A novel double-peaked spin-glass susceptibility-temperature response in the ternary alloy Fe69Mn26Cr5

We have studied the low-field (B ≦ 10^?2 T) d.c. susceptibility χ of the austenitic stainless-steel alloy Fe₆₉Mn₂₆Cr₅ as a function of the magnetic field B and temperature T. χ(T) shows structure, strong B dependence, and typical irreversible effects. The range of temperatures studied comprises three distinct regions. In the high-temperature region (300 K ≦ T ≦ 380 K) a blunt peak in the susceptibility is noticed at T₂ = 340 K. T₂ was not sensitive to thermal cycling. χ(T) displayed a sharp cusp at T₁ = 200 K. This peak was sensitive to the thermal history of the sample and was strongly suppressed by B. Between T₁ and T₂ a shallow valley with some hysteresis was observed. We interpret this behavior to be due to a low-temperature pure spin-glass phase, a high temperature conventional paramagnetic phase, and coexisting antiferromagnetic and spin-glass phases between T₁ and T₂.     

Transport and magnetic properties of Pr1-xCaxCrO3 (x = 0.0–0.5): effect of t2g orbital degeneracy on the thermoelectric power

We report on the resistivity (ρ), thermoelectric power (S for Seebeck) and magnetic measurements of the series Pr_1-xCa_xCrO₃ (x=0.0–0.5). These orthochromites exhibit a T independent, large and positive S, from 100 K to 700 K which follows the Cr⁴⁺ concentration. Upon Ca²⁺ for Pr³⁺ substitution, a concomitant decrease of the resistivity and S values is found. The evolution of S as a function of hole concentration (Cr⁴⁺) can be nicely fitted by the modified Heikes formula which takes into account the orbital degeneracy associated to Cr³⁺/Cr⁴⁺. This is in good agreement with the model previously calculated by Marsh and Parris, in the case of weak magnetic coupling [Phys. Rev. B 54, 7720 (1996)]. The magnetic susceptibility measurements support the assumption of a weak magnetic coupling since the antiferromagnetic ordering T_N values are found to be lower than 250 K. For Pr_0.7Ca_0.3CrO₃, the power factor PF= S²/ρ measured at 700 K is equal to 1.9×10^-4 W m^-1K^-2. The present system, chemically stable in air up to T > 1000 °C, is promising for thermoelectric application at very high temperature.     

Magnetotransport of the low-carrier density one-dimensional S=1/2 antiferromagnet Yb4As3

The transport properties of the semimetallic quasi-one-dimensional S=1/2 antiferromagnet Yb₄As₃ have been studied by performing low-temperature (T≥0.02 K) and high magneticfield (B≤60 T) measurements of the electrical resistivity ρ(T, B). For T ≿ 2 K a ‘heavy-fermion’-like behavior Δρ(T)=AT ² with huge and nearly field-independent coefficient A ≈ 3 μΩ cm/K² is observed, whereas at lower temperatures ρ(T) deviates from this behavior and slightly increases to the lowest T. In B>0 and T ≾ 6 K the resistivity shows an anomalous magnetic-history dependence together with an unusual relaxation behavior. In the isothermal resistivity Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations, arising from a low-density system of mobile As-4p holes, with a frequency of 25 T have been recorded. From the T- and B-dependence of the SdH oscillations an effective carrier mass of (0.275±0.005)m ₀ and a charge-carrier mean-free path of 215 ? are determined. Furthermore, in B≥15 T, the system is near the quantum limit and spin-splitting effects are observed.     

