Structural characterization of La0.9Ba0.1MnO3/Y-ZrO2 film by X-ray diffraction

Perovskite manganite La_0.9Ba_0.1MnO₃(LBMO) films were deposited on (0 0 1)-oriented single crystal yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrate by 90° off-axis radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The film thickness ranged from 10 nm to 100 nm. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction technique and high resolution X-ray diffraction were applied to characterize the structure of LBMO films. The LBMO film mainly consisted of (0 0 1)-orientated grain as well as weakly textured (1 1 0)-orientated grain. The results indicated that an amorphous layer with thickness of about 4 nm was formed at the LBMO/YSZ interface. The strain in LBMO film was small and averaged to be about -0.14%. The strain in the film was not lattice mismatch-induced strain but residual strain due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between film and substrate.     

Growth and spectral properties of Yb:Ca0.28Ba0.72Nb2O6 disordered crystal

The growth, XRD patterns, spectral properties, and fluorescence decays of Yb:Ca_0.28Ba_0.72Nb₂O₆ (Yb:CBN) with doping concentration of 1 at.% and 5 at.% were studied. The peak absorption cross-section and the emission cross-section were calculated. Larger Stark splitting of Yb:CBN offers the prospect of the quasi-four level laser operation.     

Effect of magnetic field on Nd0.7Pb0.3MnO3 single crystal

Magnetization and specific heat of Nd_0.7Pb_0.3MnO₃ single crystal are studied at applied magnetic field. Magnetization measurement at 0.3 T shows ferromagnetic phase below 150 K (T_C) and below 20 K displays an antiferromagnetic component. The latter appears to be destroyed at 4.8 T. This anomalous increase below 50 K is probably due to reorientation of Nd moments at high magnetic field. Heat capacity has been measured at 0-10 T at low temperature. The data have been fitted to contributions from free electrons (γ), ferromagnetic spin excitations (β_3/2), lattice and a Schottky-like anomaly related to the rare-earth magnetism of the Nd ions. Fitting yields that β_3/2 term is very small at 6 and 10 T because of introducing paramagnetic component in ferromagnetic phase at applied magnetic field. Peak due to Schottky anomaly is observed to be broadened with application of magnetic field and the magnitude of Schottky gap(Δ_Sch) also increases accordingly.     

Detection of structural and magnetic transitions in La0.67Ba0.23Ca0.1MnO3 using the rf resonance technique

We report radio-frequency (rf) electrodynamics in polycrystalline La_0.67Ba_0.23Ca_0.1MnO₃ as a function of temperature and magnetic field using a home-built LC resonant circuit powered by an integrated chip oscillator. The resonance frequency (f_r) of the oscillator and the power (P) absorbed by the sample are measured simultaneously. The paramagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition in the absence of an external magnetic field is accompanied by a rapid decrease in both P and f_r around the Curie temperature T_C=300 K. However, much below T_C, the f_r shows a step-like anomaly around 165 K (195 K) while cooling (warming), which we attribute to a structural phase transition from high temperature rhombohedral () to low temperature orthorhombic (Imma) phase. The step-like anomaly in f_r versus T disappears in a field of 300 G. Fractional changes as large as 19% in Δf_r/f_r and 10% in ΔP/P are observed under H=1 kG around T_C. Our study suggests that the rf resonance technique is a versatile tool to study the magnetization dynamics as well as to investigate the structural phase transition in manganites.     

Reentrant spin glass behaviour in Nd0.84K0.12MnO3

Polycrystalline Nd_0.84K_0.12MnO₃ was prepared in single phase form with Pbnm space group. The magnetic properties are studied from magnetization, linear and non-linear susceptibility, and thermoremanent magnetization measurements. The sample exhibits paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition followed by low temperature spin glass like transition. From frequency variation of ac susceptibility measurements, the spin glass transition temperature is found to be 97.6±0.1 K with critical exponents zυ=1.13±0.06. The critical exponent γ corresponding to spin glass transition has been determined from the third harmonic susceptibility analysis and it is found to be 3.09±0.05. The effective number of spins blocked under frustration and their correlation length are determined from the analysis of thermoremanent magnetization.     

