arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Ruslan Prozorov.
This thesis describes experimental and theoretical study of static and dynamic aspects of the irreversible magnetic behavior of high-Tc superconductors. Experimentally, conventional magnetometry and novel Hall-probe array techniques are employed. Using both techniques extends significantly the experimental possibilities and yields a wealth of new experimental results.
Our measurements of the differential susceptibility dM/dH of the frustrated magnetic molecules Mo72Fe30 and Mo72Cr30 reveal a pronounced dependence on magnetic field (H) and temperature (T) in the low H - low T regime, contrary to the predictions of existing models. Excellent agreement with experiment is achieved upon formulating a nearest-neighbor classical Heisenberg model where the 60 nearest-neighbor exchange interactions in each molecule, rather than being identical as has been assumed heretofore, are described by a two-parameter probability distribution of values of the exchange constant. We suggest that the probability distribution provides a convenient phenomenological platform for summarizing the combined effects of multiple microscopic mechanisms that disrupt the idealized picture of a Heisenberg model based on a single value of the nearest-neighbor exchange constant.
The structure and dynamics of froths have been subjects of intense interest due to the desire to understand the behaviour of complex systems where topological intricacy prohibits exact evaluation of the ground state. The dynamics of a traditional froth involves drainage and drying in the cell boundaries, thus it is irreversible. We report a new member to the froths family: suprafroth, in which the cell boundaries are superconducting and the cell interior is normal phase. Despite very different microscopic origin, topological analysis of the structure of the suprafroth shows that statistical von Neumann and Lewis laws apply. Furthermore, for the first time in the analysis of froths there is a global measurable property, the magnetic moment, which can be directly related to the suprafroth structure. We propose that this suprafroth is a new, model system for the analysis of the complex physics of two-dimensional froths.
High resolution measurements of the dynamic magnetic susceptibility are reported for ferromagnetic re-entrant superconductor, ErRh$_{4}$B$_{4}$. Detailed investigation of the coexisting regime reveals unusual temperature-asymmetric and magnetically anisotropic behavior. The superconducting phase appears via a series of discontinuous steps upon warming from the ferromagnetic normal phase, whereas the ferromagnetic phase develops via a gradual transition. A model based on local field inhomogeneity is proposed to explain the observations.
High-resolution magneto-optical technique was used to analyze flux patterns in the intermediate state of bulk Pb samples of various shapes - cones, hemispheres and discs. Combined with the measurements of macroscopic magnetization these results allowed studying the effect of bulk pinning and geometric barrier on the equilibrium structure of the intermediate state. Zero-bulk pinning discs and slabs show hysteretic behavior due to geometric barrier that results in a topological hysteresis -- flux tubes on penetration and lamellae on flux exit. (Hemi)spheres and cones do not have geometric barrier and show no hysteresis with flux tubes dominating the intermediate field region. It is concluded that flux tubes represent the equilibrium topology of the intermediate state in reversible samples, whereas laminar structure appears in samples with magnetic hysteresis (either bulk or geometric). Real-time video is available in http://www.cmpgroup.ameslab.gov/supermaglab/video/Pb.html NOTE: the submitted images were severely downsampled due to Arxiv's limitations of 1 Mb total size.
The magnetic properties of biologically-produced magnetite nanocrystals biomineralized by four different magnetotactic bacteria were compared to those of synthetic magnetite nanocrystals and large, high quality single crystals. The magnetic feature at the Verwey temperature, $T_{V}$, was clearly seen in all nanocrystals, although its sharpness depended on the shape of individual nanoparticles and whether or not the particles were arranged in magnetosome chains. The transition was broader in the individual superparamagnetic nanoparticles for which $T_{B} T_{V}$ and the Verwey transition is sharply defined. No correlation between the particle size and $T_{V}$ was found. Furthermore, measurements of $M(H,T,time)$ suggest that magnetosome chains behave as long magnetic dipoles where the local magnetic field is directed along the chain and this result confirms that time-logarithmic magnetic relaxation is due to the collective (dipolar) nature of the barrier for magnetic moment reorientation.
Characteristic temperatures in ferromagnetic - antiferromagnetic exchange biased systems are analyzed. In addition to usual blocking temperature of exchange bias $T_{B}$, and the Néel temperature of an antiferromagnet $T_{N}$, the inducing temperature $T_{ind}$, i.e., the temperature, at which the direction of exchange anisotropy is established, has been recently proposed. We demonstrate that this temperature is in general case different from $T_{B}$ and $T_{N}$. Physics and experimental approaches to measure the inducing temperature are discussed. Measurements of $T_{ind}$, in addition to $T_{B}$, and $T_{N}$, provide important information about exchange interactions in ferromagnetic - antiferromagnetic heterostructures.
Metamaterials are artificial structures with unique electromagnetic properties, such as relative dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability with values less than 1, or even negative. Because these properties are so sensitive to loss, we have developed metamaterials comprised of superconducting waveguides, wires, and split-ring resonators. An important requirement for applications of these metamaterials is the ability to tune the frequency at which the unique electromagnetic response occurs. In this paper we present three methods (unique to superconductors) to accomplish this tuning: temperature, dc magnetic field, and rf magnetic field. Data are shown for dc and rf magnetic field tuning of a single Nb split-ring resonator (SRR). It was found that the dc field tuning was hysteritic in the resonant frequency data, while the quality factor, $Q$, was less hystertic. The rf power tuning showed no hysteresis, but did show supression of the $Q$ at high power. Magneto-optical images reveal inhomogeneous magnetic vortex entry in the dc field tuning, and laser scanning photoresponse images for a YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$ SRR reveals the current distribution in the rings.
