First-order transition switch-off of superconductivity in UGe2

The ac magnetic susceptibility, the thermal expansion and the magnetostriction were measured using a single crystalline sample of UGe₂ under pressure. We find that as the field exceeds a transition field, where the system transforms from a high pressure phase (P>P_X) into a low pressure phase (P<P_X), the superconductivity steeply collapses within a transient region arising from the pressure inhomogeneity. We also estimate an accurate value of P_X in zero temperature limit and a pressure distribution around it. Using thus estimated quantity, we argue that the superconductivity (in zero magnetic field) below the critical pressure is not intrinsic but extrinsic due to the pressure inhomogeneity.     

Effect of isotopic composition and microstructure on the crystalline and magnetic phase states in R0.5Sr0.5MnO3

The results of structural neutron experiments on determining crystal and magnetic phase states of perovskite-like manganites R_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ (R = ¹⁵²Sm, Nd_0.772Tb_0.228, and Nd_0.544Tb_0.456) are reported. Experiments are carried out for revealing microscopic factors responsible for the giant oxygen isotope effect that was discovered recently in Sm_1?x Sr _x MnO₃ for x ≈ 0.5. It is shown that separation into two crystal phases P ₁ and P ₂ with the same spatial symmetry but different types of Jahn-Teller distortions in MnO₆ octahedra and magnetic ordering of Mn atoms takes place in all studied compounds at low temperatures. Structural analysis has been carried out successfully owing to exceptionally large differences in the unit cell parameters of the coexisting phases. The P ₁ phase is ferromagnetic and MnO₆ octahedra are distorted only slightly. The P ₂ phase is antiferromagnetic (A-type ordering) and MnO₆ octahedra are strongly compressed in the apical direction. The relative volumes occupied by the P ₁ and P ₂ phases depend on the mean radius of the A cation, and the replacement of ¹⁶O by ¹⁸O results in their redistribution in favor of the P ₂ phase. The results unambiguously point to the percolation nature of the metal-insulator transition in a Sm-containing compound upon isotopic substitution of oxygen due to a sharp decrease (from 65 to 13%) in the fraction of ferromagnetic phase P ₁. In all investigated compounds, the ordered magnetic moment of manganese Mn in the P ₁ and P ₂ phases varies from 1.7μ_B to 3.5μ_B. The data on the evolution of the miscrostructure parameters during a phase transition to the stratified state indicate that the initial spread in the A cation radii, as well as the internal microstrains, produce a critical effect on the formation of mesoscopic phase separation.     

Phase transition in the Heisenberg ferromagnet Cu(NH4)2Br4·2H2O in a magnetic field

The effect of a magnetic field on phase transitions in the Heisenberg ferromagnet Cu(NH₄)₂Br₄·2H₂O is investigated. It is found that the singularity shift of the susceptibility χ(P, T) in a magnetic field is approximated by power functions with the indexes ω = 2.5 and ? = 0.58.     

Magnetic field induced order–order phase transition in magnetocaloric systems Mn2−xFexAs0.5P0.5 and MnFeAsyP1−y

An analysis is presented of experimental and theoretical results of the MnFeAs_yP_1−y (0.15≤y≤0.66) and Mn_2−xFe_xAs_0.5P_0.5 (0.5≤x≤1.0) systems to identify main traits that underlie the mechanism of formation of different antiferromagnetic (AF) phases in the two systems. The discrepancy between the calculated from first principles and experimental values of the magnetic moment in the ferromagnetic phase with cation substitution in the system Mn_2−xFe_xAs_0.5P_0.5 is due to the appearance of a canted magnetic structure. In this case, the emergence of an AF phase with decreasing iron concentration precedes a significant change in the electronic d-band filling. In the model of the spiral structure in the system of itinerant electrons it is shown that the stabilization of the AF phase with decreasing arsenic concentration, while maintaining the number of d-electrons, is a consequence of changes in the shape of the density of electronic states that occur with a decrease in unit-cell volume.     

Motion of a 3D exciton in a magnetic field: Exciton-magnetoexciton “phase” transition

A rearrangement of the ground state of a Wannier-Mott exciton upon an increase in its momentum is considered. The phase diagram of the electron and the hole experiencing the Coulomb interaction on the magnetic momentum-external magnetic field plane is investigated. A jumplike exciton-magnetoexciton “phase” transition is observed upon an increase in the momentum in fields B weaker than a certain value B<B _tr1. As momentum P increases above a certain critical value P _tr(B), the ground state of the system changes from the hydrogen-like state polarized by the Lorentz force to the magnetoexciton state in which the average distance 〈 r〉 between the electron and the hole increases jumpwise in the transverse direction relative to the field. As the exciton momentum increases, its wave function is extended along the magnetic field, acquiring the shape of a strongly prolate ellipsoid. It is interesting that the momentum of the transition tends to a finite value P ₀>0 even for B→0. At the point of transition, the exciton energy-momentum relation changes jumpwise from a quadratic law to a relation virtually independent of the momentum. For B<B _tr1, the exciton-magnetoexciton transition becomes blurred.     

