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R. Mittal

Publications and source records attributed to R. Mittal.

78 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Inelastic neutron scattering and lattice dynamical calculations in BaFe2As2

We report here first extensive measurements of the temperature dependence of phonon density of states of BaFe2As2, the parent compound of the newly discovered FeAs-based superconductors, using inelastic neutron scattering. The experiments were carried out on the thermal time-of-flight neutron spectrometer IN4 at the ILL on a polycrystalline sample. There is no appreciable change in the spectra between T = 10 K and 200 K, although the sample undergoes a magnetic as well as a tetragonal-to-orthorhombic structural phase transition at 140 K. This indicates a rather harmonic phonon system. Shell model lattice dynamical calculations based on interatomic potentials are carried out to characterize the phonon data. The calculations predict a shift of the Ba-phonons to higher energies at 4 GPa. The average energy of the phonons of the Ba-sublattice is also predicted to increase on partial substitution of Ba by K to Ba0.6K0.4. The calculations show good agreement with the experimental phonon spectra, and also with the specific heat data from the literature.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Lattice dynamical calculations of infinite layer iron oxides SrFeO2 and CaFeO2

We report extensive lattice dynamical calculations of the newly discovered infinite-layer iron oxides SrFeO2 and CaFeO2. For SrFeO2, the parameters of the interatomic potential have been determined to reproduce the zone-centre phonon frequencies reported using ab-initio calculations. Further we have extended the potential model for calculations of CaFeO2. The potential parameters are found to be transferable between the two compounds, and are used to calculate the phonon spectra in the whole Brillouin zone and several thermodynamic properties for these compounds. The calculations show fair agreement with the available experimental data of structure, thermal expansion, and mean-squared amplitudes of the atoms.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Competing antiferroelectric and ferroelectric interactions in NaNbO3 : Neutron diffraction and theoretical studies

Neutron diffraction studies using powder samples have been used to understand the complex sequence of low temperature phase transitions of NaNbO3 in the temperature range from 12 K-350 K. Detailed Rietveld analysis of the diffraction data reveal that the antiferroelectric to ferroelectric phase transition occurs on cooling around 73 K while the reverse ferroelectric to antiferroelectric transition occurs on heating at 245 K. However, the former transformation is not complete till down to 12 K and there is unambiguous evidence for the presence of the ferroelectric R3c phase coexisting with an antiferroelectic phase (Pbcm) over a wide range of temperatures. The coexisting phases and reported anomalous smearing of the dielectric response akin to dipole glasses and relaxors observed in the same temperature range are consistent with competing ferroelectric and antiferroelectric interactions in NaNbO3. We have carried out theoretical lattice dynamical calculations which reveal that the free energies of the antiferroelectric Pbcm and ferroelectric R3c phases are nearly identical over a wide range of temperature. The small energy difference between the two phases is of interest as it explains the observed coexistence of these phases over a wide range of temperature. The computed double well depths and energy barriers from paraelectric Pm m to antiferroelectric Pbcm and ferroelectric R3c phases in NaNbO3 are also quite similar, although the ferroelectric R3c phase has a slightly lower energy.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Lattice vibrations in high-pressure phases of LiYF$_{4}$

Possible variations in the dynamical behaviour of LiYF$_{4}$ due to its several structural changes under pressure are examined by making use of the complementary techniques of quasi-harmonic lattice dynamics and molecular dynamics simulations. The phonon spectra in the entire Brillouin zone together with the respective Gibbs free energies are calculated for the three high-pressure polymorphs of LiYF$_{4}$ (that are stable at T = 0) with a view to better understand their relative stabilities as functions of pressure and temperature. The present work predicts anomalous thermal expansion at low temperatures in phases I and IIa while irreversibilty of phase II $\to$ phase III transition on subsequent pressure release. Molecular dynamics simulations provide qualitative impressions about a temperature-driven second-order transition and also of kinetic effects in the subsequent pressure-driven first-order phase transformation.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Vibrational and thermodynamic properties of high-pressure phases in LiYF_4

Possible variations in the dynamical behaviour of LiYF$_{4}$ due to its structural changes following several pressure-induced phase transitions are examined by making use of the complementary techniques of quasi-harmonic lattice dynamics and molecular dynamics simulation. The phonon spectra in the entire Brillouin zone and the respective Gibbs free energies are calculated for the three high-pressure polymorphs of LiYF$_{4}$ that are stable at T = 0, with an aim to understand their relative stabilities as functions of pressure and temperature in terms of volume compression and vibrational entropy. Molecular dynamics simulations provide qualitative impressions about a temperature-driven second-order transformation and also of kinetic effects in the subsequent pressure-driven first-order phase transition. In addition, the calculations predict anomalous thermal expansion at low temperature in phases I and IIa while irreversibilty of phase II $\to$ phase III transition on subsequent pressure release.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