A Brillouin study of the temperature-dependence of the acoustic modes across the insulator-metal transitions in V2O3 and Cr-doped V2O3

Brillouin scattering studies have been carried out on high-quality single crystals of undoped and 0.9% Cr-doped V₂O₃. The observed modes in both the samples at ∼12 and ∼60 GHz are associated with the surface Rayleigh wave (SRW) and bulk acoustic wave (BAW), respectively. In the undoped sample, the mode frequencies of the SRW and BAW modes decrease as the temperature is lowered from room temperature to the insulator-metal transition temperature (T_IM=T_N=∼130 K). Below the transition, the modes show hardening. In the doped sample, the SRW mode shows a similar temperature-dependence as the undoped one, but the BAW mode shows hardening from room temperature down to the lowest temperature (50 K). This is the first measurement of the sound velocity below T_IM in the V₂O₃ system. The softening of the SRW frequency from 330 K to T_IM can be qualitatively understood on the basis of the temperature-dependence of C₄₄, which, in turn, is related to the orbital fluctuations in the paramagnetic metallic phase. The hardening of the mode frequencies below T_IM suggests that C₄₄ must increase in the antiferromagnetic insulating phase, possibly due to the orbital ordering.     

Evidence for instability in charge ordering Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3

The transport properties and magnetic phase transitions of charge ordering manganites Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ have been investigated. From resistivity measurements, a continuous increase of resistivity upon the thermal cycling occurs at , and shows an instable behavior in the system. The experimental results of magnetization and electron-spin-resonance spectra indicate that the ferromagnetic phase and antiferromagnetic phase coexist in a broad temperature region. We think that the origin of the instability stems from an inhomogeneous strain yielded in the ferromagnetic interface, due to the competition among different phases.     

Analysis of low temperature specific heat in Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 and R0.5Ca0.5MnO3 (R=Nd,Sm, Dy and Ho) compounds

We report on the specific heat C(T) of doped manganites Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃, Nd_0.5Ca_0.5MnO₃, Sm_0.5Ca_0.5MnO₃, Dy_0.5Ca_0.5MnO₃ and Ho_0.5Ca_0.5MnO₃ in the temperature range 2?T?300 K using modified rigid ion model (MRIM). The present specific heat results are in general satisfactory agreement with experimental data except at very low temperatures (i.e. T?12 K). Also a sharp peak observed in the experimental results for these compounds around 5 K could not be revealed by our computed results as they arise due to Schottky-like anomaly. Besides, we have reported the cohesive and the thermal properties of these compounds. The results obtained by us are discussed in detail.     

Electron spin resonance study of the Ba-doping manganite Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3

We have performed magnetization measurements and electron spin resonance （ESR） on polycrystalline manganites of Nd0.5Sr0.5-xBaxMnO3 （x = 0.1）. Phase separation and phase transitions are observed from the susceptibility and the ESR spectra data. Between 260 K （～ Tc） and 185 K （～ TN）, the system coexists of the paramagnetic phase and the ferromagnetic （FM） phase. Between 185 K and 140 K, the system coexists of the FM phase and the antiferromagnetic （AFM） phase. These results indicate that the system has a very complex magnetic state due to the origin of the instability stemming from manganite Nd0.5Sr0.4Ba0.1MnO3 by partially substituting the larger Ba^2＋ ions for the smaller Sr^2＋ ions.     

Magnetic excitations in (SiO2)Co nano-composite films: Brillouin light scattering study

Behaviour of magnetic excitations in the Damon-Eshbach (DE) and backward volume (BV) geometries in nano-composite (SiO₂)_100−xCo_x (50% at<x<80% at) films has been studied by Brillouin light scattering (BLS). It has been shown that it is the structure of Stokes/anti-Stokes BLS lines in the DE geometry that allows reliable identification of dipole-exchange spin waves (SW) and numerical estimation of the value of the effective exchange constant A_eff of a super-ferromagnetic nano-granular sample (x=80% at).     

