Condensed Matter Physics Commons^™

Absorption Of Microwaves In La1Àxsrxmno3 Manganese Powders Over A Wide Bandwidth, G. Li, G. G. Hu, H. D. Zhou, Xiaojuan Fan, X. G. Li

Physics Faculty Research

We present the frequency dependence of microwave-absorbing properties of La_1-xSr_xMnO₃ (x=0.4, 0.5, 0.6, and 0.7) powders at room temperature. The absorbing properties change gradually with x in the frequency range of 8–12 GHz. The optimal absorption can be achieved for a x=0.4 sample and its microwave loss peak value is about 25 dB. Further experimental results show that the absorption can be attributed to magnetic and dielectric losses and the microwave loss peak corresponds to the maximum dielectric loss tangent tan δ_e near 10.5 GHz. Furthermore, the absorbing properties of the oxides mixed with …

Atomic And Electronic Structure Of Co/Srtio3/Co Tunnel Junctions, Ivan I. Oleinik, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal, David G. Pettifor

Evgeny Tsymbal Publications

First-principles density-functional calculations of the atomic and electronic structure of Co/SrTiO₃ /Co (001) magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ’s) are performed. Different interface terminations are considered and the most stable structure with the TiO₂ termination is identified based on energetics of adhesion. The calculated electronic structure of the TiO₂-terminated MTJ shows an exchange coupling between the interface Co and Ti atoms mediated by oxygen. This coupling induces a magnetic moment of 0.25 µ_B on the interface Ti atom, which is aligned antiparallel to the magnetic moment of the Co layer. We argue that this might cause an …

Local Impurity-Assisted Conductance In Magnetic Tunnel Junctions, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal, David G. Pettifor

Evgeny Tsymbal Publications

Using a simple tight-binding model and the Kubo formula we have calculated the lateral distribution of the tunneling conductance across a magnetic tunnel junction probed by STM. We find that the presence of an isolated impurity within the barrier layer can cause a spike in the conductance distribution, which is in agreement with recent experiments. We show that the local tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) is very sensitive to the electronic state of the impurity and to the lateral position of the tip. The latter dramatic variation in TMR could be detected by STM.

Vortex-Defect Interactions In High-Temperature Superconductors, Valentina Tobos

Dissertations

The topics covered in this thesis are related to two objectives: one refers to the search for methods of improving die critical current density of high-temperature superconductors, a subject which remains of continuing interest for its importance in technological applications. The other direction is aimed at clarifying the phase diagram of high-Tc materials.

The interaction between the structural defects and the vortex system plays a significant role in the capability of these materials to carry large electrical transport currents. Through proton irradiation induced defects we follow the evolution of the critical current density, and its enhancement with increasing point-like defects …

Transition Temperature For Weakly Interacting Homogeneous Bose Gases, Frederico F. De Souza Cruz, Marcus B. Pinto, Rudnei O. Ramos

Dartmouth Scholarship

We apply the nonperturbative optimized linear δ expansion method to the O(N) scalar field model in three dimensions to determine the transition temperature of a dilute homogeneous Bose gas. Our results show that the shift of the transition temperature ΔTc/Tc of the interacting model, compared with the ideal-gas transition temperature, really behaves as γan1/3 where a is the s-wave scattering length and n is the number density. For N=2 our calculations yield the value γ=3.059.

Phonon Modes In Inas Quantum Dots, Shang-Fen Ren, G Qin, Deyu Lu

Faculty publications – Physics

Phonon modes in spherical InAs quantum dots (QDs) with up to 11 855 atoms (about 8.5 nm in diameter) are calculated by using a valence force field model, and all the vibration frequencies and vibration amplitudes of the QDs are calculated directly from the lattice-dynamic matrix. The projection operators of the irreducible representations of the group theory are employed to reduce the computational intensity, which further allows us to investigate the quantum confinement effect of phonon modes with different symmetries. It is found that the size effects of phonon modes depend on the symmetry of the modes. For zinc-blende structure, …

