Showing papers on "Curie temperature published in 2006"

Giant Electrocaloric Effect in Thin-Film PbZr0.95Ti0.05O3

Abstract: An applied electric field can reversibly change the temperature of an electrocaloric material under adiabatic conditions, and the effect is strongest near phase transitions. We demonstrate a giant electrocaloric effect (0.48 kelvin per volt) in 350-nanometer PbZr 0.95 Ti 0.05 O 3 films near the ferroelectric Curie temperature of 222°C. A large electrocaloric effect may find application in electrical refrigeration.

Field dependence of the magnetocaloric effect in materials with a second order phase transition: A master curve for the magnetic entropy change

Abstract: The field dependence of the magnetic entropy change can be expressed as ΔSM∝Hn For soft magnetic amorphous alloys n=1 well below the Curie temperature (TC), n=2 in the paramagnetic range, and n≈075 for T=TC The first value can be explained with simple arguments, n=2 is a consequence of the Curie-Weiss law, but n(TC) deviates from mean field predictions From the Arrott-Noakes equation of state, a relation between n(TC) and the critical exponents has been obtained, showing remarkable agreement with experimental data (for an example alloy, predicted n=072 versus experimental n=073) A master curve behavior for the temperature dependence of ΔSM measured for different maximum fields is proposed

Piezoelectric properties in perovskite 0.948(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3–0.052LiSbO3 lead-free ceramics

Abstract: Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics, with the nominal composition of 0.948(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3–0.052LiSbO3 (KNN-LS5.2), were synthesized by conventional solid-state sintering, and the piezoelectric and electromechanical properties were characterized as a function of temperature. The Curie temperature of the KNN based perovskite material was found to be 368°C with an orthorhombic-tetragonal polymorphic phase transition (TO-T) temperature at approximately ∼35°C. The room temperature dielectric permittivity (e33T∕e0) and loss were found to be 1380 and 2%, respectively, with piezoelectric properties of k33∼62% and d33∼265pC∕N and k31∼30% and d31∼−116pC∕N. The temperature dependence of the properties mimicked the compositional variation seen in the proximity of a morphotropic phase boundary [e.g., lead zirconate titanate (PZT)], with a maxima in the dielectric and piezoelectric properties and a corresponding “softening” of the elastic properties. Unlike that found for PZT-type materials, the modified KNN material exhi...

Electronic structure and Slater–Pauling behaviour in half-metallic Heusler alloys calculated from first principles

Abstract: Intermetallic Heusler alloys are amongst the most attractive half-metallic systems due to their high Curie temperatures and their structural similarity to binary semiconductors. In this review we present an overview of the basic electronic and magnetic properties of both Heusler families: the so-called half-Heusler alloys like NiMnSb and the full-Heusler alloys like Co2MnGe. Ab initio results suggest that both the electronic and magnetic properties in these compounds are intrinsically related to the appearance of the minority-spin gap. The total spin magnetic moment Mt scales linearly with the number of the valence electrons Zt, such that Mt = Zt − 24 for the full-Heusler and Mt = Zt − 18 for the half-Heusler alloys, thus opening the way to engineer new half-metallic alloys with the desired magnetic properties.

Sintering and Electrical Properties of Lead-Free Na0.5K0.5NbO3 Piezoelectric Ceramics

Abstract: Lead-free Na0.5K0.5NbO3 (NKN) piezoelectric ceramics were fairly well densified at a relatively low temperature under atmospheric conditions. A relative density of 96%–99% can be achieved by either using high-energy attrition milling or adding 1 mol% oxide additives. It is suggested that ultra-fine starting powders by active milling or oxygen vacancies and even liquid phases from B-site oxide additives mainly lead to improved sintering. Not only were dielectric properties influenced by oxide additives, such as the Curie temperature (Tc) and dielectric loss (D), but also the ferroelectricity was modified. A relatively large remanent polarization was produced, ranging from 16 μC/cm2 for pure NKN to 23 μC/cm2 for ZnO-added NKN samples. The following dielectric and piezoelectric properties were obtained: relative permittivity ɛT33/ɛ0=570–650, planar mode electromechanical coupling factor, kp=32%–44%, and piezoelectric strain constant, d33=92–117 pC/N.

