Professor Stephen Blundell

Abstract:

We report mu SR measurements on a series of compounds with composition La2-xSrxNiO4+delta where the net hole concentration x + 2 delta is greater than 0.4. A magnetic transition is found in all the samples studied which occurs at a composition-dependent temperature T-M. Below T-M, clear precession signals are observed in zero applied magnetic field. The possible muon sites are discussed within the context of dipole-field calculations.

Abstract:

We report studies of spin dynamics in the conducting polymers polyaniline and polypyrrole using both mu(+)SR and mu(-)SR techniques. These measurements reveal characteristic held dependences and cutoff frequencies for the muon spin relaxation which can be related to the spin diffusion process. Clear evidence is seen for increased spin localisation at low temperatures where a crossover occurs from two or three dimensional spin diffusion to a one dimensional diffusion regime.

Abstract:

We have carried out implanted positive muon studies on the molecular metal system d(n)(DMe-DCNQI)(2)Cu in order to understand better its novel magnetic properties. Examples of these salts at different levels of deuteration were studied. The fully deuterated (d(8)) salt shows a metal-insulator (MI) transition around 80 K and a magnetic transition around 7 K. The muon spin relaxation rate is enhanced below the MI transition, reflecting the localisation of spins along the Cu columns, however, the increase in muon spin relaxation rate occurs well above the metal-insulator (MI) transition and suggests a slowdown of the spin fluctuations around 120 K. At temperatures below 7 K a zero field precession signal was observed as a result of the 3D magnetic ordering of the Cu spins. For a muon site associated with the ring of the DCNQI molecule, the local field distribution was found to be consistent with the previously proposed magnetic structure. A sharp nuclear quadrupolar level crossing resonance (QLCR) was observed at 50 G which was assigned to resonance with the imine nitrogen on the DCNQI molecule.

Abstract:

The magnetoresistance and magnetization of single crystals of the organic charge-transfer salt α-(BEDT-TTF)2KHg(SCN)4 (where BEDT-TTF is bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene) have been studied in fields of up to 30 T and at temperatures as low as 20 mK. Five separate series of quantum oscillations have been observed in the low-temperature, low-field phase of this material and have been studied as a function of tilt angle of the field. It is proposed that two of these frequencies are the result of Stark quantum interference while the others are Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) and de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) oscillations due to closed Fermi surface pockets or conventional magnetic breakdown. The unconventional temperature dependence observed for some of these oscillations and the applicability of current models of the Fermi surface of α-(BEDT-TTF)2KHg(SCN)4 are discussed.

Abstract:

The magnetoresistance of α-(BEDT-TTF)2MHg(SCN)4 (where BEDT-TTF is bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene and M = NH4 or K) has been studied under pressures of up to 14.8 kbar and for temperatures down to 0.7 K. The ≃671 T (α) and ≃4270 T (β) Shubinkov-de Haas oscillations observed in the ambient pressure magentoresistence of α-(BEDT-TTF)2KHg(SCN)4 persist to the highest pressure while the other quantum oscillatory frequencies are removed under pressure. A strong second-harmonic component of the α-frequency oscillations is observed on the raw data at 1 bar and is initially suppressed by pressure but returns above ≃9 kbar. Furthermore, in the salt α-(BEDT-TTF)2NH4Hg(SCN)4 a similar pronounced second harmonic of the quantum oscillations has been observed at the highest pressures. The origins of these features of the data are discussed in the context of current models of the Fermi surfaces of these materials.