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The advancement of large language models has significantly improved natural language processing. However, challenges such as jailbreaks (prompt injections that cause an LLM to follow instructions contrary to its intended use), hallucinations (generating incorrect or misleading information), and comprehension errors remain prevalent. In this report, we present a comparative analysis of the performance of fifteen distinct models, with each model undergoing a standardized test comprising 38 queries across three key metrics: jailbreaks, hallucinations, and comprehension errors. The models are assessed based on the total occurrences of jailbreaks, hallucinations, and comprehension errors. Our work exposes these models' inherent vulnerabilities and challenges the notion of human-level language comprehension of these models. We have empirically analysed the impact of non-standard Unicode characters on LLMs and their safeguarding mechanisms on the best-performing LLMs, including GPT-4, Gemini 1.5 Pro, LlaMA-3-70B, and Claude 3 Opus. By incorporating alphanumeric symbols from Unicode outside the standard Latin block and variants of characters in other languages, we observed a reduction in the efficacy of guardrails implemented through Reinforcement Learning Human Feedback (RLHF). Consequently, these models exhibit heightened vulnerability to content policy breaches and prompt leakage. Our study also suggests a need to incorporate non-standard Unicode text in LLM training data to enhance the capabilities of these models., Comment: 46 pages

The equation for the size strain plot methods reported by A. Khorsand Zak et al. (Solid State Sci. 13 (2011), 251) does not follow the dimensional homogeneity, consequently leading to an inaccurate estimation of the crystallite size and strain values of the materials under investigation and the dimensions of the obtained parameters. We also perceived an error in the values of crystallite size and strain reported by the authors using the size-strain plot method. We will discuss the importance of dimensional analysis and its repercussions on the estimated values and the units of parameters., Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure

We report in-situ Raman scattering studies of electrochemically top gated VO$_2$ thin film to address metal-insulator transition (MIT) under gating. The room temperature monoclinic insulating phase goes to metallic state at a gate voltage of 2.6 V. However, the number of Raman modes do not change with electrolyte gating showing that the metallic phase is still monoclinic. The high frequency Raman mode A$_g$(7) near 616 cm$^{-1}$ ascribed to V-O vibration of bond length 2.06 \AA~ in VO$_6$ octahedra hardens with increasing gate voltage and the B$_g$(3) mode near 654 cm$^{-1}$ softens. This shows that the distortion of the VO$_6$ octahedra in the monoclinic phase decreases with gating. The time dependent Raman data at fixed gate voltages of 1 V (for 50 minute, showing enhancement of conductivity by a factor of 50) and 2 V (for 130 minute, showing further increase in conductivity by a factor of 5) show similar changes in high frequency Raman modes A$_g$(7) and B$_g$(3) as observed in gating. This slow change in conductance together with Raman frequency changes show that the governing mechanism for metalization is more likely to the diffusion controlled oxygen vacancy formation due to the applied electric field., Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures

EXAFS studies at the As K edge as a function of temperature have been carried out in SmFeAsO$_{1-x}$F$_x$ ($x$ = 0 and 0.2) compounds to understand the role of local structural distortions superconductivity observed in F doped compound. A significant correlation between thermal variation of local structural parameters like anion height and superconducting onset is found in the fluorinated compound. Such a variation in anion height is absent in non-superconducting compound. Increase in Fe-As bond distance just below superconducting onset temperature indicates a similarity in distortions observed in high T$_C$ cuprates and these Fe based superconductors., Comment: Accepted in Superconductor Science and Technology

We report the synthesis and physical property characterization of PrFe1-xCoxAsO with x = 0.0 to 1.0. The studied samples are synthesized by solid state reaction route via vacuum encapsulation method. The pristine compound PrFeAsO does not show superconductivity, but rather exhibits a metallic step like transition due to spin density wave ordering of Fe moments below 150 K, followed by another upward step due to anomalous ordering of Pr moments at 12 K. Both the Fe-SDW and Pr-TN temperatures decrease monotonically with Co substitution at Fe site. Superconductivity appears in a narrow range of x from 0.07 to 0.25 with maximum Tc at 11.12 K for x = 0.15. Samples, with x = 0.25 exhibit metallic behavior right from 300 K down to 2 K, without any Fe-SDW or Pr-TN steps in resistivity. In fact, though Fe-SDW decreases monotonically, the Pr-TN is disappeared even with x = 0.02. The magneto transport measurements below 14 Tesla on superconducting polycrystalline Co doped PrFeAsO lead to extrapolated values of the upper critical fields [Hc2(0)] of up to 60 Tesla., Comment: 15 pages Text+Figs

