Study of the peak effect phenomenon in single crystals of 2H-NbSe2

The weakly pinned single crystals of the hexagonal 2H-NbSe₂ compound have emerged as prototypes for determining and characterizing the phase boundaries of the possible order-disorder transformations in the vortex matter. We present here a status report based on the ac and dc magnetization measurements of the peak effect phenomenon in three crystals of 2H-NbSe₂, in which the critical current densities vary over two orders of magnitude. We sketch the generic vortex phase diagram of a weakly pinned superconductor, which also utilizes theoretical proposals. We also establish the connection between the metastability effects and pinning.     

Shaping Solid-State Supramolecular Cavities: Chemically Induced Accordionlike Movement of gamma-Zirconium Phosphate Containing Polyethylenoxide Pillars

The hydrophilic oxygen atoms of polyethylenoxide chains inserted as pillars in gamma-zirconium phosphate form hydrogen bonds with the acid groups of the host. As a result the pillars are almost perpendicular to the gamma layers. Upon changing the pH level of the supernatant solution the hydrogen bonds are broken and the pillars become almost perpendicular to the layers (shown schematically). Thus there is a reversible enlargement-shortening of the interlayer space.     

Exchange bias like effect induced by domain walls in FeGd/FeSn bilayers

A study of exchange bias phenomenon in ferrimagnetic /ferromagnetic FeGd/ FeSn bilayers is presented. The amorphous FeSn and FeGd alloys have been grown by co-evaporation. Specific growth conditions allow to induce an uniaxial anisotropy in both alloys in a parallel direction. After saturation of the bilayers under a positive field, the hysteresis loop of one of the layer is shifted towards a positive field H _E . The sign of the exchange bias field H _E is shown to be due to the antiferromagnetic coupling between the net magnetizations of both alloys. The field H _E is studied as a function of the thickness of each layer and of the temperature. Using ac-susceptibility measurements and polarized neutron reflectometry, it is shown that the reversal of magnetization of the bilayers is dominated by the presence of a domain wall at the interface. This exchange bias system is shown to act as a potential well for the magnetic domain wall. Within this assumption and thanks to a precise magnetic characterization of each alloy, the evolution of H _E with the thickness of the layers is well reproduced using simple one-dimensional analytical models for the domain wall or a more elaborate numerical approach.Received: 20 February 2003, Published online: 9 September 2003PACS: 75.60.Ch Domain walls and domain structure - 75.70.-i Magnetic properties of thin films, surfaces, and interfaces - 75.25.+z Spin arrangements in magnetically ordered materials (including neutron and spin-polarized electron studies, synchrotron-source X-ray scattering, etc.)     

Drying performance and surface forces of a pair of impinging radial jets

The drying performance and the forces generated by a pair of radial jets impinging on a plane surface are studied experimentally and compared with a pair of in-line (axial) jets. The reattachment rings of the radial jets are visualized by liquid-crystal-thermography. The results of the drying experiments are presented in terms of Sherwoodnumbers. The results of the surface force measurements are presented in terms of force coefficients. The effects of flow exit angle, exit velocity, horizontal nozzle spacing and vertical nozzle to surface distance on mass transfer and net surface force are discussed. Results show that drying performance of a pair of radial jets with an exit angle towards the surface of 10° is 18% higher than that of a pair of in-line jets. The surface force of impinging radial jets depends on the exit angle. A global pressure force on the surface is typical for jets directed towards the surface, while a global lifting force is found when the jet is initially directed away from the surface. Radial jets have a high potential in drying applications for force sensitive products and when high drying rates and/or small suction forces are of interest.