Search

PVDF exhibits ferroelectric, pyroelectric, and dielectric properties as a function of its unique crystalline phases, namely α, β, γ, δ, and e. Of these, the β crystalline phase shows unique electrical and mechanical properties due to its highly ordered crystalline lamellae and is of industrial interest. Electrospinning is a unique technique to produce long flawless fibers for various applications. In this study, several MgTiO3–PVDF composites were prepared by the electrospinning and solution-casting methods. The objective of this was to examine the combined effect of a popular, low-loss ceramic dielectric like MgTiO3 and a high-dielectric polymer like PVDF in a new architecture. The effect of the filler dispersion on the microstructure, phase transition, and mechanical and electrical properties of the MgTiO3/PVDF composites was investigated in the frequency range of 100 Hz–100 MHz and at 10 GHz. The dynamic mechanical properties of the composites (1–100 Hz) have also been examined. These polymer composites composed of highly crystalline PVDF nanofibers and MgTiO3 appear to have promising dielectric properties distinctly different from their constituent components.

Large size single crystals of potassium L-ascorbate monohydrate (KLAM), (KC6H7O6.H2O) are grown using solution growth technique by lowering the temperature at the rate of 0.24 {\deg}C/h, where water was used as solvent. The structure of KLAM was solved by single crystal XRD. KLAM crystallizes in non-centrosymmetric, monoclinic, P21 space group with lattice parameters a = 7.030(5) {\AA}, b = 8.811(5) {\AA}, c = 7.638(5) {\AA} and \b{eta} = 114.891(5){\deg}. The crystal grows with bulky morphology in all three directions having (100), (-100), (-110), (0-1-1), (0-11), (001) and (00-1) prominent faces. TGA and DSC measurements show that KLAM is stable up to 80 {\deg}C. The crystal shows good optical transparency with a lower cut off as low as 297 nm. Second harmonic conversion efficiency measured on powder sample is 3.5 times that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP). Phase matching (PM) is observed on a plate of the KLAM. Noncollinear phase matching rings are also observed near the PM directions which help to identify the locus of PM directions. Presence of noncollinear SHG rings up to third order suggests large birefringence and nonlinear optical coefficients. Laser damage threshold value of the crystal is found to be 3.07 GW/cm2, at 1064 nm in 100 direction., Comment: 13 pages

The perovskite ${\mathrm{TbFe}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ shows two anomalies in its magnetic susceptibility at ${T}_{N}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}257$ K and ${T}_{\mathrm{SR}}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}190$ K which are, respectively, the antiferromagnetic and spin-reorientation transition that occur in the Fe/Cr sublattice. Magnetic susceptibility of this compound reveals canonical signatures of a Griffiths-like phase: a negative deviation from the ideal Curie-Weiss law and in less-than-unity power-law susceptibility exponents. Neutron-diffraction data analysis confirms two spin-reorientation transitions in this compound. The first one from ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{2}$ (${\mathrm{C}}_{x}, {\mathrm{G}}_{y}, {\mathrm{F}}_{z}$) to ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{4}$ (${\mathrm{A}}_{x}, {\mathrm{F}}_{y}, {\mathrm{G}}_{z}$) occurs at ${T}_{N}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}257$ K and a second one from ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{4}$ (${\mathrm{A}}_{x}, {\mathrm{F}}_{y}, {\mathrm{G}}_{z}$) to ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{2}$ (${\mathrm{C}}_{x}, {\mathrm{G}}_{y}, {\mathrm{F}}_{z}$) at ${T}_{\mathrm{SR}}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}190$ K in the $Pnma$ space-group setting. The ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{2}$ (${\mathrm{C}}_{x}, {\mathrm{G}}_{y}, {\mathrm{F}}_{z}$) structure is stable down to 7.7 K, leading to an ordered moment of 3.34(1) ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{\mathrm{B}}/{\mathrm{Fe}}^{3+}({\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$). In addition to the long-range magnetic order, experimental indication of diffuse magnetism is observed in neutron-diffraction data at 7.7 K. Tb develops a ferromagnetic component along the $z$ axis at 20 K. Thermal conductivity and spin-phonon coupling of ${\mathrm{TbFe}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ studied through Raman spectroscopy are also presented in the paper. The magnetic anomalies at ${T}_{N}$ and ${T}_{\mathrm{SR}}$ do not appear in the thermal conductivity of ${\mathrm{TbFe}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, which appears to be robust up to 9 T. On the other hand, they are revealed in the temperature dependence of full-width-at-half-maximum curves derived from Raman intensities. An antiferromagnetic structure with $\ensuremath{\uparrow}\ensuremath{\downarrow}\ensuremath{\uparrow}\ensuremath{\downarrow}$ arrangement of Fe/Cr spins is found as the ground state through first-principles energy calculations, supporting the experimentally determined magnetic structure at 7.7 K. The spin-resolved total and partial density of states show that ${\mathrm{TbFe}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ is insulating with a band gap of $\ensuremath{\sim}0.12$ (2.4) eV within GGA ($\mathrm{GGA}+U$) functionals.

