Specific heat anomaly in the 90 K superconductor HoBa2Cu3O7−y

We report here the results of our heat capacityC _p measurements on a monophasic material HoBa₂Cu₃O_7−y . ΔC _p/T_c, the jump inC _p at the superconducting transition temperature (=91 K) of the material is measured to be 31 mJ/mol-K².     

Hyperfine Interaction of 140Ce(←140La) in CaB6

A ¹⁴⁰La(I ^π=3⁻, T _1/2=40.3 h)-doped layer has been produced in CaB₆ by means of radioactive isotope (RI) beam technique: ¹⁴⁰Cs(I ^π=1⁻, T _1/2=63.7 s) was implanted into CaB₆ and the radioactive equilibrium of ¹⁴⁰Ba–¹⁴⁰La was achieved. The concentration of La in CaB₆ was La/Ca ∼0.001. Obtained TDPAC spectra of the 2083 keV level of ¹⁴⁰Ce (I ^π=4⁺, T _1/2=3.4 ns, μ=+4.35±0.10 μ _N ) followed by the β decay of ¹⁴⁰La showed the existence of hyperfine magnetic fields: B _hyp=−15.0±0.5 T and −1.00±0.15 T. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Universal relation between spectroscopic constants

A universal relation between the Sutherland parameter, Δ (= k _e r _e ^/2 /2D _e) and the dimensionless parameter G (= 8ω _e x _e /B _e ), has been established using 40 electronic states, which include ground as well as excited states of polar and non-polar molecules. This relation is used to predict the dissociation energy of four lowest electronic states of S ₂ molecule. The respective values for the states X ³Σ _g ^/− , a ¹Δ _g , b ¹Σ _g ^/+ and B ³Σ _u ^/− turn out to be 36557, 31431, 28247 and 13429 cm⁻¹, and are in good agreement with the experimental values. Furthermore, metastable states a ¹Δ _g and b ¹Σ _g ^/+ of S ₂ are shown to dissociate into ³ P ₁ + ³ P ₁ as against the dissociation of X ³Σ _g ^/− into ³ P ₂ + ³ P ₁. In addition, a relation between Sutherland parameter Δ and internuclear distance r _e , viz., Δ=2.2r _e has been obtained for the ground state of alkali diatomic molecules.     

Critical point phenomena in the electrical resistivity of binary liquid systems: CS2 + CH3CN and CS2 + CH3NO2

Electrical resistance measurements are reported on the binary liquid mixtures CS₂ + CH₃CN and CS₂ + CH₃NO₂ with special reference to the critical region. Impurity conduction seems to be the dominant mechanism for charge transport. For the liquid mixture filled at the critical composition, the resistance of the system aboveT _c follows the relationR=R _c−A(T−T _c) ^b withb=0·6±0·1. BelowT _c the conductivities of the two phases obey a relation σ₂−σ₁=B(T _c−T)^β with β=0·34±0·02, the exponent of the transport coefficient being the same as the exponent of the order parameter, an equilibrium property.     

Crystallographic and magnetic phase transition in TlMnCl3

The results of our NMR, EPR and magnetic susceptibility measurements in the paramagnetic state of TlMnCl₃ are reported here. The NMR paramagnetic shift of thallium is found to be small but positive. Mn²⁺ EPR line is exchange narrowed. The susceptibility measurements indicate an antiferromagnetic transition. The heat of crystallographic phase transition ΔH, in TlMnCl₃ has been measured using differential scanning calorimetry. The crystallographic phase transition appears to be first order and ΔH is unusually low viz. 10 cal mole⁻¹. In the case of KMnF₃ Δ_H, which is reported here for the first time, is determined to be 2 cal mole⁻¹.     

Metal-insulator transition in electron-doped Ba1−x La x MnO3 compounds

Electron-doped (Ba_1−x La _x )MnO₃ compounds were prepared for x=0−0.5. Measurements of X-ray diffraction (XRD) at room temperature and temperature variation of dc electrical resistivity down to 20 K were carried out. Samples with x=0.2–0.5 exhibit metal-insulator (M-I) transition. The maximum M-I transition temperature (T _c) of 289 K was observed for 30% of La doping (x=0.3). XRD patterns of these samples (x=0.2−0.5) were analyzed using Rietveld refinement. These samples are found to be mostly in single-phase form with orthorhombic symmetry (space group Pbnm). We have found strong correlation between Mn-O-Mn bond angles and T _c of M-I transition. The resistivity data below T _c could be fitted to the expression ρ=ρ ₁+ρ ₂ T ² and this shows that double exchange interaction plays a major role even in Mn⁴⁺-rich compound. Above T _c the resistivity data were fitted to variable range hopping and small polaron models.     

