Susceptibility measurements on some R5In3 compounds

The magnetic susceptibility of some rare earth-indium compounds has been measured in the temperature range 4.2–300 K under a constant field of 1 kOe. The compounds with R = Gd, Tb and Dy are antiferromagnetic, having Néel temperatures between 4.2 and 78 K ; those with R = Ho, Er and Tm seem to be ferromagnetic with ordering temperatures probably below 4.2 K. Y₅In₃ presents a temperature independent susceptibility.     

Neutron diffraction study of magnetic ordering in ErMn2Si2, ErMn2Ge2 and ErFe2Si2

Neutron diffraction study of polycrystalline compounds ErMn₂Si₂, ErMn₂Ge₂ and ErFe₂Si₂ was performed in the temperature range between 1.8 and 293 K. All compounds have tetragonal, ThCr₂Si₂-type crystal structure. The antiferromagnetic collinear structure of ErMn₂Si₂ and ErMn₂Ge₂ at both RT and LNT, consists of a sequence + - + - of ferromagnetic layers of Mn atoms. The magnetic moment of an Mn atom (≈2μ_B) is parallel to the c-axist. At low temperatures (LHT and lower), the ferromagnetic ordering within the Er sublattice is observed. The magnetic moment (μ_Er ≈ 9μ_B) is perpendicular to the c-axis. From the temperature dependence of the intensities of the magnetic peaks, the following values for the Curie temperatures were obtained: (10±5) K for ErMn₂Si₂ and (8.5±3) K for ErMn₂Ge₂. For ErFe₂Si₂ a collinear antiferromagnetic structure of the + - - + type was found, the magnetic unit cell consisting of the chemical one, doubled along the c-axis.     

Effects of Pb-ion irradiation on the vortex pinning in melt-textured YBa2Cu3Ox

Melt-textured YBa₂Cu₃O_x quasicrystalline samples were studied for the effects of Pb-ion irradiation on the vortex pinning. The strength of the pinning was monitored by measurements of the saturation remanent magnetization (M_R) as a detailed function of temperature from 4.2 K up to T_c (≈92 K). Our results show that M_R is greatly enhanced by the Pb-ion irradiation at all temperatures below T_c. Specifically, when compared to a similar but nonirradiated sample, the M_R of an optimally irradiated sample is raised by a factor of 3.4 at 4.2 K and, more strikingly, by 12.7 at 77 K. Contrastingly, in an earlier study of a γ-ray irradiated Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀ sample, the vortex pinning was seen to be enhanced but mainly near 4.2 K, suggesting that the γ-ray irradiation produces highly localized pinning sites. Hence, our present results imply conversely that the Pb-ion irradiation creates extended structural defects that are effective as vortex pinning sites up to relatively high temperatures, including that of liquid nitrogen.     

Magnetocaloric and magnetoresistance properties of La2/3Sr1/3Mn1−xCoxO3 compounds

Structural, magnetic, magnetoresistance and magnetocaloric studies on La_2/3Sr_1/3Mn_1−xCo_xO₃ compounds were reported. The samples were prepared by the conventional ceramic method. X-ray analysis showed the presence of one phase only, in all studied samples. From electrical resistance measurements it was found that the samples show large negative magnetoresistance behavior. The magnetic measurements were performed in a large temperature range, 4.2–750 K and external magnetic fields up to 5 T. The adiabatic magnetic entropy changes, |ΔS|, were determined from magnetization data. Large magnetocaloric effect (MCE) has been obtained in all studied samples.     

Mn nuclear magnetic resonance studies in RMn2Ge2 (R = rare earths)

The ⁵⁵Mn NMR in RMn₂Ge₂ (R= La,Nd and Gd) were observed as a function of temperature. In Nd and Gd compounds the ⁵⁵Mn NMR frequencies exhibit anomalous temperature dependences owing the effects of rare earth sublattices. The ordering temperatures of the Nd and Gd sublattices are found to be 30 and 95 K, respectively.     

K2NiF4型Sr2CrO4的磁电性质研究

以SrO和CrO₂为原料, 在高温高压的条件下直接反应生成纯相的K₂NiF₄结构的Sr₂CrO₄多晶样品. 结构用粉末X射线衍射及GSAS精修表征. 磁化率测试显示样品存在一个弱的反铁磁相变, 奈尔温度为T_N=95 K. 在奈尔温度以上, 磁化率随温度的变化遵循居里-外斯定律. 对样品进行了电阻测试, 结果显示了样品的绝缘特性.     

