Metastable structure and properties of (La0.73Bi0.27)0.67Ca0.33MnO3

The electrical transport and magnetic properties of high Bi doped (La_0.73Bi_0.27)_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ are studied at the temperature and magnetic field ranges from 10 to 300 K and 0 to 3 T. Significant temperature and magnetic field hystereses are observed in both resistivity and magnetization measurements. Meanwhile, an enhanced magnetoresistance effect, within a wide temperature window, is obtained in the (La_0.73Bi_0.27)_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃. The hysteresis and enhanced magnetoresistance are discussed based on an inhomogeneous metastable structure related to the Bi dopant.     

Magnetic properties of the bilayer manganese oxide (Pr0.6La0.4)1.2Sr1.8Mn2O7 under pressure

We investigated the effect of pressure on the magnetic properties of a single crystal of the bilayer manganese oxide (Pr_0.6La_0.4)_1.2Sr_1.8Mn₂O₇ by means of DC magnetization measurements under pressure. The ferromagnetic transition, which is accompanied by a metal-insulator transition, is highly sensitive to pressure. The pressure causes a structural variation, which affects the magnetic properties. We discuss the pressure dependence of the 3d electronic state of the Mn ion in this system.     

Enhancement of magnetoresistances at room temperature in YSZ doping La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 system

The temperature dependence of the resistance of composite samples (1−x)La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃+xYSZ with different YSZ doping level x was investigated at magnetic fields 0-3 T, where YSZ represents yttria-stabilized zirconia. Results show that the YSZ dopant does not only adjust the metal-insulator transition temperature, but also increases the magnetoresistance effect. With increase of YSZ doping level for the range of x<2%, the metal-insulator transition temperature values T_P of the composites decrease, but T_P increases with increase of x further for the range of x>2%. Meanwhile, in the YSZ-doped composites, a broad metal-insulator transition temperature region was found at zero and low magnetic field, which results in an obvious enhanced magnetoresistance in the temperature range 10-350 K. Specially, a larger magnetoresistance value was observed at room temperature at 3 T, which is encouraging with regard to the potential application of magnetoresistance materials.     

The effect of Gd-doping on the charge ordering state of Bi0.3−xGdxCa0.7MnO3 (0≤x≤0.30)

The effect of Gd-doping on the charge ordering (CO) state in perovskite-type manganates Bi_0.3−xGd_xCa_0.7MnO₃ with x=0, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.3 has been investigated by transport and magnetic property measurements. It is found that CO temperature (T_CO) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering temperature T_N occurring below T_CO decrease obviously with increasing Gd-doping level. Accompanying the variation of T_CO, the increased magnetization and the decreased resistivity are observed. In addition, the increased magnetic inhomogeneity has been also observed in the samples based on the difference between the zero-field-cooling (ZFC) magnetization M_ZFC and field-cooling (FC) magnetization M_FC, which is ascribed to the competition between ferromagnetic (FM) phase induced by Gd-doping and CO AFM phase. The experimental results indicate that the Bi³⁺ lone pair electron with 6s² character plays a dominating role on the CO state of Bi_0.3Ca_0.7MnO₃.     

Magnetocaloric effect in La0.75Sr0.25MnO3 manganite

The polycrystalline manganite La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ prepared by an alternative carbonate precipitation route reveals the rhombohedral perovskite structure. Magnetization isotherms measured up to 2 T are used to determine Curie temperature of 332 K by means of Arrott plot. Maximum of magnetic entropy change is found at Curie temperature. The relative cooling power equal to 64 J/kg for 1.5 T magnetic field, is superior as compared to the manganite with the same chemical composition from the sol-gel method.     

Room temperature magnetoresistance in Ln2/3A1/3MnO3 manganites

The investigation of the manganites La_2/3−xPr_xSr_1/3MnO₃, La_2/3Sr_1/3−xCa_xMnO₃ and La_2/3+xCa_1/3−2xAg_xMnO₃, which all exhibit Mn³⁺:Mn⁴⁺=2, shows that it is possible to reach high magnetoresistance at room temperature, up to 21% under 1.2 T. These materials are compared to La_5/6Ag_1/6MnO₃ which corresponds to the same Mn³⁺:Mn⁴⁺ ratio and exhibits a magnetoresistance of 25% in this field. An interesting feature deals with the value of the insulator-metal transition temperature T_IM, often higher than T_C, especially for Ag-based compounds. It is suggested that the latter results either from a better oxygenation of the surface of the grains or from a migration of silver toward the surface.     

Electrical transport behavior of La0.67Ca0.33MnO3/Fe3O4 composites

The influence of Fe₃O₄ contents on the electrical transport properties (resistivity and ac susceptibility) of a series of composite samples of La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃/Fe₃O₄ is studied. Results show that the Fe₃O₄ phase not only shifts the intrinsic insulator-metal (I-M) transition temperature T_P1 to a lower temperature, but also causes a new I-M transition at a lower temperature T_P2 (T_P2<T_P1). On the basis of an analysis by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, we suggest that the decrease of the I-M transition temperature and the formation of the new I-M transition are caused by the segregation of a new phases related to the Fe₃O₄ at grain boundaries or surfaces of the La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ grains.     