Affinity For Scalar Fields To Dissipate, Arjun Berera, Rudnei O. Ramos

Dartmouth Scholarship

The zero-temperature effective equation of motion is derived for a scalar field interacting with other fields. For a broad range of cases, involving interaction with as few as one or two fields, dissipative regimes are found for the scalar field system. The zero-temperature limit constitutes a baseline effect that will be prevalent in any general statistical state. Thus, the results found here provide strong evidence that dissipation is the norm not the exception for an interacting scalar field system. For application to inflationary cosmology, this provides convincing evidence that warm inflation could be a natural dynamics once proper treatment of …

Particle Size Determination: An Undergraduate Lab In Mie Scattering, I. Weiner '01, M. Rust '01, Thomas D. Donnelly

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

A technique for determining the size of microscopic spherical particles using light scattering is presented as an undergraduate physics lab. Scatterer size is determined from angular scattering distribution measurements of laser light scattered from a dilute suspension of latex spheres with diameters of 4.99±0.05 and 6.038±0.045 μm. Previous experiments of this type used approximate theoretical corrections and required the construction of specialized sample cells to minimize complicating effects. As a significant improvement to these, we generate angular scattering distributions from Mie theory and, using an accurate numerical procedure, correct these distributions for Snell’s law and foreshortening effects. Scatterer size …

The Effect Of Aluminium Oxide And Cerium Oxide As Dispersoids In Chitosan-Lithium Acetate Complexes, Hoi Mien Leow

Student Works (2000-2009)

In this study, chitosan with 85% deacetylation was used with Ni(OAc)₂·2H₂O as doping salt and Al₂O₃, or CeO₂ as dispersoid. They were mixed in certain weight percentages and dissolved in 100ml of 0.5% acetic acid solution. These solutions were poured into petri dishes and left at room temperature for film formation. Infrared Spectroscopy has shown that there is interaction between chitosan and LiOAc with and without dispersoid. The peaks are shifted. broadened. split and differs in intensity. The electrical conductivity of all samples was calculated using the bulk resistance value obtained from the complex admittance plot. The highest electrical conductivity …

Sulphide Based Materials As Potential Anodes In Lithium Ion Cells, Azlin Sanusi

Student Works (2000-2009)

Sulphides based compounds PbS and SnS have been studied as possible anode material in lithium ion cell. PbS was prepared by the chemical bath deposition technique and SnS by the double decomposition method. Both samples were characterized by the powder X-ray diffraction technique and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX). The room temperature electrical conductivity of PbS is 2.6 x 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ and SnS is 5.3 x 10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹ while at 90°C the electrical conductivity of PbS is 3.3 x 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ and SnS is 2.90 x 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ Cyclic voltammetry determined the potential anode ability …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Lithiated Mixed Metal Oxides For Lithium Ion Rechargeable Batteries, Seng Gee Tan

Student Works (2000-2009)

Lilhiated mixed metal oxides for lithium ion rechargeable batteries were prepared by the sol gel technique. Samples consisting of lithium acetate, nickel nitrate, cobalt nitrate, manganese acetate and aluminium fluoride were characterised using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIRS). Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-rays (EDAX) w1d Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). Thermal characterization shows that the acetates, nitrates and fluorides of precursors material deform at temperature between 50° to 100°C and the products begin to form at a temperature between 264°C to 271°C. FTIR studies show that the materials must be heated for a longer time …

Effects Of Argon Dilution Of Silane On The Optical Properties And Surface Morphology Of Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon, Choon Kheam Lim

Student Works (2000-2009)

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a.Si:H) was prepared using the d.c plasma grow discharge system. Two sets of samples were prepared and studied. The first set of samples referred to as the high argon dilution films were prepared from the discharge of pure silane at flow-rate of 5sccm and silane at the same flow-rate diluted in argon at flow-rates of 5, 10 and 15sccm. Similarly, the second set of sample referred to as the low argon dilution films were prepared from the discharge of pure silane at flow-rate of20sccm and silane at the same flow-rate diluted in argon at the flow-rates mentioned …

Perspectives Of Giant Magnetoresistance, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal, David G. Pettifor

Evgeny Tsymbal Publications

Giant magnetoresistance (GMR) is one of the most fascinating discoveries in thin-film magnetism, which combines both tremendous technological potential and deep fundamental physics. Within a decade of GMR being discovered in 1988 commercial devices based on this phenomenon, such as hard-disk read-heads, magnetic field sensors and magnetic memory chips, had become available in the market. These achievements would not have been possible without a detailed understanding of the physics of GMR, which requires a quantum-mechanical insight into the electronic spin-dependent transport in magnetic structures.

