparticles have an average size of about 18.49?nm and orthorhombic phase (Pbnm) with small impurities. The anomalous peaks of the dielectric as a function of temperature indicate that the Neel temperature at T_N?=?321?K and a ferroelectric to paraelectric transition at T_C?=?555?K which confirmed by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC). The dielectric response at low frequency is dominated by Debye relaxation behaviour and the resonance behaviour is dominated above 1.7?GHz. Mössbauer spectrum revealed the presence of magnetic ordering temperature (T_N) lies above room temperature (RT). Moreover, the oxygen deficient (δ?=?0.038) was calculated from Mössbauer spectrum. The hysteresis loop (B-H) of the nanoparticle sample exhibits exchange bias as a result of the exchange coupling at the interface between the ferromagnetic surface with canted spins and the antiferromagnetic core of the particles.     

Proton magnetic relaxation in ethylene oxide,tetrahydrofuran, and triethylene diamine as clathrate deuterates

Proton spin-lattice relaxation times (T ₁) have been measured for triethylene diamine, ethylene oxide, and tetrahydrofuran as clathrate deuterates. The results are interpreted in terms of anisotropic rotation of the guest molecules. Triethylene diamine is thought to be undergoing rotation about its C ₃ axis with a correlation time given by τ_c/s = 4·87 × 10^-14 exp (1680 K/T) at temperatures between 120 K and the decomposition point (308 K). Between 77 K and 120 K, T ₁ is dominated by conformational distortions of the guest molecule. Ethylene oxide and tetrahydrofuran rotate about at least two axes in the deuterate at rates sufficient to produce some motional narrowing. At high temperatures the relaxation is caused in both cases by rotation about an axis perpendicular to the C ₂ axis, and at lower temperatures by rotation about the C ₂ axis itself. The correlation times are for ethylene oxide τ_c/s = 6·76 × 10^-14 exp (450 K/T), T < 160 K; and for tetrahydrofuran τ_c/s = 4·79 × 10^-14 exp (470 K/T), T < 140 K.

The free induction decay shapes indicate that, in each case, low frequency motion is occurring about all axes throughout the temperature range studied (77 K to the decomposition temperature in each case). From the lack of an observable signal from the clathrate deuterates of hexamethylene tetramine and dioxan, it is deduced that there is no reorientational motion of these guests at frequencies greater than their rigid-lattice linewidths.     

Spin-order and magnetic properties of BaZn2Fe16O27 (Zn2-W) hexagonal ferrite

We have observed large peaks in the ultrasonic attenuation of a pure and two doped LaAl₂ crystals in the temperature region of about 45 K which are possibly of the Bordoni type. Their most interesting characteristics are:

1. There is only one peak in each sample.
2. The peaks are so narrow that they can be described by the original Seeger model with only one actication energy and one attempt frequency.

     

Microwave absorption in a Y1Ba2Cu3O7−x single crystal near the superconducting transition

Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7−x single crystals are investigated near T _c ≈92 K in fields 0<H⩽9 kOe using a modified ESR spectrometer. The temperature modulation method is used for the first time, together with the traditional magnetic modulation method, to detect microwave responses in single crystals. Superconducting-transition peaks shifted relative to one another in temperature and differing in shape are observed in the temperature dependence of the corresponding signals ∂R/∂H and ∂R/∂T (R — microwave absorption). The evolution of these peaks as a function of the field and the angle π between H and the c axis of the single crystal is traced. It is shown that the difference in the temperature dependences of the derivatives ∂R/∂H and ∂R/∂T is due to the broadening of the superconducting transition characteristic of HTSCs. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 14–17 (January 1999)     

Fluctuation-induced broadening of Mn2+ EPR lines in the incommensurate phase of Rb2ZnCl4 crystals