Detailed magnetization and magneto-transport measurements studies are carried out to unearth the anomalous magnetism of Pr in PrCoAsO compound. The studied PrCoAsO sample is single phase and crystallized in the tetragonal structure with space group P4/nmm in analogy of ZrCuSiAs type compounds. Detailed magnetization measurements showed that Co moments in PrCoAsO exhibit weakly itinerant ferromagnetic Co spins ordering at below 80 K with a small magnetic moments of 0.12 muB/f.u. High temperatures Curie-Weiss fit, resulted in effective paramagnetic moment mueff (exp) of 5.91 muB/f.u., which can be theoretically assigned to 3d Co (3.88 muB) and 4f Pr (3.58 muB). Further, a positive Curie- Weiss temperature of 136 K is seen, indicating predominant ferromagnetic interactions in PrCoAsO. Detailed transport measurements showed that PrCoAsO exhibit metallic behavior and negative magneto-resistance below ferro-magnetically (FM) ordered state. Surprisingly, the situation of PrCoAsO is similar to non magnetic La containing LaCoAsO and strikingly different than that as reported for magnetic Nd, Sm and Gd i.e., (Nd/Sm/Gd)CoAsO. The magnetic behavior of PrCoAsO being closed to LaCoAsO and strikingly different to that of (Nd/Sm/Gd)CoAsO is unusual., Comment: 8 pages text + Figs

We report high field (up to 13 Tesla) magneto transport R(T)H] of YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO):Agx (x= 0.0, 0.1 and 0.2) composites. The transport properties are significantly improved by Ag doping on the insulating grain boundaries of YBCO. Pure and Ag diffused YBCO superconducting samples are synthesized through solid state reaction route. Both pure and Ag doped YBCO are superconducting at below 90K. Though, the Tc (R=0) of YBCO:Ag samples under applied field of 13 Tesla is around 65K, the same is 45K for pure YBCO under same applied field. The upper critical field [Hc2(0)], being estimated from R(T)H is around 70Tesla for pristine sample, and is above 190Tesla for Ag doped samples. The boarding of the resistive transition under applied magnetic field is comparatively less and nearly single step for Ag doped samples, while the same is clearly two step and relatively much larger for the pristine YBCO. The resistive broadening is explained on the basis of changed inter-granular coupling and thermally activated flux flow (TAFF). The TAFF activation energy (U0) is found to be linear with applied magnetic field for all the samples, but with nearly an order of magnitude less value for the Ag doped samples. Summarily, it is shown that inclusion of Ag significantly improves the superconducting performance of YBCO:Ag composites, in particular under applied field., Comment: 11 pages text + Figs. comments/suggestions welcome (awana@mail.nplindia.org)

The superconducting and ground state samples of PrFeAsO0.8F0.2 and PrFeAsO have been synthesised via easy and versatile single step solid state reaction route. X-ray & Reitveld refine parameters of the synthesised samples are in good agreement to the earlier reported value of the structure. The ground state of the pristine compound (PrFeAsO) exhibited a metallic like step in resistivity below 150K followed by another step at 12K. The former is associated with the spin density wave (SDW) like ordering of Fe spins and later to the anomalous magnetic ordering for Pr moments. Both the resistivity anomalies are absent in case of superconducting PrFeAsO0.8F0.2 sample. Detailed high field (up to 12Tesla) electrical and magnetization measurements are carried out for superconducting PrFeAsO0.8F0.2 sample. The PrFeAsO0.8F0.2 exhibited superconducting onset (Tconset) at around 47K with Tc({\rho} =0) at 38K. Though the Tconset remains nearly invariant, the Tc({\rho} =0) is decreased with applied field, and the same is around 23K under applied field of 12Tesla. The upper critical field (Hc2) is estimated from the Ginzburg Landau equation (GL) fitting, which is found to be ~ 182Tesla. Critical current density (Jc) being calculated from high field isothermal magnetization (MH) loops with the help of Beans critical state model, is found to be of the order of 103 A/cm2. Summarily, the superconductivity characterization of single step synthesised PrFeAsO0.8F0.2 superconductor is presented., Comment: 15 Pages Text + Figs

