Magnetic features of the Kondo system CeTSn (T=Ni,Pd, Pt) probed by positive muons

Zero-, longitudinal and transverseSR measurements are reported on CeNiSn, CePdSn and CePtSn. Below 1 K CeNiSn exhibits strong magnetic correlations, up to possible short range order, but a magnetic phase transition did not occur down to 0.033 K. CePdSn and CePtSn signal their transition into the ordered antiferromagnetic phase by a spontaneous spin precession signal. The second magnetic phase transition in CePtSn reveals itself by the onset of a more complex spin precession pattern. Most unusual is the formation of a paramagnetic state with frozen random spin structure in CePtSn about one Kelvin aboveT _N.This work was supported by the German Federal Minister for Research and Technology (Bundesminister für Forschung und Technologie [BMFT]) under Contract Nr. 03KA2-TUM-4.     

The influence of impurities and alloying in the Kondo semimetal CeNiSn as seen by μSR

The temperature dependence of the muon spin relaxation rate \lambda was measured in two samples of CeNiSn with markedly different impurity content and in the quasi‐ternary compounds CePt_xNi_1-xSn (x=0.12,\ ,0.2) and CeCu_xNi_1-xSn (x=0.05,\ ,0.1,\ ,0.2) in order to study the development of magnetic correlations. No significant change in \lambda was found for the two samples of CeNiSn although their low temperature specific heat differs strongly. Hence μSR probes the intrinsic magnetic properties of the spin‐liquid state of CeNiSn. Replacing Ni with up to 20% Pt results only in minor changes of \lambda. In contrast, a strong effect is seen when Ni is replaced by Cu. Already at 10% Cu the system forms a spin‐glass‐like state below 0.9 K. At 20% Cu this behavior is strengthened, but antiferromagnetic order of the type seen in CePtSn or CePdSn is not reached. The results show further that the change in 4f hybridization initiated by volume expansion in the alloyed samples is not the dominating mechanism strengthening the magnetic correlations. Decisive is the increase in d electron density when replacing Ni by Cu. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Magnetic transition and polaron crossover in a two-site single polaron model including double exchange interaction

A two-site double exchange model with a single polaron is studied using a perturbation expansion based on the modified Lang-Firsov transformation. The antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition and the crossover from small to large polaron are investigated for different values of the antiferromagnetic interaction (J) between the core spins and the hopping (t) of the itinerant electron. Effect of the external magnetic field on the small to large polaron crossover and on the polaronic kinetic energy are studied. When the magnetic transition and the small to large polaron crossover coincide for some suitable range of J/t, the magnetic field has very pronounced effect on the dynamics of polarons. Received 1 June 2000     

Low energy excitations in CeNiSn

We have studied the magnetic excitation spectrum of CeNiSn at low energies both on a polycrystalline sample using time-of-flight technique and on a single crystal with a triple axis spectrometer. The energy gap in the excitation spectrum is clearly observed in the polycrystalline sample reconciling the earlier discrepancies between the two kinds of measurements. The experimental results are consistent with the occurrence of a quasielastic signal within the gap without any significant wave vector dependence and characterized by an energy scale Γ≈0.2 meV.     

Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of the (101) surface of the Kondo insulator CeNiSn

The electronic structure of CeNiSn, which is considered a possible topological Kondo insulator, has been investigated by employing synchrotron radiation excited angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). We have found that the easy cleavage plane in CeNiSn is (101), for which we have investigated the Fermi surface (FS) and band structures. The measured FS and ARPES for the (101) plane are described well by the calculated FS and band structures, obtained from the DFT calculations. The measured ARPES bands and photon energy map show that the metallic states crossing the Fermi level have the 3D nature, casting a negative suspicion for the existence of the topological surface states of the 2D character in CeNiSn. The Ce 4f Kondo resonance peak is observed in Ce 4d → 4f resonant photoemission spectroscopy, suggesting the importance of the Ce 4f electrons in determining the temperature-dependent topological electronic structure of CeNiSn.     

