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V. Ganesan

Publications and source records attributed to V. Ganesan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Anomalous thermal expansion of Sb$_2$Te$_3$ topological insulator

We have investigated the temperature dependence of the linear thermal expansion along the hexagonal c axis ($ΔL$), in-plane resistivity ($ρ$), and specific heat ($C_p$) of the topological insulator Sb$_2$Te$_3$ single crystal. $ΔL$ exhibits a clear anomaly in the temperature region 204-236 K. The coefficient of linear thermal expansion $α$ decreases rapidly above 204 K, passes through a deep minimum at around 225 K and then increases abruptly in the region 225-236 K. $α$ is negative in the interval 221-228 K. The temperature dependence of both $α$ and $C_p$ can be described well by the Debye model from 2 to 290 K, excluding the region around the anomaly in $α$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Anomalous thermoelectric power of Mg1-xAlxB2 system with x = 0.0 to 1.0

Thermoelectric power, S(T) of the Mg1-xAlxB2 system has been measured for x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0. XRD, resistivity and magnetization measurements are also presented. It has been found that the thermoelectric power is positive for x = 0.4 and is negative for x = 0.6 over the entire temperature range studied up to 300 K. The thermoelectric power of x = 0.4 samples vanishes discontinuously below a certain temperature, implying existence of superconductivity. In general, the magnitude of the thermoelectric power increases with temperature up to a certain temperature, and then it starts to decrease towards zero base line. In order to explain the observed behavior of the thermoelectric power, we have used a model in which both diffusion and phonon drag processes are combined by using a phenomenological interpolation between the low and high temperature behaviors of the thermoelectric power. The considered model provides an excellent fit to the observed data. It is further found that Al doping enhances the Debye temperature.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Enhanced Critical parameters of nano-Carbon doped MgB2 Superconductor

The high field magnetization and magneto transport measurements are carried out to determine the critical superconducting parameters of MgB2-xCx system. The synthesized samples are pure phase and the lattice parameters evaluation is carried out using the Rietveld refinement. The R-T(H) measurements are done up to a field of 140 kOe. The upper critical field values, Hc2 are obtained from this data based upon the criterion of 90% of normal resistivity i.e. Hc2=H at which Rho=90%Rho; where RhoN is the normal resistivity i.e., resistivity at about 40 K in our case. The Werthamer-Helfand-Hohenberg (WHH) prediction of Hc(0) underestimates the critical field value even below than the field up to which measurement is carried out. After this the model, the Ginzburg Landau theory (GL equation) is applied to the R-T(H) data which not only calculates the Hc2(0) value but also determines the dependence of Hc2 on temperature in the low temperature high field region. The estimated Hc(0)=157.2 kOe for pure MgB2 is profoundly enhanced to 297.5 kOe for the x=0.15 sample in MgB2-xCx series. Magnetization measurements are done up to 120 kOe at different temperatures and the other parameters like irreversibility field, Hirr and critical current density Jc(H) are also calculated. The nano carbon doping results in substantial enhancement of critical parameters like Hc2, Hirr and Jc(H) in comparison to the pure MgB2 sample.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Magnetotransport of La0.70ca0.3-xsrxmno3 (Ag): A Potential Room Temperature Bolometer and Magnetic Sensor

Here we report the optimized magneto-transport properties of polycrystalline La0.70Ca0.3-xSrxMnO3 and their composites with Ag. The optimization was carried out by varying the Sr and Ag contents simultaneously to achieve large temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) as well as low field magneto-resistance (MR) at room temperature. Sharpest paramagnetic (PM)-ferromagnetic (FM) and insulator-metal (IM) transition is observed in the vicinity of the room temperature (TC=300 K=TIM) for the composition La0.70Ca0.20Sr00.10MnO3:Ag0.20. Partial substitution of larger Sr2+ ions at the Ca2+ ions sites controls the magnitude of the FM and IM transition temperatures, while the Ag induces the desired sharpness in these transitions. For the optimized composition, maximum TCR and MR are tuned to room temperature (300 K) with the former being as high as 9% and the later being 20 and 30 percent at 5 and 10 kOe magnetic fields respectively. Such sharp single peak (TCR= 9 percent) at room temperature can be used for the bolometric and infrared detector applications. The achievement of large TCR and low field MR at T~300K in polycrystalline samples is encouraging and we believe that further improvements can be achieved in thin films, which, by virtue of their low conduction noise, are more suitable for device applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Physical Property Characterization of Bulk MgB2 Superconductor

