arXiv subjects

V. P. S. Awana

Publications and source records attributed to V. P. S. Awana.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

Anisotropic spin-fluctuations in SmCoPO revealed by 31^P NMR measurement

31^P NMR spectral features in polycrystalline SmCoPO reveal an axially symmetric local magnetic field. At low temperature, the anisotropy of the internal magnetic field increases rapidly, with K_ab increasing faster than that of K_c. The dominant contribution to this anisotropy arises from Sm-4f electron contribution over that of Co-3d. The intrinsic width 2*(Beta) deviates from linearity with respect to bulk susceptibility below 170 K due to the enhancement of (1/T_2)dynamic, which along with the continuous increase of anisotropy in the internal magnetic field is responsible for the wipe out effect of the NMR signal, well above T_C. 1/T_1 shows large anisotropy confirming a significant contribution of Sm-4f electron spin fluctuations to 1/T_1, arising from indirect RKKY type exchange interaction indicating a non-negligible hybridization between Sm-4f orbitals and the conduction band, over the itinerant character of the Co-3d spins. This anisotropy in originates from the orientation dependence of chi"(q,omega). The 3d-spin fluctuations in the ab plane is 2D FM in nature, while along the c-axis, a signature of a weak 2D AFM spin fluctuations superimposed on weak FM spin-fluctuations even in a field of 7 T and far above T_N is observed. The enhancement of this AFM fluctuations of the Co-3d spins along c-axis, at further low temperature is responsible to drive the system to an AFM ordered state.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

High field magneto-transport and magnetization study of Y1-xCaxBa2Cu3O7-δ(x = 0.0-0.25)

We report DC isothermal magnetization, global critical current density (JC), Intra-grain critical current density (JCintra) and resistive upper critical field (Bc2) of polycrystalline Y1-xCaxBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO); x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25. Ca doping at Y sites in YBCO superconductor results in flux pinning property, which can enhance the critical current density and upper critical fields. JC and JCintra are experimentally calculated through DC isothermal magnetization measurement (M-H), employing the well known Bean's critical model. It is observed that both type of current densities (global and intra) enhance with lower doped (5%) samples and can be accounted in terms of reaching maximum of pinning centers and improved grain couplings nature. The upper critical field (Bc2) increases with Ca content being consistent with enhanced grain coupling nature of doped samples.

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arXiv2012

Effect of Boron substitution on the superconductivity of non-oxide perovskite MgCNi3

We report synthesis, structural and magnetic (DC and AC) properties of Boron substituted MgCNi3 superconductor. A series of polycrystalline bulk samples Mg1.2C1.6-xBxNi3 (x = 0.0, 0.08 and 0.16) is synthesized through standard solid-state reaction route, which are found to crystallize in cubic perovskite structure with space group Pm3m. Rietveld analysis of observed XRD data show that lattice parameters expand from a = 3.8106 (4) Å for pure, to 3.8164 (2) Å and 3.8173 (5) Å for 5% and 10% Boron substituted samples respectively. DC magnetization exhibited superconducting transition (Tc) at around 7.3 K for pure sample, and the same decreases slightly with Boron substitution. The lower critical field (Hc1) at 2 K is around 150 Oe for pure sample, which increases slightly with Boron substitution. For pure sample the upper critical field (Hc2) being determined from AC susceptibility measurements is 11.6 kOe and 91.70 kOe with 50% and 90% diamagnetism criteria respectively, which decreases to 5.57 kOe and 42.5 kOe respectively for 10% Boron substituted sample. 10% Boron substitution at Carbon site has decreased both the Hc2 and Tc. On the other hand lower critical field (Hc1) at 2 K is slightly increased from around 150 Oe for pure sample, to 200 Oe for 10% Boron substituted sample. Seemingly, the Carbon site Boron substitution induced disorder though has increased slightly the Hc1 but with simultaneous decrease in superconducting transition temperature (Tc) and upper critical field (Hc2). The high relative proportion of Ni in studied MgCNi3 suggests that magnetic interactions are important and non-oxide perovskite structure make it interesting.

