Biomedical subjects

A T Boothroyd

Publications and source records attributed to A T Boothroyd.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Resonant soft X-ray diffraction - in extremis.

The use of softer-energy X-rays produced by synchrotron radiation for diffraction is an area of current interest. In this paper, experiments exploiting resonant scattering at the L absorption edges of 3d transition metal elements are reported. Such energies, typically 500-1000 eV, are at the extreme limit of soft X-ray diffraction where absorption effects are so severe that the sample and diffractometer must be placed in a windowless high-vacuum vessel. In addition, the Ewald sphere is so small as to likely contain, at most, only a single Bragg reflection. Advantages of using such radiation for the study of weak diffraction effects such as anomalous scattering, charge ordering, magnetic diffraction and orbital ordering are reported.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed2005

Three-dimensional spin fluctuations in Na0.75CoO2.

We report polarized- and unpolarized-neutron scattering measurements of magnetic excitations in single-crystal Na0.75CoO2. The data confirm ferromagnetic correlations within the cobalt layers and reveal antiferromagnetic correlations perpendicular to the layers, consistent with an A-type antiferromagnetic ordering. The magnetic modes propagating perpendicular to the layers are sharp, and reach a maximum energy of approximately 12 meV. From a minimal spin-wave model, containing only nearest-neighbor Heisenberg exchange interactions, we estimate the interlayer and intralayer exchange constants to be 12.2+/-0.5 meV and -6+/-2 meV, respectively. We conclude that the magnetic fluctuations in Na0.75CoO2 are highly three dimensional.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Ferromagnetic in-plane spin fluctuations in NaxCoO2 observed by neutron inelastic scattering.

We present neutron scattering spectra taken from a single crystal of Na0.75CoO2, the precursor to a novel cobalt-oxide superconductor. The data contain a prominent inelastic signal at low energies ( approximately 10 meV), which is localized in wave vector about the origin of two-dimensional reciprocal space. The signal is highly dispersive, and decreases in intensity with increasing temperature. We interpret these observations as direct evidence for the existence of ferromagnetic spin fluctuations within the cobalt-oxygen layers.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Spin correlations among the charge carriers in an ordered stripe phase.

We have observed a diffuse component to the low-energy magnetic excitation spectrum of stripe-ordered La(5/3)Sr(1/3)NiO4 probed by neutron inelastic scattering. The diffuse scattering forms a square pattern with sides parallel and perpendicular to the stripe directions. The signal is dispersive, with a maximum energy of approximately 10 meV. Probed at 2 meV, the scattering decreases in strength with increasing temperature, and is barely visible at 100 K. We argue that the signal originates from dynamic, quasi-one-dimensional, antiferromagnetic correlations among the stripe electrons.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Direct observation of orbital ordering in La0.5Sr1.5MnO4 using soft x-ray diffraction.

We report the first direct resonant soft x-ray scattering observations of orbital ordering. We have studied the low temperature phase of La0.5Sr1.5MnO4, a compound that displays charge and orbital ordering. Previous claims of orbital ordering in such materials have relied on observations at the manganese K edge. These claims have been questioned in several theoretical studies. Instead we have employed resonant soft x-ray scattering at the manganese L(III) and L(II) edges which probes the orbital ordering directly. Energy scans at constant wave vector are compared to theoretical predictions and suggest that at all temperatures there are two separate contributions to the scattering: direct orbital ordering and strong cooperative Jahn-Teller distortions of the Mn3+ ions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Soft X-ray resonant magnetic diffraction.

We have conducted the first soft x-ray diffraction experiments from a bulk single crystal, studying the bilayer manganite La2-2xSr1+2xMn2O7 with x=0.475 in which we were able to access the (002) Bragg reflection using soft x rays. The Bragg reflection displays a strong resonant enhancement at the L(III) and L(II) manganese absorption edges. We demonstrate that the resonant enhancement of the magnetic diffraction of the (001) is extremely large, indeed so large that it exceeds that of the nonresonant Bragg diffraction. Resonant soft x-ray scattering of 3d transition metal oxides is the only technique for the atomic selective measurement of spin, charge, and orbital correlations in materials, such as high temperature superconductors, colossal magnetoresistance manganites, and charge stripe nickelates.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Coupled magnetic excitations in single crystal PrBa(2)Cu(3)O(6.2).

The dispersion of the low-energy magnetic excitations of the Pr sublattice in PrBa(2)Cu(3)O(6.2) is determined by inelastic neutron scattering measurements on a single crystal. The dispersion, which shows the effect of interactions with the Cu spin waves, is well described by a model of the coupled Cu-Pr magnetic system. This model enables values for the principal exchange constants to be determined. The results suggest that both Pr-Pr and Cu-Pr interactions are important in producing the anomalously high ordering temperature of the Pr sublattice. Measurements of the Cu optic spin wave mode show that the interlayer Cu-Cu exchange is significantly lower than in YBa(2)Cu(3)O(6.2).

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Localized 4f states and dynamic Jahn-Teller effect in PrO2.

Neutron spectroscopic measurements of the magnetic excitations in PrO2 reveal (1) sharp peaks characteristic of transitions between levels of the 4f(1) configuration of Pr4+ split by the cubic crystal field, and (2) broad bands of scattering centered near 30 and 160 meV. We present a simple model based on a vibronic Hamiltonian that accounts for these contrasting features of the data. The analysis shows that 90%+/-10% of the Pr ions have a localized 4f(1) configuration and provides strong evidence for a dynamic Jahn-Teller effect in the gamma(8) electronic ground state.

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