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At least 73 records · Page 4

Structure and Magnetic Properties of Graded (001)-Oriented FePt Films Prepared by Magnetron Sputtering and Rapid Thermal Annealing

L1{sub 0}-FePt/[Fe/Pt]{sub 27} multilayer films were prepared on (100)-oriented single-crystal MgO substrates. Structural analysis indicates epitaxial growth of the L1{sub 0}-FePt films during high-temperature deposition. The room-temperature-deposited [Fe/Pt]{sub 27} multilayer exhibits the fcc-FePt structure grown epitaxially on the L1{sub 0}-FePt base layer. The degree of chemical order and thereby the anisotropy of the top layer has been controlled by varying the temperature of a post-deposition annealing process. Compared with the as-deposited films, coercivities of the films annealed below 400 {sup ∘}C are substantially decreased by introducing the formation of a graded anisotropy in the partially ordered top layer. Coercivities decrease for annealing temperatures that are greater than 400 {sup ∘}C due to improved ordering of the top layer.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Equilibrium Properties of the Mixed State in Superconducting Niobium in a Transverse Magnetic Field: Experiment and Theoretical Model

Equilibrium magnetic properties of the mixed state in type II superconductors were studied on high-purity film and single-crystal niobium samples with different Ginzburg-Landau parameters in perpendicular and parallel magnetic fields using dc magnetometry and scanning Hall-probe microscopy. The magnetization curve for samples with unity demagnetizing factor (slabs in perpendicular field) was obtained for the first time. It was found that none of the existing theories is consistent with these new data. To address this problem, a theoretical model is developed and comprehensively validated. The new model describes the mixed state in an averaged limit, i.e., without detailing the samples’ magnetic structure and therefore ignoring the surface current and interactions between the structural units (vortices). At low values of the Ginzburg-Landau parameter, it converts to the model of Peierls and London for the intermediate state in type I superconductors. The model quantitatively describes the magnetization curve for the perpendicular field and provides new insights into the properties of the mixed state, including properties of individual vortices. In particular, it suggests that description of the vortex matter in superconductors of the transverse geometry as a “gas-like” system of non-interacting vortices is more appropriate than the frequently used solid-like scenarios.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Heat Capacity and Mössbauer Study of Self-Flux Grown FeTe Single Crystal

We report mainly the heat capacity and Mössbauer study of self-flux grown FeTe single crystal, which is a ground state compound of the Fe chalcogenides superconducting series i.e. FeTe{sub 1−x}(Se/S){sub x} The as grown FeTe single crystal is large enough to the tune of a few centimetres and the same crystallizes in tetragonal structure having space group of P4/nmm. FeTe shows the structural/magnetic phase transition at 70 K in both magnetic and resistivity measurements. Heat capacity measurement also confirms the coupled structural/magnetic transition at the same temperature. The Debye model fitting of low temperature (below 70 K) heat capacity exhibited Debye temperature (𝜃{sub D}) to be 324 K. Mössbauer spectra are performed at 300 and 5 K. The 300-K spectra showed two paramagnetic doublets and the 5-K spectra exhibited hyperfine magnetic sextet with an average hyperfine field of 10.6 Tesla matching with the results of Yoshikazu Mizuguchi et al.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The Vanishing Superfluid Density in Cuprates—and Why It Matters

Recently, we have released the results of a comprehensive study of a couple thousand single-crystal La{sub 2−x}Sr{sub x}CuO{sub 4} films, covering densely the entire overdoped side of the phase diagram (Božović et al. Nature 536, 309–311, 2016; Wu et al. Nature 547, 432–435, 2017). Here, we review the key experimental findings, place them in the context of other important well-established facts and observations, and discuss their implications for our understanding of high-temperature superconductivity in cuprates. We conclude that it involves some new physics that requires going beyond the standard Fermi liquid description of the normal state and Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer description of the superconducting state.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Preparation of Fine Single Crystals of Rutheno-Cuprates by the Self-Flux Method with Alumina Boats