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arXiv2012

Successive spin glass, cluster ferromagnetic, and superparamagnetic transitions in RuSr2Y1.5Ce0.5Cu2O10 complex magneto-superconductor

We report structural, DC magnetization, detailed linear/non-linear AC susceptibility, (with applied frequency and amplitude) isothermal and thermoremanent magnetization (TRM) behavior for RuSr2Y1.5Ce0.5Cu2O10 (YRu-1222) magneto-superconductor to understand its complex magnetism. Studied sample is synthesized through the novel solid state High Pressure (6 GPa) High Temperature (1450oC) (HPHT) technique. The compound is crystallized in tetragonal structure with space group I4/mmm (No. 139). DC magnetic susceptibility shows that studied YRu-1222 is magneto-superconducting with Ru spins magnetic ordering at around 110 K and superconductivity (SC) in the Cu-O2 planes below ~ 30 K. Frequency and field dependent detailed AC magnetic susceptibility measurements confirms the spin-glass (SG) behavior with homogeneous/non-homogeneous ferromagnetic (FM) clusters in this system. Variation of cusp position with applied AC frequency follows the famous Vogel-Fulcher law, which is commonly accepted feature for spin-glass (SG) system with homogeneous/non-homogeneous ferromagnetic clusters embedded in spin-glass (SG) matrix. Above the freezing temperature (Tf), first and third harmonics AC susceptibility analysis indicated possibility of the co-existence of spin cluster ferromagnetism with superparamagnetism (SPM). The M-H loops at low temperature exhibit the ferromagnetic behavior with rather small coercive field (Hc) and remnant magnetization (Mr). Summarily, the magnetic (DC and AC) susceptibility measurements and their analysis have enabled us to unearth the complex magnetism in terms of successive SG-FM-SPM transitions with temperature.

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arXiv2012

Synthesis and superconductivity of CeNi0.8Bi2: New entrant in superconductivity kitchen?

CeNi0.8Bi2 is very recent entrant in superconductivity kitchen [1], and the same seeks reproduction from other groups. We report synthesis, structural details and superconductivity in CeNi0.8Bi2 compound. The CeNi0.8Bi2 compound is synthesized by solid state reaction route via vacuum encapsulation of high purity mixed Ce, Ni, Bi and subsequent heating of the same at 500 0C for 10 hours followed by annealing at 750 0C for 20 hours. As synthesized compounds are dark grey in color and do crystallize in tetragonal structure with space group P4/nmm. The lattice parameters are a = 3.61 Å and c = 10.20 Å. AC susceptibility measurements showed that synthesized CeNi0.8Bi2 compound is weakly superconducting below 4.2K. We believe our article will regenerate fresh activity to look for bulk superconductivity in CeNi0.8Bi2.

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arXiv2012

Structure and Charge transfer Mechanism in Y1-xCaxBa2Cu3O7-δ through direct doping

Here we study the effect of Ca doping on charge transfer mechanism of polycrystalline YBa2Cu3O7-δ compound. The samples of composition Y1-xCaxBa2Cu3O7-δ (x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30) are synthesized through standard solid state reaction route. Carrier doping is controlled by annealing of samples in oxygen and subsequently in reducing atmosphere. Samples are investigated using resistivity, dc magnetization (M-T) and magnetization with field (M-H) measurements. With increase of Ca the transition temperature (Tc) decreases in oxygenated samples, whereas the same increases in reduced samples. Further reduction of samples at higher temperatures (> 600 0C) though results in non-superconducting nature up to Ca concentration of x = 0.20, the x = 0.30 sample is superconducting below 30K. This provides a remarkably simple and effective way to study the relationship between structure, superconductivity, and associated electronic properties. Variations in Cu1-O4, Cu2-O4 and Cu2-O2 bond lengths with oxygen content, is seen through the structural refinement of XRD pattern. The effective coordination of Cu2 atom with oxygen changes with the change in theses bond lengths and hence the holes in the CuO2 planes. The charge transfer mechanism from CuOx chains to CuO2 planes and thus effective hole doping is discussed in context of observed results.

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arXiv2012

Vacuum encapsulated synthesis of 11.5 K NbC superconductor

Bulk polycrystalline NbC samples are synthesized through solid state reaction route in an evacuated sealed quartz tube. Studied NbC samples are crystallized in NaCl-type cubic structure with space group Fm-3m. To control cell parameters and minute un-reacted phases, different samples are synthesized with various heat treatments. Finally phase pure NbC is achieved. The grain size of the as systemized material being seen from SEM (scanning electron microscopy) is non-uniform of around 3-10μm size. Crystal structure and lattice parameters of samples have been calculated by Rietveld analysis of room temperature X-ray powder diffraction data. The lattice parameter increases with synthesis temperature and scales with superconducting transition temperature (Tc). Both AC and DC magnetization exhibited highest Tc at around 11.5 K for an NbC sample with lattice parameter a = 4.471 Å. The lower critical field (Hc1) and irreversibility field (Hirr) measured at 3 K are around 250 Oe and 4.5 kOe respectively. The upper critical field (Hc2) being determined from in-field AC susceptibility measurements is 7.8 kOe and 11.7 kOe with 50% and 90% diamagnetism criteria, respectively.