ErFe0.55Mn0.45O3 single crystal shows canted antiferromagnetic ordering below 365 K with weak ferromagnetic moment along c axis. On cooling, the magnetic moment is completely suppressed at a certain temperature due to Er and Fe/Mn sublattice compensation, below which negative magnetization is observed. The compensation and negative magnetization temperatures are much higher than those in other orthoferrite systems. There is a spin reorientation transition from Γ 4 ( G x , A y , F z ) to Γ 1 ( A x , G y , C z ) structure at 255 K along c axis which is not seen along a and b axes. The spin reorientation is tunable with applied magnetic field and is completely suppressed at sufficiently high magnetic field. The behavior is explained by spin configuration and net magnetization orientation of individual Er and Fe/Mn sublattices. The proposed model is further validated by measurements using ’training’ protocol.

Magnetic measurements on oriented single crystals of Ho 0.5 Dy 0.5 FeO 3 grown using optical floating zone furnace provide evidence for two spin reorientations of Fe 3 + magnetic sublattice viz., Γ 4 → Γ 1 → Γ 2 at temperatures T SR 1 = 49 K and T SR 2 = 26 K . As magnetic field along c axis increases, the sample resumes Γ 4 spin configuration and a large field is likely to disrupt the spin reorientation process. It is evident from isothermal magnetization along c axis that field induced Γ 1 → Γ 4 transition is feasible within the intermediate temperature range of T SR 1 - T SR 2 and can be triggered at a critical field. Such magnetic behavior is better understood as a consequence of anisotropic effective field, modified by the application of external magnetic field.

Despite numerous attempts of electron doping in different manganites (RMnO3, R = rare earth), successful reports are scarce in the literature till date. In this paper, we have synthesized a series of phase-pure electron doped multiferroic compound Sc1-xZrxMnO3 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2) and evaluated the effect of doping on structural properties, oxidation states of cations, DC magnetization, heat capacity, resistivity, dielectric behaviour and ferroelectricity in the material. The presence of Zr4+ and mixed valence state of Mn comprising of Mn2+ and Mn3+ ions are confirmed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. All these samples exhibit antiferromagnetic ordering; as Zr4+ content increases, antiferromagnetic ordering gradually diminishes while shifting to low temperatures. Additionally, ferromagnetic-like interaction develops in doped systems which gives rise to hysteresis in isothermal magnetization loops with greatly enhanced magnetization in comparison to pure antiferromagnetic nature of x = 0 i.e. ScMnO3. Interestingly, even with zero magnetic moment of Sc3+, Schottky-like anomaly is observed at 5 K in heat capacity data of samples with x = 0.1 and 0.2, a result that we attribute to the highly resistive nature of doped samples. Moreover, while measuring ferroelectric hysteresis loops, we observe a significant reduction of leakage current in doped sample (x = 0.2) compared to pure ScMnO3. Additionally, the compound x = 0.2 shows improved dielectric and ferroelectric behaviour. It is proposed that doping of Zr4+ compensates for the cation deficiency and consequently eliminates the inherent oxygen vacancies by charge compensation. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural phase transition in half doped compound (CH3)(2)NH2]Mn0.5Ni0.5(HCOO)(3) is investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry data indicated this to be a distinct transition with enthalpy 465.6 J/mol. Powder X-ray diffraction at different temperature shows structural phase transition from trigonal R -3c to monoclinic Cc through co -existing mixed phase. Based on the experimental results, a phase diagram has been proposed. This phase transition is confirmed to be of first order nature by specific heat measurement. Entropy change and latent heat of the phase transition are also calculated from specific heat which are found to be 2.53 J/mol-K and 412 J/mol respectively.

