Phonon density-of-states for high-T c (Y,RE) Ba2Cu3O7 superconductors and non-superconducting reference systems

From inelastic neutron scattering experiments, we determined the generalized phonon density-of-states (PDOS) for the high-T _c superconductors MEBA₂Cu₃O₇ (ME=Y, Y_0.5Pr_0.5, Nd) and the non-superconducting references YBa₂Cu₃O₆ and PrBa₂Cu₃O₇. A detailed study of the Y-O₇ compound at temperatures between 300 K and 6 K gave no evidence of any pronounced soft-mode behaviour. Moderate changes only occur in the PDOS between Nd and Pr samples and Y and Y_0.5Pr_0.5 samples, respectively, but drastic differences show up in the Y-O₇ and Y-O₆ spectra. Thus, we could not find correlations betweenT _c -values and particular features in the PDOS although there is some evidence that electron-phonon coupling is strong in this class of materials.     

Changes in the phonon spectra of Bi 2212 superconductors connected with the metal-semiconductor transition in the series of Bi2Sr2(Ca1−xYx)Cu2O8 compounds

By means of inelastic neutron scattering the phonon density of states (PDOS) has been measured for compounds Bi₂Sr₂(Ca_1–xY_x)Cu₂O₈₊ for different values ofx. The transition from a superconducting to a semiconducting material is paralleled by characteristic changes in the PDOS as it was observed before for other HTC ceramics. The results are discussed on the basis of a model calculation and it can be shown that high frequency oxygen vibrations in the Cu–O sublattice are stongly renormalized in the superconducting compound.     

Properties and identification of oxygen sites at the V2O5(010) surface: theoretical cluster studies and photoemission experiments

Density functional theory cluster studies and angular resolved photoemission (ARUPS) measurements were performed to examine properties of differently coordinated surface oxygens at the V₂O₅(010) surface. Calculations on embedded clusters as large as V₁₆O₄₉H₁₈ confirm the ionic character of the oxide. The computed width of the O 2sp dominated valence band region of V₂O₅ and the work function value of V₂O₅ (010) are in good agreement with the present photoemission data for freshly cleaved V₂O₅(010) samples. Cluster derived total and partial densities of states (DOS, PDOS) can be used to identify differently coordinated surface oxygens. The PDOS referring to terminal (vanadyl) oxygens is localized near the center of the valence band whereas the PDOS’s of the different bridging oxygens yield a broad distribution covering the full energy range of the valence bands. The shape of the experimental ARUPS curves for V₂O₅(010) is well reproduced by the cluster DOS. Thus, the most prominent central peak in the experimental spectrum can be assigned to emission from terminal oxygen while the peripheral peaks at the top and bottom of the valence energy region are characterized as mixtures of vanadium with bridging oxygen induced contributions. This interpretation forms a basis to get insight into microscopic features at the real V₂O₅(010) surface such as imperfections and adsorbate binding. The present study suggests that the different O 2sp derived peaks observed in the photoemission experiment may be taken as monitors of the differently coordinated oxygens at the oxide surface and can be used to study details of catalytic surface reactions in which these oxygens participate.     

The electronic structure of Ca-intercalated superconducting graphite CaC6

We have measured Ca-intercalated graphite superconductor CaC₆ (T_c = 11.2 K) by soft X-ray photoemission spectroscopy in order to understand the electronic structure. For the valence band, we observed several structures that correspond to those of calculated density of states with the partial density of states of Ca 3d at the Fermi level (E_F). We also observed core level spectra that are a very large asymmetric Ca 2p and asymmetric C 1s for CaC₆, suggesting the existence of conduction electrons derived from Ca 3d and a charge transfer from Ca to graphene layer. These results provide spectroscopic evidence for PDOS of Ca 3d at E_F. From a comparison of electronic structure of CaC₆ and other graphite intercalation compounds (GICs), we found the difference between CaC₆ and other superconducting GICs, which provides deeper understanding of the superconductivity of CaC₆.     