Determination of Trace Mercury by Solid Substrate-Room Temperature Phosphorimetry Quenching Method Based on Catalytic Effect of Hg2+on Formation of the Ion Association Complex [Sn(XO)6]4+·[(Fin)4]

A new method for the determination of trace mercury by solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry (SS-RTP) quenching method has been established. In glycine-HCl buffer solution, xylenol orange (XO) can react with Sn⁴⁺ to form the complex [Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺. [Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺ can interact with Fin⁻ (fluorescein anion) to form the ion associate [Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺·[(Fin)₄]⁻, which can emit strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) on polyamide membrane (PAM). Hg²⁺ can catalyze H₂O₂ oxidizing the ion association complex [Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺·[(Fin)₄]⁻, which causes the RTP to quench. The ΔIp value is directly proportional to the concentration of Hg²⁺ in the range of 0.016–1.6 fg spot⁻¹ (corresponding concentration: 0.040–4.0 pg ml⁻¹, 0.40 μl spot⁻¹), and the regression equation of working cure is ΔIp=10.03+83.15 m Hg²⁺ (fg spot⁻¹), (r=0.9987, n=6) and the detection limit (LD) is 3.6 ag spot⁻¹(corresponding concentration: 9.0×10^–15 g ml⁻¹, the sample volume: 0.4 μl). This simple, rapid, accurate method is of high selectivity and good repeatability, and it has been successfully applied to the determination of trace mercury in real samples. The reaction mechanism for catalyzing H₂O₂ oxidizing the ion association complex ([Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺·[(Fin)₄]⁻) SS-RTP quenching method to determine trace mercury is also discussed.     

Negative magnetoresistance in mixed-valence La0.6Y0.1Ca0.3MnO3: Evidence for charge localization governed by the Curie-Weiss law

The colossal negative magnetoresistance Δρ observed in La_0.6Y_0.1Ca_0.3MnO₃ at B=1 T shows an unusual, nearly perfect symmetry (around the peak temperature T ₀=160 K), suggestive of a Curie-Weiss-dominated transport mechanism in this material both above and below the field-dependent Curie temperature T _C ≡ T ₀. Attributing this symmetry to strong magnetic fluctuations below T _C (which are triggered by the Y substitution and cause a “bootstrap” destruction of the ferromagnetic phase), the data are interpreted in terms of the nonthermal spin hopping and magnetization-dependent charge carrier localization scenario leading to , with the magnetization M(T,B)=CB/|T−T _C(B)|^ν. The separate fits through all the data points above and below T _C yield C ⁺≃2C ⁻ and ν₊≃ν₋≃1, in agreement with the predictions of the Landau mean-field theory. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 70, No. 2, 136–140 (25 July 1999) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Edited by Steve Torstveit.     

Effect of substitution of Ce on superconducting properties of Bi1.7Pb0.3Sr2Ca2−x Ce x Cu3O10+δ system

We have investigated the superconducting properties of the Bi_1.7 Pb_0.3Sr₂Ca_2−xCe _x Cu₃O_10+δ system with x=0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.1 by X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility. The substitution of Ce for Ca has been found to drastically change the superconducting properties of the system. X-ray diffraction studies on these compounds indicate decrease in the c-parameter with increased substitution of Ce at Ca site and volume fraction of high T _c (2 : 2 : 2 : 3) phase decreases and low T _c phase increases. The magnetic susceptibility of this compound shows that the diamagnetic on set superconducting transition temperature (onset) varies from 109 K to 51 K for x=0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.1. These results suggest the possible existence of Ce in a tetravalent state rather than a trivalent state in this system; that is, Ca²⁺ → Ce⁴⁺ replacement changes the hole carrier concentration. Hole filling is the cause of lowering T _c of the system.     

Precise measurement of magnetic moment of short-lived β-emitting nuclei12B ( I π=1+, T 1/2=20.18 ms)

The spin polarized β-emitting nuclei¹²B (I ^π=1⁺,T _1/2=20.18 ms) were produced by the nuclear reaction¹¹B(d, p)¹²B and by the selection technique of the incident deuteron energy and the¹²B recoil angle following the nuclear reaction. The nuclear magnetic moment of the short-lived nuclei¹²B was measured by β-NMR with the β-NMR and β-NQR setup established for the first time in China. The nuclear magnetic moment of¹²B was determined to be μ=0.99993±0.00048 nm org=0.99993±0.00048 after the precise correction of the Knight shift.     