(CH3)(2)NH2]Mn0.5Ni0.5(HCOO)(3) is prepared via solvothermal method. Phase purity and crystal structures are determined at room temperature using powder X-ray diffraction. Temperature variation of magnetization and isothermal field variation of magnetization indicate antiferromagnetic ordering with weak ferromagnetism. This is possibly induced by spin canting. Thermally activated relaxation is observed which is attributed to ordering of dimethylamine cation. This is associated with first order improper antiferroelectric transition. Temperature dependence of polarization and its spontaneity has been confirmed from pyroelectric current measurements. Effect of electric ordering is clearly reflected in impedance spectroscopy data. Two regions are distinct above and below electric ordering temperature which are demarcated by the magnitude of resistance and capacitance of equivalent circuit model and activation energy. Co-existence of magnetic and electric ordering at low temperature is a signature of multiferroic phase.

Traditionally, lead and heavy metal containing inorganic oxides dominate the area of ferroelectricity. Although, recently, lightweight non-toxic organic ferroelectrics have emerged as excellent alternatives, achieving higher temperature up to which the ferroelectric phase can persist has remained a challenge. Moreover, only a few of those are single-component molecular ferroelectrics and were discovered upon revisiting their crystal structures. Here we report a novel phenanthroimidazole derivative, which not only displays notable spontaneous and highly stable remnant polarizations with a low coercive field but also retains its ferroelectric phase up to a record-high temperature of ∼521 K. Subsequently, the crystal undergoes phase transition to form non-polar and centrosymmetric polymorphs, the first study of its kind in a single-component ferroelectric crystal. Moreover, the compound exhibits a significantly high thermal stability. Given the excellent figures-of-merit for ferroelectricity, this material is likely to find potential applications in microelectronic devices pertaining to non-volatile memory.

Implementing topological insulators as elementary units in quantum technologies requires a comprehensive understanding of the dephasing mechanisms governing the surface carriers in these materials, which impose a practical limit to the applicability of these materials in such technologies requiring phase coherent transport. To investigate this, we have performed magnetoresistance (MR) and conductance fluctuations (CF) measurements in both exfoliated and molecular beam epitaxy grown samples. The phase breaking length (${l}_{\ensuremath{\phi}}$) obtained from MR shows a saturation below sample dependent characteristic temperatures, consistent with that obtained from CF measurements. We have systematically eliminated several factors that may lead to such behavior of ${l}_{\ensuremath{\phi}}$ in the context of TIs, such as finite size effect, thermalization, spin-orbit coupling length, spin-flip scattering, and surface-bulk coupling. Our work indicates the need to identify an alternative source of dephasing that dominates at low $T$ in topological insulators, causing saturation in the phase breaking length and time.

It is well known that in double perovskites, the degree of cation ordering plays a very important role in determining the intrinsic magnetic properties. Therefore, in order to distinguish between the intrinsic properties and the disordered cation driven magnetic properties, we have grown ordered and disordered epitaxial thin films of Lu2MnNiO6 (LMNO) using two different cubic substrates (0 0 1)-LaAlO3 and (0 0 1)-SrTiO3 (LAO and STO respectively) by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. It is found that both LMNO films grow in monoclinic crystal symmetry and possess two out-of-plane domains (1 1 0) and (0 0 1). Moreover, various in-plane rotations of these domains give rise to a total of six in-plane twin variants. The films show dominant ferromagnetic nature. Due to good lattice matching with LAO, LMNO/LAO films are well-ordered and exhibit a sharp ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition at TC = 38 K, whereas, the large lattice mismatch with STO resulted in disordered LMNO/STO films and TC is lowered to 34 K. The value of maximum magnetization (MS, at 70 kOe) in disordered LMNO/STO (MS = 2.4 μB/f.u.) is almost half of that in the ordered LMNO/LAO (MS = 4.0 μB/f.u.). Interestingly, the well-ordered LMNO/LAO films show memory effect and relaxation of magnetization in the entire temperature range below TC. This is in conformance to the intrinsic glassy magnetic nature of LMNO.

