Resistivity Anisotropy Research Articles

Mechanisms of anisotropic fracture resistance of nacreous structure and design: Essential role of cracking modes of organic interfaces

Nacreous structure holds significant promise for biomimetic design applications due to its excellent mechanical properties. In this paper, the influence of loading direction on the mechanical properties of nacreous structure was investigated to understand its mechanisms of anisotropic fracture resistance. The results revealed significant anisotropy in the mechanical properties of nacre when loaded along different directions (perpendicular to y and z axes). When loaded perpendicular to the top face, nacre exhibits better mechanical properties and greater resistance to fracture compared to loading perpendicular to the side face. This distinction can be attributed to different cracking modes of organic interfaces in nacreous structure, where the nacreous structure loaded perpendicular to the top face exhibits more tortuous crack deflection, larger fracture stepped surface area and microcrack zones. Furthermore, the theoretical analysis indicates that the differences in the volume fraction of organic interfaces and the main crack deflection along organic interfaces are important factors leading to different cracking modes of organic interfaces in nacreous structure. Based on the analysis of the mechanisms of anisotropic fracture resistance, the critical parameters to characterize the anisotropic mechanical properties of the nacreous structure were proposed. The research results provide a reference and basis for future biomimetic application design.

Spreading resistance and conductance anisotropy in multilayer MoS2

The increasing interest in realizing the full potential of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials for developing electronic components strongly relies on quantitative understanding of their anisotropic electronic properties. Herein, we use conductive atomic force microscopy to study the anisotropic electrical conductance of multilayer MoS2 by measuring the spreading resistance of circular structures of different radii ranging from 150 to 400 nm. The observed inverse scaling of the spreading resistance with contact radius, with an effective resistivity of ρeff = 2.89 Ω cm, is compatible with a diffusive transport model. A successive etch of the MoS2 nanofilms was used to directly measure the out-of-plane resistivity, i.e., 29.43 ± 7.78 Ω cm. Based on the scaling theory for conduction in anisotropic materials, the model yields an in-plane resistivity of 0.28 ± 0.07 Ω cm and an anisotropy of ∼100 for the ratio between the in-plane and out-of-plane resistivities. The obtained anisotropy indicates that the probed surface area can extend up to 400 times the metal contact area, whereas the penetration depth is limited to roughly 20% of the contact radius. Hence, for contact radius less than 3 nm, the conduction will be limited to the surface. Our investigation offers important insight into the anisotropic transport behavior of MoS2, a pivotal factor enabling the design optimization of miniaturized devices based on 2D materials.

Anisotropic Electron Mobility and Contact Resistance of β-Ga2O3 Obtained via Radio Frequency Transmission Line Methods on Schottky Devices.

Monoclinic semiconducting β-Ga2O3 has drawn attention, particularly because its thin film could be achieved via mechanical exfoliation from bulk crystals, which is analogous to van der Waals materials' behavior. For the transistor devices with exfoliated β-Ga2O3, the channel direction becomes [010] for in-plane electron transport, which changes to vertical [100] near the source/drain (S/D) contact. Hence, anisotropic transport behavior is certainly worth to study but rarely reported. Here we achieve the vertical [100] direction electron mobility of 4.18 cm2/(V s) from Pt/β-Ga2O3 Schottky diodes with various thickness via radio frequency-transmission line method (RF-TLM), which is recently developed. The specific contact resistivity (ρc) could also be estimated from RF-TLM, to be 4.72 × 10-5 Ω cm2, which is quite similar to the value (5.25 × 10-5 Ω cm2) from conventional TLM proving the validity of RF-TLM. We also fabricate metal-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MESFETs) to study anisotropic transport behavior and contact resistance (RC). RC-free [010] in-plane mobility appears as high as maximum ∼67 cm2/(V s), extracted from total resistance in MESFETs.

