Magnetic,electrical and structural properties of some ternary and quaternary spinels with chromium

Spinel compounds with the general formulas ACr₂X₄ and ACr_2−xB_xX₄ (where A=Cd, Zn, Hg, Ga, Cu; X=S, Se, Te, O; B=Ga, In, Sb), including also substitution of two different cations in the tetrahedral subarray, exhibit different correlations of the magnetic and electrical properties. These properties are correlated with the ionic radii of cations and anions. The solid solutions of the boundary compounds reveal, e.g. correlations of metallic conductivity and a semiconductor–metal phase transition. In some spinel solid solutions the latter phase transition is accompanied by the magnetic phase transitions, i.e. either AF-F or Fi-F. Magnetic and electrical properties and their correlations in different spinel series with chromium are discussed in the frames of the phase diagram of the spinel-type compounds with chromium. Different mechanisms leading to the spin-glass state are discussed and illustrated.     

Magnetic, electrical, and optical properties of electron-doped Ca1 − x LaxMnO3 − δ(x ≤ 0.12) single crystals

The magnetic, electrical, and optical properties of Ca_{1 ? x} La_xMnO_{3 ? δ}(x ≤ 0.12) manganite single crystals have been studied. The state with a spatially inhomogeneous electron distribution has been found. Interrelations between the electric and magnetic subsystems are analyzed. The obtained magnetic data show evidence for the formation of a G-type antiferromagnetic (G-AFM) phase with a spin-canted structure in the crystal with x = 0.05, for which the Curie and Néel temperatures are T _C = T _N(G) = 115 K. On cooling from the paramagnetic state, the crystals with x = 0.10 and 0.12 exhibit transitions from the paramagnetic to a C-type antiferromagnetic (C-AFM) phase in a part of the volume at T _N(C) = 150 and 200 K, and from the paramagnetic to the G-type antiferromagnetic (G-AFM) phase in the remaining volume at T _N(G) = 110 and 108 K, respectively. The onset of the C-type magnetic phase nucleation in crystals is observed at lower dopant (La) concentrations than in polycrystalline samples, which is explained by the deviation of single crystals from the stoichiometry with respect to oxygen. The magnetic phase transitions are manifested by anomalies in the electric resistance and magnetoresistance of doped crystals. An analysis of the electrical and optical properties of the samples shows evidence of (i) the formation of a charge energy gap in the C-AFM phase with retained paramagnetic metallic regions and (ii) the presence of ferromagnetic “metallic” droplets in the insulating G-AFM phase. The multiphase state of Ca_{1 ? x} La_xMnO_{3 ? δ} manganite single crystals featuring the coexistence of two magnetic phases, the regions with orbital/charge ordering, and the FM “metallic” droplets is related to a competition of exchange interactions by the superexchange and double exchange mechanisms.     

Charge transfer and dielectric properties of granular nanocomposites Cox(LiNbO3)100 − x

The electrical and dielectric properties of thin-film heterogeneous nanostructures of Co_x(LiNbO₃)_{100 ? x} were studied in a wide concentration range of the metallic phase at room temperature. The percolation threshold characteristic of granular metal-dielectric systems was found. At low concentrations of the metallic phase, the concentration dependence of the permittivity is described by the Bruggeman formula. The conduction mechanism was found to change at low temperatures.     

Effect of cobalt doping on thermoelastic martensitic transformations and physical properties of magnetic shape memory alloys Ni50 − x Co x Mn29Ga21

The magnetic and thermoelastic martensitic transformations and physical properties (magnetization, electrical resistivity, thermoelectric power, relative elongation, and thermal expansion coefficient) of multicomponent magnetic shape memory alloys Ni_{50 ? x} Co _x Mn₂₉Ga₂₁ (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 10 at %) have been investigated. The critical temperatures of thermoelastic martensitic transformation and magnetic transitions have been determined. It has been found that the alloy with 10 at % Co undergoes a martensitic transformation in the temperature range of 6–10 K.     

