40,340 research outputs found
High-Resolution Optical Spectroscopy of DY Cen: Diffuse Interstellar Bands in a Proto-Fullerene Circumstellar Environment?
We search high-resolution and high-quality VLT/UVES optical spectra of the hot R Coronae Borealis star DY Cen for electronic transitions of the C-60 molecule and diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs). We report the non-detection of the strongest C-60 electronic transitions (e. g., those at similar to 3760, 3980, and 4024 angstrom). The absence of C-60 absorption bands may support recent laboratory results, which show that the similar to 7.0, 8.5, 17.4, and 18.8 mu m emission features seen in DY Cen-and other similar objects with polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbon-like dominated IR spectra-are attributable to proto-fullerenes or fullerene precursors rather than to C-60. DIBs toward DY Cen are normal for its reddening; the only exception is the DIB at 6284 angstrom (possibly also the 7223 angstrom DIB) which is found to be unusually strong. We also report the detection of a new broad (FWHM similar to 2 angstrom) and unidentified feature centered at similar to 4000 angstrom. We suggest that this new band may be related to the circumstellar proto-fullerenes seen at infrared wavelengths.Director's Discretionary Time (DDT) program 284.D-5048Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness AYA-2011-27754Robert A. Welch Foundation of Houston, Texas F-634McDonald Observator
Diffuse Neutron Scattering Study of Magnetic Correlations in half-doped La0.5Ca0.5-xSrxMnO3 (x = 0.1, 0.3 and 0.4) Manganites
The short range ordered magnetic correlations have been studied in half doped
La0.5Ca0.5-xSrxMnO3 (x = 0.1, 0.3 and 0.4) compounds by polarized neutron
scattering technique. On doping Sr2+ for Ca2+ ion, these compounds with x =
0.1, 0.3, and 0.4 exhibit CE-type, mixture of CE-type and A-type, and A-type
antiferromagnetic ordering, respectively. Magnetic diffuse scattering is
observed in all the compounds above and below their respective magnetic
ordering temperatures and is attributed to magnetic polarons. The correlations
are primarily ferromagnetic in nature above T\_N, although a small
antiferromagnetic contribution is also evident. Additionally, in samples x =
0.1 and 0.3 with CE-type antiferromagnetic ordering, superlattice diffuse
reflections are observed indicating correlations between magnetic polarons. On
lowering temperature below T\_N the diffuse scattering corresponding to
ferromagnetic correlations is suppressed and the long range ordered
antiferromagnetic state is established. However, the short range ordered
correlations indicated by enhanced spin flip scattering at low Q coexist with
long range ordered state down to 3K. In x = 0.4 sample with A-type
antiferromagnetic ordering, superlattice diffuse reflections are absent.
Additionally, in comparison to x = 0.1 and 0.3 sample, the enhanced spin flip
scattering at low Q is reduced at 310K, and as temperature is reduced below
200K, it becomes negligibly low. The variation of radial correlation function,
g(r) with temperature indicates rapid suppression of ferromagnetic correlations
at the first nearest neighbor on approaching TN. Sample x = 0.4 exhibits growth
of ferromagnetic phase at intermediate temperatures (~ 200K). This has been
further explored using SANS and neutron depolarization techniques.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, To appear in Physical Review
Current-induced phase control in charged-ordered Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3 and Pr0.6Ca0.4MnO3 crystals
Single crystals of Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3 and Pr0.6Ca0.4MnO3 show current-induced
insulator-metal transitions at low temperatures. In addition, the
charge-ordering transition temperature decreases with increasing current. The
electroresistive ratio, defined as r0.5/rI where r0.5 is the resistivity at a
current of 0.5 mA and rI the resistivity at a given applied current, I, varies
markedly with temperature and the value of I. Thermal hysteresis observed in
Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3 and Pr0.6Ca0.4MnO3 at the insulator-metal transition indicates
that the transition is first-order. The current-induced changes are comparable
to those induced by magnetic fields, and the insulator-metal transition in
Pr0.6Ca0.4MnO3 is accordingly associated with a larger drop in resistivity.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, first submitted to submitted to J. Phys. D;
applied physics on 18th march 200
Electronic phase separation in the rare earth manganates, (La1-xLnx)0.7Ca0.3MnO3 (Ln = Nd, Gd and Y)
All the three series of manganates showsaturation magnetization
characteristic of ferromagnetism, with the ferromagnetic Tc decreasing with
increasing in x up to a critical value of x, xc (xc = 0.6, 0.3, 0.2
respectively for Nd, Gd, Y). For x > xc, the magnetic moments are considerably
smaller showing a small increase around TM, the value of TM decreasing slightly
with increase in x or decrease in . The ferromagnetic compositions (x xc)
show insulator-metal (IM) transitions, while the compositions with x > xc are
insulating. The magnetic and electrical resistivity behavior of these
manganates is consistent with the occurrence of phase separation in the
compositions around xc, corresponding to a critical average radius of the
A-site cation, , of 1.18 A. Both Tc and TIM increase linearly when < rA
> > or x xc as expected of a homogenous ferromagnetic phase. Both Tc
and TM decrease linearly with the A-site cation size disorder at the A-site as
measured by the variance s2. Thus, an increase in s2 favors the insulating AFM
state. Percolative conduction is observed in the compositions with > <
rAc >. Electron transport properties in the insulating regime for x > xc
conforms to the variable range hopping mechanism. More interestingly, when x >
xc, the real part of dielectric constant (e') reaches a high value (104-106) at
ordinary temperatures dropping to a very small (~500) value below a certain
temperature, the value of which decreases with decreasing frequency.Comment: 27 pages; 11 figures, Submitted to J.Phys:Condens Matte
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