Spectroscopic diagnostics of R.F. discharges at moderate pressure and chemical applications—I. Pure nitrogen

A vibro-rotational analysis has been performed of the second positive system (SPS) of N₂ and of the first negative system (FNS) of N⁺₂ emitted by 35 MHz discharges in flowing nitrogen operated at pressures of 5–50 torr and power densities of the order of 1–10 W-cm^-3. The distributions of the vibrational and of the rotational levels follow Boltzmann's law in both the SPS and the FNS with T_v = 4000°K and T_R = 2800°K for the N₂(C³Π_u) state and T_v = 5100°K and T_R = 5800°K for the N⁺₂(B²Σ⁺_g) state and independent of pressure. Kinetic gas temperatures are between 1200 and 2000°K and increase with pressure; electron temperatures are in the range 15,000–9,500°K. The reversal of line intensities of the SPS and of the FNS observed with increasing pressure has been tentatively interpreted. Possible chemical implications of these results have been examined.     

Study of the semi-conducting properties of pyrolusite

The electrical conductivity σ of the specimens is found to obey a relation of the type σ=C exp (?B/k T) over a temperature range 300 to 500° K whereC andB are constants. The experimentally determined values ofB and C are (1)B≈1490 to 2199 (2)C ≈ 0·72 × 10^?3 to 4·9 × 10^?3 ohms^?1 cms^?1. The value of the activation energy determined from the values ofB are ≈0·13 to 0·19 e.V. In A.C measurements σ is found to vary with voltage applied across the specimen at a given temperature. The i?V characteristics of metal point semi-conductor contacts are non-linear symmetrical curves and are strongly temperature dependant. The value of the Hall constant (?0·14 cm³/coul) yields carrier concentration as 4·3 × 10¹⁹/cm³, and mobility 1·2 cm² volt^?1 second^?1. Δ?/? for the specimen is found to vary asH ² where ? is the resistivity andH the value of magnetic field. The specimens develop a thermo-electric power of magnitude 200 μV/K to 500 μV/K which is fairly constant over the temperature range 300 to 800° K. The sign of the thermo-e.m.f. and of the Hall constant indicate that the specimens are “n” type.     

Thermodynamic and kinetic properties of an icosahedral quasicrystalline phase in the Al-Pd-Tc system

The properties of a quasicrystalline phase in the Al-Pd-Tc system are studied for the first time. X-ray investigations demonstrate that the quasicrystalline phase in the Al₇₀Pd₂₁Tc₉ alloy has a face-centered icosahedral quasi-lattice with parameter a=6.514 ?. Annealing experiments have revealed that this icosahedral phase is thermodynamically stable. The heat capacity of an Al₇₀Pd₂₁Tc₉ sample is measured in the temperature range 3–30 K. The electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility are determined in the temperature range 2–300 K. The electrical resistivity is found to be high (600 μΩ cm at room temperature), which is typical of quasicrystals. The temperature coefficient of electrical resistivity is small and positive at temperatures above 50 K and negative at temperatures below 50 K. The magnetic susceptibility has a weakly paramagnetic character. The coefficient of linear contribution to heat capacity (γ=0.24 mJ/(g-atom K²)) and the Debye characteristic temperature (Θ=410 K) are determined. The origin of the specific features in the vibrational spectrum of the quasicrystals is discussed. __________ Translated from Fizika Tverdogo Tela, Vol. 42, No. 12, 2000, pp. 2113–2119. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2000 by Mikheeva, Panova, Teplov, Khlopkin, Chernoplekov, Shikov.     

Magnetic susceptibility and superconductivity of cubic vanadium nitrides

The superconducting transition temperature T_C and the magnetic susceptibility from 77 to 300°K have been measured on five cubic vanadium nitrides: VN, VN_0.91, VN_0.82, VN_0.84 and VN_0.75. The materials were carefully prepared to exclude oxygen and ferromagnetic impurities.The value of T_C, falls from 8.1°K for VN to 2.3°K for VN_0.75. The mass-susceptibility decreases from +3.94 × 10^?6e.m.u./g for VN to 1.88 × 10^?6e.m.u./g for VN_0.75 at 300°K. All samples showed a small positive slope for the susceptibility temperature curve.The results are discussed in terms of the rigid band model. The main features are a high density of states of d electrons, 2.4 states/atom eV for VN that drops off as the nitrogen content decreases, to 0.8 states/atom eV.Preliminary considerations indicate that many-body effects could reduce this density of states by as much as a factor of 2. Lack of experimental results on Knight shifts and low-temperature specific heats prevent a more quantitative estimate being made.     

