Publications

The band (or Stoner) ferromagnetism in systems exhibiting a linear density of states, such as a graphene sheet, where the density of states g(e) is proportional to e, is investigated as function of temperature. The calculations are performed by neglecting spin-wave excitations and some arguments are presented for this approximation. It is found that the occurrence of ferromagnetism becomes easier at finite temperature than in the low temperature limit, especially for systems with low values of carrier density. An almost linear dependence of the magnetization on temperature is predicted; the temperature of vanishing magnetization is linear with the value of the equilibrium Fermi energy, irrespective of the value of the interaction (Hubbard) parameter. Also, for low values of the Hubbard energy an increase in the average value of the polarization with the temperature is predicted in the range of low temperatures. The most important application of such systems consists of control over the onset of magnetization by the charge density (the value of the Fermi energy).

Nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal of Gd0.92Sc0.02Nd0.06Ca4O(BO3)(3) (Nd: GdScCOB) crystal has been grown by the Czochralski method. The high resolution and polarized spectroscopic data of Nd3+ in GdScCOB crystal were carried out and analyzed in the framework of the Judd - Ofelt theory. The polarized emission cross-sections for the F-4(3/2) -> (4)vertical bar(9/2) and F-4(3/2) -> (4)vertical bar(11/2) Nd3+ transitions of special interest for laser application were determined. Near-infrared laser emission at 1061 nm was achieved under cw Ti: sapphire end pumping at 812 nm. For propagation along the Z-axis, laser emission polarized parallel to the Y-axis was obtained. This result offers the opportunity to achieve type I SFD of Nd3+ emission in the ZX plane which presents a non-linearity approximately three times larger than XY plane.

TiO2:Fe thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition exhibit in some case light dependent saturation magnetization, as determined from Kerr magnetometry measurements performed in dark or by illuminating the sample. This phenomenon is studied in correlation with local atomic structure investigated by extended X-ray absorption fine structure, composition and chemical state analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and by X-ray absorption near-edge structure. It is found that light-controllable magnetism is a property of a mixture of Fe and oxidized Fe clusters embedded in the anatase TiO2 matrix.

This work presents recent studies concerning the synthesis of ultrathin ferromagnetic Fe layers on Si(001) and the correlated follow-up measurement of their structural properties, interface reactivity, and magnetism. This study is undertaken as function of the amount of Fe deposited and of substrate temperature. The interface reactivity is characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy. The surface structure is characterized by low electron energy diffraction (LEED). The local order of Fe atoms is investigated by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and the magnetism by magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE). A general trend established is that a higher deposition temperature stabilizes a better surface ordering, but also enhances Fe and Si interdiffusion and therefore decreases the magnetism. A surprising effect obtained by Fe deposition at room temperature is that, despite the rapid disappearance of the long range order with Fe deposition (no LEED pattern is observed for Fe coverage exceeding one monolayer), the material exhibits a significant uniaxial in-plane magnetic anisotropy. When the deposition is performed at high temperature (500 degrees C), a weak ferromagnetism is still observed, with saturation magnetization of about 10 % of the value obtained for room temperature deposition. The combined MOKE and EXAFS studies allowed inferring consistent values for the range of Fe thicknesses where the reaction takes place and the main properties of the distinct formed layers.

The goal of this study was the creation of a model to understand how solute properties influence the structure of nearby water. To this end, we used a two-dimensional cellular automaton model of aqueous solutions. The probabilities of translocation of water and solute molecules to occupy nearby sites, and their momentary distributions (including that of vacancies), are considered indicative of solute molecular mechanics and hydrophatic character, and are reflected in water molecules packing, i.e. 'organization'. We found that in the presence of hydrophilic solutes the fraction of water molecules with fewer neighbors was dominant, and inverse-proportionally dependent on their relative concentration. Hydrophobic molecules induced water organization, but this effect was countered by their own flexibility. These results show the emergence of cooperative effects in the manner the molecular milieu affects local organization of water, and suggests a mechanism through which molecular mechanics and crowding add a defining contribution to the way the solute impacts on nearby water.

We present the preparation, structure and physical properties of CoNb2O6 ceramics using spark plasma sintering technique. Magnetic data reveal the two antiferromagnetic transitions at 2.9 and 2 K. Microwave measurements gives epsilon(r) = 23.5 and a loss tangent of 29x10(-3).

Two series of icosahedral Al(100-x-y)Mn(x)Ln(y) alloys, first consisting of AlMnCe with variable Ce (x = 6 and y = 1, 2, 3, 4: Al93Mn6Ce, Al92Mn6Ce2, Al91Mn6Ce3, and Al90Mn6Ce4) or Mn (x = 8, 10; y = 1: Al89Mn10Ce and Al91Mn8Ce) concentration, and the second consisting of constant alloy composition (Al(91)Mn(6)Ln(3)), while varying the Ln nature (Gd, Dy, and Ho) were prepared. The icosahedral structure of the samples was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). As shown by EXAFS, the sample Al89Mn10Ce, with the lowest Ce/Mn ratio, display an advanced degree of disorder around the Ce atoms in the structure. Catalytic behavior highly depended on the alloys structure, the higher the degree of disorder around the rare-earth element in the structure, the higher catalytic activity. Replacing Ce with Gd, Dy or Ho in AlMnLn alloys does not result in a significant enhancement of the catalytic performances.

Embedding silver (Ag) into CaPs one could expect the enhancement of the antimicrobial performances of coatings for load bearing implants. The aim of this research was to evaluate whether the cellular morphology is influenced by the variation of Ag content, as well as by the solubility and morphological features of Ag-containing CaP coatings obtained by combinatorial pulsed laser deposition technique. In this view, we developed compositional libraries of either Ag and hydroxyapatite (HA) or Ag and beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP). The Ag content along the length of the combinatorial CaP coatings increased up to a maximum of similar to 1 at.%. SEM and AFM images evidenced the abundant presence of particulates typical for CaP coatings deposited by PLD. AFM histograms showed that the samples were rough with RMS values within 61-209 nm range. Ag content values up to 0.6 at. % into HA coatings were found nontoxic for mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) growth.

We have obtained by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), dense samples of MgB2 added with Ho2O3. Starting composition was (MgB2)(0.975)(HoO1.5)(0.025) and we used addition powders with an average particle size below and above 100 nm. For Mg, pristine and added MgB2 samples we measured potentiodynamic polarization curves in Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) solution media at room temperature. MgB2 based composites show corrosion/degradation effects. This behavior is in principle similar to Mg based alloys in the same media. Our work suggests that the different morphologies and phase compositions of the SPS-ed samples influence the interaction with corrosion medium; hence additions can play an important role in controlling the corrosion rate. Pristine MgB2 show a significant improvement of the corrosion resistance, if compared with Mg. The best corrosion resistance is obtained for pristine MgB2, followed by MgB2 with nano-Ho2O3 and mu-Ho2O3 additions.

In this manuscript we present interesting scientific results following the physical characterization of thin polyaniline polymer films achieved by means of Glancing Angle Deposition (GLAD) method. Aniline monomer was used as precursor in a cold plasma polymerization chamber and the resulting thin films were investigated by various physical techniques (Atomic Force Microscopy - AFM and Scanning Electron Microscopy - SEM), while also considering their conductive electrical properties.