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At least 37 records · Page 2

A -type antiferromagnetic order in the Zintl-phase insulator EuZn 2 P 2

Zintl phases, containing strongly covalently bonded frameworks with separate ionically bonded ions, have emerged as a critical materials family in which to couple magnetism and strong spin-orbit coupling to drive diverse topological phases of matter. Here we report the single-crystal synthesis, magnetic, thermodynamic, transport, and theoretical properties of the Zintl compound EuZn 2 P 2 that crystallizes in the anti-La 2 O 3 (CaAl 2 Si 2 ) P-3m1 structure, containing triangular layers of Eu 2+ ions. In-plane resistivity measurements reveal insulating behavior with an estimated activation energy of E g = 0.11eV. Specific heat and magnetization measurements indicate antiferromagnetic ordering at T N = 23K. Curie-Weiss analysis of in-plane and out of plane magnetic susceptibility from T = 150 to 300 K yields p eff = 8.61 for μ 0 H⊥c and p eff = 7.74 for μ 0 H//c, close to the expected values for the 4f 7 J = S = 7/2 Eu 2+ ion and indicative of weak anisotropy. Below T N , a significant anisotropy of χ ⊥ /χ // ≈ 2.3 develops, consistent with A-type magnetic order as observed in isostructural analogs and as predicted by the density functional theory calculations reported herein. The positive Weiss temperatures of θ W =19.2K for μ 0 H⊥c and θ W =41.9K for μ 0 H//c show a similar anisotropy and suggest competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions. Comparing Eu magnetic ordering temperatures across trigonal EuM 2 X 2 (M= divalent metal, X= pnictide) shows that EuZn 2 P 2 exhibits the highest ordering temperature, with variations in T N correlating with changes in expected dipolar interaction strengths within and between layers and independent of the magnitude of electrical conductivity. These results provide experimental validation of the crystochemical intuition that the cation Eu 2+ layers and the anionic (M 2 X 2 ) 2– framework can be treated as electronically distinct subunits, enabling further predictive materials design.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Reconciling monolayer and bilayer Jeff = 1/2 square lattices in hybrid oxide superlattice

The number of atomic layers confined in a two-dimensional structure is crucial for the electronic and magnetic properties. Single-layer and bilayer J eff = 1/2 square lattices are well-known examples where the presence of the extra layer turns the XY anisotropy to the c-axis anisotropy. We report on experimental realization of a hybrid SrIrO 3 /SrTiO 3 superlattice that integrates monolayer and bilayer square lattices in one layered structure. By synchrotron x-ray diffraction, resonant x-ray magnetic scattering, magnetization, and resistivity measurements, we found that the hybrid superlattice exhibits properties that are distinct from both the single-layer and bilayer systems and cannot be explained by a simple addition of them. In particular, the entire hybrid superlattice orders simultaneously through a single antiferromagnetic transition at temperatures similar to the bilayer system but with all the J eff = 1/2 moments mainly pointing in the ab plane similar to the single-layer system. The results show that bringing monolayer and bilayer with orthogonal properties in proximity to each other in a hybrid superlattice structure is a powerful way to stabilize a unique state not obtainable in a uniform structure.

2-dimensional systems↗

Synthesis, Structures, and Transport Properties of Quaternary Ba–Ag– Tr –As Materials ( Tr = Ga, In)