Intrinsic inhomogeneity and non-linear conduction in charge-ordered Bi0.5Ca0.4Sr0.1MnO3

Systematic studies of X-ray, magnetic, electronic transport, and elastic properties have been performed on polycrystalline Bi_0.5Ca_0.4Sr_0.1MnO₃ sample. The sample exhibits charge ordering (CO) state below T_CO (=304 K), accompanied by a distinct maximum in magnetization. The softening of Young's modulus in the vicinity of T_CO indicates that there is a strong coupling of electron-phonon due to Jahn-Teller (JT) effect. The dynamic ferromagnetic spin correlations are observed at high temperatures above T_CO, which are replaced by antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin fluctuations at a concomitant CO transition. Below 32 K, a spin-glass (SG) state dominates at low temperatures. The voltage-current (V-I) characteristics measurement results indicate that the non-linear conduction starts above a threshold current, giving rise to a region of negative differential resistance (NDR). The origin of the non-linear conduction is discussed in view of current induced collapse of CO state associated with phase-separation mechanism.     

Structure and magnetization studies of Nd0.5−xPrxSr0.5MnO3 system

The structural and magnetic properties of Nd_0.5−xPr_xSr_0.5MnO₃ (x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5) system have been investigated. With the substitution of Pr in Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃, it shows a gradual structure transformation from the Imma orthorhombic symmetry to the tetragonal I4/mcm phase, and the crystallographic transition remains incomplete, even in Pr_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃. A large bifurcation between zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) susceptibility has been observed below Curie temperature (T_C), which is characteristic of coexistence of ferromagnetism (FM) and antiferromagnetism (AFM) at low temperature region. The magnetization of Pr_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ is larger than that of Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃, while Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ with more CE-type AFM shows larger magnetization than Nd_0.3Pr_0.2Sr_0.5MnO_3, which mixed with CE-type (majority) and A-type (minority) AFM at low temperature, indicating that the magnetization of Nd_0.5−xPr_xSr_0.5MnO₃ system is affected by A-site disorder combined with orbital ordering of A-type AFM and CE-type AFM.     

Size-induced ferromagnetism and metallicity in Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 nanoparticles: A neutron diffraction study

The phenomenon of destabilization of antiferromagnetic insulating state into a ferromagnetic metallic one in Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ with the variation of particle/grain size is critically investigated. Based on our neutron diffraction study, magnetic and transport experiments, we observe ferromagnetism and metallic behavior in Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ (∼40 nm grain size) as against A-type antiferromagnetic order in the sample with the largest grain size (∼800 nm). The latter shows a systematic change in the lattice parameters with temperature, and an antiferromagnetic ground state similar to that of a bulk system. Interestingly, the sample with the smallest grain sizes exhibits insignificant structural changes (compared to the largest grain size sample) but a complete change in the magnetic state (ferromagnetic behavior) as revealed from the neutron diffraction study. Magnetic measurements also confirm a ferromagnetic state in the small-grained sample. Electronic transport measurements exhibit a metal-insulator transition in this sample. The effects are primarily attributed to enhanced surface disorder.     

Sound velocity in La0.5Ca0.5MnO3

In this Letter the microscopic theory of the relative change in velocity of sound with temperature of La_0.5Ca_0.5MnO₃ is reported. The phonon Green function is calculated using the Green function technique of Zubarev in the limit of zero wave vector and low temperature. The lattice model electronic Hamiltonian in the presence of the phonon interaction with hybridization between the conduction electrons and the l-electrons is used. The relative change in velocity of sound at various temperatures is studied for different model parameters namely the position of the l-level, the effective phonon coupling strength and hybridization strength. The phonon anomalies observed experimentally at different temperatures are explained theoretically. An abrupt change in velocity at Neel temperature (TN) is observed clearly. It is observed that different parameters influence the velocity of sound.     

