Excess current in contacts based on magnesium diboride

The excess current I _exc in In/MgB₂ and Pb/MgB₂ contacts was investigated as a function of the energy gaps Δ_σ and Δ_π in magnesium diboride MgB₂. It was shown that, even in the “dirty” limit, electrons from the σ and π bands do not undergo mixing; i.e., they remain confined to their bands over a long period of time. On this basis, the measurements of the excess current I _exc for contacts prepared in different crystallographic directions of the MgB₂ crystals made it possible to determine the energy gaps Δ_π ≈ 3.0 meV and Δ_σ = 7.5 meV.     

Observation of multi-gap superconductivity in GdO(F)FeAs by Andreev spectroscopy

We have studied current-voltage characteristics of Andreev contacts in polycrystalline GdO_0.88F_0.12FeAs samples with bulk critical temperature T _c = (52.5 ± 1) K using break-junction technique. The data obtained can- not be described within the single-gap approach and suggests the existence of a multi-gap superconductivity in this compound. The large and small superconducting gap values estimated at T = 4.2 K are Δ _L = 10.5 ± 2 meV and Δ _s = 2.3 ± 0.4 meV, respectively.     

Multiple andreev reflections spectroscopy of superconducting LiFeAs single crystals: Anisotropy and temperature behavior of the order parameters

The superconducting state of LiFeAs single crystals with the maximum critical temperature T _c ≈ 17 K in the 111 family has been studied in detail by multiple Andreev reflections (MAR) spectroscopy implemented by the break-junction technique. The three superconducting gaps, Δ_Γ = 5.1–6.5 meV, Δ_L = 3.8–4.8 meV, and Δ_S = 0.9–1.9 meV (at T ? T _c), as well as their temperature dependences, have been directly determined in a tunneling experiment with these samples. The anisotropy degrees of the order parameters in the k space have been estimated as <8, ～12, and ～20%, respectively. Andreev spectra have been fitted within the extended Kümmel-Gunsenheimer-Nikolsky model with allowance for anisotropy. The relative electron-boson coupling constants in LiFeAs have been determined by approximating the Δ(T) dependences by the system of the two-band Moskalenko and Suhl equations. It has been shown that the densities of states in bands forming Δ_Γ and Δ_L are approximately the same, intraband pairing dominates in this case, and the interband coupling constants are related as λ_ΓL ≈ λ_LΓ ? λ_SΓ, λ_SL.     

Direct evidence of two superconducting gaps in FeSe<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Te<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>: SnS-Andreev spectroscopy and the lower critical field

We present direct measurements of the superconducting order parameter in nearly optimal FeSe Te single crystals with the critical temperature T _C ≈ 14 K. Using the intrinsic multiple Andreev reflection effect (IMARE) spectroscopy and measurements of the lower critical field, we directly determined two superconducting gaps, Δ_L ≈ 3.3?3.4 meV and Δ_S ≈ 1 meV, and their temperature dependences. We show that a twoband model fits well the experimental data. The estimated electron–boson coupling constants indicate a strong intraband and a moderate interband interaction.     

Andreev spectroscopy of FeSe: Evidence for two-gap superconductivity

Current-voltage characteristics (CVCs) of Andreev superconductor-constriction-superconductor (ScS) contacts in polycrystalline samples of FeSe with the critical temperature T _C = (12 ± 1) K have been measured using the break-junction technique. In Sharvin-type nanocontacts, two sets of subharmonic gap structures were detected due to multiple Andreev reflections, indicating the existence of two nodeless superconducting gaps Δ _L = (2.75 ± 0.3) meV and Δ _S = (0.8 ± 0.2) meV. Well-shaped CVCs for stacks of Andreev contacts with up to five contacts were observed due to the layered structure of FeSe (the intrinsic multiple Andreev reflections effect). An additional fine structure in the CVCs of Andreev ScS nanocontacts is attributed to the existence of a Leggett mode. A linear relation between the superconducting gap Δ _L and the magnetic resonance energy E _magres ≈ 2Δ _L is found to be valid for layered iron pnictides.     

Temperature and junction-type dependency of Andreev reflection in MgB2

We studied the voltage and temperature dependency of the dynamic conductance of normal metal-MgB₂ junctions obtained either with the point-contact technique (with Au and Pt tips) or by making Ag-paint spots on the surface of MgB₂ samples. The fit of the conductance curves with the generalized BTK model gives evidence of pure s-wave gap symmetry. The temperature dependency of the gap, measured in Ag-paint junctions (dirty limit), follows the standard BCS curve with 2Δ/k_BT_c=3.3. In out-of-plane, high-pressure point-contacts we obtained almost ideal Andreev reflection characteristics showing a single small s-wave gap Δ=2.6±0.2 meV (clean limit).     

