Evolution of magnetic properties in the normal spinel solid solution Mg(1-x)Cu(x)Cr2O4

We examine the evolution of magnetic properties in the normal spinel oxides Mg(1-x)Cu(x)Cr2O4 using magnetization and heat capacity measurements. The end-member compounds of the solid solution series have been studied in some detail because of their very interesting magnetic behavior. MgCr2O4 is a highly frustrated system that undergoes a first-order structural transition at its antiferromagnetic ordering temperature. CuCr2O4 is tetragonal at room temperature as a result of Jahn-Teller active tetrahedral Cu2+ and undergoes a magnetic transition at 135 K. Substitution of magnetic cations for diamagnetic Mg2+ on the tetrahedral A site in the compositional series Mg(1-x)Cu(x)Cr2O4 dramatically affects magnetic behavior. In the composition range 0 ≤ x ≤ ≈0.3, the compounds are antiferromagnetic. A sharp peak observed at 12.5 K in the heat capacity of MgCr2O4 corresponding to a magnetically driven first-order structural transition is suppressed even for small x. Uncompensated magnetism--with open magnetization loops--develops for samples in the x range ≈0.43 ≤ x ≤ 1. Multiple magnetic ordering temperatures and large coercive fields emerge in the intermediate composition range 0.43 ≤ x ≤ 0.47. The Néel temperature increases with increasing x across the series while the value of the Curie-Weiss Θ(CW) decreases. A magnetic temperature-composition phase diagram of the solid solution series is presented.     

Magnetic properties of multiferroics-semiconductors Eu(1-x)Ce(x)Mn2O5

Studies of magnetization, magnetoresistance, and magnetic oscillations in semiconductor-multiferroics Eu(1-x)Ce(x)Mn2O5 (x = 0.2-0.25) (ECMO) at temperatures ranging from 5 to 350 K in magnetic fields up to 6 T are presented. It is shown that phase separation and charge carrier self-organization in the crystals give rise to a layered superstructure perpendicular to the c axis. An effect of magnetic field cycling on the superstructure, magnetization, and magnetoresistance is demonstrated. X-ray diffraction studies of ECMO demonstrating the effect of magnetic field on the superstructure are presented. The de Haas-van Alphen magnetization oscillations in high magnetic fields and the temperature-induced magnetic oscillations in a fixed magnetic field are observed at low temperatures. Below 10 K the quantum corrections to magnetization due to the weak charge carrier localization in 2D superlattice layers occur. It is shown that at all the temperatures the Eu(1-x)Ce(x)Mn2O5 magnetic state is dictated by superparamagnetism of isolated ferromagnetic domains.     

Epitaxial growth and band alignment of (Gd(x)La(1-x))(2)O(3) films on n-GaAs (001)

Herein we demonstrate the epitaxial stabilization of single-crystalline (Gd(x)La(1-x))(2)O(3) films on n-GaAs (001) with a controlled lattice match. (Gd(x)La(1-x))(2)O(3) films have an in-plane epitaxial relationship with a twofold rotation on GaAs (001). Spectroscopic characterization by photoemission and absorption confirms that the band gap of (Gd(x)La(1-x))(2)O(3) film is approximately approximately 5.8eV. However, the conduction band offset is increased by the unpinned Fermi level of the n-GaAs in the (Gd(x)La(1-x))(2)O(3) film (x=0.97). The correlation of the crystalline property and the interfacial band offset by the electrical properties, as probed by capacitance and leakage current measurements, is also discussed.     

Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy induced by tetragonal distortion of FeCo alloy films grown on Pd(001)

We grew tetragonally distorted FexCo1-x alloy films on Pd(001). Theoretical first-principles calculations for such films predicted a high saturation magnetization and a high uniaxial magnetic anisotropy energy for specific values of the lattice distortion c/a and the alloy composition x. The magnetic anisotropy was investigated using the magneto-optical Kerr effect. An out-of-plane easy axis of magnetization was observed for Fe0.5Co0.5 films in the thickness range of 4 to 14 monolayers. The magnetic anisotropy energy induced by the tetragonal distortion is estimated to be almost 2 orders of magnitude larger than the value for bulk FeCo alloys. Using LEED Kikuchi patterns, a change of the easy axis of magnetization can be related to a decrease of the tetragonal distortion with thickness.     