La(Fe,Si)13-based magnetic refrigerants obtained by novel processing routes

The structure and magnetic properties of LaFe_13−xSi_x and Co-substituted LaFe_11.8−xCo_xSi_1.2 alloys prepared by melt spinning, as well as of LaFe_11.57Si_1.43H_x hydrides prepared by reactive milling are investigated. The hysteresis in the temperature- and field-induced phase transitions is significantly reduced as compared with conventional bulk alloys, which makes these materials very attractive for magnetic refrigerant applications. The unusual combination of features characteristic of first- and second-order phase transitions in the La(Fe,Si)₁₃-based compounds is discussed on the basis of density-functional electronic structure calculations.     

Magnetic, optical, and electrical properties of solid solutions VxFe1−x BO3

Complex studies of magnetic, electrical, and optical properties of V_x Fe_1?x BO₃ solid solutions are carried out in the entire range of concentrations between the extreme compounds VBO₃ and FeBO₃. A concentration semiconductor-insulator transition accompanied by a change in the magnetic structure is observed. It is found that the physical properties of the solid solution under investigation differ from those predicted in the model of a virtual crystal in the form of an aggregate of V and Fe centers taken with the weight of x and 1?x, respectively. The systems of electron energy levels of the VB₆O₆ and FeB₆O₆ clusters are calculated from first principles using the Hartree-Fock method. The calculated electron structure forms the basis for simulating the optical absorption spectra, which are in good agreement with experimental results. A qualitative explanation is given for the entire body of data on electrical conductivity and magnetization.     

Influence of the low Mn intercalation on magnetic and electronic properties of 2H-TaS2 single crystals

The low-Mn-intercalated compounds 2H-Mn_xTaS₂ (x≤0.1) single crystals were successfully grown via the iodine chemical vapor transport technique; the electrical and magnetic properties have been investigated systematically. No signs of charge density wave and superconductivity transitions appear down to 2 K even when x=0.02, while a small resistivity upturn has been observed in the low-temperature region for Mn_xTaS₂ samples. A substantial magnetocrystalline anisotropy is observed and the Mn magnetic moments lie mainly parallel to the ab-plane. The glass behavior was observed in the low-temperature region firstly from the ac susceptibility measurement, the freezing of the glass may contribute to the upturn of the resistivity.     

Study of the [(Co45Fe45Zr10)x(Al2O3)100−x/a-Si:H]m multilayer nanostructure by polarized neutron reflectometry

Polarized neutron reflectometry was used to investigate the amorphous multilayer nanostructures [(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100−x/a-Si:H]_m, whose magnetic properties are dependent on the concentration of the magnetic constituent (x=34, 47 and 60 at%) as well as on the thicknesses of the metal-dielectric (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100−x and semiconductor a-Si:H layers. The average magnetization of the individual magnetic layer is found to be inhomogeneous with the magnetically active central part and two magnetically dead parts at the interfaces.     

Magnetic properties of FexMn1−x S sulfides exhibiting the magnetoresistive effect

The magnetic, electrical, and thermal (derived from DTA data) properties of Fe_xMn_1?x S polycrystalline sulfides (0≤x≤0.38) synthesized based on α-MnS (NaCl cubic lattice) and exhibiting colossal magnetoresistance were studied. The studies were conducted at temperatures from 77 to 1000 K and magnetic fields of up to 30 kOe. As the degree of cation substitution in the Fe_xMn_1?x S system was increased, the magnetic order was found to change from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic. In the high-temperature domain (550–850 K), the samples undergo two phase transitions with critical temperatures $T_{c_1 }$ and $T_{c_2 }$ , which are accompanied by reversible anomalies in the magnetization and thermal (DTA) properties and by a semiconductor-metal transition.     

Enhanced low-field magnetoresistance in LSMO/SFO composite system

The granular composites of (1−x)La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃/xSrFe₁₂O₁₉ [(1−x)LSMO/xSFO] were prepared. The magnetic, electrical, and magnetoresistive properties of the composites were investigated systematically. Two magnetic transitions originating from LSMO and SFO are observed for x=0.05, 0.10, and 0.20. The addition of hard-magnetic SFO ferrite leads to the increased substantially resistivity of the composites and the shift of insulating-metallic transition temperature T_IM correlated with LSMO. Enhanced low-field magnetoresistance (LFMR) in the composites can be mainly attributed to the enhanced spin disorder and spin-dependent tunneling at LSMO grain boundaries induced by the interaction between LSMO and SFO ferrite. The transport mechanisms in detail are analyzed in LSMO/SFO composite system.     