Metastable states in phase separated electron doped Sm0.15Ca0.85MnO3

In order to study the mechanism behind the phase separation scenario in the Sm_0.15Ca_0.85MnO₃ compound, magnetization and resistivity measurements have been carried out in pulsed magnetic fields up to 50 T at temperatures 4.2 K<T<200 K. It is found that external magnetic field causes a collapse of a C-type AFM (P2₁/m) phase resulting in field-induced insulator-metal transition, which is irreversible below T₁=75 K. In zero field the content of a G-type phase in the mixed C-G state can vary from 10 to 17% at T=10 K. A set of metastable states with different volume ratios of G-type to C-type phases is observed below T₁ depending on the history of the sample. The obtained results indicate that the phase separation plays a dominant role for the electric and the magnetic properties of this material.     

Structural and magnetic phase transitions occurring in Pr0.7Sr0.3MnO3 manganite at high pressures

The crystal and magnetic structures and the vibrational spectra of Pr_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ manganite are studied within the pressure range up to 25 GPa by methods of X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Neutron diffraction studies have been performed at pressures up to 4.5 GPa. The magnetic phase transition from the ferromagnetic phase (T _C = 273 K) to the A-type antiferromagnetic phase (T _N = 153 K) is found at P ≈ 2 GPa. This transition is characterized by a broad pressure range corresponding to the phase separation. The Raman spectra of Pr_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ measured under high pressures significantly differ from the corresponding spectra of the isostructural doped A_{1 ? x} A′ _x MnO₃ manganites, (where A is a rare-earth ion and A′ is an alkaline-earth ion) with the smaller average ionic radius 〈r _A〉 of A and A′ cations. Namely, the former spectra do not include clearly pronounced stretching phonon modes. At P ～ 7 GPa, there appears the structural phase transition from the orthorhombic phase with the Pnma space group to the orthorhombic high-pressure phase with the Imma symmetry. In the vicinity of the phase transition, anomalies in the pressure dependences of the lattice parameters, unit cell volume, and phonon frequencies corresponding to the characteristic lattice vibration modes are observed.     

On the tricritical point in MnSi under high pressures

The magnetic susceptibility of a MnSi single crystal is measured in the region of the ferromagnetic phase transition under pressures up to 0.8 GPa in compressed helium. It is found that the tricritical point on the phase-transition curve corresponds to a much lower pressure and a considerably higher temperature (P _tr ≈ 0.355 GPa and T _tr ≈ 25.2 K) than was reported earlier (P _tr ≈ 1.2 GPa and T _tr ≈ 12 K). New results impose certain limitations on theoretical analysis of tricritical phenomena in MnSi.     

Pressure-induced tricritical point and critical behavior near the points of phase-diagram wings in a CoS<Subscript>2</Subscript> ferromagnet

A pressure-induced change in the order of magnetic phase transition observed for CoS₂ in [1] is explained using the exchange-striction ferromagnet model allowing for the first-and second-order magnetoelastic interactions. It is shown that this model offers a satisfactory quantitative explanation of the majority of experimental facts observed in CoS₂. The magnetic phase diagram of CoS₂ is calculated in the vicinity of a tricritical point in the temperature (T), pressure (P), and magnetic-field (H) variables. The critical behavior of the thermodynamic quantities near the tricritical points of phase-diagram wings is discussed.     

As-NMR/NQR study of pressure-induced superconductivity in CaFe2As2

⁷⁵As-zero-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) measurements are performed on CaFe₂As₂ under pressure. At P=4.7 and 10.8 kbar, the temperature dependence of nuclear-spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T₁) measured at tetragonal phase show no coherence peak just below T_c and decrease with decreasing temperature. The superconductivity is of gapless at P=4.7 kbar but evolves to multiple gaps at P=10.8 kbar. We find that the superconductivity appears near a quantum critical point. Both electron correlation and superconductivity disappear in the collapsed tetragonal phase. A systematic study under pressure indicates that electron correlations play a vital role in forming Cooper pairs in this compound.     

