632 research outputs found
Quantum Phase Transition in Pr2CuO4 to Collinear Spin State in Inclined Magnetic Field: A Neutron Diffraction Observation
In the external field slightly inclined to the - or y-axis of the
frustrated tetragonal atiferromagnet Pr2CuO4, a transition is discovered from
the phase with orthogonal antiferromagnetic spin subsystems along [1,0,0] and
[0,1,0] to the phase with the collinear spins. This phase is shown to be due to
the pseudodipolar interaction, and transforms into the spin-flop phase S perp H
asymptotically at very high field. The discovered phase transition holds at T=0
and is a quantum one, with the transition field being the critical point and
the angle between two subsystems being the order parameter
Luminescence tuning of MOFs via ligand to metal and metal to metal energy transfer by co-doping of 2∞[Gd2Cl6(bipy)3]*2bipy with europium and terbium
The series of anhydrous lanthanide chlorides LnCl3, Ln=Pr–Tb, and 4,4'-bipyridine (bipy) constitute isotypic MOFs of the formula 2∞[Ln2Cl6(bipy)3]*2bipy. The europium and terbium containing compounds both exhibit luminescence of the referring trivalent lanthanide ions, giving a red luminescence for Eu3+ and a green luminescence for Tb3+ triggered by an efficient antenna effect of the 4,4'-bipyridine linkers. Mixing of different lanthanides in one MOF structure was undertaken to investigate the potential of this MOF system for colour tuning of the luminescence. Based on the gadolinium containing compound, co-doping with different amounts of europium and terbium proves successful and yields solid solutions of the formula 2∞[Gd2-x-yEuxTbyCl6(bipy)3]*2bipy (1–8), 0≤x, y≤0.5. The series of MOFs exhibits the opportunity of tuning the emission colour in-between green and red. Depending on the atomic ratio Gd:Eu:Tb, the yellow region was covered for the first time for an oxygen/carboxylate-free MOF system. In addition to a ligand to metal energy transfer (LMET) from the lowest ligand-centered triplet state of 4,4'-bipyridine, a metal to metal energy transfer (MMET) between 4f-levels from Tb3+ to Eu3+ is as well vital for the emission colour. However, no involvement of Gd3+ in energy transfers is observed rendering it a suitable host lattice ion and connectivity centre for diluting the other two rare earth ions in the solid state. The materials retain their luminescence during activation of the MOFs for microporosity
Muscle action potential scans and ultrasound imaging in neurofibromatosis type 2
INTRODUCTION: The neuropathy in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is difficult to quantify and follow up. In this study we compared 3 methods that may help assess motor axon pathology in NF2 patients. METHODS: Nerve conduction studies in median nerves were supplemented by deriving motor unit number estimates (MUNEs) from compound muscle action potential (CMAP) scans and by high-resolution ultrasound (US) peripheral nerve imaging. RESULTS: CMAP amplitudes and nerve conduction velocity were normal in the vast majority of affected individuals, but CMAP scan MUNE revealed denervation and reinnervation in many peripheral nerves. In addition, nerve US imaging enabled monitoring of the size and number of schwannoma-like fascicular enlargements in median nerve trunks. CONCLUSION: In contrast to conventional nerve conduction studies, CMAP scan MUNE in combination with US nerve imaging can quantify the NF2-associated neuropathy and may help to monitor disease progression and drug treatments
The de Haas-van Alphen effect across the metamagnetic transition in SrRuO
We report a study of the de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) effect on the itinerant
metamagnet SrRuO. Extremely high sample purity allows the
observation of dHvA oscillations both above and below the metamagnetic
transition field of 7.9 T. The quasiparticle masses are fairly large away from
the transition, and are enhanced by up to an extra factor of three as the
transition is approached, but the Fermi surface topography change is quite
small. The results are qualitatively consistent with a field-induced Stoner
transition in which the mass enhancement is the result of critical
fluctuations.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Metamagnetism and critical fluctuations in high quality single crystals of the bilayer ruthenate Sr3Ru2O7
We report the results of low temperature transport, specific heat and
magnetisation measurements on high quality single crystals of the bilayer
perovskite Sr3Ru2O7, which is a close relative of the unconventional
superconductor Sr2RuO4. Metamagnetism is observed, and transport and
thermodynamic evidence for associated critical fluctuations is presented. These
relatively unusual fluctuations might be pictured as variations in the Fermi
surface topography itself. No equivalent behaviour has been observed in the
metallic state of Sr2RuO4.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, Revtex 3.
