Anomalous Hall effect and ferromagnetism in the new diluted magnetic semiconductor Sb<Subscript>2−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cr<Subscript>x</Subscript>Te<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The magnetic and galvanomagnetic properties of single crystals of the new diluted magnetic semiconductor p-Sb_2?xCr_xTe₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.02) have been studied in the temperature range 1.7–300 K. A ferromagnetic phase with the Curie temperature T_c ≈ 5.8 K and the maximum Cr content x = 0.0215 has been revealed. The easy magnetization axis is parallel to the C₃ crystallographic axis. In the presence of strong magnetic fields, the Shubnikov-de Haas effect has been observed. Analysis of this effect shows that doping with chrome reduces the concentration of holes. Negative magnetoresistance and the anomalous Hall effect are observed at liquid helium temperature.     

The possibility of the “giant” isotope effect for ultrasound absorption in crystals

The Zeeman effect, magnetization M(H), and differential magnetic susceptibility dM/dH of ErVO₄ crystals in a pulsed magnetic field have been experimentally and theoretically studied. In magnetic fields H ∥ [001] and H ∥ [100], the energy levels of Er³⁺ ions exhibit mutual approach and crossing (the crossover effect), which results in the peaks in dM/dH and the jumps in M(H) curves at low temperatures. The anomalies in the magnetic properties related to the crossover in ErVO₄ for H ∥ [001] are highly sensitive to the electronic structure of Er³⁺ ion, which allows this effect to be used for refining the crystal field parameters. The influence of the temperature, field misorientation from the symmetry axis, parameters of pair interactions, and other factors on the magnitude and character of magnetic anomalies in ErVO₄ crystals is considered.     

Radiation defect formation in strontium and calcium fluoride crystals doped by divalent cadmium and zinc ions

Ionization radiation is shown to reduce impurity ions to the univalent state in strontium and calcium fluoride crystals doped by divalent cadmium and zinc ions. In this case, a univalent ion is surrounded by eight equivalent fluorine ions and exhibits cubic symmetry O _h . At room temperature, the symmetry of the center is revealed to be sequentially lowered to C _3v and then to C _2v owing to the addition to the nearest environment of the impurity univalent ion of one or two anion vacancies, respectively, which are intrinsic defects not forming in undoped strontium and calcium fluoride crystals. Stable intrinsic defects are assumed to form through the separation of anion vacancy-interstitial fluorine ion pairs in the electric field induced by the reduced impurity ions. This electric field lowers the energy barrier to thermal separation of charged intrinsic defects.     

Specific features of the states of cobalt fluoride in the vicinity of the critical field

The state of cobalt fluoride in the vicinity of the critical value H _c of a longitudinal magnetic field H, in which the magnetic subsystem of a CoF₂ crystal with a strong Dzyaloshinskii interaction is transformed from the antiferromagnetic phase into the canted phase, has been investigated taking into account the increasing number of experimental studies related to the use of cobalt fluoride. It has been found that, despite the unusually high magnetic anisotropy of the crystal, the state of the magnetic subsystem at H = H _c is extremely sensitive to a small deviation of the vector H from the C ₄ axis. Another feature is that the high sensitivity disappears with an increase or decrease in the magnetic field by only a few thousandths of H _c . The results of the investigations performed in this work are applicable to magnetically ordered crystals FeF₃ and Cu₂OSeO₃, which, as well as the CoF₂ crystals, are characterized by a strong Dzyaloshinskii interaction and a significant magnetic anisotropy. The revealed anomaly in the reduction of the effective magnetic anisotropy is of interest in connection with numerous attempts to decrease the magnetic anisotropy in crystals with giant magnetostriction, which are necessary for the use as sensors and vibrators.     

In-plane torque and gap symmetry of untwinned YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> crystals

The reversible magnetic torque of untwinned YBa₂Cu₃O₇ single crystals shows the four-fold symmetry in thea-b plane. The irreversible torque indicates evidence for a novel intrinsic pinning along thea andb axes. These facts mean that the free energy of the four-fold symmetry has a minimum when the field is applied along thea orb axis. The results are consistent with those expected from thed _x ²?y ² symmetry and rule out the possibility of thed _xy symmetry. The Fermi surface anisotropy is not responsible for the observed anisotropy. This is firstbulk evidence for thek-dependent gap anisotropy on the Fermi surface. The two-fold anisotropy parameter is found as\(\gamma _{ab} = \sqrt {{{m_a } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{m_a } {m_b }}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {m_b }}} = 1.18 \pm 0.14\).     

