Behavior of the Lorenz number in the light heavy-fermion system YbInCu4

The electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity of two polycrystalline YbInCu₄ samples prepared by different techniques at the Ioffe Physicotechnical Institute, RAS (St. Petersburg, Russia), and the Goethe University (Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany) are studied within the temperature range 4.2–300 K. At T _v～75–78 K, these samples exhibited an isostructural phase transition from a state with an integer valence (at T>T _v) to a state with an intermediate valence (at T<T _v) of the Yb ions. It is shown that at T<T _v; i.e., in the temperature range where YbInCu₄ is assumed to be a light heavy-fermion compound, the Lorenz number behaves as it should in a classical heavy-fermion system. At T>T _v, where YbInCu₄ is a semimetal, the Lorenz number has a value characteristic of standard metals.     

Measurement of hydrogen- and self-broadened half-widths of ammonia at 200 and 300°K

The hydrogen- and self-broadened half-widths have been measured for the (v₁+v₂)- and (v₂+v₃)-bands of ammonia at 300 and 207°K. Measurement of hydrogen-broadened widths has been restricted to J, K ?6, but that of self-broadened widths is done for a few lines outside that range. Assuming a power-law dependence of half-width on temperature given by γ(T)=γ(T₀)(T/T₀)^α, the average value of the index α for the lines measured is found to be 0·57 for hydrogen broadening.     

Comment on the intensity and the temperature dependence of the nitrogen-broadened half-width of the P(6) line in the CO fundamental

The recent line-center absorption coefficient measurements on the P(6) line of the CO fundamental have been shown to be consistent with S_v(T) = 273(273/T)cm^-2atm^-1 and γ⁰(T) = 0.0652(300/T)^0.66 for the absolute intensity of the band and the nitrogen-broadened line width in the temperature range 300–800°K.     

Low-temperature deformation of nanocrystalline niobium

The strain characteristics of nanocrystalline niobium are measured in the temperature range 4.2–300 K. It is shown that the development of a strong local deformation with clearly delineated macroscopic slip bands occurs at 4.2 K and 10 K. The thermal effects at a stress jump observed upon transition of the sample (or a niobium strip placed close to the sample) from the superconducting state to the normal state are estimated. It is demonstrated that the temperature dependence of the yield point σ_s(T) can be divided into three portions: two portions (T<10 K and T>70 K) with a slight change in σ_s and the third portion with a strong dependence σ_s(T). The strain characteristics of polycrystals with nano-and larger-sized grains are compared with those of single crystals.     

Current-conducting properties of paper consisting of multiwall carbon nanotubes

Electrical conductivity σ(T) of the paper consisting of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is studied in the temperature range 4.2-295 K, and its magnetoresistivity ρ(B) at various temperatures in magnetic fields up to 9 T is analyzed. The temperature dependence of the paper electrical conductivity σ(T) exhibits two-dimensional quantum corrections to the conductivity below 10 K. The dependences of negative magnetoresistivity ρ(B) measured at various temperatures are used to estimate the wavefunction phase breakdown length L _φ of conduction electrons and to obtain the temperature dependence L _φ = constT ^?p/2, where p ≈ 1/3. Similar dependences of electrical conductivity σ(T), magnetoresistivity ρ(B), and phase breakdown length L _φ(T) are detected for the initial MWCNTs used to prepare the paper.     

On the nature of the valence transition in Eu(Pd1−xAux)2Si2

The intermediate valent compound series Eu(Pd_1−xAu_x)₂Si₂ has been studied by Mössbauer effect measurements on ¹⁵¹Eu(T = 4.2−300K) and ¹⁹⁷Au (4.2K) and by X-ray diffraction (10K, 300K). The temperature induced valence transition Eu²⁺ → Eu³⁺ for x < 0.175 is not of first order type, as suggested in a previous phase diagram [1]. The valence change of the Eu-ion is reflected also in the isomer shift of the ¹⁹⁷Au Mössbauer-resonance.     

Electrical transport properties of a quasi-one-dimensional Nb3Te4 single crystal

The electrical resistance of a linear chain metal Nb₃Te₄ were measured from 1.3 to 320 K. The residual resistance ratio $\text{R(300}\text{K}\text{)}\text{R(4.2}\text{K}\text{)}$ is about 3. Nb₃Te₄ shows an anomaly in the resistivity vs temperature at about 80 K, suggesting an occurrence of a charge-density-wave transition. The transverse and longitudinal magnetoresistance at 4.2 K are proportional to the magnetic field in the range of 2–58 kOe. In the superconducting region close to the transition temperature T_c, the critical magnetic field H_c2 is proportional to δT=T_c?T. The angular dependence of H_c2 fits well with the fluxoid model of the Ginzburg-Landau theory. The ratio of the critical fields parallel and perpendicular to the chain direction is 4.8.     