Low-temperature magnetic ordering in the perovskites Pr1−xAxCoO3 (A=Ca,Sr)

The magnetic and electrical properties of polycrystalline Pr_1?xA_xCoO₃ cobaltites with A=Ca, Sr and 0≤x≤0.5 were studied in the temperature range 4 K≤T≤1000 K and field up to 7 T. The X-ray analyses show the presence of only one phase having monoclinic or orthorhombic symmetry. The magnetic measurements indicate that the Ca-doped samples have at low temperatures, similar properties to the frustrated magnetic materials. PrCoO₃ is a paramagnetic insulator in the range from 4 to 1000 K. The Sr-doped cobaltites exhibit two phase transitions: a paramagnetic–ferromagnetic (or magnetic phase separated state) phase transition at about 240 K and a second one at about 100 K. The magnetic measurements suggest the presence of magnetic clusters and a change in the nature of magnetic coupling between Co ions at low temperatures. A semiconducting type behavior and high negative magnetoresistance was found for the Ca-doped samples, while the Sr-doped ones were metallic and with negligible magnetoresistance. The results are analyzed in the frame of a phase separation scenario in the presence of the spin-state transitions of Co ions.     

Magnetic properties,phase transitions and microstructural effects in mixed GdLa-based glasses

Magnetic properties of amorphous Gd_xLa_65-xCo₂₅B₁₀ are investigated from 4.2 to 300 K. AC susceptibility and magnetization measurements to 80 kOe are used to determine a phase diagram including paramagnetic, ferrimagnetic and spin-glass regions. For x ≲ 40 diffraction and susceptibility data indicate the increasing development of chemical short-range order and phase separation. An analysis of the magnetic structure and local-moment magnitudes is presented. Results of a scaling analysis for one paramagnetic-ferrimagnetic transition are discussed and some conclusions are drawn concerning the relationship between phase transitions and chemical short-range-order in ternary or higher-order magnetic glasses.     

Phase separation induced by oxygen isotope substitution in manganites of the Sm<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Sr<Subscript>x</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

The effect of ¹⁶O → ¹⁸O isotope substitution on the electrical and magnetic properties of the manganite system Sm_1?xSr_xMnO₃ has been studied. It is shown that oxygen isotope substitution brings about a substantial change in the phase diagram in the intermediate region 0.4<x<0.6 between the ferromagnetic metal and antiferromagnetic insulator regions and induces phase separation and transformation of the ground metallic into insulating state for x=0.475 and 0.5. The specific features of the metal-insulator transitions in the Sm-Sr system and the nature of the low-temperature phase are discussed.     

Conductivity of La1−x CaxMnO3 under magnetic resonance of Mn ions

A change in the electrical conductivity, σ, is observed in the manganese perovskite La_1?x Ca_xMnO₃, with x=0 and 0.3 under saturation of the magnetic resonance transitions of Mn ions. This effect has a maximum in the temperature range of the magnetic phase transition of the compounds. Two contributions to the change in σ are found. The first, dominating in LaMnO₃, is an increase in σ caused by heating of the sample under magnetic resonance. The second is a σ decrease due to reorientation of the Mn spins, observed in La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃.     

Phase stratification in the Nd1 − x BaxCoO3 − δ (0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.54) system

Slowly cooled Nd_{1 ? x} Ba_xCoO_{3 ? δ} samples were two-phase in the concentration interval 0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.46. One of the phases had O-orthorhombic lattice distortions (Pbnm) characteristic of ferromagnetic samples with x ≤ 0.3, and the other phase had tetragonal distortions (P4/mmm) characteristic of samples with x ≥ 0.46. Tetragonal distortions were caused by ordering of Nd³⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions. Samples with ordered neodymium and barium ions (Nd_{1 ? y} Ba_{1 + y} Co₂O_{6 ? γ} at ?0.08 ≤ y ≤ 0.08) experienced metal-dielectric and orientation magnetic phase transitions.     