Ferromagnetism in a new dilute magnetic semiconductor Sb<Subscript>2−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cr<Subscript>x</Subscript>Te<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Magnetic and galvanomagnetic properties of single crystals of a new dilute magnetic semiconductor p-Sb_2?xCr_xTe₃ (x = 0, 0.0115, 0.0215) are investigated in a temperature range of 1.7–300 K. A ferromagnetic phase with a Curie temperature of T_C ≈ 5.8 (x = 0.0215) and 2.0 K (x = 0.0115) is detected. The easy magnetization axis is parallel to the C₃ crystallographic axis. Analysis of the Shubnikov-de Haas effect observed in these crystals in strong magnetic fields leads to the conclusion that the hole concentration decreases as a result of doping with Cr. Negative magnetoresistance and the anomalous Hall effect are observed in Cr-doped samples at liquid helium temperature.     

Magneto-optical spectroscopy and optical detection of EPR spectra of Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> paramagnetic centers with cubic symmetry in single crystals <Emphasis Type="Italic">Me</Emphasis>F<Subscript>2</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Me</Emphasis> = Cd,Ca, Pb)

Cubic paramagnetic centers formed by Yb³⁺ impurity ions in fluorite-type crystals MeF₂ (Me = Cd, Ca, Pb) have been investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance, magnetic circular dichroism, magnetic circular polarization of luminescence, Zeeman splitting of optical absorption and luminescence lines, and optical detection of electron paramagnetic resonance. The g factors of the ²Γ₇ state in the excited multiplet ² F _5/2 of Yb³⁺ ions in Me F₂ crystals, the hyperfine interaction constant ¹⁷¹ A (¹⁷¹Yb) for the excited multiplet ² F _5/2 in the CaF₂ crystal, and the energies and symmetry properties of all energy levels of Yb³⁺ ions in MeF₂ crystals are determined. The crystal-field parameters for the crystals under investigation are calculated.     

Visualization of the magnetic flux structure in phosphorus-doped EuFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>As<Subscript>2</Subscript> single crystals

Magnetic flux structure on the surface of EuFe₂(As_1-x P _x )₂ single crystals with nearly optimal phosphorus doping levels x = 0.20 and x = 0.21 is studied by low-temperature magnetic force microscopy and decoration with ferromagnetic nanoparticles. The studies are performed in a broad temperature range. It is shown that the single crystal with x = 0.21 in the temperature range between the critical temperatures T _SC= 22 K and T _C = (18 ± 0.3) K of the superconducting and ferromagnetic phase transitions, respectively, has the vortex structure of a frozen magnetic flux, typical for type-II superconductors. The magnetic domain structure is observed in the superconducting state below T _C. The nature of this structure is discussed.     

Correlation between the giant volume magnetostriction and softening of the crystal lattice in GMR manganites

Giant volume magnetostriction near the Curie temperature T _C has been revealed in single crystals and ceramics of the La_{1 ? x} A _xMnO₃ (A = Sr, Ba, Ca, Ag) and Re _{1 ? x} Sr_xMnO₃ (Re = Sm, Tb_0.25Nd_0.3, Eu_0.4Nd_0.15, Eu) compositions; its values were as high as ～10^?3 in a magnetic field of 8.2 kOe. The giant volume magnetostriction and giant magnetoresistance behave similarly near T _C: the temperature dependences of their moduli pass through a maximum, and their isotherms are similar. This phenomenon is explained by the presence of a magnetic two-phase state in these compositions, which is caused by the strong s-d exchange.     

Comparative study of the spectral and structural properties of EuAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> single crystals with different morphologies

Europium alumoborate EuAl₃(BO₃)₄ microcrystals have been synthesized by the flux method at a temperature of 1050°C. The obtained crystals have different morphologies: both plane-faced and skeletal microcrystals have been observed. Infrared spectroscopy, cathodeluminescence, and transmission electron microscopy investigations of individual microcrystals showed that the spectral and structural characteristics of these morphological forms coincide. The obtained crystals are characterized by the rhombohedral symmetry (sp. gr. R32) with the inclusions of C2/c monoclinic phase domains.     

