Mg NMR site analysis in metals and intermetallics

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of the low abundance and low gyromagnetic ratio isotope ²⁵Mg, I=5/2, 2.606 MHz/T, 10% abundant, is shown here to provide an informative probe for phase identification, site symmetry and site multiplicity of the intermetallic compounds which occur as strengthening precipitate phases in lightweight alloys. The intermetallics discussed here, Mg₁₇Al₁₂, MgZn₂, Mg₂Al₃ and Al₂CuMg, are the final equilibrium precipitate phases in a number of Mg- and Al-based heat-treatable alloys. The ²⁵Mg spectra of Mg in Al–10 at%Mg alloy show the progressive precipitation of Mg₂Al₃ from Mg in solid solution as a function of annealing time at 150 °C. Also reported are ²⁵Mg spectra for CuMg₂, Mg₄₄Al₁₅Zn₄₁ and Mg₂Sn, along with the counter atom ⁶⁷Zn and ⁶³Cu NMR spectra for MgZn₂ and CuMg₂. All spectra are simulated to determine nuclear interaction parameters and confirm site occupancy.     

磁场对液态铝和固态铁界面微观组织的影响

研究了直流磁场、交流磁场对液态铝和固态铁界面微观组织的影响，采用金相显微镜、电子探针和x射线衍射等方法对其扩散层内生成物进行了分析.结果表明，在直流磁场和交流磁场作用下，固态铁界面内形成的扩散层厚度均比无磁场时小；在交流磁场作用下，液态铝和固态铁的界面变得凹凸不平；在垂直于磁场方向上，直流磁场抑制了铝原子和铁原子之间的扩散，交流磁场则促进了扩散；无磁场时固态铁内扩散层中生成的金属间化合物由FeAl₃和Fe₂Al₅组成，直流磁场条件下只有Fe₂Al_{5生成，交流磁场作用下由Fe2Al5和Fe4Al13组成. 关键词： 磁场 铝 铁 金属间化合物 扩散}     

Structure and properties of solid solutions in the Mg-Al-B system

Compounds with the general formula Mg_1−x Al _x B₂ were obtained by two-step ceramic synthesis. All compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, and by four point probe resistivity measurements in various magnetic fields method. The diborides unit cell parameters were determined as a function of the Al mole fraction. With the vaues of x up to 0.40 (where x is the composition of the stock prepared for sintering), the unit cell parameters of Mg_1−x Al _x B₂ are similar to those of pure MgB₂ and the superconducting transition temperature was lowered. For stock compositions of 0:25 ≤ x ≤ 0:60, the products contain a superstructure, also superconducting phase, which becomes the only product at x = 0:50, and at x > 0:60 this phase is replaced by AlB₂-based solid solutions.     

Interaction between magnetic agglomerates and an extended free radicals network studied by magnetic resonance

Solids containing an extended network of free radicals have been prepared and studied by magnetic resonance techniques in the 4–290 K temperature range. One solid contained additionally a small amount of magnetic γ-Fe₂O₃ in the form of nanoparticle agglomerates. The solid without agglomerates displayed only a narrow, single resonance line centered at g _eff = 2.0043. The magnetic resonance measurements of the solid with γ-Fe₂O₃ agglomerates gave a spectrum composed of two lines attributed to two different magnetic centers: a narrow line due to free radicals and a broad line arising from magnetic iron oxide agglomerates. In the high temperature range the integrated intensities of both lines decreased with decreasing temperature. The resonance field of the broad line shifted to lower magnetic fields upon lowering the temperature with the gradient ΔH _r /ΔT = 2.3 G/K, while the narrow line shifted towards higher magnetic fields. The linewidth of the broader line increased with decreasing temperature while for the narrow lines in both samples this change was small. The magnetic iron oxide clusters produce a magnetic field which acts on the free radicals network and its strength depends essentially on the concentration of clusters. The reorientation process in the free radicals network is more intense in the sample without magnetic clusters.     

Structural and magnetic properties of electrospun FeCoNi magnetic nanofibers with nanogranular phases

Structural and magnetic properties of silicon/aluminum-added and -free FeCoNi magnetic alloy nanofibers with nanogranular phases prepared by electrospinning and subsequent annealing of the PVP-blended ternary metal precursors in hydrogen atmosphere were investigated. The FeCoNi magnetic alloy nanofibers with evenly distributed nanocrystalline phases were formed, which are identified as γ-Fe_1−x Ni _x binary phase with face-centered cubic structure and α-CoFe phase with body-centered cubic structure. At elevated temperature, the α → γ structural martensitic transformation in the FeCoNi ternary alloys occurred due to the inhomogeneities in composition of the matrix during annealing of the alloy with metastable α-phase. In the Si/Al-added FeCoNi nanofibers, more than two phases with complicated-boundaries of the grains in and/or outside the nanofibers were formed as crystalline phases and amorphous phase. The amorphous phase consisted of Si and/or Al acted as an inhibitor diminishing α → γ transformation as well as an interparticle insulation layer. At low annealing temperature of 450 °C, the Si/Al-added nanofiber mainly consisted of metastable α-phase with a low-crystallinity surface structure and very small diameter of 13 nm was formed and showed an unexpectedly high coercivity, which attributed to the surface effects and/or high surface/volume ratio.     