Time-Resolved Structural Study Of Low-Index Surfaces Of Germanium Near Its Bulk Melting Temperature, Xinglin Zeng, H. E. Elsayed-Ali

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The structure of the low-index surfaces of germanium near its bulk melting temperature is investigated using 100-ps time-resolved reflection high-energy electron diffraction. The surface is heated by 100-ps laser pulses while a synchronized electron beam probes the structure. Ge(111)was observed to remain in its incomplete melting structure up to at least T_m + 134 ± 40 K when heated by a 100-ps laser pulse. Both the Ge(100) and Ge(110) surfaces are observed to melt near the bulk melting temperature when heated with 100-ps laser pulses. Because of the low-diffraction intensity-to-background ratio at high temperatures and because of the temperature …

Electrons In Image States Near Roughened Metal Surfaces, Brian K. Clark, Brian W. Gregory, Jean M. Standard

Faculty Publications – Chemistry

Electrons near roughened Ag and Au surfaces with chemisorbed dielectric overlayers of alkanethiol or alkaneselenol self-assembled monolayers are shown to move within the sulfur or selenium head-group layer on the metal terraces. The electrons exist in image states with respect to Ag or Au step edges. There is no substantial image force between the electrons and the terraces.

Thermoelectric Single-Photon Detectors For X-Ray/Uv Radiation, G. G. Fritz, K. S. Wood, D. Van Vechten, A. L. Gyulamiryan, A. S. Kuzanyan, N. J. Giordano, T. M. Jacobs, H.-D. Wu, J. S. Horwitz, Armen Gulian

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

A feasibility study of megapixel microcalorimeter arrays, based on thermoelectric energy to voltage conversion and digital superconducting readout, is presented. The design concept originated from the philosophy of employing the simplest principles at the single-pixel level to enable large arrays without sacrificing energy resolution, fast operation speed, and quantum efficiency. Initial experimental tests confirm the basic predictions of theory, and show no major obstacle in achieving the desired characteristics.

Low-Frequency Crossover Of The Fractional Power-Law Conductivity In Srruo3, J. S. Dodge, Christopher P. Weber, J. Corson, J. Orenstein, Z. Schlesinger, J. W. Reiner, M. R. Beasley

Physics

We combine the results of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy with far-infrared transmission and reflectivity to obtain the conductivity of SrRuO ₃ over an unprecedented continuous range in frequency, allowing us to characterize the approach to zero frequency as a function of temperature. We show that the conductivity follows a simple phenomenological form, with an analytic structure fundamentally different from that predicted by the standard theory of metals.

Effect Of Disorder On Perpendicular Magnetotransport In Co/Cu Multilayers, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal

Evgeny Tsymbal Publications

We investigate the spin-dependent conductance of the Co/Cu multilayers in the current-perpendicular-tothe- plane (CPP) geometry. Using a realistic tight-binding model for the electronic band structure of the multilayer, and introducing disorder in the on-site atomic energies we calculate the conductance and giant magnetoresistance (GMR) within the quantum-mechanical linear response theory by performing averaging over random disorder configurations. By varying the thickness and the number of individual layers and the degree of disorder in the multilayers, we analyze factors influencing the CPP GMR. In particular, we show the importance of the thickness-dependent interface resistance, which depends on the mean free path …

Theory Of Magnetostatic Coupling In Thin-Film Rectangular Magnetic Elements, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal

Evgeny Tsymbal Publications

A theory of magnetostatic coupling in thin-film uniformly magnetized arrays of rectangular magnetic elements is presented. Analytic expressions for the magnetostatic energy and the dipolar fields are derived. The influence of the aspect ratio and the spacing between the elements on the magnetostatic coupling is investigated. It is found that increasing the aspect ratio reduces the critical distance between the elements, above which the magnetostatic inter-element coupling can be neglected.