Sensitivity Analysis and Comparative Study for Different Detection Modes of Logging-While-Drilling Ultradeep Azimuthal Electromagnetic Tools

Summary The logging-while-drilling (LWD) ultradeep azimuthal electromagnetic tool plays a pivotal role in real-time drilling optimization operations. Established tool designs include arrays of coaxial and tilted coils that, during drilling operations, can be processed to a multicomponent magnetic induction data. These data can then be combined into different detection modes, which accentuate sensitivity to particular geological features. Leveraging the established coil design and definitions of various detection modes for an electromagnetic look-ahead (EMLA) tool, this study undertakes a comprehensive exploration of the disparities in detection performance and characterization of subsurface parameters. Through sensitivity analysis, the varying degrees of sensitivity exhibited by these detection modes concerning parameters such as subsurface formation resistivity, formation inclination, and electrical anisotropy have been investigated. The ensuing conclusions derived from an in-depth analysis are as follows: Detection Mode I exhibits remarkable prowess in delineating subsurface boundaries. Optimal exploration distances can be achieved through the judicious selection of source-receiver distances and frequencies. Detection Mode II displays heightened sensitivity to wellbore inclination and anisotropy, effectively elucidating subsurface resistivity anisotropy. This sensitivity is particularly pronounced at wellbore inclinations approaching 60°. Detection Mode III, while lacking directional capability, nonetheless furnishes fundamental insights into subsurface resistivity. Detection Mode IV demonstrates exceptional sensitivity to electrical anisotropy, particularly at higher wellbore inclinations, manifesting a conspicuous response to subsurface resistivity anisotropy. In summary, the diverse detection modes within the realm of ultradeep azimuthal electromagnetic technology each offer distinctive attributes, facilitating optimal mode selection to attain superior outcomes as per specific requisites. This research contributes significantly to an enhanced comprehension of the performance and applicability of the ultradeep azimuthal electromagnetic tool in the field of optimal drilling.

Learning in colloidal polyaniline nanorods

Liquid-based computing media are massively parallel computing devices with high fault-tolerance and self-healing capabilities. They can compute by propagating and interacting phase waves or by changing their internal coordination.Colloidal suspensions of conductive polymer nanorods are expected to be interesting candidates for developing the computing subsystem in such applications, because of their anisometry which makes them particularly susceptible to electrical fields.In this work, we investigateda suspension of polyaniline nanorods (NRs) to explorethe potential of generatinglearning mechanisms in the colloid and applyingthem in the computing system of future cybernetic systems. We demonstrated that learning, as expressed in the formation of programmable conductive pathways leading to distinct states, can be implemented using Alternated Current (AC) electrical stimulation. We achievedrepeatable programming of colloid resistance anisotropy that can be easily mapped into binary logic, demonstrating that this is due to the AC field effects on the hydrogen bonds that stabilise the dispersoids in the solvent as well as the charges' orientation inside the polymeric chains. We also influencedthe conductivity of polyaniline (PANI) NRs by changing their molecular conformation. The findings establish robustprotocols for programming future liquid robots.

Cellulose Nanostructures as Tunable Substrates for Nanocellulose-Metal Hybrid Flexible Composites.

Nanocomposite represents the backbone of many industrial fabrication applications and exerts a substantial social impact. Among these composites, metal nanostructures are often employed as the active constituents, thanks to their various chemical and physical properties, which offer the ability to tune the application scenarios in thermal management, energy storage, and biostable materials, respectively. Nanocellulose, as an emerging polymer substrate, possesses unique properties of abundance, mechanical flexibility, environmental friendliness, and biocompatibility. Based on the combination of flexible nanocellulose with specific metal fillers, the essential parameters involving mechanical strength, flexibility, anisotropic thermal resistance, and conductivity can be enhanced. Nowadays, the approach has found extensive applications in thermal management, energy storage, biostable electronic materials, and piezoelectric devices. Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly correlate cellulose nanocomposites' properties with different metallic fillers. This review summarizes the extraction of nanocellulose and preparation of metal modified cellulose nanocomposites, including their wide and particular applications in modern advanced devices. Moreover, we also discuss the challenges in the synthesis, the emerging designs, and unique structures, promising directions for future research. We wish this review can give a valuable overview of the unique combination and inspire the research directions of the multifunctional nanocomposites using proper cellulose and metallic fillers.