Correlation between structural/microstructural and magneto-thermal transport properties of FeAs-based SmFeAsO and SmFeAsO0.85F0.15 has been studied in detail. The Rietveld analysis of room temperature powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) data reveals that both the samples are single phase, with very small amount of rare earth impurity in the F doped compound. Electron microscopic investigations show that compounds have layered morphology and structure, with the individual grains being surrounded by amorphous layers. The average grain boundary thickness is ~5 nm. The F free material is found to be magnetic and shows the appearance of Fe spin density wave (SDW) like order at T = 150 K. The F doped compound (SmFeAsO0.85F0.15) shows the occurrence of superconductivity at Tc(R=0, H=0)- 55 K, which decreases to 42 K at magnetic field (H) of 13 kOe. The superconducting transition was also confirmed by DC magnetization and AC susceptibility measurements. The intra-grain critical current density (Jc) calculated using the Bean critical state model is found to be around 5.26 x 10^4 A/cm2 at 5 K in zero field (H=0). The dependence of thermally activated flux flow energy (U/KB) on the applied magnetic field has been observed. AC susceptibility measurements at different amplitude of applied AC drive field confirm the granular nature of the superconducting compound. is confirmed. Both Fe (SDW) at 150K for SmFeAsO and 55K superconductivity in case of SmFeAsO0.85F0.15 sample has confirmed by Specific heat [Cp(T)] measurement too. Further Sm orders anti-ferro-magnetically at 4.5K for non-superconducting and at 3.5K for superconducting samples, also the entropy change is reduced significantly for the later than the former. Summarily complete physical property characterization for both non-superconducting SmFeAsO and 55K superconductor SmFeAsO0.85F0.15 samples is provided and discussed in the current article., Comment: 22 pages text + Figs; Comments welcome (awana@mail.nplindia.org); http://www.freewebs.com/vpsawana/

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 (awana@mail.nplindia.org)

Bulk polycrystalline samples, SmFeAsO and the iso-structural superconducting SmFeAsO0.80F0.20 are explored through resistivity with temperature under magnetic field {\rho}(T, H), AC and DC magnetization (M-T), and Specific heat (Cp) measurements. The Resistivity measurement shows superconductivity for x = 0.20 sample with Tc(onset) ~ 51.7K. The upper critical field, [Hc2(0)] is estimated ~3770kOe by Ginzburg-Landau (GL) theory. Broadening of superconducting transition in magneto transport is studied through thermally activated flux flow in applied field up to 130 kOe. The flux flow activation energy (U/kB) is estimated ~1215K for 1kOe field. Magnetic measurements exhibited bulk superconductivity with lower critical field (Hc1) of ~1.2kOe at 2K. In normal state, the paramagnetic nature of compound confirms no trace of magnetic impurity which orders ferromagnetically. AC susceptibility measurements have been carried out for SmFeAsO0.80F0.20 sample at various amplitude and frequencies of applied AC drive field. The inter-granular critical current density (Jc) is estimated. Specific heat [Cp(T)] measurement showed an anomaly at around 140K due to the SDW ordering of Fe, followed by another peak at 5K corresponding to the antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering of Sm+3 ions in SmFeAsO compound. Interestingly the change in entropy (marked by the Cp transition height) at 5K for Sm+3 AFM ordering is heavily reduced in case of superconducting SmFeAsO0.80F0.20 sample., Comment: 18 pages text + Figs: comments/suggestions welcome (awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in)

We report here synthesis, structural, DC magnetization, and transport studies of new BiS2 based layered LaO0.5F0.5BiS2 superconductor [1]. The sample was synthesized by conventional solid state route via vacuum encapsulation technique at 800oC for 12h. LaO0.5F0.5BiS2 crystallizes in tetragonal P4/nmm space group with lattice parameters a = 4.0703(5){\AA}, c = 13.3902(4){\AA}. Bulk superconductivity is confirmed with superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of 2.7K by DC magnetization measurements. The Isothermal magnetization (MH) measurements showed closed loops with clear signatures of flux pinning and irreversible behavior. The resistivity measurements confirmed an onset Tc of 2.7K. The magneto-transport {\rho}(T,H) measurements showed a resistive broadening and decrease in Tc ({\rho}=0) to lower temperatures with increasing magnetic field. The magnetic phase diagram involving upper critical and irreversibility fields as a function of temperature has been ascertained. Our DC magnetization and electrical transport measurements confirm the appearance of bulk superconductivity in LaO0.5F0.5BiS2 superconductor., Comment: 11 pages figures + Text: First observation/approval of LaO/FBiS2 superconductivity: comments/suggestions: awana@mail.nplindia.org

