arXiv subjects

Th. Wolf

Publications and source records attributed to Th. Wolf.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2008

Heat Capacity and Magnetic Phase Diagram of the Low-Dimensional Antiferromagnet Y$_2$BaCuO$_5$

A study by specific heat of a polycrystalline sample of the low-dimensional magnetic system Y$_2$BaCuO$_5$ is presented. Magnetic fields up to 14 T are applied and permit to extract the ($T$,$H$) phase diagram. Below $μ_0H^*\simeq2$ T, the Néel temperature, associated with a three-dimensional antiferromagnetic long-range ordering, is constant and equals $T_N=15.6$ K. Above $H^*$, $T_N$ increases linearly with $H$ and a field-induced increase of the entropy at $T_N$ is related to the presence of an isosbestic point at $T_X\simeq20$ K, where all the specific heat curves cross. A comparison is made between Y$_2$BaCuO$_5$ and the quasi-two-dimensional magnetic systems BaNi$_{2}$V$_{2}$O$_{8}$, Sr$_2$CuO$_2$Cl$_2$, and Pr$_2$CuO$_4$, for which very similar phase diagrams have been reported. An effective field-induced magnetic anisotropy is proposed to explain these phase diagrams.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Direct observation of nanometer-scale pinning sites in (Nd$_{0.33}$,Eu$_{0.20}$,Gd$_{0.47}$)Ba$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$ single crystals

We report on the observation of self-organized stripe-like structures on the as-grown surface and in the bulk of (Nd,Eu,Gd)Ba$_2$Cu$_3$O$_y$ single crystals. The periodicity of the stripes on the surface lies between 500 and 800 nm. These are possibly the growth steps of the crystal. Transmission electron microscopy investigations revealed stripes of periodicity in the range of 20 to 40 nm in the bulk. From electron back scattered diffraction investigations, no crystallographic misorientation due to the nanostripes has been found. Scanning tunneling spectroscopic experiments revealed nonsuperconducting regions, running along twin directions, which presumably constitute strong pinning sites.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Importance of In-Plane Anisotropy in the Quasi Two-Dimensional Antiferromagnet BaNi$_{2}$V$_{2}$O$_{8}$

The phase diagram of the quasi two-dimensional antiferromagnet BaNi$_{2}$V$_{2}$O$_{8}$ is studied by specific heat, thermal expansion, magnetostriction, and magnetization for magnetic fields applied perpendicular to $\mathbf{c}$. At $μ_0H^{*}\simeq1.5$ T, a crossover to a high-field state, where $T_N(H)$ increases linearly, arises from a competition of intrinsic and field-induced in-plane anisotropies. The pressure dependences of $T_N$ and $H^{*}$ are interpreted using the picture of a pressure-induced in-plane anisotropy. Even at zero field and ambient pressure, in-plane anisotropy cannot be neglected, which implies deviations from pure Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless behavior.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Nernst Effect in NdBa_2[Cu_{1-y}Ni_y]_3O_{7-δ}

In NdBa_2[Cu_{1-y}Ni_y]_3O_{7-δ}, magnetic Ni-impurities suppress Tc but at the same time the pseudogap is strongly enhanced. This unique feature makes it an ideal system to study possible relations between the anomalous Nernst effect, superconductivity and the pseudogap. We present Nernst effect measurements on a series of optimally doped (O_7) and underdoped (O_{6.8}) samples with Ni contents ranging from y=0 to 0.12. In all samples an onset of the Nernst signal is found at T^ν> Tc. For the optimally doped samples T^νand Tc decrease simultaneously with increasing Ni content. The underdoped samples show a different behavior, i.e. the onset of the Nernst signal is hardly affected by increasing the Ni content from y=0 to 0.03. Irrespective of the oxygen content, T^νclearly does not track the enhanced pseudogap temperature T*.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Cu NQR Wipeout Effect versus Charge Pseudogap in Zn/Ni Doped NdBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{6+y}$

We report $^{63,65}$Cu NQR measurements on slightly underdoped NdBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{6+y}$ single crystals heavily doped by Ni and Zn impurities. Owing to the impurity doping superconductivity is fully suppressed in both cases. The Ni strongly enhances magnetic correlations and induces a wipeout of the NQR signal comparable to that found in stripe ordered lanthanum cuprates. In contrast, the magnetism is suppressed in the Zn doped sample where no wipeout effect is observed and the nuclear spin relaxation rate is reduced. Our findings are in a striking correspondence with the different impact of Ni and Zn impurities on the charge pseudogap evidenced by recent optical data, uncovering thereby a close relationship between the magnetic correlations and pseudogap phenomena.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Spectroscopic distinction between the normal state pseudogap and the superconducting gap of cuprate high T_{c} superconductors