Paramagnetische Resonanz von Er3+ in Y2O3

The paramagnetic resonance absorption of trivalent erbium in single crystals of Y₂O₃ on sites of crystal field symmetry C_3i and C₂ is investigated at 4.2°K and 9.2 kMc/s. The values of theg-tensors and those of the hyperfine structure parallel to the axes of crystalline fields are:g _‖=12.176,g _⊥=3.319,A=426.4·10^?4 cm^?1, andg _z =12.314,g _x =1.645,g _y =4.892, andA _z =433.2·10^?4 cm^?1 for the C_3i-ions and the C₂-ions, respectively. For ions on sites of symmetry C₂ the principal axes ofg in the plane perpendicular toz are found ± 2° beside the [100]-directions. This is different from the result on Yb³⁺ in Y₂O₃. The dependency ofg on the angle of rotation is determined for the (001)-, (110)-, and (111)-plane.     

On the possibility of determining the diffusion length of excitons in semiconductors from photomagnetic measurement data

The effect of a magnetic field on the photocurrent I_ph in Si and GaAs solar cells is investigated. It is shown that the observed change in the photocurrent I_ph of the solar cells in response to a magnetic field can be caused by a decrease in the diffusion length of excitons L_exc. A simplified model of the photomagnetic experiment is proposed to estimate the diffusion length of excitons L_exc and the contribution made by excitons to the photocurrent of the solar cells.     

Thermoelectric properties and ferromagnetism of diluted magnetic semiconductors Sb<Subscript>2 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cr<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Te<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Thermoelectric properties of single crystals of a new dilute magnetic semiconductor p-Sb_{2 ? x} Cr _x Te₃ are studied in the temperature interval 7–300 K. The temperature dependences of the thermal conductivity are measured. The Seebeck coefficient S is found to increase upon doping with Cr. At low temperatures, a ferromagnetic phase with Curie temperature T _C ≈ 5.8 K exists for a Cr concentration x = 0.0215, its easy magnetization axis being parallel to the crystallographic axis C ₃. At T = 4.2 K, a negative magnetoresistance and anomalous Hall effect are observed; in strong magnetic fields, the Shubnikov-de Haas effect is manifested.     

EPR study of copper ions in Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>7</Subscript>O<Subscript>15</Subscript> crystals

The EPR spectra of Cu²⁺ ions (² D _5/2) located at two structurally nonequivalent positions Cu1 and Cu2 in crystals of lithium heptagermanate Li₂Ge₇O₁₅ are recorded. The angular dependences of the EPR spectrum are measured in the paraelectric phase of the Li₂Ge₇O₁₅ compound (T = 300 K). The components of the g factor and the hyperfine interaction tensor A are determined, and the orientation of the magnetic axes with respect to the crystallographic basis is established. The EPR spectra are recorded in the temperature range in the vicinity of the temperature T _C = 283 K of the transition from the paraelectric phase to the ferroelectric phase. The position symmetry of the Cu1 and Cu2 centers is determined at temperatures above and below the phase transition temperature T _C . The localization of paramagnetic centers in the structure is discussed, An analysis of the results obtained demonstrates that the Cu1 and Cu2 centers in the Li₂Ge₇O₁₅ crystal lattice replace lithium ions located at two structurally nonequivalent positions with the symmetries described at temperatures above T _C by the triclinic C _i and monoclinic C ₂ point groups, respectively.     

Heat capacity of the Pb<Subscript>5</Subscript>(Ge<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Si<Subscript>x</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>11</Subscript> ferroelectric system

The temperature dependences of the molar heat capacity at constant pressure, C_p, of Pb₅(Ge_1?xSi_x)₃O₁₁ crystals with x=0, 0.39, and 0.45 in the range 5–300 K, as well as of their permittivity, dielectric losses, and the pyroelectric effect, have been measured. Experimental data on the temperature behavior of the heat capacity are presented in the form of a sum of two Debye and one Einstein terms, C_p(T)=0.405C_D1(Θ_D1=160 K, T)+0.53C_D2(Θ_D2=750 K, T)+0.046C_E(Θ_E=47 K, T). Besides a peak in the region of the ferroelectric Curie point T_c=450 K for crystals with x=0, the temperature dependences of the heat capacity did not reveal any other pronounced anomalies.     