Nd0.5Sr0.4Pb0.1MnO3的结构和磁性

通过室温下的中子衍射和磁性测量对多晶样品Nd_0.5Sr_0.4Pb_{0 .1}MnO₃ 的结构和磁性进行了实验研究.中子衍射结果表明，该样品具有正交的钙钛矿结构，空间群 是Pnma，即结构发生了晶场畸变.由M-T和R-T曲线可知，居里温度T_C=273 K ，其特征是随着温度的增加样品经历了从铁磁金属态转变到顺磁半导态，且转变温度T _p＝225 K；用锰氧化物晶场和双交换作用的竞争解 关键词： 结构 磁性 中子衍射 晶场畸变 p')" href="#">转变温度T_p 双交换作用     

Effect of Ca doping on the magnetic properties of Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 studied by electron spin resonance

The magnetic properties of Ca-doped Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ have been studied by electron spin resonance (ESR) and dc magnetization measurements. The antiferromagnetic order and charge order are found to occur separately at T_N=200 K and T_co=150 K, respectively. Compared to the undoped Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃, the ferromagnetic correlations are suppressed by doping of the small Ca²⁺ ion. In addition, the antiferromagnetic transition temperature is enhanced to 200 K, which can be explained by an increase of superexchange interaction between Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ ions as their distance decreases.     

Magnetic properties of Nd0.5Pb0.5—xSrxMnO3 materials

The structure and magnetic properties of Nd_{0.5}Pb_{0.5-x}Sr_xMnO_3 (0≤x≤0.4) manganites were systematically investigated. Significant changes in Curie temperature and metal-insulator (MI) transition temperature of the samples were observed. All samples exhibited a transition from paramagnetic semiconducting to ferromagnetic metallic state. Curie temperature T_C and the MI transition temperature T_p increased with increasing Sr content. We attributed these behaviours to the enhancing of both the double exchange mechanism and the Jahn－Teller electron－phonon coupling.     

Heisenberg-like ferromagnetism and percolative conductivity in the half-doped manganite Nd0.5Ca0.25Sr0.25MnO3

The magnetic behavior and electronic transport in the half-doped manganite Nd_0.5Ca_0.25Sr_0.25MnO₃ have been investigated. The critical exponents are studied by using isothermal magnetization methods. The results show that the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition is second order and the magnetic interaction is satisfied with the prediction of three-dimensional Heisenberg model. The electronic transport belongs to the percolation mechanism. These findings demonstrate that the critical behavior of the magnetic transition and conductivity for manganites are related to Mn-site ordering degree.     

Influence of microstructures on exchange bias behaviors of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/La0.33Ca0.67MnO3 bilayers

Ferromagnetic La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ (LSMO) and antiferromagnetic La_0.33Ca_0.67MnO₃ (LCMO) layers were grown on SrTiO₃ (STO) substrates by the pulsed laser deposition technique. LSMO films had rougher surfaces and larger grain sizes than LCMO films. Fully strained bilayers, in which each layer was as thin as 10 nm, were prepared by changing their stacking sequences, i.e. LSMO/LCMO/STO and LCMO/LSMO/STO. The former had higher T_C (350 K) than the latter (300 K), and exchange bias effects were only observed in the former bilayers. This revealed that microstructures could play an important role in the transport and magnetic properties of manganese oxide thin films.     

Electrical conduction through bond percolation in Nd0.67Sr0.33MnO3

We report our analysis of resistivity data on Nd_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃ polycrystalline samples as a function of preparative conditions using a bond percolation model for a random mixture of metallic and insulating regions, assuming polaronic transport above and below the metal-insulator (M-I) transition temperature. Our analysis suggests that for oxygen deficient compounds the M-I transition that occurs at a lower temperature than the ferromagnetic transition arises from a percolation of the metallic regions. The temperature dependence of resistivity and thermopower suggests the existence of a bimodal distribution of conductivities.     