High-resolution selective reflection spectroscopy in intermediate magnetic fields

We have measured the modifications of frequency-modulated selective reflection spectra of the CsD ₂ line recorded with circularly polarized light by a longitudinal magnetic field in the range 120–280 G. The spectra recorded with ⁺ and ^– polarizations were found to be qualitatively different, but are well described by a theoretical model based on the diagonalization of the hyperfine-Zeeman Hamiltonian. The technique presented here is a simple way for investigating fully resolved complex Zeeman spectra in moderate magnetic fields and may find applications in the investigation of anisotropies in long-range atom-surface interactions.     

Nucleation and hysteresis in Ising model: classical theory versus computer simulation

We have studied the nucleation in the nearest neighbour ferromagnetic Ising model, in different (d) dimensions, by extensive Monte-Carlo simulation using the heat-bath dynamics. The nucleation time () has been studied as a function of the magnetic field (h) for various system sizes in different dimensions (d=2,3,4). The logarithm of the nucleation time is found to be proportional to the power (-(d-1)) of the magnetic field (h) in d dimensions. The size dependent crossover from coalescence to nucleation regime is observed in all dimensions. The distribution of metastable lifetimes are studied in both regions. The numerical results are compared and found to be consistent with the classical theoretical predictions. In two dimensions, we have also studied the dynamical response to a sinusoidally oscillating magnetic field. The reversal time is studied as a function of the inverse of the coercive field. The applicability of the classical nucleation theory to study the hysteresis and coercivity has been discussed. Received: 21 January 1998 / Accepted: 17 March 1998     

Renormalized vertex modification of Hall conductivity for dilute magnetic alloys

By means of the renormalized vertex procedure for the motion of Green's function developed by the authors, the vertex function of magnetic alloys, based on thes-d exchange interaction, is solved exactly and the corresponding Hall conductivity tensors are obtained. It is found that the value of the renormalized Hall conductivity is (1+h ²)^–1 times less than that before the renormalization (hereh is a reduced magnetic field). It is shown that the renormalized modification of the conductivity is very important in the cases with not too weak external magnetic field and slow relaxation time.     

Thermal conductivity in 3D NJL model under external magnetic field

The thermal conductivity of the (2+1)-dimensional NJL model in the presence of a constant magnetic field is calculated in the mean-field approximation and its different asymptotic regimes are analyzed. Taking into account the dynamical generation of a fermion mass due to the magnetic catalysis phenomenon, it is shown that for certain relations among the theory's parameters (particle width, temperature and magnetic field), the profile of the thermal conductivity versus the applied field exhibits kink- and plateau-like behaviors. We point out possible applications to planar condensed matter.     

Anisotropic fluctuation magnetoconductivity in Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox thin films

Measurements of the fluctuation magnetoconductivity as a function of both the magnetic field up to 13 T and the temperature in thin films of Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_x are presented. The variation of the magnetoconductivity with the magnetic field strength is quadratic at temperatures distantly above the critical temperatureT _c and changes to an entirely negative curvature nearT _c . The latter behavior is attributed to an inhomogeneous critical temperature in the films. The results are analyzed in terms of recent theoretical models for fluctuation-enhanced magnetoconductivity in layered superconductors. The magnetoconductivity in a magnetic field oriented normal to the copper-oxide layers is dominated by the orbital contribution of the Aslamazov-Larkin effect. The magnetoconductivity in the parallel orientation is distinctly smaller and provides evidence for the corresponding Zeeman contribution. The latter measurement also indicates that the Maki-Thompson process may be insignificant in Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_x.     