Spectroscopic properties of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:CaNb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> crystal

The absorption spectra, fluorescence spectrum and fluorescence decay curve of Nd³⁺ ions in CaNb₂O₆ crystal were measured at room temperature. The peak absorption cross section was calculated to be 6.202×10⁻²⁰ cm² with a broad FWHM of 7 nm at 808 nm for E//a light polarization. The spectroscopic parameters of Nd³⁺ ions in CaNb₂O₆ crystal have been investigated based on Judd-Ofelt theory. The parameters of the line strengths Ω _t are Ω ₂=5.321×10⁻²⁰ cm²,Ω ₄=1.734×10⁻²⁰ cm²,Ω ₆=2.889×10⁻²⁰ cm². The radiative lifetime, the fluorescence lifetime and the quantum efficiency are 167 μs, 152 μs and 91%, respectively. The fluorescence branch ratios are calculated to be β ₁=36.03%,β ₂=52.29%,β ₃=11.15%,β ₄=0.533%. The emission cross section at 1062 nm is 9.87×10⁻²⁰ cm².     

Adjoint representation admixture to weak nonleptonic decays in SU(4) and SU(8)

In order to remove some of the unsatisfactory features of the GIM model, we consider15-admixture in SU(4). ΔC=±ΔS decays remain unaffected. Lee-Sugawara sum-rule is obtained.15-admixture is extended then to63-admixture in SU(8). The most general Hamiltonian (H _w∼63⊕720⊕1232) in SU(8) is found to give Lee-Sugawara relation and Σ₊ ⁺=0 forS-wave decays of uncharmed baryons. Decay amplitude relations for ΔC=−1, ΔS=0 mode are obtained.     

Magnetic properties of Zr doped Y9Co7

Detailed measurements of magnetization and ac susceptibility at low temperatures of 1% Zr-substituted Y₉Co₇ are presented. All results are indicative of itinerant weak ferromagnetism withT _c ∼ 9.5 K. The zero-field magnetizations followT ² orT ^4/3 behaviour as in the Ni-substituted system. The estimated critical exponents areβ=0.38±0.03,γ=1.16±0.05. It is argued that the main effect of the non-magnetic Zr-substitution in Y₉Co₇ is to stabilize the ferromagnetic ordering by suppressing the ‘hopping’ of Co atoms along thec-axis sites of the hexagonal structure.     

Thermo-optic coefficients of monoclinic KLu(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The three thermo-optic coefficients of the biaxial laser host KLu(WO₄)₂ are measured at 633 nm by a deflection method. Their values at 300 K amount to ∂ n _g /∂ T=−7.4×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹; ∂ n _m /∂ T=−1.6×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ and ∂ n _p /∂ T=−10.8×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹. Nearly athermal propagation directions are found for polarizations along the N _m and N _p dielectric axes.     

Microscopic study of low-lying yrast spectra in <Superscript>100–108</Superscript>Mo isotopes

Variation-after-projection (VAP) calculations in conjunction with Hartree-Bogoliubov (HB) ansatz have been carried out for A=100−108 molybdenum (Mo) isotopes. In this framework, the yrast spectra with J _max ^π ≥10⁺, B(E2) transition probabilities, quadrupole (β₂) and hexadecapole (β₄) deformation parameters, moment of inertia (I) and square of cranking frequency (ω²) for even-even Mo isotopes have been obtained. The results of the calculation give an indication that it is important to include the hexadecapole-hexadecapole component of the two-body interaction for obtaining various nuclear structure quantities in these Mo isotopes.     

1H relaxation study in (NH4)2SbF5

¹H spin-lattice relaxation rate (T ₁ ⁻¹ ) has been measured using inversion recovery technique in polycrystalline (NH₄)₂SbF₅ system in the temperature range 140–400 K. From the plot of log (M ₀−M) againstτ, we have estimated two differentT ₁ corresponding to two inequivalent ammonium ions in the unit cell. Temperature-dependence ofT ₁ in each case exhibits features of double minima indicating the influence of different correlation times corresponding to different types of motion. Activation energies at different temperature regions have been estimated. Some features of dynamics of motion of the different groups of ions across the phase transitions have been discussed.     