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arXiv2012

Chalcogen Height Dependence of Magnetism and Fermiology in FeTe_xSe_{1-x}

FeTexSe1-x (x=0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1) system has been studied using density functional theory. Our results show that for FeSe, LDA seems better approximation in terms of magnitude of magnetic energy whereas GGA overestimates it largely. On the other hand for FeTe, GGA is better approximation that gives experimentally observed magnetic state. It has been shown that the height of chalcogen atoms above Fe layers has significant effect on band structure, electronic density of states (DOS) at Fermi level N(EF) and Fermi surfaces. For FeSe the value of N(EF) is small so as to satisfy Stoner criteria for ferromagnetism, (I\timesN(EF)\geq1) whereas for FeTe, since the value of N(EF) is large, the same is close to be satisfied. Force minimization done for FeTexSe1-x using supercell approach shows that in disordered system Se and Te do not share same site and have two distinct z coordinates. This has small effect on magnetic energy but no significant difference in band structure and DOS near EF when calculated using either relaxed or average value of z for chalcogen atoms. Thus substitution of Se at Te site decreases average value of chalcogen height above Fe layers which in turn affect the magnetism and Fermiology in the system. By using coherent-potential approximation for disordered system we found that height of chalcogen atoms above Fe layer rather than chalcogen species or disorder in the anion planes, affect magnetism and shape of Fermi surfaces (FS), thus significantly altering nesting conditions, which govern antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations in the system.

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arXiv2012

Room temperature magnetic entropy change and magnetoresistance in La_{0.70}(Ca_{0.30-x}Sr_x)MnO_3:Ag 10% (x = 0.0-0.10)

The magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of polycrystalline La0.70(Ca0.30-xSrx)MnO3:Ag 10% manganite have been investigated. All the compositions are crystallized in single phase orthorhombic Pbnm space group. Both, the Insulator-Metal transition temperature (TIM) and Curie temperature (Tc) are observed at 298 K for x = 0.10 composition. Though both TIM and Tc are nearly unchanged with Ag addition, the MR is slightly improved. The MR at 300 K is found to be as large as 31% with magnetic field change of 1Tesla, whereas it reaches up to 49% at magnetic field of 3Tesla for La0.70Ca0.20Sr0.10MnO3:Ag0.10 sample. The maximum entropy change (\DeltaSMmax) is 7.6 J.Kg-1.K-1 upon the magnetic field change of 5Tesla, near its Tc (300.5 K). The La0.70Ca0.20Sr0.10MnO3:Ag0.10 sample having good MR (31%1Tesla, 49%3Tesla) and reasonable change in magnetic entropy (7.6 J.Kg-1.K-1, 5 Tesla) at 300 K can be a potential magnetic refrigerant material at ambient temperatures.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Temperature and field dependence of thermally activated flux flow resistance in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ superconductor

We study the temperature dependence of the resistivity as a function of magnetic field in superconducting transition (Tconset - TcR=0) region for different Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ superconducting samples being synthesized using sol-gel method. The superconducting transition temperature (TcR=0) of the studied samples is increased from 32 K to 82K by simply increasing the final sintering temperature with an improved grains morphology. On the other hand, broadening of transition is increased substantially with decrease in sintering temperature; this is because Tconset is not affected much with grains morphology. Further broadening of the superconducting transition is seen under magnetic field, which is being explained on the basis of thermally activated flux flow (TAFF) below superconducting transition temperature (Tc). TAFF activation energy (U0) is calculated using the resistive broadening of samples in the presence of magnetic field. Temperature dependence of TAFF activation energy revealed linear temperature dependence for all the samples. Further, magnetic field dependence is found to obey power law for all the samples and the negative exponent is increased with increase in sintering temperature or the improved grains morphology for different Bi-2212 samples. We believe that the sintering temperature and the ensuing role of grain morphology is yet a key issue to be addressed in case of cuprate superconductors.

