Scaling of the Temperature Dependent Resistivity and Hall Effect in Ba(Fe<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>)As<Subscript>2</Subscript>

We show that the temperature-dependent resistivity ρ(T), Hall number n _H(T) and the cotangent of the Hall angle cot θ _H(T) of Ba(Fe_1−x Co _x )As₂ (x=0.0–0.2) can be scaled using a recently proposed model-independent scaling method (Luo et al. in Phys. Rev. B 77:014529, 2008). The zero field normal-state resistivity above T _c can be reproduced by the expresion r(T) = r₀ +cTexp(- \frac2\varDelta T )\rho(T) = \rho_{0} +cT\exp(- \frac{2\varDelta }{T} ) and scaled using the energy scale Δ, c and the residual resistivity ρ ₀ as scaling parameters. The scaling parameters have been calculated and the compositional variation of 2Δ and ρ ₀ has been determined. The 2Δ(x) dependence show almost linear decreasing in underdoped regime, minimum corresponding to the T _c maximum and increasing in overdoped regime. The latter is different from that reported for cuprates. The existence of a universal metallic ρ(T) curve which, however, is restricted for the underdoped compounds to temperatures above a structural and antiferromagnetic transition is interpreted as an indication of a single mechanism which dominates the scattering of the charge carriers in Ba(Fe_1−x Co _x )As₂ (x=0.0–0.2).     

Occurrence of Superconductivity and Magnetism in Nominally Undoped LaOFeAs

Superconductivity in a LaOFeAs system is known to get introduced by F-doping (LaO_1−x F _x FeAs) even under ambient conditions and oxygen deficiency (LaO_1−x FeAs) under high pressure conditions. Hitherto unreported, superconductivity in F-free undoped LaOFeAs samples is observed and confirmed for the first time by various characterization tools–resistive ρ(T,B), magnetic M(T,B) and modulated microwave absorption (MMA) measurements. The ρ(T) at B=0 shows a clear superconducting transition with an onset at T _con∼17 K and a tail-like behavior when R goes to zero at T _c0∼8 K. In the presence of B, the superconducting transition shifts to lower T with a rate ∼−5.5 and −1.65 T/K, depending on whether the ρ(T) has dropped to 90% or 5% of its normal state value, respectively. M(T) in zero field cooling at B=10 mT shows diamagnetic downturn below at ∼12 K. At T<T _c0 the change in MMA with B shows a low field (B∼1 mT) peak, which vanishes at T>T _c0, indicating the presence of weak link superconducting networks in the sample. The sample shows a complex electrical and magnetic behavior in the normal state. For instance, ρ(T) reveals a weak SDW-like anomaly at T∼132 K along with a resistivity minimum at T _min∼78 K. M(T) also shows the presence of a magnetic anomaly at T∼130 K. Both below and above T _con, presence of an additional ferromagnetic component is observed in the isothermal M(B) loop measurements. The superconducting and normal state features of our sample are compared with other undoped and doped LaOFeAs systems reported in the literature.     

d-Hole localization and the suppression of superconductivity in YBa2(Cu1-xZnx)3O7?y

The temperature and Zn concentration dependence of the electrical resistivity, specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of YBa₂(Cu_1–x Zn _x )₃O_7–y withy0.1 has been measured forx0.16. In addition, the temperature and field dependence of the magnetization has been measured for 2<T<300K and 0<H<9.0T, along with the temperature and quasihydrostatic pressure dependence of the electrical resistivity for selected samples for 0<P<13 GPa. The substitution of Zn for Cu in YBa₂Cu₃O_7–y causes a rapid and nearly linear depression of the superconducting transition temperature,T _c , withT _c going to 0 K forx 0.10. YBa₂(Cu_1–x Zn _x )₃O_7–y retains the YBa₂Cu₃O_7-y orthorhombic structure forx0.16 for both the superconducting and nonsuperconducting samples. Initially, the unit cell volume increases nearly linearly with Zn content; however, an abrupt change occurs in the vicinityx=0.8–0.10. Forx<0.10, the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity,(T), is metallic-like (d/dT>0) and increases gradually with increasing Zn content. However, forx 0.10,(T) becomes semiconductor-like, with a very rapid increase of the resistivity with increasingx. The electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, EPR spectra, and specific heat all indicate that thed-holes associated with the Cu ions become localized in the nonsuperconducting phase,x>-0.10.     