Investigation of the static and dynamic magnetic properties of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles

We have investigated the magnetic behavior of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 7.2 nm. AC susceptibility of colloidal cobalt ferrite nanoparticles was measured as a function of temperature T from 2 to 300 K under zero external DC field for frequencies ranging from f=10 to 10,000 Hz. A prominent peak appears in both χ′ and χ″ as a function of T. The peak temperature T₂ of χ″ depends on f following the Vogel–Fulcher law. The particles show superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature, with transition to a blocked state at T_B^m94 K in ZFC and 119 K in AC susceptibility measurements, respectively, which depends on the applied field. The saturation magnetization and the coercivity measured at 4.2 K are 27.3 emu/g and 14.7 kOe, respectively. The particle size distribution was determined by fitting a magnetization curve obtained at 295 K assuming a log-normal size distribution. The interparticle interactions are found to influence the energy barriers yielding an enhancement of the estimated magnetic anisotropy, K=6×10⁶ erg/cm³. Mössbauer spectra obtained at higher temperatures show a gradual collapse of the magnetic hyperfine splitting typical for superparamagnetic relaxation. At 4.2 K, the Mössbauer spectrum was fitted with two magnetic subspectra with internal fields H_int of 490, 470 and 515 kOe, corresponding to Fe³⁺ ions in A and B sites.     

Low-field negative magnetization and coercive-field magnetization reversal in transition metal chalcogenides; Cr2FeSe4 magnetic structure from neutron diffraction

Low-field negative magnetization, of the order of −10⁻¹ emu/g-Oe, from 4.2 K up to room temperature and higher (350 K), and coercive-field magnetization reversal are both present in Cr_(3−x)Fe_xX₄ for X=S, Se, Te and x=0 to 3, and for Cr₅Te₈ and Cr₇Te₈. For Cr₂FeSe₄ the zero-field-cooled (ZFC) magnetization is negative for 5 Oe and below. To obtain a more detailed knowledge of the magnetic phases involved in the observed magnetization versus temperature M(T) curves, we obtained and studied neutron diffraction (n.d.) scans on the compound Cr₂FeSe₄, taken at 14 temperatures from 4.2 to 300 K. For this same n.d. sample, the temperature for magnetization reversal of value −3×10⁻⁴ emu/g-Oe is 80 K in 40 Oe applied field, then the reversal disappears for 65 Oe applied field. The complex magnetic interactions responsible for this reversal are revealed in the hysteresis curves.     

Magnetic characteristics of R2(Fe, Co)14B systems (R = Y, Nd and Gd)

R₂(Fe, Co)₁₄B compounds (R = Y, Nd and Gd) were prepared in high purity. The magnetic behavior of R₂(Fe, Co)₁₄B compounds is reported over the temperature range 4 to 300 K. The effects of Fe substitution by Co on the saturation magnetization, Curie temperature and anisotropy are presented. The spin-reorientation temperature is lowered as Co replaces Fe. This also results in a reduced cone angle.

The R₂Fe_14−xCo_xB alloys crystallize in the tetragonal structure over the entire concentration range of 0 x 14. When Fe is substituted by Co, the Curie temperature increases significantly, the saturation magnetization increases to a maximum value around x = 2, and the anisotropy becomes planar for R = Y and Gd. The Nd₂(Fe, Co)₁₄B systems all exhibit uniaxial anisotropy at room temperature and Nd₂Co₁₄B is strongly uniaxial at 77 K. The Nd₂(Fe, Co)₁₄B systems are conical at 77 K.     

Spin glass behaviour and magnetic anisotropy in DyFe4Al8 single crystals

Measurements of electrical resistivity, AC and DC magnetic susceptibilities of a DyFe₄Al₈ single crystal were performed in the temperature range 4.2–300K. A thermomagnetic effect was found below 30K. The strong anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility occurs in the whole temperature range and is very pronounced at low temperatures. A T²-dependence of the electrical resistivity in the temperature range 4.2–100K and an antiferromagnetic transition at 185K were found. A cusp in the AC susceptibility was observed below 100K with a maximum at 30K.     

