Professor Paolo G. Radaelli OSI

Abstract:

The phase-diagram of Ca2-x.SrxRuO4 has been studied by several diffraction techniques as function of concentration, temperature, pressure and magnetic field. The substitution of Sr through the smaller Ca induces a series of structural phase transitions with a strong impact on the physical properties. The spin triplet superconductor Sr 2RuO4 exhibits an undistorted crystal structure, and the Mott-insulator Ca2RuO4 strong structural distortions. For intermediate structural distortions samples stay metallic but with outstanding properties. Throughout the phase diagram we find a close coupling between the crystal structure on one side and magnetic and electronic behavior on the other side. © 2005 Materials Research Society.

Abstract:

We have used electron diffraction and neutron powder diffraction to elucidate the structural properties of superconducting NaxCoO 2•yD2O over a wide compositional range. Our measurements show that superconducting samples exhibit a number of supercells ranging from to , but the predominant modulation, observed also in the neutron data, is a double hexagonal cell with dimensions 2a × 2a × c. Rietveld analysis reveals that D2O is inserted between CoO 2 sheets to form a layered network of NaO6 triangular prisms. Our model removes the need to invoke a 5 K superconducting point compound and suggests that a solid solution of Na is possible within a relatively constant amount of water y. © IOP Publishing Ltd.

Abstract:

High-resolution x-ray and neutron powder-diffraction measurements were performed on polycrystalline VOMoO4. Below ≃ 40K the system orders in a simple Néel antiferromagnetic state (propagation vector k =0), indicating a dominant role of the nearest-neighbor interactions. The order is three dimensional but the reduced saturated magnetic moment m of 0.41 (1) μ V4+ at 2K indicates strongly two-dimensional character and enhanced quantum fluctuations. On cooling, there is no evidence of a reduction of the crystal symmetry. However, neutron diffraction indicates an anomalous evolution of the lattice parameters, which can be related to the onset of magnetic correlations. © 2005 The American Physical Society.

Abstract:

Transition-metal spinels (general formula AB 2X 4) have been, for many years, the subject of intense experimental and theoretical activity. Structurally, the most interesting feature of these systems is the fact that the B cation occupies the nodes of a pyrochlore lattice, which is known to be geometrically frustrated. Therefore, one can explore how the natural tendency of the transition metals to order in the charge, magnetic and orbital sectors is affected by geometrical frustration. Recently, orbital ordering has become a topical subject in a variety of both non-frustrated systems, such as manganites and other perovskites, and in the spinels. In this paper, I review the recent experimental activity on the subject of orbital ordering in transition-metal spinels and relate this to models of orbital ordering that are being developed by theoreticians. © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.