Observation of the “Inverse” spin valve effect in a Ni/V/Ni trilayer system

An experimental study of magnetic and superconducting properties of a trilayer Ni/V/Ni thin film system grown on single-crystalline MgO(001) substrate is reported. The field dependence of the superconducting transition temperature T _c for samples comprising Ni layers with similar values of the coercive field H _c reveals no anomalies. However, in samples with different thicknesses of the nickel layers the difference in H _c amounts up to ΔH _c ∼ 1.8 kOe, thus enabling to manipulate the relative orientations of the layers’ magnetization by an external magnetic field. Surprisingly, for these samples the T _c for the parallel orientation of the magnetizations of the Ni layers is higher, in a certain magnetic field range, than for the antiparallel one, at odds with theoretical predictions. Possible reasons of this contradiction are discussed.     

In-plane propagation of millimeter waves in periodic magnetoactive semiconductor structures

Non-transmission bands of electromagnetic waves propagating along the layers in periodic structures are studied in the steady magnetic field perpendicular both to the uniaxis and the direction of propagation. The band control range (36÷75 GHz) inn-InSb/Al₂O₃ structures with the carrier densities 4 10¹³ ≤n ≤ 8 10¹⁴ cm⁻³ in magnetic fieldsB _o ≤ 2 T at temperatures 77 ≤T ≤ 200 K is found to agree with the calculated in the effective medium approximation. Attenuation down to −50 dB within the band is observed. The band lineshape is found to indicate additional effects related to the finite layer thickness and periodicity termination predicted by a more rigorous theory of dispersion.     

Thickness dependence of the magnetic anisotropy of Fe layers separated by Al

Magnetic multilayers of ⁵⁷Fe with nominal thickness, T _nom, between 0.4 and 1.0 nm separated by 3.0 nm Al spacer layers were prepared by alternate deposition of the constituents in high vacuum. The samples were investigated at 4.2 K in external magnetic field. A fraction of Fe atoms corresponding to about 0.3 nm equivalent Fe-thickness was found to mix into the Al spacer. The extremely strong magnetic anisotropy observed for T _nom < 0.8 nm is attributed to Fe layers of approximately two atomic planes thick. The anisotropy decreases considerably after the building up of the third Fe atomic layer starts at T _nom = 0.8 nm, but full saturation was not achieved even for T _nom = 1 nm and 3 T magnetic field applied perpendicularly to the sample plane.     

Magnetic hyperfine interaction after77Br implantation into iron

Radioactive⁷⁷Br ions were implanted at 60 keV and 270 keV into polycrystalline iron foils. The magnetic hyperfine interaction of the daughter nucleus⁷⁷Se in the 250 keV isomeric level was investigated using the perturbed angular correlation technique and fast BaF₂ detectors. The Larmor frequency at room temperature was determined as ω_L=1272(2) MHz, leading to a substitutional hyperfine field ofB _hf(SeFe)=62(6) T. The substitutional fraction rises from 21% at room temperature to about 100% at 790 K annealing temperature. No other well-defined magnetic or electric hyperfine component attributable to impurity-defect complexes was identified. The diffusion of Br atoms in the surface region during the annealing process was studied via Rutherford backscattering with 1.0 MeV α-particles.     

Iron-rich spinels from Brazilian soils

Tropical soils often contain high amounts of iron oxides. Hematite (αFe₂O₃) and goethite (αFeOOH) are the most widespread iron oxides, but magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and maghemite (γFe₂O₃) occur in magnetic pedons. A wide range of spinel compositions in the Fe₃O₄-γFe₂O₃ series has been identified in magnetic Brazilian soils. Isomorphic substitution of mainly Ti⁴⁺, Al³⁺ and Mg²⁺, but also of Cr³⁺ and Mn²⁺ and other minor elements for iron are related to changes in their structural stability and magnetic properties. Magnetic iron oxides of selected Brazilian pedodomains are discussed, distinguishing those produced from mafic rocks (tuffite, basalt), where primary magnetite transforms to maghemite, from those produced in non-mafic lithologies (such as steatite), where inherited magnetite may be exceptionally stable in the soil. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Assembly of γ-Fe2O3/polyaniline nanofilms with tuned dipolar interaction