含硫宽禁带Ga2Te3基热电半导体的声电输运特性

目前对宽禁带半导体热电材料的研究开始升温, 原因是本征情况下宽禁带半导体往往具有低的热导率和高的Seebeck系数. Ga₂Te₃ 是一类带有缺陷的宽禁带半导体, 其在临界温度680± 10 K和757± 10 K处会参与共析转变和包晶反应, 因此会产生反应热. 本次工作采用少量的S元素等电子替换Ga₂Te₃中的Te元素, 观察到在临界温度附近热焓的变化, 但没有相变发生. 受热焓变化的影响这类材料在临界温度附近出现了较活跃的声电输运行为, 具体表现为热容和Seebeck系数(α)明显增大及热扩散系数(热导率)和电导率下降. 例, 对于x=0.05的材料, 其α值从596 K 时的376.3(μV·K^-1)迅速增大到695 K时的608.2(μV·K^-1), 然后又随温度升高到764 K时迅速降低到213.8(μV·K^-1). 在596 K到812 K范围, Seebeck系数和电导率几乎随温度均呈Z字形变化. 这些输运行为的变化揭示了在Ga₂Te₃基半导体中声子和载流子的临界散射特点, 这种临界散射特征对以后的继续研究具有重要的参考价值.     

Magnetic order in M2Mo3O8 single crystals (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni)

Magnetic measurements on hexagonal single crystals of M₂Mo₃O₈ (M = Mn, Fe, Co and Ni) are reported. The Mn compound orders ferrimagnetically at T_c = 41.5 K; the Fe and Co compounds antiferrimagnetically at T_N = 59.5 K and 40.8 K, respectively. No magnetic ordering was found in the Ni compound down to 2 K. All the compounds showed strong magnetic anisotropy when ordered, the results indicating that the magnetic spins' preferred orientation is along the hexagonal axis. Mn₂Mo₃O₈ shows a temperature dependence of the spontaneous magnetization in the ferrimagnetic regime which is rarely observed: as T → 0, M_s → 0.     

Magnetic properties of the equiatomic ternary RTSn compounds (R = rare earth, T = Pt, Rh)

Magnetic susceptibility studies on the hexagonal ternary equiatomic RTSn (R = rare earth and Y; T = Pt, Rh) compounds have been realized. These compounds are isostructural to Fe₂P with space group P 2m. The ordering temperatures of all compounds are smaller than 19 K. The susceptibility of YTSn is temperature independent.     

Physical properties of nitrogenated RFe11Ti intermetallic compounds (R=Ce, Pr and Nd) with ThMn12-type structure

Iron-rich ternary intermetallics RFe₁₁Ti (R=Ce, Pr and Nd) with a ThMn₁₂-type structure and their nitrides RFe₁₁TiN_x (x≈1.5) were carefully prepared. After characterizing them by metallographic and microscopic analyses, we studied structural and magnetic properties of the mother compounds and their nitrides. The lattice expansion due to nitrogenation is mainly along the c-axis for the Pr and Nd systems, while that is mainly along the a-axis for the Y system. The lattice expansion of the Ce system is isotropic but the volume expansion is the largest, indicating that the Ce-4f electron state dramatically changes upon nitrogen uptake. The Curie temperature, T_C, increases by 200 K reaching T_C≈720 K for the Pr and Nd system. The saturation magnetization, M_S, increases ≈ 10% by nitrogenation and reaches 1.8–1.9 T at 4.2 K and 1.5 T at 300 K for Pr and Nd systems. The anisotropy field, υ₀H_A is estimated to be more than 20 T at 4.2 K and 7 T at 300 K. The improvement of magnetic properties upon nitrogenation is briefly discussed in terms of the calculated band structure. The results obtained at 300 K indicate that the Pr and Nd nitrides are promising as permanent magnetic application.     

Specific heat and anisotropic superconducting and normal-state magnetization of HoNi2B2C

The magnetization of single-crystal HoNi₂B₂C has been measured as a function of applied field (H) and temperature in order to probe the interplay between superconductivity and magnetism in this complex layered system. The normal-state magnetic susceptibility of HoNi₂B₂C is highly anisotropic with a Curie-Weiss-like temperature dependence for H applied perpendicular to the c-axis and with a much weaker temperature dependence for H applied parallel to the c-axis, indicating that the Ho⁺³ magnetic moments lie predominately in the tetragonal a−b plane below 20 K. High-field magnetization (2000 Oe), low-field magnetization (20 Oe) and zero-field specific heat all give an antiferromagnetic ordering temperature of T_N=5.0 K. Remarkably, in 20 Oe applied field both superconductivity (T_c=8.0 K) and antiferromagnetism (T_N=5.0 K) clearly make themselves manifest in the magnetization data. From these magnetization data a phase diagram in the H−T plane was constructed for both directions of applied field. This phase diagram shows a non-monotonic temperature dependence of H_c2 with a deep minimum at T_N=5 K. The high-field magnetization data for H applied perpendicular to the c-axis also reveal a cascade of three phase transitions for T < 5 K and H < 15 000 Oe, contributing to the rich H versus T phase diagram for HoNi₂B₂C at low temperatures.     

