Strain engineering tunable nanotemplates on the Cu(110)–(2 × 1)–O surface

We present an STM study on the domain pattern formation of the Cu(110)–O surface. We found that the separation of the oxygen adsorbate phase into the domain pattern is consistent with a phenomenological model of size-dependent elastic relaxation of the strained surface. We developed a thermally assisted oxygen adsorption procedure aiming to control the size of the two-dimensional (2 × 1)–O islands nucleated at the surface under oxygen adsorption serving as precursors for domain pattern formation. We engineered wide range tuneable (2 × 1)–O domain patterns by controlling the nuclei size and the oxygen coverage at the pattern formation stage.     

Radiation stability of M1 − xPrxF2 + x (M = Ca,Sr, Ba) crystals

The radiation stability of the mixed crystals M_1 ? xR_xF_2 + x (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) depends on types of the alkaline-earth and rare-earth ions. Different to Eu- and Ce-containing systems, M_1 ? xPr_xF_2 + x solid solutions have a low radiation resistance, which may be associated with hole trapping on praseodymium ion according to the reaction Pr³⁺ → Pr⁴⁺ which is typical for praseodymium. The coloration efficiency of M_1 ? xPr_xF_2 + x crystals grows in the row Ca → Sr → Ba, which is explained satisfactorily within the model of rare-earth clusters, the structure of which is determined by the ratio of the base alkaline-earth cation to the praseodymium ion radii.     

Approaches to the synthesis of High-TC superconducting oxides in La–Ba–Cu–O and Y–Ba–Cu–O systems

Abstract

High-T_C superconducting oxides of nominal La_1.85Ba_0.15 CuO₄ and YBa₂ Cu₃ O₇ have been prepared by using nitrate, carbonate, oxalate/malonate and citrate precursors. While the samples in the Y-system are generally monophasic YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ with T_C around 90K, the preparations in the La-system are biphasic containing K₂NiF₄-like La_1.85Ba_0.15 CuO₄ (T_C = 30K) and a perovskite-like phase with' a much higher T_C (200–300K). Effect of Ca, Zr, Ce as well as S substitution in YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ has also been investigated     

Atomic and nanostructures of monolayer c(2 × 2)NiN on Cu(0 0 1)

Structures of monolayer nickel nitride (NiN) on Cu(0 0 1) surface are studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Formations of Ni–N chemical bonds and NiN monolayer at the surface are confirmed by XPS on the N-adsorbed Cu(0 0 1) surfaces after Ni deposition and subsequent annealing to 670 K. A c(2 × 2) structure is always observed in the LEED patterns, which is a quite contrast to the (2 × 2)p4g structure observed usually at the N-adsorbed Ni(0 0 1) surface. Atomic images by STM indicate the mixture of Ni–N and Cu–N structures at the surface. Density of the trenches on the N-saturated surface decreases and the grid pattern on partially N-covered surfaces becomes disordered with increasing the Ni coverage. These results are attributed to the decrease of the surface compressive stress at the N-adsorbed Cu surface by mixing Ni atoms.     

Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of Bismuth Titanates Bi1.6HoxTi2O7 – δ and Bi1.6Mg0.1HoxTi2O7 – δ

Physics of the Solid State - Pyrochlores Bi1.6HoxTi2O7 – δ and Bi1.6Mg0.1Ho xTi2O7 – δ, where x = 0, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1, and...     

Structural Transformations of Ni1 – xCuxFe2O4 Nanoparticles Depending on the Number of Cu Ions

Physics of the Solid State - Changes in the structure and properties of the Ni1 – xCuxFe2O4 ferrites-spinel magnetic nanoparticles depending on the Cu ion concentration (0...     

Superconductivity in Pb-1212–Cu1−xPbxSr2Y0.6Ca0.4Cu2O7 (x = 0.5–0.9)

We report synthesis and superconductivity of Pb-1212–Cu_1?xPb_xSr₂Y_0.6Ca_0.4Cu₂O₇ (x = 0.5–0.9) compounds. These compounds were synthesized through solid-state reaction route with optimized sintering temperatures and conditions. In particular, one needs to employ reducing atmosphere conditions to achieve superconductivity in higher Pb content samples. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns reveals that all the compounds are crystallized in space group P4/mmm RE-123 structure. Superconductivity at 56 K (onset) is achieved for Pb content as high as 90%. Our study reveals that superconductivity and structure stabilization in Pb-based are more critical to synthesizing conditions than other cuprates. It is concluded that superconductivity can be introduced in Pb-1212 compounds by synthesizing the same in reducing atmosphere and thus the Pb in lower (<+4) valence state. This ensures the replacement of Cu–O_x chains of RE-123 by Pb–O_x sheets acting as charge reservoir carrier donating blocks.     