Observation of Multiple Gap Structures Using NdFeAsO<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>F<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>–GaAs Tunneling Junction

We have carried out point contact tunneling measurements by contacting degenerated GaAs semiconductor to polycrystalline samples of NdFeAsO_1−x F _x with T _c=44−51±1.2. The obtained conductance curves have plural structures included in energy region of the superconducting gap. These structures are seen at almost the same bias positions on every measurement. And as temperature increases, the structures are smeared out. Thus, the structures are attributed to multiple gap structures. The gap values are Δ _S=6.3±0.3 meV, Δ _L=12.5±0.5 meV and 2Δ _S/k _B T _c=3.1±0.3, 2Δ _L/k _B T _c=6.2±0.7. Separately from these multiple gap structures, some fine structures are seen in outer energy region of the gap structures. We have calculated d² I/dV ² and T _c from using conventional s-wave Eliashberg equations by appropriately assuming α ² F(ω). The phonon positions of the calculated d² I/dV ² curve are in quite good agreement with that of experimental result. Moreover, the calculated T _c reproduces the experimental one.     

Low-temperature magnetoresistance of biaxially strained 24-nm-thick La<Subscript>0.67</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>0.33</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> films

The lateral unit cell parameter in nanodimensional La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ (LCMO) films grown on (001)-oriented LaAlO₃ substrates is significantly (approximately 4%) smaller than the value measured along the normal to the substrate plane. At T < 140 K, the temperature dependence of the resistivity ρ of LCMO films follows the relation ρ − ρ (T = 4.2 K) ≈ρ₂(H)T ^4.5, where ρ₂ is independent of the temperature but decreases with increasing magnetic field H. It is shown that this decrease is related both to a decay of the spin waves in ferromagnetic domains and to the transformation of antiferromagnetic phase inclusions into ferromagnetic ones.     

Tunneling Conductance of Ba1−x K x Fe2As2–GaAs Junction

We carried out point contact tunneling measurements by simply contacting degenerate GaAs semiconductor to polycrystalline Ba_1−x K _x Fe₂As₂ with T _c=31.1±1.0 K. The gap related structure was easily obtained. The gap value 2Δ determined from peak-to-peak voltage was 18.0 meV, and 2Δ/k _B T _c was 6.8. Small structures were observed at V∼±23 mV in the conductance curve separately from the gap edge structure. These values are included in phonon energy region and correspond to a peak of phonon density of states. Thus, the structures are attributed to phonon structure. We calculated d² I/dV ² and T _c, Δ in using Eliashberg equations by assuming α ² F(ω) from neutron phonon spectrum. The first phonon structure in calculated d² I/dV ² is comparable to experimental one.     

History effects in low-field magnetoresistance of BPSSCO polycrystals

Low-field (H<40 G) magnetoresistance measurements have been made on Bi_1·6Pb_0·4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀ polycrystals at several temperatures between 80 and 105 K. Considerable hysteresis in ρ(H) is found in a zero-field-cooled sample when the applied field is increased from 0 to a maximum value and then lowered back to 0 at all temperatures. The observation of hysteresis is taken as an evidence for field trapping in the grains. We show that the hysteresis in ρ(H) occurs for applied fields much lower than that at whichdρ(H)/dH exhibits a discontinuity. In addition, we find that when the applied magnetic field (H _a) is lowered from a maximum field, the effective intergranular field,H _eff, becomes zero forH _c>0, which gives rise to a minimum in ρ(H).     

Effect of the self-organized cluster structure in LaSrMnO films on the slope of the temperature dependence of resistivity

We have studied the effect of atomic ordering in a nanodimensional clustered structure of amorphous LaSrMnO films on the slope of the temperature dependence of resistivity ρ(T) in the regions where dρ/dT > 0. It is established that a high concentration of clusters of a “metallic” phase (C _met = 9%) capable of fertromagnetic ordering leads to a giant temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR), with its value (normalized slope) reaching (dρ/dT)/ρ = 1.6 × 10⁴% K⁻¹. Samples with a small concentration of such clusters (C _met = 0.1%) possess paramagnetic properties and their normalized TCR decreases by three orders of magnitude to (dρ/dT)/ρ = 1.7 × 10¹% K⁻¹. This behavior is explained by self-consistent changes in the atomic, magnetic, and electron subsystems.     