Absence of conventional spin-glass transition in the Ising dipolar system LiHo(x)Y(1-x)F(4)

The magnetic properties of single crystals of LiHo(x)Y(1-x)F(4) with x = 16.5% and x = 4.5% were recorded down to 35 mK using a micro-SQUID magnetometer. While this system is considered as the archetypal quantum spin glass, the detailed analysis of our magnetization data indicates the absence of a phase transition, not only in a transverse applied magnetic field, but also without field. A zero-Kelvin phase transition is also unlikely, as the magnetization seems to follow a noncritical exponential dependence on the temperature. Our analysis thus unmasks the true, short-ranged nature of the magnetic properties of the LiHo(x)Y(1-x)F(4) system, validating recent theoretical investigations suggesting the lack of phase transition in this system.     

Andreev reflections on Y(1-x)Ca(x)Ba(2)Cu(3)O(7-delta): evidence for an unusual proximity effect

We have measured Andreev reflections between an Au tip and Y(1-x)Ca(x)Ba(2)Cu(3)O(7-delta) thin films in the in-plane orientation. The conductance spectra are best fitted with a pair potential having the d(x2-y2)+is symmetry. We find that the amplitude of the is component is enhanced as the contact transparency is increased. This is an indication for an unusual proximity effect that modifies the pair potential in the superconductor near the surface with the normal metal.     

High temperature ferromagnetism with a giant magnetic moment in transparent co-doped SnO(2-delta)

The occurrence of room temperature ferromagnetism is demonstrated in pulsed laser deposited thin films of Sn(1-x)Co(x)O(2-delta) (x<0.3). Interestingly, films of Sn(0.95)Co(0.05)O(2-delta) grown on R-plane sapphire not only exhibit ferromagnetism with a Curie temperature close to 650 K, but also a giant magnetic moment of 7.5+/-0.5 micro(B)/Co, not yet reported in any diluted magnetic semiconductor system. The films are semiconducting and optically highly transparent.     

Optimization of Pr(0.9)Ca(0.1)MnO(3) thin films and observation of coexisting spin-glass and ferromagnetic phases at low temperature

Optimization of thin films of small bandwidth manganite, Pr(1-x)Ca(x)MnO3 (for x = 0.1), and their magnetic properties are investigated. Using different pulsed laser deposition (PLD) conditions, several films were deposited from the stoichiometric target material on SrTiO3 (001) substrate and their thorough structural and magnetic characterizations were carried out using x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), SQUID magnetometry and ac susceptibility measurements. A systematic investigation shows that irrespective of the growth temperature (between 550 and 750?°C), all the as-deposited films have twin boundaries and magnetic double phases. Post-annealing in partial or full oxygen pressure removes the extra phase and the twin boundaries. Zero-field-cooled magnetization data show an antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition at around 100 K whereas the field-cooled magnetization data exhibit a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition close to 120 K. However, depending on the oxygen treatments, the saturation magnetization and Curie temperature of the films change significantly. Redistribution of oxygen vacancies due to annealing treatments leading to a change in ratio of Mn3+ and Mn4+ in the films is observed from XPS measurements. Low temperature (below 100 K) dc magnetization of these films shows metamagnetic transition, high coercivity and irreversibility magnetizations, indicating the presence of a spin-glass phase at low temperature. The frequency dependent shift in spin-glass freezing temperature from ac susceptibility measurement confirms the coexistence of spin-glass and ferromagnetic phases in these samples at low temperature.     

Common energy scale for magnetism and superconductivity in underdoped cuprates: a muon spin resonance investigation of (Ca(x)La(1-x)) (Ba(1.75-x)La(0.25+x))Cu3O(y)

We characterize the spontaneous magnetic field, and determine the associated temperature T(g), in the superconducting state of (Ca(x)La(1-x)) (Ba(1.75-x)La(0.25+x)) Cu(3)O(y) using zero and longitudinal field muon spin resonance measurements for various values of x and y. Our major findings are (i) T(g) and T(c) are controlled by the same energy scale, (ii) the phase separation between hole poor and hole rich regions is a microscopic one, and (iii) spontaneous magnetic fields appear gradually with no moment size evolution.     

Magnetic anisotropy of Co2+ as signature of intrinsic ferromagnetism in ZnO:Co

We report on the magnetic properties of thoroughly characterized Zn(1-x)Co(x)O epitaxial thin films, with low Co concentration, x = 0.003-0.005. Magnetic and EPR measurements, combined with crystal field theory, reveal that isolated Co2+ ions in ZnO possess a strong single ion anisotropy which leads to an "easy plane" ferromagnetic state when the ferromagnetic Co-Co interaction is considered. We suggest that the peculiarities of the magnetization process of this state can be viewed as a signature of intrinsic ferromagnetism in ZnO:Co materials.     