Investigation of FIB irradiation damage in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films

In this work we analyse systematically how morphological and magnetotransport properties of manganite thin films are affected by the damage induced by focused ion beam (FIB) irradiation. We irradiate different areas of the same sample with doses ranging from 5×10¹² to 3×10¹⁷ ions/cm² and we find that the film becomes swollen for doses up to 10¹⁶ ions/cm² and is eventually eroded by ion milling for further irradiation. On the other hand, transport properties are much more sensitive to FIB irradiation: the metal–insulator transition temperature is found to decrease monotonically with increasing doses up to 1.8×10¹³ ions/cm². At doses higher than 5.6×10¹³ ions/cm² the metallic state is completely suppressed and likely, also ferromagnetism.     

Electric current-induced giant electroresistance in epitaxial La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 thin films

The electronic transport behavior of La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃ epitaxial thin films with different thicknesses has been investigated under various applied DC currents. The 20 and 70 nm thick films show a giant negative electroresistance (ER). In contrast, the films with 100 nm thickness show unusual giant positive ER, which can reach 30% with the current density of 1.8×10⁸ A/cm² at room temperature. It is interesting that the electric current can also change the magnetoresistance of the films. The results were explained by considering the spin polarized current induced increase of ferromagnetic metallic phase and current-induced lattice distortion via electron wind force under high current density.     

Frequency dependence of the resistive switching effect in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+y/Ag film heterocontacts

In this work we have performed the relaxation studies “in situ” of the electron instability effect (EIE) in the heterostructures based on BSCCO single crystals. The new effect of suppression of EIE or colossal electroresistance via application of an alternating low frequency electric field to the heterojunctions in the BSCCO-based single crystals has been found. It has been shown that the top possible frequencies for observation of the effect are of the order of 10³ Hz. This fact is interpreted as accumulation of the oxygen ions driven by the electric field to the interface. On the other hand, it has been shown that the switching events are limited by two time processes: t≈1 ms and about ten seconds. The first ones are caused by rearrangement of a charge net in the degraded surface at the electric field switching. The latter are caused by oxygen diffusion to vacancies under electric field above some threshold value. The considered experimental data confirm the correlation character of the HTSC properties as Mott systems, which appears in extreme sensitivity to the doping level, in the tendency to phase separation under external actions, in the hysteresis character of the metal-insulator transition.     

Study of the magnetization and transport properties of the La(2+x)/3Sr(1−x)/3Mn1−xCrxO3 (0≤x≤0.2) system

The samples with the Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ratio fixed at 2:1 La_(2+x)/3Sr_(1−x)/3Mn_1−xCr_xO₃ (0≤x≤0.20) have been prepared. The magnetic, electrical transport, and magnetoresistance properties have been investigated. Remarkable transport and colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) effect, as well as cluster glass (CG) behaviors have been clearly observed in the samples studied. It was found that the Curie temperature T_c and insulator−metal transition temperature T_p1 are strongly affected by Cr substitution. The experiment observations are discussed by taking into account the variety of tolerance factors t; the effects of A-site radius 〈r_A〉 and the A-site mismatch effect (σ²).     

Magnetic properties of the charge ordered Nd0.75Na0.25MnO3

Nd_0.75Na_0.25MnO₃ polycrystalline ceramic is prepared via sol-gel process and its magnetic properties and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra have been investigated experimentally. As the compound is cooled from room temperature, a charge-ordered state first develops below 170 K. A high magnetic field melts the charge ordered state and stabilizes a ferromagnetic (FM) state below 170 K. A field induced transition, analogous to a spin flip transition, is observed between 40 and 170 K. The critical temperature for spin flip increases with increasing temperature. Below 130 K, the compound tends to be intrinsically inhomogeneous, i.e. FM clusters and paramagnetic domains coexist in this system at least, which is confirmed by ESR measurements. When the external magnetic field is zero, long range FM interaction is not developed in this system; however, a tendency of re-entrant FM transition is observed in this compound.     

Magnetic properties and charge ordering in Pr0.75Na0.25MnO3 manganite

The structural and magnetic properties of Pr_0.75Na_0.25MnO₃ have been investigated experimentally. At room temperature, the compound shows paramagnetic characteristic. Along with decreasing temperature, a peak appears in the magnetization versus temperature curve around 220 K. To clarify whether this peak is associated with the ordering arrangement of Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ ions, electron diffraction experiments were carried out below and above 220 K respectively. Only basic Brag diffraction spots can be observed at high temperatures, however, superlattice diffraction appears below 220 K. This provides direct evidence for the existence of charge ordering in Pr_0.75Na_0.25MnO₃. We find the Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ cations form zigzag chains in a-c plane by analyzing the diffraction patterns. Combining with the magnetization measurements and the results of electron spin resonance, we confirm the antiferromagnetic phase and ferromagnetic component coexist in Pr_0.75Na_0.25MnO₃ below 120 K.     