We have carried out dielectric and transport measurements in NdFe1-xMnxO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) series of compounds and studied the variation of activation energy due to a change in Mn concentration. Despite similar ionic radii in Mn(3+) and Fe(3+), large variation is observed in the lattice parameters and a crossover from dynamic to static Jahn-Teller distortion is discernible. The Fe/Mn-O-Fe/Mn bond angle on the ab plane shows an anomalous change with doping. With an increase in the Mn content, the bond angle decreases until x = 0.6; beyond this, it starts rising until x = 0.8 and again falls after that. A similar trend is observed in activation energies estimated from both transport and dielectric relaxation by assuming a small polaron hopping (SPH) model. Impedance spectroscopy measurements delineate grain and grain boundary contributions separately both of which follow the SPH model. Frequency variation of the dielectric constant is in agreement with the modified Debye law from which relaxation dispersion is estimated.

A key feature of topological insulators (TI) is symplectic symmetry of the Hamiltonian which changes to unitary when time reversal symmetry is lifted and the topological phase transition occurs. However, such a crossover has never been explicitly observed, by directly probing the symmetry class of the Hamiltonian. In this report, we have probed the symmetry class of topological insulators by measuring the mesoscopic conductance fluctuations in the TI Bi$_{1.6}$Sb$_{0:4}$Te$_2$Se, which shows an exact factor of two reduction on application of a magnetic field due to crossover from symplectic to unitary symmetry classes. The reduction provides an unambiguous proof that the fluctuations arise from the universal conductance fluctuations (UCF), due to quantum interference and persists from T = 22 mK to 4.2 K. We have also compared the phase breaking length (l$_\phi$) extracted from both magneto-conductivity and UCF which agree well within a factor of two in the entire temperature and gate voltage range. Our experiment confirms UCF as the major source of fluctuations in mesoscopic disordered topological insulators, and the intrinsic preservation of time reversal symmetry in these systems., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures

Magnetization reversal and glassy phase in Tb0.7Sr0.3MnO3 are reported. Polycrystalline samples of Tb0.7Sr0.3MnO3 are prepared by solid-state synthesis. This material crystallizes in orthorhombic Pbnm space group with lattice parameters: a = 5.471(1)A, b = 7.608(2)A, and c = 5.398(2)A. Field-cooled/zero field-cooled magnetization measurements show two magnetic transitions, one at 40 K and another at 8 K. The transition at 40 K is due to magnetic ordering of Mn while that at 8 K arises due to Tb ordering. Low field-cooled measurements reveal magnetization reversal at low temperature. The temperature at which this occurs increases with decrease in field strength. The observed magnetization reversal is attributed to the competition between interacting Mn (3 d) and Tb (4 f) magnetic sublattices which makes the system ferrimagnetic. The glassy magnetic behavior below 50 K and absence of long-range order in Tb0.7Sr0.3MnO3 is confirmed through ac susceptibility studies.

Double perovskite R2NiMnO6 (R=Pr, Nd, Tb, Ho and Y) composites are prepared via solid state synthesis or nitrate route. Isothermal magnetic entropy change ( Δ S M ( T , H ) ) and relative cooling power (RCP) for all systems are calculated and compared. All of them possess relatively high values of Δ S M ( T , H ) and RCP as compared to many perovskite and double perovskite systems reported previously. Ho2NiMnO6 has the highest value for | Δ S M ( T , H ) | and RCP as 8.4 JKg − 1 K − 1 at 70 kOe and 59.18 J Kg−1 at 20 kOe respectively. This study highlights the potential of magnetocaloric refrigerant materials at low temperature.