The synthesis, structures, and properties of two quaternary barium–arsenide materials are presented. The first, Ba 4 Ag 2.3 In 1.7 As 8 , is a novel material with the monoclinic unit cell ( P 2 1 / m space group). The layered crystal structure of Ba 4 Ag 2.3 In 1.7 As 8 may be considered a lower‐symmetry, distorted analog of the LaCuSb 2 structure. The structure features a rare As fragment, cis‐trans As chains along the [010] direction. Large crystals of Ba 4 Ag 2.3 In 1.7 As 8 can be grown from Bi flux and are used for subsequent transport property measurements. Electrical resistivity and heat capacity properties are reported, establishing Ba 4 Ag 2.3 In 1.7 As 8 as a metallic phase. The second material, Ba 4 AgGa 5 As 8 , is a 3D material that crystallizes in the orthorhombic unit cell (noncentrosymmetric and polar Iba 2 space group). Expanding upon its original discovery, the optimized synthetic profile for single‐phase polycrystalline samples as well as transport properties relevant to thermoelectric applications are presented. Ba 4 AgGa 5 As 8 exhibits a high Seebeck coefficient of 290 μV K −1 at room temperature, indicative of lower carrier concentrations typical for nonmetallic phases. Electrical resistivity measurements also affirm conventional semiconducting behavior for Ba 4 AgGa 5 As 8 .

Kyveryga, Victoria [Department of Chemistry Iowa S↗

Kinetics Measurements in Resistive Electrolytes Using Ring-Disk Electrode: Ring as Current “Shield” Enables Uniform Disk Current Distribution

Rotating disk electrodes are commonly used for electrochemical kinetics measurements. A major disadvantage of these types of electrodes is their nonuniform secondary current distribution, especially when performing electroanalytical measurements in resistive electrolytes. Such nonuniform current distribution can render the values of kinetics constants extracted from the disk electrode to be highly inaccurate. Furthermore, one emerging class of electrolytes that suffer from low ionic conductivities is deep eutectic solvents (DES). DES are a promising class of electrolytes for various emerging applications; however, due to their resistive nature, the secondary current distribution when using them is typically highly nonuniform. For example, the Wagner number when measuring Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ kinetics in choline chloride–ethylene glycol DES (1:4 molar ratio of ChCl:EG) is very low (<0.1), indicating highly nonuniform current distribution over the disk electrode. We show here that the Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ exchange current density measured using disk electrodes is very inaccurate due to the aforementioned nonuniform current distribution. To obtain uniform disk current distribution, we employ here a coplanar concentric rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE), where the ring serves the function of a current “shield.” Specifically, we show using modeling that the ring minimizes the current distribution nonuniformity at the disk by effectively shielding the disk against current spikes near the disk edge. This enables improved precision in electrode kinetics measurements for the Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ couple in resistive DES. To enable broad applicability of this technique, an analytical expression based on the Wagner number is integrated into an iterative algorithm to help users identify ring conditions to achieve uniform current distribution and thus improved electroanalytics at the disk.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Measurement of Resistance, Porosity, and Water Contact Angle of Porous Transport Layers for Low-Temperature Electrolysis Technologies

The porous transport layer is an important component of low-temperature electrolysis devices, such as proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers or anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers. PTLs have significant influence on the cell performance as their bulk resistance can impact the ohmic resistance, their contact resistance can impact electrode performance, and their structure can impact the liquid flow to the cell, which could cause mass-transport losses. In order to improve cell performance, optimization of the PTL is critical. Standardized protocols should be utilized to adequately compare PTLs being developed from different institutions. This method will detail a standardized protocol for measuring the resistance of the PTL using a four-wire setup and will also detail a process for measuring the porosity and water contact angle of the PTL using capillary flow porometry.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Weighted Mobility

Engineering semiconductor devices requires an understanding of charge carrier mobility. Typically, mobilities are estimated using Hall effect and electrical resistivity meausrements, which are are routinely performed at room temperature and below, in materials with mobilities greater than 1 cm 2 V -1 s -1 . With the availability of combined Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity measurement systems, it is now easy to measure the weighted mobility (electron mobility weighted by the density of electronic states). A simple method to calculate the weighted mobility from Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity measurements is introduced, which gives good results at room temperature and above, and for mobilities as low as 10 -3 cm 2 V -1 s -1 , <!--FIGURE--> μ w = 331 c m 2 V s ( m Ω c m ρ ) ( T 300 K ) - 3 / 2 [ e x p [ | S | k B / e - 2 ] 1 + exp [ - 5 ( | S | k B / e - 1 ) ] + 3 π 2 | S | k B / e 1 + exp [ 5 ( | S | k B / e - 1 ) ] ] In this paper, μ w is the weighted mobility, ρ is the electrical resistivity measured in mΩ cm, T is the absolute temperature in K, S is the Seebeck coefficient, and k B /e = 86.3 µV K -1 . Weighted mobility analysis can elucidate the electronic structure and scattering mechanisms in materials and is particularly helpful in understanding and optimizing thermoelectric systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Residual resistance ratio measurement system for Nb 3 Sn wires extracted from Rutherford cables

