Formation of textured Ni(200) and Ni(111) films by magnetron sputtering

The effect of the working gas pressure (P ≈ 1.33–0.09 Pa) and the substrate temperature (T_s ≈ 77–550 K) on the texture and the microstructure of nickel films deposited by magnetron sputtering onto SiO₂/Si substrates is studied. Ni(200) films with a transition type of microstructure are shown to form at growth parameters P ≈ 0.13–0.09 Pa and T_s ≈ 300–550 K, which ensure a high migration ability of nickel adatoms on a substrate. This transition type is characterized by a change of the film structure from quasi-homogeneous to quasi-columnar when a film reaches a critical thickness. Ni(111) films with a columnar microstructure and high porosity form at a low migration ability, which takes place at P ≈ 1.33–0.3 Pa or upon cooling a substrate to T_s ≈ 77 K.     

Deposition of NiFe(200) and NiFe(111) textured films onto Si/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> substrates by DC magnetron sputtering

The effect of substrate temperature T_sub and bias voltage U_bias on the texture of NiFe films with thickness d ～ 30–340 nm deposited by DC magnetron sputtering onto Si(111)/SiO₂ substrates under working gas pressure ～ 0.2 Pa has been investigated. It has been demonstrated that films grown at room substrate temperature have the (111) texture that is refined under a negative bias voltage. The deposition of films onto a grounded (U_bias ～ 0) substrate heated to T_sub ～ 440–640 K results in the formation of textured NiFe(200) films.     

Magnetic anisotropy of Co/Cu/Co films with indirect exchange coupling

The effect of isothermal annealing on the magnetic anisotropy, bilinear and biquadratic exchange coupling energies, and domain structure of Co/Cu/Co trilayer fiilms with d_Co=6 nm and d_Cu=1.0 and 2.1 nm prepared by magnetron sputtering has been studied. It is shown that, under isothermal annealing, the biquadratic coupling energy decreases by more than an order of magnitude in films with d_Cu=1.0 nm and increases in films with d_Cu=2.1 nm. The fourth-order magnetic anisotropy is shown to be related to the existence of biquadratic exchange energy.     

Size Dependences of the Magnetic Properties of Superconducting Lead–Porous Glass Nanostructures

Superconducting structures Pb–PG formed by filling a porous glass matrix with the lead from melt under pressure have been investigated. Samples with characteristic pore structure diameters of d ≈ 7, 3, and 2 nm have been studied. It has been found that the critical temperature of the superconducting transition in the samples under study is similar to the corresponding value T_c ≈ 7.2 K for bulk lead. At the same time, it has been observed that the critical magnetic field of the nanocomposites, which attains H_c(T = 0 K) ≈ 165 kOe for Pb–PG (3 nm), exceeds several times the value H_c(0) = 803 Oe for bulk lead. The low-temperature magnetic- field dependences of magnetic moment M(H) contain quasi-periodic flux jumps, which vanish with a decrease in the lead nanostructure diameter. A qualitative model of the observed effects is considered.     

Evolution of surface morphology during the growth of amorphous and polycrystalline silicon films

The evolution of the surface morphology of LPCVD poly-Si films (deposition temperature 620°C), a-Si films (deposition temperature 550°C) and poly-Si films, obtained by the crystallization of a-Si is investigated in the thickness range 40–500 nm. It is found that upon an increase in the thickness from 40 to 500 nm, the surface roughness (parameters S _q , S _z , S _v ) is increased for poly-Si, while in the case of a-Si and poly-Si obtained by crystallization a-Si, on the contrary, decreases. The correlation length (S _al ) increases for all three types of silicon films. Poly-Si films, obtained by the crystallization of a-Si, as compared to LPCVD poly-Si films have a significantly lower surface roughness, respectively, S _q two times less at a thickness of 40 nm and sixteen times less at 500 nm. In contrast to thick films, thin a-Si films (at thicknesses of less than 40 nm) have a granular structure, which is especially pronounced at an average thickness of about 20 nm and there is a maximum on the dependence of the roughness S _q on the thickness.     