Study of Sb substitution for Pr in the Pr0.67Ba0.33MnO3 system

We study the effect of Sb substitution for Pr in the hole-doped system Pr_0.67Ba_0.33MnO₃ (PBMO) for different doping levels of Sb. The two electrical resistivity transitions observed in the pristine sample PBMO shift to low temperatures on Sb doping with an overall increase in the electrical resistivity. The significant local lattice distortion and the grain boundary effects caused by the large cation size mismatch between Pr³⁺ and Sb³⁺ suppresses the double-exchange (DE) interaction and enhances the super-exchange (SE) interaction. The compounds show a significant and increasing value of magnetoresistance at temperatures below the Curie temperature, not expected from the DE model. The Curie temperature decreases with increase in Sb content but the saturation magnetization is little affected by the substitution. The spins, however, stay well aligned in the low-temperature regime. Our X-ray near-edge absorption spectra (XANES) and core level photoemission (XPS) data clearly show the Sb cation to be in +3 state and rule out any possibility of e-doping in our compounds.     

Charge states of transition metal in “Cr, Co and Ni” doped Ln0.5Ca0.5MnO3 CMR manganites

The XAS study at Cr, Co, Ni and Mn K-edges was performed for the doped CMR manganites Ln_0.5Ca_0.5Mn_1-xB_xO₃ with Ln=La, Nd, Sm and B= Cr, Co, Ni (), on the samples that were studied previously for their ferromagnetic-metallic to antiferromagnetic-insulator transition. We observed that the formal charges of the doping elements are Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Cr³⁺. It is also evidenced that the average formal charge of the manganese is increased after doping, in agreement with the charge compensation keeping “O₃” stoichiometry. These results suggest that the doping elements participate directly to the band structure. Received: 9 January 1998 / Received in final form: 6 April 1998 / Accepted: 7 April 1998     

Effect of Y-doping on the magnetic and charge orderings in Nd2/3Ca1/3MnO3

The shifts of the magnetic and charge ordering transition temperatures caused by Nd substitution for Y in Nd_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃ CMR narrow-band perovskite manganite have been studied. At low temperatures, three different long-range magnetic orderings consistent with a phase separation scenario have been observed in the doped compound (Nd_0.9Y_0.1)_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃ by neutron-diffraction study: the antiferromagnetic orderings of PCE and DE types existing below ∼110 and ∼60 K, respectively, and the ferromagnetic one of B type existing below ∼42. Magnetic phase transformations temperatures as well as those of charge ordering have been found to be structural-dependent. Y-doping leads to the decrease of the anisotropy of the orthorhombic Pnma crystal lattice b/√2c, which causes a decrease of the indirect exchange parameters in the system and thus a decrease in the magnetic transformation temperatures for 20-30 K in the doped compound. Doping leads as well to the higher level of the coherent Jahn-Teller distortions of the MnO₆ octahedra in the 200-300 K temperature region, which results in the increase of the charge ordering temperature for ∼80 K.     

Linear and nonlinear critical magnetic properties and transport in Nd0.75Ba0.25MnO3 single crystal: evidence for its anomalous critical behavior near TC

The data on the resistance and magnetoresistance (MR) as well as measurements of the linear and nonlinear susceptibilities are presented for a Nd_0.75Ba_0.25MnO₃ single crystal with the Curie temperature T_C≈129 K. Although this compound remains insulating in the ferromagnetic state, its resistance has an anomaly near T_C and it reveals the colossal magnetoresistance. The data on the magnetic response are well described by the dynamic scaling theory for 3D isotropic ferromagnets in the paramagnetic critical region at τ>τ^*≈0.11, τ=(T−T_C)/T_C. Below τ^* an anomalous critical behavior is found that suggests the coexistence of two magnetic phases. This behavior is discussed in terms of a phase separation which can occur in the moderately doped manganites exhibiting an orbital ordering.     

Probing the magnetic state by linear and non-linear ac magnetic susceptibility measurements in under-doped manganite Nd0.8Sr0.2MnO3