The internal morphology and magnetic properties of layer-by-layer assembled nanofilms of polyaniline (PANI) and maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃—7.5-nm diameter) were probed with cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and magnetization measurements (magnetic hysteresis loops, magnetization using zero-field cooled/field-cooled protocols, and ac magnetic susceptibility). Additionally, simulations of the as-produced samples were performed to assess both the nanofilm’s morphology and the corresponding magnetic signatures using the cell dynamic system (CDS) approach and Monte Carlo (MC) through the standard Metropolis algorithm, respectively. Fine control of the film thickness and average maghemite particle–particle within this magnetic structure was accomplished by varying the number of bilayers (PANI/γ-Fe₂O₃) deposited onto silicon substrates or through changing the concentration of the maghemite particles suspended within the colloidal dispersion sample used for film fabrication. PANI/γ-Fe₂O₃ nanofilms comprising 5, 10, 25 and 50 deposited bilayers displayed, respectively, blocking temperatures (T _B) of 30, 35, 39 and 40 K and effective energy barriers (ΔE/k _B) of 1.0 × 10³, 2.3 × 10³, 2.8 × 10³ and 2.9 × 10³ K. Simulation of magnetic nanofilms using the CDS model provided the internal morphology to carry on MC simulation of the magnetic properties of the system taking into account the particle–particle dipolar interaction. The simulated (using CDS) surface–surface particle distance of 0.5, 2.5 and 4.5 nm was obtained for nanofilms with thicknesses of 36.0, 33.9 and 27.1 nm, respectively. The simulated (using MC) T _B values were 33.0, 30.2 and 29.5 K for nanofilms with thicknesses of 36.0, 33.9 and 27.1 nm, respectively. We found the experimental (TEM and magnetic measurements) and the simulated data (CDS and MC) in very good agreement, falling within the same range and displaying the same systematic trend. Our findings open up new perspectives for fabrication of magnetic nanofilms with pre-established (simulated) morphology and magnetic properties.     

Magnetoresistive Fe19Ni81/Tb-Co medium with an internal magnetic bias

The magnetization reversal and magnetoresistance of two-layer exchange-coupled Fe19Ni81/Tb-Co films are studied. Amorphous Tb _x Co_{100 − x} layers with 30 < x < 35 are found to have a uniaxial magnetic anisotropy and a rather high coercive force, which ensures magnetic biasing of the adjacent permalloy layers. In addition, the permalloy layers subjected to selective annealing exhibit a significant anisotropic magnetoresistance and a small magnetic hysteresis. These properties make it possible to consider the developed film structure as an effective magnetoresistive medium. This structure is used to form magnetic sensor samples that have an odd transfer function in the absence of external magnetic biasing.     

Influence of Si on the magnetic properties of multilayer nanostructures with composite magnetic layers

The static and dynamic properties of multilayer structures [(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀) _m (Al₂O₃)_{100 − x} ] _x /(a-Si) _y with various magnetic phase concentrations and for different thicknesses x and y were measured. It was shown that for samples with comparatively thick composite layers and thin interlayers (x/y > 8), the silicides that form play no significant role and the magnetic properties are determined by the composites. With an increase in the thickness of the interlayers, more granules form silicides. This reduces the concentration of the magnetic phase, influencing the samples’ resonance fields and magnetization.     

Formation of amorphous Al1−x Au x films as a consequence of low-temperature Al/Au-interface reactions in a multilayered system

Al/Au multilayers (average composition Al₂Au, individual layer thicknesses 1 nm Al and 0.71 nm Au) are prepared at 90 K by ion beam sputtering. The electrical resistance of the growing films is monitored in situ. From the results obtained in this way it can be concluded that interface reactions occur transforming the ultrathin layers into an amorphous phase, which is stable up to 255 K.For larger individual layer thicknesses (2.1 nm Au and 3 nm Al), the interface reaction into the amorphous state is incomplete. Based on a simple parallel-resistor model, one finds that the interface reaction into the amorphous phase is restricted to a thickness of less than 3.5 nm. The temperature dependence of the resistance of such thicker multilayers indicates the onset of interdiffusion of the yet unreacted material at T=200 K resulting in the crystalline Al₂Au-phase.     