Coaxial Discharge and Transverse Magnetic Field

The study deals with the effect of an applied transverse magnetic field on the dynamics and parameters of the focused and expanded plasma in a coaxial discharge. The experimental results were found with a 3 kJ Plasma focus device of a Mather geometry. The discharge takes place in hydrogen gas with base pressure of 0.5 Torr. The experiments are conducted with a 10 kV bank voltage, which corresponds to 100 kA peak discharge current with rise time 8 μs. Helmholtz magnetic coils are placed outside the expansions chamber to produce a transverse magnetic field with intensity 280 G perpendicular to the plasma expanded from the coaxial electrodes. The investigations have shown that the plasma flow along the expansion chamber axis is restricted when applying the externally transverse magnetic field and the maximum axial velocity of the expanded plasma is decreased by 33%. X-ray probe has been used to measure the focused plasma electron temperature (T_e). The experimental results and the calculations showed that T_e is decreased from 2.2 keV to 800 eV with the application of a transverse magnetic field. The expanded plasma electron temperature and density have been measured by an electric double probe, the results cleared that the expanded plasma electron temperature is decreased by 2.6 times while its density is increased by 9 times, when a transverse magnetic field is applied.     

Confinement in the q-state Potts field theory

The q-state Potts field theory describes the universality class associated to the spontaneous breaking of the permutation symmetry of q   colors. In two dimensions it is defined up to q=4$q=4$ and exhibits duality and integrability away from critical temperature in absence of magnetic field. We show how, when a magnetic field is switched on, it provides the simplest model of confinement allowing for both mesons and baryons. Deconfined quarks (kinks) exist in a phase bounded by a first order transition on one side, and a second order transition on the other. The evolution of the mass spectrum with temperature and magnetic field is discussed.     

The effect of Co doping on antiferromagnetic correlations in the Kondo semi-metal CeNiSn

Single-crystal neutron scattering experiments have been performed to study magnetic excitations in [Formula: see text], in which the pseudo-gap of CeNiSn is suppressed by the doping. In CeNiSn there are two inelastic excitation peaks at [Formula: see text] and 4 meV, which correspond to dynamic antiferromagnetic correlations. In [Formula: see text] the 2 meV peak is smeared out, whereas the 4 meV peak becomes very weak and broad, but preserves the same quasi-one-dimensional character as that for CeNiSn. These results suggest the strong relation between the antiferromagnetic correlations and the pseudo-gap formation.     

Magnetic structures and crystal field in the heavy electron materials YbAgGe and YbPtIn

We have examined the magnetic properties of the heavy electron compounds YbAgGe and YbPtIn by ¹⁷⁰Yb M?ssbauer spectroscopy down to 0.1 K, and the crystal field properties of YbAgGe by Perturbed Angular Correlations (PAC) measurements up to 900 K. In YbAgGe, we show that each of the two magnetically ordered phases below 0.8 K involves a specific incommensurate modulation of the Yb moment. An analysis of existing low temperature specific heat data suggests the persistence of fluctuations of the correlated Yb spins down to 0.1 K. The PAC data allow to discriminate among proposed Yb³⁺ crystal field level schemes. In YbPtIn, we show that the low temperature magnetic order phase has an antiferro-para structure, where zero moment Yb ions coexist with large moment ones, and that a 90° moment reorientation occurs at 1.4 K.     

μSR studies of magnetic properties of CeRhSb and La0.1Ce0.9RhSb

Zero, longitudinal, and transverse field μSR data are reported for CeRhSband La_0.1Ce_0.9RhSbdown to 45 mK. The muon spin relaxation at temperatures above a few Kelvin is caused by nuclear dipoles. Only at lower temperatures the additional depolarizing effect of electronic moments is observable, signalizing the onset of magnetic correlations in the 4f moment system. These findings are compared to the corresponding data on CeNiSn, showing that the ground state properties are basically alike in the two materials, that is, magnetic correlations develop, but remain weakly dynamic and long range antiferromagnetic order does not set in. The results for La_0.1Ce_0.9RhSbdiffer little from those of pure CeRhSb, indicating that the magnetic ground state properties as seen by μSR have not been altered significantly. The muonic Knight shift in CeRhSb exhibits similar features as the bulk susceptibility in the temperature range between 20 and 2 K. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal expansion and magnetostriction in an anomalous Gd intermetallic compound