Investigation of Co2FeSi: The Heusler compound with highest Curie temperature and magnetic moment

Abstract: This work reports on structural and magnetic investigations of the Heusler compound Co2FeSi. X-ray diffraction and Mosbauer spectrometry indicate an ordered L21 structure. Magnetic measurements by means of x-ray magnetic circular dichroism and magnetometry revealed that this compound is, currently, the material with the highest magnetic moment (6μB) and Curie temperature (1100K) in the classes of Heusler compounds as well as half-metallic ferromagnets.

Carrier-controlled ferromagnetism in transparent oxide semiconductors

Abstract: The search for an ideal magnetic semiconductor with tunable ferromagnetic behaviour over a wide range of doping or by electrical gating is being actively pursued as a major step towards realizing spin electronics. A magnetic semiconductor having a high Curie temperature, capable of independently controlled carrier density and magnetic doping, is crucial for developing spin-based multifunctional devices. Cr-doped In2O3 is such a unique system, where the electrical and magnetic behaviour—from ferromagnetic metal-like to ferromagnetic semiconducting to paramagnetic insulator—can be controllably tuned by the defect concentration. An explicit dependence of magnetic interaction leading to ferromagnetism on the carrier density is shown. A carrier-density-dependent high Curie temperature of 850–930 K has been measured, in addition to the observation of clear magnetic domain structures in these films. Being optically transparent with the above optimal properties, Cr-doped In2O3 emerges as a viable candidate for the development of spin electronics.

Giant electrocaloric effect in the thin film relaxor ferroelectric 0.9 PbMg(1/3)Nb(2/3)O(3)-0.1 PbTiO(3) near room temperature

Abstract: The authors have recently observed a giant electrocaloric effect (12K in 25V) in 350nm sol-gel PbZr0.95Ti0.05O3 films near the ferroelectric Curie temperature of 242°C. Here the authors demonstrate a giant electrocaloric effect (5K in 25V) in 260nm sol-gel films of the relaxor ferroelectric 0.9PbMg1∕3Nb2∕3O3–0.1PbTiO3 near the Curie temperature of 60°C. This reduction in operating temperature widens the potential for applications in cooling systems.

High-Curie-temperature ferromagnetism in self-organized Ge1-xMnx nanocolumns.

Abstract: The emerging field of spintronics would be dramatically boosted if room-temperature ferromagnetism could be added to semiconductor nanostructures that are compatible with silicon technology. Here, we report a high-TC (>400 K) ferromagnetic phase of (Ge,Mn) epitaxial layer. The manganese content is 6%, and careful structural and chemical analyses show that the Mn distribution is strongly inhomogeneous: we observe eutectoid growth of well-defined Mn-rich nanocolumns surrounded by a Mn-poor matrix. The average diameter of these nanocolumns is 3 nm and their spacing is 10nm. Their composition is close to Ge2Mn, which corresponds to an unknown germanium-rich phase, and they have a uniaxially elongated diamond structure. Their Curie temperature is higher than 400 K. Magnetotransport reveals a pronounced anomalous Hall effect up to room temperature. A giant positive magnetoresistance is measured from 7,000% at 30K to 200% at 300K and 9 T, with no evidence of saturation.

Stabilization of Monodomain Polarization in Ultrathin PbTiO3 Films

Abstract: Using in situ high-resolution synchrotron x-ray scattering, the Curie temperature TC has been determined for ultrathin c-axis epitaxial PbTiO3 films on conducting substrates (SrRuO3 on SrTiO3), with surfaces exposed to a controlled vapor environment. The suppression of TC was relatively small, even for the thinnest film (1.2 nm). We observe that 180 degrees stripe domains do not form, indicating that the depolarizing field is compensated by free charge at both interfaces. This is confirmed by ab initio calculations that find polar ground states in the presence of ionic adsorbates.