硅中金受主能级在单轴应力下瞬态电容的研究

用恒定温度下瞬态电容法研究了硅中金受主能级在沿〈100〉,〈110〉,〈111〉晶向单轴应力作用下的能级移动。考虑到硅的导带在单轴应力下的分裂,导出了单轴应力下深中心中电子发射率的公式。根据该式和发射率的实验数据以及切变畸变势常数Ξ_u,求出了金受主能级激活能随应力的改变。在实验应力范围内(0—9kbar),激活能与应力成线性关系。当应力平行于〈110〉〈111〉晶向时,激活能随应力改变的斜率分别为α_<110>=-3.2±0.6meV/kbar,α_<111>=-0.3±0.6meV/kbar;当应力平行于〈100〉晶向,若取Ξ_u=9.2eV,α_<100>=-5.8±0.8meV/kbar,若取Ξ_u=11.4eV,α_<100>=-5.3±0.8meV/kbar,α表现出强烈的各向异性。进一步确定了金受主能级相对于零压力下导带底的绝对移动的压力系数。若取Ξ_u=9.2eV,这些系数分别为S_<100>=-1.3±0.8meV/kbar,S_<110>=0.7±0.6meV/kbar,S_<111>=-0.7±0.6meV/kbar。如取Ξ=11.4eV,则S_<100>=-3.5±0.8meV/kbar,S_<110>=0.0±0.6meV/kbar,S_<111>=-1.0±0.6meV/kbar。同一组的三个绝对移动值之间的偏离都超过了实验误差这一事实,说明了金中心具有立方对称性,同时中性金与带负电的金的基态都是非简并的可能性很小。 关键词：     

Determination of superconducting gap of SmFeAsFxO1−x superconductors by Andreev reflection spectroscopy

The superconducting gap in FeAs-based superconductor SmFeAs(O_1?xF_x) (x = 0.15 and 0.30) and the temperature dependence of the sample with x = 0.15 have been measured by Andreev reflection spectroscopy. The intrinsic superconducting gap is independent of contacts while many other “gap-like” features vary appreciably for different contacts. The determined gap value of 2Δ = 13.34 ± 0.47 meV for SmFeAs(O_0.85F_0.15) gives 2Δ/k_BT_C = 3.68, close to the BCS prediction of 3.53. The superconducting gap decreases with temperature and vanishes at T_C, in a manner similar to the BCS behavior but dramatically different from that of the nodal pseudogap behavior in cuprate superconductors.     

Landau transitions at higher gaps in InSb and GaSb

Landau levels have been resolved at the E₁ + Δ₁ gap in InSb and at the E₁ edge in GaSb. Transverse reduced masses of 19 ± 3 and 21.4 ± 1.5 have been obtained at the respective edges. Using band gaps determined from the experiment, the spin-orbit splitting Δ₁ has been measured as 0.500 ± 0.013 eV in InSb. Combined with a measurement of the zone center spin-orbit splitting, this gives a ratio of 0.623 ± 0.02 of slightly less than $\text{2}\text{3}$.     

Magnon dispersion in TbAl2

Slow neutron inelastic scattering has been used to determine the magnon dispersion relation in TbAl₂ at 4.6 K. Energies of magnons in symmetry points are in meV: Γ 1.7±0.1 and 6.0±0.1, X5.1±0.2 (degenerate); L3.0±0.1 and 7.4±0.1 for the acoustic and optical modes respectively. An analysis of the experimental curves in terms of interatomic exchange parameters shows long range order and oscillations in real space.     

Orientational and positional disorder of ions and its freezing in the CsNO2-TlNO2 system2

The heat capacities of Cs_0.695Tl_0.305NO₂ (Specimen I) and Cs_0.385Tl_0.615NO₂ (Specimen II) have been measured between 14 and 350 K. Specimen I underwent a phase transition at (197.7 ± 0.1) K, with ΔS = (19.2 ± 1.5) JK^?mol^?, and specimen II at (214.5 ± 0.2) K, with ΔS = (5.4 ± 1.0) JK^?1mol^?1, respectively. Above the phase transition, an exothermic temperature drift due to phase separation was observed. Annealing of the sample at 203 K for 300 hr brought about complete phase separation. The solid solution system annealed at 203 K gave two heat capacity peaks at (203.3 ± 0.1) K, with ΔS = (13.8 ± 0.8) JK^?1 mol^?1, and (242.4 ± 0.2) K, with ΔS = (10.6 ± 1.3) JK^?1 for Specimen I, and at (203.0 ± 0.1) K with ΔS = (6.7 ± 0.5) JK^?1 mol^?1, and (257.5 ± 0.2) K with ΔS = (17.9 ± 1.7) JK^?1 mol^?1 for Specimen II. The phase diagram of the CsNO₂-TlNO₂ binary system was constructed on the basis of DTA, heat capacity and dielectric measurements. In the metastable phase, the existence of a residual entropy due to the freezing of a random distribution of Cs⁺₁ and Tl⁺ cations in addition to the orientational disorder of the NO₂^?1 ion was confirmed by a comparison of entropies of the stable and the metastable phases.     