Magnetic ordering in La0.75Sr0.25CrO3: A neutron diffraction study

Low-temperature neutron diffraction measurements were carried out on a powder sample of the compound La_0.75Sr_0.25CrO₃ in order to elucidate its magnetic structure. Rietveld analysis of the neutron diffraction data, as a function of temperature, showed that it possesses a G-type antiferromagnetic alignment of Cr spins at all temperatures below 300 K. Down to the lowest achievable temperature, viz. 17 K, the Cr site moments were found to be the weighted average of the 75% Cr³⁺ and 25% Cr⁴⁺ spin-only ionic moments. At 17 K, the Cr site moment was 2.71(5) μ_B/Cr ion. There is no observable change in the Cr–O bond lengths as a function of temperature. The tilt angles of the CrO₆ octahedra marginally increase with decreasing temperature.     

Structural, magnetic and transport properties in the manganites La0.7Sr0.3−xTexMnO3 (0≤x≤0.15)

The effect of Te-doping at La-site on structural, magnetic and transport properties in the manganites La_0.7Sr_0.3−xTe_xMnO₃ (0≤x≤0.15) has been investigated. All samples show a rhombohedral structure with the space group . It shows that the Mn-O-Mn bond angle decreases and the Mn-O bond length increases with the increase of Te content. The Curie temperature T_C decreases with increasing Te-doping level, in contrast, the magnetization magnitude of Te-doping samples at low temperatures increase with increasing x as x≤0.05 and then decrease with further increasing x to 0.15. The results are discussed in terms of the combined effects of the opening of the new double exchange (DE) channel between Mn²⁺-O-Mn³⁺ due to the introduction of Mn²⁺ ions because of the substitution of Te⁴⁺ for Sr²⁺ and the reduction of the transfer integral b due to the decrease of the Mn-O-Mn bond angle.     

Hall effect in a GdBa2Cu3O7−δ/La0.75Sr0.25MnO3 perovskite bilayer

We present results on the Hall coefficient R_H in the normal state for a GdBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ/La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ bilayer and a La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ film grown by dc magnetron sputtering on (1 0 0) SrTiO₃. We find that the electric transport on the bilayer can be qualitatively described using a simple parallel layers model. The GdBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ layer presents a carrier density approximately equal to that reported for 7 − δ = 6.85 oxygen doping. Also we observe an unexpected presence of two Hall resistivity regimes, effects that may be associated with the internal magnetic field induced on the superconducting layer by the ferromagnetic layer.     

Characterization of the magnetic properties of a GdBa2Cu3O7/La0.75Sr0.25MnO3 superlattice using off-axis electron holography

Off-axis electron holography is used to characterize the magnetic properties of a GdBa₂Cu₃O₇/La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ superlattice below the Curie temperature of the manganite layers, in both cross-sectional and plan-view geometry. The samples were prepared for electron microscopy using focused ion beam milling. Differences between the magnetic properties of successive manganite layers are observed in the cross-sectional sample. Magnetic ripple contrast and weakly magnetic regions are observed in plan-view geometry. Although the results may be affected by sample preparation for electron microscopy, the observed differences between the magnetic properties of the manganite layers are consistent between the different samples examined.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of polaron optical properties in KNbO3 perovskite

Time-resolved absorption and luminescence spectra have been measured in KNbO₃ perovskite crystals after pulsed band-gap excitation by 200 fs laser pulses and 10 ns electron pulses. Quantum chemical calculations using the large unit cell periodic model support the interpretation of the observed transient absorption bands at 0.8 and 1.1 eV as the self-trapped electron polarons and bound hole polarons, respectively. The activation energy for the 2.2 eV green luminescence quenching is 0.05 eV. We suggest that the short lifetime (<15 ns) of the luminescence at RT is caused by the radiative recombination of nearest electron and hole polarons.     

Exchange bias effect in multiferroic Eu0.75Y0.25MnO3

The exchange bias phenomenon has been investigated in multiferroic Eu_0.75Y_0.25MnO₃. The material shows a weak ferromagnetism with cone spin configuration induced by external magnetic field below 30 K. Consequently, the electric polarization coming from the cycloid spin order below 30 K can be suppressed by external magnetic fields. The magnetic hysteresis loops after cooling in a magnetic field exhibit characteristics of exchange bias below the spin glassy freezing temperature (T_g)∼16 K. The exchange bias field, coercivity field, and remanent magnetization increase with increasing cooling magnetic field. The exchange bias effect is ascribed to the frozen uncompensated spins at the antiferromagnetism/weak ferromagnetism interfaces in the spin-glass like phase.     

Control of p-type conductivity in Sr doped LaTiO3 thin films

We report on in situ growth by pulsed laser deposition of Sr-doped LaTiO₃ (Sr, 0<x<0.1) thin films, with epitaxial c-axis perovskite structure. According to the increase of Sr doping, resistivity of samples decreases and films reveal metallic behaviour. We found that both crystallographic and electrical properties are very sensitive to oxygen pressure during the deposition. The charge carrier was found to be p-type for Sr doping from 0 to 10% and mobility is much higher than previously reported.