We have thoroughly investigated the entire magnetic states of under-doped ferromagnetic-insulating manganite Nd_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ through temperature-dependent linear and non-linear complex ac magnetic susceptibility measurements. This ferromagnetic-insulating manganite is found to have frequency-independent ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition temperature at around 140 K. At around 90 K (≈T_?) the sample shows a second frequency-dependent re-entrant magnetic transition as explored through complex ac susceptibility measurements. Non-linear ac susceptibility measurements (higher harmonics of ac susceptibility) have also been performed (with and without the superposition of a dc magnetic field) to further investigate the origin of this frequency dependence (dynamic behavior at this re-entrant magnetic transition). Divergence of 3rd harmonic of ac susceptibility in the limit of zero exciting field indicates a spin-glass-like freezing phenomena. However, large value of spin-relaxation time (τ₀=10⁻⁸ s) and small value of coercivity (∼22 Oe) obtained at low temperature (below T_?) from critical slowing down model and dc magnetic measurements, respectively, are in contrast with what generally observed in a canonical spin glass (τ₀=10⁻¹²-10⁻¹⁴ s and very large value of coercivity below freezing temperature). We have attributed our observation to the formation of finite size ferromagnetic clusters which are formed as consequence of intrinsic phase separation and undergo cluster glass-like freezing below certain temperature in this under-doped manganite. The results are supported by the electronic- and magneto-transport data.     

Twin-microstructure enhanced magnetoresistance in La0.67Ba0.33MnO3 oxides

The grain growth dependence of microstructure and its effects on magnetic and transport properties are studied in the polycrystalline La_0.67Ba_0.33MnO₃ oxides. It is found that a lateral growth manner along a certain direction and a concentric terrace pattern along three orthogonal axes occur in the samples sintered at 1573 and 1673 K, respectively. Lamella-like twin microstructure forms in the concentric terrace growth pattern and the magnetoresistance properties can be enhanced by the twin microstructure. It suggests that the twin-boundaries in twin-grains may possibly induce spin-dependent scattering of electrons that is field reduced, or spin-polarized tunneling of electrons that is field enhanced, thus strengthening the effect of grain boundaries.     

Giant room-temperature magnetoresistance in La0.8Tb0.2MnO3 under the low magnetic fields

Polycrystalline perovskite La_0.8Tb_0.2MnO₃ (LTMO) with an orthorhombic phase was synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction. The magnetic and electric properties of La_0.8Tb_0.2MnO₃ were examined. The striking finding is that the material exhibits giant magnetoresistance at room temperature as high as −31.8% and −35.7% under the low magnetic fields of 100 and 1000 Oe, respectively. This result suggests that La_0.8Tb_0.2MnO₃ has a promising potential in future device developments.     

Crystal and magnetic structure of the Sm0.55Sr0.45MnO3 and (Nd0.545Tb0.455)0.55Sr0.45MnO3 manganites

Neutron diffraction data are presented for the ¹⁵²Sm_0.55Sr_0.45MnO₃ (SSM) and (Nd_0.545Tb_0.455)_0.55Sr_0.45MnO₃ (NTSM) manganites. The Nd and Tb contents in the latter composition are such that the average radius of the A cation 〈r _A 〉 in these two compounds is the same. The difference in local tolerance factor fluctuations was about 10%. It was found that replacement of a rare-earth cation with leaving 〈r _A 〉 unchanged has practically no effect on the structural and transport properties; indeed, both compounds are metals at low temperatures, have the same crystal structure from liquid-helium to room temperature, and exhibit the same pattern of structural distortions at the onset of magnetic ordering. Magnetic moments of Mn ions in both compositions are ferromagnetically ordered at low temperatures, with T _C =122 and 90 K for the SSM and NTSM, respectively. Below 80 K, the rare-earth cation moments in NTSM undergo additional ordering. In contrast to compositions that are close in Sr concentration (x _Sr=0.4, 0.5), which feature a phase-separated state with a mixture of the ferromagnetic metallic and antiferromagnetic insulator phases, the ground state of both studied compositions with x _Sr=0.45 is uniformly ferromagnetic and metallic. __________ Translated from Fizika Tverdogo Tela, Vol. 46, No. 9, 2004, pp. 1650–1656. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2004 by Kurbakov, Trounov, Balagurov, Pomyakushin, Sheptyakov, Gorbenko, Kaul.     