Giant abrupt changes in the magnetic flux distribution in niobium foils were studied by using magneto-optical visualization, thermal and magnetic measurements. Uniform flux jumps and sometimes almost total catastrophic collapse of the critical state are reported. Results are discussed in terms of thermomagnetic instability mechanism with different development scenarios.
This topical review summarizes various features of magnetic penetration depth in unconventional superconductors. Precise measurements of the penetration depth as a function of temperature, magnetic field and crystal orientation can provide detailed information about the pairing state. Examples are given of unconventional pairing in hole- and electron-doped cuprates, organic and heavy fermion superconductors. The ability to apply an external magnetic field adds a new dimension to penetration depth measurements. We discuss how field dependent measurements can be used to study surface Andreev bound states, nonlinear Meissner effects, magnetic impurities, magnetic ordering, proximity effects and vortex motion. We also discuss how penetration depth measurements as a function of orientation can be used to explore superconductors with more than one gap and with anisotropic gaps. Details relevant to the analysis of penetration depth data in anisotropic samples are also discussed.
Shubnikov - de Haas oscillations were measured in single crystals of highly metallic antiferromagnetic SmAgSb$_{2}$ and ferromagnetic CeAgSb$_{2}$ using a tunnel diode resonator. Resistivity oscillations as a function of applied magnetic field were observed via measurements of skin depth variation. The effective resolution of $Δρ\simeq20$ p$Ω$ allows a detailed study of the SdH spectra as a function of temperature. The effects of the Sm long - range magnetic ordering as well as its electronic structure ($4f$-electrons) on the Fermi surface topology is discussed.
In- and out-of-plane London penetration depths were measured in single crystals CaAlSi (T_{c}=6.2 K and 7.3 K) using a tunnel-diode resonator. A full 3D BCS analysis of the superfluid density is consistent with a prolate spheroidal gap, with a weak-coupling BCS value in the ab-plane and stronger coupling along the c-axis. The gap anisotropy was found to significantly decrease for higher T_{c} samples.
Magneto-optical imaging of thick stress-free lead samples reveals two distinct topologies of the intermediate state. Flux tubes are formed upon magnetic field penetration (closed topology) and laminar patterns appear upon flux exit (open topology). Two-dimensional distributions of shielding currents were obtained by applying an efficient inversion scheme. Quantitative analysis of the magnetic induction distribution and correlation with magnetization measurements indicate that observed topological differences between the two phases are responsible for experimentally observable magnetic hysteresis.
Heterogeneous sonochemical synthesis was used to modify superconducting properties of granular YBa2Ca3CuO7-y and Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x. Sonication of liquid-powder alkane slurries produces material with enhanced intergrain coupling and improved current-carrying capabilities. Co-sonication with metals and organometallics results in highly compact nanocomposites with increased magnetic irreversibility. Ultrasonic irradiation of YBa2Ca3CuO7-y carried under partial oxygen atmosphere produces similar morphological effects and increases superconducting transition temperature due to effective surface saturation with oxygen. Detailed chemical and physical characterization of sonochemically prepared high-Tc nanocomposites is presented.
Heterogeneous sonochemical method was applied for synthesis of novel superconducting nanocomposites consisting of magnetic (and/or nonmagnetic) nanoparticles embedded into the bulk of ceramic superconductors. In addition to in-situ production of the efficient pinning centers, this synthesis method considerably improves the interbrain coupling. Significant enhancement of the magnetic irreversibility is reported for Fe2O3 nanoparticles embedded into the bulk of MgB2 superconductor. Nonmagnetic Mo2O5 nanoparticles also increase pinning strength, but less than magnetic Fe2O3. Detailed magnetization and electron microscopy characterization is presented. Theory of bulk magnetic pinning due to ferromagnetic nanoparticles of finite size embedded into the superconducting matrix is developed.
Slurries of powdered Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x superconductor in low volatility alkanes were treated with intense ultrasound. Significant enhancements of magnetic irreversibility as well as transport critical current are reported. The effects are dependent on the concentration of the slurry and are optimal for 1.5% wt. slurry loading. Electron microscopy shows that ultrasonic treatment leads to a change in grain morphology and intergrain welding. The observed enhancement of superconducting properties is consistent with the limitations in critical currents in BSCCO superconductor being due to intergrain coupling rather than intragrain pinning strength.
Enhancement of flux pinning by magnetic nanoparticles embedded into the bulk of type-2 superconductor is studied both theoretically and experimentally. Magnetic part of the pinning force associated with the interaction between a spherical magnetic inclusion and an Abrikosov vortex was calculated in the London approximation. Calculations are supported by the experimental results obtained on sonochemically modified MgB2 superconductor with embedded magnetic Fe2O3 nanoparticles and compared to MgB2 with nonmagnetic Mo2O5 pinning centers of similar concentration and particle size distribution. It is shown that ferromagnetic nanoparticles result in a considerable enhancement of vortex pinning in large-kappa type-2 superconductors.
Temperature dependence of the magnetic penetration depth, $λ$(T), was measured in the Meissner state in single crystals B$_{1-x}$K$_{x}$BiO$_{3}$ (x=0.37) using tunnel diode resonator technique. At low temperatures, $0.013 \le T/T_c \le 0.4$, $λ$(T) is exponentially flat, which provides a strong evidence for conventional s-wave BCS behavior. Numerical analysis of the data rules out the possibility of a gap with nodes.