arXiv subjects

K. Papadopoulos

Publications and source records attributed to K. Papadopoulos.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Magnetism and Ion Diffusion in Honeycomb Layered Oxide K$_2$Ni$_2$TeO$_6$: First Time Study by Muon Spin Rotation & Neutron Scattering

In the quest of finding novel and efficient batteries, a great interest has raised in K-based honeycomb layer oxide materials both for their fundamental properties and potential applications. A key issue in the realization of efficient batteries based on such compounds, is to understand the K-ion diffusion mechanism. However, investigation of potassium-ion (K$^+$) dynamics in materials using magneto-spin properties has so far been challenging, due to its inherently weak nuclear magnetic moment, in contrast to other alkali ions such as lithium and sodium. Spin-polarised muons, having a high gyromagnetic ratio, make the muon spin rotation and relaxation ($μ$+SR) technique ideal for probing ions dynamics in weak magneto-spin moment materials. Here we report the magnetic properties and K+ dynamics in honeycomb layered oxide material of the K$_2$Ni$_2$TeO$_6$ using $μ$+SR measurements. Our low-temperature $μ$+SR results together with, with complementary magnetic susceptibility, find an antiferromagnetic transition at 26 K. Further $μ$+SR studies performed at higher temperatures reveal that potassium ions (K$^+$) become mobile above 250 K and the activation energy for the diffusion process is Ea = 121(13) meV. This is the first time that K+ dynamics in potassium-based battery materials has been measured using $μ$+SR. Finally our results also indicate an interesting possibility that K-ion self diffusion occurs predominantly at the surface of the powder particles. This opens future possibilities for improving ion diffusion and device performance using nano-structuring.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Ion-acoustic Shocks with Self-Regulated Ion Reflection and Acceleration

An analytic solution describing an ion-acoustic collisionless shock, self-consistently with the evolution of shock-reflected ions, is obtained. The solution extends the classic soliton solution beyond a critical Mach number, where the soliton ceases to exist because of the upstream ion reflection. The reflection transforms the soliton into a shock with a trailing wave and a foot populated by the reflected ions. The solution relates parameters of the entire shock structure, such as the maximum and minimum of the potential in the trailing wave, the height of the foot, as well as the shock Mach number, to the number of reflected ions. This relation is resolvable for any given distribution of the upstream ions. In this paper, we have resolved it for a simple "box" distribution. Two separate models of electron interaction with the shock are considered. The first model corresponds to the standard Boltzmannian electron distribution in which case the critical shock Mach number only insignificantly increases from M=1.6 (no ion reflection) to M=1.8 (substantial reflection). The second model corresponds to adiabatically trapped electrons. They produce a stronger increase, from M=3.1 to M=4.5. The shock foot that is supported by the reflected ions also accelerates them somewhat further. A self-similar foot expansion into the upstream medium is also described analytically.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2012

Penetration of ELF Currents and Electromagnetic Fields into the Off-Equatorial E-Region of the Earth's Ionosphere

The generation of ELF (of the order of 10 Hz) currents and electromagnetic fields in the off-equatorial E-region (90-120 km) of the Earth's ionosphere and their subsequent penetration into the deeper ionospheric layers is studied theoretically and numerically. These ELF currents and fields are generated by the interaction of an electromagnetic pulse with the E-region at its lower boundary located at 90 km above the Earth's surface. The wave penetration (with a typical wavelength of the order of 10 km) of the generated ELF currents and fields into the deeper ionospheric layers up to 120 km takes place due to the dominance of the Hall conductivity over the Pederson conductivity in the region between 90-120 km and penetration becomes diffusive above 120 km. During night time, the increase in the wave speed due to the reduced conductivities leads to the deeper penetration. As the angle between Earth's magnetic field and horizontal is increased (going away from the equator), the currents and fields penetrate deeper into the ionospheric layers with increased wavelength, the magnitudes of horizontal (east-west) and vertical currents decrease near the boundary and the vertical electric field decreases drastically. The horizontal (east-west) current integrated along vertical is fitted with a current distribution which can be replaced by a line current raised above its actual height by the half width of the current distribution for the purpose of the calculation of its radiation. The maximum of the total east-west current (310 Amps) remains same for various simulation parameters due to the magnetic shielding.

physics.plasm-ph↗