Non-magnetic impurity effect in two-gap superconductor Lu2Fe3Si5

We report detailed study of non-magnetic impurity effects in a two-gap superconductor Lu₂Fe₃Si₅ by replacing Lu with Sc. We find that the superconducting transition temperature T_c is drastically suppressed by slight substitution of Sc, while lattice constants change linearly with the substitution. These results strongly indicate that a slight substitution of Sc increases the inter-band scattering and causes averaging the amplitude of two gaps, which leads to the drastic suppression of T_c.     

Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy on multi-layered cuprate superconductor Ba2Ca5Cu6O12 (O1−x Fx)2

Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) measurements on multi-layered cuprate superconductor Ba₂Ca₅Cu₆O₁₂ (O_1−x F_x)₂ are carried out. STM topographies show randomly distributed bright spot structures with a typical spot size of 0.8 nm. These bright spots are occupied about 28% per one unit cell of c-plane, which is comparable to the regular amount of apical oxygen of 20% obtained from element analysis. Tunneling spectra simultaneously show both the small and the large gap structures. These gap sizes at 4.9 K are about Δ 15 meV and 90 meV, respectively. The small gap structure disappears at the temperature close to T_C, while the large gap persists up to 200 K. Therefore, these features correspond to the superconducting gap and pseudogap, respectively. These facts give evidence for some ordered state with large energy scale even in the superconducting state. For the superconducting gap, the ratio of 2Δ/K_BT_C = 4.9 is obtained with T_C = 70 K, which is determined from temperature dependence of the tunneling spectra.     

用两带Ginzburg-Landau理论分析两带超导体Lu2Fe3Si5的表面临界磁场

用两带Ginzburg-Landau(GL)理论分析了Lu₂Fe₃Si₅的表面临界磁场,当超导体的表面与任一主晶面重合,且外磁场平行于超导体的表面时,比值H_c3/H_c2(H_C2是Lu₂Fe₃Si₅的上临界磁场)强烈依赖于温度. 当超导体的表面是bc平面,且 关键词： 两带超导体 GL理论 2Fe₃Si₅')" href="#">Lu₂Fe₃Si₅ 表面临界磁场     

Microwave dielectric properties of (1 − x)(Mg0.95Co0.05)TiO3–x(Na0.5La0.5)TiO3 ceramic system

The microstructures and the microwave dielectric properties of the (1 − x)(Mg_0.95Co_0.05)TiO₃–x(Na_0.5La_0.5)TiO₃ ceramic system were investigated. Two-phase system was confirmed by the XRD patterns and the EDX analysis. A co-existed second phase (Mg_0.95Co_0.05)Ti₂O₅ was also detected. The microwave dielectric properties are strongly related to the density and the matrix of the specimen. A new microwave dielectric material 0.88(Mg_0.95Co_0.05)TiO₃–0.12(Na_0.5La_0.5)TiO₃, possessing an excellent combination of dielectric properties: ε_r  22.36, Q × f  110,000 GHz (at 9 GHz), τ_f  2.9 ppm/°C), is proposed as a candidate dielectric for GPS patch antennas.     

Chiral superconducting phase transition in 3-K phase of Sr2RuO4

We have investigated the transports of micro-fabricated sample of 3-K phase superconductivity (T_c  3 K) in Sr₂RuO₄–Ru eutectic system in order to clarify the pairing symmetry. Up to now, pure Sr₂RuO₄ (T_c = 1.5 K: 1.5-K phase) is widely recognized to be a spin-triplet odd-parity superconductor. However, the enhancement mechanism of T_c up to 3 K and the pairing symmetry of the 3-K phase have not been cleared yet. By using micro fabrication technique with focused ion beam, we have succeeded to extract individual superconducting channels for the 3-K phase in which only a few pieces of Ru inclusions are contained. Multiple kink structures observed in differential resistance–current (dV/dI − I) characteristics indicate serially connected superconducting filaments in the 3-K phase. We confirm that the 3-K phase is an odd-parity superconductor similar to pure Sr₂RuO₄ from the monotonous temperature dependence of the critical currents. In addition, we observed a quite unusual hysteresis in dV/dI − I below 2 K, which suggests the internal degrees of freedom in the superconducting state: the most probably the chiral p-wave state.     