Transport through a double barrier in Large Radius Carbon Nanotubes with a transverse magnetic field

We discuss the Luttinger Liquid behaviour of Large Radius Carbon Nanotube e.g. the Multi Wall ones (MWNT), under the action of a transverse magnetic field B. Our results imply a reduction with B in the value of the bulk critical exponent, α_bulk, for the tunneling density of states, which is in agreement with that observed in transport experiments. Then, the problem of transport through a Quantum Dot formed by two intramolecular tunneling barriers along the MWNT, weakly coupled to Tomonaga-Luttinger liquids is studied, including the action of a strong transverse magnetic field B. We predict the presence of some peaks in the conductance G versus B, related to the magnetic flux quantization in the ballistic regime, at a very low temperature T, and also at higher values of T, where the Luttinger behaviour dominates. The temperature dependence of the maximum G_max of the conductance peak according to the Sequential Tunneling follows a power law, G ∝T^γe-1 with γ_e linearly dependent on the critical exponent, α_end, strongly reduced by B.     

Decoupling experiments for the study of electric and magnetic hyperfine interactions in ferromagnetic compounds

The decoupling experiments involving the time-differential perturbed angular correlation (TDPAC) of the 133–482 keV γ-γ cascade in the presence of an external magnetic field applied along the quantization axis have been performed to measure the electric quadrupole and the magnetic hyperfine interactions experienced by the¹⁸¹Ta nuclei at Hf sites in the pseudobinary compounds HfFe_2-xSi_x, withx=0.1 andx=0.3. The hyperfine magnetic fields measured at 298 K areH _hf=133.1±12.0 kG in the cubic (C15) Laves phase compound HfFe_1.9Si_0.1 andH _hf=76.8±7.0 kG in the hexagonal (C14) Laves phase compound HfFe_1.7Si_0.3. The decoupling technique has also been used to obtain a —ve sign for the hyperfine field experienced by¹⁸¹Ta nuclei at the Ti or Hf sites in the Heusler compound Co₂Ti_0.8Hf_0.2Sn and a+ve sign for the hyperfine field at Zr sites in the cubic (C15) Laves phase compound ZrFe₂.     

Far-infrared spectral studies of magnesium and aluminum co-substituted lithium ferrites

Polycrystalline Mg_xAl_2xLi_0.5(1−x)Fe_2.5(1−x) O₄ (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7) ferrites were prepared by standard ceramic method, and characterized by X-ray diffraction and infrared absorption spectroscopy. The spectra show two significant absorption bands in the wave number range of 400–1000 cm⁻¹ arising from interatomic vibrations in the tetrahedral and octahedral coordination compounds. The decrease in intensity and increase in broadness of bands with concentration (x) are explained on the basis of cation distribution. The force constants and bulk modulus are found to decrease with Mg-Al content (x) which suggested weakening of interatomic bonding. An alternate method for the determination of bulk modulus, longitudinal and transverse velocities is suggested. The magnetic and electrical properties of these compounds are explained in the light of structural and optical properties.     

Metamagnetism in Ce(Ga,Al)2

Effect of Al substitution on the magnetic properties of Ce(Ga_1−x Al _x )₂ (x=0, 0.1 and 0.5) system has been studied. The magnetic state of CeGa₂ is found to be FM with a T _C of 8 K, whereas the compounds with x=0.1 and 0.5 are AFM and possess T _N of about 9 K. These two compounds undergo metamagnetic transition and the critical fields are about 1.2 T and 0.5 T. respectively at 2 K. These variations are explained on the basis of helical spin structure in these compounds.     

Magnetic domain behaviour of MgFe2O4-CoFe2O4 system

Ferrites with the composition Mg_1−x CO _x Fe₂O₄(0<x≤0·33) were synthesized by solid state reaction between MgO,α-Fe₂O₃ and CoFe₂O₄ at 1300°C. The compounds were analyzed from the results of x-ray diffraction, magnetic hysteresis and initial susceptibility (χ) studies. All the compounds of the series were found to be monophasic with no appreciable change in their lattice parameter. The saturation magnetization and coercive field (H _c ) values increased with increasing cobalt ferrite content. Similarly, the shapes of theχ-T curves and temperature variations ofH _c values indicated that the magnetic behaviour changes from multi-domain to single domain with increasing cobalt content. The results are similar to those observed for the (MgFe₂O₄)_1−x (Co₃O₄) system.     

The activation energy for γ-Fe precipitates inCuFe

The precipitation of the fcc γ-phase of iron has been studied by a systematic series of isothermal and isochronal (0–48 h) heat treatments (300–800°C) on a supersaturated solution ofCuFe containing 3 at% Fe. The optimal conditions (450–600°C) for precipitation of the maximum fraction (90%) of iron attainable within 48 h in the form of γ-Fe have been delineated from analysis of the room temperature spectra. The time dependence for formation of γ-Fe precipitates is well described by the equation for long term annealing. An activation energyE _a ≈0.6 eV for the formation of γ-Fe in Cu is obtained. It indicates short range rather than long range diffusion in theCuFe sample studied.