Regularities in temperature,magnetic field and pressure effect on the resistive properties of magnetic semiconductors

The influence of hydrostatic pressure, magnetic field and temperature on resistivity behaviour of bulk and film samples La_0.9Mn_1.1O₃ and La_0.56Ca_0.24Mn_1.2O₃ at action of magnetic field and temperature has been analysed. It is established that the maximum of magnetoresistive and the revealed baroresistive, magnetobaroresistive effects coincide at the same temperature T_pp. This temperature is equal to the “metal-semiconductor” phase transition temperature T_ms. “Cooling” and “heating” effects of pressure and magnetic field have been revealed. A mutual correspondence of T–P–H (6.2 K, 1 kbar, 2.7 kOe) influence on polycrystalline sample La_0.9Mn_1.1O₃ resistivity has been determined. The linear change of T_ms(P) and T_ms(H) in La_0.9Mn_1.1O₃, La_0.56Ca_0.24Mn_1.2O₃ resistivity have been found. An importance of the regularities of elastic-deforming correspondence of T–H–P influence on magnetic, resistivity properties, phase transitions and effects was elucidated and explained. An alternating influence of T–H–P and its role in resistivity has been pointed. A correlation between structural, elastic and resistive properties is specified.     

High pressure effects on the electrical resistivity behavior of the Kondo lattice, YbPd2Si2

We report the influence of external high-pressure (P up to 8 GPa) on the temperature (T) dependence of electrical resistivity (ρ) of a Yb-based Kondo lattice, YbPd₂Si₂, which does not undergo magnetic ordering under ambient pressure condition. There are qualitative changes in the ρ(T) behavior due to the application of external pressure. While ρ is found to vary quadratically below 15 K (down to 45 mK) characteristic of Fermi-liquids, a drop is observed below 0.5 K for P=1 GPa, signaling the onset of magnetic ordering of Yb ions with the application of P. The T at which this fall occurs goes through a peak as a function of P (8 K for P=2 GPa and about 5 K at high pressures), mimicking Doniach's magnetic phase diagram. We infer that this compound is one of the very few Yb-based stoichiometric materials, in which one can traverse from valence fluctuation to magnetic ordering by the application of external pressure.     

Effect of pressure and magnetic field on bilayer La1.25Sr1.75Mn2O7 single crystal

We report the temperature dependence of susceptibility for various pressures, magnetic fields and constant magnetic field of 5 T with various pressures on La_2−2xSr_1+2xMn₂O₇ single crystal to understand the effectiveness of pressure and magnetic field in altering the magnetic properties. We find that the Curie temperature, T_c, increases under pressure (dT_c/dP=10.9 K/GPa) and it indicates the enhancement of ferromagnetic phase under pressure up to 2 GPa. The magnetic field dependence of T_c is about 26 K for 3 T. The combined effect of pressure and constant magnetic field (5 T) shows dT_c/dP=11.3 K/GPa and the peak structure is suppressed and broadened. The application of magnetic field of 5 T realizes 3D spin ordered state below T_c at atmospheric pressure. Both peak structure in χ_c and 3D spin ordered state are suppressed, and changes to 2D-like spin ordered state by increase of pressure. These results reveal that the pressure and the magnetic field are more competitive in altering the magnetic properties of bilayer manganite La_1.25Sr_1.75Mn₂O₇ single crystal.     

Physical properties and phase diagram of the magnetic compound Cr<Subscript>0.26</Subscript>NbS<Subscript>1.74</Subscript> at high pressures

We report the results of a study of magnetic, electrical, and thermodynamic properties of a single crystal of the magnetic compound Cr_0.26NbS_1.74 at ambient and high pressures. Results of the measurements of magnetization as a function of temperature reveal the existence of a ferromagnetic phase transition in Cr_0.26NbS_1.74. The effective number of Bohr magnetons per Cr atom in the paramagnetic phase of Cr_0.26NbS_1.74 is µ_eff ≈ 4.6µB, which matches the literature data for Cr1/3NbS2. Similarly, the effective number of Bohr magnetons per Cr atom in the saturation fields is rather close in both substances and corresponds to the number of magnetons in the Cr⁺³ ion. In contrast to the stoichiometric compound, Cr_0.26NbS_1.74 does not show a metamagnetic transition, that indicates the lack of a magnetic soliton. A high-pressure phase diagram of the compound reveals the quantum phase transition at T = 0 and P ≈ 4.2 GPa and the triple point situated at T ≈ 20 K and P ≈ 4.2 GPa.     

Effects of a magnetic field on a modulated phase

The effects of a magnetic field on a modulated phase are studied. A modulated phase is found to have two critical fields H₁ and H₂. For a large enough magnetic field, H₁ and H₂ can be approximated by a linear law. As a result, the minimum magnetic field needed to destroy a modulated phase is a constant. The minimum magnetic field also greatly depends on the order of a commensurate phase. A very high order commensurate phase and an incommensurate phase cannot survive a magnetic field. The behaviour of a magnetoelastic chain in a magnetic field can be described by a harmless devil's staircase. The inverse temperature is found to play a role similar to that of a special magnetic field. The deeper physics underlying these new phenomena is the breaking of the left-right symmetry of a phase diagram. As a result a controllable path to a modulated phase is found.     