Specific features of magnetic and transport properties of La1−x Mn1+x O3 manganites

The magnetic and transport properties of La_1?x Mn_1+x O₃ manganites with excess manganese are studied. It is shown that magnetic and charge ordering heavily depends on the superstoichiometric manganese content, magnetic field, and pressure. The magnetoresistive effect (MRE) is enhanced as the manganese concentration increases. In addition to the paramagnet-ferromagnet transition, the temperature dependences of the magnetization exhibit anomalies at low temperatures in samples with x=0.1–0.4. The magnetization decreases at T<45 K in fields H<0.2 kOe and increases as H changes from 0.2 to 10 kOe. An analysis shows that the features observed at low temperatures are most probably related to the transition from the ferromagnetic state to the canted spin structure in clusters of mixed-valence manganese ions. The temperature dependences of the magnetization and resistivity remain unchanged as the pressure increases. It is demonstrated that the Curie and metal-dielectric transition temperatures shift to higher values as the manganese concentration increases under pressure. The temperature of the MRE peak increases under pressure, while the MRE decreases.     

Antiferromagnet-ferromagnet transition in α-MnxS manganese sulfides

Off-stoichiometric manganese monosulfides α-Mn_xS (1≤x≤1.25) are synthesized, and their crystal structure and magnetic properties are studied in the 4.2-to 300-K range. The compounds have a NaCl fcc lattice. Increasing the manganese ion concentration x in the antiferromagnetic semiconductors α-Mn_xS is found to result in concentration-(x _c ～ 1.05) and temperature-driven (T _c ～ 50 K) magnetic transitions from the antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic state, with the cubic structure remaining unchanged.     

Transition from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic state of systems LaMnO3+λ and La1−x Srx(Mn1−x/2Nb x/2)O3

The crystal structure and magnetic and elastic properties of the system LaMnO_3+λ are investigated for various concentrations of oxygen. Upon an increase in the oxygen concentration, the orbital-ordered phase is transformed into an orbital-disordered phase via a two-phase crystal-structure state in the interval 0.04<λ<0.06. The transition is accompanied by a jumplike increase in the Curie temperature and spontaneous magnetization. An analysis of the magnetic properties in weak fields and of the temperature dependence of the Young modulus reveals the properties typical of the orbital-ordered antiferromagnetic phase up to λ=0.08. It is proposed that the two-phase state is associated with the martensite type of the orbital order-disorder phase transformation. The system La_1?x Sr_x(Mn_{1 ?x/2}Nb _x/2)O₃ in which all manganese ions are in the trivalent state exhibits a sequence of antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic (x>0.2) and ferromagnetic-spin glass (x>0.4) transitions. In both systems, the orbital-disordered phases are ferromagnetic, indicating the crucial role of orbital ordering in the formation of magnetic properties.     

Phase transformations in perovskites TbBaCo2−x FexO5 + γ

The transport, magnetic, and elastic properties of TbBaCo_2?x Fe_xO_{5 + γ} are investigated. It is shown that these compounds exhibit first-order metal-insulator and antiferromagnet-weak ferromagnet transitions in the orthorhombic phase (x < 0.12), while these transitions are not observed in the tetragonal phase (x > 0.12). In the concentration range corresponding to the orthorhombic phase, doping with iron stabilizes the weakly ferromagnetic phase. However, the tetragonal phase is antiferromagnetic. Oxygen vacancies are assumed to be ordered in the orthorhombic case and disordered in the tetragonal phase. An analysis of Young’s modulus, magnetostriction, and effects of pressure and substitution of the O¹⁸ oxygen isotopes for O¹⁶ indicates a weak correlation between magnetic transformations and the crystal lattice.     

Transition from the Kondo regime to long-range magnetic order in the FexV1−x S system

A study is reported on the electrical and magnetic characteristics of the Fe_xV_1?x S solid-solution system with x≤0.5. A maximum in the temperature dependence of resistivity ρ(T) characteristic of the Kondo effect has been observed for small x(x<0.01). For x>0.1, long-range magnetic order sets in in the system with T _K ≈ 100 K. Near x=0.05, the Fe²⁺ impurity behavior crosses over to a magnetically ordered phase. The electronic properties of Fe_xV_1?x S are typical of those of strongly correlated electronic systems. Both the electrical and magnetic data imply that carrier delocalization is the strongest at x=0.4.