Crystal-field splitting and temperature dependence of two-dimensional antiferromagnetism in the high-Tc compound DyBa2Cu4O8

By means of a quantitative analysis of extensive elastic neutron scattering experiments performed on theT _c =78 K superconductor DyBa₂Cu₄O₈ it is shown that two-dimensional (2D) antiferromagnetic Dy ordering in the (a,b)-plane remains stable in the whole temperature range fromT _N =(1.10±0.02) K down to 7 mK. The magnetic difference pattern with good angular resolution fits well to the Warren equation for scattering on 2D systems with powder averaging. Consequently, the fitted sublattice magnetisation is found to have a 2D Ising character. Moreover, the Dy³⁺ crystal-field levels were determined by inelastic neutron scattering. From the resulting crystal-field parameters we calculate the sublattice magnetisation of Dy³⁺ at saturation to be _Dy,CEF=6.0 _B in good agreement with _Dy,obs=(5.9±0.5) _B as measured by neutron diffraction.     

The phenomenon of nucleon emission at high angular momentum states of fused compound systems

Nucleon emission from high spin fused compound systems is analyzed in the framework of the statistical theory of hot rotating (STHR) nuclei. This is an elaborate version of our earlier work and we present our results for¹⁵⁶Er,¹⁶⁶Er,¹⁶⁸ Yb and¹⁸⁸Hg. We predict an increase in neutron emission for¹⁶⁶Er due to the abrupt decrease in neutron separation energy aroundI ≈55ℏ. Since the drop in the separation energy is closely associated with the structural changes in the rotating nuclei, relative increase in neutron emission probability around certain values of angular momentum may be construed as evidence for the shape transition. A similar effect is predicted for¹⁶⁸Yb aroundI ≈55ℏ. We also extend the microscopic cranked Nilsson method (CNM) to hot nuclear systems and compare the results with that of the STHR method. The two methods yield different results for triaxially deformed nuclei although for biaxial deformations the results are identical. This is illustrated for¹⁸⁶Hg.     

Dynamical structure factor of the Frenkel-Kontorova model

We investigate the coherent dynamical structure factorS(q, ) of the Frenkel-Kontorova model with a continued fraction expansion. The model consists of harmonically interacting particles moving in a periodic potential. It applies to quasi-one-dimensional systems where two different periods and competing interactions are important. We study commensurability effects in the collective dynamical behaviour of the particles and their manifestation inS(q, ). Our theory gives detailed results for the inelastic scattering at high temperatures. For the quasielastic peak it predicts, among other things strong oscillations of the half-width as a function of the wave vectorq. Such a behaviour can be observed in neutron scattering experiments on superionic conductors.     

Prompt fission neutron spectra of <Superscript>238 </Superscript>U(n,f) above emissive fission threshold

Model calculations were performed to interpret prompt fission neutron spectra (PFNS) of the ²³⁸ U(n, f) reaction for incident neutron energies -18 MeV. Pre-fission (pre-saddle) reaction neutron spectra were calculated with Hauser-Feshbach statistical model, ²³⁸ U fission and reaction cross-section data being described consistently. The increase of the cut-off energy of (n, nf) reaction neutron spectra with excitation energy of fissioning nucleus is described. For -9 MeV the low-energy PFNS component, which is due to the contribution of pre-fission (n, nf) neutrons, is compatible with measured data. Average energy of prefission (n, nf) neutrons is shown to be rather dependent on . For -18 MeV, a decrease of measured PFNS average neutron energies is interpreted. Spectra of neutrons, evaporated from fission fragments, were approximated as a sum of two Watt distributions. The reduced fission fragment velocity is assumed for the neutron emission during fragment acceleration. Several interpretations of observed soft neutron excess are investigated, i.e., possible uncertainties of emissive fission contributions and additional neutron source. We claim the soft neutron excess cannot be attributed to the pre-saddle neutrons contribution.Received: 3 February 2003, Revised: 24 April 2003, Published online: 9 October 2003PACS: 25.85.Ec Neutron-induced fission     