We report on broad-band infrared ellipsometry measurements of the c-axis conductivity of underdoped RBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_{7-d} (R=Y, Nd, and La) single crystals. Our data provide a detailed account of the spectral weight (SW) redistributions due to the normal state pseudogap (PG) and the superconducting (SC) gap. They show that these phenomena involve different energy scales, exhibit distinct doping dependencies and thus are likely of different origin. In particular, the SW redistribution in the PG state closely resembles the one of a conventional charge- or spin density wave (CDW or SDW) system.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Investigation of relaxation phenomena in high-temperature superconductors HoBa2Cu3O7-d at the action of pulsed magnetic fields

It is used the mechanical method of Abrikosov vortex stimulated dynamics investigation in superconductors. With its help it was studied relaxation phenomena in vortex matter of high-temperature superconductors. It established that pulsed magnetic fields change the course of relaxation processes taking place in vortex matter. The study of the influence of magnetic pulses differing by their durations and amplitudes on vortex system of isotropic high-temperature superconductors system HoBa2Cu3O7-d showed the presence of threshold phenomena. The small duration pulses does not change the course of relaxation processes taking place in vortex matter. When the duration of pulses exceeds some critical value (threshold), then their influence change the course of relaxation process which is revealed by stepwise change of relaxing mechanical moment . These investigations showed that the time for formatting of Abrikosov vortex lattice in HoBa2Cu3O7-d is of the order of 20 microsec. which on the order of value exceeds the time necessary for formation of a single vortex observed in type II superconductors.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2006

Thermal expansion of the quasi two-dimensional magnetic layered compound BaNi$_{2}$V$_{2}$O$_{8}$ under magnetic fields along c-axis

The quasi two-dimensional magnetic BaNi$_{2}$V$_{2}$O$_{8}$ is studied by using high-resolution thermal expansion in magnetic fields up to 10 T applied along the c-axis. A slight increase of about 1 % of the three-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering temperature $T_N$ is observed at 10 T. Positive and negative pressure dependencies of $T_N$, respectively, are inferred from the thermal expansion $α(T)$ for pressures applied along the $a$- and $c$-axes.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

The thermodynamic stability and hydration enthalpy of strontium cerate doped by yttrium

The standard molar enthalpy of formation of SrY0.05Ce0.95O2.975 has been derived by combining the enthalpy of solution of this compound in 1 M HCl + 0.1 KI obtained by us and auxiliary literature data. The following value has been derived: DfH (SrY0.05Ce0.95O2.975, s, 298.15 K) = -1720.4 (3.4) kJ/mol. The obtained value has been used to obtain the formation enthalpy of SrY0.05Ce0.95O2.975 from the mixture of binary oxides (DoxH (298.15 K) = -45.9 (3.4) kJ/mol) and formation enthalpy of reaction of SrY0.05Ce0.95O2.975 with water forming Sr(OH)2, CeO2, Y2O3 (DrH (298.15 K) = -85.5 (3.4) kJ/mol). Data obtained by solution calorimetry and additional information on the entropies of different substances have shown that SrY0.05Ce0.95O2.975 is thermodynamically stable with respect to a mixture of SrO, Y2O3, CeO2 and that the reaction of SrY0.05Ce0.95O2.975 with water is thermodynamically favourable.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Investigation of stimulated dynamics of vortex-matter in high-temperature superconductors

A simple mechanical method for the investigation of Abrikosov vortex lattice stimulated dynamics in superconductors has been used. By this method we studied the action of pulsed magnetic fields on the vortex lattice and established the resulting change of the course of relaxation processes in the vortex matter in high-temperature superconductors. This method can be used for investigation of phase transitions in vortex matter both high-temperature and exotic superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2005

The Lorenz number in the optimally doped and underdoped Eu-123 superconductor

The temperature dependences of the Hall-Lorenz numbers (Lxy) in a EuBa2Cu3Oy (Eu-123) single crystal before and after oxygen reduction are reported. The study is based on data on the normal state longitudinal and transversal transport coefficients. Namely, the temperature dependences of the electrical resistivity, Hall coefficient, longitudinal thermal conductivity, and transverse thermal conductivity are presented. The set of measurements was performed for an optimally doped sample (y = 7), then the oxygen content in the the same crystal was reduced to y = 6.65, and the measurements were repeated. For both cases Lxy's are about two times larger than the Sommerfeld's value of the Lorenz number and depend weakly on temperature in a range 300 - 160 K. Below T = 160 K the Hall-Lorenz number for the optimally doped sample slowly drops, while the value of Lxy for the oxygen reduced sample begins to rise. Such results suggest that the electronic system in the investigated compound may be considered as a metallic one with pseudo-gaps that open at the Fermi level.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2005

Reversible and irreversible magnetocaloric effect in the NdBa_2Cu_3O_7 superconductor in relation with specific heat and magnetization