Low-temperature structural phase transitions of TbB4 and ErB4 studied by high resolution X-ray diffraction and profile analysis

The isostructural rare earth tetraborides TbB₄ and ErB₄ of tetragonal space group P4/mbm undergo structural phase transitions to orthorhombic symmetry around T = 80 K and T = 15 K, respectively. The lattice distortions have been investigated by individual peak profile analysis performed on high-precision X-ray data. The experimental and analytical processing is outlined. The deviations from a tetragonal cell at 4.2 K are 2 × 10⁻² Å for TbB₄ and 3 × 10⁻³ Å for ErB₄. The relative volume change between 300 and 4.2 K is less than 10⁻³ in the TbB₄ lattice and 2.3 × 10⁻³ in ErB₄.The tetragonal to orthorhombic distortions are discussed in the context of the antiferromagnetic phase transitions of TbB₄ at T_N = 43 K and of ErB₄ at T_N = 13 K. The relationship between the structural and magnetic phase transitions differs for the two compounds. In TbB₄, the structural transition, which occurs at a definitely higher temperature than the magnetic ordering, is assumed to be driven by a strong electron-lattice coupling or by an electronic quadrupole-quadrupole interaction. In ErB₄, the structural distortion is attributed to magnetostrictive effects occurring simultaneously with the magnetic ordering process.     

Thermal conductivity of partially graphitized biocarbon obtained by carbonization of medium-density fiberboard in the presence of a Ni-based catalyst

The thermal conductivity k and resistivity ρ of biocarbon matrices, prepared by carbonizing medium-density fiberboard at T _carb = 850 and 1500°C in the presence of a Ni-based catalyst (samples MDF-C( Ni)) and without a catalyst (samples MDF-C), have been measured for the first time in the temperature range of 5–300 K. X-ray diffraction analysis has revealed that the bulk graphite phase arises only at T _carb = 1500°C. It has been shown that the temperature dependences of the thermal conductivity of samples MDFC- 850 and MDF-C-850(Ni) in the range of 80–300 K are to each other and follow the law of k(T) ～ T ^1.65, but the use of the Ni-catalyst leads to an increase in the thermal conductivity by a factor of approximately 1.5, due to the formation of a greater fraction of the nanocrystalline phase in the presence of the Ni-catalyst at T _carb = 850°C. In biocarbon MDF-C-1500 prepared without a catalyst, the dependence is k(T) ～ T ^1.65, and it is controlled by the nanocrystalline phase. In MDF-C-1500(Ni), the bulk graphite phase formed increases the thermal conductivity by a factor of 1.5–2 compared to the thermal conductivity of MDF-C-1500 in the entire temperature range of 5–300 K; k(T = 300 K) reaches the values of ～10 W m^–1 K^–1, characteristic of biocarbon obtained without a catalyst only at high temperatures of T _carb = 2400°C. It has been shown that MDF-C-1500(Ni) in the temperature range of 40?300 K is characterized by the dependence, k(T) ～ T ^1.3, which can be described in terms of the model of partially graphitized biocarbon as a composite of an amorphous matrix with spherical inclusions of the graphite phase.     

Thermal conductivity of the “light” heavy-fermion compound YbIn0.7Ag0.3Cu4

This paper reports on the electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity of polycrystalline YbIn_0.7Ag_0.3Cu₄ at temperatures from 4.2 to 300 K, which exhibits, at T _v , a continuous isostructural first-order phase transition from a Curie-Weiss paramagnet with localized magnetic moments (for T>T _v ) to a Pauli paramagnet in a nonmagnetic Fermi liquid state with the Yb ion in a mixed valence state (for T<T _v ). It is shown that for T<T _v , the Lorenz number behaves in accordance with the theoretical model developed for heavy-fermion materials, while for T>T _v , it acquires the value typical of standard metals.     

Galvanomagnetic properties of La0.7Sr0.3Mn0.9Cu0.1O3

La_0.7Sr_0.3Mn_0.9Cu_0.1O₃ ceramic samples have been obtained by the conventional method of the solid-phase reaction, and their resistivity ρ has been investigated in a temperature range from 50 to 300 K in magnetic fields B = 0–20 T. Dependences are typical of perovskite manganites with a maximum at T _max = 140–150 K and an increase in ρ near T _max with increasing external magnetic field B. It has been established that the behavior of resistivity is caused by the variable range hopping conduction mechanism ρ(T) = ρ₀(T)exp[(T ₀/T)^1/4], where ρ₀(T) ～ T ^25/4. The Mott variable range hopping conduction has been observed below the Curie temperature for La_0.7Sr_0.3Mn_0.9Cu_0.1O₃ samples (T _C ～ 300 K) in a temperature range from 300 to 200 K. The influence of Cu doping on the properties of La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ samples is apparently caused by an additional distortion introduced into the crystal lattice of the material and by a weakening of the double-exchange mechanism.     