Magnetic order in a Kondo lattice: A neutron scattering study of CeCu2Ge2

Elastic and inelastic neutron scattering studies of the Kondo lattice CeCu₂Ge₂ were performed. AtT _N=4.1 K an incommensurate magnetic order develops with an ordering wave vectorq ₀=(0.28, 0.28, 0.54) and an ordered moment µ _s =0.74 µB. The crystalline electric field splits the 4f ¹-J-multiplet of the Ce ion into a ground state doublet and a quartet at 191 K. The wave function of the ground state yields an ordered moment of 1.54µB. Thus, due to the onset of the formation of a Kondo singlet the magnetic moment is considerably reduced. The magnetic relaxation rate was investigated via quasielastic neutron scattering. The temperature dependence of (T) is characteristic of heavy-fermion systems with a high temperature square root dependence and a limiting low temperature value, yielding a Kondo temperatureT _K10K. The quasielastic component of the scattered neutron intensities persists down to the lowest temperatures, well belowT _N. This quasielastic line is regarded as a characteristic feature of heavy-fermion systems and corresponds to the enhanced value of the linear term of the specific heat.     

Neutron diffraction study of quasi-one-dimensional spin-chain compounds Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>Co<Subscript>2–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Fe<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>

We report the results of the DC magnetization, neutron powder diffraction and neutron depolarization studies on the spin-chain compounds Ca₃Co_2–x Fe _x O₆ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4). Rietveld refinement of neutron powder diffraction patterns at room temperature confirms the single-phase formation for all the compounds in rhombohedral structure with space group Rc. Rietveld refinement also confirms that Fe was doped at the trigonal prism site, 6a (0, 0, 1/4) of Co. The high temperature magnetic susceptibility obeys the Curie-Weiss law; the value of the paramagnetic Curie temperature (θ _p) decreases as the concentration of iron increases and it becomes negative for x = 0.4. No extra Bragg peak as well as no observable enhancement in the intensity of the fundamental (nuclear) Bragg peaks has been observed in the neutron diffraction patterns down to 30 K. No depolarization of neutron beam has been observed down to 3 K confirming the absence of ferro- or ferrimagnetic-like correlation.      

Quantum mechanical behaviour of deuterated methyl groups

We discuss the temperature dependence of deuterium NMR spectra and spin-lattice relaxation rates 1/T ₁ of deuterated methyl groups. We restrict ourselves to the temperature range where it is sufficient to consider only the two lowest librational levels of the CD₃ group. Specifically we derive explicit expressions for 1/T ₁ and the width _NMR of the so-called tunneling resonances in the high-field NMR spectrum in the limit where the tunneling frequency ₀ is large compared to the quadrupole coupling constant of a methyl group. We demonstrate that the disappearance of the tunneling resonances at elevated temperatures follows the scenario of the NMR of nuclei which exchange classically between two inequivalent sites. We further show that the NMR linewidths and relaxation rates are strongly related to the widths of the quasielastic and inelastic lines in incoherent neutron spectra. It turns out that for NMR spectra the classical limit is usually reached at lower temperatures than for neutron spectra. All calculations are based on the projection operator formalism.     

Magnetic relaxation spectra of EuNi2P2

We report on inelastic neutron scattering experiments on EuNi₂P₂ prepared from¹⁵³Eu-isotopes. The sample was checked by Mössbauer spectroscopy; a satellite phase of about 4% was found. The neutron scattering experiment was performed with thermal neutrons. AboveT=50 K a strong quasielastic magnetic line was detected with a nearly temperature independent width of about 6 meV. At low temperatures the spectrum changes to an inelastic character with a distinctQ-dependence in the intensity. For comparison static susceptibility and magnetization measurements were performed down to 250 mK.     