Absence of intrinsic ferromagnetic interactions of isolated and paired Co dopant atoms in Zn1-xCoxO with high structural perfection

We report element specific structural and magnetic investigations on Zn(1-x)Co(x)O epitaxial films using synchrotron radiation. Co dopants exclusively occupy Zn sites as revealed by x-ray linear dichroism having an unprecedented degree of structural perfection. Comparative magnetic field dependent measurements by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism and conventional magnetometry consistently show purely paramagnetic behavior for isolated Co dopant atoms with a magnetic moment of 4.8 (mu B). However, the total magnetization is reduced by approximately 30%, demonstrating that Co-O-Co pairs are antiferromagnetically coupled. We find no sign of intrinsic ferromagnetic interactions for isolated or paired Co dopant atoms in Co:ZnO films.     

Origin of the tunnel anisotropic magnetoresistance in Ga(1-x)Mn(x)As/ZnSe/Ga(1-x)Mn(x)As magnetic tunnel junctions of II-VI/III-V heterostructures

We investigated spin-dependent transport in magnetic tunnel junctions made of III-V Ga(1-x)Mn(x)As electrodes and II-VI ZnSe tunnel barriers. The high tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) ratio up to 100% we observed indicates high spin polarization at the barrier/electrodes interfaces. We found anisotropic tunneling conductance having a magnitude of 10% with respect to the direction of magnetization to linearly depend on the magnetic anisotropy energy of Ga(1-x)Mn(x)As. This proves that the spin-orbit interactions in the valence band of Ga(1-x)M(x)As are responsible for the tunnel anisotropic magnetoresistance (TAMR) effect.     

Effect of Sb-doping on martensitic transformation and magnetocaloric effect in Mn-rich Mn_(50)Ni_(40)Sn_(10-x)Sb_x(x=1,2,3,and 4) alloys

We investigate the influence of Sb-doping on the martensitic transformation and magnetocaloric effect in Mn_(50)Ni_(40)Sn_(10-x)Sb_x(x = 1, 2, 3, and 4) alloys. All the prepared samples exhibit a B2-type structure with the space group F m3 m at room temperature. The substitution of Sb increases the valence electron concentration and decreases the unit cell volume. As a result, the magnetostructural transformation shifts rapidly towards higher temperatures as x increases.The changes in magnetic entropy under different magnetic field variations are explored around this transformation. The isothermal magnetization curves exhibit typical metamagnetic behavior, indicating that the magnetostructural transformation can be induced by a magnetic field. The tunable martensitic transformation and magnetic entropy changes suggest that Mn_(50)Ni_(40)Sn_(10-x)Sb_x alloys are attractive candidates for applications in solid-state refrigeration.     

Role of Nd/Ba disorder on the penetration depth of Nd(1+x)Ba(2-x)Cu(3)O(7-delta) thin films

We report on a study on the effect of Nd/Ba disorder on the ab-plane penetration depth of epitaxial Nd(1+x)Ba(2-x)Cu(3)O(7-delta) thin films. While in stoichiometric samples lambda(T) at low temperature is linear, Nd-rich films exhibit a quadratic law. For low Nd excess (x<0.04), a satisfying fit is obtained using the "dirty" d-wave model assuming that Nd ions at Ba sites act as strong scattering centers. At high x (x>0.15) the data are explained if Nd/Ba disorder becomes less effective as a source of scattering. The effect of localization has been discussed to account for the experimental results.     

Role of donor defects in stabilizing room temperature ferromagnetism in (Mn, Co) co-doped ZnO nanoparticles

We report the effects of co-doping ZnO with Co and Mn in an n-type environment on ferromagnetism (FM). Two sets of samples, Zn(0.95-x)Co(0.04)Mn(x)O (0.000 ≤ x ≤ 0.02) and Zn(0.95-y)Co(y)Mn(0.04)O (0.000 ≤ y ≤ 0.02), were synthesized by the chemical route with oxygen vacancies introduced via annealing in a forming gas (reducing the atmosphere). In addition to the magnetization, the particles were characterized by x-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and x-ray absorption near-edge emission spectroscopy. The Co and Mn ions were determined to be in the + 2 state in a tetrahedral symmetry, with no evidence of metallic Co or Mn. We find that while a purely Mn-doped sample exhibits weak FM at room temperature, the general effect of Mn as a co-dopant with Co, in an n-type environment, is to decrease the moment strongly. All of our results can be systematically explained within the context of defect mediated FM in these wide bandgap semiconductors, where the coincidence of the spin-split-impurity (defect) band states and the 3d states leads to the development of a net moment alongside the formation of spin polarons.     