Absorption of H and D Ly-α radiation by O2 molecules at high temperatures

Absorption cross sections of molecular oxygen were measured at the H and D Ly-α wavelengths (1215.67 and 1215.34 Å) between 800 and 1700°K, the cross sections being given by the equation σ (cm²) = 4.2E-18 exp(-3070/T) (4.2E-18 = 4.2 × 10^-18). The absorption cross section for v = 1 is (9±2)E-19 cm² and that for v = 2 is (7±3)E-18 cm², compared to 1.E-20 cm² for v = 0. Vibrational relaxation times were found to be in agreement with literature data over the range of common temperatures.     

Thermal conductivity and Lorentz number of the “Golden” phase of the Sm1−x GdxS system with homogeneous variable valence of samarium

The thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity are measured in the temperature range 160–300 K for two compositions of the “golden” phase of the Sm_1?x Gd_xS system with x=0.14 and 0.3, in which a homogeneous variable valence of samarium ions is observed. It is found that, in this temperature range, the experimentally obtained Lorentz number L appearing in the electron component of thermal conductivity for these compositions exceeds the theoretical Sommerfeld value L ₀=2.45×10^?8 WΩ/K² typical of metals and highly degenerate semiconductors. It is also proved that the value of L increases with temperature in the interval 160–300 K starting from 160 K. A theoretical model capable of explaining the obtained experimental results is discussed.     

Spectroscopic diagnostics of R.F. discharges at moderate pressure and chemical applications—I. Pure nitrogen

A vibro-rotational analysis has been performed of the second positive system (SPS) of N₂ and of the first negative system (FNS) of N⁺₂ emitted by 35 MHz discharges in flowing nitrogen operated at pressures of 5–50 torr and power densities of the order of 1–10 W-cm^-3. The distributions of the vibrational and of the rotational levels follow Boltzmann's law in both the SPS and the FNS with T_v = 4000°K and T_R = 2800°K for the N₂(C³Π_u) state and T_v = 5100°K and T_R = 5800°K for the N⁺₂(B²Σ⁺_g) state and independent of pressure. Kinetic gas temperatures are between 1200 and 2000°K and increase with pressure; electron temperatures are in the range 15,000–9,500°K. The reversal of line intensities of the SPS and of the FNS observed with increasing pressure has been tentatively interpreted. Possible chemical implications of these results have been examined.     

First observation of a negative elastic constant in intermediate valent TmSe

The sound velocities v_L, v_T1 and v_T2 have been measured at 15 MHz on Tm³⁺_0.87Se and Tm^2.8+_0.99Se between 300 K and 4.2 K and the elastic constants c_ij have been derived. In intermediate valent Tm^2.8+_0.99Se c₁₂ turned out to be negative. This sign is interpreted as being typical for intermediate valent compounds. Also for the first time experimental evidence is given for crystal field effects in Tm³⁺_0.87Se. Strong elastic nonlinearities are observed in intermediate valent Tm^2.8+_0.99Se with uniaxial pressure.     

Variable-range hopping conduction in LaMnO<Subscript>3 + δ</Subscript>

The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity ρ(T) for ceramic samples of LaMnO_{3 + δ} (δ = 0.100–0.154) are studied in the temperature range T = 15–350 K, in magnetic fields of 0–10 T, and under hydrostatic pressures P of up to 11 kbar. It is shown that, above the ferromagnet-paramagnet transition temperature of LaMnO_{3 + δ}, the dependence ρ(T) of this compound obeys the Shklovskii-Efros variable-range hopping conduction: ρ(T) = ρ₀(T)exp[(T ₀/T)^1/2], where ρ₀(T) = AT ^9/2 (A is a constant). The density of localized states g(?) near the Fermi level is found to have a Coulomb gap Δ and a rigid gap γ(T). The Coulomb gap Δ assumes values of 0.43, 0.46, and 0.48 eV, and the rigid gap satisfies the relationship γ(T) ≈ γ(T _v)(T/T _v)^1/2, where T _v is the temperature of the onset of variable-range hopping conduction and γ(T _v) = 0.13, 0.16, and 0.17 eV for δ = 0.100, 0.125, and 0.154, respectively. The carrier localization lengths a = 1.7, 1.4, and 1.2 Å are determined for the same values of δ. The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the variable-range hopping conduction in LaMnO_{3 + δ} with δ = 0.154 is analyzed, and the dependences Δ(P) and γ_v(P) are obtained.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies in rare earth ternary phosphides

