Magnetic structures of Er single crystal in 0–20 kOe field

A neutron diffraction study of erbium metal in magnetic fields H = 0-20kOe has revealed the first and third harmonic moments λc₀ and the third harmonic moment 6c₀ in the highest temperature phase; in the intermediate phase, the higher odd-harmonics of up to 21st, appreciable changes on the moments and the wave numbers as H6c₀ exceeding critical fields, and characterization of three sub-phases; field effects 6 a₀ or b₀, influencing only the lowest temperature phase.     

Magnetoelastic coupling and spin reorientation in RECo5 uniaxial magnets (RE = Pr,Dy, Ho and Y). II

Magnetostriction measurements, between ≈ 5 and 300 K, of powder aligned samples of the uniaxial compounds RECo₅ (RE = Pr, Ho, Dy and Y) for strong applied magnetic fields up to 15 T are reported. The strains have been measured, parallel, perpendicular and at 45° form the c-axis, with the field applied also along these directions. These sets of measurements allow us to determine the six irreducible magnetoelastic coupling constants: λ^α₁₁, λ^α₂₁, related to the strain dependence of isotrop ic exchange, and λ^α₁₂, λ^α₂₂, λ^γ and λ^ϵ, describing the strain dependence of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy ene rgy. Anomalies on the strains, associated with the spin reorientation (SR) regime are observed. The thermal variation of the strains is well explained by the standard magnetostriction model, including as ingredients exchange striction and the single-ion anisotropic one, as well as a dependence on the angle of reorientation under field. The point charge model of the crystalline magnetoelastic field is far from agreement with the present results.     

Characteristics of the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of NbH0.83 in the phase transition region

Measurements were made of the specific heat (in the temperature range 80–400 K), electrical resistivity (4.2–300 K), thermo-emf (4.2–300 K), thermal conductivity (7–300 K), magnetic susceptibility (4.2–400 K), and lattice parameters (30–300 K) of the alloy NbH_0.83. The λ′→λβ phase transitions were studied. It was established that the structure of the niobium matrix of the hydride remains unchanged as a result of these transitions. It is shown that the β→λ phase transition (one-dimensional hydrogen ordering) is a three-stage one and is accompanied by a substantial change in the shear modulus of the hydride. The λ′ phase existing at T<110 K was determined. The electron thermal conductivity κ_el calculated for the λ′ phase in the range T<23 K is 25% higher than the measured thermal conductivity. In order to explain this fact and also the discontinuity in the concentration dependence of the coefficient of thermal expansion of NbHx for x?0.83–0.84 and the approximately 1.5% compression of the NbH_0.84 volume it is assumed that in the region of x _c in the λ′ phase the topology of the Fermi surface of the NbH_x interstitial alloy changes substantially.     

Magnetostriction of the NdCo5 uniaxial permanent magnet

Magnetostriction measurements, between ≈5 and 300 K, of powder magnetically aligned samples of the hexagonal compound NdCo₅, in strong pulsed magnetic fields up to 15 T are reported. The measurement have been performed parallel, perpendicular and at 45° to the alignment c-axis, for the field also applied in those directions. This set of measurements allows us to determine the six irreducible magnetoelastic modes: λ^α₁₁, λ^α₂₁, related to the strain dependence of the isotropic exchange, and λ^α₁₂, λ^α₂₂, λ^γ, λ^ϵ, related to the strain dependence of the crystalline field anisotropy energy. Anomalies on the strains, associated with the spin reorientation (SR) regime are observed, in particular at the temperatures of beginning, T_SR1, and end, T_SR2, of the SR. The thermal variation of the strains is explained by the standard magnetostriction model, including an ingredients: exchange striction (varying as m²_Nd), single-ion anisotropy (varying as m³_Nd), (where m_Nd is the reduc ed Nd sublattice magnetization), as well as an angular dependence of the form {sin²θ(H, T)−sin²θ(0, T)}, where θ(H, T) and θ(0, T), respectively, are the SR angles under field and spontaneous. The irreducible magnetoelastic coupling constants at 0 K have been estimated, although the point charge model is far from agreement with those results.     

New magnetic phase transition between electron-hole drops and free-excitons in pure Ge

We have discovered a new magnetic phase transition between free-excitons and electron-hole drops in high purity Ge near the critical point of the liquid-gas phase diagram. The critical magnetic field is found to be H_c ≈ 0.4 T. For H?H_c the electron-hole drops are stable to higher temperatures by about 1 K with respect to zero field.     

