The ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition in La1−x Y x Mn2Si2(57Fe) compounds

A set of La_1–xY_xMn₂Si₂(⁵⁷Fe) samples withx=0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 have been prepared with the tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂ structure.⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra have been collected at 4.2 K for all samples. The spectra can be well fitted by two sextets, the predominant one (90% of the spectral area) being associated with⁵⁷Fe atoms in the Mn 4d site, with the remainder located in the Si 4e site. The analysis shows that there are distinct changes in the hyperfine interaction parameters for samples above and below the critical concentrationx _c 0.15, at which a transition from ferromagnetism to antiferromagnetism occurs. This transition is a result of a change in the exchange interactions linked with changes in the interatomic distances, due to the smaller atomic volume of Y compared to that of La.On leave from Applied Acoustics Institute, Shaanxi Teachers University, Xian, PR China.     

Superconductivity and magnetism in Y1−x Ca x Sr2GaCu2O7−δ

Samples of Y_1–x Ca _x Sr₂GaCu₂O_7– (x=0, 0.4) doped with⁵⁷Fe, prepared under various oxygen pressures, have been studied by magnetometry and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Most of the iron ions (Fe³⁺) enter the Ga(Cu(1)) site. For thex=0 sample, the Mössbauer spectra of the iron nuclei in the Cu(2) sublattice display magnetic order of Cu,T _N=370 K. The iron ions in the Ga site display magnetic order only at low temperatures. At temperatures above 90 K, these iron ions display a pure quadrupole doublet Mössbauer spectrum. The samplex=0.4 also displays magnetic order of the Cu(2) site,T _N370 K. A sharp drop in the hyperfine field is observed atT _N, probably associated with a first-order phase transition or two-dimensional ordering. The iron nuclei in the Ga site display paramagnetic long spin relaxation time phenomena at 4.2 K. Thex=0.4 sample prepared under 110 atm oxygen pressure, displays superconductivity,T _c50 K. The Mössbauer spectra give evidence of the presence of two phases. One displays magnetic order, the other is paramagnetic, the last is probably associated with the superconducting phase.     

Magnetotransport effects in paramagnetic Gd x Mn1 − x S

The electrical resistance of Gd _x Mn_{1 ? x} S solid solutions with x = 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 has been measured at magnetic field H = 0.8 T and at zero magnetic field within the 100 K < T < 550 K temperature range. The magnetoresistance peak is observed above room temperature. On heating, the composition with x = 0.2 exhibits the change of magnetoresistance sign from positive to negative and the magnetoresistance peak near the transition to the magnetically ordered state. The experimental data are interpreted in the framework of the model involving the orbital ordering of electrons and the arising electrical polarization leading to the changes in the spectral density of states for electrons in the vicinity of the chemical potential in the applied magnetic field.     

Intracenter luminescence of Mn2+ in Cd1−x MnxTe and Cd1−x−y MnxMgyTe under intense optical pumping

A comparative analysis of the kinetic properties of intracenter 3d luminescence of Mn²⁺ ions in the dilute magnetic superconductors Cd_1?x Mn_xTe and Cd_1?x?y Mn_xMg_yTe is carried out. The influence of relative concentrations of the cation components on the position of the intracenter luminescence peak indicates that the introduction of magnesium enhances crystal field fluctuations. As a result, the processes facilitating nonlinear quenching of luminescence are suppressed. The kinetics of 3d-luminescence quenching in Cd_1?x Mn_xTe are accelerated considerably upon elevation of optical excitation level due to the evolution of cooperative processes in the system of excited manganese ions.     