The electronic structure of grain-boundary of YBa2Cu3O7 doped with 3d transition-metal atoms

We systemically study the electronic structures of Σ5 grain-boundary of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ with and without dopants of 3d transition-metal atoms based on the density functional theory. The partial density of states (PDOS) shows that the electronic structure of grain boundary is very different from that of crystal and the interesting orbital-reconstruction of interface is found. Generally super-current will significantly decrease when transmitting across grain boundary. The main reasons for suppressed super-current are that (1) the carriers are not uniformly distributed near grain-boundary regions and (2) the number of CuO₄-squares in CuO₂ layer, which are essentially important to transport properties, sharply decreases near grain-boundary region. The preferentially substituting sites of 3d transition-metal atoms in YBa₂Cu₃O₇ are predicted and some of them such as Co, Ni and Zn are consistent with the reported experimental analysis.     

Cd掺杂纤锌矿ZnO电子结构的第一性原理研究

采用密度泛函理论结合投影缀加波方法,对掺杂Cd导致ZnO禁带宽度下降的机理进行了研究. 通过对掺杂前后电子能带结构,态密度以及分态密度的计算和比较,发现Cd_xZn_1-xO价带顶端(VBM)始终由O-2p占据;而导带顶端(CBM)则由Cd-5s与Zn-4s杂化轨道控制. 随着掺杂浓度的增加,决定带隙宽度的CBM的位置下降,同时VBM的位置上升,从而导致了带隙的变窄,出现了红移现象. 此外,Cd掺杂会使晶胞发生膨胀,这种张应变也是导致Cd 关键词： 密度泛函理论 电子结构 Cd掺杂ZnO     

Cd掺杂纤锌矿ZnO电子结构的第一性原理研究

采用密度泛函理论结合投影缀加波方法，对掺杂Cd导致ZnO禁带宽度下降的机理进行了研究. 通过对掺杂前后电子能带结构，态密度以及分态密度的计算和比较，发现Cd_xZn_1-xO价带顶端(VBM)始终由O-2p占据；而导带顶端(CBM)则由Cd-5s与Zn-4s杂化轨道控制. 随着掺杂浓度的增加，决定带隙宽度的CBM的位置下降，同时VBM的位置上升，从而导致了带隙的变窄，出现了红移现象. 此外，Cd掺杂会使晶胞发生膨胀，这种张应变也是导致Cd     

Synthesis and transport properties of La2NiO4

La₂NiO₄ compounds were prepared by a modified sol–gel auto-combustion method, which is a low-temperature combustion synthesis procedure using microwave-assisted sol–gel as precursors. The high-temperature transport properties of the samples were investigated. The band structure, total density of states (DOS), and partial density of states (PDOS) of low-temperature orthorhombic (Bmab) phase and high-temperature tetragonal (I4/mmm) phase for La₂NiO₄ were calculated in order to study the transport properties of the as-obtained samples.     

Calculated effects of charge fluctuations on the phonon dispersion of YBa2Cu3O6 and YBa2Cu3O7. II. Results