Magnetic resonance in a [{Cr(CN)<Subscript>6</Subscript>} {Mn(S)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">pn</Emphasis>H-(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)}] · H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O single-crystal molecular ferrimagnet

The variations in the magnetic resonance spectra accompanying the transition from the paramagnetic to ferrimagnetic state in [{Cr(CN)₆} {Mn(S)-pnH-(H₂O) }] · H₂O orthorhombic chiral molecular crystals were studied. The dependence of the EPR linewidth on temperature in the proximity of the transition point T_C = 38 K argues for the two-dimensional character of spin ordering. The spin resonance line was found to undergo exchange narrowing at T > T_C. The ferrimagnetic phase has an easy magnetization axis coinciding with the a crystallographic axis.     

Effect of pressure on the elastic properties of silicon carbide

The pressure dependences of the second-order elastic constants C _ij and the velocity of sound in 3C-SiC and 2H-SiC crystals are calculated in the framework of the Keating model. The third-order elastic constants C _ijk for 3C-SiC are determined from the dependences of the second-order elastic constants C _ij on the pressure p.     

Electronic Structure and Magnetic Phase Transition in Helicoidal Fe<Subscript>1 - <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Si Ferromagnets

LSDA + U + SO calculations of the electronic structure of helicoidal Fe_{1 - x}Co _x Si ferromagnets within the virtual crystal approximation have been supplemented with the consideration of the Dzyaloshinski-Moriya interaction and ferromagnetic fluctuations of the spin density of collective d electrons with the Hubbard interactions at Fe and Co atoms randomly distributed over sites. The magnetic-state equation in the developed model describes helicoidal ferromagnetism and its disappearance accompanied by the occurrence of a maximum of uniform magnetic susceptibility at temperature T _C and chiral fluctuations of the local magnetization at T > T _C . The reasons why the magnetic contribution to the specific heat at the magnetic phase transition changes monotonically and the volume coefficient of thermal expansion (VCTE) at low temperatures is negative and has a wide minimum near T _C have been investigated. It is shown that the VCTE changes sign when passing to the paramagnetic state (at temperature T _S ).     

New boron barrelenes and tubulenes

The structure of a new class of boron nanostructures—barrelenes and tubulenes—based on a boron atomic lattice constructed by the alternating B-atomic polygons with central atoms and without them has been proposed and their properties have been described. Ab initio density functional calculations have been performed for the energy and electronic structure of the fullerene-barrelene-nanotube series based on the lowest energy fullerene B₈₀. It has been shown that the energy and band gap of a barrelene are lower than the respective quantities of the corresponding fullerene and tend to the respective values for nanotubes in the infinite limit. It has been shown that there are isomers of nanotubes of the same type that are significantly different in symmetry and electronic properties: a semiconductor (C _5v symmetry) and a metal (D _5h symmetry).     

Mechanical and Dynamic Stability of Complete and Nonstoichiometric 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>-Si<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>C<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> from Ab Initio Calculations

The energies of formation of vacancies in the carbon and silicon sublattices, the independent elastic constants, the all-round compression, shear and Young’s moduli, and the anisotropy coefficients are determined for the complete and nonstoichiometric cubic phases of 3C-Si_xC_y (x, y = 1.0–0.75) by ab initio methods of the band theory. In the formalism of the density functional perturbation theory (DFPT), the phonon dispersion dependences are obtained for these phases (the comparison with the experiment is given for the complete phase). It is shown that the mechanical characteristics of the phases become strongly anisotropic upon the transition from 3C-SiC_0.875 to 3C-SiC_0.75. It is established from the analysis of the phonon dispersion curves that the 3C-SiC_0.875 and 3C-SiC_0.75 phases, in contrast to the complete 3C-SiC phase, are dynamically unstable at T = 0 K.