We report synthesis, structure/micro-structure, resistivity under magnetic field [R(T)H], Raman spectra, thermoelectric power S(T), thermal conductivity K(T), and magnetization of ambient pressure argon annealed polycrystalline bulk samples of MgB2, processed under identical conditions. The compound crystallizes in hexagonal structure with space group P6/mmm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals electron micrographs showing various types of defect features along with the presence of 3-4nm thick amorphous layers forming the grain boundaries of otherwise crystalline MgB2. Raman spectra of the compound at room temperature exhibited characteristic phonon peak at 600 cm-1. Superconductivity is observed at 37.2K by magnetic susceptibility C(T), resistivity R(T), thermoelectric power S(T), and thermal conductivity K(T) measurements. The power law fitting of R(T) give rise to Debye temperature at 1400K which is found consistent with the theoretical fitting of S(T), exhibiting ThetaD of 1410K and carrier density of 3.81x 1028/m3. Thermal conductivity K(T) shows a jump at 38K, i.e., at Tc, which was missing in some earlier reports. Critical current density (Jc) of up to 105 A/cm2 in 1-2T (Tesla) fields at temperatures (T) of up to 10K is seen from magnetization measurements. The irreversibility field, defined as the field related to merging of M(H) loops is found to be 78, 68 and 42 kOe at 4, 10 and 20K respectively. The superconducting performance parameters viz. irreversibility field (Hirr) and critical current density Jc(H) of the studied MgB2 are improved profoundly with addition of nano-SiC and nano-Diamond. The physical property parameters measured for polycrystalline MgB2 are compared with earlier reports and a consolidated insight of various physical properties is presented.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Anisotropic magnetic properties and giant magnetocaloric effect in antiferromagnetic $R$MnO$_3$ crystals ($R$=Dy, Tb, Ho and Yb)

We have systematically investigated the magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in $R$MnO$_3$ ($R$$=$Dy, Tb, Ho and Yb) single crystals. Above a critical value of applied field ($H_c$), $R$MnO$_3$ undergo a first-order antiferromagnetic (AFM) to ferromagnetic (FM) transition below the ordering temperature ($T_{N}^{R}$) of $R^{3+}$ moment and a second-order FM to paramagnetic (PM) transition above $T_{N}^{R}$. Both $H$ and $T$ dependence of $M$ shows that the system is highly anisotropic in the FM as well as PM states and, as a result, the magnetic entropy change ($ΔS_{M}$) is extremely sensitive to the direction of applied field and can be negative (normal MCE) or positive (inverse MCE). For hexagonal HoMnO$_3$ and YbMnO$_3$ systems, a very small inverse MCE is observed only for $H$ parallel to c axis and it decreases with increasing $H$ and crosses over to normal one above $H_c$. On the other hand, for orthorhombic DyMnO$_3$ and TbMnO$_3$, though the inverse MCE disappears above $H_c$ along easy-axis of magnetization, it increases rapidly with $H$ along hard-axis of magnetization for $T$$\ll$$T_{N}^{R}$. Except for YbMnO$_3$, the values of $ΔS_{M}$, relative cooling power and adiabatic temperature change along easy-axis of magnetization are quite large in the field-induced FM state for a moderate field strength. The large values of these parameters, together with negligible hysteresis, suggest that the multiferroic manganites could be potential materials for magnetic refrigeration in the low-temperature region.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Investigation of weak itinerant ferromagnetism and critical behavior of Y$_2$Ni$_7$

The weak itinerant ferromagnetic behavior of Y$_2$Ni$_7$ is investigated through magnetic, transport and calorimetric measurements. The low value of saturation moment, large Rhodes-Wohlfarth ratio, large value of the linear term in heat capacity and Fermi liquid like resistivity behavior with enhanced electron-electron scattering contribution establish firmly the weak itinerant ferromagetic nature of the sample. The critical exponents associated with the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition are also investigated from magnetization isotherms using modified Arrott plot, Kouvel-Fisher plot and critical isotherm technique. The more accurate Kouvel-Fisher plot provides the critical exponents to be $β$ = 0.306, $γ$ = 1.401 and $δ$ = 5.578. These values are markedly different from the mean field values and correspond closely to the two dimensional Ising spin system with long range spin spin interaction.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Fe-spin reorientation in PrFeAsO : Evidences from resistivity and specific heat studies