Investigation of LiFeAs by means of “break-junction” technique

In our tunneling investigation using Andreev superconductor-normal metal-superconductor contacts on LiFeAs single crystals we observed two reproducible independent subharmonic gap structures at dynamic conductance characteristics. From these results, we can derive the energy of the large superconducting gap ??_L = (2.5?C3.4) meV and the small gap ??_S = (0.9?C1) meV at T = 4.2 K for the T _C ^local ?? (10.5?C14) K (the contact area critical temperature which deviation causes the variation of ??_L). The BCS-ratio is found to be 2??_L/k _B T _C = 4.6?C5.6, whereas 2??_S/k _B T _C ? 3.52 results from induced superconductivity in the bands with the small gap.     

The heat capacity of the layer compounds (CH3CH2CH2NH3)2MnCl4 and (CH3CH2CH2NH3)2CdCl4 from 10 K TO 300 K

The heat capacity of the layer compounds tetrachlorobis (n-propylammonium) manganese II and tetrachlorobis (n-propylammonium) cadmium II, (CH₃CH₂CH₂NH₃)₂MnCl₄ and (CH₃CH₂CH₂NH₃)₂CdCl₄ respectively, has been measured over the temperature range 10 K ?T ? 300 K.Two known structural phase transitions were observed for the Mn compound in this temperature region: at T = 112.8 ± 0.1 K (ΔH_t= 586 ± 2 J mol^?1; ΔS_t = 5.47 ± 0.02 J K^?1mol^?1) and at T =164.3 ± (ΔH_t = 496 ± 7 J mol^?1; ΔS_t =3.29 ± 0.05 J K^?1mol^?1). The lower transition is known to be from a monoclinic structure to a tetragonal structure, while the upper is from the tetragonal phase to an orthorhombic one. From comparison with the results for the corresponding methyl Mn compound it is deduced that the lower transition primarily involves changes in H-bonding while the upper transition involves motion in the propyl chain.A new structural phase transition was observed in the Cd compound at T= 105.5 ± 0.1 K (ΔH_t= 1472.3 ± 0.1 J mol^?1; ΔS_t = 13.956 ± 0.001 J K^?1mol^?1), in addition to two transitions that have been observed previously by other techniques. The higher of these transitions(T = 178.7 ± 0.3 K; ΔH_t = 982 ± 4 J mol^?1 ΔS_t = 6.16 ± 0.02 J K^? mol^?1) is known to be between two orthorhombic structures, while the structural changes at the lower transition (T= 156.8 ± 0.2 K; ΔH_t = 598 ± 5 J mol^?1, ΔS_t = 3.85 ± 0.03 J K^?1 mol^?1) and at the new transition are not known. It is proposed that these two transitions correspond respectively to the tetragonal to orthorhombic and monoclinic to tetragonal transitions in the propyl Mn compounds.In addition to the structural phase transitions (CH₃CH₂CH₂NH₃)₂MnCl₄ magnetically orders at t? 130 K. The magnetic contribution to the heat capacity is deduced from the heat capacity of the corresponding diamagnetic Cd compound and is of the form expected for a quasi 2-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet.     

STM spectroscopy of an organic superconductor

Electron tunneling spectroscopy of the organic superconductor κ-(BEDT-TTF)₂Cu(NCS)₂using low temperature scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is reported. The tunneling differential conductance in the superconducting phase was obtained in theb–cplane of a single crystal, by varying the tip position on the sample surface. The differential conductance is reduced near zero bias voltage and enhanced at the gap edge, associated with the superconducting gap structure below[formula] K. The gap width differs slightly from sample to sample, while the overall functional shape of the conductance is sample-independent. The tunneling conductance is reduced to almost zero near zero bias voltage, while it is finite inside the gap edge. The curve obtained cannot be fit to the BCS density of states withs-wave pairing symmetry, even if the life-time broadening of one-electron levels is taken into account. Finite conductance inside the gap edge suggests anisotropy of the gap. However, the conductance curve obtained is not explained by a simpled-wave symmetry for Δ(k). The reduced conductance near zero bias voltage suggests a finite gap. An anisotropic model with a finite gap, in which Δ(k) varies depending on the direction ink-space, is examined. The tunneling conductance in the low-energy region is almost fit by the model with Δ_min = 2 meV and Δ_max = 6 meV. The finite conductance is explained by introducing a small effect of life time broadening. We conclude that the gap is anisotropic and is finite (at least Δ_min = 2 meV) on the entire Fermi surface.     