Reduced anti-ferromagnetism promoted by Zn 3d substitution at CuO2 planar sites of Cu0.5Tl0.5Ba2Ca3Cu4O12−δ superconductors

The role of charge carriers in ZnO₂/CuO₂ planes of Cu_0.5Tl_0.5Ba₂Ca₃Cu_4−yZn_yO_12−δ material in bringing about superconductivity has been explained. Due to suppression of anti-ferromagnetic order with Zn 3d¹⁰ (S=0) substitution at Cu 3d⁹ sites in the inner CuO₂ planes of Cu_0.5Tl_0.5Ba₂Ca₃Cu₄O_12−δ superconductor, the distribution of charge carriers becomes homogeneous and optimum, which is evident from the enhanced superconductivity parameters. The decreased c-axis length with the increase of Zn doping improves interlayer coupling and hence the three dimensional (3D) conductivity in the unit cell is enhanced. Also the softening of phonon modes with the increased Zn doping indicates that the electron–phonon interaction has an essential role in the mechanism of high-T_c superconductivity in these compounds.     

Growth of single crystal PrFeAsO1−y and its characterization

We have successfully grown single crystals of oxygen deficient oxypnictide superconductor PrFeAsO_1−y using high pressure synthesis technique. Typical crystal size is about 600 × 800 × 30 μm³, with its T_c = 44 K. Their resistivity measurements under magnetic field yield the anisotropic factor Γ  5, consistent with previous results on smaller single crystals.     

Conversion of egg shell membrane to inorganic porous CexZr1−xO2 fibrous network

The binary system CeO₂–ZrO₂ is thermally stable and has superior reduction–oxidation properties. It has been commonly used in the three-way catalytic converters for automobiles. In this work, an inorganic biomorphic porous Ce_xZr_1−xO₂ fibrous network was successfully synthesized by using the egg shell membrane (ESM) as templates, and its morphology was a perfect replica of the original ESM. The synthesis involved a simple infiltration and calcination process. A fresh ESM was peeled from a chicken egg shell. It was soaked in a Ce(NO₃)₃ and Zr(NO₃)₄ mixture before it was calcined at 700 °C in ambient environment. The fibers in the biomorphic network had diameter ranged from 1 to 4 μm, and they were composed of Ce_xZr_1−xO₂ nanocrystallites having an average grain size of 10 nm.     

Co:LaMgAl11O19 saturable absorber Q-switch for a 1.319 μm Nd:YAG laser

Passively Q-switched output of a flashlamp-pumped 1.319 μm Nd:YAG laser is realized by using Co²⁺:LaMgAl₁₁O₁₉ (Co:LMA) as saturable absorber. When initial transmission of the saturable absorber T₀ is 78%, a Q-switched output pulse with pulse width (FWHM) 44.8 ns and pulse energy 17.4 mJ is obtained, corresponding to 19.3% of the free-running energy under the equal pumping energy of 45.4 J. The experimental results show that the higher T₀ will result in a lower pumping threshold of the laser, but lower T₀ can make the laser generate pulses with higher single-pulse energy, narrower pulse width, and accordingly higher peak power.     

Magnetism and Superconductivity inCeCu2(Si1−xGex)2 Probed by Cu NQR

We report Cu-NQR results on Ge-doped heavy-fermion superconductor CeCu₂(Si_1–x Ge _x )₂ (0<x0.2) and undoped Ce_0.99Cu_2.02Si₂. The main effect of the Ge doping is considered to be a negative pressure, since the strength of hybridization decreases by the Ge doping. With increasing x, the dynamical characteristics of the magnetic order at x=0 change to more static ones which suggests a localized regime above x0.25. From the derived T–x phase diagram, it is suggested that the magnetic and the superconducting phases are almost degenerate in undoped CeCu₂Si₂. An exotic interplay between the magnetism characterized by the slow fluctuations and the superconductivity is implied in the region of small x.     

Effects of RE2O3 (RE = Tm, Sc, Yb) addition on the superconducting properties of ErBa2Cu3Oy

We investigated the effects of added Tm₂O₃, Sc₂O₃, and Yb₂O₃ on the superconducting properties of sintered Er123 samples. Tm₂O₃ addition caused the least T_c degradation, exhibiting a T_c above 90 K even for 17 vol% addition. Samples with added Sc₂O₃ maintained a T_c at above 90 K up to an addition of 7.2 vol%, while Yb₂O₃-containing samples showed a monotonic decrease in T_c with increased vol% of added Yb₂O₃. Tm₂O₃-containing samples exhibited a slight increase in J_c(0.1 T)/J_c(0) and had constant J_c values even for 17 vol% addition. XRD and SEM results indicate that the Tm₂O₃ is very stable in the superconducting matrix.     