The superconducting transition temperature of Pb1−x Mn x films

Results of the superconducting transition temperatureT _c of amorphous and microcrystalline films of lead doped with manganese as magnetic impurity are reported in this work. The amorphous films show an Abrikosov-Gor'kov behaviour, whereas for the crystalline films there is a much smaller depression and a peak for higher Mn concentrations, which indicates a region of coexistence of superconductivity and magnetic ordering as a spinglass.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft in the Sonderforschungsbereich 125, Fehlordnung in Metallen — Aachen, Jülich, Köln     

Magnetic properties and Mössbauer studies in Y1−x Gd x Fe2

Alloys of Y_1???x Gd _x Fe₂B _y (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1; y = 0, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2) have been prepared and investigated for structural and magnetic properties. The compounds with x = 0 and 1 are found to form in single phase with C15-type cubic Laves phase structure, while those with x = 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 are observed to form with small quantities of secondary (Y,Gd)Fe₃ phase. The lattice parameters, Curie temperature and the average Fe hyperfine field are found to increase with increasing x. The Gd–Gd and Gd–Fe interactions are attributed to be the main reason for the enhancement of magnetic properties. Boron was found to stabilize the (Y,Gd)Fe₂ phase without affecting the magnetic properties.     

Magnetic cluster developement in In1−x Mn x Sb semiconductor alloys

X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and magnetic measurements as a function of applied magnetic field and temperature for In_1?x Mn _x Sb (0.05≤x≤0.2) system are reported. Magnetic measurements performed at high and small magnetic field in ZFC and FC indicate the coexistence of ferromagnetic In_1?x Mn _x Sb solid solution and two types of magnetic cluster: ferromagnetic MnSb and ferrimagnetic Mn₂Sb. XPS valence band and Mn 2p core level spectra have confirmed the presence of MnSb and Mn₂Sb phases. TEM images show some manganese antimonide phase microinclusions with dimension between (30–40) nm.     

Magnetic and electric properties of Yb x Mn1 − x S alloys

Results from investigating the structural, magnetic, and electrical properties of Yb _x Mn_{1 ? x} S alloys (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) synthesized on the basis of manganese monosulfide are presented. Substituting manganese for ytterbium increases the concentration of charge carriers and lowers the activation energy. The observed anomalies in the temperature dependence of resistivity are explained by an impurity semiconductor model with donor 4f levels.     

Magnetic hyperfine fields in Y2Fe17−x Si x compounds

Y₂Fe_17–x Si _x compounds withx=0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and3.0 were investigated by magnetic measurement andNMR. It is found that with increasing Si content the Curie temperatureT _C increases while the average Fe magnetic moment _Fe decreases. NMR study indicates that Si preferentially substitute the Fe atoms at 4f sites, which is responsible for the increase ofT _C.     

Electronic and magnetic properties of a new 2D diluted magnetic semiconductor La1 − x Ba x Zn1 − x Mn x AsO from Ab initio calculations

Very recently, on the example of hole- and spin-doped semiconductor LaZnAsO, quite an unexpected area of potential applications of quasi-two-dimensional 1111-like phases was proposed (C. Ding et al., Phys. Rev. B 88, 041102R (2013)) as a promising platform for searching for new diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs). In this work, by means of the ab initio calculations, we have examined in detail the electronic and magnetic properties of LaZnAsO alloyed with Ba and Mn. Our results demonstrate that Ba or Mn doping transforms the parent non-magnetic semiconductor LaZnAsO into a non-magnetic metal or a magnetic semiconductor, respectively. On the other hand, the joint effect of these dopants (i.e., co-doping Ba + Mn) leads to transition of La_0.89Ba_0.11Zn_0.89Mn_0.11AsO into the state of magnetic metal, which is formed by alternately stacked semiconducting non-magnetic blocks [La_0.89Ba_0.11O] and metallic-like magnetic blocks [Zn_0.89Mn_0.11As].     

Thermal conductivity of single crystals of the Ca1 − x Y x F2 + x solid solution

The thermal conductivity of single crystals of the solid solution of yttrium fluoride in calcium fluoride Ca_{1 ? x} Y _x F_{2 + x} with the fluorite structure (x ≤ 0.20) and the Ca_0.27Y_0.73F_2.73 phase with the tisonite structure has been studied by the absolute steady-state longitudinal heat flow method in the temperature range 50–300 K. It has been established that the thermal conductivity drops sharply with increasing yttrium trifluoride concentration, especially in the low-temperature region.     