Multiband superconductivity in the Chevrel phases SnMo6S8 and PbMo6S8

Sub-Kelvin scanning tunneling spectroscopy in the Chevrel phases SnMo6S8 and PbMo6S8 reveals two distinct superconducting gaps with Δ1=3 meV, Δ2～1.0 meV and Δ1=3.1 meV, Δ2～1.4 meV, respectively. The gap distribution is strongly anisotropic, with Δ2 predominantly seen when scanning across unit-cell steps on the (001) sample surface. The spectra are well fitted by an anisotropic two-band BCS s-wave gap function. Our spectroscopic data are confirmed by electronic heat capacity measurements, which also provide evidence for a twin-gap scenario.     

Structure and Anisotropy of the Superconducting Order Parameter in Ba<Subscript>0.65</Subscript>K<Subscript>0.35</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>As<Subscript>2</Subscript> Probed by Andreev Spectroscopy

The superconducting order parameters in optimally doped Ba_0.65K_0.35Fe₂As₂ single crystals have been directly measured using multiple Andreev reflection effect spectroscopy of superconductor–normal metal–superconductor break-junctions. We determine two superconducting gaps, which are nodeless in the k _x k _y -plane of the momentum space, and resolve a substantial in-plane anisotropy of the large gap. The temperature dependences of the gaps indicate a strong coupling within the bands where Δ_L develops, a weak coupling in the condensate with the small gap Δ_S, and a moderate interband interaction between the two condensates. The own critical temperatures of both condensates have been estimated (under the hypotherical assumption of zero interband interaction).     

Superconducting tunneling in PdH

Tunneling measurements have been made on superconducting PdH films. The measured2Δ₀/kT_c ratio was 3.80 ± 0.15 meV. Structure was found in the tunneling density of states at an energy of 48 ± 2 meV, approximately the energy of optic phonons in PdH.     

L 1 subshell yields atZ=73 from the electron capture decay of181W

The TaL x ray spectrum from the electron capture decay of¹⁸¹W is analyzed into components characteristic of the threeL-subshells and theL ₁ subshell yields atZ=73 are determined to beΩ ₁=0.15±0.02,f ₁₂=0.23±0.05 andf ₁₃=0.32±0.02. A revised decay scheme for the decay of¹⁸¹W is proposed from measurements of x-ray and gamma intensities. A value of 0.97±0.08 for theK-conversion coefficient of the 153 keV transition is obtained and itsE ₂/M ₁ multipolarity mixing ratio,δ ²(0.25) is deduced.     

Konversionskoeffizienten und Fluoreszenzausbeuten beim Zerfall des Ir192m und Co58m

With a proportionalcounter and an anthracene-crystal-spectrometer theL-X-ray- and the conversion-electron-spectra of \(Ir^{192_{m_1 } } \) were measured. TheL-fluorescenceyield of iridium was found to beω _L=0.30±0.04. The partial fluorescence-yields of theL ₂- andL ₃-subshells could be determined:ω _L2 =0.35±0.14 andω _L3 =0.29±0.04. The conversion-coefficients for the isomeric transition of \(Ir^{192_{m_1 } } \) were also measured:α _L =1660±250 andα _L +α _M =2030±230. The spectra of the conversion-electrons of the 25 keV-isomeric transition of \(Co^{58_m } \) were measured with a methane-filled proportionalcounter, and theγ- and X-rays with a Nal-scintillation-spectrometer. The conversion-coefficients for this transition and theK-fluorescence-yield of cobalt were found to beα _K =2000±260,α _L+M =890±150,K/(L+M)=2.25±0.15,α _K =0.34±0.02.     

Impurity–defect emission from undoped Cd<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis> </Subscript>Zn<Subscript> <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis> </Subscript>Te single crystals near the fundamental absorption edge

Shallow impurity–defect states in undoped Cd_1–xZn_xTe (x ～ 3–6%) single crystals have been studied using low-temperature photoluminescence measurements. It has been found that the effect exerted by zinc is mainly reduced to a rigid shift of all the specific features associated with the exciton radiation, which made it possible, with a high (～0.3 meV) accuracy, to measure the band gap and the zinc concentration in solid solutions. Hydrogen-like donors with the ground-state energy of ～14 meV and four types of acceptors with average activation energies of 59.3 ± 0.6 meV, 69.6 ± 1.5 meV, 155.8 ± 2.0 meV, and 52.3 ± 0.6 meV have been identified in all the crystals studied. Based on a comparison with the results of the analysis of the impurity background and the data available in the literature on impurity–defect emission in undoped CdTe, the first three acceptors can be assigned to the substitutional impurities Na_Cd, P_Te, and Cu_Cd, respectively. The most shallow acceptor (52.3 ± 0.6 meV) is a complex defect in which there is a nonstandard excited level separated by only 7 meV from the ground level. This level is formed apparently due to the removal of degeneracy, which is characteristic of T_D acceptors, by the low-symmetry potential of the complex defect.