Superconductivity of Y–Ba–Cu–O and substituted systems

Superconductivity of Y-Ba-Cu-O system is studied in the composition 2:2:3 and 1:2:3 of Y:Ba:Cu. The effect of replacement of Y or Ba by divalent Sr and Ca, trivalent Ce and tetravalent Zr is studied. X-ray diffraction, SEM and TEM techniques are used for materials characterization. Superconducting transition temperatures are measured resistively. Rapid resistance drop observed above 230 K in Y-Ba-Sr-Cu-O and Y-Ba-Ca-Cu-O systems indicate the possible existence of superconductivity above 230 K. Substitution of Ce in place of Y is found to reduce the onset Tc from 95 K to 80 K. For the first time, replacement of Cu by Zr in Y-Ba-Cu-O has yielded the onset Tc of about 105 K.     

High-Temperature superconductivity in the Y–Ba–Cu–O system

High-temperature superconductivity in the Y-Ba-Cu-O system has been discussed with special reference to the identification and characterization of the pure monophasic compound responsible for the superconductivity. The crucial role of oxygen has been examined in the light of the structure and thermogravimetric analysis.     

Intercomparison of Fluctuation Induced Conductivity of Cu0.5Tl0.5Ba2Can−1CunO2n+4−y (n = 2, 3, 4) superconductor thin films

An intercomparison of Fluctuation Induced Conductivity (FIC) of Cu_0.5Tl_0.5Ba₂Ca_n?1Cu_nO_2n+4?y (n = 2, 3, 4) [CuTl-12(n ? 1)n] superconductor thin films is given. We tried to find any correlation between the critical temperature and the parameters extracted from the excess conductivity data i.e. cross-over temperature, pseudogap temperature and fluctuation amplitudes. We found that the critical temperature seems to depend on the fluctuation amplitude; greater the fluctuation amplitude higher is the critical temperature.     

Top-seeded infiltration growth of Y–Ba–Cu–O bulk superconductors

A top-seeded melt-growth (TSMG) process is widely used to fabricate single domain YBa₂Cu₃O_y (Y–Ba–Cu–O) bulk superconductors. Pores are often found in the TSMG-processed Y–Ba–Cu–O samples due to the oxygen gas evolution during the molten stage. Recently developed liquid infiltration growth (LIG) process is known to be effective in suppressing the pore evolution and in refining the size of Y₂BaCuO₅ (Y211) particles dispersed in YBa₂Cu₃O_y matrix. The LIG process utilizes the liquid (Ba₃Cu₅O₈) infiltration into a pre- sintered Y211 contact and slow cooling through a peritectic temperature. In this study, we fabricated bulk Y–Ba–Cu–O superconductors by the LIG process combined with top-seeding with SmBa₂Cu₃O_y seed and confirmed that a single-domain bulk can be produced. Trapped field measurements however showed that some distortion in the field distribution was observed in the region near the seed crystal, which was attributed to Y211 density and its relatively large size.     

Coexistence of magnetism and superconductivity in R1.4Ce0.6RuSr2Cu2O10 − δ(R = Eu,Sm and Gd)

The superconducting R_1.4Ce_0.6RuSr₂Cu₂O_10 − δ(R = Sm, Eu and Gd) withT_c ∼ 28, 32 and 42 K are also magnetically ordered atT_N ∼ 220, 122 and 180 K, respectively, thus,T_N ⪢ T_c. This is in contrast to intermetallic magnetic superconductors (such as RNi₂B₂C) in whichT_c ⪢  T_N. Magnetic susceptibility and Mossbauer spectroscopy show that superconductivity is confined to the CuO₂planes, whereas magnetism is due to the Ru sublattice. Irreversibility phenomena and magnetic anomalies, observed at low magnetic fields originate from antisymmetric exchange coupling of the Dzyaloshinsky–Moria type, and from spin reorientation of the Ru moments. The shielding fraction is about 100%, supporting the conclusion that the materials consist of a single phase, manifesting both magnetism and superconductivity at once.     

Ab initio study of Yb on the Ge(111)–(3 × 2) and Si(111)–(3 × 2) surfaces

The surface reconstruction, 3 × 2, induced by Yb adsorption on a Ge (Si)(111) surface has been studied using first principles density-functional calculation within the generalized gradient approximation. The two different possible adsorption sites have been considered: (i) H₃ (this site is directly above a fourth-layer Ge (Si) atom) and (ii) T₄ (directly above a second-layer Ge (Si) atom). We have found that the total energies corresponding to these binding sites are nearly the same, indeed for the Yb/Ge (Si)(111)–(3 × 2) structure the T₄ model is slightly energetic by about 0.01 (0.08) eV/unitcell compared with the H₃ model. In particular for the Ge sublayer, the energy difference is small, and therefore it is possible that the T₄, H₃, or T₄H₃ (half of the adatoms occupy the T₄ adsorption site and the rest of the adatoms are located at the H₃ site) binding sites can coexist with REM/Ge(111)–(3 × 2). In contrast to the proposed model, we have not determined any buckling in the Ge = Ge double bond. The electronic band structures of the surfaces and the corresponding natures of their orbitals have also been calculated. Our results for both substrates are seen to be in agreement with the recent experimental data, especially that of the Yb/Si(111)–(3 × 2) surface.     