We report high field magneto transport of Sm/PrFeAsO. Below spin density wave transition (TSDW), the magneto-resistance (MR) of Sm/PrFeAsO is positive and increasing with decreasing temperature. The MR of SmFeAsO, is found 16%, whereas the same is 21.5% in case of PrFeAsO, at 2.5 K under applied magnetic field of 14 Tesla (T). In case of SmFeAsO, the variation of isothermal MR with field below 20 K is nonlinear at lower magnetic fields (< 2 Tesla) and the same is linear at moderately higher magnetic fields (H \geq 3.5 T). On the other hand PrFeAsO shows almost linear MR at all temperatures below 20 K. The anomalous behavior of MR being exhibited in PrFeAsO is originated from Dirac cone states. The stronger interplay of Fe and Pr ordered moments is responsible for this distinct behavior. PrFeAsO also shows a hump in resistivity (R-T) with possible conduction band (FeAs) mediated ordering of Pr moments at around 12 K. However the same is absent in SmFeAsO even down to 2 K. Our results of high field magneto-transport of up to 14 Tesla brings about clear distinction between ground states of SmFeAsO and PrFeAsO., Comment: 15 pages Text + Figs (awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in)

All samples are synthesized through standard solid state reaction route and are quenched to room temperature systematically at 7000C, 5000C, 3000C and room temperature (RT); named as 700Q, 500Q, 300Q and RTQ respectively. The structural and magnetic properties are studied. Careful Reitveld analysis of XRD patterns revealed that though all samples except 700Q are crystallized in single phase with space group P4/nmm, the presence of interstitial Fe (Feint) at 2c site is increased from 5% for RTQ to 8% for 500Q. The 700Q sample is crystallized in Fe7Se8 phase. The transport and magnetization results revealed that though RTQ and 300Q are superconducting at 10 K and 13 K respectively, while the 500Q and 700Q are not. Magnetic ordering (Tmag) is observed at around 125 K for all the samples. The prominence of Tmag in terms of effective moment is sufficiently higher for 500Q and 700Q than RTQ and 300Q. Summarily it is found that quenching induced disorder affects the occupancy of interstitial Fe in FeTe1/2Se1/2 and thus both its superconducting and magnetic properties. Further it clear that limited presence of interstitial Fe at 2c site is not fully against observation of superconductivity, because 300Q sample possesses higher Tc (13 K) for higher Feint (6%) than RTQ sample with relatively lower Tc (10 K) having lower Feint (5%). Further the 500Q sample with much higher Feint (8%) is though non-superconducting., Comment: 8 pages text + figures contact- awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in

31^P NMR spectral features in polycrystalline SmCoPO reveal an axially symmetric local magnetic field. At low temperature, the anisotropy of the internal magnetic field increases rapidly, with K_ab increasing faster than that of K_c. The dominant contribution to this anisotropy arises from Sm-4f electron contribution over that of Co-3d. The intrinsic width 2*(Beta) deviates from linearity with respect to bulk susceptibility below 170 K due to the enhancement of (1/T_2)dynamic, which along with the continuous increase of anisotropy in the internal magnetic field is responsible for the wipe out effect of the NMR signal, well above T_C. 1/T_1 shows large anisotropy confirming a significant contribution of Sm-4f electron spin fluctuations to 1/T_1, arising from indirect RKKY type exchange interaction indicating a non-negligible hybridization between Sm-4f orbitals and the conduction band, over the itinerant character of the Co-3d spins. This anisotropy in originates from the orientation dependence of chi"(q,omega). The 3d-spin fluctuations in the ab plane is 2D FM in nature, while along the c-axis, a signature of a weak 2D AFM spin fluctuations superimposed on weak FM spin-fluctuations even in a field of 7 T and far above T_N is observed. The enhancement of this AFM fluctuations of the Co-3d spins along c-axis, at further low temperature is responsible to drive the system to an AFM ordered state.