Quantitative analysis of charge-carrier trapping in organic thin-film transistors from transfer characteristics

A dynamic method for quantifying the amount and mechanism of trapping in organic field effect transistors (OFETs) is proposed. It exploits transfer characteristics acquired upon application of a triangular waveform gate sweep V _G. The analysis of the transfer characteristics at the turning point V _G=−V _max between forward and backward gate sweeps, viz. around the maximum gate voltage V _max applied, provides a differential slope Δm which depends exclusively on trapping. Upon a systematic change of V _max it is possible to extract the initial threshold voltage, equivalent to one of the observables of conventional stress measurements, and assess the mechanism of trapping via the functional dependence on the current. The analysis of the differential logarithmic derivative at the turning point yields the parameters of trapping, as the exponent β and the time scale of trapping τ. In the case of an ultra-thin pentacene OFET we extract β=1 and τ=10²–10³ s, in agreement with an exponential distribution of traps. The analysis of the hysteresis parameter Δm is completely general and explores time scales much shorter than those involved in bias stress measurements, thus avoiding irreversible damage to the device.     

PEO electrolytes containing dioctyl phthalate (DOP) for dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells

In this paper, we aim to prepare polymer electrolytes consisting of NaI and I₂ dissolved in poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as an additive and apply the electrolytes to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Upon the incorporation of salt, the phthalic-stretching C=O bands of DOP in Fourier transform infrared spectra shifted to a lower wave number (Δf = 93 cm⁻¹), confirming the unusual strong complex formation between sodium ions and phthalic oxygen. Coordinative interactions and structural changes of PEO/NaI/I₂/DOP electrolytes have also been characterized by wide angle X-ray scattering, presenting an almost amorphous structure of the polymer electrolytes. The ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolytes reached ∼10^–4 S/cm at room temperature at the mole ratio of [EO]:[Na]:[DOP] = 10:1:0.5, as determined by the four-probe method. DSSC using the polymer electrolytes and conductive indium tin oxide glasses exhibited 2.9% of overall energy conversion efficiency (=P _max/P _in × 100) at one sun condition (100 mW/cm²). The good interfacial contact between the electrolytes and the dye-attached nanocrystalline TiO₂ layers were verified by field-emission scanning electron microscopy.     

Dielectric and conduction mechanism studies of PVA-orthophosphoric acid polymer electrolyte

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based proton conducting polymer electrolytes have been prepared by the solution cast technique. The conductivity is observed to increase from 10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ as a result of orthophosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) addition. The plot of conductivity vs temperature shows that a phase transition occurred at 343 K in the sample PVA-33 wt% H₃PO₄. The β-relaxation peak is observed at 313 K. The glass transition temperature of PVA-33 wt% H₃PO₄ is 343 K. Orthophosphoric acid seems to play a dual role, i.e., as a proton source and as a plasticizer. The ac conductivity σ _ac = Aω ^s was also calculated in the temperature range from 303 to 353 K. The conduction mechanism was inferred by plotting the graph of s vs T from which the conduction mechanism for sample PVA-17 wt% H₃PO₄ was inferred to occur by way of the overlapping large polaron tunneling (OLPT) model and the conduction mechanism for the sample PVA-33 wt% H₃PO₄ by way of the correlated barrier height (CBH) model.     

TDPAC studies of Hf doped YBCO

Time differential perturbed angular correlation measurements of the 133–482 keVγ-γ cascade of¹⁸¹Ta in Hf-doped YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x are presented. The¹⁸¹Hf precurser nuclei are incorporated into the sample by thermal neutron irradiation. Two quadrupole interaction frequencies are observed in the as-irradiated sample:v _Q1=161±10 MHz with intensityf ₁=75%, asymmetry parameterη ₁=0.32 and damping parameter Λ₁=0.42, andv _Q2=1108±40 MHz withf ₂=25%,η ₂=0.62, and Λ₂=0.60. On annealing the sample in air at various temperaturesT _a and quenching to room temperature,f ₁ remained nearly constant forT _a<600°C andv _Q1 for all annealing temperatures indicating that these are insensitive to oxygen stoichiometry. This frequency is interpreted to be due to¹⁸¹Hf substitutingY sites. BeyondT _a=600°C,f ₁ increased and reached a constant value of 90% forT _a=800°C. The value ofv _Q2 showed a slight variation between 1086 and 1160 MHz, whilef ₂ remained nearly constant at 25% forT _a<600°C. This component is identified to be due to¹⁸¹Hf substituting Cu 1 sites in the Cu-O chains of YBCO. Above 600°Cv _Q2 decreased and reached a value of 808 MHz beyond 750°C.