The results of³¹P Knight shift (KS) and spin-lattice relaxation time (T ₁) measurements in the temperature interval 4.2–300 K are reported for the compounds RENi₂P₂(RE=Ce, Eu, Yb) in order to understand the nature of the ground state in these compounds. KS results conclusively establish that all these compounds exhibit non-magnetic ground states. The temperature dependence of spin-fluctuation temperature (T _sf) in each case is estimated from the measured data. For EuNi₂P₂ the values ofT _sf above 77 K qualitatively agree with those obtained from Mössbauer and susceptibility data employing ionic interconfigurational fluctuation model, but disagree at lower temperatures.     

Electron spin-lattice relaxation of Yb3+ and Gd3+ ions in glasses

The electron spin-lattice relaxation rate (T ₁ ^?1) was measured in two glass samples: (i) a phosphate glass doped with 1 wt% Yb₂O₃ and (ii) a Li₂Si₄O₉ glass sample doped with 0.2 wt% Gd₂O₃. In the Yb³⁺-doped glass sample,T ₁ was measured by an electron-spin-echo technique from 4.2 to 6 K, by the modulation method from 10 to 26 K and by the EPR linewidth from 30 to 100 K. It was found thatT ₁ ^?1 αT ⁿ withn=9 in the range 4.2–6 K.n decreased gradually as the temperature was increased and tended towards 2 above 40 K. Over the entire temperature range 4.2–100 K,T ₁ ^?1 was fitted toAT+BT ⁹ J ₈ (Θ _D/T) (whereA andB are two temperature-independent constants,J ₈ is the well-known Van Vleck integral andΘ _D is the Debye temperature). The value ofΘ _D (=46.3±0.9 K) so determined is in good agreement with that of Stevens and Stapleton from theirT ₁ measurements in the range 1.5 to 7 K. In the Gd³⁺-doped glass, it was observed thatT ₁ ^?1 αT over the range 50–150 K. The data for Ye³⁺-doped glass sample were accounted for by assuming that the phonon modulation of the ligand field is the dominant mechanism, associated with a low Debye temperature in accordance with the published data obtained by using other techniques to study lattice dynamics. On the other hand, the data on the Gd³⁺-doped glass sample were explained to be predominantly due to a mechanism involving Two-Level-Systems (TLS)     

Sb Magnetic Resonance as a Local Probe for the Gap Formation in the Correlated Semimetal FeSb2

We report on a comparative study of the narrow-band semimetals FeSb₂ and its structural homologue RuSb₂ by means of ^121,123Sb nuclear quadrupole (NQR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. From NQR for both compounds two temperature regimes could be identified by use of ¹²³(1/T ₁) measurements. Above 40 K a conventional activated behavior (with Δ/k _B ? 400 K for FeSb₂) dominates in ¹²³(1/T ₁), whereas below 40 K in both systems an unconventional ¹²³(1/T ₁) behavior with a smooth maximum at around 10 K is observed. To analyze this behavior, we propose the presence of T-dependent in-gap states forming a narrow energy level of localized spins with S = ½ near the bottom of the conduction band. These states might have originated from an inherent Sb-deficiency in both compounds. This model enables us to fit the ¹²³(1/T ₁) data in the entire investigated temperature range (2–200 K) for FeSb₂. Ab initio band structure calculations reveal more than a factor of two larger Δ value for RuSb₂ as compared with FeSb₂. This results in dissimilar behavior of ¹²³(1/T ₁) in FeSb₂ and RuSb₂ above 40 K evidencing the inefficiency of thermal activation of electrons over the large energy gap at T ≤ 300 K in RuSb₂ and dominating of quadrupole relaxation channel in RuSb₂ in this temperature range caused by phonon relaxation involving two-phonon (Raman) scattering. In addition, extra wide range field-sweep NMR measurements are performed at various temperatures on FeSb₂ and RuSb₂. The complex broad spectra could be modeled and from the shift of the ¹²¹Sb central transition the 3d component of the shift K _3d (T) could be extracted.     

Evidence for the fröhlich collective mode in the one-dimensional conductor K2[Pt(CN)4] Br0.3 · 3H2O from far infrared reflection

Far infrared and infrared reflection measurements on single crystals of the one dimensional conductor K₂[Pt(CN)₄] Br_0.3 · 3H₂O have been performed at 4.2K, 62K and 300K for light polarized parallel (E6z) and perpendicular (E ? z) to the platinum chains. At 4.2K and 62K a strong structure is observed in the E6z spectrum near 40 cm^-1 which is not observable at 300K. This structure is interpreted as due to the Fröhlich collective 2q_F-phonon mode.