Using the model presented in the preceding paper we investigate the effects of charge fluctuations (CF) on the phonon dispersion of YBa₂Cu₃O₆ (O₆) and YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (O₇). Starting from an ab-initio rigid-ion model as a reference system, CF are allowed for at the copper- and oxygen ions. The CF are treated as adiabatic electronic degrees of freedom. Within the rigid-ion model (RIM) the structural parameters are calculated by minimization of the energy. The results agree reasonably well with the experiment, indicating the suitability of the ionic model as a starting point and the importance of ionic forces for the properties of the high-temperature superconductors (HTSC) in general. Next, the phonon dispersion is calculated in the RIM as well as including CF additionally and the renormalization of the individual modes is discussed. By restricting the CF optionally to the planes, effects arising specifically from CF in the planes on the one hand and from CF in the chain as well as at the axial bridging oxygens (O4) on the other hand can be separated. We find the oxygen axial modes at the γ- and Z point (A_1g/A_2μ in O₆, A_g/B_1μ in O₇) particularly interesting. Most of these modes show considerable renormalizations. Moreover, the γ/Z-axial modes are characterized by the possibility of having CF of the same sign in the whole CuO planes what distinguishes them from the modes at other symmetry points. In particular, the Z-point axial modes are singular in having CF of alternating sign in consecutive structural units in c direction. Such a “c-direction-charge-transfer” has been shown previously to be an effective screening mechanism in La₂CuO₄. Indeed, we find a drastic renormalization of the plane-oxygen A_g mode at the Z point (A_g(O23;Z)) in O₇ (oxygen ions in neighboring planes vibrating in-phase), at least in the adiabatic approximation used here. In the insulating phase this mode exhibits, on the other hand, very large changes of the potential at the ion sites, whereas its renormalization is moderate only. The reason for this behaviour is that in the insulating phase in case of a two-dimensional electronic structure the charge transfer (screening) is restricted locally in the structural unit and long-range charge transfer is not possible as in the metal. However, a strong suppression of screening for this mode can also be expected for the metallic phase in O₇ in case non-adiabatic electron-phonon coupling would be important. The A_g (O23;Z)-mode thus seems to be by far the most interesting mode in O₇. These features are directly related to the layered structure of the HTSC compounds considered here. The O4-axial-breathing modes show significant renormalizations too, and are characterized by plane-chain charge transfer. Moreover, besides the O23- and O4-modes, the yttrium modes appear to be important too. In addition to the phonon-dispersion curves, we present values for the CF amplitudes and screened site-potential changes at the copper-and oxygen ions. Finally, we give transverse effective charges and dielectric constants for the insulating phase (O₆) as calculated within our formalism.     

Network structure and thermal property of a novel high temperature seal glass

In this study, novel glasses based on SrO–La₂O₃–Al₂O₃–B₂O₃–SiO₂ system are investigated for solid oxide fuel and electrolyzer cells. The network structure evolution of the glasses with increasing B₂O₃:SiO₂ ratio was studied using Raman spectroscopy. The thermal properties of the glasses, including glass transition temperature T _g and glass softening temperature T _d , were studied using dilatometry. The thermal stability of the glasses was investigated using X-ray diffraction. The study shows that as the B₂O₃:SiO₂ ratio increases, the SrO–La₂O₃–Al₂O₃–B₂O₃–SiO₂ glass micro-heterogeneity and the amount of non-bridging oxygen atoms increase. Correspondingly, the T _g of the SrO–La₂O₃–Al₂O₃–B₂O₃–SiO₂ glasses changes from 635 to 775°C, and the T _d changes from 670 to 815°C. Glass thermal stability decreases with B₂O₃:SiO₂ ratio increase. The glass without B₂O₃ is thermally stable after being kept at 850°C for 200 hrs.     

铁基非晶态因瓦合金的声子谱研究

用非弹性中子散射实验方法研究了非晶态Ｆｅ_９０－ｘＣｏ_ｘＺｒ_１０（ｘ＝１０，４０）和Ｆｅ_８０－ｙＣｒ_ｙＰ_１３Ｃ_７（ｙ＝４，８）合金的广义声子谱，在低能区域（?ω≤２０ｍｅＶ）观察到了与因瓦效应相关的声子谱软化现象。初步讨论了这种动力学方面的反常行为。结果表明，声子谱软化可能与在因瓦合金中存在增强的电子－声子相互作用有关。 关键词：     

