Oxide electronics

Abstract:

The crystal structures of Sr2HoMn2O7 and Sr2YMn2O7 have been determined at 290 and 1.7 K from neutron and X-ray powder diffraction data. Both are distorted Ruddlesden-Popper structures formed by the intergrowth of rock-salt-like layers and perovskite-like blocks of tilted MnO6 octahedra (space group P42/mnm; for Ho at 290 Ka = 5.40388(5), c = 19.9050-(2) Å). The majority of the lanthanide cations are located in the rock-salt layers. Neither structure changes significantly on cooling to 1.7 K. There is evidence for neither charge ordering of Mn3+ and Mn4+ cations nor for long-range magnetic ordering. The magnetic susceptibility maximum observed previously is thus confirmed as signifying a transition to a spin-glass phase. The behavior of these compounds is contrasted with that of other Mn oxides which show long-range magnetic order and colossal magnetoresistance.

Abstract:

We report on the investigation of surface acoustic wave (SAW) fields by scanning acoustic force microscopy (SAFM), reaching submicron lateral resolution. The SAFM is based on a standard atomic force microscope and utilizes the non-linear force curve in the sense of a mechanical diode. The surface oscillation therefore leads to a shift of the cantilever's rest position. With SAFM we investigated SAW transducers operating at frequencies above 600 MHz. We measured the dynamic behaviour of the wave pattern within the transducers when sweeping the frequency and found a local influence of mass loading on the standing SAW amplitude. Furthermore, the first images of SAW diffraction and scattering are shown. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract:

A method is presented for the universal probing of surface acoustic waves (SAWs). For measuring high frequency SAWs by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) a stroboscopic snapshot technique was employed, named scanning acoustic tunneling microscopy. The amplitude and the phase of a state of oscillation within a SAW field are a superposition of the surface topography and the oscillation trajectory. Measuring with atomic resolution the observed contrast can be understood by a spherical tunneling model. A STM based system is proposed that reaches submicron resolution for the quantitative evaluation of elastic constants. With this system the velocity dispersion is obtained from the detection of laser generated SAW pulses by a broadband STM. Scanning acoustic tunneling spectroscopy using different acoustic modes opens a door for quantitative studies of nanoscale structures. © 1997 American Vacuum Society.

Abstract:

A detailed investigation into the preparation of powder samples of the n = 2 Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) oxide Sr1.8Nd1.2Mn2O7 is presented. This material is of interest as it displays colossal magntoresistance (CMR) without three-dimensional ferromagnetic long-range order. It is shown that Rietveld refinement of high-resolution powder X-ray and neutron diffraction data is essential to assess the outcomes of syntheses because of the potential coexistence of two very similar Ruddlesden-Popper phases. Phase coexistence or significant temperature-dependent anisotropic strain can be indicated by the broadening of the {0 0 10} reflection at 5 K. This suggests that a more subtle form of the previously reported phase separation at x = 0 is also difficult to avoid at the x = 0.2 composition. Precise attention to reaction temperature and time is required to prepare samples containing only one n = 2 Ruddlesden-Popper phase, and contamination by small quantities of the n = ∞ perovskite is a pervasive problem. Neutron powder diffraction structural analysis of the highest quality sample allows a comparison with the three-dimensional ferromagnet Sr1.8La1.2Mn2O7. The structure suggests that only slight changes in the Mn-O bond lengths are required to radically alter the electronic structure of n = 2 Ruddlesden-Popper phases.

Abstract:

Local structure of the CuO2 plane in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ (Bi2212) superconductor has been solved by joint Cu K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and anomalous X-ray diffraction. The Cu-O pair distribution function (PDF) has been measured by EXAFS and diffraction. The displacement of the Cu ions along the c-axis shows largest amplitude and anharmonic character. The results show flat stripes of the CuO2 lattice of width L = 15 ± 0.5 Å that are separated by stripes of bent CuO2 plane. The modulation of the CuO2 plane measured by EXAFS and anomalous diffraction has been discussed.