First principles study on magnetic properties in ZnS doped with palladium

The electronic structures and magnetic properties in zinc-blende structure ZnS doped with nonmagnetic noble metal palladium have been investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations employing the generalised gradient approximation (GGA) and the GGA plus Hubbard U (GGA + U). Both the GGA and GGA + U methods demonstrate half-metallicity in Pd-doped ZnS with total magnetic moments of about 2.0μ _B per supercell. The half-metallic ferromagnetism stems from the hybridisation between Pd-4d and S-3p states and could be attributed to a double-exchange mechanism. These results suggest a recipe for obtaining a promising dilute magnetic semiconductor by doping nonmagnetic 4d elements in ZnS matrix.     

Electronic Structure and Exchange Interactions in RNi<Subscript>4</Subscript>Co (R = Eu,Yb) Compounds

The electronic structure and the exchange interactions in EuNi₄Co and YbNi₄Co compounds have been calculated in terms of a theoretical approach with the inclusion of electronic correlations (LSDA + U method); the variants of substitution of cobalt ion for nickel in the 3d lattice in both types of crystallographic positions 2c and 3g are considered. The total energies obtained in self-consistent calculations show that individual cobalt impurities are more preferably arranged in position of the 3g type. A Co ion in RNi₄Co (R = Eu, Yb) is characterized by a significant magnetic moment, which leads to significant increase in the exchange interaction of Co and Ni ions in the 3d metal sublattice.     

Structure and physical properties of titanium diselenide intercalated with nickel

The structure, electrical resistivity, thermopower, and magnetic susceptibility of titanium diselenide intercalated with nickel (N_xTiSe₂) are studied systematically in the nickel concentration range x=0–0.5. In accordance with a model proposed earlier, strong hybridization of the Ni3d/Ti3d states is observed, giving rise to suppression of the magnetic moment because of delocalization of the nickel d electrons. It is shown that the strain caused by the Ni3d/Ti3d hybridization does not change the local coordination of a titanium atom.     

Galvanomagnetic properties of Heusler alloy Co<Subscript>2</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">Y</Emphasis>Al (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Y</Emphasis> = Ti,V, Cr,Mn, Fe,and Ni)

The Hall effect and the magnetoresistance of ferromagnetic Heusler alloys Co₂ YAl, where Y = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Ni have been studied at T = 4.2 K in magnetic fields H ≤ 100 kOe. Normal R ₀ and anomalous R _S Hall coefficients are shown to be maximal in magnitudes in the middle of the 3d period of the periodic table of elements. Coefficient R ₀ changes the negative sign to positive sign in going from weak (Y = Ti, V) to strong (Y = Cr, Mn, Fe, and Ni) ferromagnetic alloys. Constant R _S is positive and proportional to ρ^2.9 in all the alloys. The magnetoresistance of the alloys is not higher than several percent and its magnitude is changed fairly significantly in the dependence on the number of valence electrons z; the magnetoresistance signs vary arbitrarily.     

Similarity and dimensional theory for galaxies: Explanation of long-known results of observations

A practical extension of the similarity and dimensional theory to the case of several similarity parameters is proposed. On this basis, for galaxies an explanation is given for the empirical correlations noticed in the last quarter of the 20th century: the Tully–Fisher relation, the concept of a fundamental plane, etc. For galaxies, apart from the virial, there is another similarity parameter whose choice is arbitrary. Here, it is introduced in the simplest form for an empirical determination:Π₁ = U ₀/U _d, U ₀ is the observed velocity, the scale U _d = (GL)^1/5, where L is the object luminosity, G is the gravitational constant.     