Residual resistance ratio (RRR) of superconducting strands is an important parameter for magnet electrical stability. RRR serves as a measure of the low-temperature electrical conductivity of the copper within a conductor that has a copper stabilization matrix. For Nb 3 Sn, due to the need of a reaction heat treatment, the technical requirements for high quality measurements of strands extracted from Rutherford cables are particularly demanding. Quality of wire, cabling deformation, heat treatment temperature, heat treatment atmosphere, sample handling, and measurement methods can all affect the RRR. Therefore, as an integral part of the electrical quality control (QC) of Nb 3 Sn Rutherford cables manufactured at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, it was prudent that we established a RRR measurement system that can isolate the assessment of cable-fabrication-related impacts from sample preparation and measurement factors. Here we describe a bespoke cryocooler-based measurement system, capable of measuring RRR of over 80 samples in a single cooldown. The samples are mounted on custom-designed printed circuit boards that accommodate the shape of strands extracted from a Rutherford cable without added deformation, which we will show is critical in ensuring that the measurements accurately represent the RRR values of the conductor within the cable. Using this sample mounting solution, we routinely measure the overall RRR of the strand as well as individual intra-strand sections corresponding to both cable edges and cable broad faces with high reproducibility. Such measurements provide valuable information on the variation of RRR along the length of the strands as well as across strand productions and cable runs over time.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

A New Method for the Evaluation of Majority and Minority Carrier Contact Resistivity of Polysilicon on Oxide Contacts

In this contribution we present a novel technique for characterizing the majority and minority carrier contact resistivity in polysilicon on oxide passivating contacts. Traditionally, contact resistivity is measured through the Transfer Length Method (TLM). This method presents difficulties when measuring the minority carrier contact due to the presence of a blocking diode which prevents current flow between the pads. Our novel method is performed by creating a unipolar device which has the same contact on both sides (either symmetric n-type or symmetric p-type) and metalizing the device with a grid on one side, and a full metal contact on the back (the same pattern that will be used in a final cell). We then measure the resistance across the device at increasing illumination. Since the resistivity of the wafer is a function of carrier density, when increasing illumination, the wafer resistivity decreases. We can then fit modeling equations to the measured resistivity and extrapolate the fit to infinite illumination where only the contact resistivity is measured to accurately measure both the minority and majority carrier contact resistivity.

current measurement↗

High Performance Circuit Pastes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Applications: Final Technical Report

Using a combination of in-plane electrical conductivity measurements, electrical contact resistance measurements, tensile fracture tests, double shear lap fracture tests, rapid thermal cycling adhesion tests, in situ wetting angle measurements, 3D X-ray tomography, reduction-oxidation (RedOx) cycling, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), Density Functional Theory (DFT) modeling, Molecular Dynamics (MD) modeling, and Phase Field modeling, this project determined that a new brazing technique developed by the PIs (specifically the use of nickel particles to direct the wetting and spreading of molten silver) could be used to produce well-adhered, >97% dense, electrically-conductive circuits, current collectors, and/or electrical contacts on a variety of ceramic and ceramic-coated substrates (specifically lanthanum strontium manganite, yttria stabilized zirconia, sapphire, Cr2O3-passivated stainless steel, and Al2O3-passivated stainless steel). Compared to other silver-based alternatives, Ag:Ni led to less manufacturing defects and was more tolerant of the extreme environments (isothermal high-temperature aging) and occasional abuse (rapid thermal cycling and RedOx cycling) encountered during Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and/or Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell operation. Further, in some situations (such as when to produce Ag:Ni electrical contacts to Al2O3-protected stainless steel) the Ni particles also improved operation by acting as chemical getters that removed electrically-insulating, surface-segregating substrate impurities (i.e. by lowering the contact resistance with the underlying substrate).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Antiferromagnetic memory storage devices from magnetic transition metal dichalcogenides