Magnetic properties of amorphous ferromagnet Fe78Mo2B20

Low-field magnetic susceptibility and the magnetic field dependence of magnetization of Metglas 2605 A (Fe₇₈Mo₂B₂₀) were studied between 300 and 600 K and in fields up to 10kG. It is shown here that for an amorphous ferromagnetic alloy, the various methods of determination of Curie temperature T_c give the same value, which in this case is (564 ± 1) K. The critical exponent γ is 1.7 ± 0.1. Our low-field susceptibility measurements on Metglas 2605 (Fe₈₀B₂₀) gives a T_c of (634 ± 3) K while the reported high-field method value is 647 K. These results are discussed in terms of crystallization temperatures.     

The impurity resistivity and resistivity minima in AlCr and AlMn alloys

The impurity resistivity of $\text{Al}$Cr between 1.5 and 50°K was determined with a characteristic temperature for the T² variation θ₁=960±40°K. The behaviour of the resistivity minimum both in $\text{Al}$Cr and $\text{Al}$Mn alloys with impurity concentration provides evidence that a T³ phonon resistivity is found also in aluminium with anomalous impurity resistivity.     

Temperature-dependent light scattering from magnetic excitons in TlCoF3

Raman spectra of antiferromagnetic thallium cobaltous fluoride have been obtained with 4579A argon ion laser excitation at temperatures from 4°K to T_N = 94 ± 2°K. The features observed consist of six Co²⁺ excitons ranging in energy from 325 to 1070 cm^-1, at two-magnon peak with low-temperature energy of 315 cm^-1, and a one-magnon feature whose 4°K energy is 37 cm^-1. The energy and linewidth of the one-magnon scattering has been measured from 4°K to about 0.8 T_N; it is found that the magnon becomes critically damped at about 0.8 T_N, in good agreement with our previous observations on RbCoF₃. The Co²⁺ excitons observed at 325, 380, 410, 730 (weak), 960, and 1070 cm^-1 agree in energy quite well with the KCoF₃ levels calculated by Buyers, Holden et al. as 340, 400, 467, 767, 967 and 1050 cm^-1.     

An investigation of FeCoCrO4 by Mossbauer spectroscopy

The spinel FeCoCrO₄ has been studied between 4.2 and 538°K. Characteristic Mossbauer spectra of paramagnetic, magnetic and electronic relaxation types have been observed. The Mossbauer parameters for Fe³⁺ ions situated at tetrahedral (A) and octahedral (B) sites have been calculated. The cation distribution in magnetic and paramagnetic phases is found to be approximately Fe_0.5³⁺Co_0.5²⁺[Co_0.5²⁺Fe_0.5³⁺Cr³⁺]O₄. The Neel temperature been determined by the temperature scanning method to be 310±5°K.     

Galvanomagnetic properties of La0.7Sr0.3Mn0.9Cu0.1O3

La_0.7Sr_0.3Mn_0.9Cu_0.1O₃ ceramic samples have been obtained by the conventional method of the solid-phase reaction, and their resistivity ρ has been investigated in a temperature range from 50 to 300 K in magnetic fields B = 0–20 T. Dependences are typical of perovskite manganites with a maximum at T _max = 140–150 K and an increase in ρ near T _max with increasing external magnetic field B. It has been established that the behavior of resistivity is caused by the variable range hopping conduction mechanism ρ(T) = ρ₀(T)exp[(T ₀/T)^1/4], where ρ₀(T) ～ T ^25/4. The Mott variable range hopping conduction has been observed below the Curie temperature for La_0.7Sr_0.3Mn_0.9Cu_0.1O₃ samples (T _C ～ 300 K) in a temperature range from 300 to 200 K. The influence of Cu doping on the properties of La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ samples is apparently caused by an additional distortion introduced into the crystal lattice of the material and by a weakening of the double-exchange mechanism.     