Oxygen-Induced Positive Spin Polarization From Fe In The Vacuum Barrier, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal, Ivan I. Oleinik, David G. Pettifor

Evgeny Tsymbal Publications

Bonding at the ferromagnet–insulator interface is an important factor which influences spin polarization of the tunneling current in ferromagnetic tunnel junctions. In this article we investigate the spin-polarized electronic structure of the (001) surface of body-centered-cubic iron covered by an oxygen overlayer, as this could reflect the mechanism of bonding and spin polarization in iron/oxide tunnel junctions. The Fe/O atomic structure is optimized using the plane-wave code CASTEP within the spin-polarized generalized-gradient approximation. The electronic structure and local densities of states are calculated using the linear muffin-tin orbital method. The results show hybridization of the iron 3d orbitals with …

Structural And Electronic Properties Of Cobalt/Alumina Tunnel Junctions From First Principles, Ivan I. Oleinik, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal, David G. Pettifor

Evgeny Tsymbal Publications

A detailed first-principles study of the atomic and electronic structure of the Co/Al₂O₃/Co magnetic tunnel junction has been performed in order to elucidate the key features determining the spin-dependent tunneling. The atomic structure of the multilayer with the O- and Al-terminated interfaces between fcc Co(111) and crystalline α-Al₂O₃(0001) has been optimized using self-consistent spin-polarized calculations within densityfunctional theory and the generalized gradient approximation. We found that the relaxed atomic structure of the O-terminated interface is characterized by a rippling of the Co interfacial plane, the average Co-O bond length being 2.04 Å …

Measurements Of Electronic Properties Of Conducting Spacecraft Materials With Application To The Modeling Of Spacecraft Charging, W. Y. Chang, Jr Dennison, Parker Judd

Conference Proceedings

Many spacecraft system anomalies and component failures are known to result from spacecraft charging which is due to the bombardments of spacecraft by energetic electrons, ions, and photons in natural space surrounding [Hastings and Garrett, 1996; Bedingfield et al., 1996; Leach et al., 1995]. To assist spacecraft designers in accommodating and mitigating the harmful charging effects on spacecraft, NASA has developed an extensive set of engineering tools to predict the extent of charging in various spacecraft environments (for example, NASCAP/LEO, NASCAP/GEO, and POLAR) [Mandell et al., 1993]. However, current NASCAP databases lack electronic properties …

Quantum-Well Resistivity For Perpendicular Transport In Magnetic Layered Systems, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal, David G. Pettifor

Evgeny Tsymbal Publications

We show that quantum-well states enhance the current-perpendicular-to-planes resistivity of a metal film compared to the resistivity in the bulk at film thicknesses comparable with the mean free path due to the reduced number of conducting channels within the potential-well structure. This makes the mean free path an important parameter, which must be taken into account for the accurate treatment of results on currentperpendicular- to-plane giant magnetoresistance, rather than ignored by applying the two-current series-resistor model.

Inception Of Snapover And Gas Induced Glow Discharges, J. T. Galofaro, B V. Vayner, D C. Ferguson, C D. Thomson, Jr Dennison, R E. Davies

Conference Proceedings

Ground based experiments of the snapover phenomenon were conducted in the large vertical simulation chamber at the Glenn Research Center (GRC) Plasma Interaction Facility (PIF). Two Penning sources provided both argon and xenon plasmas for the experiments. The sources were used to simulate a variety of ionospheric densities pertaining to a spacecraft in a Low Earth Orbital (LEO) environment^1–4. Secondary electron emission is believed responsible for dielectric surface charging, and all subsequent snapover phenomena observed^2,5. Voltage sweeps of conductor potentials versus collected current were recorded in order to examine the specific charging history of each sample. …

Inception Of Snapover And Gas Induced Glow Discharges, J. T. Galofaro, B V. Vayner, W A. Degroot, D C. Ferguson, C D. Thomson, Jr Dennison, R E. Davies