Structure determination of the Cu(0 0 1)–c(4 × 4)-Sn surface by low-energy electron diffraction

Low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) have been used to determine the Cu(0 0 1)–c(4 × 4)-Sn structure formed at 300 K. It is demonstrated that a structural model suggested by scanning tunneling microscopy observations is correct: The model consists of one substitutional Sn atom and four Sn adatoms in the unit cell. Optimum parameters of the determined c(4 × 4) structure reveal that Sn adatoms laterally are displaced by 0.30 Å away from ideal fourfold-hollow sites along the 〈100〉 directions. It is proposed that such displacements of the Sn adatoms cause the formation of a network of octagonal rings on Cu(0 0 1). The substitutional Sn atom is located at each center of the octagonal rings. The formation conditions of the network are discussed.     

Synthesis and Gas-Sensing Properties of MnO2 – x and MnO2 – x/CuO-Coated Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites

Physics of the Solid State - Nanocomposites based on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) impregnated with manganese oxide MnO2&nbsp;–&nbsp;x and copper oxide CuO are synthesized and...     

Infrared spectra of acetylene–water complexes: C2D2–H2O,C2D2–HDO,and C2D2–D2O

Infrared spectra of C₂D₂–water complexes are studied in the 4.1 μm region of the C₂D₂ ν₃ fundamental band using a tunable diode laser source to probe a pulsed supersonic slit jet. Relatively large vibrational red shifts (?27.7 to ?28.0 cm^?1) are observed which are more easily interpretable than for the analogous C₂H₂ vibration thanks to the absence of Fermi resonance effects for C₂D₂. Noticeable homogeneous line broadening leads to estimates of upper state predissociation lifetimes of about 0.5, 0.9 and 1.1 ns for C₂D₂–H₂O, –HDO, and –D₂O, respectively. Transitions involving K_a = 0 and 1 levels are observed for C₂D₂–HDO, but there is a puzzling absence of K_a = 1 for C₂D₂–H₂O and C₂D₂–D₂O.     

Ionic conductivities of Nasicon-type glass-ceramic superionic conductors in the system Na2O–Y2O3–XO2–SiO2 (X = Ti,Ge, Te)

Glass-ceramics of the titanium-, germanium- or tellurium-containing Na₅RSi₄O₁₂-type (R = rare earth; Y) Na⁺-superionic conductors (N5YXS) were prepared by crystallization of glasses with the composition Na_3+3xY_1 ? xX_ySi_3 ? yO₉ (X = Ti; NYTiS, Ge; NYGeS, X = Te; NYTeS), and the effects of X elements on the separation of the phase and the microstructural effects on the conduction properties of glass-ceramics were discussed. The combination of x and y was most varied in N5YGeS and more limited in the order of N5YTeS > N5YTiS. Their conductivities and activation energies are of the order of 10^? 2 S/cm at 300 °C and of 15 to 24 kJ/mol, respectively. The conductivity of the glass-ceramic N5YXS decreases giving the order N5YGeS > N5YTeS > N5YTiS. It is considered that this order corresponds to the N5 single phase region. Large enhancement of electrical conductivity was observed in the glass-ceramics as the grain growth was promoted with increase of heating temperature and heating time for crystallization.     

First principle study of structural,phase stabilization and oxygen-ion diffusion properties of β-La2 − xLxMo2O9 (L = Gd,Sm, Nd and Bi) and β-La2Mo2 − yMyO9 (M = Cr,W)

We have performed a first principle study of structural and phase stabilization of β-La_2 ? xL_xMo₂O₉ (L = Gd, Sm, Nd and Bi) and β-La₂Mo_2 ? yM_yO₉ (M = Cr, W). The substitutional-site properties were discussed in terms of the empirical parameter, bond valence sums (BVS), which characterizes the interactions between atoms and its nearest-neighbor atoms and correlates well with the stability of the structure. We found that Gd, Sm and Nd atoms prefer the crystallographic sites with largest BVS values. The nonlinear dependence of cell parameter on W content in W-doped systems results from the nonlinear change in Mo/W–O bond length with W content. The decrease of cohesive energy and the deviation of BVS values from the expected values upon the Gd, Sm, Nd and W-doped concentration help us understand the experimentally observed stabilization of the β phase to lower temperatures in these doped system. The O ion diffusion properties in W-doped systems have been studied using the nudged elastic band method and the dimer method. We found that, W-doping leads to the obvious increase in the energy barriers of O ion concerted diffusion. In addition, there is a remarkable decrease in the difference of energy barriers between two diffusion channels involving O(1) ion, which sheds light on only one relaxation peak in the mechanical relaxation measurement in W-doped system, compared to undoped system.