Switchable antiferromagnetic (AFM) memory devices are provided based on magnetically intercalated transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) of the form AxMC2, where A is a magnetic element of stoichiometry x between 0 and 1, M is a transition metal of stoichiometry 1, and C is a chalcogen of stoichiometry 2. Memory storage is achieved by fabricating these materials into crosses of two or more bars and driving DC current pulses along the bars to rotate the AFM order to a fixed angle with respect to the current pulse. Application of current pulses along different bars can switch the AFM order between multiple directions. Standard resistance measurements can detect the orientation of the AFM order as high or low resistance states. The state of the device can be set by the input current pulses, and read-out by the resistance measurement, forming a non-volatile, AFM memory storage bit.

Analytis, James G.↗

Possible unconventional order parameter in single crystals of SrPt 3 P superconductor

Here, anisotropic properties of single crystals of SrPt 3 P were studied using London penetration depth and electrical resistivity measurements. The upper critical field, $H_{c2}(T)$, was determined from four-probe electrical resistivity measurements for three orthogonal directions of a magnetic field with respect to the crystal. The London penetration depth, $λ(T)$, was determined from the magnetic susceptibility of the Meissner–London state measured using a tunnel-diode resonator technique. Whereas $H_{c2}(T)$ and the normal-state $ρ(T)$ are practically identical for all three magnetic field orientations, the London penetration depth shows significant unidirectional anisotropy. The low-temperature $λ(T)$ is exponentially attenuated when a small excitation radiofrequency magnetic field, $H_{rf}$, is applied along the c"-direction, in which case screening currents flow in the a"b"-plane, while for the other two orientations, $H_{rf}$∥ a" and $H_{rf}$ ∥ b", the London penetration depth shows a much stronger, $λ(T)$ ~ T 2 , variation. Such unusual and contrasting behavior of the two anisotropies, $γ_{H}$(T) = $H_{c2}$/$H_{c2,c}$ = $ξ_{ab}$/$ξ_{c}$ and $γ_{λ}$(T) = $λ_{c}$\$λ_{ab'}$, imposes significant constraints on the possible order parameter. Although our measurements are insufficient to derive conclusively the superconducting gap anisotropy, the order parameter with two point nodes and a modulation in the perpendicular direction is qualitatively consistent with the experimental observations.

anisotropic superconducting gap↗

Geometry Optimization for a Quadrupole Resonator at Jefferson Lab

The quadrupole resonator (QPR) is a sample characterization tool to measure the RF properties of superconducting materials using the calorime-try method at different temperatures, magnetic fields, and frequencies. Such resonators are cur-rently operating at CERN and HZB but suffer from Lorentz force detuning and modes overlap-ping, resulting in higher uncertainties in surface resistance measurement. Using the two CERN's QPR model iterations, the geometry was opti-mized via electromagnetic and mechanical simu-lations to eliminate these issues. The new QPR version was modelled for an increasing range of magnetic fields. The magnetic field is concentrat-ed at the center of the sample to reduce the un-certainty in surface resistance measurements sig-nificantly. This paper discusses the QPR geome-try optimization for the new version of QPR, which is now progressing toward fabrication.