Conference Proceedings

Ground based experiments of the snapover phenomenon were conducted in the large vertical simulation chamber at the Glenn Research Center (GRC) Plasma Interaction Facility (PIF). Two Penning sources provided both argon and xenon plasmas for the experiments. The sources were used to simulate a variety of ionospheric densities pertaining to a spacecraft in a Low Earth Orbital (LEO) environment^1-4. Secondary electron emission is believed responsible for dielectric surface charging, and all subsequent snapover phenomena observed^2,5. Voltage sweeps of conductor potentials versus collected current were recorded in order to examine the specific charging history of each sample. …

Evolution Of Secondary Electron Emission Characteristics Of Spacecraft Surfaces: Importance To Spacecraft Charging, R. E. Davies, Jr Dennison

Journal Articles

Secondary electron emission (SEE) plays a key role in spacecraft charging [Garrett, 1981; Frooninckx and Sojka, 1992] . As a result, spacecraft charging codes require knowledge of the SEE characteristics of various materials in order to predict vehicle potentials in various orbital environments [Katz, et. al., 1986]. Because SEE is a surface phenomenon, occurring in the first few atomic layers of a material, the SEE characteristics of a given surface are extremely sensitive to changes in surface condition—e.g., the addition or removal of surface contaminants, or changes in surface morphology. That spacecraft surfaces …

Digital Holography And Application In Laser Metrology, Thian Khok Yong

Student Works (2000-2009)

A digital holography system has been developed in this study. The object is recorded and the hologram is stored electronically with a charged-couple-device (CCD) camera without any focusing optics. The reconstruction of the digitally sampled hologram is done numerically with a computer. The algorithm and software for numerical reconstruction, which consists in a numerical realization of the Fresnel-Kirchhoff diffraction integral, are designed and implemented with two­dimensional and three-dimensional simple objects. The characteristics of the system have been studied. For the CCD camera (768x494 pixels) been used with spatial resolution of about I 00 lines/mm, the angle between reference and object …

Electronic Scattering From Co/Cu Interfaces: In-Situ Measurement And Comparison With Theory, W. E. Bailey, Shan X. Wang, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal

Evgeny Tsymbal Publications

The full thickness-dependent electrical conductivity of polycrystalline NiO/Co/Cu/Co spin-valve structures was measured in situ during ion-beam deposition and compared with calculations based on realistic band structure. We have found striking features in the experimental conductivity which are unexpected from widely used semiclassical free-electron models. Addition of ∼ 1 ML Co to a NiO/Co/Cu surface causes the net film conductance to decrease; the reverse case of Cu on NiO/Co shows a strong positive curvature of the thicknessdependent conductance, indicating a reduction of the conductivity in Cu near the interface with Co. Quantitative agreement is found between the experimental thickness-dependent film conductance …

Charge Dynamics In The Half-Metallic Ferromagnet Cro2, E. J. Singley, Christopher P. Weber, D. N. Basov, A. Barry, J. M. D. Coey

Physics

Infrared spectroscopy is used to investigate the electronic structure and charge carrier relaxation in crystalline films of CrO₂ which is the simplest of all half-metallic ferromagnets. Chromium dioxide is a bad metal at room temperature but it has a remarkably low residual resistivity (<5 >μΩ cm) despite the small spectral weight associated with free carrier absorption. The infrared measurements show that low residual resistivity is due to the collapse of the scattering rate at ω<2000 >cm^-1. The blocking of the relaxation channels at low v and T can be attributed to the unique electronic structure of a …

Mössbauer Effect Determination Of Relative Recoilless Fractions For Iron Oxides, Sei J. Oh, Desmond C. Cook

Physics Faculty Publications

The relative recoilless fraction (F-value) of each of six iron oxides, defined as the ratio of the recoil-free fractions of two different materials, was experimentally determined relative to hematite at 300 K and 77 K by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Using the relative recoil-free fractions compared to that of hematite, the relative recoilless fractions between all pairs of the seven iron oxides were determined. The F-values can allow conversion of Mössbauer subspectral areas to the relative atomic, molecular, or weight fractions of each iron oxide present in a mixed oxide phase sample.