We investigate the single crystal growth of rutheno-cuprates, which are known to be magnetic superconductors. We attempted the single crystal growth of two systems, RuSr{sub 2}GdCu{sub 2}O{sub 8−δ} (RuGd-1212) and RuSr{sub 2}(Gd,Ce){sub 2}Cu{sub 2}O{sub 10−δ} (RuGd-1222), by the self-flux method with alumina boats. Fine cubic crystals of RuGd-1212 with a side length of approximately 5 μ m were obtained by slow cooling from 1350 to 940 {sup ∘}C. Plate-like RuGd-1222 crystals with a smooth plane were obtained at the surface of the precursor pellet. RuGd-1222 was more stable at high temperatures than RuGd-1212 and was also superconductive, but its superconductivity weakened as the cooling rate decreased. This weakening was induced by decomposition. Therefore, high-quality RuGd-1222 single crystals were difficult to obtain, and we failed to extract only the smooth planar crystal part. As a modified synthesis technique, we mixed a precursor containing Ru–Sr–Gd–Ce flux with RuGd-1222 powders and gradually cooled the mixture from 1350 to 1090 {sup ∘}C. A plate-like RuGd-1222 sample with a smooth surface and a size of 70 × 30μm{sup 2} was obtained from the side surface of the precursor pellet. By this technique, we could separate the planar crystal part. Semiquantitative composition analysis confirmed this planar crystal as a RuGd-1222 phase. The X-ray diffraction peak suggested the (0014) plane, implying that the plate-like precipitates are c-axis-oriented RuGd-1222 single crystals.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

High-Field Magneto-Conductivity Analysis of Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} Single Crystal

We report the high-field (up to 14 Tesla) magneto-conductivity analysis of Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} topological insulator grown via the self-flux method. The detailed experimental investigations including crystal growth as well as the electrical, thermal, and spectroscopic characterizations of the resultant Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} single crystal are already reported by some of us. The current letter deals with high-field magneto-conductivity analysis in terms of Hikami Larkin Nagaoka (HLN) model, which revealed that the electronic conduction is dominated by both surface state-driven weak anti-localization (WAL), as well as the bulk weak localization (WL) states. Further, by applying the HLN equation, we have extracted the fitting parameters, i.e., phase coherence length (l{sub φ}) and the pre-factor (α). Here, the magneto-conductivity data is fitted up to ± 5 Tesla, but in order to extract reliable fitting parameters, the same is fitted at much lower magnetic fields, i.e., up to ± 1 Tesla. The value of the HLN coefficient (α), extracted from the HLN equation exhibited values close to − 1.0, indicating both WAL and WL contributions. On the other hand, the extracted l{sub φ} is seen to decrease from 11.125 to 5.576 nm as the temperature is increased from 5 to 200 K, respectively. Summarily, the short letter discusses primarily the temperature-dependent magneto-conductivity analysis of pristine Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} single crystal by the HLN model.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Preparation of Cr{sup 3+}-Substituted NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} Nanoparticles and Its Microwave Absorption Properties

In the present work, spinel Ni{sub (1−X)}Cr{sub X}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (X = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 M) nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method followed by calcination at 400 °C for 2 h. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were studied using powder XRD,micro-Raman measurements, FE-SEM, TEM and EDS. The results revealed that the synthesized nanoparticles were single-crystal, cubic-phase structure with spherical shape. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the elements present in the synthesized nanoparticles. Moreover, microwave absorption properties were measured using vector network analyser (VNA). The minimum reflection loss − 14.44 dB at 9.49 GHz was observed for Ni{sub (1−X)}Cr{sub X}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (X = 0.5 M) nanoparticles at 3 mm thickness. These results suggest that Ni{sub (1−X)}Cr{sub X}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (X = 0.5 M) nanoparticles would be applicable for microwave absorption application.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Thermal Transport Measurements of LaCoO{sub 3} and SrTiO{sub 3}

