Appearance and disappearance of superconductivity in SmFe1-xNixAsO (x = 0.0 to 1.0)

Bulk polycrystalline Ni-substituted SmFe1-xNixAsO (x = 0.0 to 1.0) samples are synthesized by solid state reaction route in an evacuated sealed quartz tube. The cell volume decreases with increase of Ni content in SmFe1-xNixAsO, thus indicating successful substitution of smaller ion Ni at Fe site. The resistivity measurements showed that the spin-density-wave (SDW) transition is suppressed drastically with Ni doping and subsequently superconductivity is achieved in a narrow range of x from 0.04 to 0.10 with maximum Tc of 9K at x = 0.06. For higher content of Ni (x > 0.10), the system becomes metallic and superconductivity is not observed down to 2K. The magneto-transport [R(T)H] measurements exhibited the upper critical field [Hc2(0)] of up to 300kOe. The flux flow activation energy (U/kB) is estimated ~98.37K for 0.1T field. Magnetic susceptibility measurements also confirms bulk superconductivity for x = 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08 samples. The lower critical field (Hc1) is around 100Oe at 2K for x = 0.06 sample. Heat capacity CP(T) measurements exhibited a hump like transition pertaining to SDW in Fe planes at around 150K and an AFM ordering of Sm spins below temperature of 5.4K for ordered Sm spins [TN(Sm)]. Though, the SDW hump for Fe spins disappears for Ni doped samples, the TN (Sm) remains unaltered but with a reduced transition height, i.e., decreased entropy. In conclusion, complete phase diagram of SmFe1-xNixAsO (x = 0.0 to 1.0) is studied in terms of its structural, electrical, magnetic and thermal properties.Comment: 18 pages text + Figures; comments suggestions welcome ([email protected]

Superconductivity in SmFe1−xCoxAsO (x = 0.0–0.30)

We report synthesis, structural details, and magnetization of SmFe1−xCoxAsO with x ranging from 0.0 to 0.30. It is found that Co substitutes fully at Fe site in SmFeAsO in an isostructural lattice with slightly compressed cell. The parent compound exhibited known as the spin density wave (SDW) character is below at around 140 K. Successive doping of Co at Fe site suppressed the SDW transition for x = 0.05 and later induced superconductivity for x = 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20, respectively, at 14, 15.5, and 9 K. The lower critical field as seen from magnetization measurements is below 200 Oe. The appearance of bulk superconductivity is established by wide open isothermal magnetization M(H) loops. Superconductivity is not observed for higher content of Co, i.e., x ≥ 0.30. Clearly the Co substitution at Fe site in SmFe1−xCoxAsO diminishes the Fe SDW character, introduces bulk superconductivity for x between 0.10 and 0.20 and finally becomes nonsuperconducting for x above 0.20. The Fe2+ site Co3+ substitution injects mobile electrons to the system and superconductivity appears; however direct substitution introduces simultaneous disorder in superconducting FeAs layer and thus superconductivity disappears for higher content of Co

Superconductivity in SmFe1-xCoxAsO (x = 0.0 to 0.30)

We report synthesis, structural details and magnetization of SmFe1-xCoxAsO with x ranging from 0.0 to 0.30. It is found that Co substitutes fully at Fe site in SmFeAsO in an iso-structural lattice with slightly compressed cell. The parent compound exhibited known spin density wave (SDW) character below at around 140 K. Successive doping of Co at Fe site suppressed the SDW transition for x = 0.05 and later induced superconductivity for x = 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 respectively at 14, 15.5 and 9K. The lower critical field as seen from magnetization measurements is below 200Oe. The appearance of bulk superconductivity is established by wide open isothermal magnetization M(H) loops. Superconductivity is not observed for higher content of Co i.e. x = 0.30. Clearly the Co substitution at Fe site in SmFe1-xCoxAsO diminishes the Fe SDW character, introduces bulk superconductivity for x between 0.10 and 0.20 and finally becomes non-superconducting for x above 0.20. The Fe2+ site Co3+ substitution injects mobile electrons to the system and superconductivity appears, however direct substitution introduces simultaneous disorder in superconducting FeAs layer and thus superconductivity disappears for higher content of Co.Comment: 14 Pages Text + Figs comments ([email protected]

Synthesis and Physical Properties of FeSe1/2Te1/2 Superconductor

One of the most important properties of very recently reported FeSe based superconductors is the robustness of their superconductivity under applied magnetic field. The synthesis and control of superconductivity in FeSe based compounds is rather a difficult task. Synthesis and physical property characterization for optimized superconductivity of FeSe1/2Te1/2 at 13 K is reported here. The compound crystallized in a tetragonal structure with lattice parameters a = 3.8008(10) and c = 6.0187 (15) A. Magnetization measurements indicated bulk superconductivity with lower critical field (Hc1) of around 180 Oe. By applying Ginzburg Landau (GL) theory, the Hc2(0) value is estimated to be = 1840 kOe for the 90% of resistive transition. A heat capacity measurement revealed bulk superconductivity by a hump at Tc near 13 K, and an expected decrease was observed under an applied magnetic field.Comment: 13 pages text + Figs: commenta ([email protected]