Raman and IR spectra of K4Nb6O17and K4Nb6O17·3H2O single crystals

Polarised Raman and IR spectra of K₄Nb₆O₁₇ and K₄Nb₆O₁₇· 3H₂O single crystals were measured. The obtained spectra are discussed using the factor group approach for the orthorhombic P2₁nb space group and assignment of bands to the respective motions of atoms is proposed. In particular, we have shown that the bands above 770 cm⁻¹ can be attributed to the stretching modes of short niobium–oxygen bonds, which are present in this material due to the pronounced layered structure, whereas the potassium atoms contribute to the bands observed below 180 cm⁻¹. Our studies have revealed that intercalation of water molecules leads to shifts, broadening and changes in intensity of some bands. These changes have been attributed to slight changes in the bond lengths and angles, interactions of the water molecules with K atoms and structural disorder introduced by the intercalated water molecules. However, the main structural framework was preserved. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactivity at the oxygen/titania interface and the related charge transfer

The present paper reports the reactivity between TiO₂ and oxygen and the related charge transfer at 298 and 1,073 K. The studies were performed using work function measurements. It was found that oxidation of TiO₂ at 1,073 K and p(O₂) = 75 kPa, initially standardized at 1,173 K and p(O₂) = 10 Pa, results in work function changes that are consistent with the theoretical model of the charge transfer during oxygen chemisorption and oxygen incorporation at the absence of structural transitions. However, oxidation of TiO₂ at 298 K, p(O₂) = 75 kPa, which has been initially standardized at 1,173 K in extremely reducing conditions at p(O₂) = ∼10⁻¹⁰ Pa, results in work function changes that are consistent with low-dimensional structural changes of the surface layer. It is shown that oxidation of strongly reduced TiO₂ at 298 K results in a decrease of work function, which cannot be explained without assuming the structural changes of the outermost surface layer.     

Electronic structure and optical properties of ordered compounds potassium tantalate and potassium niobate and their disordered alloys

The electronic energy band structure, site and angular momentum decomposed density of states (DOS) of cubic perovskite oxides KNbO₃ and KTaO₃ have been obtained from a first principles density functional based full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FLAPW) method within a generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The total DOS in valence region is compared with the experimental photo-emission spectra (PES). The calculated DOS is in good agreement with the experimental energy spectra and the features in the spectra are interpreted by comparison with the projected density of states (PDOS). The valence band PES is mainly composed of Nb-4d/Ta-5d and O 2p states in KNbO₃ and KTaO₃, respectively. Using the PDOS and the band structure we have analyzed the inter-band contribution to the optical properties of these materials. The real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function have been calculated and compared with experimental data. They are found to be in a reasonable agreement. The role of band structure on the optical properties have been discussed.     

Features of the superconducting state and structural disorder in ultrafine particles of the HTSC YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>

We study the reasons for which the compound YBa₂Cu₃O _y begins to lose its superconducting ability with a decrease in particle sizes to values of ∼0.1 μm. Our analysis of the results of structural and magnetic studies has allowed us to reveal changes in the parameters of the crystal structure and of the superconducting state in small particles of an HTSC and to show that the main cause of these changes is a special kind of a structural disorder peculiar only to small particles of YBa₂Cu₃O _y and is realized as a consequence of the need for nonequilibrium conditions during their synthesis.     

Long distance structural consequences of H‐bonding: the case of complexes of para‐substituted phenol derivatives

H‐bonded complexes of p‐X‐PhOH/p‐X‐PhO^? with fluoride and hydrofluoric acid (X = OH, H, NO₂) were subject of optimization (by means of B3LYP/6‐311+G**) for gradually changed O···F distance from d_O···F = 4.0 Å down to (i) the distance of the proton transfer from the hydroxyl group to fluoride leading to O^?···HF interaction and (ii) fully optimized system (O^?···HF type). In this way, we simulate gradual changes of H‐bond strength estimating simultaneously the energy of interaction, E_int, energy of deformation, E_def, and the binding energy, E_tot. The obtained geometrical parameters allow us to show that H‐bond formation causes substantial changes in geometry, even at so distant parts of the system as the ring and bond length in para‐substituents (OH and NO₂). All these changes are monotonically dependent on interaction and deformation energies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reduced magnetic disorder at low temperature in Ca3Co2O6 via zinc substitution