Viscosity and density of the ternary mixture heptane+methylcyclohexane+1-methylnaphthalene

The dynamic viscosity η and the density ρ of the ternary mixture heptane (mole fractionx ₁)+methylcyclohexane (mole fractionx ₂) + 1-methylnaphthalene (mole fractionx ₃) were measured as a function of temperatureT (303.15, 323.15, and 343.15 K) and pressureP(≤100 MPa). The experimental results correspond to 378 values of η and ρ. With reference to the 54 values previously published on pure substances and 378 values for the three associated binaries. the system is globally described by 810 experimental values for various values ofP, T, and compositon.     

New Insights on the Intrinsic Anisotropy of YBCO Films

Careful investigation of the angular dependence of resistivity ρ(θ) (θ is the angle between the magnetic field and the ab-planes) and the temperature dependence of resistivity ρ(T) within the superconducting transition in an applied magnetic field B up to 1 T for a series of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (YBCO) thin films revealed a large variation of intrinsic anisotropy factor γ. The series of films studied included both optimally doped and underdoped samples of different T _c , critical current density J _c , film thickness, and preparation techniques. The variation in the shape and depth of the minimum measured for ρ(θ) near θ=0° could be directly correlated to the intrinsic anisotropy of the YBCO films. The results of fitting of ρ(θ) using Bardeen–Stephen theory allowed a quantitative determination of the value of γ which varies between 7 and 230, and is independent of T _c , film thickness, or J _c . The sharper the minimum in ρ(θ) around θ=0° the larger is the anisotropy. For highly anisotropic film, ρ(θ) showed an identical behavior for B ∥ J and B ⊥ J (i.e., ρ(θ) is independent of the angle θ between B and J for this film). The large variation in γ could be attributed to the “buckling” of the CuO₂ planes.     

Comment on ‘Resistivity Minimum Behavior and Weak Magnetic Disorder Characteristics in La<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Manganites’

In a recent paper (Chen et al. in J. Supercond. Nov. Magn. 22:465, 2009) Zhenping Chen et al. reported measurements of the electrical resistivity (ρ) and magnetization versus temperature (T) and magnetic field (H) on polycrystalline manganite compound La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃. In particular, the ρ(T) dependence shows a shallow minimum at T _min∼20 K. Application of the external H up to 8 T leads to marked flattening of such minimum and to notable lowering of the T _min on ρ(T,H) curves. The authors attributed this low-temperature anomaly to competitive quantum Kondo effect and three-dimensional electron–electron interaction, using the results of numerical fittings of ρ versus T and H dependences in the interval of about 5–30 K. It is suggested in the comment that such a claim seems to be doubtful due to the fundamental inapplicability of this approach for analysis of low-temperature conductivity in polycrystalline manganites. It is noted that a natural cause for both the low-temperature minimum on ρ(T) curve and its evolution upon magnetic field application, is the well-known grain boundary effect. The numerous uncertainties and obscurities are also characteristic for the paper being commented upon.     

Van vleck paramagnetism of the diluted intermetallic compounds Pr1−x Y x Ni5 at fields up to 15 T

We have measured the 16 Hz susceptibility of the diluted Van Vleck paramagnets Pr_1−x Y _x Ni₅ withx=0.00, 0.05, 0.10. 0.20 at temperatures 1.5 K≤T≤50 K and magnetic fields up to 15T. Their Van Vleck type magnetic susceptibility χ(T, B, x) strongly depends on the field atB≥6 T. The temperatureT _max(B, x) of the maximum of χ(T, B, x) decreases at increasing the field from zero to 15 T by approximately one order of magnitude for all Pr_1−x Y _x Ni₅ compounds. Changing the dilutionx from zero to 0.20, the field whereT _max(B, x) strongly drops is increased from 9 T to 11 T. Our data agree qualitatively with the predictions of a point charge model which considers the Zeeman term in addition to the electronic exchange and the dominating crystal field contributions.     