Size‐Dependent Chemical and Magnetic Ordering in L10‐FePt Nanoparticles

Abstract: FePt nanoparticles have great application potential in advanced magnetic materials such as ultrahigh-density recording media and high-performance permanent magnets. The key for applications is the very high uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the L10-FePt phase, which is based on crystalline ordering of the face-centered tetragonal (fct) structure, described by the chemical-ordering parameter S. Higher chemical ordering results in higher magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Unfortunately, as-synthesized FePt nanoparticles take a disordered face-centered cubic (fcc) structure that has low magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Heat-treatment is necessary to convert the fcc structure to the ordered fct structure. Several previous theoretical and experimental investigations have been reported on the size-dependent chemical ordering of FePt nanoparticles. It has been observed that the degree of ordering decreases with decreasing particle size of the sputtered FePt nanoparticles. Theoretical simulation predicted that the ordering would not take place when the particle size is below a critical value. However, there have not been systematic experimental studies on quantitative size dependence of chemical ordering of FePt nanoparticles due to the lack of monodisperse L10-FePt nanoparticles with controllable sizes. There are also few studies reported to date on the quantitative particle size dependence of magnetic properties, including the Curie temperature, coercivity, and magnetization of the L10-FePt phase, although it has been well accepted that there is a size effect on the ferromagnetism of any low-dimensional magnets. Additionally, the magnetic properties of FePt ferromagnets, as observed in thin-film samples, are affected by the degree of chemical ordering, which is in turn size dependent. It is therefore highly desirable to understand the size and chemical-ordering effects, and their influence on the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles. A major hurdle in obtaining the particle size dependence of structural and magnetic properties of the L10 phase is particle sintering during heat-treatments that convert the fcc phase to the fct phase. This long-pending problem has been solved recently by adopting the salt-matrix annealing technique. With this technique, particle aggregation during the phase transformation has been avoided so that the true size-dependent properties of the fct phase can be measured. In this paper, we report results on quantitative particle size dependence of the chemical-ordering parameter S and selected magnetic properties, including the Curie temperature, Tc, magnetization, Ms, and coercivity, Hc, with the particle size varying from 2 to 15 nm. Figure 1 shows the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of the FePt nanoparticles with different sizes before and after annealing in a salt matrix at 973 K for 4 h. The images, from left to right, show nanoparticles with nominal diameters of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 15 nm, respectively. The upper and lower rows are images of as-synthesized and salt-matrixannealed nanoparticles, respectively. As shown in Figure 1, the particle size is retained well upon annealing. Both the assynthesized and annealed nanoparticles are monodisperse with a standard deviation of 5–10 % in diameter. TEM observations also revealed that when the particle size is smaller than or equal to 8 nm, the fct nanoparticles are monocrystalline, whereas the 15 nm fct particles are polycrystalline. It is interesting to see that the L10 nanoparticles, tiny ferromagnets at room temperature, are dispersed very well without agglomeration despite the dipolar interaction between the particles, if a solvent with high viscosity is chosen and if the solution is diluted. Extensive TEM and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses have proved that the technique of salt-matrix annealing can be applied to heat-treatments of the FePt nanoparticles without leading to particle agglomeration and sintering, if a suitable salt-to-particle ratio and proper annealing conditions are chosen. Figure 2 shows the XRD patterns of the 4 nm, as-synthesized, fcc-structured nanoparticles and the particles annealed in a salt matrix at 873 K for 2 h, 973 K for 2 h, and 973 K for 4 h (from bottom to top), respectively. As shown in the figure, the positions of the (111) peaks shift in the higher-anC O M M U N IC A TI O N

Giant electrocaloric effect in the thin film relaxor ferroelectric 0.9 PbMg_(1/3)Nb_(2/3)O_3 - 0.1 PbTiO_3 near room temperature

Abstract: We have recently observed a giant electrocaloric effect (12 K in 25 V) in 350 nm sol-gel Pb Zr_0.95 Ti_0.05 O_3 films near the ferroelectric Curie temperature of 242oC. Here we demonstrate a giant electrocaloric effect (5 K in 25 V) in 260 nm sol-gel films of the relaxor ferroelectric 0.9 PbMg_(1/3)Nb_(2/3)O_3 - 0.1 PbTiO_3 near the Curie temperature of 60oC. This reduction in operating temperature widens the potential for applications in novel cooling systems.