Abnormal magnetic properties of the Ce24Co11 hexagonal phase

The lighter rare earth-cobalt and thorium-cobalt binary systems were revised on the rare earth or thorium side, by metallographic, electron microprobe and X-ray methods. In agreement with previous works, it is confirmed that, in these systems, the first intermetallic compound corresponds to the following stoichiometry: 3:1 for trivalent La, Pr and Nd; 7:3 for tetravalent Th; 24:11 for Ce. The electronic structure of Ce in the hexagonal (P6₃mc) Ce₂₄Co₁₁ phase was investigated via magnetic susceptibility measurements in the 4.2–1300 K temperature range. The results show that the Curie-Weiss law is not followed, no magnetic order occurs down to 4.2 K and a very small change in the thermal behaviour of the magnetic susceptibility appears above the melting point of the phase (750 K). The abnormally low values of the magnetic susceptibility of Ce₂₄Co₁₁ could be understood by assuming Co is a non-magnetic state and Ce in a temperature dependent mixed valence state.     

Magnetic and structural instabilities in the hexagonal Laves hydride ErMn2H4.6 under high-pressure

The structural and magnetic properties of ErMn₂H_4.6 have been studied by X-ray and neutron diffraction up to the pressures of 15 and 6 GPa, respectively. In the pressure range 0<P<3 GPa we observe a first-order phase transition to new high-pressure (HP) phase. The HP phase has the same hexagonal unit cell as the ambient-pressure phase but smaller lattice parameters (ΔV/V=−5%). The structural transition results in suppression of the long-range antiferromagnetic order. Our results suggest that pressure changes positions of the hydrogen atoms in the metal host. We speculate that the new arrangement of hydrogen atoms induces spin frustration and, therefore, suppresses long-range magnetic order in the HP phase.     

Magnetic collapse and electronic phase transitions at high pressure in transition metal oxides

A review of electronic and magnetic phase transition in metal oxides with strong electron correlations (SEC) is given. The bandwidth control of the insulator gap is expected in the Hubbard model when the decreasing of the interatomic distance results in the bandwidth W(P) increase and at some critical value P_c, W(P_c)∼U and the Mott–Hubbard gap disappears. The other situation takes place in transition metal boroxides FeBO₃ and GdFe₃(BO₃)₄, where the increase of crystal field parameter Δ(P) results in the high spin–low spin crossover.     

Quantum bicriticality in Mn1 − x Fe x Si solid solutions: Exchange and percolation effects

The T-x magnetic phase diagram of Mn_{1 ? x} Fe _x Si solid solutions is probed by magnetic susceptibility, magnetization and resistivity measurements. The boundary limiting phase with short-range magnetic order (analogue of the chiral liquid) is defined experimentally and described analytically within simple model accounting both classical and quantum magnetic fluctuations together with effects of disorder. It is shown that Mn_{1 ? x} Fe _x Si system undergoes a sequence of two quantum phase transitions. The first “underlying” quantum critical (QC) point x* ～ 0.11 corresponds to disappearance of the long-range magnetic order. This quantum phase transition is masked by short-range order phase, however, it manifests itself at finite temperatures by crossover between classical and quantum fluctuations, which is predicted and observed in the paramagnetic phase. The second QC point x _c ～ 0.24 may have topological nature and corresponds to percolation threshold in the magnetic subsystem of Mn_{1 ? x} Fe _x Si. Above x _c the short-range ordered phase is suppressed and magnetic subsystem becomes separated into spin clusters resulting in observation of the disorder-driven QC Griffiths-type phase characterized by an anomalously divergent magnetic susceptibility χ ～ 1/T ^ξ with the exponents ξ ～ 0.5–0.6.     

Detection of structural and magnetic transitions in La0.67Ba0.23Ca0.1MnO3 using the rf resonance technique

We report radio-frequency (rf) electrodynamics in polycrystalline La_0.67Ba_0.23Ca_0.1MnO₃ as a function of temperature and magnetic field using a home-built LC resonant circuit powered by an integrated chip oscillator. The resonance frequency (f_r) of the oscillator and the power (P) absorbed by the sample are measured simultaneously. The paramagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition in the absence of an external magnetic field is accompanied by a rapid decrease in both P and f_r around the Curie temperature T_C=300 K. However, much below T_C, the f_r shows a step-like anomaly around 165 K (195 K) while cooling (warming), which we attribute to a structural phase transition from high temperature rhombohedral () to low temperature orthorhombic (Imma) phase. The step-like anomaly in f_r versus T disappears in a field of 300 G. Fractional changes as large as 19% in Δf_r/f_r and 10% in ΔP/P are observed under H=1 kG around T_C. Our study suggests that the rf resonance technique is a versatile tool to study the magnetization dynamics as well as to investigate the structural phase transition in manganites.