RESUMEN
We present a study of the spin disorder resistivity ([Formula: see text]) and the electronic specific heat coefficient (γ) in Gd(4)(Co(1-x)Cu(x))(3) compounds, with x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30. The experimental results show a strongly nonlinear dependence of [Formula: see text] on the average de Gennes factor (G(av)) which, in similar intermetallic compounds, is usually attributed to the existence of spin fluctuations on the Co 3d bands. Values of γ were found around 110 mJ mol(-1) K(-2) for the Gd(4)(Co(1-x)Cu(x))(3) compounds, much larger than 38.4 mJ mol(-1) K(-2) found for the isostructural nonmagnetic Y(4)Co(3) compound. Using a novel type of analysis we show that the ratio [Formula: see text] follows a well-defined linear dependence on G(av), which is expected when appropriate dependencies with the effective electron mass are taken into account. This indicates that band structure effects, rather than spin fluctuations, could be the main cause for the strong electron scattering and γ enhancement observed in the Gd(4)(Co(1-x)Cu(x))(3) compounds. A discussion on relevant features of magnetization and electrical resistivity data, for the same series of compounds, is also presented.
RESUMEN
Polycrystalline samples of Ru(1-x)Nb(x)Sr(2)Gd(1.5)Ce(0.5)Cu(2)O(10-δ), 0≤x≤0.5, have been synthesized and structurally characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD). Resistivity, magnetization and AC susceptibility measurements have been done and analysed considering a phase separation scenario. A strong suppression of the cluster glass (CG) transition associated with niobium doping was identified. In fact, the CG phase was not present in samples for x≥0.2, leading to changes in the magnetic hysteresis loops measured at low temperatures. These hysteresis loops can be explained as a result of the contribution of two distinct magnetic phases: the canted AFM phase and embedded Ru(4+)-rich clusters which order as a CG in low temperatures. Interestingly, the significant changes in the magnetic response of the material do affect the superconducting transition temperature T(c). It was found that both T(c) and the superconducting fraction are reduced in samples which present the spin glass phase. Therefore, our results point to some coupling between magnetism and superconductivity in this ruthenocuprate family, the presence of the magnetic moment being deleterious for the superconductivity.
RESUMEN
The specific heat (C(T)) of Gd4Co3 was measured in the temperature range 2-300 K and its magnetic contribution (C(m)(T)) was determined using a new method that fits the electronic specific heat coefficient (γ) and the Debye temperature (θ(D)) by constraining the resulting magnetic entropy (S(m)(T)) to saturate at temperatures far above the Curie temperature (T(C)). C(m)(T) exhibits a low-temperature bump originating from thermal excitation of gapped spin waves, which is responsible for pronounced peaks, at ≈35 K, in both C(m)/T and the temperature derivative of the magnetic contribution to electrical resistivity (dρ(m)/dT). Apart from in the vicinity of T(C), an excellent global correlation was found between C(m)/T and dρ(m)/dT. Our results provide strong support for the consistency of the new method proposed for the determination of C(m)(T) and rule out any major role of short-range order on Gd moments or d-electron spin fluctuation effects in the paramagnetic phase. A comparative analysis with other methods used in similar compounds points to the need for a better evaluation of C(m)(T) in such compounds, especially in the magnetically ordered phase, where a deficient evaluation of C(m)/T has a larger impact on the S(m)(T) curve.
RESUMEN
Samples of aligned MgB(2) crystallites have been prepared, allowing for the first time the direct identification of an upper critical field anisotropy H(ab)(c2)/H(c)(c2) = xi(ab)/xi(c) approximately 1.7, with xi(o,ab) approximately 70 A, xi(o,c) approximately 40 A, and a mass anisotropy ratio m(ab)/m(c) approximately 0.3. A ferromagnetic background signal was identified, possibly related to the raw materials purity.