Advances in nanomaterials

This book provides a review of the latest research findings and key applications in the field of nanomaterials. The book contains twelve chapters on different aspects of nanomaterials. It begins with key fundamental concepts to aid readers new to the discipline of nanomaterials, and then moves to the different types of nanomaterials studied. The book includes chapters based on the applications of nanomaterials for nano-biotechnology and solar energy. Overall, the book comprises chapters on a variety of topics on nanomaterials from expert authors across the globe. This book will appeal to researchers and professional alike, and may also be used as a reference for courses in nanomaterials

Tailoring of morphology and microstructure dependent optical properties of solution processed Ge23Sb7S70 chalcogenide glass films

This paper presents an extensive study carried out to understand the process of tailoring the morphology of solution processed nanostructured Ge23Sb7S70 Chalcogenide glass thin films and to analyze their microstructure dependent optical properties. To tailor the desired morphology of the solution processed ChG films different synthesis parameters have been optimized, step by step. It has been observed that the dissolution time and concentration of Chalcogenide glass precursor solution used for the deposition of solution processed films have the major role in determining their morphology. Annealing of solution processed chalcogenide glass film is an important step to get rid of residual solvent from the film. This study reveals that annealing may disturb the morphological uniformity of solution processed chalcogenide glass films and a careful optimization of annealing step is required to maintain the morphological uniformity. Microstructure dependent optical properties such as refractive index and optical bandgap of solution processed chalcogenide glass films have also been analyzed in this study. It has been observed the size of the microstructures insolution processed chalcogenide glass films greatly influences the optical properties of these films

Complex magnetism and magneto-transport of RECoPO (RE 5 La, Nd, and Sm)

We report the electrical, magnetotransport, and specific heat of the layered polycrystalline RECoPO (RE = La, Nd, and Sm) samples. These compounds are iso-structural to recently discovered superconductor LaFeAs(O/F). Bulk polycrystalline samples are synthesized by a solid state reaction route in an evacuated sealed quartz tube. All these compounds are crystallized in a tetragonal structure with space group P4/nmm. Cobalt in these compounds is in an itinerant state, with its paramagnetic moment above 1.4 μB and the same orders ferromagnetically (FM) with saturation moment of around 0.20 μB below, say, 80 K. Though, LaCoPO shows single paramagnetic (PM) to ferromagnetic (FM) transition near 35 K, the NdCoPO and SmCoPO exhibit successive PM-FM-anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) transitions. Both FM and AFM transition temperatures vary with applied fields. Although the itinerant ferromagnetism occurs with small saturation moment, typical anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) transitions (TN1, TN2) are observed at 60 K and 14 K for Nd and 70 K and 40 K for Sm. This FM-AFM transition of Co spins in NdCoPO and SmCoPO is both field and temperature dependent. The magneto-transport of NdCoPO and SmCoPO distinctly follows their successive PM-FM-AFM transitions. It is clear that Sm/Nd (4f) interacts with the Co (3d) in first-time-synthesized Sm/NdCoPO

Facile synthesis and step by step enhancement of blue photoluminescence from Ag-doped ZnS quantum dots

Our results pertaining to the step by step enhancement of photoluminescence (PL) intensity from ZnS:Ag,Al quantum dots (QDs) are presented. Initially, these QDs were synthesized using a simple co-precipitation technique involving a surfactant, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), in de-ionised water. It was observed that the blue PL originated from ZnS:Ag,Al QDs was considerably weak and not suitable for any practical display application. Upon UV (365 nm) photolysis, the PL intensity augmented to ∼170% and attained a saturation value after ∼100 min of exposure. This is attributed to the photo-corrosion mechanism exerted by high-flux UV light on ZnS:Ag,Al QDs. Auxiliary enhancement of PL intensity to 250% has been evidenced by subjecting the QDs to high temperatures (200 °C) and pressures (∼120 bars) in a sulphur-rich atmosphere, which is due to the improvement in crystallanity of ZnS QDs. The origin of the bright-blue PL has been discussed. The results were supported by X-ray phase analysis, high-resolution electron microscopy and compositional evaluation

High Field Transport And Magnetic Properties Of RECo(P/As)O

We report the structural, electrical and magnetic properties of Co-based layered RECo(P/As)O (RE = La, Nd,Sm) oxypnictide compounds. Cobalt shows the itinerant ferromagnetic state in these compounds. The LaCo(P/As)O shows paramagnetic (PM) to ferromagnetic (FM) transition, however in the same structure NdCo(P/As)O and SmCo(P/As)O show the PM-FM-AFM transition. The transition temperatures are dependent on both, the rare earth and the pnictogen. The transition of Co spins from FM to AFM, for magnetic Nd and Sm is both field and temperature dependent. NdCo(P/As)O and SmCo(P/As)O shows the unusual upside step like turn in resistivity. This upturn appears in NdCo(P/As)O in zero field whereas in SmCo(P/As)O with field