The EPR spectra of Mn²⁺ ions in Rb₂ZnCl₄ crystals is investigated in the vicinity of the transition from the paraelectric phase to an incommensurate modulated phase. When these crystals are cooled below the transition temperature T _i =304 K, a splitting of the resonance lines is observed in the singular spectrum. A one-harmonic model is used to discuss the contributions that fluctuations in the amplitude and phase of the incommensurate displacement wave make to the local width of the singular spectra. It is shown that anomalies in the local width of the low-temperature singular peaks observed in the vicinity of T _i are caused by amplitude fluctuations. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 1668–1674 (September 1999)     

Investigation of dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of b-axis grown triglycine sulphate single crystal

Large single crystal of triglycine sulphate (dimension 100 mm along monoclinic b-axis and 15 mm in diameter) was grown using the unidirectional solution growth technique. The X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the growth/long axis to be b-axis (polar axis). The dielectric studies were carried out at various temperatures to establish the phase transition temperature. The frequency response of the dielectric constant, dielectric loss and impedance of the crystal along the growth axis, was monitored. These are typically characterized by strong resonance peaks in the kHz region. The piezoelectric coefficients like stiffness constant (C), elastic coefficient (S), electromechanical coupling coefficient (k) and d ₃₁ were calculated using the resonance-antiresonance method. Polarization (P)-Electric field (E) hysteresis loops were recorded at various temperatures to find the temperature-dependent spontaneous polarization of the grown crystal. The pyroelectric coefficients were determined from the pyroelectric current measurement by the Byer and Roundy method. The ferroelectric domain patterns were recorded on (010) plane using scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy.     

U-perturbation treatment of heavy fermion systems

Heavy fermion systems are described by the periodic Anderson Model (PAM), i.e. a lattice of localized, highly correlatedf-electron states hybridized with the delocalized states of a conduction band. We treat the PAM within the second orderU perturbation theory around the non-magnetic Hartree-Fock solution (U on site Coulomb correlation between thef-electrons). This treatment has the advantage that Fermi liquid relations (Luttinger theorem) are automatically fulfilled. Thef-electron selfenergy and spectral function are calculated for different temperatures, and, for the symmetric PAM, we obtain single-particle peaks near toE _f andE _f +U and in addition many-particle (Kondo) resonance peaks near to the chemical potential (E _f baref-electron energy). The resonance peaks are strongly temperature dependent and vanish on a characteristic temperature scaleT _K. For the symmetric PAM and a constant on-site hybridization the Fermi energy falls into a hybridization gap. A second, smaller characteristic temperature scaleT _coh (coherence temperature), on which the hybridization gap vanishes, is observed within this approach. For the non-symmetric PAM (i.e.E _f andE _f +U not symmetric around the chemical potential) we obtain a similar behaviour, but the single-particle peaks are no longer at the correct positionsE _f andE _f +U. The proper behaviour for the symmetric PAM but less satisfactory behaviour for the non-symmetric PAM can be understood from the fact that only for the symmetric PAM the exactly solvable limit of a vanishing hybridization is reproduced within this approach.     

Relaxation and resonance ultrasound attenuation by Jahn-Teller centers in a GaAs:Cu crystal

The interaction of ultrasound with Cu_Ga4As in a GaAs:Cu crystal has been experimentally studied. The temperature dependences of the attenuation of all normal ultrasonic modes propagating in the ??110?? direction both in doped copper and in nominally pure gallium arsenide crystals have been measured. In the GaAs:Cu crystal, the attenuation peak has been revealed for a transverse wave polarized along the ??110?? axis whose elastic shifts correspond to the symmetry of the tetragonal mode of the Jahn-Teller effect. The temperature dependence of the attenuation of this wave indicates that two types of attenuation??relaxation and resonance??occur. The constructed temperature dependence of the relaxation time indicates that tunneling through the potential barrier between the minima of the adiabatic potential energy is the main relaxation mechanism at temperatures below 10 K. Tunneling splitting estimated from experimental data is in good agreement with the theoretical estimate.     