Magnetic and dielectric properties of the double perovskite Ho2NiMnO6 are reported. The compound is synthesized by nitrate route and is found to crystallize in monoclinic P2(1)/n space group. Lattice parameters obtained by refining powder x-ray diffraction data are; a = 5.218(2)angstrom, b = 5.543(2)angstrom, c = 7.480(3)angstrom and the monoclinic angle i beta = 90.18 degrees(4). A phase transition is observed at T-C = 86 K in the temperature-dependent magnetization curve, M(T). The inverse magnetic susceptibility, (1/chi(T)) fits reasonably well with modified Curie-Weiss law by incorporating the paramagnetic response of Ho3+. 1/chi(T) manifests as an upward deviation from ideal Curie-Weiss behaviour well above the ferromagnetic transition. Signs of inherent Griffiths phase pertaining to the Ni/Mn subsystem are visible when one subtracts the Ho3+ paramagnetic contribution from total susceptibility and does the power-law analysis. The magnetic hysteresis at 2 K gives the maximum value of magnetization M-max approximate to 15 mu(B)/f. u. at 50 kOe. Field-derivative of magnetization at 2 K shows discontinuities which indicates the existence of metamagnetic transitions in this compound. This needs to be probed further. Out of the two dielectric relaxations observed, the one at low temperature may be attributed to phononic frequencies and that at higher temperature may be due to Maxwell-Wagner relaxation. A correlation between magnetic and lattice degrees of freedom is plausible since the anomaly in dielectric constant coincides with T-C.

We report the detailed experimental characteristics of LuMn0.5Fe0.5O3 synthesized by the wet chemical method and proclaim it as a new member of the multiferroic family. The compound stabilizes in P63cm crystal symmetry. It exhibits a spin re-orientation transition at TSR and an antiferromagnetic transition at TN. In addition, our magnetization vs. temperature data reveals an extra broad maximum close to room temperature; unseen in earlier studies. By invoking the compatible nature of the magnetic exchange path in P63cm symmetry, we have argued that the origin lies in the intraplane short-range spin ordering. Heat capacity is measured and analysed to elucidate the magnetic entropy. Though long-range antiferromagnetic ordering vanishes at TN ∼ 103 K, we find the experimental magnetic entropy calculated till 200 K is less by a significant amount from the value of theoretical spin randomization magnetic entropy; further supporting the existence of spin ordering beyond TN and even above 200 K. While the specif...

Single crystals of Tb0.5Sr0.5MnO3 were grown in an optical float zone furnace and their magnetic and thermodynamic properties were studied. Temperature dependent DC magnetization measurements at different fields show strong irreversibility below the magnetic anomaly at 44 K. The upward deviation from ideal CW behavior well above the transition temperature and its field independent nature are signatures of non-Griffiths phase. The origin non-Griffiths phase owe to competition between the antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic Mn3+ Mn4+ interactions mediated through intervening oxygen. Further, 44 K transition is confirmed as a magnetic glassy transition. The estimated dynamical spin flip time (tau(o)=2.11(3) x10(-14) s) and zv(9.3(2)) values fall into the range of typical spin-glass systems. Detailed memory and temperature cycling relaxation measurements were performed and support the Hierarchical relmtation model. Low-temperature specific heat data displays a linear term, identifying the glassy magnetic phase contribution.

The magnetic structures and the magnetic phase transitions in the Mn-doped orthoferrite TbFeO$_3$ studied using neutron powder diffraction are reported. Magnetic phase transitions are identified at $T^\mathrm{Fe/Mn}_N \approx$ 295~K where a paramagnetic-to-antiferromagnetic transition occurs in the Fe/Mn sublattice, $T^\mathrm{Fe/Mn}_{SR} \approx$ 26~K where a spin-reorientation transition occurs in the Fe/Mn sublattice and $T^\mathrm{R}_N \approx$ 2~K where Tb-ordering starts to manifest. At 295~K, the magnetic structure of the Fe/Mn sublattice in TbFe$_{0.5}$Mn$_{0.5}$O$_3$ belongs to the irreducible representation $\Gamma_4$ ($G_xA_yF_z$ or $Pb'n'm$). A mixed-domain structure of ($\Gamma_1 + \Gamma_4$) is found at 250~K which remains stable down to the spin re-orientation transition at $T^\mathrm{Fe/Mn}_{SR}\approx$ 26~K. Below 26~K and above 250~K, the majority phase ($> 80\%$) is that of $\Gamma_4$. Below 10~K the high-temperature phase $\Gamma_4$ remains stable till 2~K. At 2~K, Tb develops a magnetic moment value of 0.6(2)~$\mu_\mathrm{B}/$f.u. and orders long-range in $F_z$ compatible with the $\Gamma_4$ representation. Our study confirms the magnetic phase transitions reported already in a single crystal of TbFe$_{0.5}$Mn$_{0.5}$O$_3$ and, in addition, reveals the presence of mixed magnetic domains. The ratio of these magnetic domains as a function of temperature is estimated from Rietveld refinement of neutron diffraction data. Indications of short-range magnetic correlations are present in the low-$Q$ region of the neutron diffraction patterns at $T < T^\mathrm{Fe/Mn}_{SR}$. These results should motivate further experimental work devoted to measure electric polarization and magnetocapacitance of TbFe$_{0.5}$Mn$_{0.5}$O$_3$., Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures, Accepted to J. Appl. Phys., 2016