We report the magnetic field dependence of resistivity ($ρ$) and specific heat ($C$) for the non-superconducting PrFeAsO compound. Our study shows a hitherto unobserved anomaly at $T_{SR}$ in the resistivity and specific heat data which arises as a result of the interplay of antiferromagnetic (AFM) Pr and Fe sublattices. Below the AFM transition temperature ($T_N^{\rm{Pr}}$), Pr moment orders along the crystallographic c axis and its effect on the iron subsystem causes a reorientation of the ordered inplane Fe moments in a direction out of the $ab$ plane. Application of magnetic field introduces disorder in the AFM Pr sublattice, which, in turn, reduces the out-of-plane Pr-Fe exchange interaction responsible for Fe spin reorientation. Both in $ρ$($T$) and $d(C/T)/dT$ curves, the peak at $T_{SR}$ broadens with the increase of $H$ due to the introduction of the disorder in the AFM Pr sublattice by magnetic field. In $ρ$($T$) curve, the peak shifts towards lower temperature with $H$ and disappears above 6 T while in $d(C/T)/dT$ curve the peak remains visible up to 14 T. The broadening of the anomaly at $T_N^{\rm{Pr}}$ in $C(T)$ with increasing $H$ further confirms that magnetic field induces disorder in the AFM Pr sublattice.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Quantm Magnetoresistance of the PrFeAsO oxypnictides

We report the observation of an unusual $B$ dependence of transverse magnetoresistance (MR) in the PrFeAsO, one of the parent compound of pnictide superconductors. Below the spin density wave transition, MR is large, positive and increases with decreasing temperature. At low temperatures, MR increases linearly with $B$ up to 14 T. For $T$$\geq$40 K, MR vs $B$ curve develops a weak curvature in the low-field region which indicates a crossover from $B$ linear to $B^2$ dependence as $B$$\rightarrow$0. The $B$ linear MR originates from the Dirac cone states and has been explained by the quantum mechanical model proposed by Abrikosov.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Field dependent competing magnetic ordering in multiferroic Ni3V2O8

The geometrically frustrated magnet Ni3V2O8 undergoes a series of competing magnetic ordering at low temperatures. Most importantly, one of the incommensurate phases has been reported to develop a ferroelectric correlation caused by spin frustration. Here we report an extensive thermodynamic, dielectric and magnetic study on clean polycrystalline samples of this novel multiferroic compound. Our low temperature specific heat data at high fields up to 14 Tesla clearly identify the development of a new magnetic field induced phase transition below 2 K that shows signatures of simultaneous electric ordering. We also report temperature and field dependent dielectric constant that enables us to quantitatively estimate the strength of magneto-electric coupling in this improper ferroelectric material.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Anomalous lattice expansion of RuSr2Eu1.5Ce0.5Cu2O10(Ru-1222) magneto superconductor: A low temperature X-ray diffraction study

This is the first report of the observation of the onset of excess volume and also of the strain along the a-axis near the magnetic ordering temperature in Ru-1222 superconductor, and indicates a coupling between the lattice and the magnetism in this system. Magnetization, magneto transport and thermoelectric power measurements being carried out on the same sample are also reported.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Magnetism, Upper critical field and Thermoelectric power of Magneto-Superconductor RuSr2Eu1.5Ce0.5Cu2O10

Magnetic susceptibility, M-H plot, magnetoresistance and thermoelectric power of the RuSr2Eu1.5Ce0.5Cu2O10 superconductor are measured. Values of the magnetic transition temperature Tmag, superconductivity transition temperature Tc, upper critical field Hc2, chemical potential mu, and energy width for electric conduction W(sigma) are obtained from these measurements. It has been found that Tmag = 140 K, Tc = 25 K (33 K) from susceptibility (magnetoresistance) measurements, Hc2 (0) > 32 T, mu = 8 meV, and W(sigma) = 58.5 meV. These values are compared with other ruthenate superconductors, and resulting physical information is discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Field induced first order antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition in Al-doped CeFe$_2$: a calorimetric investigation

Field variation of heat capacity at fixed temperatures is investigated to identify the origin of the field induced first order phase transition in polycrystalline Ce(Fe$_{0.094}$Al$_{0.04}$)$_2$ sample. The heat capacity at 4.5K and 3.5K shows hysteresis in different field cycles and the virgin curve stays outside the envelope curve. This is analogous to the magnetization and magneto-resistance behavior observed in this system, where the amount of hysteresis, and the magnitude of zero-field irreversibility are attributed to the degree of supercooling/superheating, and the extent of kinetic arrest of the reverse transition from ferro- to antifrromagnetic state in field reducing cycle respectively. However, contrary to the magnetization and magneto-resistance, in heat capacity both these features have decreased with reducing temperature signifying the importance of structural contribution.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Shape Transition of Nanostructures created on Si(100) surfaces after MeV Implantation