Electrical behavior of nano-polycrystalline (La1−yKy)0.7Ba0.3MnO3 manganites

We present a study of the structural and electrical behavior of nano-polycrystalline mixed barium and alkali substituted lanthanum-based manganite, (La_1−yK_y)_0.7Ba_0.3MnO₃ with y=0.0-0.3. The samples were synthesized by the polymerization complex sol-gel method. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) data of the samples show a single-phase character with space group. The magnetic and electrical transport properties of the nano-polycrystalline samples have been investigated in the temperature range 50-300 K and a magnetic field up to 10 kOe. The metal-insulator transition temperature T_p of all the samples decreased with potassium doping, and also, it increased slightly with the application of magnetic field. The low field magnetoresistance, which is absent in the single-crystalline perovskite, was observed and increased with decreasing temperature. Comparing the experimental resistivity data with the theoretical models shows that the high temperature electrical behavior of these samples is in accordance with the adiabatic small polaron-hopping model. In the metal-ferromagnetic region the resistivity is found to be quite well described by ρ=ρ₀+ρ₂T²+ρ_4.5T^4.5.     

Electronic transport and magnetic studies of La1−xCax−0.08Sr0.04Ba0.04MnO3

Lanthanum based mixed valence manganite system La_1−xCa_x−0.08Sr_0.04Ba_0.04MnO₃ (LCSBMO; x=0.15, 0.24 and 0.33) synthesized through the sol-gel route is systematically investigated in this paper. The electronic transport and magnetic susceptibility properties are analyzed and compared, apart from the study of unit cell structure, microstructure and composition. Second order phase transition is observed in all the samples and significant difference is observed between the insulator to metal transition temperature (T_MI) and paramagnetic (PM) to ferromagnetic (FM) transition temperature (T_C). In contrast to the insulating FM behaviour usually observed in La_1−xCa_xMnO₃ (LCMO) for x=0.15, a clear insulator to metal transition is observed for LCSBMO for the same percentage of lanthanum. The temperature dependent resistivity of polycrystalline pellets, when obeying the well studied law ρ=ρ_o+ρ₂T² for T<T_MI, is observed to differ significantly in the values of ρ_o and ρ₂, with the electrical conductivity increasing with x. The variable range hopping model has been found to fit resistivity data better than the small polaron model for T>T_MI. AC magnetic susceptibility study of the polycrystalline powders of the manganite system shows the highest PM to FM transition of 285 K for x=0.33.     

Singularities of magnetic and elastic characteristics of La2/3Ba1/3MnO3: Analysis of martensitic kinetics

A coordinated temperature behavior of magnetic susceptibility and internal friction has been observed in the La_2/3Ba_1/3MnO₃ manganite in the temperature region of the crystal phase separation 5–340 K. Stepwise temperature behavior of the susceptibility of the single crystal sample and corresponding singular behavior of the internal friction in the polycrystalline manganite have been found. These small-scale features of the temperature dependences of the susceptibility and the internal friction are considered to be a reflection of martensitic kinetics of the structural phase transformation R3¯c↔Imma in the 200 K temperature region.     

Fabrication of the hydrogen resistive ferroelectric film of the (Pb0.72La0.28)Ti0.93O3/Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3/(Pb0.72La0.28)Ti0.93O3 heterostructure by a pulsed laser deposition method

(Pb_0.72La_0.28)Ti_0.93O₃ (PLT)/Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ (PZT)/PLT heterostructure was fabricated by using a pulsed laser deposition method. After depositing this structure, the hydrogen annealing process was performed in the forming gas (95% N₂ + 5% H₂) at a substrate temperature of 400 °C for 30 min to study the effects of hydrogen passivation.The heterostructure was not degraded by the hydrogen annealing in contrast with the case of PZT film without buffer layers. This heterostructure showed almost no degradation in terms of the remanent polarization even after the H₂ annealing, while the PZT film exhibited 64% reduction, which is from 20.1 to 7.3 μC/cm² after the annealing. The leakage current was decreased by an order in the case of the heterostructure, while the leakage current of the PZT film increased by an order.These can be explained that the PLT bottom buffer layer works as a seeing layer to help the PZT growth and the top PLT buffer layer acts as a barrier for penetrating hydrogen atoms.     

Temperature dependence of electroresistance for La0.67Ba0.33MnO3 manganite

The influence of dc biasing current on temperature dependence of resistance of La_0.67Ba_0.33MnO₃ bulk sample is reported. A decrease in the resistance (electroresistance) on the application of higher bias current is observed. The electroresistance is maximum at metal-insulator transition temperature (T_MI) and decreases when the temperature is either increased or decreased from T_MI. A two-phase model is proposed to explain the occurrence of electroresistance. The higher bias current leads to an increase in alignment of spins and thus, in turn, leads to an increase in spin stiffness coefficient and decrease in the resistance at T_MI.