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arXiv2012

Crossing point phenomena (T* = 2.7 K) in specific heat curves of superconducting ferromagnets RuSr2Gd1.4Ce0.6Cu2O10-δ

Crossing point phenomena are one of the interesting and still puzzling effects in strongly correlated electron systems. We have synthesized RuSr2Gd1.4Ce0.6Cu2O10-δ (GdRu-1222) magneto-superconductor through standard solid state reaction route and measured its magnetic, transport and thermal properties. We also synthesized RuSr2Eu1.4Ce0.6Cu2O10-δ (EuRu-1222) then measured its heat capacity in zero magnetic fields for reference. The studied compounds crystallized in tetragonal structure with space group I4/mmm. GdRu-1222 is a reported magneto-superconductor with Ru spins magnetic ordering at temperature around 110 K and superconductivity in Cu-O2 planes below around 40 K. To explore the crossing point phenomena, the specific heat [Cp (T)] was investigated in temperature range 1.9-250 K, under magnetic field of up to 70 kOe. Unfortunately though no magnetic and superconducting transitions are observed in specific heat, a Schottky type anomaly is observed at low temperatures below 20 K. This low temperature Schottky type anomaly can be attributed to splitting of the ground state spectroscopic term 8S7/2 of paramagnetic Gd3+ ions by both internal and external magnetic fields. It was also observed that Cp (T) being measured for different values of magnetic field, possesses the same crossing point (T* = 2.7 K), up to the applied magnetic field 70 kOe. A quantitative explanation of this phenomenon, based on its shape and temperature dependence of the associated generalized heat capacity (Cp), is presented. This effect supports the crossing point phenomena, which is supposed to be inherent for strongly correlated systems.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Magnetization and Magneto-resistance in Y(Ba1-xSrx)2Cu3O7-δ (x = 0.00 - 0.50) superconductor

Here we present the magnetic properties and upper critical field (BC2) of polycrystalline Y(Ba1-xSrx)2Cu3O7-δ superconductors, which are being determined through detailed ac/dc susceptibility and resistivity under magnetic field (RTH) study. All the samples are synthesized through solid state reaction route. Reduction in Meissner fraction (the ratio of field cooled to zero field cooled magnetization) is observed with increasing Sr content, suggesting occurrence of flux pining in the doped samples. The ac susceptibility and resistivity measurements reveal improved grain couplings in Sr substituted samples. Consequently the inter-grain critical current density (Jc), upturn curvature near the Tc in temperature dependence of upper critical field [BC2(T)], and BC2 are enhanced. Both Jc and BC2 increase in lower Sr substitution (up to x = 0.10) samples followed by decrease in higher doping due to degradation in effective pining and grain coupling.

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arXiv2012

Superconductivity in the vicinity of ferromagnetism in oxygen free perovskite MgCNi3: An experimental and DFT (Density Functional Theory) study

We report synthesis, structural, magnetic, specific heat and Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies on MgCNi3 superconductor. Polycrystalline MgCNi3 samples are synthesized through standard solid state reaction route and found to crystallize in cubic perovskite structure with space group Pm3m, without any detectable trace of Ni impurity. Both AC and DC magnetization exhibited superconducting transition (Tc) at around 7.25 K. The lower critical field (Hc1) and irreversibility field (Hirr) are around 140 Oe and 11 kOe respectively at 2 K. The upper critical field (Hc2) being determined from in-field AC susceptibility measurements is 11.6 kOe and 91.70 kOe with 50% and 90% diamagnetism criteria respectively. Heat capacity (Cp) measurements are carried out under applied field of up to 140 kOe and down to 2 K. The Sommerfeld constant (γ) and Debye temperature (ΘD) as determined from low temperature fitting of Cp(T) data to Sommerfeld-Debye model are 36.13 mJ/mole-K2 and 263.13 K respectively. The Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) parameter (2Δ/KBTc) is around 3.62, suggesting MgCNi3 to be an intermediate coupled BCS superconductor with value λ = 0.69. Although the density functional theory (DFT) calculations exhibited the compound to be non-magnetic but with spin fluctuations, the experimental isothermal magnetization MH loops at 20, 50, 100, 200 and 300 K showed some ferromagnetic nature in this compound with coercive field (Hc) of around 50 Oe at 20 K. The Ni3d states play dominant roles near the Fermi levels and there is strong hybridization between Ni3d and C2p states. It seems that MgCNi3 is superconducting in close proximity of ferromagnetism.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Hump Structure below Tc in the thermal conductivity of MgB2 superconductor