A recently developed technique for measuring the isothermal magnetocaloric coefficient ($M_T$) is applied to the study of a superconducting NdBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$ single crystal. Results are compared with magnetization ($M$) and specific heat ($C$). In the reversible region both $C$ and $M_T$ follow the scaling law of the 3D-xy universality class. The anomalies connected with flux-line lattice melting are visible on $M_T(B)$ curves as peaks and steps, similar to $C(T)$ curves yet with much smaller background. At lower temperature, in the irreversible region the $M_T(B)$ behaviour resembles more that of $M(B)$, exhibiting the "fishtail" effect. Our results confirm that the peculiarities of the phase diagram known from the high temperature superconductor YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$, e.g. vortex melting, dominance of critical fluctuations and absence of a $B_{c2}$ critical field line, are a common property of RE-123 systems.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2004

Ni impurity induced enhancement of the pseudogap in cuprate high T_c superconductors

The influence of magnetic Ni and non-magnetic Zn impurities on the normal state pseudogap (PG) in the c-axis optical conductivity of NdBa$_{2}$\{Cu$% _{1-y}$(Ni,Zn)$_{y}\}_{3}$O$_{7-δ}$ crystals was studied by spectral ellipsometry. We find that these impurities which strongly suppress superconductivity have a profoundly different impact on the PG. Zn gives rise to a gradual and inhomogeneous PG suppression while Ni strongly enhances the PG. Our results challenge theories that relate the PG either to precursor superconductivity or to other phases with exotic order parameters, such as flux phase or d-density wave states, that should be suppressed by potential scattering. The apparent difference between magnetic and non-magnetic impurities instead points towards an important role of magnetic correlations in the PG state.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2004

Decomposition of solid solutions in the Nd-Ba-Cu-O system and its influence on changing transport characteristics

Thermochemical characteristics of Nd1+xBa2-xCu3Oy solid solutions were studied by solution calorimetry. Dependences of formation enthalpies from Nd content were constructed. It was established that decomposition of solid solution on the basis of Nd123 phase took place both in inert and in oxygen atmosphere. As a result of decomposition the different mixtures such as solid solutions with increasing and decreasing Nd content and BaCuO2 were formed. Obtained thermochemical data were compared with results of measurements of transport characteristics. It was established that treatment of samples at 550-600 C led to increasing critical current and decreasing Tc.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2004

Study of the SmBaCuO solid solutions decomposition and its possible role for changing critical current

We studied thermochemical characteristics of the Sm1+xBa2-xCu3Oy single crystals by solution calorimetry. Dependences of formation enthalpies from samarium content were constructed. It was established that solid solutions on the bases of Sm123 could be decomposed both in inert and in oxygen atmosphere into different mixtures. We supposed that solid solutions decomposition could lead to increasing critical current density. We assumed from thermochemical data that Jc could be greater for samples prepared in oxygen than for samples synthesized in inert atmosphere. We confirmed these assumptions by comparison of obtained thermochemical data with transport properties measured in literature. We also investigated temperature dependences of resistance in the temperature range of 300-550 K during slow heating. As it was shown there was anomaly of resistance near 500 K. The origin of this anomaly was discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2003

Oxygen superstructures throughout the phase diagram of $\bf (Y,Ca)Ba_2 Cu_3 O_{6+x}$

Short-range lattice superstructures have been studied with high-energy x-ray diffuse scattering in underdoped, optimally doped, and overdoped $\rm (Y,Ca)Ba_2 Cu_3 O_{6+x}$. A new four-unit-cell superstructure was observed in compounds with $x\sim 0.95$. Its temperature, doping, and material dependence was used to attribute its origin to short-range oxygen vacancy ordering, rather than electronic instabilities in the $\rm CuO_2$ layers. No significant diffuse scattering is observed in YBa$_2$Cu$_4$O$_{8}$. The oxygen superstructures must be taken into account when interpreting spectral anomalies in $\rm (Y,Ca)Ba_2 Cu_3 O_{6+x}$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2002

Electronic structure of single-crystalline Mg(x)Al(1-x)B(2)

Polarization-dependent x-ray absorption spectroscopy at the B 1s edge of single-crystalline Mg(x)Al(1-x)B(2) reveals a strongly anisotropic electronic structure near the Fermi energy. Comparing spectra for superconducting compounds (x=0.9, 1.0) with those for the non-superconductor x=0.0 gives direct evidence on the importance of an in-plane spectral feature crossing E_F for the superconducting properties of the diborides. Good agreement is found with the projected B 2p density of states from LDA band structure calculations.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2001

In-plane polarized collective modes in detwinned YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{6.95}$ observed by spectral ellipsometry

The in-plane dielectric response of detwinned YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{6.95}$ has been studied by far-infared ellipsometry. A surprisingly lare number of in-plane polarized modes are observed. Some of them correspond to pure phonon modes. Others posses a large electronic contribution which strongly increases in the superconducting state. The free carrier response and the collective modes exhibit a pronounced a-b anisotropy. We discuss our results in terms of a CDW state in the 1-d CuO chains and induced charge density fluctuations within the 2-d CuO$_{2}$ planes.

cond-mat.supr-con↗