Temperature‐Stable Dielectrics Based on Chemically Inhomogeneous BaTiO3

Abstract: The dielectric properties and chemical homogeneity of BaTiO3 ceramics sintered with additions of the pseudophase “CdBi2Nb2O9” were investigated using SEM, TEM, STEM, and EDX. In materials showing the “X7R” dielectric temperature characteristic, the microstructure exhibits the grain core-grain shell structure. The perovskite material in the shell shows a temperature characteristic determined by mixed crystals of BaTiO3 with the complex perovskites Ba(Bi1/2Nb1/2)O3 and Ba(Cd1/3Nb2/3)O3 having an approximate Curie point of -80°C. The chemical inhomogeneity emerges during a process of reactive liquid-phase sintering. Application of too-high sintering temperatures leads to uniform distributions of the additives via solid-state diffusion and to the loss of the X7R characteristic.

Phonon anomalies and the ferroelectric phase transition in multiferroic BiFeO 3

Abstract: We report a temperature-dependent Raman scattering investigation of the multiferroic material bismuth ferrite ${\mathrm{BiFeO}}_{3}$ (BFO). The observed loss of the Raman spectrum at the ferroelectric Curie temperature ${T}_{C}$ should be in agreement with a cubic $Pm\overline{3}m$ structure of the high-temperature paraelectric phase. Surprisingly, the ferroelectric-to-paraelectric phase transition is not soft-mode driven, indicating a nonconventional ferroelectric. Furthermore, our results reveal pronounced phonon anomalies around the magnetic N\'eel temperature ${T}_{N}$. We tentatively attribute these anomalies to the multiferroic character of BFO.

High dielectric constant and frozen macroscopic polarization in dense nanocrystalline BaTiO3 ceramics

Abstract: Theoretical models for small ferroelectric particles predict a progressive decrease of the Curie temperature, spontaneous lattice strain, and polarization until the critical size corresponding to t ...

Crystal structure and ferroelectric properties of rare-earth substituted BiFeO3 thin films

Abstract: The influence of ion modification using rare-earth cations on crystal structures, along with the insulating and ferroelectric properties of BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films was investigated. Rare-earth-substituted BFO films with chemical compositions of (Bi1.00−xREx)Fe1.00O3 (x=0–0.15, RE=La and Nd) were fabricated on (111)Pt∕TiO2∕SiO2∕(100)Si substrates using a chemical solution deposition technique. A crystalline phase of rhombohedral BFO was obtained by heat treatment in a N2 atmosphere at 500°C for 5min. The crystal anisotropy and the Curie temperature of BFO were degraded continuously with increasing contents of La3+ or Nd3+ cations. Ion modification using La3+ and Nd3+ cations up to x=0.05 lowered the leakage current density of the BFO film at room temperature from approximately 10−3 down to 10−6A∕cm2. A polarization (P)-electrical field (E) hysteresis loop measured at 10K revealed that the intrinsic remanent polarization of La3+- and Nd3+-substituted BFO films with x=0.05 (44 and 51μC∕cm2, respectively) was...

Slater-Pauling rule and Curie temperature of Co2-based Heusler compounds

Abstract: A concept is presented serving to guide in the search for materials with high spin polarization. It is shown that the magnetic moment of half-metallic ferromagnets can be calculated from the generalized Slater-Pauling rule. Furthermore, it was found empirically that the Curie temperature of Co2-based Heusler compounds can be estimated from a seemingly linear dependence on the magnetic moment. As a successful application of these simple rules, it was found that Co2FeSi is, actually, the half-metallic ferromagnet exhibiting the highest magnetic moment and the highest Curie temperature measured for a Heusler compound.

Ferromagnetism in Co doped CeO2: Observation of a giant magnetic moment with a high Curie temperature

Abstract: We report room temperature ferromagnetism in single crystal Ce1−xCoxO2−δ (x⩽0.05) films deposited on a LaAlO3(001) substrate. Films were grown by a pulsed laser deposition technique and were thoroughly characterized using x-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy coupled with electron energy loss spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy-Z contrast, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, optical transmission spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. These films are transparent in the visible regime and exhibit a very high Curie temperature ∼740–875K with a giant magnetic moment. Our results indicate that the ferromagnetic property is intrinsic to the CeO2 system and is not a result of any secondary magnetic phase or cluster formation.