New methods for interferometric neutron scattering lengths measurements

A skew symmetric neutron interferometer has been used for tests of a nondispersive and phase contrast variation measuring technique of scattering lengths and for the measurement of anomalous scattering lengths of strongly absorbing substances. The following bound coherent scattering lengths have been obtained: b_c(Pt)=9.60 ± 0.01 fm, b_c(Te) =5.6 ± 0.1 fm and as real parts of anomalous scattering lengths at λ=l.86Å: b_c(Sm) =0.7 ± 0.2 fm, b_c(Eu)=5.3 ± 0.3fm, b_c(Gd)=5.1 ±0.4 fm, b_c(Dy)=16.9 ± 0.3 fm.     

c-axis penetration depth in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ single crystals measured by ac-susceptibility and cavity perturbation technique

The c-axis penetration depth Δλ_c in Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ (BSCCO) single crystals as a function of temperature has been determined using two techniques, namely, measurements of the ac-susceptibility at a frequency of 100 kHz and the surface impedance at 9.4 GHz. Both techniques yield an almost linear function Δλ_c(T)∝T in the temperature range T<0.5T _c. Electrodynamic analysis of the impedance anisotropy has allowed us to estimate λ_c(0)≈50 µm in BSCCO crystals overdoped with oxygen (T _c≈84 K) and λ_c(0)≈150 µm at the optimal doping level (T _c≈90 K).     

Smeared spin-flop transition in random antiferromagnetic Ising chain

At T = 0 and in a sufficiently large field, the nearest-neighbor antiferromagnetic Ising chain undergoes a first-order spin-flop transition into the ferromagnetic phase. We consider its smearing under the random-bond disorder such that all independent random bonds are antiferromagnetic (AF). It is shown that the ground-state thermodynamics of this random AF chain can be described exactly for an arbitrary distribution P(J) of AF bonds. Moreover, the site magnetizations of finite chains can be found analytically in this model. We consider a continuous P(J) that is zero above some ?J ₁ and behaves near it as (?J ₁?J)^λ, λ > ?1. In this case, the ferromagnetic phase emerges continuously in a field H > H _c = 2J ₁. At 0 > λ > ?1, it has the usual second-order anomalies near H _c with the critical indices obeying the scaling relation and depending on λ. At λ > 0, higher-order transitions occur (third, fourth, etc.), marked by a divergence of the corresponding nonlinear susceptibilities. In the chains with an even number of spins, the intermediate “bow-tie” phase with linearly modulated AF order exists between the AF and ferromagnetic phases at J ₁ < H < H _c . Its origin can be traced to the infinite correlation length of the degenerate AF phase from which it emerges. This implies the existence of similar inhomogeneous phases with size- and form-dependent order in a number of other systems with infinite correlation length. The possibility to observe the signs of the “bow-tie” phase in low-T neutron diffraction experiments is discussed.     

非平衡Fe-Pd合金的矫顽力与磁致伸缩

通过测量非平衡Fe_1-xPd_x合金的矫顽力H_c与饱和磁致伸缩系数λ_s,随合金成分的变化,发现H_c随x增加而减小,而λ_s随x增加而增大。认为晶粒尺寸减小引起的平均各向异性的降低可能是H_c减小的原因。退火温度T_a>600K时,由于具有高磁晶各向异性的有序FePd相的分离析出,矫顽力H_c随T_a升 关键词：     

Stoichiometry of the chevrel phase SnMo6S8

The phase field of the Chevrel phase Sn_xMo_yS₈ was investigated by metallographic methods. A shift of the phase field away from the “ideal” compound SnMo₆S₈ towards the molybdenum-rich side of the phase diagram was observed. The degree of off-stoichiometry could not yet be determined, however, the c/a ratio of the hexagonal lattice parameters can be used to characterize the samples. Measurements of the superconducting transition temperature indicate two superconducting “phases”, which differ in the c/a ratio of the lattice parameters. While phase A showed a linear variation of T^a_c with c/a in the region from 11.0 to 13.0 K phase B was independent of the c/a ratio with a T^b_c = 10.8 ± 0.2 K.     

Electron transport,penetration depth,and the upper critical magnetic field in ZrB<Subscript>12</Subscript> and MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript>

We report on the synthesis and measurements of the temperature dependences of the resistivity ρ, the penetration depth λ, and the upper critical magnetic field H_c2, for polycrystalline samples of dodecaboride ZrB₁₂ and diboride MgB₂. We conclude that ZrB₁₂ behaves as a simple metal in the normal state with the usual Bloch-Grüneisen temperature dependence of ρ(T) and with a rather low resistive Debye temperature T_R = 280 K (to be compared to T_R = 900 K for MgB₂). The ρ(T) and λ(T) dependences for these samples reveal a superconducting transition in ZrB₁₂ at T_c = 6.0 K. Although a clear exponential λ(T) dependence in MgB₂ thin films and ceramic pellets was observed at low temperatures, this dependence was almost linear for ZrB₁₂ below T_c/2. These features indicate an s-wave pairing state in MgB₂, whereas a d-wave pairing state is possible in ZrB₁₂. In disagreement with conventional theories, we found a linear temperature dependence, of H_c2(T) for ZrB₁₂ (H_c2(0) = 0.15 T).     