The electron energy spectrum and superconducting transition temperature of strongly correlated fermions with three-center interactions

The renormalizations of the fermionic spectrum are considered within the framework of the t-J* model taking into account three-center interactions (H₍₃₎) and magnetic fluctuations. Self-consistent spin dynamics equations for strongly correlated fermions with three-center interactions were obtained to calculate quasi-spin correlators. A numerical self-consistent solution to a system of ten equations was obtained to show that, in the nearest-neighbor approximation, simultaneously including H₍₃₎ and magnetic fluctuations at n>n₁ (n₁ ≈ 0.72 for 2t/U = 0.25) caused qualitative changes in the structure of the energy spectrum. A new Van Hove singularity is then induced in the density of states, and an additional maximum appears in the T_c(n) concentration dependence of the temperature of the transition to the superconducting phase with order parameter symmetry of the d _x ²?y² type.     

Effect of spin crossovers on the Mott-Hubbard transition at high pressures

The effect of spin crossovers in d _n terms on the effective Hubbard parameter (U _eff) determining the gap between the lower and upper Hubbard bands is analyzed using a many-electron approach to describe the electron structure of Mott insulators. A new mechanism of the insulator-metal transition is established for d ⁵ ions, which is related to a decrease in U _eff caused by spin crossover. For other ions, the U _eff value is either independent of pressure (d ², d ⁴, d ⁷) or it exhibits nonmonotonic growth (d ³, d ⁶, d ⁸).     

Hyperfine magnetic anomaly in isotopic pairs <Superscript>151, 152</Superscript>Eu and <Superscript>152, 153</Superscript>Eu

High-resolution laser spectroscopy measurements of optical hyperfine splitting on the ^{151, 152, 153}Eu isotopes were performed on the atomic transition 4f ⁷6s ^{2 8} S _7/2 → 4f ⁷6s6p ⁶ P _5/2 at λ ≈ 564.58 nm. Values of the nuclear magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments are obtained from the measured hyperfine splitting and the magnetic hyperfine anomalies in the isotope pairs ^{151, 152}Eu and ^{152, 153}Eu are deduced. The absolute values of the hyperfine anomaly in both cases are unusually large: 5 (1)%. The possible sources causing these anomalies are discussed.     

Spin-Wave Resonance in Chemically Deposited Fe-Ni Films: Measuring the Spin-Wave Stiffness and Surface Anisotropy Constant

Single-layer Fe _x Ni_{1 - x} thin magnetic films have been investigated by the spin-wave resonance technique in the entire concentration range. The surface anisotropy and exchange stiffness constants for the films with a Ni content from 30 to 80 at % have been measured from the experimental standing spin wave spectra. The surface exchange spin wave penetration depth δ _C = 20–30 nm has been determined from the dependences of the surface anisotropy and exchange coupling constants on the Fe₂₀Ni₈₀ film thickness in the range of 250–400 nm.     

Interaction between Dusty Shock Waves and Three-Dimensional Scaffolds of Carbon Nanocomposites upon the Deposition of Biocompatible Coatings

The interaction between shock waves (velocity D0 ≈ 2–2.5 km s^?1 and maximum pressure p_max ≈ 3.1–3.8 MPa) containing finely dispersed hydroxyapatite particles (with mean diameters of d_p ≈ 70 nm and 100 μm) and substrates of carbon nanostructured composites that are a periodic three-dimensional scaffold is investigated experimentally. Study of these processes is important for the development of nonconventional osteoconductive and biocompatible materials with properties of osteoinduction. Features of the interaction between dusty shock waves and these substrates are established on the basis of complex experimental studies. Optimum conditions and ways of forming high-adhesion coatings on carbon composites are determined.     

Optical properties and mechanisms of current flow in Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>ZnSnS<Subscript>4</Subscript> films prepared by spray pyrolysis

Thin films Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (up to 0.9 μm thick) with p-type conductivity and band gap E_g = 1.54 eV have been prepared by the spray pyrolysis of 0.1 M aqueous solutions of the salts CuCl₂ · 2H₂O, ZnCl₂ · 2H₂O, SnCl₄ · 5H₂O, and (NH₂)₂CS at a temperature T_S = 290°C. The electrophysical properties of the films have been analyzed using the model for polycrystalline materials with electrically active grain boundaries. The energy and geometric parameters of the grain boundaries have been determined as follows: the height of the barriers is E_b ≈ 0.045–0.048 eV, and the thickness of the depletion region is δ ≈ 3.25 nm. The effective concentrations of charge carriers p₀ = 3.16 × 10¹⁸ cm^–3 and their mobilities in crystallites μ_p = 85 cm²/(V s) have been found using the technique for determining the kinetic parameters from the absorption spectra of thin films at a photon energy hν ≈ E_g. The density of states at grain boundaries N_t = 9.57 × 10¹¹ cm^–2 has been estimated.     