Theoretical assessment of FePt nanoparticles as heating elements for magnetic hyperthermia

Abstract: FePt magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are expected to be a high-performance nanoheater for magnetic hyperthermia because of their high Curie temperature, high saturation magnetization, and high chemical stability. Here, we present a theoretical performance assessment of chemically disordered fcc-phase FePt MNPs. We calculate heat generation and heat transfer in the tissue when an MNP-loaded tumor is placed on an external alternating magnetic field. For comparison, we estimate the performances of magnetite, maghemite, FeCo, and L10-phase FePt MNPs. We find that an fcc FePt MNP has a superior ability in magnetic hyperthermia

On determination of the Curie point from thermomagnetic curves

Abstract: [1] In many rock magnetic studies, information on magnetic mineralogy is of crucial importance. Besides standard analytical methods, such as X-ray spectroscopy, more sensitive thermomagnetic analyses are often used. Temperature dependence of magnetic parameters can serve as basis for determination of magnetic second-order phase transition temperatures. Although limited by several drawbacks, the most serious being thermally induced transformations of the original minerals, this method provides useful information not only about the presence of magnetic minerals, but also additional knowledge on, e.g., the prevailing grain size distribution or degree of substitution. In thermomagnetic analysis, temperature dependence of two parameters, induced magnetization and magnetic susceptibility, is mostly used. However, let us say because of historical reasons, the same approach for the Curie point determination has been often used in analyzing the two parameters. In our contribution, we discuss the physical principles of the two parameters, showing that the methods developed and used for induced magnetization cannot be used also for temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility because there is no physical justification to do so. Otherwise, the error in determining the Curie point can be some few degrees but can reach also several tens of degrees. Such an error has serious consequences for further interpretation of the data, e.g., in terms of degree of Ti substitution in Ti magnetite.

Ab initio prediction of half-metallic properties for the ferromagnetic heusler alloys Co2MSi (M=Ti,V,Cr)

Abstract: By means of density functional calculations, the magnetic and electronic properties and phase stabilities of the Heusler compounds Co2MSi (with M=Ti,V,Cr,Mn,Fe,Co,Ni) were investigated. Based on the calculated results, we predict the ferromagnetic phases of the compounds Co2TiSi, Co2VSi, and Co2CrSi to be half metals. Of particular interest is Co2CrSi because of its high density of majority-spin states at Fermi energy in combination with a reasonably high estimated Curie temperature of 747K. The compounds Co2TiSi and Co2VSi are thermodynamically stable, whereas Co2CrSi is of a metastable phase which might be stabilized by suitable experimental techniques.

A Modular Approach to Ferroelectric Polymers with Chemically Tunable Curie Temperatures and Dielectric Constants

Abstract: We present a modular approach toward poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based ferroelectric fluoropolymers with high dielectric constants. This strategy is based on a two-step reaction, including the copolymerization of vinylidene fluoride and chlorotrifluoroethylene and a subsequent hydrogenation reaction. The chemical structures and compositions of the resulting polymers can be precisely controlled, leading to tunable Curie temperatures and dielectric constants and a systematical study of structure-property correlations.

Ab initio prediction of half-metallic properties for the ferromagnetic Heusler alloys Co$_2$MSi (M=Ti, V, Cr)

Abstract: By means of density functional calculations the magnetic and electronic properties and phase stabilities of the Heusler compounds Co$_2$MSi (with M=Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) were investigated. Based on the calculated results we predict the ferromagnetic phases of the compounds Co$_2$TiSi, Co$_2$VSi and Co$_2$CrSi to be half-metals. Of particular interest is Co$_2$CrSi because of its high density of majority spin states at Fermi energy in combination with a reasonably high estimated Curie temperature of 747K. The compounds Co$_2$TiSi and Co$_2$VSi are thermodynamically stable, whereas Co$_2$CrSi is a metastable phase which might be stabilized by suitable experimental techniques.