Here, we report the dielectric, impedance and transport studies of non-charge-ordered magnetic glass, Tb0.5Sr0.5MnO3 single crystals. The temperature-and frequency-dependent real (epsilon') and imaginary (epsilon'' or tan delta) parts of the dielectric constant display large frequency dispersion. The colossal dielectric constant observed (approximate to 3000) above 100K is considered extrinsic. The activation energy of thermally activated relaxation is calculated using the Arrhenius law. Interestingly, two relaxation regions, each with different activation energies (E-a) are clearly evident, one occurring above and the other below the glassy magnetic transition temperature (T-g = 44K). E-a relates to the electron hopping between Mn3+ and Mn4+ ions and the origin of dielectric dispersion. Ea in the glassy region is lower than that in paramagnetic region due to a lower energy spent in hopping between frozen spins. Bulk capacitance and resistivity derived from impedance measurements reveal anomalies around T-g. Electrical transport data between 60 and 300K shows insulating behavior and the calculated E-a is in good agreement with the value obtained from dielectric measurements. Although, these results cannot be interpreted in terms of magneto-electric coupling, the correlation observed between magnetic and electronic states of the system is significant. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2016

Highly non-linear I–V characteristics and apparent colossal electro-resistance were observed in non-charge ordered manganite Tb 0.5 Sr 0.5 MnO 3 single crystal in low temperature transport measurements. Significant changes were noticed in top surface temperature of the sample as compared to its base while passing current at low temperature. By analyzing these variations, we realize that the change in surface temperature ( Δ T sur ) is too small to have caused by the strong negative differential resistance. A more accurate estimation of change in the sample temperature was made by back-calculating the sample temperature from the temperature variation of resistance (R–T) data ( Δ T cal ) , which was found to be higher than Δ T sur . This result indicates that there are large thermal gradients across the sample. The experimentally derived Δ T cal is validated with the help of a simple theoretical model and estimation of Joule heating. Pulse measurements realize substantial reduction in Joule heating. With decrease in sample thickness, Joule heating effect is found to be reduced. Our studies reveal that Joule heating plays a major role in the nonlinear electrical response of Tb0.5Sr0.5MnO3. By careful management of the duty cycle and pulse current I–V measurements, Joule heating can be mitigated to a large extent.

An organic nonlinear optical material, namely glucuronic acid gamma-lactone or glucuronolactone, was crystallized from aqueous solution. Crystals of large dimensions and full morphology were obtained by slow-cooling method in a custom-built solution growth setup. CHN analysis and X-ray diffraction confirmed the phase formation in the grown crystal. High-resolution XRD studies followed by Rietveld refinement yielded accurate lattice parameters which compared well with the reported values. UV-Vis spectrum recorded for a b-plate of 2 mm thickness revealed the low UV-cutoff at 250 nm. Dielectric constant and dielectric loss were monitored as a function of frequency. Piezoelectric resonance peaks were observed in the range 0.2-1.5 MHz which are dependent on the plate thickness. The temperature dependence of the resonance peak frequency was studied. Piezoelectric coefficients were estimated by resonance-antiresonance method.