Local atomic and magnetic structures of nanocrystalline Fe75Cr10B15 alloy

The crystal, local atomic and magnetic structures of Fe₇₅Cr₁₀B₁₅ alloys annealed at 440?C473°C for 5 min have been studied using X-ray diffraction and ⁵⁷Fe M?ssbauer spectroscopy. At the annealing temperature T _a = 440°C, nanocrystals of the ??-Fe phase (??1%) precipitate in the amorphous matrix of the alloy. The complete crystallization of the amorphous alloy occurs at T _a = 473°C with the formation of ??-Fe nanocrystals 26 ± 2 nm in size and nanocrystals of tetragonal boride t-Fe₃B 47 ± 2 nm in size. It has been found that chromium atoms are located in nanocrystals of the ??-Fe and y-Fe₃B types. The distribution functions of hyperfine fields in the nanocrystalline Fe₇₅Cr₁₀B₁₅ alloy reconstructed from the M?ssbauer spectra (at T _a = 473°C) show that there are three allowed states of iron atoms in the ??-Fe phase and three equally probable crystallographic nonequivalent states of iron in the t-(Fe,Cr)₃B phase. The chromium concentration x in the ??-Fe(Cr) phase is found to be ??10 at %. The substitution of chromium atoms for iron atoms in t-Fe₃B substantially decreases local magnetic moments of the iron atoms.     

Mössbauer study of the intermetallic compound Nd2Fe14B. II. Temperature dependence and spin reorientation

The ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer effects of Nd₂Fe₁₄B were measured in a temperature range of 4.2−300 K. Below the spin reorientation transition temperature T_sc = 148 K, the spectra were satisfactorily analyzed with twelve Zeeman sextuplets due to splitting of six crystallographic Fe-sites into twelve non-equivalent sites. It was shown that the magnetic moments of the Fe and the Nd atoms are non-collinearly coupled in the magnetic structure with canted moments below T_sc. The directions of the moments at 4.2 K are inclined at 27° for Fe and at 58° for Nd from the c-axis to the [110] direction. The average moments are 2.27μ_B for Fe and 3.3μ_B for Nd at 4.2 K. The increase of the average hyperfine field with decreasing temperature is suppressed below T_sc, and its value at 4.2 K is reduced by 1% from the value of 337 kOe which is observed in Y₂Fe₁₄B and also estimated for Nd₂Fe₁₄B by extrapolating the values above T_sc. On the other hand, the Nd moment increases abruptly around T_sc as the temperature decreases. The directions of the principal axes of electric field gradients on the six distinct Fe-sites were also obtained. The anomalous temperature dependence of quadrupole splittings and isomer shifts was observed around T_sc. They were discussed in a framework of the changes in the band structure and the lattice parameters incidental to the spin reorientation transition.     

Magnetic and related properties of GdCu5.1In6.9

Magnetic measurements performed between 1.7 and 300K show that GdCu_5.1In_6.9 is an antiferromagnet below T _N = 13.4(1) K. At temperatures 17–300K the Curie-Weiss law is followed with p _eff = 7.57 μ _B and θ = -33.8K. Electrical resistivity measurements do not show any pronounced anomaly, but the resistivity is rather low with RRR ≈ 59. The EPR experiment shows that the resonance exists between 10 and 300 K. A temperature independent g-shift (Δg = -0.036(10)) and a Korringa.type linewidth broadening of 2.6 G/K was observed at temperatures higher than 55 K. The linewith increase found at high temperature well above T _N can suggest a significant amount of short. range order. ¹⁵⁵Gd Mössbauer effect examinations show that H _hf is perpendicular to the c-axis and therefore magnetic moments of Gd are located within the ab-plane.     