Invar behaviour and in situ observation of the nitriding process in R2Fe17Nx intermetallics

Thermal expansion measurements in the high range of temperature (300–1000 K) have been performed from starting R₂Fe₁₇ intermetallics (R = Nd and Er). Large anomalies in the thermal expansion were observed during the nitriding process for increasing temperatures, which have allowed us to study the dynamics of the nitrogen absorption. From our results it is clear that this process takes place in the range of temperature 500–700 K. Large invar anomalies starting at high temperature ((733 ± 5) K for Nd and (688 ± 5) K for Er) have been also observed in the thermal expansion for decreasing temperatures, being an indication of the strong magnetovolume effect which apparently is responsible for the large increase of the Curie temperature in the R₂Fe₁₇N_x compounds.     

Magnetic properties of RAu2Si2 rare earth compounds

The magnetic properties of the R Au₂Si₂ compounds with R = Ce-Er have been investigated. It was found that the compounds for which R = Ce, Sm, Gd, Tb and Dy are antiferromagnetically ordered at temperatures ranging from 5.7 to 15.9°K. PrAu₂Si₂ and NdAu₂Si₂ exhibit paramagnetic behavior for temperatures as low as 4.2°K. The magnetic structure is ferrimagnetic for the compounds in which R = Eu, Ho, and Er. The Eu compound is in the divalent state. The Néel and Curie points for this system do not follow the De-Gemnes function. Curie-Weiss Behavior is exhibited by all the compounds with effective moments in good agreement with that of a free tripositive lanthanide ion. The difference in magnetic properties between R Au₂Si₂ and the isomorphous R Fe₂Si₂ series is discussed.     

FORMATION AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF A NOVEL Gd3(Fe,Ti)29Ny NITRIDE

The novel Gd₃(Fe_0.978Ti_0.022)₂₉ compounds and their nitride have been synthesized. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the Gd₃(Fe,Ti)₂₉N_y and its parent compounds were indexed in the Nd₃(Fe,Ti)₂₉-type structure with a monoclinic symmetry and space group P2₁/c, Both the nitride and the parent compounds exhibit ferrimagnetlc coupling. Nitrogenatio led to an increase in Curie temperature and saturation magnetization. The Curie temperatures are 517K for the parent and 765K for the nitride. The saturation magnetizations σ_s at 4.2K are 101.9A·m²/kg for the parent and 128A·m²/kg for the nitride. Both the nitride and parent exhibit a planar anisotropy. Nitrogenation led to a decrease of the contribution of Fe-sublattice to planar anisotropy. The anisotropy fields at 4.2K are 9.8T for the parent and 6.5 T for the nitride.     

Magnetic properties of YCo5 (70%wt)+Y2Co17 (30%wt) nanocomposite powders at low temperatures

Nanostructured YCo₅ (70%wt)+Y₂Co₁₇ (30%wt) composite powders were prepared by mechanical milling and subsequent annealing at 1073 K for 1.5 min. The average grain size D of the YCo₅ and Y₂Co₁₇ phases, obtained from XRD data, was 14 and 12 nm, respectively. The temperature dependence of the magnetic properties was studied by DC magnetization measurements at temperatures T ranging from 3 to 300 K. Hysteresis loops (H_max=70 kOe) show that both the coercivity H_C and the squareness σ_r/σ_max are temperature-dependent. The coercivity increases from 12 kOe at room temperature to 18 kOe at T=3 K. The observed enhanced remanence (σ_r/σ_max>0.5) indicates that a strong exchange coupling is present at all temperatures used in this study. The maximum magnetization σ_max changes little with temperature and has a value of about 70% of the effective saturation magnetization of the title compound.     

Magnetic ordering in NdRh2Si2 and ErRH2Si2

Neutron diffraction and magnetization study of polycrystalline NdRh₂Si₂ and ErRh₂Si₂ was performed in the temperature range from 4.2 to 293 K. Both compounds are of ThCr₂Si₂ type crystal structure and exhibit antiferromagnetic ordering below T_N = 53 K and T_N = 12.8 K respectively. The magnetic structure wave vector is τ = [0, 0, 1].