Neutron scattering and μSR

The paper discusses the characteristics of neutron scattering andSR in order to find the collaborating works with both techniques. The discussions are made on four subjects, random spin systems, itinerant electron magnetism, surface and real time spectroscopy, with some detailed discussions on the cluster spin glass 88FeTiO₃-12Fe₂O₃ and itinerant ferromagnet MnSi, for which the collaboration has yielded the fruitful results.Finally I would like to thank T. Yamazaki, K. Nagamine and Y.J. Uemura for crucial discussions on the SR and Y. Endoh for discussions on the neutron scattering.     

Limiting angular velocity of realistic relativistic neutron star models

The Keplerian velocity as well as those frequencies at which instability against gravitational radiation-reaction sets in are calculated for rotating neutron star models of gravitational mass 1.5M . The investigation is based on four different, realistic neutron star matter equations of state. Our results indicate that the gravitational radiation instability sets in wellbelow (i.e., 63–71% of) the Keplerian frequency, and thatyoung neutron stars are limited to rotational periods greater than about 1 ms. In young and therefore hot (T10¹⁰ K) neutron stars them=5(±1) modes and in old stars after being spun up and reheated by mass accretion, them=4 and/orm=3 modes may set the limit on stable rotation.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. H.J. Mang on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

Kaon properties in (proto-)neutron star matter

The modification of kaon and antikaon properties in the interior of (proto-)neutron stars is investigated using a chiral SU(3) model. The parameters of the model are fitted to nuclear-matter saturation properties, baryon octet vacuum masses, hyperon optical potentials and low-energy kaon-nucleon scattering lengths. We study the kaon/antikaon medium modification and explore the possibility of antikaon condensation in (proto-)neutron star matter at zero as well as finite temperature/entropy and neutrino content. The effect of hyperons on kaon and antikaon optical potentials is also investigated at different stages of the neutron star evolution.     

More about neutron–mirror neutron oscillation

It was pointed out recently that oscillation of the neutron n into a mirror neutron n′, a sterile twin of the neutron with exactly the same mass, could be a very fast process with baryon number violation, even faster than the neutron decay itself. This process is sensitive to magnetic fields and it could be observed by comparing the neutron loss rates in the UCN storage chambers for different magnetic backgrounds. We calculate the probability of the n−n′ oscillation in the case when a mirror magnetic field B′ is non-zero and show that in this case it can be suppressed or resonantly enhanced by applying the ordinary magnetic field B, depending on its strength and on its orientation with respect to B′. The recent experimental data, under this hypothesis, still allow for an n−n′ oscillation time of order 1 s or even smaller. Moreover, they indicate that the neutron losses are sensitive to the orientation of the magnetic field. If these hints will be confirmed in future experiments, this would point to the presence of a mirror magnetic field on the Earth of the order of 0.1 G, or some equivalent spin-dependent force of other origin that makes a difference between the neutron and mirror neutron states.     

Magnetic relaxation spectra of YbPd2Si2

We present the results of inelastic neutron scattering experiments on the intermediate-valent system YbPd₂Si₂ to investigate the magnetic relaxation behaviour. We have performed measurements on polycrystalline samples with neutrons of incident energyE ₀=3.1 meV at temperatures between 1.5 K and 250 K, and withE ₀=12.7 meV andE ₀=50.8 meV at temperatures between 5 K and 50 K using time-of-flight spectrometers. At temperaturesT>50 K we find a pure quasielastic magnetic response with a rather broad linewidth typical for intermediate-valent systems. AtT50 K an inelastic excitation line appears at about 21 meV; its intensity increases with decreasing temperature. In the same temperature range (T<50 K) the quasielastic linewidth decreases rapidly and atT=5 K the quasielastic response has been apparently transformed to a second inelastic feature at about 4.7 meV. The width of this low-energy excitation fits well to the temperature dependence of the quasielastic linewidth forT>5 K.     

