arXiv subjects

M. A. Carpenter

Publications and source records attributed to M. A. Carpenter.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Ferroelastic domain wall motion and collective domain switching in RbSCN

Low frequency (0.05 - 40 Hz) dynamic elastic measurements and resonant ultrasound spectroscopy measurements (100-600 kHz) of RbSCN have been performed in the temperature region of the order-disorder improper ferroelastic phase transition at T$_c \approx$ 435~K. Quite similar to KSCN, the low frequency data show - in addition to the intrinsic phase transition anomalies - superelastic softening in a- and b-directions, resulting from movements of ferroelastic domain walls under dynamic stress. However, in contrast to KSCN, a sudden discontinuous increase of Young's modulus appears in RbSCN at { T$^{\ast} < T_c $}, which is accompanied by a frequency dependent damping peak. This behaviour is reminiscent of a first order phase transition.\\ Heating RbSCN slightly above T$^{\ast}$, followed by subseqent cooling, removes all {signs of domain wall dynamics}. The results demonstrate, that the anomalies in RbSCN around $T^{\ast}$ result from collective domain switching events that are induced when the {temperature dependent critical pinning stress, $σ_c(T)$ falls below the applied external stress $σ$, implying that $T^{\ast}(σ=σ_c)$. This interpretation is supported by calculations of the temperature dependences of twin boundary widths $w$ and energies $F_w$, as well as the Peierls potential $V_0$ using a compressible pseudospin model, which leads to a critical pinning stress, $σ_c(T)$ that is in excellent agreement with experimental values of $T^{\ast}(σ_c)$. }

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Ferroelastic control of magnetic domain structure: direct imaging by Magnetic Force Microscopy

Pyrrhotite, Fe$_7$S$_8$, provides an example of exceptionally strong magnetoelastic coupling through pinning of ferromagnetic domains by ferroelastic twins. Using direct imaging of both magnetic and ferroelastic domains by magnetic force microscopy (MFM), the mechanism by which this coupling controls local magnetic switching behaviour of regions on the pyrrhotite surface is revealed, and leads to quantitative fitting of field dependent MFM phase shifts with bulk magnetometry data. It is shown that characteristic inflection points in the magnetometry data along certain direction, in particular $[\overline 120]^*_h$ of the hexagonal parent structure, are in fact caused by ferroelastic pinning of the magnetic moments.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Influence of charged walls and defects on DC resistivity and dielectric relaxation in Cu-Cl boracite

Charged domain walls form spontaneously in Cu-Cl boracite on cooling through the phase transition. These walls exhibit changed conductivity compared to the bulk and motion consistent with the existence of negative capacitance. Here, we present the dielectric permittivity and DC resistivity of bulk Cu-Cl boracite as a function of temperature (-140 °C to 150 °C) and frequency (1 mHz to 10 MHz). The thermal behaviour of the two observed dielectric relaxations and the DC resistivity is discussed. We propose that the relaxations can be explained by the existence of point defects, most likely local complexes created by a change of valence of Cu and accompanying oxygen vacancies. In addition, the sudden change in resistivity seen at the phase transition suggests that conductive domain walls contribute significantly to the conductivity in the ferroelectric phase.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Elastic anomalies associated with domain switching in BaTiO$_3$ single crystals under in-situ electrical cycling

The elastic response of BaTiO$_3$ single crystals during electric field cycling at room temperature has been studied using in-situ Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS), which allows monitoring of both the elastic and anelastic changes caused by ferroelectric polarization switching. We find that the first ferroelectric switching of a virgin single crystal is dominated by ferroelastic 90° switching. In subsequent ferroelectric switching, ferroelastic switching is reduced by domain pinning and by the predominance of 180° ferroelectric domains, as confirmed by polarized light microscopy. RUS under in-situ electric field therefore demonstrates to be an effective technique for the investigation of electromechanical coupling in ferroelectrics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Segmental front line dynamics of randomly pinned ferroelastic domain walls

Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measurements as a function of temperature, frequency, and dynamic force amplitude are used to perform a detailed study of the domain wall motion in LaAlO3. In previous DMA measurements Harrison et al.[Phys. Rev. B69,144101(2004)] found evidence for dynamic phase transitions of ferroelastic domain walls in LaAlO3. In the present work we focus on the creep-to-relaxation region of domain wall motion using two complementary methods. We determine, in addition to dynamic susceptibility data, waiting time distributions of strain jerks during slowly increasing stress. The present dynamic susceptibility data can be well fitted with a power law, where a crossover from stochastic DW motion to the pinned regime is well described using the scaling function of Fedorenko et al.[Phys. Rev. B70, 224104(2004)].

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Strain and order-parameter coupling in Ni-Mn-Ga Heusler alloys from resonant ultrasound spectroscopy

Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility experiments have been used to characterize strain coupling phenomena associated with structural and magnetic properties of the shape-memory Heusler alloy series Ni$_{50+x}$Mn$_{25-x}$Ga$_{25}$ ($x=0$, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5). All samples exhibit a martensitic transformation at temperature $T_M$ and ferromagnetic ordering at temperature $T_C$, while the pure end member ($x=0$) also has a premartensitic transition at $T_{PM}$, giving four different scenarios: $T_C>T_{PM}>T_M$, $T_C>T_M$ without premartensitic transition, $T_C\approx T_M$, and $T_C<T_M$. Fundamental differences in elastic properties i.e., stiffening versus softening, are explained in terms of coupling of shear strains with three discrete order parameters relating to magnetic ordering, a soft mode and the electronic instability responsible for the large strains typical of martensitic transitions. Linear-quadratic or biquadratic coupling between these order parameters, either directly or indirectly via the common strains, is then used to explain the stabilities of the different structures. Acoustic losses are attributed to critical slowing down at the premartensite transition, to the mobility of interphases between coexisting phases at the martensitic transition and to mobility of some aspect of the twin walls under applied stress down to the lowest temperatures at which measurements were made.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Quantum Critical Points in Ferroelectric Relaxors: Stuffed Tungsten Bronze K3Li2Ta5O15 and Lead Pyrochlore (Pb2Nb2O7)