Studies on the synthesis and characterization of Zn1− x Cd x S and Zn1− x Cd x S:Mn2+ semiconductor quantum dots

Quantum dots (3–4?nm) of Zn_{1? x} Cd _x S (both free of Mn²⁺ and with Mn²⁺ incorporated) were synthesized through a novel solvothermal-microwave irradiation technique. Detailed structural analysis of the Zn_{1? x} Cd _x S and Zn_{1? x} Cd _x S:Mn²⁺ (x?=?0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1) materials was carried out using powder X-ray diffraction technique. For all the compositions, the crystallite size was controlled to less than 1.5?nm. The optical energy gap for Zn_{1? x} Cd _x S was found to vary from 3.878 to 2.519?eV and for Zn_1?x Cd _x S:Mn²⁺ it varies from 3.830 to 2.442?eV when x is increased from 0 to 1. Overall, the optical energy gap could be tuned from a minimum of 2.442?eV to a maximum of 3.878?eV. DC conductivity analysis (from 40°C to 150°C) and electrical energy gap analysis for all the compositions were also performed. The dc conductivity for Zn_{1? x} Cd _x S solid solutions varies from 0.3840?×?10^?10 to 8.7782?×?10^?10?mho/m at 150°C and for Zn_{1? x} Cd _x S:Mn²⁺ it varies from 0.5751?×?10^?10 to 9.8078?×?10^?10 mho /m at 150°C (for x?=?0 to x?=?1). The method of synthesis and the results observed in this investigation may assist in the fabrication of optical devices when the required operational performance falls under the range observed in the study.     

LaAg x In1−x

The structures of LaAg _x In_1–x alloys withx=0.75, 0.89 are determined by neutron diffraction on powder samples. The space group isI4/mmm (D _4h ^/17 ). The lattice constants splitting, the order parameter and the mean square vibrational amplitudes of the atoms are given in the temperature range from 20 KT300 K.     

Reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy in Mn x Si1 − x composite structures

The dependences of the product of the electron inelastic mean free path λ and the differential cross section for inelastic electron scattering K on energy loss are determined from the experimental energy-loss spectra of the reflected electrons of Mn _x Si_{1 ? x} (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) composite structures. It is shown that the minimum values for the dependences of the product λK on the electron-energy loss can be used for the quantitative determination of element concentrations in this composite structure.     

Magnetic and dynamic properties of Sm x Mn1 − x S solid solutions

The real and imaginary parts of the magnetic permeability at frequencies of 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 kHz, as well as the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) line width and g-factor, have been measured in Sm _x Mn_{1 ? x} S (0.10 < x < 0.25) solid solutions in the temperature range 5–300 K. The logarithmic dependence of the maximum in the imaginary part of the magnetic permeability on the frequency and the power-law dependence of Imμ on the temperature have been determined. The mechanism of relaxation of the magnetic moment in the magnetically ordered and paramagnetic phases has been established. The experimental results have been explained in terms of the Heisenberg model with competing exchange interactions and the formation of the antiaspiromagnetic state at low temperatures.     

Mössbauer studies of Fe x Mn1 − x S single crystals

Single crystals of iron manganese sulfides Fe _x Mn_{1 ? x} S (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.29) are experimentally investigated using Mössbauer spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. The Mössbauer spectra measured at 300 K exhibit a single broadened line characteristic of paramagnets. The isomer shift of this line is equal to 0.92–0.94 mm/s, which is typical of Fe²⁺ ions in the octahedral position. The quadrupole splitting (0.18–0.21 mm/s) suggests a distortion of the coordination polyhedron of iron ions in the Fe _x Mn_{1 ? x} S compounds.     