Transport properties of CeCu6 single crystals

The electrical resistivity ? and the thermoelectric power of CeCu₆ single crystals are strongly anisotropic. The inverse of the temperature of the Kondo resistivity maximum (T_max) roughly scales the linear temperature coefficient B of ? as well as the residual value (?₀ ÷ B ÷ 1/T_max). Along the [1 0 0] direction ? follows a T² Fermi-liquid law between 30 and 90 mK. The thermoelectric power is positive over the investigated temperature range (1–300 K) and shows two contributions.     

A new ferromagnetic thiospinel CuCrZrS4 with re-entrant spin-glass behaviour

A new thiospinel CuCrZrS₄ has been successfully synthesized by a solid-state chemical reaction. This CuCrZrS₄ exhibits ferromagnetic properties below the Curie temperature at T _c = 60 -2 K. The appearance of irreversible effect between field-cooled and zero-field-cooled magnetization is prominent below around 5 K in a magnetic field of less than 150 Oe. The ac susceptibility χ_AC shows a rapid decrease below about 10 K. This low magnetic-field behaviour indicates the existence of a re-entrant spin-glass phase below about 10 K. The dc magnetic susceptibility above 100 K shows Curie-Weiss behaviour with an effective magnetic moment of 3.61 μ _B, which is a little less than the spin-only value of 3.87 μ _B for the Cr³⁺ ion. The asymptotic Curie temperature θ _P is approximately 65 K, which is a little higher than T _c. The valence state is confirmed to be Cu⁺Cr³⁺Zr⁴⁺S₄ ^2? on the basis of magnetic properties. The electrical resistivity ρ shows a semiconducting temperature dependence over the temperature range from 4.2 to 280 K with an activation energy of 6.84 210^?3 eV in the higher temperature range from 50 to 283 K.     

Optical investigation of DyFeO3

Optical absorption spectra of DyFeO₃ have been investigated at 1.2≦T≦4.2 °K, andT=77 °K From the temperature dependent lineshift a Néel temperature ofT _N=(3.8±0.5) °K is deduced for the dysprosium sublattices. The groundstate splitting due to the iron-dysprosium interactions is about 1.5 cm^?1 and due to the dysprosiumdysprosium interactions (5.0±1.4) cm^?1. Zeeman studies give the magnetic moment of the dysprosium ions asμ=(9.2±1.0)μ _B.     

Electronic and magnetic properties of layered LnFePO (Ln=La and Ce)

Effects of the replacement of La with Ce on the electronic and magnetic properties of a layered superconductor LaFePO (T_c=∼5 K) were studied. Polycrystalline samples of CeFePO, prepared by a solid-state reaction, showed metallic conduction down to 2 K without exhibiting superconducting transition, although the resistivity decreased largely at temperatures below 30 K. Further, they showed an apparent positive magnetoresistance (MR) below ∼2 K, superposed on a negative MR. Temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility is decomposed to a temperature-sensitive Curie-Weiss component presumably due to the Ce³⁺ ions with a magnetic moment of 1.98μ_B and a less temperature-sensitive component attributable to itinerant electrons. The magnetic interaction between Ce³⁺ ions and itinerant electrons in CeFePO likely suppresses the superconducting transition observed in LaFePO.     

Electrical resistivity measurements on the Cu2MnAl heusler alloy

Electrical resistivity measurements have been performed on the Cu₂MnAl Heusler alloy in the temperature range from 4.2 to 500°K. An AT⁵ functionality was found for 4.2°K ? = T ? 15°K, evidencing a Bloch-Grüneisen electron-phonon scattering mechanism. For 270°K ? T ? 500°K the resistivity may be described by the AT + BT² polynomial. The linear term is interpreted as due to the electron-phonon scattering process while the quadratic term may be ascribed to an electronic scattering due to a Spin disorder type relaxation process. The experimental results fail to provide evidences of s-d scattering of the conduction electrons.