Electric polarization memory effect in a magnetoelectric multiferroic CuFe1−xGaxO2

Magnetic oxide CuFeO₂ is a magnetoelectric multiferroic with new type of spin–polarization coupling different from that in the spin-current mechanism, where magnetic field-induced or nonmagnetic impurity-induced proper helical magnetic ordering generates a spontaneous electric polarization parallel to the helical axis. Using a CuFe_1−xGa_xO₂ sample with x=0.035, in which the single ferroelectric phase is realized below T_N8 K in zero magnetic field unlike CuFe_1−xAl_xO₂, we have performed pyroelectric current, thermally stimulated current (TSC) and polarized neutron diffraction measurements to study a memory effect that the electric polarization is partially preserved even for 2nd-cooling from above T_N without poling electric field. It was found that the charge trapped during 1st-cooling with poling electric field, which is released as TSC on heating, plays an important role in the memory effect.     

Lithium ion conductive glass–ceramics with Li3Fe2(PO4)3 and YAG laser-induced local crystallization in lithium iron phosphate glasses

The glasses with the composition of 37.5Li₂O–(25 − x)Fe₂O₃–xNb₂O₅–37.5P₂O₅ (mol%) (x = 5,10,15) are prepared, and it is found that the addition of Nb₂O₅ is effective for the glass formation in the lithium iron phosphate system. The glass–ceramics consisting of Nasicon-type Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃ crystals with an orthorhombic structure are developed through conventional crystallization in an electric furnace, showing electrical conductivities of 3 × 10^− 6 Scm^− 1 at room temperature and the activation energies of 0.48 eV (x = 5) and 0.51 eV (x = 10) for Li⁺ ion conduction in the temperature range of 30–200 °C. A continuous wave Nd:YAG laser (wavelength: 1064 nm) with powers of 0.14–0.30 W and a scanning speed of 10 μm/s is irradiated onto the surface of the glasses, and the formation of Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃ crystals is confirmed from XRD analyses and micro-Raman scattering spectra. The crystallization of the precursor glasses is considered as new route for the fabrication of Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃ crystals being candidates for use as electrolyte materials in lithium ion secondary batteries.     

Possible influence of two-band superconductivity on the behaviour of the second magnetization peak in La2−xSrxCuO4 single crystals

An anomalous temperature T dependence of the field H_on for the onset of the second magnetization peak (SMP) in La_1.81Sr_0.19CuO₄ single crystals (with the external magnetic field H oriented parallel to the c axis) is discussed. While the peak field H_p and the magnetization at H_p have a continuous variation with T, H_on exhibits a sudden decrease with increasing T for T  11 K–15 K. The analysis of the nature of the SMP in La_2−xSr_xCuO₄ single crystals in terms of a simple dynamic energy balance relation suggests that the observed behaviour could be related to the particular T dependence of the superfluid density in the case of two-band superconductivity, affecting the T variation of the elastic energy of the vortex system at low H.     

Magnetotransport and magnetotunneling in single-layer, two-layer, and three-layer Bi2Sr2Can−1CunOz (n=1,2,3) single crystals

In continuous magnetic fields H up to 28 T, we have studied the out-of-plane transport properties and tunneling characteristics of high-quality nondoped single crystals of the Bi-cuprate family: Bi₂Sr₂CuO_6+δ (Bi2201), Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ (Bi2212) and Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_10+δ (Bi2223) grown by an identical method. For all compounds the out-of-plane magnetotransport ρ_c(H) is negative in the temperature region where ρ_c(T) shows in the normal state a semiconducting-like temperature dependence. The negative magnetoresistance of ρ_c corresponds to the suppression of the semiconducting temperature dependence of ρ_c(T) which is found to be isotropic. For the Bi2201 compound, where the normal state can be reached in the available magnetic fields (28 T), a nearly complete suppression of the low-temperature upturn in ρ_c(T) is observed in the highest magnetic fields with a tendency towards a metallic behavior down to the lowest temperatures (0.4 K). Using the break-junction technique, especially for the Bi2212 and Bi2232 compounds, a clear superconducting gap structure can be observed. Both for temperatures above the critical temperature and for magnetic fields above the upper critical field, a pseudogap structure remains present in the tunneling spectra. The applied magnetic fields yield a stronger suppression of the superconducting state compared to that of the normal-state gap structures as manifested in ρ_c(T) transport and tunneling.     

Effect of Ca doping on the superconducting properties of GdBaSrCu3O7−δ bulk samples

Gd_1−xCa_xBaSrCu₃O_7−δ samples (0  x  0.1) were prepared via solid-state reaction. Four-point probes method was used for resistance versus temperature measurements. Results show decrease in T_c by increasing x content. This variation is assumed to be irrelevant to the different phases or impurity effects since X-ray patterns show all samples are tetragonal single-phase. Ca doping decreases the oxygen content and lattice parameters of the samples. It is suggested that Ca prevents the dislocation of oxygen, and then disrupts the hole concentration of the system and antiferromagnetic correlation at CuO₂ planes. Subsequently, destroys the superconductivity of the samples.     