Half-metallic ferromagnetism with high magnetic moment and high Curie temperature in Co2FeSi

Abstract: Co2FeSi crystallizes in the ordered L21 structure as proven by x-ray diffraction and Moβbauer spectroscopy. The magnetic moment of Co2FeSi was measured to be about 6μB at 5 K. Magnetic circular dichroism spectra excited by soft x-rays were taken to determine the element-specific magnetic moments of Co and Fe. The Curie temperature was measured with different methods to be (1100±20)K. Co2FeSi was found to be the Heusler compound as well as the half-metallic ferromagnet with the highest magnetic moment and Curie temperature.

Model for Vacancy-Induced d 0 Ferromagnetism in Oxide Compounds

Abstract: We propose a model with few parameters for vacancy-induced ferromagnetism based on a correlated model for oxygen orbitals with random potentials representing cation vacancies. For certain potentials, moments appear on oxygen sites near defects. Treating the randomness exactly, we calculate the magnetic couplings between moments, the Curie temperature and spin and charge densities as a function of the potential, the density of vacancies, and correlation strength. For physically reasonable parameters this predicts Curie temperatures well above room temperature for small concentrations of vacancies. We discuss our results in relation to questions of stability and reproducibility raised in experiments. To circumvent the difficulties of controlling intrinsic defects, we propose specific nonmagnetic host doping that could be, for example, substituted for cations in ${\mathrm{HfO}}_{2}$ or ${\mathrm{ZrO}}_{2}$.

Dynamic approach for micromagnetics close to the Curie temperature

Abstract: In conventional micromagnetism magnetic domain configurations are calculated based on a continuum theory for the magnetization. This theory assumes that the absolute magnetization value is constant in space and time. Dynamics is usually described with the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert (LLG) equation, the stochastic variant of which includes finite temperatures. Using simulation techniques with atomistic resolution we show that this conventional micromagnetic approach fails for higher temperatures since we find two effects which cannot be described in terms of the LLG equation: (i) an enhanced damping when approaching the Curie temperature and, (ii) a magnetization magnitude that is not constant in time. We show, however, that both of these effects are naturally described by the Landau-Lifshitz-Bloch equation which links the LLG equation with the theory of critical phenomena and turns out to be a more realistic equation for magnetization dynamics at elevated temperatures.

Photoinduced magnetization with a high curie temperature and a large coercive field in a cyano-bridged cobalt-tungstate bimetallic assembly.

Abstract: A three-dimensional magnetic material [{CoII(pyrimidine)(H2O)}2{CoII(H2O)2}{WV(CN)8}2](pyrimidine)2· 2H2O is prepared. This compound exhibits a charge-transfer-induced spin transition with a large thermal hysteresis loop of 90 K. Irradiating with light causes the low-temperature phase to exhibit a spontaneous magnetization with a Curie temperature of 40 K and a magnetic hysteresis loop with a coercive field of 12 000 G, which is the highest value reported for a photomagnet. The observed photoinduced magnetization is due to the charge-transfer phase transition from the {CoIIhs(S = 3/2)}{CoIIIls(S = 0)}2−NC−{WIV(S = 0)}2 phase to the {CoIIhs(S = 3/2)}3−NC−{WV(S = 1/2)}2 phase by the irradiation.

Spinodal Decomposition under Layer by Layer Growth Condition and High Curie Temperature Quasi-One-Dimensional Nano-Structure in Dilute Magnetic Semiconductors

Abstract: We show that spinodal decomposition under layer by layer crystal growth condition leads to characteristic quasi-one-dimensional nano-structures in dilute magnetic semiconductors (DMS). It is found that the DMS systems can form rather large clusters with highly anisotropic shape even for low concentrations. It is suggested that the blocking phenomena in the super-paramagnetism, the magnetic dipole–dipole interaction and the network of the one-dimensional structures should be considered to understand the magnetism in DMS. Based on the present simulations, we propose that the delta-doping method can be effective approach to realize high Curie temperature.