Thermal conductivity and thermopower measurements as functions of temperature were carried out on SrTiO{sub 3} single crystals below room temperature and compared to those obtained for LaCoO{sub 3} polycrystalline samples. The maximum value of thermal conductivity for SrTiO{sub 3} (110) and Nb-doped SrTiO{sub 3} single crystals was 1.09 and 0.91 W/mK, respectively, at 300 K. The thermopower measurements were − 5.47 and − 41.17 μ V/K, respectively, at 300 K. This indicates the predominance of negative charge carriers or electrons in the material. Measurements on LaCoO{sub 3} polycrystalline samples yielded maximum values of 0.37 W/mK and 620 μ V/K for thermal conductivity and thermopower, respectively. These positive values suggest that positive charge carriers are predominant or that the compound is slightly hole-doped. We studied the effect of Nb doping on the thermopower and thermal conductivity of SrTiO{sub 3} and contrasted the results obtained with similar measurements on LaCoO{sub 3}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

{sup 125}Te-NMR Study in Novel Superconductor Pb{sub 1−x}Tl{sub x}Te with Valence Skipping Dopants

Pb{sub 1−x}Tl{sub x}Te is an anomalous low carrier density superconductor for which the origin of the superconductivity is not understood. Thallium is the only dopant to cause superconductivity in PbTe, suggesting that these specific impurities have a unique effect on the electronic states. Systematic {sup 125}Te-NMR studies on single-crystallines Pb{sub 1−x}Tl{sub x}Te (x = 0, 0.35, 1.0 at%) reveal that the Tl dopants induce spatially inhomogeneous electronic states around the Tl dopants. In the superconducting sample at x = 1.0 at%, {sup 125}Te nuclear spin relaxation rate (1/T{sub 1}T) in the vicinity of the Tl dopants is unexpectedly enhanced below ∼10 K. This coincides with the temperature below which the resistivity exhibits an upturn. By contrast, such anomalies were not detected in the non-superconducting sample at x = 0.35 at%. These observations can be consistently explained by charge Kondo effect, in which two nearly degenerate valence states of the Tl dopant form a resonating valence state upon cooling below 10 K. Based on these observations, we suggest that the coherent hopping of 6s-electron pair may provide the pairing interaction (i.e., a negative-U scenario), leading to the anomalously high T{sub c} found for Pb{sub 1−x}Tl{sub x}Te.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Space-Modulated Structures in BiFeO{sub 3} Films

In this work, we explore the properties of antiferromagnetic cycloid and the phase transitions between commensurate and incommensurate magnetic states in epitaxial BiFeO{sub 3} film. Additional magnetic anisotropy induced by strain effects in the films allocates cycloids with the definite directions of spin rotation. Peculiar feature of the cycloids propagating in the films whose symmetry is different from the single crystals is the orientation of spin rotational plane that does not contain electric polarization in contrast with the bulk materials. We construct a diagram of phase transitions induced by magnetic field applied along normal to the surface and show considerable decrease of the strength of magnetic field destroying cycloid in films compared with the bulk.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Interface-Induced and Interface-Enhanced Superconductivity

Among the various theoretical mechanisms proposed to reach a higher Tc, the interface mechanism in different forms has been the one most explored, and it provides continual inspiration and hope for realizing the ultimate goal for researchers in the superconductivity field—room-temperature superconductivity. Difficulties do exist, as most of the materials proposed to exhibit the interfacial mechanism are artificially formed heterostructures and are by nature delicate and easily disturbed by strain and change in the stoichiometry at the interface. The discoveries of superconductivity in naturally assembled single crystals of rare earth (R)-doped CaFe2As2 (Ca122) with a Tc up to 49 K and undoped CaFe2As2 with a Tc up to 25 K have opened an alternate route to tackle the problem. The experimental observation has provided the most direct evidence for interface-induced superconductivity in Ca122 to date and possibly in R-doped Ca122. Given the fact that neither chemical doping nor the application of physical pressure has ever induced a Tc higher than 40 K in bulk FeSe, the reports of Tc up to 45–109 K in FeSe/STO thin films demonstrate that FeSe/STO is an ideal system in which to explore interface-enhanced superconductivity. Here we review the above three specific examples of our effort toward superconductors of higher Tc to demonstrate that the interface mechanism may be a promising paradigm to achieve higher Tc.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Effect of Substrate Temperature on Structural, Morphological, Magnetic, and Electrical Properties of Fe{sub 2}CoSi Heusler Alloy Thin Films for Spin-Based Device Applications

