Statistical Mechanics and the Physics of the Many-Particle Model Systems

The development of methods of quantum statistical mechanics is considered in light of their applications to quantum solid-state theory. We discuss fundamental problems of the physics of magnetic materials and the methods of the quantum theory of magnetism, including the method of two-time temperature Green's functions, which is widely used in various physical problems of many-particle systems with interaction. Quantum cooperative effects and quasiparticle dynamics in the basic microscopic models of quantum theory of magnetism: the Heisenberg model, the Hubbard model, the Anderson Model, and the spin-fermion model are considered in the framework of novel self-consistent-field approximation. We present a comparative analysis of these models; in particular, we compare their applicability for description of complex magnetic materials. The concepts of broken symmetry, quantum protectorate, and quasiaverages are analyzed in the context of quantum theory of magnetism and theory of superconductivity. The notion of broken symmetry is presented within the nonequilibrium statistical operator approach developed by D.N. Zubarev. In the framework of the latter approach we discuss the derivation of kinetic equations for a system in a thermal bath. Finally, the results of investigation of the dynamic behavior of a particle in an environment, taking into account dissipative effects, are presented.Comment: 77 pages, 1 figure, Refs.37

Room temperature ferrimagnetism in Yb-doped relaxor ferroelectric PbFe2/3W1/3O3

We report ferrimagnetism and reentrant relaxor ferroelectricity near room temperature in a Yb-doped PbFe2/3W1/3O3 cubic perovskite. Structural analysis reveals the presence of a single cubic perovskite phase, with the m space group [lattice parameter: a=8.0112(3) angstrom], and partial B-site ordering. The B-site ordering yields uncompensated magnetic moments in the antiferromagnetic structure of PbFe2/3W1/3O3 and ferrimagnetism near room temperature. An excess moment of similar to 0.6 mu(B)/B-site may be estimated from magnetic hysteresis curves recorded up to 50kOe at 5K. The temperature dependent magnetodielectric study reveals a sequential phase transition from a long-range ferroelectric state (across 280K) to a short-range relaxor ferroelectric state (across 190K). The long-range ferroelectric ordering is found to be more affected by the application of external magnetic fields than the relaxor phase

Partial cation ordering, relaxor ferroelectricity, and ferrimagnetism in Pb(Fe1-xYbx)(2/3)W1/3O3 solid solutions

The structural, magnetic, and dielectric properties of ceramic samples of Yb-doped PbFe2/3W1/3O3 have been investigated by a variety of methods including x-ray powder diffraction, magnetometry, and dielectric spectroscopy. In addition, theoretical investigations were made using first-principles density functional calculations. All the doped samples Pb(Fe1-xYbx)(2/3)W1/3O3 (PFYWO) (0.1 <= x <= 0.5) were found to crystallize in an ordered cubic ( F m 3 <overbar></mml:mover> m <mml:mo stretchy="false">) structure with partial ordering in the B-perovskite sites. Observed changes in the cationic order were accompanied by differences in the dielectric and magnetic responses of the system. While pure PbFe2/3W1/3O3 is antiferromagnetic, the doped Pb(Fe1-xYbx)(2/3)W1/3O3 PFYWO samples display excess moments and ferrimagnetic-like behavior, associated with differences in B ' and B '' site occupancies of the magnetic Fe3+ cations. The magnetic transition temperature of the ferrimagnetic phase is found to decrease with increasing Yb content, from T-N similar to 350K of the undoped sample down to 137K for x=0.5. All PFYWO compounds display a ferroelectric relaxor behavior akin to that of PbFe2/3W1/3O3, albeit our results show significant changes of the frequency and temperature dependence of the dielectric properties. The changes of the properties of PFYWO with increasing Yb substitution can be explained by the changes in the cation size/charge mismatch and the size difference of the two ordered positions