Temperature dependence of the magnetic penetration depth in YBa2Cu3O6.95

We report precision transverse fieldSR measurements of the internal field distribution in the vortex state of crystalline YBa₂Cu₃O_6.95. A novel low background apparatus was used to study a mosaic sample of three high quality single crystals (T_c=93.3K). The observed frequency spectra in magnetic fields of 5kG and 15 kG applied along the c-axis have the characteristic features expected for a regular vortex lattice with some additional broadening. From a preliminary analysis we find that [(0)/(T)]² has a linear temperature coefficient forT<30 K. Such a term is inconsistent with simple s-wave pairing in the superconducting state. These results support recent microwave measurements of(T) on similar crystals in zero applied field but differ significantly from previousSR reports on sintered powders and crystals with lower T_c.This research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.     

Measurement of the total active 8B solar neutrino flux at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory with enhanced neutral current sensitivity

The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory has precisely determined the total active (nu(x)) 8B solar neutrino flux without assumptions about the energy dependence of the nu(e) survival probability. The measurements were made with dissolved NaCl in heavy water to enhance the sensitivity and signature for neutral-current interactions. The flux is found to be 5.21 +/- 0.27(stat)+/-0.38(syst) x 10(6) cm(-2) s(-1), in agreement with previous measurements and standard solar models. A global analysis of these and other solar and reactor neutrino results yields Deltam(2)=7.1(+1.2)(-0.6) x 10(-5) eV(2) and theta=32.5(+2.4)(-2.3) degrees. Maximal mixing is rejected at the equivalent of 5.4 standard deviations.     

Search for magnetic fields due to anyons in high-T c superconductors

We have searched for anomalous internal magnetic fields in highT _c materials which are predicted to occur in anyon and flux phase models of superconductivity. The magnitude, anisotropy and temperature dependence of the observed fields inc-axis oriented samples of sintered YBa₂CuO₃O₇ and of thick-film Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ are consistent with a conventional nuclear dipolar origin. An upper limit of ≲0.08 mT is set for any anomalous magnetic fields along thec-axis atμ ⁺ sites in bulk CuO₂ superconductors.     

Synthesis of potassium ferrite by precursor and combustion methods

The thermolysis of potassium hexa(carboxylato)ferrate(III) precursors, K₃[Fe(L)₆]·xH₂O (L=formate, acetate, propionate, butyrate), has been carried out in flowing air atmosphere from ambient temperature to 900°C. Various physico-chemical techniques i.e. TG, DTG, DTA, XRD, IR, Mössbauer spectroscopy etc. have been employed to characterize the intermediates and end products. After dehydration, the anhydrous complexes undergo exothermic decomposition to yield various intermediates i.e. potassium carbonate/acetate/propionate/butyrate and α-Fe₂O₃. A subsequent decomposition of these intermediates leads to the formation of potassium ferrite (KFeO₂) above 700°C. The same ferrite has also been prepared by the combustion method at a comparatively lower temperature (600°C) and in less time than that of conventional ceramic method.     

μSR studies in an I2-doped phenylenediamine polymer

We report SR studies of the recently synthesized I₂-doped phenylenediamine polymer. Longitudinal-field spectra exhibit typical behavior of a spin-glass with a freezing temperatureT _g 100 K and a spontaneous static local field 500 G at low temperatures. Preliminary magnetization measurements hint of antiferromagnetic spin coupling and hysteretic behavior aroundT _g. These features suggest possible spin-glass and/or antiferromagnetic spin freezing with a high transition temperature due to the doped radical spins in this organic polymer.Postdoctoral fellow of the Humboldt Foundation.     

Rashba spin-splitting control at the surface of the topological insulator Bi2Se3

The electronic structure of Bi(2)Se(3) is studied by angle-resolved photoemission and density functional theory. We show that the instability of the surface electronic properties, observed even in ultrahigh-vacuum conditions, can be overcome via in situ potassium deposition. In addition to accurately setting the carrier concentration, new Rashba-like spin-polarized states are induced, with a tunable, reversible, and highly stable spin splitting. Ab initio slab calculations reveal that these Rashba states are derived from 5-quintuple-layer quantum-well states. While the K-induced potential gradient enhances the spin splitting, this may be present on pristine surfaces due to the symmetry breaking of the vacuum-solid interface.     

Site of the positive muon in YBa2Cu3O7

A combination of μSR and¹⁷O nuclear quadrupolar μLCR has been used to obtain detailed information on the muon site in YBa₂Cu₃O₇. The rms magnitude of the nuclear dipolar fields in YBa₂Cu₃O₇ enriched with 38%¹⁷O is about twice that in the natural¹⁶O sample. In addition the¹⁷O μLCR spectrum shows that the electric field gradient tensor at the oxygen closest to the muon is almost equal to that measured by NMR for the CuO₂ plane sites O(2,3). These results suggest that the muon in fully oxygenated YBa₂Cu₃O₇ is located at a single site 1.0 Å from an oxygen ion, probably O(2,3).