Strong magnetization and anisotropy of Mn5Ge3thin films on Ge(001).

We report on the growth of Mn5Ge3thin films on Ge(001) substrates following two methods: solid phase epitaxy (SPE) and reactive deposition epitaxy (RDE). We have varied the thickness of the films, in order to study the magnetization and anisotropy evolution. A strongly enhanced magnetization of 1580 kA m-1, compared to 1200 ± 150 kA m-1for films grown on Ge(111), has been measured on ultrathin films of 5 nm grown by RDE. Thicker films exhibited magnetizations <750 kA m-1. The films grown by SPE also exhibit strong magnetization of 1490 kA m-1and a drop of magnetization by increasing the film thickness. The effective magnetic anisotropy exhibits a more complex behavior: increases on the SPE films and decreases on the RDE films while increasing the thickness of the films. Magnetostatic and interfacial anisotropies were considered and calculated. The results are discussed in terms of the growth methods and microstructure of the films.

Long- and Short-Range Structure of Ferrimagnetic Iron-Chromium Maghemites.

Maghemite-like materials containing Fe(3+) and Cr(3+) in comparable amounts have been prepared by solution-combustion synthesis. The conditions of synthesis and the magnetic properties are described. These materials are ferrimagnetic and are much more stable than pure iron maghemite since their maghemite-hematite transformation takes place at about ∼ 700 °C instead of ∼ 300 °C, as usually reported. These materials were studied by synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (XRD) and by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) of the K-absorption edge of two elements. High-resolution XRD patterns were processed by means of the Rietveld method. Thus, maghemites were studied by XAFS in both Fe and Cr K-edges to clarify the short-range structure of the investigated systems. Pre-edge decomposition and theoretical modeling of X-ray absorption near edge structure transitions were performed. The extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra were fitted considering the facts that the central atom of Fe is able to occupy octahedral and tetrahedral sites, each with a weight adjustment, while Cr occupies only octahedral sites. Interatomic distances were determined for x = 1, by fitting simultaneously both Fe and Cr K-edges average EXAFS spectra. The results showed that the cation vacancies tend to follow a regular pattern within the structure of the iron-chromium maghemite (FeCrO3).

Study of radioactive contamination in silts and aerosols at Aldama City, Mexico, due to the operation of a yellow-cake processing plant.

The city of Aldama, Chihuahua, Mexico is located 30 km NNE of Chihuahua city. Three high-volume collectors with PM10 heads were placed in specific locations in Aldama during the year 2011 to measure radioisotope concentrations in the air. The city area of 16 km² was divided into 64 squares of 500 × 500 m. At the vertices of the grid, silt samples were taken between January and June 2011, before the rains began. The concentrations of natural, cosmogenic, and anthropogenic radioactive isotopes were calculated in both filters and silts samples. The isotopes selected for the measurement were ²³8U, ²³²Th, (7)Be, ¹³7Cs, and 4°K. Measurements of PM10 and silts were performed during 2011, coinciding with the accident at Fukushima, Japan, on March 11. For this reason, we could see the ¹³7Cs in PM10 increase between April and July; with the arrival of the rains, the ¹³7Cs concentration began to decrease in the air. The concentration of PM10 measured by the equipment located at the Mexican Uranium plant (URAMEX, initials in Spanish) that was processing radioactive ores exceeded the standard values in February and March, when the air velocity increases. At City Hall, the concentration of PM10 surpassed the value of the standard between May and July. This increased concentration is likely due to increased automobile traffic because City Hall is located in the city center. At a private home, the concentration of PM10 surpassed the standard on several days during the year because the home is located on the outskirts of the city, where most of the streets are not paved. Due to the high concentrations of PM10, especially at the collection point located at the private home, it is necessary to start taking steps to mitigate their spread before they cause health problems in the younger population and in older adults.

Predicting the Coupling Properties of Axially-Textured Materials.

A description of methods and computer programs for the prediction of "coupling properties" in axially-textured polycrystals is presented. Starting data are the single-crystal properties, texture and stereography. The validity and proper protocols for applying the Voigt, Reuss and Hill approximations to estimate coupling properties effective values is analyzed. Working algorithms for predicting mentioned averages are given. Bunge's symmetrized spherical harmonics expansion of orientation distribution functions, inverse pole figures and (single and polycrystals) physical properties is applied in all stages of the proposed methodology. The established mathematical route has been systematized in a working computer program. The discussion of piezoelectricity in a representative textured ferro-piezoelectric ceramic illustrates the application of the proposed methodology. Polycrystal coupling properties, predicted by the suggested route, are fairly close to experimentally measured ones.