Fe{sub 2}CoSi based Heusler alloy thin films are deposited on single crystal Si (111) substrate at different substrate temperatures varying from room temperature to 600 °C using ultrahigh vacuum DC magnetron sputtering. Structural analysis of the prepared thin films is carried out using GI-XRD measurement and it conform ordered L2{sub 1} crystal structure of the films deposited at 450 °C and above. The atomic force microscopic (AFM) images of Fe{sub 2}CoSi thin films exhibiting 3D-like growth on Si (111) substrate at varying temperatures. The magnetic property of the thin films is studied using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). At 450 °C of substrate temperature, the prepared thin film exhibits high saturation magnetization (M{sub s} = 948 emu/cc) and low coercivity (H{sub c} = 8 Oe). The self-energy magnetization of the film and its own field is very high, when the temperature of the substrate was maintained at 450 °C and switching field ratio for this film was obtained as ~ 0.9 due to its high crystallinity and atomic ordering. The electrical property of Fe{sub 2}CoSi thin film is investigated using four-probe technique and a positive magnetoresistive behavior was observed for thin film deposited at a substrate temperature of 450 °C which indicates the possible half-metallic nature at room temperature. The enhanced magnetic and electrical properties obtained for the thin film prepared at 450 °C substrate temperature is highly suitable for spin based device applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Growth, Characterization and High-Field Magneto-Conductivity of Co{sub 0.1}Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} Topological Insulator

We report the crystal growth as well as transport properties of Co added Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} (Co{sub 0.1}Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3}) single crystals. The values of the lattice parameters for pure and Co added sample were nearly the same. The Raman spectroscopy displayed slightly higher Raman shift of corresponding A{sub 1g}{sup 1}, Eg{sup 2}, and A{sub 1g}{sup 2} vibrational modes for Co{sub 0.1}Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3}, and the resistivity curves with and without applied magnetic field show a metallic behavior. Both the crystals were subjected to magneto-resistance (MR) measurements under applied fields of 14 T. The value of MR is found to decrease from about 380% (5 K, 14 T) for Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} to 200% for Co{sub 0.1}Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3}. To elaborate the transport properties of pure and Co added Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} crystals, the magneto-conductivity is fitted to the HLN (Hikami-Larkin-Nagaoka) equation, and it is found that the charge conduction is mainly dominated by surface-driven WAL (weak anti-localization) with negligible bulk WL (weak localization) contribution in both crystals alike. The MH curves of Co{sub 0.1}Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} crystal at different temperatures displayed a combination of both ferromagnetic and diamagnetic behavior. On the other hand, the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) revealed that pure Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} is diamagnetic, whereas Co orders ferromagnetically with resonating field around 3422 Oe at room temperature. The calculated value of Lande “g” factor is around 2.04 ± 0.05. Summarily, the short letter discusses the interesting magneto-conductivity and complex magnetism of Co in Co{sub 0.1}Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Non-resonant Microwave Absorption and Boundary Current Response of Ba{sub 0.34}K{sub 0.64}Fe{sub 2}As{sub 2} Superconducting Single Crystals

Boundary current response of Ba{sub 0.34}K{sub 0.64}Fe{sub 2}As{sub 2} (BaK122) single crystals was probed by non-resonant microwave absorption (NRMA) as a function of 100-KHz modulation field at an intermediate temperature, namely, 25 K, which is 10 K below the actual T{sub c}. The measurements were done for both field parallel and perpendicular to the iron arsenide plane configuration. A weak anisotropic effect is noted. However, it is observed that the boundary current response depends on the modulation field value and it increases as we increase the modulation field value from 1 to 9 G. Further, this boundary current response strongly depends on the microwave power. We have shown that these modulation field and microwave power dependence of the boundary current response of NRMA signals in BaK122 iron arsenide crystal can be qualitatively understood through the Dulcic model.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Experimental Investigation on the Low-Temperature Anomalies in Dysprosium Iron Garnet (DyIG)