Electrical resistivity of a solid solution of α-titanium-oxygen

Review, analysis, and generalization of experimental data on the electrical resistivity of solid solutions of α-titanium-oxygen with an atomic content less than c _O ∼ 10 % is performed. Numerical values of dρ(c _O)/dc _O derivatives at temperatures of 77 and 300 K are obtained. The dependence dρ/dT as a function of ρ₂₉₃ and of the total oxygen content is built at room temperatures; and the dρ/dT = f(ρ₂₉₃) analytical function is proposed for titanium. For titanium, the Matthiessen rule is shown not to be fulfilled even for a small amount of impurities. The experimental data on electrical resistivity of solutions of α-titanium-oxygen, titanium, and monocrystalline titanium are approximated by an equation obtained within the framework of the two-band model approximation.     

Flux trapping and its effect on AC susceptibility of granular superconductors

Experimental data on the real (x′) and imaginary (x″) parts of AC magnetic susceptibility as a function of DC bias field (H) shows the effect of trapped flux in granular highT _c superconductors. The aim was to substantiate our recent theoretical findings on the basis of a two-component critical state model suitable for granular highT _c superconductors. Stress has been given to understanding the origin of hysteresis inx′(H) andx″(H). It was seen in the experimental data that above a certain value of DC field range irreversibility appears inx′(H) andx″(H) creating hysteresis like loops. Comparison of data with calculated loops shows good agreement.x′(H) andx″(H) curves show considerable asymmetry in presence of trapped flux.     

Study of lithium–zinc borophosphate glasses

Mixed lithium–zinc borophosphate glasses were prepared and studied in three compositional series xLi₂O–(50−x)ZnO–50P₂O₅, xLi₂O–(50−x)ZnO–10B₂O₃–40P₂O₅ and xLi₂O–(50−x)ZnO–20B₂O₃–30P₂O₅ with x = 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mol% Li₂O. The obtained glasses were characterized by the measurements of the density (ρ), molar volume (V _M), glass transition temperature (T _g) and thermal expansion coefficient (α). For the investigation of structural changes ¹¹B and ³¹P MAS NMR and Raman spectroscopy were applied. The replacement of zinc by lithium in borophosphate glasses slightly decreases V _M and T _g, while α increases. In Li–Zn metaphosphate glasses the compositional dependence of T _g reveals a minimum, while at the borophosphate series T _g decreases monotonously with increasing Li₂O content. Chemical stability of Li–Zn borophosphate glasses is very good for glasses with x = 0–30 mol% Li₂O. Spectral studies showed in the glass series with 10 mol% B₂O₃ only the presence of BO₄ sites. In the glasses with 20 mol% B₂O₃ the presence of BO₃ and two BO₄ sites was revealed in ZnO-rich glasses and only one BO₄ site in Li₂O-rich glasses; the number of BO₃ groups decreases with increasing Li₂O content which is ascribed to the formation of P–O–Zn covalent bonds in ZnO-rich glasses.     

Experimental Study of the Isochoric Heat Capacity of Diethyl Ether (DEE) in the Critical and Supercritical Regions

Two- and one-phase liquid and vapor isochoric heat capacities (C _{V ρ} T relationship) of diethyl ether (DEE) in the critical and supercritical regions have been measured with a high-temperature and high-pressure nearly constant-volume adiabatic calorimeter. The measurements were carried out in the temperature range from 347 K to 575 K for 12 liquid and 5 vapor densities from 212.6 kg·m⁻³ to 534.6 kg·m⁻³. The expanded uncertainties (coverage factor k =  2, two-standard deviation estimate) for values of the heat capacity were 2% to 3% in the near-critical region, 1.0% to 1.5% for the liquid isochores, and 3% to 4% for the vapor isochores. The uncertainties of density (ρ) and temperature (T) measurements were 0.02% and 15 mK, respectively. The values of the internal energy, U(T, V), and second temperature derivative of pressure, (∂² P/∂T ²) _ρ , were derived using the measured C _V data near the critical point. The critical anomaly of the measured C _V and derived values of U(T, V) and (∂² P/∂T ²) _ρ in the critical and supercritical regions were interpreted in terms of the scaling theory of critical phenomena. The asymptotic critical amplitudes (A₀⁺ and A₀^- ){({A_0^+} {\rm and} {A_0^- )}} of the scaling power laws along the critical isochore for one- and two-phase C _V were calculated from the measured values of C _V . Experimentally derived values of the critical amplitude ratio for C_V (A₀⁺ /A₀^- = 0.521){C_{V} \left({A_0^+ /A_0^- = 0.521}\right)} are in good agreement with the values predicted by scaling theory. The measured C _V data for DEE were analyzed to study the behavior of loci of isothermal and isochoric C _V maxima and minima in the critical and supercritical regions.     