A reasonable cause of absence of hump structure in thermal conductivity of MgB2 below the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) lies in the appearance of multigap structure. The gaps of lower magnitude can be suppressed by defects so that this system becomes effectively a single gap superconductor. When such a situation is created, it is hoped that thermal conductivity will show hump below Tc. Proceeding along these lines, a sample of MgB2 with a relatively higher residual resistivity (33.3 mili-Ohm-cm)has been found to show a hump structure below Tc. The actual electronic thermal conductivity kel of this sample is less than that expected from the Wiedeman- Franz law by more than a factor of 2.6 in the considered temperature range. Modifying the Wiedeman- Franz law for the electronic contribution by replacing the Lorenz number by an effective Lorenz number Leff (L0) we have obtained two sets of kel, namely those with Leff = 0.1L0 and 0.2L0. Corresponding to these two sets of kel, two sets of the phonon thermal conductivity kph are obtained. kph has been analyzed in terms of an extended Bardeen- Rickayzen- Tewordt theory. The main result of this analysis is that the hump structure corresponds to a gap ratio of 3.5, and that large electron-point defect scattering is the main source of drastic reduction of the electronic thermal conductivity from that given by the usual Wiedeman- Franz law.

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arXiv2012

Synthesis and Characterization of Excess Magnesium MgB2 Superconductor under Inert Carbon Environment

The structural, transport and magnetic properties of MgB2 superconductor heavily blended with Mg is studied. The samples are synthesized with a new approach in both, pressed carbon environment and in flowing argon. The excess magnesium used is observed to play dual role: one being the prevention of Mg losses during the synthesis process and hence maintaining the stoichiometry of MgB2 phase, and second being the formation of Mg milieu probably all around the MgB2 grains to give a ductile and dense structure. Excess Mg also improves the grain connectivity by going in to the pores and there by minimizing the insulating junctions.

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arXiv2012

Superconducting Properties of adipic acid doped Bulk MgB2 Superconductor

We report the effect of adipic acid (C6H10O4) doping on lattice parameters, microstructure, critical temperature (Tc), current density (Jc), and irreversibility field (Hirr) for MgB2 superconductor. Actual carbon (C) substitution level for boron (B) is estimated to be from 0.40 percent to 2.95 percent for different doping levels. A reduction in Tc from 38.43 to 34.93 K and in lattice parameter a from 3.084(3) A to 3.075(6) Ais observed for the10 wt percent C6H10O4 doped sample in comparison to pristine MgB2. This is an indication of C substitution at boron sites, with the C coming from the decomposition of C6H10O4 at the time of reaction. Interestingly the doped samples have resulted in significant enhancement of Jc and Hirr. All the doped samples exhibit the Jc value of the order of 10^4 A/cm2 at 5 K and 8 T, which is higher by an order of magnitude as compared to undoped sample. This result indicates that C6H10O4 is a promising material for MgB2 for obtaining the excellent Jc values under higher magnetic fields.

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arXiv2012

Single step synthesis of Sr4V2O6Fe2As2: The blocking layer based potential future superconductor

We report synthesis, structural details and transport measurements on Sr4V2O6Fe2As2. Namely the stoichiometric amounts of V2O5 + SrO2 + Sr + 2FeAs are weighed mixed, ground thoroughly and palletized in rectangular form in a glove box in high purity Ar atmosphere. The pellet is further sealed in an evacuated (10-5 Torr) quartz tube and put for heat treatments at 750 and 1150 0C in a single step for 12 and 36 hours respectively. Finally the quartz ampoule is allowed to cool naturally to room temperature. The as synthesized sample is black in color. The compound crystallized in P4/nmm space group with lattice parameters a = b = 3.925A and c = 15.870A. Also seen are some small impurity lines. The compound did not exhibit superconductivity but instead a spin density wave (SDW) like metallic step at around 175 K is seen in R(T) measurements

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arXiv2012

Synthesis and Structural details of BiOCu1-xS: Possible new entrant in series of exotic superconductors?

We report an easy route single step synthesis of BiOCuS with and without Cu deficiency. The title compound is synthesized via solid state reaction route by encapsulation in an evacuated (10-3 Torr) quartz tube. Mixed components of the ingredients in stoichiometric ratio (1/3Bi2O3 +0.34Bi +Cu1-x + S) are pelletized, sealed in evacuated quartz tube and heat treated for 30 hours at 500 0C. Finally the sample is allowed to cool down to room temperature. The resultant compound is black is color and could not hold in pellet form, but is powdered. X-ray diffraction Reitveld analysis is carried out on all three samples of series BiOCu1-xS with x = 0.0, 0.10 and 0.15. These samples crystallize in single phase with space group P4/nmm and with cell parameters as a = 3.868 A and c = 8.557 A for stoichiometric BiOCuS. The volume of the cell slightly increases with an increase in Cu deficiency. The co-ordinate positions are determined by fitting the observed XRD patterns of the studied samples.

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