The anomalous physical properties of dysprosium iron garnet Dy{sub 3}Fe{sub 5}O{sub 12} or DyIG single crystals have been revisited at low temperatures. This paper presents results of experimental investigation based on specific heat, magnetization, and Faraday rotation measurements. The distinguishing features are the occurrence of two types of anomalies in the temperature dependences of some judicious quantities. The first one coincides with the previous first-order spin reorientation transition at T{sub SR} = 15 K where the iron sublattice magnetization vector M{sub Fe} changes from the <111> axis at high temperature toward the low angular phases below T{sub SR}. The second one takes place around the “low-temperature Belov point” T{sub B} = 42 K, confirming what had already been predicted previously about the paraprocess effect in this ferrimagnet. The results are compared with previous findings and discussed taking into account the coexistence of some concomitant phenomena such the magnetodielectric and Schottky effects which cause anomalies, respectively near T{sub SR} and T{sub B}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Hexanuclear and Heptanuclear Nickel(II) Complexes of with a Non-Schiff-Base Tetradentate Ligand: an Example of Slow Motion Ferromagnetic Phase Transition at Very Low Temperature

Hexanuclear and heptanuclear nickel(II) complexes with N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl-1,2-ethanediamine (H{sub 2}hdde), [Ni{sub 6}(hdde){sub 3}(OH){sub 4}(NO{sub 3}){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}]·2dmf (dmf = N,N-dimethylformamide) and [Ni{sub 7}(hdde){sub 3}(OH){sub 6}(dmac){sub 3}](ClO{sub 4}){sub 2} (dmac = N,N-dimethylacetamide), were investigated. The latter complex was newly synthesized and the single-crystal X-ray structure analysis revealed a wheel-shaped heptanuclear cluster. These complexes showed a ferromagnetic interaction in the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibilities. The micro-SQUID data of the former complex did not show SMM property, whereas the AC susceptibility measurements suggested SMM-like behavior and the zero-field-cooled and field-cooled studies showed a ferromagnetic transition near 240 mK for the latter complex.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Characterizing the Josephson Effect on Ba-122 Single-Crystal Junctions

This paper presents c-direction hybrid Josephson junctions with base electrodes of Co:BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2} single crystals. To realize Josephson junctions, it applies standard photolithography technologies and a newly developed surface polishing method that was used. As conventional isotropic s-wave superconductor counter electrodes used double layers of Pb/In. The artificial barrier for the tunneling junctions consists of a thin sputtered Ti layer or a thermally evaporated Al layer; both layers were used as an insulator barrier. For characterizing the Josephson effects with TiO{sub x} barrier, we could realize I{sub c}R{sub N} products of about 13.7 μV and unconventional I{sub c}-T dependencies. The formation of Shapiro steps under the influence of microwave irradiation and magnetic field to the junctions will be discussed as well.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Signatures of Quantum Transport Steps in Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} Single Crystal

We report signatures of quantum magneto transport steps in a Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} single crystal. The Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} crystal is grown by self-flux method through solid-state reaction. Details of its structural analysis along with physical properties in terms of low temperature and high field transport, thermal (heat capacity), Raman, X-ray photo electron and angle resolved photo electron spectroscopy were reported earlier (J. Sup. Novel. Mag. 30, 2031 2017). In a present short letter, we show the details of its 2 K and up to 14 Tesla magneto transport, exhibiting quantum transport (QT) like steps above say 11 Tesla field. The possible QT steps cannot be modelled with the SdH (Shubnikov-de Haas) or other possible quantum oscillations. The observed QT like steps are possibly the result of the mixed out-of-plane R{sub xy}(H) and in-plane R{sub xx}(H) contributions from the misaligned [00l] planes of the studied crystal and this may happen with other studied topological insulator (TI) crystals as well. Our careful assessment of crystal XRD data shows the same.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