Modulation of ultrafast laser-induced magnetization precession in BiFeO_3-coated La_(0.67)Sr_(0.33)MnO_3 thin films

The ultrafast laser-excited magnetization dynamics of ferromagnetic(FM) La_(0.67)Sr_(0.33)MnO_3(LSMO) thin films with BiFeO_3(BFO) coating layers grown by laser molecular beam epitaxy are investigated using the optical pump-probe technique.Uniform magnetization precessions are observed in the films under an applied external magnetic field by measuring the time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect.The magnetization precession frequencies of the LSMO thin films with the BFO coating layers are lower than those of uncoated LSMO films,which is attributed to the suppression of the anisotropy field induced by the exchange interaction at the interface between the antiferromagnetic order of BFO and the FM order of LSMO.     

Novel dielectric anomaly in the hole-doped La(2)Cu(1-x)Li(x)O(4) and La(2-x)Sr(x)NiO(4) insulators: signature of an electronic glassy state

The low-frequency dielectric response of hole-doped insulators La(2)Cu(1-x)Li(x)O(4) and La(2-x)Sr(x)NiO(4) shows a large dielectric constant epsilon(') at high temperature and a steplike drop by a factor of 100 at a material-dependent low temperature T(f). T(f) increases with frequency, and the dielectric response shows universal scaling in a Cole-Cole plot, suggesting that a charge-glass state is realized both in the cuprates and in the nickelates.     

Ab initio study of the electronic and magnetic properties of Sr(2-x)La(x)Fe(1+y/2)Mo(1-y/2)O6 double perovskites

Using the first-principles full potential linearized augmented plane wave method, the electronic structure of Sr(2-x)La(x)Fe(1+y/2)Mo(1-y/2)O6 (SLFMO) double-perovskite systems is investigated for x = 1/2 and 1 and for y = +1 and -1. Substituting Sr atoms by La atoms allows one to tune the electrons added into the minority spin band and enhances the half-metal feature--according to the rigid band shift model--even if the magnetization decreases with increasing La concentration. By taking into account the chemical disorder on the Fe and Mo sites, resulting from the introduction of La as shown experimentally, it is shown (i) that a supplemental magnetization reduction occurs because the magnetic moment on the Fe antisite is opposite to the one on the Fe regular sites and (ii) that the half-metal feature is preserved in SLFMO for x = 1/2 and 1 contrary to the case for SFMO. Finally, because surface or interface Fe deficiency should have a more limited impact on the spin polarization than for SFMO, SLFMO/SrTiO3 multilayers are investigated in order to confirm this prediction by determining the spin polarization at the interface, which is found to remain high.     

Magnetic properties of hole-doped SCGO, SrCr(8)Ga(4-x)M(x)O(19) (M?=?Zn, Mg, Cu)

We report changes in the magnetic properties of hole-doped SCGO, SrCr8Ga4O19, induced by replacing non-magnetic Ga3+ with both non-magnetic (Mg2+ and Zn2+) and magnetic (Cu2+) cations. The resulting solid solutions, SrCr(8)Ga(4-x)M(x)O(19) (M = Zn, Mg, Cu) have been studied by x-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility measurements. For all cases, at least 10% of Ga can be replaced by divalent cations resulting in oxidation of ≥5% of the Cr3+ d3 to Cr4+ (d2). The hole doping results in an increase in ferromagnetic interactions and reduces the magnetic frustration. In the SrCr(8)Ga(4-x)Cu(x)O(19) series an enhancement of the spin-glass-like transition is observed, T(f)～ 6 K, which we ascribe to the magnetic nature of the Cu2+ (d9) dopant.     

Fe掺杂La0．8Sr0．2Co1-xFexO3磁性的研究

利用溶胶-凝胶法制备了一系列的La0.8Sr0.2Co1-xFexO3样品.通过研究在不同外加磁场下磁化强度和温度变化的关系发现,在较高的外场下La0.8Sr0.2Co1-xFexO3样品的磁性反转现象没有被观察到;在低场下La0.8Sr0.2Co1-xFexO3系统磁性反转现象被实现.这说明Fe的掺杂引起了La0.8Sr0.2Co1-xFexO3样品中铁磁和反铁磁之间的竞争,导致了La0.8Sr0.2Co1-xFexO3样品磁性反转;同时外加磁场的强弱影响了La0.8Sr0.2Co1-xFexO3系统磁性反转现象的发生,外加磁场增大使得在La0.8Sr0.2Co1-xFexO3样品中Co离子的自旋平行趋势更强,在铁磁和反铁磁之间的竞争中铁磁耦合占主导优势,因此在较高的外场下磁性反转现象没有被观察到.