ABSTRACT

The compound Ca₃Co₂O₆ undergoes a transition into a spin-density wave (SDW) state near 24?K. Below ～10?K, this unstable SDW state coexists with a nearly- degenerate commensurate antiferromagnetic state as well as short-range magnetic order. Clear signatures of this strong magnetic disorder have been observed in the response of entropy to changing magnetic field and temperature. We performed a calorimetry study of Ca₃Co₂O₆ and Ca₃Co_1.9Zn_0.1O₆ in order to compare their entropic responses at low temperature. Our results for Ca₃Co₂O₆ reveal that ΔS(T, H)?≡?S(T, H)?S(T, H?=?0) increases as either temperature or magnetic field increase. In contrast, ΔS data for Ca₃Co_1.9Zn_0.1O₆ were relatively unresponsive to changes in temperature or field, suggesting that Zn substitution may reduce the low-temperature magnetic disorder observed in Ca₃Co₂O₆. These results are discussed within the context of two cases (Ca₃Co₂O₆ under applied pressure and Ca_2.75R_0.25Co₂O₆ (R?=?Dy, Lu)) in which a single magnetic ground state is stabilised.     

Superconductivity and electronic liquid-crystal states in twin-free YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>6+x</Subscript> studied by neutron scattering

In this paper, we first give a concise overview of recent experimental and theoretical work dealing with “electronic liquid-crystal states” which spontaneously break different symmetries of the CuO₂ layers of high-T _c cuprates, with an emphasis on evidence in the spin excitation spectrum. Then we describe the importance of using twin-free samples to look for evidence for fourfold symmetry breaking in the spectrum and explain the preparation procedure to obtain such samples. We present inelastic neutron scattering results for moderately underdoped YBa₂Cu₃O_6.6(T _c = 61  K) and nearly optimally doped YBa₂Cu₃O_6.85(T _c = 89  K). In YBa₂Cu₃O_6.6, the dispersion topology changes when heating above T _c from an hourglass shape with constricted, commensurate resonance peak to a “Y”-shape without resonance anomaly. This change, and the fact that the low-energy signal above T _c can be described by an incommensurate, quasi-one-dimensional distribution, indicates a competition of superconductivity with an electronic liquid-crystal state. We then show a striking analogy between the difference signal I(5  K) − I(70  K) and the downward dispersing resonance mode in YBa₂Cu₃O_6.85. We therefore argue that a resonance mode only emerges below T _c, irrespective of the doping level. We finally discuss the implications of our results for the different scenarios invoked to explain the electronic liquid-crystal state in cuprates.     

β型烧绿石结构氧化物超导体$lt;i$gt;A$lt;/i$gt;Os$lt;sub$gt;2$lt;/sub$gt;O$lt;sub$gt;6$lt;/sub$gt;($lt;i$gt;A$lt;/i$gt;=K,Rb,Cs)电子能带结构的第一性原理计算

用全势线性缀加平面波方法计算β型烧绿石结构氧化物超导体AOs₂O₆ （A=K,Rb,Cs）的电子能带结构及态密度.计算发现电子自旋轨道耦合和在位库仑势U的作用增大了费米面处态密度值.通过计算还得到这三种化合物电子关联常数λ_c分别为1.55,1.12和0.73.由实验测量与能带计算得到的电子比热容系数的比值得到电子质量提高参数.通过分析这三种化合物电子质量提高参数,推算出它们的电声子耦合常数λ_ep分别为1.56,0.78和1.08.由此提出KOs₂O₆为强电子关联和强电声子耦合系统,而RbOs₂O₆和CsOs₂O₆的电子关联性与电声子耦合为中等. 关键词： β型烧绿石超导体 能带结构 电子关联 电声子耦合