The electronic structure of double perovskite Pr2MnNiO6 is studied using core x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. The 2p x-ray absorption spectra show that Mn and Ni are in 2+ and 4+ states respectively. Using charge transfer multiplet analysis of Ni and Mn 2p XPS spectra, we find charge transfer energies {\Delta} of 3.5 and 2.5 eV for Ni and Mn respectively. The ground state of Ni2+ and Mn4+ reveal a higher d electron count of 8.21 and 3.38 respectively as compared to the atomic values of 8.00 and 3.00 respectively thereby indicating the covalent nature of the system. The O 1s edge absorption spectra reveal a band gap of 0.9 eV which is comparable to the value obtained from first principle calculations for U-J >= 2 eV. The density of states clearly reveal a strong p-d type charge transfer character of the system, with band gap proportional to average charge transfer energy of Ni2+ and Mn4+ ions., Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures

The emergence of exchange bias effect in Fe3O4 thin films has been since attributed to the presence of anti phase boundary (APB) growth defects despite lack of direct experimental evidence. In the present report, APB induced anomalous weak ferromagnetism and exchange bias property of single-phase antiferromagnetic (AFM) system LuMn0.5Fe0.5O3 (LMFO) is discussed and Fe-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) measurements are used to probe the origin of the observed effect. In addition to the sextet component corresponding to the long range AFM ordering, the measured Mossbauer spectra reveal the presence of a small component (10%-12%) near zero velocity with unusually small internal field. This indicates the presence of APB defects. From micro structural investigations using HRTEM, presence of APB type defects and dislocations are confirmed. In addition to the exchange bias effect, upon field cooling, hysteresis loop exhibits large vertical shift due to strong pinning effect of the APB. Finally we further annealed the optimally sintered sample LMFO and studied the evolution of defects, and their influence on weak ferromagnetism and exchange bias properties. Our present experimental findings may pave the way in creating new functionalities in materials using APB-type growth defects.

The linear, second order, and third order nonlinear optical properties of glucuronic acid γ-lactone single crystals were investigated. The optic axes and principal dielectric axes were identified through optical conoscopy and the principal refractive indices were obtained using the Brewster's angle method. Conic sections were observed which is perceived to be due to spontaneous non-collinear phase matching. The direction of collinear phase matching was determined and the deff evaluated in this direction was 0.71 pm/V. Open and closed aperture Z-scan measurements with femtosecond pulses revealed high third order nonlinearity in the form of self-defocusing, two-photon absorption, as well as saturable absorption.

In this manuscript, we explore diisopropylammonium iodide (DPI) for its ferroelectric properties and phase transitions. DPI showed two phase transitions which were identified by differential scanning calorimetry and dielectric and nonlinear optical measurements. From detailed structural studies it was found that the first transition at 369 K is from orthorhombic P212121 to monoclinic P21. The polar P21 phase is ferroelectric as evidenced by the pyroelectric data and has a very high value of spontaneous polarization (Ps = 33 μC cm−2), which is probably the highest among other reported bulk organic ferroelectrics. The second transition at 415 K is identified as polar monoclinic P21 space group to non-polar monoclinic P21/m. Thus, DPI has a high Curie temperature of 415 K. The large spontaneous polarization and high Curie temperature make DPI technologically important.

The electronic structure of Nd1-xYxMnO3 (x-0-0.5) is studied using x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the Mn K-edge along with the DFT-based LSDA+U and real space cluster calculations. The main edge of the spectra does not show any variation with doping. The pre-edge shows two distinct features which appear well-separated with doping. The intensity of the pre-edge decreases with doping. The theoretical XANES were calculated using real space multiple scattering methods which reproduces the entire experimental spectra at the main edge as well as the pre-edge. Density functional theory calculations are used to obtain the Mn 4p, Mn 3d and O 2p density of states. For x=0, the site-projected density of states at 1.7 eV above Fermi energy shows a singular peak of unoccupied e(g) (spin-up) states which is hybridized Mn 4p and O 2p states. For x=0.5, this feature develops at a higher energy and is highly delocalized and overlaps with the 3d spin-down states which changes the pre-edge intensity. The Mn 4p DOS for both compositions, show considerable difference between the individual p(x), p(y) and p(z)), states. For x=0.5, there is a considerable change in the 4p orbital polarization suggesting changes in the Jahn-Teller effect with doping. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Laser applications of nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals are limited by their laser damage threshold. We report a detailed study of the laser damage threshold of an NLO crystal glucuronic acid γ-lactone. Second-harmonic generation efficiency of glucuronic acid γ-lactone was estimated to be 3.5 times that of standard potassium dihydrogen phosphate. Conic sections due to spontaneous noncollinear phase matching were observed. Surface laser damage studies carried out for 1064-nm radiation on a (010) plate of the crystal yielded high-threshold values of 77.72±0.27 and 32.72±0.41 GW/cm2 for single- and multiple-shot damages, respectively. The possible mechanisms for the laser-induced damage are discussed.