The ground state of Sr3Ru2O7 revisited; Fermi liquid close to a ferromagnetic instability
We show that single-crystalline Sr3Ru2O7 grown by a floating-zone technique
is an isotropic paramagnet and a quasi-two dimensional metal as spin-triplet
superconducting Sr2RuO4 is. The ground state is Fermi liquid with very low
residual resistivity (3 micro ohm cm for in-plane currents) and a nearly
ferromagnetic metal with the largest Wilson ratio Rw>10 among paramagnets so
far. This contrasts with the ferromagnetic order at Tc=104 K reported on single
crystals grown by a flux method [Cao et al., Phys. Rev. B 55, R672 (1997)]. We
have also found a dramatic changeover from paramagnetism to ferromagnetism
under applied pressure. This suggests the existence of a substantial
ferromagnetic instability on the verge of a quantum phase transition in the
Fermi liquid state.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev. B : Rapid co
A closer look into two-step perovskite conversion with X-ray scattering
Recently, hybrid perovskites have gathered much interest as alternative materials for the fabrication of highly efficient and cost-competitive solar cells; however, many questions regarding perovskite crystal formation and deposition methods remain. Here we have applied a two-step protocol where a crystalline PbI2 precursor film is converted to MAPbI3–xClx perovskite upon immersion in a mixed solution of methylammonium iodide and methylammonium chloride. We have investigated both films with grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering to probe the inner film morphology. Our results demonstrate a strong link between lateral crystal sizes in the films before and after conversion, which we attribute to laterally confined crystal growth. Additionally, we observe an accumulation of smaller grains within the bulk in contrast with the surface. Thus, our results help to elucidate the crystallization process of perovskite films deposited via a two-step technique that is crucial for controlled film formation, improved reproducibility, and high photovoltaic performance
Metamorphosis of Heterostructured Surface-Mounted Metal–Organic Frameworks Yielding Record Oxygen Evolution Mass Activities
Materials derived from surface-mounted metal–organic frameworks (SURMOFs) are promising electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). A series of mixed-metal, heterostructured SURMOFs is fabricated by the facile layer-by-layer deposition method. The obtained materials reveal record-high electrocatalyst mass activities of ≈2.90 kA g at an overpotential of 300 mV in 0.1 m KOH, superior to the benchmarking precious and nonprecious metal electrocatalysts. This property is assigned to the particular in situ self-reconstruction and self-activation of the SURMOFs during the immersion and the electrochemical treatment in alkaline aqueous electrolytes, which allows for the generation of NiFe (oxy)hydroxide electrocatalyst materials of specific morphology and microstructure
Infrared optical properties of Pr2CuO4
The ab-plane reflectance of a Pr2CuO4 single crystal has been measured over a
wide frequency range at a variety of temperatures, and the optical properties
determined from a Kramers-Kronig analysis. Above ~ 250 K, the low frequency
conductivity increases quickly with temperature; the resistivity follows the
form e^(E_a/k_BT), where E_a ~ 0.17 eV is much less than the inferred optical
gap of ~ 1.2 eV. Transport measurements show that at low temperature the
resistivity deviates from activated behavior and follows the form
e^[(T_0/T)^1/4], indicating that the dc transport in this material is due to
variable-range hopping between localized states in the gap. The four
infrared-active Eu modes dominate the infrared optical properties. Below ~ 200
K, a striking new feature appears near the low-frequency Eu mode, and there is
additional new fine structure at high frequency. A normal coordinate analysis
has been performed and the detailed nature of the zone-center vibrations
determined. Only the low-frequency Eu mode has a significant Pr-Cu interaction.
Several possible mechanisms related to the antiferromagnetism in this material
are proposed to explain the sudden appearance of this and other new spectral
features at low temperature.Comment: 11 pages, 7 embedded EPS figures, REVTeX
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