Quantum spin tunneling of magnetization in small ferromagnetic particles

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Spin reversal and magnetization jumps in ErMexMn1-xO3 perovskites (Me = Ni, Co)

The erbium-based manganite ErMnO3 has been partially substituted at the manganese site by the transition-metal elements Ni and Co. The perovskite orthorhombic structure is found from x(Ni) = 0.2-0.5 in the nickel-based solid solution ErNixMn1-xO3, while it can be extended up to x(Co) = 0.7 in the case of cobalt, provided that the synthesis is performed under oxygenation conditions to favor the presence of Co3+. Presence of different magnetic entities (i.e., Er3+, Ni2+, Co2+, Co3+, Mn3+, and Mn4+) leads to quite unusual magnetic properties, characterized by the coexistence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions. In ErNixMn1-xO3, a critical concentration x(crit)(Ni) = 1/3 separates two regimes: spin-canted AF interactions predominate at x < x(crit), while the ferromagnetic behavior is enhanced for x > x(crit). Spin reversal phenomena are present both in the nickel- and cobalt-based compounds. A phenomenological model based on two interacting sublattices, coupled by an antiferromagnetic exchange interaction, explains the inversion of the overall magnetic moment at low temperatures. In this model, the ferromagnetic transition-metal lattice, which orders at T-c, creates a strong local field at the erbium site, polarizing the Er moments in a direction opposite to the applied field. At low temperatures, when the contribution of the paramagnetic erbium sublattice, which varies as T-1, gets larger than the ferromagnetic contribution, the total magnetic moment changes its sign, leading to an overall ferrimagnetic state. The half-substituted compound ErCo0.50Mn0.50O3 was studied in detail, since the magnetization loops present two well-identified anomalies: an intersection of the magnetization branches at low fields, and magnetization jumps at high fields. The influence of the oxidizing conditions was studied in other compositions close to the 50/50 = Mn/Co substitution rate. These anomalies are clearly connected to the spin inversion phenomena and to the simultaneous presence of Co2+ and Co3+ magnetic moments. Dynamical aspects should be considered to well identify the high-field anomaly, since it depends on the magnetic field sweep rate. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SEMICLASSICAL THEORY OF MAGNETIZATION FOR A 2-DIMENSIONAL NONINTERACTING ELECTRON-GAS

We compute the semiclassical magnetization and susceptibility of non-interacting electrons, confined by a smooth two-dimensional potential and subjected to a uniform perpendicular magnetic field, in the general case when their classical motion is chaotic. It is demonstrated that the magnetization per particle m(B) is directly related to the staircase function N(E), which counts the single-particle levels up to energy E. Using Gutzwiller's trace formula for N, we derive a semiclassical expression for m. Our results show that the magnetization has a non-zero average, which arises from quantum corrections to the leading-order Weyl approximation to the mean staircase and which is independent of whether the classical motion is chaotic or not. Fluctuations about the average are due to classical periodic orbits and do represent a signature of chaos. This behaviour is confirmed by numerical computations for a specific system.

Magnetic field dependent magnetization of a conducting plasticized poly(aniline) film

We report magnetic data of free standing films of poly( aniline) (PANI) protonated with a plasticizing di-ester of succinic acid. The data have been obtained using the electron spin resonance (ESR) technique at two different frequencies, X-band (9.4 GHz) and Q-band ( 34 GHz), on one hand, and by magnetization measurements in broad ranges of temperatures and magnetic fields on the other hand. All the data can be explained assuming a transition as a function of temperature from delocalized magnetic moments in the valence band to localized positive polarons in several antiferromagnetically correlated bands. By increasing the magnetic field, the magnetic properties are affected in several ways. An intra-band admixture of states occurs; it contributes to increase the spins' localization and finally promotes an antiferromagnetic-metamagnetic transition.

Asymmetrical magnetization in three-phase core type transformers

The performance of the three-phase core type transformers, under AC/DC double excitation is discussed in this work. It is presented a mathematical model that considers the mutual coupling between phases and the magnetic nonlinearity. The validity of the proposed model is verified by means of the experimental and simulated results.

Size effects in the magnetization of a superconducting wire

The size effects in the magnetization of a long cylindrical wire of circular cross section in the presence of an external magnetic field are investigated. For this study the London theory is used with boundary conditions appropriate for this geometry. Using the Monte Carlo simulated annealing method, the free energy of the mixed state is minimized with respect to the vortex positions. The ground state of the vortex lattice for n = 1 up to 18 vortices for a given radius of the cylinder is obtained. It is found that the finite size of the sample provokes a matching effect in the magnetization, as found in experiments with superconducting samples of finite size but different geometry. © 1999 American Institute of Physics.

Preparation and structural characterization of vulcanized natural rubber nanocomposites containing nickel-zinc ferrite nanopowders

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Sobre as experiências relativas à imantação do ferro e do aço pela ação da corrente voltaica: uma tradução comentada do artigo escrito por François Arago

O objetivo deste trabalho é divulgar, por meio de uma tradução comentada, um dos principais trabalhos escritos por Dominique François Jean Arago (1786-1853) relativo ao eletromagnetismo. Trata-se de uma descrição das experiências feitas por ele, relativas à magnetização do ferro e do aço pela ação da corrente voltaica.

Structural, electronic structure and magnetic studies of SmFe1-xNixO3 (x <= 0.5)

We present the structural, electronic structure and magnetic studies of Ni doped SmFeO3. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies confirm the single phase nature of the samples having orthorhombic Pbnm structure and the unit-cell volume is decreasing with the increase of Ni concentration. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) studies on O K. Fe L-3.2, Ni L-3.2 and Sm M-5.4 edges of SmFe1-xNixO3 (x <= 0.5) samples along with the reference compounds revealed the homo-valence state of Fe and Ni in these materials. From magnetization studies it has been observed the materials exhibit ferromagnetic and anti-ferromagnetic sub-lattices, which are strongly dependent on the thermo-magnetic state of the system. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural, electronic structure and magnetic studies of GdFe1-xNixO3 (x <= 0.5)

The structural, electronic structure and magnetic properties of Ni doped GdFeO3 perovskite materials have been studied. A decreasing trend in volume with the increasing Ni concentration without any structural change is confirmed from X-ray diffraction studies. The electronic structural studies show that the competing ions within the ensemble have +3 oxidation states, which includes the Gd, Fe and Ni ions, and also confirms the octahedral symmetry of the Fe/Ni ions. The magnetic properties clearly depict that the Ni doping can tailor the phase transitions arising due to temperature/field dependence having a heavy impact on spin dynamics. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Vortices in a mesoscopic superconducting disk of variable thickness

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Vortex-Antivortex Dynamics in a Mesoscopic Superconducting Prism with a Centered Antidot

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Superconducting boundary conditions for mesoscopic circular samples

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Magnetic response of superconducting mesoscopic-size YBCO powder

In this work it is reported the magnetic behavior of submicron and mesoscopic-size superconducting YBCO powders, prepared by a modified polymeric precursors method. The grain size and microstructure were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy ( SEM). Measurements of magnetization and AC-susceptibility as a function of temperature were performed with a quantum design SQUID magnetometer. Our results indicated significant differences on the magnetic propreties, in connection with the calcination temperature and the pressure used to pelletize the samples. This contribution is part of an effort to study vortex dynamics and magnetic properties of submicron and mesoscopic-size superconducting samples. (C) 2008 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Structural and Electronic Effects of Incorporating Mn in TiO2 Films Grown by Sputtering: Anatase versus Rutile

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)