Thermodynamics of the incommensurate state in Rb_2WO_4: on the Lifshitz point in A`A``BX_4 compounds

We consider the evolution of the phase transition from the parent hexagonal phase $P6_{3}/mmc$ to the orthorhombic phase $Pmcn$ that occurs in several compounds of $A'A''BX_{4}$ family as a function of the hcp lattice parameter $c/a$. For compounds of $K_{2}SO_{4}$ type with $c/a$ larger than the threshold value 1.26 the direct first-order transition $Pmcn-P6_{3}/mmc$ is characterized by the large entropy jump $Rln2$. For compounds $Rb_{2}WO_{4}$, $K_{2}MoO_{4}$, $K_{2}WO_{4}$ with $c/a<1.26$ this transition occurs via an intermediate incommensurate $(Inc)$ phase. DSC measurements were performed in $Rb_{2}WO_{4}$ to characterize the thermodynamics of the $Pmcn-Inc-P6_{3}/mmc$ transitions. It was found that both transitions are again of the first order with entropy jumps $0.2Rln2 and$0.3Rln2$. Therefore, at$c/a ~ 1.26$the$A'A''BX_{4}$compounds reveal an unusual Lifshitz point where three first order transition lines meet. We propose the coupling of crystal elasticity with$BX_{4}$ tetrahedra orientation as a possible source of the transitions discontinuity.Comment: 13 pages,1 Postscript figure. Submitted as Brief Report to Phys. Rev. B, this paper reports a new work in Theory and Experiment, directed to Structural Phase Transition

Phase diagram of TTB ferroelectric compounds Pb1−xK2xNb2O6

Substitution of Pb with K in the PbNb2O6 phases leads to a new composition of solid solution with chemical composition Pb1−xK2xNb2O6 with x ranging from 0 to 0.34 in steps of 0.05. Ferroelectric ceramics were synthesized using solid state reaction between the corresponding oxides and carbonates. Powders are pressed and heated into ceramics and their compaction is about 92%. The tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) structure at room temperature was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The temperature dependence of dielectric permittivity was measured from 35 to 600°C in the 20-106 Hz frequency range. Transition temperature decreases with the lead concentration while from x=0, with Tc=600°C and to x=0.3 with Tc=388°C.  These measurements permit to present a basical phase diagram of this family compound showing the evolution of the characteristic transition temperature Tc versus temperature. The behaviour of Tc is in agreement with theoretical study of the ferroelectric phase transition in TTB using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. The dielectric properties of these ceramics are similar to those obtained on a single crystal and illustrate the quality of preparative conditions.Substitution of Pb with K in the PbNb2O6 phases leads to a new composition of solid solution with chemical composition Pb1−xK2xNb2O6 with x ranging from 0 to 0.34 in steps of 0.05. Ferroelectric ceramics were synthesized using solid state reaction between the corresponding oxides and carbonates. Powders are pressed and heated into ceramics and their compaction is about 92%. The tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) structure at room temperature was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The temperature dependence of dielectric permittivity was measured from 35 to 600°C in the 20-106 Hz frequency range. Transition temperature decreases with the lead concentration while from x=0, with Tc=600°C and to x=0.3 with Tc=388°C.  These measurements permit to present a basical phase diagram of this family compound showing the evolution of the characteristic transition temperature Tc versus temperature. The behaviour of Tc is in agreement with theoretical study of the ferroelectric phase transition in TTB using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. The dielectric properties of these ceramics are similar to those obtained on a single crystal and illustrate the quality of preparative conditions

Dielectric Properties Of Lead Potassium Lithium Niobate (Pb1,85K1,15Li0,15Nb5O15) With Tetragonal Tungsten Bronze (TTB) Type Structure

A new tungsten bronze ceramic oxide, Pb2-xK1+xLixNb5O15 (PKLN) (x =0.15) was prepared by high temperature solid-state reaction route. Structural and electrical properties are investigated using X-ray diffraction and dielectric measurements. Room temperature XRD pattern confirms the formation of the compound with an orthorhombic crystal system. The dielectric permittivity and the loss tangent of the sample have been measured in a frequency range 1Hz–1MHz and a temperature range 35–550 °C. Studies of dielectric properties show that the compound exhibits an anomaly at 425°C (usually called transition temperature).The electrical parameters of the material were studied using complex impedance spectroscopy showing that the compound exhibits non-Debye of relaxation process. In the paraelectric phase, activation energy was determined and the value is Eτ = 0.68 eV. The present ceramic is promising candidate for high dielectric constant and low loss dielectric ceramic.A new tungsten bronze ceramic oxide, Pb2-xK1+xLixNb5O15 (PKLN) (x =0.15) was prepared by high temperature solid-state reaction route. Structural and electrical properties are investigated using X-ray diffraction and dielectric measurements. Room temperature XRD pattern confirms the formation of the compound with an orthorhombic crystal system. The dielectric permittivity and the loss tangent of the sample have been measured in a frequency range 1Hz–1MHz and a temperature range 35–550 °C. Studies of dielectric properties show that the compound exhibits an anomaly at 425°C (usually called transition temperature).The electrical parameters of the material were studied using complex impedance spectroscopy showing that the compound exhibits non-Debye of relaxation process. In the paraelectric phase, activation energy was determined and the value is Eτ = 0.68 eV. The present ceramic is promising candidate for high dielectric constant and low loss dielectric ceramic