We present detailed magnetization and magneto-transport studies on the title compound SmCoAsO. In a recent paper we reported [1] the complex magnetism of this compound. SmCoAsO undergoes successive paramagnetic (PM) - ferro-magnetic (FM) - anti-ferro-magnetic (AFM) transitions with decrease in temperature. This is mainly driven via the c-direction interaction of Sm4f (SmO layer) spins with adjacent (CoAs layer) ordered Co3d spins. In this article we present an evidence of kinetic arrest for FM-AFM transition. The isothermal magnetization (MH) loops for SmCoAsO exhibited the meta-magnetic transitions at 6, 8 and 10K at around 80, 60 and 50kOe fields respectively with characteristic hysteresis shoulders along with the non-zero moment at origin, thus suggesting the possibility of kinetic arrest. Suggested kinetic arrest is further evident in zero field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) hysteresis under high fields of up to 140kOe magnetization (MT) and the magneto-transport measurements R(T)H during FM-AFM transition. The time dependent moment experiments exhibited very small (~2-3%) increase of the same below 20kO and decrease for 30kOe at 15K., Comment: 13 pages Text + Figs: contact (awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in/www.freewebs.com/vpsawana); Revised final version of arXiv:1008.2593

We report the electrical, magneto transport 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 solid state reaction route in an evacuated sealed quartz tube. All these compounds are crystallized in a tetragonal structure with space group P4/nmm. The Cobalt in these compounds is in itinerant state with its paramagnetic moment above 1.4\muB and the same orders ferromagnetically (FM) with saturation moment of around 0.20\muB below say 80K. Though, LaCoPO shows single paramagnetic (PM) to ferromagnetic (FM) transition near 35K, the NdCoPO and SmCoPO exhibit successive PM-FM-AFM transitions. Both FM and AFM transition temperatures vary with applied field. Although the itinerant ferromagnetism occurs with small saturation moment, typical anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) transitions (TN1, TN2) are observed at 69K and 14K for Nd and 57K and 45K 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., Comment: 17 pages of text + figures (coments/suggestions:awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in/(www.freewebs.com/vpsawana/)

The bulk polycrystalline sample FeSe1/2Te1/2 is synthesized by solid state reaction route in an evacuated sealed quartz tube at 750 oC. The presence of superconductivity is confirmed through magnetization/thermoelectric/resistivity studies. It is found that the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) is around 12 K. Heat capacity (Cp) of superconducting FeSe1-xTex exhibited a hump near Tc, instead of well defined Lambda transition. X-ray Photo electron spectroscopy (XPS) studies revealed well defined positions for divalent Fe, Se and Te but with sufficient hybridization of Fe (2p) and Se/Te (3d) core levels. In particular divalent Fe is shifted to higher BE (binding energy) and Se and Te to lower. The situation is similar to that as observed earlier for famous Cu based HTSc (High Tc superconductors), where Cu (3d) orbital hybridizes with O (2p). We also found the satellite peak of Fe at 712.00 eV, which is attributed to charge carrier localization induced by Fe at 2c site., Comment: 12 pages text + Figs contact Author-VPS Awana (www.freewebs.com/vpsawana)

We synthesized bulk polycrystalline samples of RECoAsO (RE=La, Nd and Sm) by solid state reaction route in an evacuated sealed quartz tube. All these compounds are crystallized in a tetragonal structure with space group P4/nmm. The Co, in these compounds is in itinerant ferromagnetic state with its paramagnetic moment above 1.5 microB and the same orders ferromagnetically (FM) with small saturation moment of around 0.20 microB below say 80K. This bulk intrinsic magnetism of Co changes dramatically when nonmagnetic La is changed by magnetic Sm and Nd. Although the itinerant ferromagnetism occurs below 80-100K with small saturation moment, typical anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) transitions (TN1, TN2) are observed at 57K and 45K for Sm and at 69K and 14K for Nd. The transition of Co spins from FM to AFM, for magnetic Sm and Nd in RECoAsO is both field and temperature dependent. For applied fields below 100Oe, both TN1 and TN2 are seen, with intermediate fields below 1-2kOe only TN1 and above say 5kOe the AFM transition is not observed. This is evidenced in isothermal magnetization (MH) plots as well. It is clear that Sm/Nd magnetic moments interact with the ordered Co spins in adjacent layer and thus transforms the FM ordering to AFM. All the studied compounds are metallic in nature, and their magneto-transport R(T)H follows the temperature and field dependent FM-AFM transition of ordered Co spins., Comment: 11 pages text + Figs: Queries to - awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in (www.freewebs.com/vpsawana)

The article is withdrawn and its revised version will be submitted later., Comment: This paper has been withdrawn by the authors. 16 pages Text + Figs: comments/suggestions welcome (awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in): http://www.freewebs.com/vpsawana

