The Spectral and Magnetic Properties of Er3+ and Yb3+ Ions in Y2Ti2O7 Crystals with a Pyrochlore Structure

Physics of the Solid State - Cubic Y2Ti2O7 single crystals doped with Er3+ or Yb3+ ions have been studied by the methods of electron spin resonance (ESR) and selective laser spectroscopy. ESR...     

Oxidation and magnetic states of chalcopyrite CuFeS2: A first principles calculation

The ground state band structure, magnetic moments, charges and population numbers of electronic shells of Cu and Fe atoms have been calculated for chalcopyrite CuFeS₂ using density functional theory. The comparison between our calculation results and experimental data (X-ray photoemission, X-ray absorption and neutron diffraction spectroscopy) has been made. Our calculations predict a formal oxidation state for chalcopyrite as Cu¹⁺Fe³⁺S ₂ ^2? . However, the assignment of formal valence state to transition metal atoms appears to be oversimplified. It is anticipated that the valence state can be confirmed experimentally by nuclear magnetic and nuclear quadrupole resonance and Mössbauer spectroscopy methods.     

Application of 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy as a tool for mining exploration of bornite (Cu5FeS4) copper ore

Nuclear resonance methods, including Mössbauer spectroscopy,are considered as unique techniques suitable for remote on-line mineralogical analysis. The employment of these methods provides potentially significant commercial benefits for mining industry. As applied to copper sulfide ores, Mössbauer spectroscopy method is suitable for the analysis noted. Bornite (formally Cu₅FeS₄) is a significant part of copper ore and identification of its properties is important for economic exploitation of commercial copper ore deposits. A series of natural bornite samples was studied by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Two aspects were considered: reexamination of ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer properties of natural bornite samples and their stability irrespective of origin and potential use of miniaturized Mössbauer spectrometers MIMOS II for in-situ bornite identification. The results obtained show a number of potential benefits of introducing the available portative Mössbauer equipment into the mining industry for express mineralogical analysis. In addition, results of some preliminary ^63,65Cu nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) studies of bornite are reported and their merits with Mössbauer techniques for bornite detection discussed.     

Crystal field and magnetoelastic interactions in Tb2Ti2O7

In terms of a semiphenomenological exchange charge model, we have obtained estimates of parameters of the crystal field and parameters of the electron-deformation interaction in terbium titanate Tb₂Ti₂O₇ with a pyrochlore structure. The obtained set of parameters has been refined based on the analysis of spectra of neutron inelastic scattering and Raman light scattering, field dependences of the forced magnetostriction, and temperature dependences of elastic constants.