ODMR Study of Zn1−x Mn x Se/Zn1−y Be y Se and (Cd1−x ,Mn)Te/Cd1−y Mg y Te Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor Quantum Wells

The effects of microwave pumping with a frequency of 60 GHz on the magneto-optical properties of diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) are studied in (Zn,Mn)Se/(Zn,Be)Se and (Cd,Mn)Te/(Cd,Mg)Te quantum wells. Resonant heating of the Mn²⁺ ions in the electron spin resonance conditions leads to an increase in the Mn-spin temperature, which exceeds the bath temperature by up to 5.2 K, as detected by the shift of exciton emission line and decrease of its integral intensity. Nonresonant heating mediated by free carriers is also observed through variation of the polarization degree of emission. Direct measurements of spin–lattice relaxation times for both materials using time-resolved optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) technique have been performed. The mechanisms of ODMR in nanostructures of DMSs are discussed.     

Magnetic properties and peculiarity of magnetic states in dilute antiferromagnets Mn1−x Zn x F2

The dependence of magnetic moment and susceptibility on temperature, magnetic field and frequency of some single crystals Mn_1?x Zn _x F₂ (x≈x _e=0.75—percolation limit) were experimentally investigated. Our experiments show that (Bazhan and Petrov 1984; Cowleyet al 1984; Villain 1984) in these crystals the nonequilibrium magnetic state of spinglass type with finite correlation length appears as temperature decreasesT<T in weak magnetic fields. This state is determined by fluctuation magnetic moments √nμ (wheren is the number of magnetic ions, corresponding to finite correlation length andμ the magnetic moment Mn⁺¹). In the experiments in low magnetic fields and frequencies there are no peculiarities in the magnetic susceptibility temperature dependence atT≠T _f. At temperaturesT>T _f andT<T _f magnetic susceptibility is determined by 1 $$\chi \left( {T > T_f } \right) = \frac{{N\left\langle \mu \right\rangle ^2 }}{{3k\left( {T + \theta } \right)}} = \frac{N}{n}\frac{{\left\langle {\sqrt n \mu } \right\rangle ^2 }}{{3k\left( {T + \theta } \right)}} = \chi \left( {T< T_f } \right)$$ . In strong magnetic fields and large frequencies there are peculiarities in thex(T) dependence atT=T _f. AtT<T _f and strong magnetic fieldsX(T)=x ₀ andT<T _f and at large frequenciesx(T)=x ₀+α/T. The dependences of magnetic susceptibility on the frequency are determined by the magnetic system relaxation. Calculations and comparison with experiments show that the relaxation of the investigated magnetic systems atT<T _f follows the relaxation lawM(t)=M(0) exp[?(t/τ) ^r ], suggested in Palmeret al (1984) for spin-glasses relaxation taking into account the time relaxation distributionτ ₀....τ _max in the system and its ‘hierarchically’ dynamics.     

Phase transitions in La1−x CaxMnO3−x/2 manganites

The crystal structure parameters and magnetic and electrical properties of La_1?x Ca_xMnO_3?x/2 reduced manganites with 0≤x≤0.5 are established. These investigations contribute to the understanding of magnetic interactions in manganites without Mn⁴⁺ ions. It is found that these manganites show a long-range antiferromagnetic order up to x=0.09 and transform into spin glasses at 0.09<x≤0.35. The compositions in the range 0.35<x≤0.5 show a strong increase in the spontaneous magnetization and critical point associated with the appearance of spontaneous magnetization and can therefore be viewed as inhomogenious ferromagnets. The magnetic and crystal structure peculiarities of La_0.5Ca_0.5MnO_2.75 are established by the neutron diffraction method. The strongly reduced samples show a large magnetoresistance below the point where the spontaneous magnetization develops. The magnetic phase diagram of La_1?x Ca_xMnO_3?x/2 is established by magnetization measurements. The magnetic behavior is interpreted assuming that the Mn³⁺-O-Mn³⁺ magnetic interaction is anisotropic (positive-negative) in the orbitally ordered phase and isotropic (positive) in the orbitally disordered phase. Introduction of the oxygen vacancies changes the magnetic interaction sign from positive to negative, thereby leading to a spin glass state in strongly reduced compounds. The results obtained reveal unusual features of strongly reduced manganites such as a large ferromagnetic component, a high magnetic ordering temperature, and a large magnetoresistance despite the absence of Mn³⁺-Mn⁴⁺ pairs. In order to explain these results, the oxygen vacancies are supposed to be ordered.