Phase transitions and optical properties in 〈001〉 (1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>)PbZn<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>PbTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> single crystals

The effect of a constant electric field (0 < E < 5 kV/cm) on the optical properties of PbZn_1/3Nb_2/3O₃?xPbTiO₃ (PZN-xPT) crystals with x = 7 and 9% has been analyzed. It has been shown that, at temperatures close to the temperature of the transition from the rhombohedral [R(X)] phase to the tetragonal (T) phase, two induced phase transitions are observed in the electric field, which are associated with the appearance of new intermediate phases M_a and M_c [R(X)-M_a-M_c-T]. Correlation between these two transitions and the PbTiO₃ content x has been found. The E-T phase diagrams have been obtained. The M_c phase in PZN-9PT crystals is found to remain the ground state after the removal of the electric field, whereas the M_c phase in PZN-7PT crystals is metastable and is transformed into the M_a phase after the removal of the electric field.     

Magnetic and superconducting phase diagrams in ErNi2B2C

We present measurements of the superconducting upper critical field H_c2(T) and the magnetic phase diagram of the superconductor ErNi₂B₂C made with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). The magnetic field was applied in the basal plane of the tetragonal crystal structure. We have found large gapless regions in the superconducting phase diagram of ErNi₂B₂C, extending between different magnetic transitions. A close correlation between magnetic transitions and H_c2(T) is found, showing that superconductivity is strongly linked to magnetism.     

Self-induced generation of an off-axis frequency shifted radiation from atoms

The transient resonant linear response at wavelength λ_a of an N two-level atom vapor driven by a strong pulse with wavelength λ_f = λ_a - |Δλ| is shown to promote an emission of radiation peaked at wavelength λ_c = λ_a + |Δλ| in a conical shell around the propagation axis of the incident beam. In the limit of weak excitation, i.e. for an incident Rabi frequency much smaller than the detuning, the cone angle is found to be equal to 2λμ(2N/ch|Δλ|)^{$\text{1}\text{2}$} where μ is the transition dipole moment.     

Two-band BCS mechanism of superconductivity in a Ba(Fe0.9Co0.1)2As2 high-temperature superconductor

Terahertz and infrared spectra of the conductivity, σ(ν), and dielectric constant, ?(ν), of a Ba(Fe_0.9Co_0.1)₂As₂ film (T _c = 20 K) have been analyzed together with previous specific-heat and angular resolved photoelectron spectroscopy data. It has been shown that the spectra σ(ν) and ?(ν) of Ba(Fe_0.9Co_0.1)₂As₂ in the superconducting phase at T = 5 K, as well as the magnetic field penetration depth, can be described well using the standard Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) model with an additive contribution of electron and hole bands. It has been found that the measured temperature dependence of the magnetic field penetration depth in a wide temperature range 5 K < T < T _c can be described only with the introduction of interband pairing interaction. The coupling constant of electron and hole bands, λ_{1, 2} = 0.1, as well as the temperature dependences of superconducting gaps in the electron and hole subsystems, has been determined using the model of two-band superconductivity developed earlier for MgB₂.     

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.     

Electrical resistivity of iron-vanadium alloys between 78 and 1200 K

Electrical resistivity (?) of FeV alloys containing 0.5, 0.9, 2.7, and 6.1 at% V has been measured as a function of temperature (T) between 78 and 1200 K. The ? vs. T curves exhibit a change in the slope at the ferromagnetic Currie temperature (T_c). The d?/dT vs. T curves in the neibhorhood of T_c are similar to the corresponding plot for pure Fe. Our studies confirm the previously observed anomalous effect of V on T_c of Fe, i.e., that T_c increase with small additions of V to Fe. The critical index λ⁺ associated with the power law of d?/dT just above T_c has been determined as a function of V concentration.     

The magnetization of GdAl2

The magnetization of a single crystal of GdAl₂ has been measured parallel to the easy direction as a function of field (maximum field 1.7 T) within the temperature range 4.2–300 K. The main emphasis was placed on the results obtained for the ferromagnetic phase. From an analysis based on molecular field theory it is deduced that the magnetic moment at 0 K is 7.2 μ_B per Gd ion and that the molecular field cannot be represented by a simpler polynomial than λ₁M + λ₂M³ + λ₃M⁵. The same data is analysed using spin-wave theory from which it is deduced that the spin-wave stiffness is 18 meV Ų and that the conduction band susceptibility is approximately 2.6 x 10^-6 emu g^-1. The conduction electron polarization, parallel to the Gd ion moment, amounting to 0.2 μ_B per Gd ion implies the presence of an internal field acting on the conduction electrons of approximately 200 T at 0 K.     

Jahn-Teller phase transitions in TbcGd1−cVO4

The temperatures at which the cooperative Jahn-Teller phase transitions occur in Tb_cGd_1?cVO₄ have been determined from Raman and optical birefringence measurements. Over a narrow range of c there are two transition temperatures; between these temperatures the crystal is distorted, but a higher and lower temperatures the crystal has the same undistorted structure. This unusual behaviour was predicted earlier, and is accurately described by molecular field theory.