Experimental study of electrical conduction in RuO2-based thick resistive films

We have found direct evidence for the dynamical instability of Pr, which could be observed in Pr_0.015 Pd by inelastic neutron scattering, and as such is first ever to be found for Pr ions. Crystalfield analysis of the measured dynamic susceptibility reveals that the spin instability is similar to that of Ce Kondo systems. We show that the previously observed resistivity increase belowT=25 K is a true Kondo effect and is not related to crystal field effects. We conclude that Pr diluted in Pd is a Kondo system withT _K =2.5 K.     

Equation of State of Hot Neutrino Opaque Interior Matter of Neutron Star

The equation of state of hot neutrino opaque interior matter of the neutron star and some of its properties such as the free energy, effective mass, adiabatic index, and temperature are calculated along both isothermal and isentropic paths with the AV ₁₈ and AV ₁₄ potentials using the lowest order constrained variational method. We have shown that the calculated equation of state with the AV ₁₈ potential is harder than with the AV ₁₄ potential. It is found that there is no phase transition in the hot neutrino opaque interior matter of the neutron star. We have shown that for all values of density and entropy, the adiabatic index of neutron star matter is greater than . It is shown that our calculated equations of state obey the causality condition.     

Neutron diffraction study of the heavy fermion superconductors UM2Al3(M=Pd,Ni)

An elastic neutron scattering study was performed on the new superconducting heavy fermion systems UPd₂Al₃ and UNi₂Al₃. The neutron diffraction patterns reveal unambiguously long range antiferromagnetic order in UPd₂Al₃ with an ordered magnetic moment _U = (0.85±0.03) _B , which coexists with the superconducting state. This is by far the largest _U value observed for any heavy fermion superconductor. For UNi₂Al₃, no long-range magnetic order could be observed for temperaturesT1.5 K, yielding an upper limit of the ordered moment of 0.2 _B .     

Strong <Emphasis Type="Italic">CP</Emphasis> violation and the neutron electric dipole form factor

We calculate the neutron electric dipole form factor induced by the CP-violating θ term of QCD within a perturbative chiral quark model which includes pion and kaon clouds. On this basis, we derive the neutron electric dipole moment and the electron—neutron Schiff moment. From the existing experimental upper limits on the neutron electric dipole moment, we extract constraints on the θ parameter and compare our results with other approaches. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

On the relaxation ofμ + SR signal and diffusive neutron scattering in AF phase of HTSC

We consider the antiferromagnetic (AF) state of high-T _c compounds and assume the existence of the localized magnetic two-level systems (TLS) with the relatively small energyE in the AF copper planes, which is compatible with a series of experimental data implying low-energy scale in these systems. It is shown in our previous paper that these TLS are formed, if one accepts Aharony et al. suggestion that the small doping results in the holes' localization on the oxygen ions in CuO₂ planes. Randomly distributed, these TLS cause partial disorder in the average values of AF copper spins. The manifestation of this effect in the ⁺ SR experiments and the elastic neutron scattering is discussed. Our results are in a qualitative agreement with the temperature dependence and the magnitude of the line shift and the relaxation rate of ⁺ SR signal. The elastic diffusive neutron scattering at the small wave-vectors near 2D AF Bragg point (1/2, 1/2,l) and near the point (0, 0,l) is predicted. However, the temperature dependence of this scattering, observed in the experiments with YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x atx=0.38, isn't met by our formulae, obtained for a small doping. It is shown, that SR data give stronger confidence to the frustrated bond rather and frustrated plaquette case of the hole localization.     

A Neutronics Study of the 1945 Haigerloch B-VIII Nuclear Reactor

We present a neutronics study of the German B-VIII nuclear reactor, which was built in Haigerloch, Germany, between February and April 1945. We used the Monte Carlo code MCNP5 to estimate its effective nuclear-multiplication constant k_eff and its corresponding neutron-multiplication factor M, its neutron energy-distribution spectrum, and its neutron-flux distribution in its central horizontal and veritical planes for both thermal and fast neutrons. Our calculations agree well with the known measurements the German scientists made, who determined M to be 6.7. We also found that the effect on k_eff of impurities in the graphite of its neutron reflector could have been only on the order of few hundredths of a percent.