Magnetoelectric coupling in MnTiO3

We give general arguments that show that the linear magnetoelectric effect in antiferromagnetic materials gives rise to a magnetocapacitance anomaly—a divergence of the dielectric constant at the magnetic ordering temperature TN that appears in an applied magnetic field. The measurement of magnetodielectric response thus provides a definitive and experimentally accessiblemethod to recognize antiferromagnetic linear magnetoelectric materials, circumventing the experimental difficulties often involved in measuring electric polarization. We confirm this result experimentally using the example of MnTiO3, which we show to exhibit the linear magnetoelectric effect. No dielectric anomaly is observed at TN in the absence of an applied magnetic field. However, a sharp peak in the dielectric constant appears here when a magnetic field is applied along the c axis, reflecting a linear coupling of the polarization P with the antiferromagnetic order parameter L. In accordance with our theoretical analysis, the dielectric constant close to TN increases with the square of the magnetic field.

A comparative Raman study between YbVO3 and YVO3

An orbital ordering effect is observed in YbVO3 around 170 K while the crystal structure is orthorhombic (space group pnma). A monoclinic transition has been reported below TN = 104 K, while according to recent specific heat measurements, it occurs at 170 K. The crystal structure of YVO3 at 300 K is also orthorhombic. It becomes monoclinic at Tc = 200 K and back orthorhombic at T = 77 K. Spins order into the C-type antiferromagnetic structure below TN1 = 116 K and the order changes into the G-type antiferromagnetic structure below TN2 = 77 K. Controversial interpretations of YVO3 Raman active excitations have been reported. For instance the 489 and 679 cm-1 excitations have been assigned either to phonons or orbitons in two recent studies. In this communication we present a micro-Raman study of YbVO3 and YVO3 Raman active excitations as a function of temperature in order to trace the multiple phase transitions. Also by comparing the two single crystals spectra and previous studies in rare-earth manganites, high energy Raman active excitations are tentatively assigned

Ordered Structure Analysis of Prepared Mesoporous Silica Using Small Angle X-Ray Scattering

Ordered pores structureanalysis of mesoporous silica materials using a template of poly(ethylene oxyde)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide), PEO-PPO-PEO, triblock copolymer or Pluronics in numerous synthesis conditions has been conducted. Two different length of hydrophilic chain of Pluronics, i.e., P123 (EO20PO70EO20) and F127 (EO106PO70EO106), produced two different fine pore structures, which were basically hexagonal and cubic. A highly ordered pore structure, confirming with many Bragg peaks, was clearly obtained with the lattice parameters in nanometer scale from analyzing the synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data. Meanwhile, the surface area and pores size of mesoporous silica determined by nitrogen absorption clearly support the analysis of SAXS data, presenting a complete information of pore order characteristics. This paper shows how the synthesis parameters,such as length of hydrophilic chains, silica precursor concentration, Al:Si ratio and synthesis methods, are related to the structure and order of the pores formed. The SAXS patterns show that the pore orderincreases with increasing concentration of sodium silicate and decreases with longer sonication time

Structural, electronic, and magneto-optical properties of YVO3_3

Optical and magneto-optical properties of YVO$_3$ single crystal were studied in FIR, visible, and UV regions. Two structural phase transitions at 75 K and 200 K were observed and established to be of the first and second order, respectively. The lattice has an orthorhombic $Pbnm$ symmetry both above 200 K as well as below 75 K, and is found to be dimerized monoclinic $Pb11$ in between. We identify YVO$_3$ as a Mott-Hubbard insulator with the optical gap of 1.6 eV. The electronic excitations in the visible spectrum are determined by three $d$-bands at 1.8, 2.4, and 3.3 eV, followed by the charge-transfer transitions at about 4 eV. The observed structure is in good agreement with LSDA+$U$ band structure calculations. By using ligand field considerations, we assigned these bands to the transitions to the $^4A_{2g}$, $^2E_{g} + ^2T_{1g}$, and $^2T_{2g}$ states. The strong temperature dependence of these bands is in agreement with the formation of orbital order. Despite the small net magnetic moment of 0.01 $\mu_B$ per vanadium, the Kerr effect of the order of $0.01^\circ$ was observed for all three $d$-bands in the magnetically ordered phase $T_{\text{N\'eel}}<116 K$. A surprisingly strong enhancement of the Kerr effect was found below 75 K, reaching a maximum of $0.1^\circ$. The effect is ascribed to the non-vanishing net orbital magnetic moment.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Electron Dynamics in Nd1.85_{1.85}Ce.15_{.15}CuO4+δ_{4+\delta}: Evidence for the Pseudogap State and Unconventional c-axis Response

Infrared reflectance measurements were made with light polarized along the a- and c-axis of both superconducting and antiferromagnetic phases of electron doped Nd$_{1.85}$Ce$_{.15}$CuO$_{4+\delta}$. The results are compared to characteristic features of the electromagnetic response in hole doped cuprates. Within the CuO$_2$ planes the frequency dependent scattering rate, 1/$\tau(\omega)$, is depressed below $\sim$ 650 cm$^{-1}$; this behavior is a hallmark of the pseudogap state. While in several hole doped compounds the energy scales associated with the pseudogap and superconducting states are quite close, we are able to show that in Nd$_{1.85}$Ce$_{.15}$CuO$_{4+\delta}$ the two scales differ by more than one order of magnitude. Another feature of the in-plane charge response is a peak in the real part of the conductivity, $\sigma_1(\omega)$, at 50-110 cm$^{-1}$ which is in sharp contrast with the Drude-like response where $\sigma_1(\omega)$ is centered at $\omega=0$. This latter effect is similar to what is found in disordered hole doped cuprates and is discussed in the context of carrier localization. Examination of the c-axis conductivity gives evidence for an anomalously broad frequency range from which the interlayer superfluid is accumulated. Compelling evidence for the pseudogap state as well as other characteristics of the charge dynamics in Nd$_{1.85}$Ce$_{.15}$CuO$_{4+\delta}$ signal global similarities of the cuprate phase diagram with respect to electron and hole doping.Comment: Submitted to PR