We have studied the span and nature of first-order phase transition (FOPT) between charge-ordered insulating and ferromagnetic metallic phases in oriented single crystals of Gd0.5Sr0.5MnO3. Magnetic field-temperature phase diagram was formulated from magnetization data for different crystal-lographic axes and non-monotonic variation of supercooling limit was observed at low temperature. A peculiar nature of magnetization was observed as irreversible open hysteresis loops during thermal cycling. We perceive that the nature of metastable states responsible for open hysteresis loops is different from that of supercooled ones. Further, thermal cycling magnetization data reveal that magnetic phases formed at 8 Kafter zero-field or field-cooled protocols (89 kOe) are not in equilibrium. Relaxation time constant is found to increase below 30 Kin magnetization relaxation measurements made across the FOPT. The non-monotonic variation of relaxation time constant is a manifestation of kinetic arrest of the FOPT. We propose that the non-equilibrium, glass-like magnetic phase (at 8 K and 89 kOe) is a consequence of kinetic arrest.

We have investigated the multiferroic and glassy behaviour of metal-organic framework (MOF) material (CH3)(2)NH2Co(CHOO)(3). The compound has perovskite-like architecture in which the metal-formate forms a framework. The organic cation (CH3)(2)NH2+ occupies the cavities in the formate framework in the framework via N-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds. At room temperature, the organic cation is disordered and occupies three crystallographically equivalent positions. Upon cooling, the organic cation is ordered which leads to a structural phase transition at 155 K. The structural phase transition is associated with a para-ferroelectric phase transition and is revealed by dielectric and pyroelectric measurements. Further, a PE hysteresis loop below 155 K confirms the ferroelectric behaviour of the material. Analysis of dielectric data reveal large frequency dispersion in the values of dielectric constant and tan delta which signifies the presence of glassy dielectric behaviour. The material displays a antiferromagnetic ordering below 15 K which is attributed to the super-exchange interaction between Co2+ ions mediated via formate linkers. Interestingly, another magnetic transition is also found around 11 K. The peak of the transition shifts to lower temperature with increasing frequency, suggesting glassy magnetism in the sample. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.

We report an anomalous re-entrant glassy magnetic phase in (l00) oriented ferromagnetic LaMn0.5Co0.5O3 single crystals. The characterization is fortified with conventional magnetometry, like linear as-well-as non-linear ac susceptibility and specific heat. As the sample is cooled below the ferromagnetic transition temperature, it reenters a glassy magnetic phase whose dynamics have little resemblance with the conventional response. The glassy transition shifts to a higher temperature with increasing frequency of the applied ac field. But it does not respond to the dc biasing or memory experiment. Specific heat as well as non-linear ac susceptibility data also do not relate to the conventional glassy response. Unusually low magnetic entropy indicates the lack of long range magnetic ordering. The results demonstrate that the glassy phase in LaMn0.5Co0.5O3 is not due to any of the known conventional origins. We infer that the competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interaction due to high B-site disorder is responsible for this anomalous re-entrant glassy phase. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.

Hexagonal Dy(0.5)Y(0.5)MnO(3), a multiferroic rare-earth manganite with geometrically frustrated antiferromagnetism, has been investigated with single-crystal neutron diffraction measurements. Below 3.4 K magnetic order is observed on both the Mn (antiferromagnetic) and Dy (ferrimagnetic) sublattices that is identical to that of undiluted hexagonal DyMnO(3) at low temperature. The Mn moments undergo a spin reorientation transition between 3.4 K and 10 K, with antiferromagnetic order of the Mn sublattice persisting up to 70 K; the antiferromagnetic order in this phase is distinct from that observed in undiluted (h) DyMnO(3), yielding a qualitatively new phase diagram not seen in other hexagonal rare-earth manganites. A magnetic field applied parallel to the crystallographic c axis will drive a transition from the antiferromagnetic phase into the low-temperature ferrimagnetic phase with little hysteresis.