We have synthesised ceramic specimens of the tetragonal tungsten bronze K3Li2Ta5O15 (KLT) and characterized its phase transition via X-ray, dielectric permittivity, ultrasonic spectroscopy and heat capacity measurements. The space group of KLT is reported as both P4/mbm or Cmmm with the orthorhombic distortion occurring when there are higher partial pressures of volatile K and Li used within the closed crucibles for the solid state synthesis. The data show strong relaxor behaviour, with the temperature at which the two dielectric relative permittivity peaks decreasing with 104 K $\geqslant$ Tm1 $\geqslant$ 69 K and 69 K $\geqslant$ Tm2 $\geqslant$ 46 K as probe frequency f is reduced from 1 MHz to 316 Hz. The data satisfy a Vogel-Fulcher model with an extrapolated freezing temperature for ε' and ε" of Tf1 = + 15.8 and - 11.8 K and Tf2 = - 5.0 and - 15.0 K for f $\rightarrow$ 0 (tending to dc). Therefore by tuning frequency, the transition could be shifted to absolute zero suggesting KLT has a relaxor-type quantum critical point. In addition, we have reanalysed the conflicting literature for Pb2Nb2O7 pyrochlore which suggests that this is also a relaxor-type quantum critical point as the freezing temperature from Vogel-Fulcher fitting is below absolute zero. Since the transition temperature evidenced in the dielectric data at ca. 100 kHz shifts below zero Kelvin for very low frequencies, heat capacity data collected in the zero-frequency (dc) limit, should not indicate a transition. Both of these materials show promise as possible new relaxor-type quantum critical points within non-perovskite based structures as multiple compounds are reported with low-temperature transitions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Strain behavior and lattice dynamics in Ni50Mn35In15

The lattice dynamics in the polycrystalline shape-memory Heusler alloy Ni$_{50}$Mn$_{35}$In$_{15}$ has been studied by means of resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS). RUS spectra were collected in a frequency range $100-1200$ kHz between 10 and 350 K. Ni$_{50}$Mn$_{35}$In$_{15}$ exhibits a ferromagnetic transition at 313 K in the austenite and a martensitic transition at 248 K accompanied by a change of the magnetic state. Furthermore it displays a antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition within the martensitic phase. We determined the temperature dependence of the shear modulus and the acoustic attenuation of Ni$_{50}$Mn$_{35}$In$_{15}$ and compared it with magnetization data. Following the structural softening, which accompanies the martensitic transition as a pretransitional phenomenon, a strong stiffening of the lattice is observed at the martensitic magneto-structural transition. Only a weak magnetoelastic coupling is evidenced at the Curie temperatures both in austenite and martensite phase. The large acoustic damping in the martensitic phase compared with the austenitic phase reflects the motion of the twin walls, which freezes out in the low temperature region.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Magnetoelastic relaxations in EuTiO3

The multiferroic properties of EuTiO3 are greatly enhanced when a sample is strained, signifying that coupling between strain and structural, magnetic or ferroelectric order parameters is extremely important. Here resonant ultrasound spectroscopy has been used to investigate strain coupling effects, as well as possible additional phase transitions, through their influence on elastic and anelastic relaxations that occur as a function of temperature between 2 and 300 K and with applied magnetic field up to 14 T. Antiferromagnetic ordering is accompanied by acoustic loss and softening, and a weak magnetoelastic effect is also associated with the change in magnetization direction below ~2.8 K. Changes in loss due to the influence of magnetic field suggest the existence of magnetic defects which couple with strain and may play a role in pinning of ferroelastic twin walls.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2012

Surface phase transitions in BiFeO3 below room temperature

We combine a wide variety of experimental techniques to analyze two heretofore mysterious phase transitions in multiferroic bismuth ferrite at low temperature. Raman spectroscopy, resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, EPR, X-ray lattice constant measurements, conductivity and dielectric response, specific heat and pyroelectric data have been collected for two different types of samples: single crystals and, in order to maximize surface/volume ratio to enhance surface phase transition effects, BiFeO3 nanotubes were also studied. The transition at T=140.3K is shown to be a surface phase transition, with an associated sharp change in lattice parameter and charge density at the surface. Meanwhile, the 201K anomaly appears to signal the onset of glassy behaviour.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2010

Revealing the pure confinement effect in glass-forming liquids by dynamic mechanical analysis

Many molecular glass forming liquids show a shift of the glass transition Tg to lower temperatures when the liquid is confined into mesoporous host matrices. Two contrary explanations for this effect are given in literature: First, confinement induced acceleration of the dynamics of the molecules leads to an effective downshift of Tg increasing with decreasing pore size. Secondly, due to thermal mismatch between the liquid and the surrounding host matrix, negative pressure develops inside the pores with decreasing temperature, which also shifts Tg to lower temperatures. Here we present novel dynamic mechanical analysis measurements of the glass forming liquid salol in Vycor and Gelsil with pore sizes of d = 2.6, 5.0 and 7.5 nm. The dynamic complex elastic susceptibility data can be consistently described with the assumption of two relaxation processes inside the pores: A surface induced slowed down relaxation due to interaction with rough pore interfaces and a second relaxation within the core of the pores. This core relaxation time is reduced with decreasing pore size d, leading to a downshift of Tg in perfect agreement with recent DSC measurements.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