Dielectric and ultrasonic investigation of phase transition in cuinp2s6 crystals

Investigation results of dielectric and ultrasonic properties of layered CuInP₂S₆ crystals are presented. At low frequencies, dielectric spectra are highly influenced by the high ionic conductivity with the activation energy of 7357.4?K (0.635?eV). The high-frequency part of the spectra is determined by relaxational soft mode. The critical slowing down and Debye-type dispersion show the order–disorder type of the phase transition. The temperature dependence of the relaxational soft mode and dielectric contribution show a quasi-one-dimensional behaviour. Ultrasonic velocity exhibits critical slowing down which is accompanied by attenuation peaks in the phase transition region. Layered CuInP₂S₆ crystals have extremely large elastic nonlinearity in the direction perpendicular to layers. The nonlinear elastic parameters substantially increases at the PT temperature.     

Behaviour of F and Fz Centres Under Thermal Stimulation in KCl:Eu2☎ Irradiated with Ionizing and UV Radiation

The optical absorption (OA) of F and F_z, centres in beta-and UV-irradiated KCl: Eu^2? have been studied. The spectra measured at room temperature and during the subsequent heatings up to 600 K, were analyzed by a deconvolution procedure. The OA bands of the F and F_z centres are well described respectively by asymmetric and symmetric gaussiane with parameters that are linearly dependent on the temperature. The thermal stability of the F_z centres correlates with the low-temperature thermostimulated luminescence (TL) peaks. The stability of the F centres is determined at least by two processes. Part of the F centres is destroyed together with the F_z centres. The remaining ones are destroyed during further heating up to 470 K, correlating with the TL peak at 425 K (at heating rate of 0.1 K/s).     

Etude d'un nouveau type de fluorure antiferromagnetique a caractere bidimensionnel: NaFeF4

A new type of two-dimensional antiferromagnetic structure has been investigated by magnetic susceptibility measurements, neutron diffraction and Mössbauer resonance. The magnetic cell of NaFeF₄ is doubled along the a axis and the spins lie along the b axis. The κ^-1 vs T curve shows a sharp minimum at about 105 K close to the three-dimensional transition temperature determined by Mössbauer spectrometry (111.5 K). A calculation of z. snfc;J/kz. snfc; has been performed using a high temperature series expansions technique (J/k = -23 K). The variation of the hyperfine field in the range 0.6 ?T/T_N? 1 gave the value of the critical exponant β = 0.25.     

Ultrasonic study of dysprosium in a magnetic field

The ultrasonic attenuation of longitudinal waves propagating along the c axis of single crystal dyprosium is reported, as a function of the applied basal plane field in the paramagnetic region, and as a function of the temperature, at constant applied basal plane field, in the spin-spiral region. In the paramagnetic region, anomalous attenuation behavior is explained on the basis of competing spin-polarization and spin-fluctuation effects. Two anomalous maxima in the temperature dependence of the attenuation were observed: one near T_N is attributed to spin fluctuations associated with short range ferromagnetic ordering; another one at 130 K is attributed to a magnetic phase transition from a fanstructure phase, intermediate between the spin-spiral and ferromagnetically ordered phase     

Comparison of parallel and perpendicular ferromagnetic resonance in an exchange-biased bilayer

We have investigated the ferromagnetic resonance spectra of an exchange-biased Ni₈₀Fe₂₀/CoO bilayer between room temperature and 4 K. Primary attention has been paid to the effect of the antiferromagnetic CoO film on the temperature-dependent resonance field shift of the ferromagnetic Ni₈₀Fe₂₀ film with respect to that of an unbiased film. At low temperatures, the field shift with the magnetic field applied perpendicular to the plane was determined to be more than twice the magnitude of the parallel field shift, and of the same sign, while an unoxidized single ferromagnetic film has much smaller parallel and perpendicular low-temperature shifts (here defined with respect to room temperature) of opposite sign. This observation implies that the anisotropy axis can rotate with the applied field, provided that the primary cause of the anisotropy is the interaction between the adjacent ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic films. Since the perpendicular shift is more than a factor of two larger than the parallel field shift, the rotatable anisotropy is, in fact, anisotropic in this bilayer.