Observation of RKKY-Kondo Competition and Non-Fermi-Liquid Behavior in the Intermetallic Compound Series Ce(Cu<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ni<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>)Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>

We study Kondo-RKKY competition in the intermetallic compound series Ce(Cu_1−x Ni _x )Si₂ (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) by performing X-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility measurements and Ce-L_III-edge X-ray absorption spectra. The results reveal that RKKY interaction dominates and leads to spin-glass behavior at the Cu rich end. For the Ni rich end the Kondo effect prevails and drives the system towards an intermediate-valence regime with nearly quenched magnetism. According to the experimental result, we are able to obtain a phase diagram similar to Theumann’s theoretical model. This work also observed non-Fermi-liquid behavior from the ρ(T) and χ(T) measurements at x=0.6, indicating this series to lie in the vicinity of a quantum critical point at this content.     

Effect of magnetic iron impurity on the superconducting properties of an amorphous Nb50Zr35Si15 alloy

The effect of magnetic iron impurity on the superconducting properties of amorphous Nb₅₀Zr_35−x Si₁₅Fe _x (x⩽4 at %) alloys was examined. Doping with an iron impurity resulted in a linear depression ofT _c andH _c2(T) and a decrease in andρ _n after reaching a maximum value at 0.5 to 1.0 at % iron. The observed decrease was about 35% forT _c, 85% forH _c2 at 2.0 K, 16% for and 21% forρ _n. Although the decrease in occurs through the decrease inρ _n as expected from the GLAG theory, the depression inT _c caused by magnetic impurity could not be explained in terms of the GLAG theory which is applicable to Nb-Zr-Si amorphous alloys without magnetic impurity, but was interpreted as arising from the pair-breaking effect in the superconducting nature due to magnetic scattering. However, the pair-breaking effect was found to be smaller by about one-tenth for the present amorphous superconductors than for crystalline superconductors, indicating the high stability of the superconductivity of the Nb-Zr-Si-Fe alloys against the magnetic scattering arising from the magnetic impurity. The reduced magnetic field at which the reduced fluxoid pinning force exhibits a maximum value increased with iron concentration, indicative of an enhancement of fluxoid pinning force. The enhancement in fluxoid pinning force was interpreted as arising from the increase in compositional, electronic and/or magnetic fluctuations by the dope of iron impurity.     

Charge Order in (TMTTF)2PF6 Investigated by Infrared Spectroscopy

To explore novel physical phenomena related to strong π-d interaction, we measured the resistivity (ρ) and magnetoresistance of the first organic ferrimagnetic π-d system, (EDT-TTFVO)₂FeBr₄ under high pressures up to 8 GPa, where EDT-TTFVO denotes ethylenedithiotetrathiafulvalenoquinone-1,3-dithiolemethide. At ambient pressure, ρ(T) exhibits resistivity minimum near T_min ∼ 170 K followed by a gradual increase below it. With increasing pressure, T_min abruptly decreases till 4 GPa, beyond which it slightly increases. The increase ofT _min above 4 GPa is discussed in terms of the enhancement of the π-d interaction by applying pressure.     

Is the Two Dimensional Organic Conductor, τ-(EDO-S,S-DMEDT-TTF)2(AuCl2)1+y Clean or Dirty?

The transport properties of organic τ-type conductors seem to be very clean as well as very dirty depending on what we observe. To clarify this problem, we studied temperature and magnetic field dependence of resistivity, ρ(T, B), in τ-(EDO-S,S-DMEDT-TTF)₂(AuCl₂)_1+y. The properties that favor “probably dirty” are: i) stepwise ρ_a(T) increase below 20 K, which is suppressed by magnetic field, and ii) contrasted difference in ρ(T) as well as magnetization M(T) between field cooled (FC) and zero field cooled (ZFC). On the other hand, Shubnikov de Haas oscillations with very low Dingle temperature (T_D = 1.5 K) are typical of clean system. Based on these observations, we conclude this system changes from “dirty” to “clean” system by increase of magnetic field.