We report synthesis, structural details and magnetization of SmFe1-xCoxAsO with x ranging from 0.0 to 1.0 at close interval of 0.10. 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 150K. 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 appearance of bulk superconductivity is established by wide open isothermal magnetization M(H) loops. For higher content of Co i.e. x \geq 0.30, superconductivity is not observed. Clearly the Co substitution at Fe site in SmFe1-xCoxAsO diminishes the Fe SDW character (x=0.05), introduces bulk superconductivity for x from 0.10 to 0.20 and finally becomes a non-superconductor. The SmCoAsO also exhibits a secondary AFM like transition at below around 50 K. The reported AFM ordering of Sm spins is seen from heat capacity Cp(T) at 4.5 K and the same remains invariant with Co doping in SmFe1-xCoxAsO. Further the FM ordering of Co-spins (seen in magnetization measurements) is not evident in Cp(T) studies, suggesting weak correlations between ordered Co-spins in these systems., Comment: 17 pages (Text+Figs): Invited talk: ICSM-2010 (Awana)

Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of sulphur-substituted iron telluride i.e. FeTe1-xSx; (x = 0-30 %) system and study the impact of low temperature oxygen (O2) annealing as well. Rietveld analysis of room temperature x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns shows that all the compounds are crystallized in a tetragonal structure (space group P4/nmm) and no secondary phases are observed. Lattice constants are decreased with increasing S concentration. The parent compound of the system i.e. FeTe does not exhibit superconductivity but shows an anomaly in the resistivity measurement at around 78 K, which corresponds to a structural phase transition. Heat capacity Cp(T) measurement also confirms the structural phase transition of FeTe compound. Superconductivity appears by S substitution; the onset of superconducting transition temperature is about 8 K for FeTe0.75S0.25 sample. Thermoelectric power measurements S(T) also shows the superconducting transition at around 7 K for FeTe0.75S0.25 sample. The upper critical fields Hc2(10%), Hc2(50%) and Hc2(90%) are estimated to be 400, 650 and 900 kOe respectively at 0 K by applying Ginzburg Landau (GL) equation. Interestingly, superconducting volume fraction is increased with low temperature (200 oC) O2 annealing at normal pressure. Detailed investigations related to structural (XRD), transport [S(T), R(T)H], magnetization (AC and DC susceptibility) and thermal [Cp(T)] measurements for FeTe1-xS:O2 system are presented and discussed., Comment: 19pages text + Figs comments/suggestions welcome (awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in)

We report an easy single step synthesis route of title compound NdFeAsO0.80F0.20 superconductor having bulk superconductivity below 50 K. The title compound is synthesized via solid-state reaction route by encapsulation in an evacuated (10-3 Torr) quartz tube. Rietveld analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data shows that compound crystallized in tetragonal structure with space group P4/nmm. R(T)H measurements showed superconductivity with Tc (R=0) at 48 K and a very high upper critical field (Hc2) of up to 345 Tesla. Magnetic measurements exhibited bulk superconductivity in terms of diamagnetic onset below 50 K. The lower critical field (Hc1) is around 1000 Oe at 5 K. In normal state i.e., above 60 K, the compound exhibited purely paramagnetic behavior and thus ruling out the presence of any ordered FeOx impurity in the matrix. In specific heat measurements a jump is observed in the vicinity of superconducting transition (Tc) along with an upturn at below T=4 K due to the AFM ordering of Nd+3 ions in the system. The Thermo-electric power (TEP) is negative down to Tc, thus indicating dominant carriers to be of n-type in NdFeAsO0.80F0.20 superconductor. The granularity of the bulk superconducting NdFeAsO0.8F0.2 sample is investigated and the intra and inter grain contributions have been individuated by looking at various amplitude and frequencies of the applied AC drive magnetic field., Comment: 26pages text + Figures: comments/suggestions welcome (awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in & http://www.freewebs.com/vpsawana)

Magnetization, x-ray diffraction and specific-heat measurements reveal that SmCoAsO undergoes three magnetic phase transitions. A ferromagnetic transition attributed to the Co ions, emerges at TC=57 K with a small saturation moment of 0.15muB/Co. Reorientation of the Co moment to an antiferromagnetic state is obtained at TN2=45 K. The relative high paramagnetic effective moment Peff=1.57 MuB/Co indicates an itinerant ferromagnetic state of the Co sublattice. The third magnetic transition at TN1=5 K is observed clearly in the specific-heat study only. Both magnetic and 57Fe Mossbauer studies show that substitution of small quantities of Fe for Co was unsuccessful., Comment: 10pages text+Figures: comments welcome (awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in)