Thermal expansion and forced magnetostriction measurements are reported on two Gd intermetallic compounds which order magnetically below 10 K. The relative influence of the electronic, lattice and magnetic degrees of freedom was determined using results obtained on a non-magnetic isostructural compound. A Grüneisen analysis revealed that whilst the magnetic contribution to the specific heat is similar for both Pd₂GdIn and Cu₂GdIn the spontaneous magnetostriction was significantly smaller in the Pd compound. Forced magnetostriction measurements suggest that the thermal expansion in Pd₂GdIn is primarily associated with spin fluctuations in the Pd 4d band. It is suggested that these additional degrees of freedom give rise to the enhanced specific heat observed in Pd₂GdIn. Received 28 July 1999     

Statistical properties of the laser emission in a low-Q cavity

We investigate theoretically the stationary statistical properties of the laser radiation in a low-Q cavity with field, polarization, and population fluctuations. Eliminating adiabatically the electric field from the Maxwell-Bloch equations, coupled Langevin equations with bothadditive andmultiplicative noises are derived and are transformed into the multivariable Fokker-Planck equation of a probability density of the light intensity and the population difference. It is solved by the expansion into orthonormal sets, and a vector recurrence equation of motion of the expansion coefficients is given whose stationary solutions are analytically obtained in theMatrix continued-fraction. The stationary distribution function of the radiation intensity are calculated with several values of control parameters. We discuss the variance of the intensity distribution, the photon-counting coefficient, and the cross-correlation between intensity and population as a function of the pump parameter, and reveal the novel and characteristic features of the bad-cavity laser system. The comparison with the good-cavity (high-Q cavity) case is also made.     

Magnetoelectric behavior in the complex CaMn7O12 perovskite

We report a magnetoelectric effect in the double perovskite CaMn₇O₁₂, that shows a complex magnetic behavior below 90 K with two magnetic phases coexisting (one ferrimagnetic and the other modulated). A second magnetic transition, associated with changes in the magnetic modulation and magnetic ordering coherence lengths of the two magnetic phases occurs at 50 K (T_N2). A detailed structural characterization of this compound, that we have carried out by means of high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction, reveals an anisotropic thermal expansion of its lattice parameters at 50 K (T_N2). In addition, our study of the complex permittivity of this sample as a function of temperature, frequency and magnetic field shows very interesting results below 90 K and specially below 50 K: the dielectric constant ε′_r that was decreasing continuously on cooling experiences an upturn, and even more, on application of a magnetic field it shows a moderate magnetoelectric response. We attribute such dielectric behavior to the formation of electric dipoles by magnetostriction in this charge and spin ordered system, that are sensible to the presence of an external magnetic field.     

Spin-canting and transverse relaxation in maghemite nanoparticles and in tin-doped maghemite

The magnetic properties of maghemite nanoparticles and tin-doped maghemite have been studied by ⁵⁷Fe and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy at temperatures from 6 to 300 K with and without applied magnetic fields. The low-temperature ⁵⁷Fe spectra of both samples, obtained in a field of 4 T, can be described in terms of A-site and B-site components with perfect ferrimagnetic order and a strongly canted component, which seems to have its main contribution from B-site ions. At higher temperatures, the components with strong canting are influenced by transverse relaxation, which results in significant line broadening, a reduction of the magnetic hyperfine splitting and a reduction in the relative areas of lines 2 and 5. The ¹¹⁹Sn spectra show a very broad distribution of magnetic hyperfine fields at low temperatures. When the sample was exposed to applied magnetic fields the distribution became narrower. The spectra show that the direction of the hyperfine field of a large fraction of the tin ions in maghemite is antiparallel to the applied field, but a minor fraction of the tin ions have canted hyperfine fields.