Defects as a reason of continuity of normal-incommensurate phase transitions

Almost all normal-incommensurate phase transitions observed experimentally are continuous. We show that there is not any theoretical reason for this general behaviour in perfect crystals. A normal-incommensurate phase transition that is not too far from the mean-field tricritical point should be discontinuous and it is highly improbable that so far reported normal-incommensurate phase transitions lie very far from this point. To understand this behaviour we study influence of defects on a hypothetical first-order normal-incommensurate phase transition in a pure material. We have found that this influence is strikingly different from that on other kinds of first-order phase transitions. The change of the discontinuity of the order parameter at the transition is negative and formally diverges within our approximate theory. At the same time the diminishing of the phase transition temperature remains finite. We interpret these results as an indication that at least some of the observed seemingly second-order normal-incommensurate transitions would be first-order transitions in defectless crystals.Comment: 17 pages, 1 figur

Trees Wanted—Dead or Alive! Host Selection and Population Dynamics in Tree-Killing Bark Beetles

Bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) feed and breed in dead or severely weakened host trees. When their population densities are high, some species aggregate on healthy host trees so that their defences may be exhausted and the inner bark successfully colonized, killing the tree in the process. Here we investigate under what conditions participating with unrelated conspecifics in risky mass attacks on living trees is an adaptive strategy, and what this can tell us about bark beetle outbreak dynamics. We find that the outcome of individual host selection may deviate from the ideal free distribution in a way that facilitates the emergence of tree-killing (aggressive) behavior, and that any heritability on traits governing aggressiveness seems likely to exist in a state of flux or cycles consistent with variability observed in natural populations. This may have implications for how economically and ecologically important species respond to environmental changes in climate and landscape (forest) structure. The population dynamics emerging from individual behavior are complex, capable of switching between “endemic” and “epidemic” regimes spontaneously or following changes in host availability or resistance. Model predictions are compared to empirical observations, and we identify some factors determining the occurrence and self-limitation of epidemics

Structures Related to the Emplacement of Shallow-Level Intrusions

A systematic view of the vast nomenclature used to describe the structures of shallow-level intrusions is presented here. Structures are organised in four main groups, according to logical breaks in the timing of magma emplacement, independent of the scales of features: (1) Intrusion-related structures, formed as the magma is making space and then develops into its intrusion shape; (2) Magmatic flow-related structures, developed as magma moves with suspended crystals that are free to rotate; (3) Solid-state, flow-related structures that formed in portions of the intrusions affected by continuing flow of nearby magma, therefore considered to have a syn-magmatic, non-tectonic origin; (4) Thermal and fragmental structures, related to creation of space and impact on host materials. This scheme appears as a rational organisation, helpful in describing and interpreting the large variety of structures observed in shallow-level intrusions

Correlation analysis for energy losses, waiting times and durations of type I edge-localized modes in the Joint European Torus

Several important ELM control techniques are in large part motivated by the empirically observed inverse relationship between average ELM energy loss and ELM frequency in a plasma. However, to ensure a reliable effect on the energy released by the ELMs, it is important that this relation is verified for individual ELM events. Therefore, in this work the relation between ELM energy loss (W-ELM) and waiting time (Delta t(ELM)) is investigated for individual ELMs in a set of ITER-like wall plasmas in JET. A comparison is made with the results from a set of carbon-wall and nitrogen-seeded ITER-like wall JET plasmas. It is found that the correlation between W-ELM and Delta t(ELM) for individual ELMs varies from strongly positive to zero. Furthermore, the effect of the extended collapse phase often accompanying ELMs from unseeded JET ILW plasmas and referred to as the slow transport event (STE) is studied on the distribution of ELM durations, and on the correlation between W-ELM and Delta t(ELM). A high correlation between W-ELM and Delta t(ELM), comparable to CW plasmas is only found in nitrogen-seeded ILW plasmas. Finally, a regression analysis is performed using plasma engineering parameters as predictors for determining the region of the plasma operational space with a high correlation between W-ELM and Delta t(ELM)