Bira, S.↗

Data Acquisition System Selection and Calibration of Resistive Moisture Content Measurements for Large-Scale Field Studies in Cold Climate Residential Building Envelope Performance

The residential building stock built before the energy codes were enforced has several significant inefficiency problems in terms of insulation and air leakage. To decrease these inefficiencies, building retrofits are necessary. However, if the envelope is not appropriately designed, excessive accumulation of moisture content and thus mold formation and decay inside the envelope layers can be a vital problem. This risk becomes higher, especially in extreme climate conditions such as cold winters and hot and humid summers as in some northern regions of the U.S. Field studies are essential to test the long-term hygrothermal performance of building envelopes. Although in-situ temperature, RH, and heat flux measurements are straightforward, moisture content measurements are cumbersome. Mainly, because of the heterogeneous nature of the wood materials, deviations and nonuniformities within the materials are unavoidable. Resistance measurements are one of the oldest methods used to measure the moisture content of wood and other building materials. In large-scale studies, it is commonly preferred to use multi-purpose data acquisition systems (DAQ) and custom-made or prefabricated moisture pins to measure the electrical resistance (and thus moisture content) of critical building materials. These multi-purpose DAQ systems generally provide lower costs and offer more flexibility. However, these systems require calibration and fine-tuning to achieve accurate moisture content measurements. A large-scale, two-year-long field study was conducted in northern Minnesota to monitor the hygrothermal performance of residential retrofit wall systems in cold climates. Two base case walls and sixteen different wall treatments were tested. Moisture contents were measured at various layers in each wall treatment using 85 sets of moisture pins. This paper focuses on the overall approach, fabrication, and calibration methodology for the combination of custom-made moisture pins and a multi-purpose DAQ. The aim is to directly use the low-excitation multi-purpose DAQ without any extra voltage regulator. A half-bridge circuit is used to measure wood resistance with 4V excitation voltage and 100 kΩ and 500 kΩ reference resistors. The system is calibrated for four different materials: Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, western red cedar, and oriented strand board (OSB). Calibration experiments were done under controlled conditions in 50% and 65% RH test chambers. Resistance-based moisture content calibration curves are obtained for each species. Results show that higher reference resistors provided better calibration curves for lower excitation voltages.

Desjarlais, Andre Omer↗

Anisotropic magnetotransport properties of the heavy-fermion superconductor CeRh 2 As 2

Here, we report anisotropic resistivity measurements of the heavy-fermion superconductor CeRh 2 As 2 in magnetic fields up to 16 T and temperatures down to 0.35 K. The measured CeRh 2 As 2 resistivity shows a signature corresponding to the suggested quadrupole-density-wave order state at T 0 ~0.5 K for both measured directions. For a magnetic field applied along the tetragonal a axis, T 0 is enhanced with magnetic field reaching ~1.75 K at 16 T. Further, a magnetic field-induced transition occurs at μ 0 H m ~ 8.1 T corresponding to a change to a new broken symmetry state. For a magnetic field applied along the c axis, T 0 is suppressed below our base temperature ~0.35 K by μ 0 H ~ 4.5 T, a field close to the previously reported field-induced transition within the superconducting state suggested to be from an even-parity to an odd-parity state. Our results indicate that the multiple superconducting phases in CeRh 2 As 2 are intimately tied to the suppression of the proposed quadrupole-density-wave phase at T 0 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Devices for Thermal Conductivity Measurements of Electroplated Bi for X-ray TES Absorbers

Electroplated bismuth (Bi) is commonly used in transition-edge sensors (TESs) for X-rays because of its high stopping power and low heat capacity (Collan in Phys Rev B 1:2888, 1970, Yan in Appl Phys Lett 111:192602, 2017). Electroplated Bi is usually grown on top of another metal that acts as seed layer, typically gold (Au), making it challenging to extrapolate its thermoelectric properties. In this work, we present four-wire resistance measurement structures that allow us to measure resistance as a function of temperature of electroplated Bi independently of Au. The results show that the thermal conductivity of the Bi at 3 K is high enough to ensure the correct thermalization of X-ray photons when used as an absorber for TESs.