Research on charge-ordering state in La0.5Sr0.5MnO2.88 and La0.5Sr0.5Mn0.5Ti0.5O3 systems

The structural, magnetic and transport properties of La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO_2.88 and La_0.5Sr_0.5Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O₃ samples have been investigated systematically. Indeed, this series has been considered to understand the influence of physical parameters such as oxygen deficiency and titanium doping effect in undoped La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ sample. Ceramic material based on La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO_2.88 exhibits interesting behaviours of charge-ordering (CO), ferromagnetic (FM) states and a good conductivity down to the lowest temperatures. The substitution of Ti for Mn destroyed drastically the CO, damaged the motion of itinerant e_g electrons and changed the local parameters of perovskite cell. A change of the structure from tetragonal to rhombohedral symmetry is observed causing a weakening of double-exchange interaction. The experiment results show that the suppression of the CO is sensitive to the variety of Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ratio. In a field of 8 T at 10 K, FM and CO phase can be evaluated to be ∼20:80 according to the μ_exp/μ_cal ratio for La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO_2.88, whereas the CO state is suppressed for La_0.5Sr_0.5Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O₃ sample, FM and anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) phase are coexisted and evaluated to be ∼54:46, respectively.     

Large magnetoresistance induced by surface ferromagnetism in A-type antiferromagnetic La0.4Sr0.6MnO3 nanoparticles

Grain size effects on magnetic and transport properties for heavily Sr-doped A-type antiferromagnetic La_0.4Sr_0.6MnO₃ ceramics were studied. It was observed that with decrease in grain size, surface ferromagnetism could be introduced due to bond-breaking at surfaces. With decrease in grain size, the surface ferromagnetism was enhanced, and the phase transition order distinguished from the Arrott plot was a second one. The surface-induced ferromagnetism was insulating as judged from transport properties. With decrease in grain size, magnetoresistance was largely improved for both high magnetic and low magnetic fields. Under a 500 Oe magnetic field, the magnetoresistance is improved from 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.03% and 0.02% for the sample with grain size of 150 nm at 10, 100, 200 and 300 K, respectively, to 3%, 2.3%, 0.43% and 0.12% for the sample with grain size of 20 nm at 10, 100, 200 and 300 K. It was interesting to find that large magnetoresistance could be induced due to the surface ferromagnetism in A-type antiferromagnetic La_0.4Sr_0.6MnO₃ nanoparticles, which suggested that it was possible to search for manganites with relatively high low-field magnetoresistance in nanostructured A-type antiferromagnetic materials.     

Nd0.7Sr0.3MnO3陶瓷EPIR效应的起源

用两线法和四线法对球磨合成后热处理的Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃陶瓷样品的电脉冲诱导电阻转变(EPIR)效应进行了测试.结果表明:在Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃块体中用四线法测得的I-V曲线为非线性,说明Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃样品在晶(相)界处存在空间电荷层和界面电阻.但用四线法测量EPIR效应时,没有EPIR效应发生,表明晶(相)界处的空间电荷层和肖特基势垒不能产生EPIR效应;对同一样品采用直流两线法测量,其I-V曲线也为非线性,但却发生明显的EPIR效应.说明在Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃陶瓷中发现的EPIR效应起源于样品与电极之间的接触界面,块体内的晶(相)界处虽能产生相似I-V特性,但却不能发生EPIR效应. 关键词： 电脉冲诱导电阻转变(EPIR) 亚锰酸盐 空间电荷层 I-V非线性')" href="#">I-V非线性     

Revival of metastable behavior in phase separated La0.5Ca0.5MnO3+δ

The La_xCa_1−xMnO_3+δ compositions close to charge ordering (x∼0.5) show a gradual relaxation from a metallic/ferromagnetic state to an insulating/antiferromagnetic state with thermal cycling. Here, we report on the magnetic relaxation in the metastable state and also the revival of the metastable state (in a relaxed sample) due to high temperature thermal treatment. We also show the changes in the magnetization and the thermoelectric power as the revived metastable state is cycled. We find that the changes in the thermoelectric power extend well into the region above the charge ordering temperatures. This suggests that the micro-structural changes accompanying the thermal cycling leave their imprint in the paramagnetic insulating state as well.