We report an easy route single step synthesis of BiOCuS with and without Cu deficiency. The title compound is synthesized via solid state reaction route by encapsulation in an evacuated (10-3 Torr) quartz tube. Mixed components of the ingredients in stoichiometric ratio (1/3Bi2O3 +0.34Bi +Cu1-x + S) are pelletized, sealed in evacuated quartz tube and heat treated for 30 hours at 500 0C. Finally the sample is allowed to cool down to room temperature. The resultant compound is black is color and could not hold in pellet form, but is powdered. X-ray diffraction Reitveld analysis is carried out on all three samples of series BiOCu1-xS with x = 0.0, 0.10 and 0.15. These samples crystallize in single phase with space group P4/nmm and with cell parameters as a = 3.868 A and c = 8.557 A for stoichiometric BiOCuS. The volume of the cell slightly increases with an increase in Cu deficiency. The co-ordinate positions are determined by fitting the observed XRD patterns of the studied samples., Comment: 10 pages text + 4 Figs: comments welcome (awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in)

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 (awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in)

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 (awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in)

We report synthesis, structural details and transport measurements on Sr4V2O6Fe2As2. Namely the stoichiometric amounts of V2O5 + SrO2 + Sr + 2FeAs are weighed mixed, ground thoroughly and palletized in rectangular form in a glove box in high purity Ar atmosphere. The pellet is further sealed in an evacuated (10-5 Torr) quartz tube and put for heat treatments at 750 and 1150 0C in a single step for 12 and 36 hours respectively. Finally the quartz ampoule is allowed to cool naturally to room temperature. The as synthesized sample is black in color. The compound crystallized in P4/nmm space group with lattice parameters a = b = 3.925A and c = 15.870A. Also seen are some small impurity lines. The compound did not exhibit superconductivity but instead a spin density wave (SDW) like metallic step at around 175 K is seen in R(T) measurements, Comment: 10 pages of text + Figs: comments welcome (awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in)

We report superconductivity in the SmFe0.9Co0.1AsO system being prepared by most easy and versatile single step solid-state reaction route. The parent compound SmFeAsO is non-superconducting but shows the spin density wave (SDW) like antiferromagnetic ordering at around 140K. To destroy the antiferromagnetic ordering and to induce the superconductivity in the parent system, the Fe2+ is substituted partially by Co3+. Superconductivity appears in SmFe0.9Co0.1AsO system at around 14K. The Co doping suppresses the SDW anomaly in the parent compound and induces the superconductivity. Magnetization measurements show clearly the onset of superconductivity with Tcdia at 14K. The isothermal magnetization measurements exhibit the lower critical fields (Hc1) to be around 200Oe at 2 K. The bulk superconductivity of the studied SmFe0.9Co0.1AsO sample is further established by open diamagnetic M(H) loops at 2, and 5K. Normal state (above Tc) linear isothermal magnetization M(H) plots excluded presence of any ordered magnetic impurity in the studied compound., Comment: 13 pages of text + Figs

We report synthesis, structure, electrical transport and heat capacity of SmFeAsO. The title compound is synthesized by one-step encapsulation of stoichiometric FeAs, Sm, and Sm2O3 in an evacuated (10-5 Torr) quartz tube by prolong (72 hours) annealing at 1100oC. The as synthesized compound is crystallized in tetragonal structure with P4/nmm space group having lattice parameters a = 3.93726(33) A and c = 8.49802(07) A. The resistance (R-T) measurements on the compound exhibited ground state spin-density-wave (SDW)-like metallic steps below 140 K. Heat capacity CP(T) measurements on the title compound, showed an anomaly at around 140 K, which is reminiscent of the SDW ordering of the compound. At lower temperatures the CP(T) shows a clear peak at around 4.5 K. At lower temperature below 20 K, Cp(T) is also measured under an applied field of 7 Tesla. It is concluded that the CP(T) peak at 4.5 K is due to the anti-ferromagnetic(AFM) ordering of Sm3+ spins. These results are in confirmation with ordering of Sm in Sm2-xCexCuO4., Comment: 9 pages Text + Figs Contact Author (awana@mail.nplindia.ernet.in)