Bismuth↗

Magnetic phase diagram and multiple field-induced states in the intermetallic triangular-lattice antiferromagnet NdAuAl 4 Ge 2 with Ising-like spins

Geometrical frustration and the enhancement of strong quantum fluctuations in two-dimensional triangular antiferromagnets can lead to various intriguing phenomena. Here, in this work, we studied the spin-1/2 triangular lattice antiferromagnet NdAuAl 4 Ge 2 . Thermodynamic and transport properties, such as magnetization and specific heat together with the resistivity measurements were performed. In zero field, two successive phase transitions were observed at T N1 = 1.75 ± 0.02 and T N2 = 0.49 ± 0.02 K, respectively. Under magnetic field, XXZ-type anisotropy was revealed with the moments pointing along the easy c axis. For B∥c, multiple field-induced states were observed, and the magnetic phase diagram was established based on the specific-heat and magnetization data. The temperature-dependent resistivity measurements indicate that NdAuAl 4 Ge 2 is a good metal. It is very likely that both the long-range Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interactions and the geometrical frustration play important roles in this case.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Improved Understanding of Zircaloy Hydrogen Pickup Mechanisms in BWRs. NSUF Report (Final Report)

Using an instrumented autoclave operating at 288°C and 1100 psi, electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were taken from three neutron irradiated fuel channel samples (Zircaloy-2 and Zircaloy-4). The three high priority fuel channel samples were tested at 288°C using a simulated PWR water with the AC frequency range extending down through 10 -4 Hz, with corresponding DC measurements to validate the resistance measurements. EIS measurements were also taken at room temperature using a simulated PWR water from four neutron irradiated fuel channel samples (Zircaloy-2 and Zircaloy-4). and four water rod samples (Zircaloy-2). EIS measurements were also performed on unirradiated Zircaloy-2 tubes that were previously oxidized in autoclaves at various temperatures for different time durations to obtain oxide layers of different thicknesses. These experiments proved to be more challenging than anticipated because of the small size of the samples, which required development of fixtures to allow valid testing of the materials, some of which are radioactive, under pressure and temperature. Equivalent circuits were used to model the data. Some samples resulted in Nyquist plots where the arcs were too close to each other resulting in the inability to separate the different oxide morphological thicknesses. Microstructural characterization in the form of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and (scanning) transmission electron microscopy was performed to document the microstructural features of the oxidized Zr-2 and Zr-4 samples (oxide and metal/oxide interface) and to interpret the EIS results. At the start of this work, it was assumed that despite the laminar cracks and porosity visible in both optical and SEM, the oxide scale is dense near the metal, effectively preventing the water from contacting the metal directly. While it is generally accepted that the large laminar cracks pores allow the water to percolate into the oxide film, it is unknown just how deep it can go, and how interconnected is the porosity, which will dictate how much the porosity is connected electrically to the water within the oxide scale. The EIS results demonstrated that there is in fact a distribution of oxide thicknesses over the various samples, and within each material condition, that are communicating to the liquid. This is derived from the fact that Nyquist plots have an arc radius whose center point is often below the Z’ axis, implying that instead of a single oxide thickness, these oxides have a distribution of thicknesses. This distribution of thicknesses produces arcs that are not clearly separable in most of the samples.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Low cost switching circuit for van der Pauw resistivity and Hall measurements at various temperatures

The electrical characterization of materials, particularly superconductors, semiconductors, and those undergoing metal-insulator transitions (MITs), relies significantly on resistivity and Hall measurements as a function of temperature. The van der Pauw four-point probe method is commonly used for such measurements, which involves resistance measurements for different circuit configurations connected to sample contacts. However, repeating these measurements at different temperatures is challenging and time consuming. Here, this study introduces a novel approach utilizing a switching circuit controlled by an Arduino device and a LabVIEW program to automate resistance measurements for different electrical configurations. The effectiveness of this setup was demonstrated by testing V 2 O 3 thin film samples deposited on Al 2 O 3 (001) substrates using DC magnetron sputtering. The MIT temperature of the sample was 115 K during heating and 100 K during cooling. The sample exhibited p-type charge carriers with a Hall coefficient of 1.3 ± 0.1 x 10 -4 cm 3 /C and Hall mobility of 1.7 x 10 -1 cm 2 /V∙s, which is consistent with findings from other studies employing commercial equipment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