Detection of the metal–insulator transition in disordered systems of magnetic nanoislands

We have studied the conductivity and permittivity of a series of nanoisland-type FeNi films with an effective thickness of up to 3.2 nm on different substrates. It has been observed that the quantity Re ε changes its sign at effective thickness d ^* ≈ 1.5–1.8 nm, because of the metal–insulator transition. Analysis of the temperature dependences of the conductivity has confirmed the existence of the metal–insulator transition at the same thickness d ^*. It has been concluded that the introduced effective permittivity can serve as a characteristic of island metal systems.     

Hyperfeinstruktur-Untersuchungen im Rhenium-I-Spektrum

By optical means (i.e. hollow cathode, Fabry-Perot-interferometer and spectrograph) the hyperfine structure of 15 transitions in the Re-I spectrum was investigated. This permits to state the hfs coupling constantsA, B for 15 levels belonging to the configurations (5d ⁵) 6s ², (5d ⁵) 6s 6p, (5d ⁵) 6s 7s, (5d ⁶) 6s, (5d ⁶) 6p and (5d ⁴) 6s ² 6p. It was found that the (5d ⁵) 6s ^{2 6} S _5/2 ground state, too, shows a small hfs. Of its magnetic splitting both size and sign could be determined (A _0,185,187=?2,2±0,4 mK); for a possible quadrupole splitting upper limits were obtained. Estimates of the quadrupole moments resulted inQ _185,187?2,9b. — In the case of two levels (x ⁶ P _7/2 andy ⁶ F _11/2) the hfs analysis raises doubts as to their classification.     

Electronic and magnetic properties of Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiC

The electronic structure and magnetic properties of Fe₂SiC compound have been studiedusing the framework of an all-electron full-potential linearized augmented-plane wave(FP-LAPW) method within the local density (LSDA) and + U corrected(LSDA + U)approximations. An antiferromagnetic spin ordering of Fe atoms is shown to be the groundstate for this compound. From the electronic band structures and density of states (DOS),Fe₂SiC has ametallic character and from the analysis of the site and momentum projected densities, itis deduced that the bonding is achieved through hybridization of Fe-3d with C-2p states andFe-3d withSi-3pstates. It is also pointed out that the Fe-C bonding is more covalent than Fe-Si. In theFM phase, the spin polarized calculations indicate that the total magnetic moment ofFe₂SiC increasesfrom 0.41 to 4.33μ _B when the Hubbard U parameter for iron isconsidered.     

Electronic structure of the Np<Emphasis Type="Italic">MT</Emphasis> <Subscript>5</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis> = Fe,Co, Ni; <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> = Ga,In) series of neptunium compounds

Evolution of the electronic structure of the NpMGa₅ (M = Fe, Co, Ni) series of neptunium compounds, whose crystal structure is similar to that of the known family of Pu115 superconductors, was studied by the LDA + U + SO method. The calculations took into account both the strong electron correlations and the spin?orbit coupling in the 5f shell of neptunium. For the first time, the electronic structure was calculated for a hypothetical series of compounds in which gallium is replaced with indium. Parameters of the crystal structure of the given series were obtained using the relationship between the parameters of the crystal structure of the earlier-studied compounds PuCoGa₅ and PuCoIn₅. The analysis of the electronic structure and characteristics of neptunium ions calculated in the framework of the LDA + U + SO method showed that the neptunium ions in NpMIn₅ with M = Fe, Co, and Ni should have an electron configuration closer to f⁴, but a spin and magnetic characteristics close to those in NpMGa₅.