Al NMR studies of NpPd5Al2

We present ²⁷Al NMR studies for a single crystal of the Np-based superconductor NpPd₅Al₂. We have observed a five-line ²⁷Al NMR spectrum with a center line and four satellite lines separated by first-order nuclear quadrupole splittings. The Knight shift clearly drops below T_c. The temperature dependence of the ²⁷Al nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate shows no coherence peak below T_c, indicating that NpPd₅Al₂ is an unconventional superconductor with an anisotropic gap. The analysis of the present NMR data provides evidence for strong-coupling d-wave superconductivity in NpPd₅Al₂.     

Field-dependent collective ESR mode in YbRh2Si2

Electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments in YbRh₂Si₂ Kondo lattice at different field/frequencies and H_⊥c revealed: (i) a strong field dependent Yb³⁺ spin-lattice relaxation, (ii) a weak field and T-dependent effectiveg-value, (iii) a suppression of the ESR intensity beyond 15% of Lu-doping, and (iv) a strong sample and Lu-doping (≤15%) dependence of the ESR data. These results suggest that the ESR signal in YbRh₂Si₂ may be due to a coupled Yb³⁺-conduction electron resonant collective mode with a subtle field-dependent spins dynamic.     

Synthesis, characterization and melt processing of Y1−x(Yb0.9Nd0.1)xBa2Cu3Oz superconductors

Effects of a combined substitute of Yb and Nd on Y site on the superconducting properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_y have been studied. We synthesized Y_1−x(Yb_0.9Nd_0.1)_xBa₂Cu₃O_z compound with x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0. Here, the ratio of Yb–Nd was fixed to be 9:1 for obtaining 123 phase without secondary phases. The melt processing thermal profiles for Y_1−x(Yb_0.9Nd_0.1)_xBa₂Cu₃O_z with x = 0.2 and 0.4 and the addition of 40 mol% {Y_1−x(Yb_0.9Nd_0.1)_x}₂BaCuO₅ and 0.5 wt% Pt in air were determined on the basis of the thermal analysis results. All samples showed a low grain growth rate, particularly for high x values, which may be partially ascribed to un-optimized thermal schedules. Although almost all the samples exhibited low J_c values, the sample with x = 0.2 exhibited T_c of 88.8 K and a relatively high J_c value of 16,000 A/cm² at 77 K for H//c-axis.     

Luminescence of Strontianite (SrCO3) from Strontian (Scotland, UK)

An historic Strontianite-type specimen from Strontian, Scotland, UK, was characterized to broaden our knowledge on luminescence properties of common carbonates. These fibrous aggregates are Strontianite (Sr_xCa_1−xCO₃) with circa 6% of CaO, interfacial water, hydrosilicate anions and substitutional divalent cations, e.g., Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺ in structural Sr²⁺ positions. The specimen was analyzed by X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF), Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with an Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (ESEM-EDS) probe, Spatially-resolved Cathodoluminescence under the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM-CL), Differential-Thermal Analyses (DTA), Thermogravimetry (TG), Thermoluminescence (TL), Radioluminescence (RL) and High Resolution Spectra Thermoluminescence (3DTL), to gain an overview of the spectral emissions, the defect linkages were modified by heating from room temperature (RT) up to 500 °C. Substitutional transition elements are probably responsible for the spectral emission bands from 500 nm to 800 nm and hydrous molecules from 300 nm to 400 nm. DTA–TG analyses performed on little chips, to preserve the fiber interfaces coherence, exhibit minor endothermic peaks attributed to outflow of water groups in fiber interfaces. Both, CL and RL curves show common spectral positions but UV–blue and red emission intensities are counterbalanced since electron irradiation reduces the UV–blue emissions while X-irradiation increases them. The TL curves show a top thermal limit at 300 °C for the 300–400 nm TL emissions which become irreversibly destroyed, whereas the longer wavelength region emits at higher temperature. The non-reversible changes observed in the 320 nm and 360 nm bands during the spectra 3DTL emission could be linked with non-bridging oxygen defects, protons and hydroxyl groups and the red emissions to the ⁴G (⁴T_1g)–⁶S Mn²⁺ ion transition. Following assignations and similar spectral CL patterns of Russian Strontianite samples, the emission-defect assignments: Dy³⁺ 480 nm; Tb³⁺ 540 nm; Dy³⁺ 580 nm and Sm³⁺ 640 nm cannot be disregarded.