We have studied the modification in the Surface morphology of the Si(100) surfaces after 1.5 MeV Sb implantation. Scanning Probe Microscopy has been utilized to investigate the ion implanted surfaces. We observe the formation of nano-sized defect features on the Si surfaces for various fluences. These nanostructures are elliptical in shape and inflate in sizefor higher fluences. Furthermore, these nanostructures undergo a shape transition from an elliptical shape to a circular-like at a high fluence. We will also discuss the modification in surface roughness as a function of Sb fluence.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Revival of Superconductivity by Y3+/Ca2+ substitution in YBa2Cu2.7Co0.3O7 without reported phase transformation

Results of phase formation, resistivity (r), and thermo-electric power (S), are reported on Y1-xCaxBa2Cu2.7Co0.3O7 compounds with x = 0.1 and 0.2. Pristine compound i.e. without Co or Ca substitution crystallizes in orthorhombic structure with space group P/mmm. Cu-site Co substituted compound i.e. YBa2Cu2.7Co0.3O7 is tetragonal. With simultaneous doping of Ca at Y site in Co substituted compound i.e. Y1-xCaxBa2Cu2.7Co0.3O7 the tetragonal nature still remains. r(T) measurements showed superconducting transition temperature (Tc) to decrease from 90K (YBa2Cu3O7) to 33 K for YBa2Cu2.7Co0.3O7 which with further Ca substitution increases from 33K to 53K (Y0.9 Ca0.1Ba2Cu2.7Co0.3O7) and 67 K for Y0.8 Ca0.2Ba2Cu2.7Co0.3O7. Tc decreases first with Cu-site Co substitution by hole-filling and later recovers by simultaneous hole creation by Y site Ca substitution. Room temperature thermoelectric power S(300 K), which is an indirect measure of mobile carriers shows the decrease of carriers with Co doping and creation by Ca substitution. Our results demonstrate the hole filling by Co substitution is compensated by simultaneous Ca substitution.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Resistivity and Thermoelectric power of NaxCoO2 (x =1.0, 0.7 and 0.6) system

Results of thermo-electric power (S) and electrical resistivity (r) measurements are reported on NaxCoO2 compounds with x = 1.0, 0.7 and 0.6. These are single-phase compounds crystallizing in the hexagonal structure (space group P63/mmc) at room temperature. Thermo-electric power values at 300K (S300K) are, 80mV/K, 39mV/K and 37mV/K for x = 1.0, 0.7 and 0.6 samples, respectively. The samples with x=0.7 and 1.0 are metallic down to 5 K, while the x = 0.6 sample is semiconducting. The value of r300K for x = 1.0 sample is \~0.895 mW-cm and the power factor (S2/r) is = 7.04 x 10-3 W/mK2 which qualifies it as a good thermo-electric material. In x =1.0 sample, S(T) is positive throughout 300-5K temperature range and decreases monotonically to zero as temperature T= 0. In contrast, S(T) of x = 0.7 and 0.6 samples changes sign and shows negative values between 90 K and 16 K before approaching zero as T = 0. Anomalous S(T) behavior of x = 0.6 and 0.7 samples, which are coincidentally the precursor materials to the reported superconductivity in this class of materials, indicates a dramatic change in the electronic structure of these compounds on lowering the Na content.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Induction of superconductivity in Y0.4Pr0.6Ba2-xSrxCu3O7 system with increasing Sr substitution

Samples of Y0.4Pr0.6Ba2-xSrxCu3O7 have been synthesized by a solid- state reaction route. The samples with x = 0.60 crystallize in an orthorhombic structure (with orthorhombic distortion decreasing with increasing x), while the samples with x=0.80 and 1.0 crystallize in a pseudo tetragonal structure. Resistance (R) measurements as a function of temperature (T) show that x = 0.0 sample is highly semiconducting with R2K/R300K ratio of ~ 65. This ratio decreases to only ~23 and 5 for x=0.20 and x=0.4 samples, respectively. Further, the x=0.60 sample shows onset of a broad superconducting transition temperature (Tconset) at around 20 K without achieving the TcR=0 state down to 2 K. The TcR=0 state is observed in x = 0.80 and 1.00 samples at around 5 and 14 K, respectively. Thermo-electric power (S), also exhibits TcS~0 state at around 11 K and 16 K, respectively for x = 0.8 and 1.00 samples. Thermo electric power at room temperature is positive and decreases with increasing x, indicating enhanced number of mobile holes. These results demonstrate that substitution of Sr at Ba-site systematically induces metallicity and eventually superconductivity in Y0.4Pr0.6Ba2-xSrxCu3O7 system. The results are explained on the basis of reduced Pr(4f) orbital hybridization with O(2p) in supercondu cting Cu-O2 planes, resulting in delocalization of the mobile carriers. The role of decreased Pr/Ba intermixing disorder is also considered.

cond-mat.supr-con↗