Effect of low-temperature annealing on electric resistivity and mechanical anisotropy of Al-Si binary alloy fabricated by laser-powder bed fusion

Al-12mass%Si binary alloy was fabricated by laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF). The effect of low temperature annealing (LTA) less than 573 K on electrical and mechanical properties, microstructure, and residual stress of L-PBF Al-12mass%Si was investigated. Due to LTA, electrical resistivity at 77 K and 293 K changed from 34 nΩm down to 10 nΩm and from 68 nΩm down to 45 nΩm, respectively. The lattice constant of α-Al phase increased around 0.0005 nm by LTA according to X-ray diffraction. The change was associated with the decrease in the concentration of solid-solution Si of around 3.4 mass% by electrical resistivity measurement and 3 mass% by X-ray diffraction, when the annealing temperature was 473 K. Whereas, Vickers hardness increases around 145 HV compared with that for the as-built value of 141 HV, and then, decreases down to 126 HV and saturates. TEM/EDS observations confirmed the precipitation of fine Si within the α-Al phase. The decrease in annealing temperature increases the time to reach the Vickers hardness peak. 0.2% proof stress obtained by compression tests shows anisotropy, which can be attributed to the anisotropy on residual stress, which still exists after LTA.

The influence of anisotropy on the clinical target volume of brain tumor patients

Objective. Current radiotherapy guidelines for glioma target volume definition recommend a uniform margin expansion from the gross tumor volume (GTV) to the clinical target volume (CTV), assuming uniform infiltration in the invaded brain tissue. However, glioma cells migrate preferentially along white matter tracts, suggesting that white matter directionality should be considered in an anisotropic CTV expansion. We investigate two models of anisotropic CTV expansion and evaluate their clinical feasibility. Approach. To incorporate white matter directionality into the CTV, a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) atlas is used. The DTI atlas consists of water diffusion tensors that are first spatially transformed into local tumor resistance tensors, also known as metric tensors, and secondly fed to a CTV expansion algorithm to generate anisotropic CTVs. Two models of spatial transformation are considered in the first step. The first model assumes that tumor cells experience reduced resistance parallel to the white matter fibers. The second model assumes that the anisotropy of tumor cell resistance is proportional to the anisotropy observed in DTI, with an ‘anisotropy weighting parameter’ controlling the proportionality. The models are evaluated in a cohort of ten brain tumor patients. Main results. To evaluate the sensitivity of the model, a library of model-generated CTVs was computed by varying the resistance and anisotropy parameters. Our results indicate that the resistance coefficient had the most significant effect on the global shape of the CTV expansion by redistributing the target volume from potentially less involved gray matter to white matter tissue. In addition, the anisotropy weighting parameter proved useful in locally increasing CTV expansion in regions characterized by strong tissue directionality, such as near the corpus callosum. Significance. By incorporating anisotropy into the CTV expansion, this study is a step toward an interactive CTV definition that can assist physicians in incorporating neuroanatomy into a clinically optimized CTV.

Exploring the role of fabric anisotropy in cyclic liquefaction resistance under non-hydrostatic consolidation: Insights from DEM analysis

This study investigates the cyclic liquefaction resistance of granular materials under non-hydrostatic consolidation using 3D discrete element method (DEM) simulations. The study specifically examines how various sample preparation techniques affect the cyclic liquefaction resistance of polydisperse spherical particle samples with a Kc value of 0.5, where Kc represents the ratio of initial horizontal to vertical normal stresses. The results reveal that the choice of sample preparation technique significantly affects the cyclic liquefaction resistance of the samples. Furthermore, this study explores the inherent fabric of the samples using coordination number and contact-normal fabric anisotropy, and demonstrates that it plays a critical role in controlling the cyclic liquefaction resistance of granular materials under nonhydrostatic consolidation. The study emphasizes the significance of considering the inherent fabric in understanding the behavior of granular materials under non-hydrostatic consolidation. This can inform the design of experiments and the development of constitutive models to explore the interplay between sample preparation techniques, fabric anisotropy, and cyclic liquefaction resistance.

Efficient fabrication of bioinspired soft, ridged-slippery surfaces with large-range anisotropic wettability for droplet manipulation.

The droplet lossless directional motion control on slippery surfaces holds immense promise for applications in microfluidic chips, hazardous substance detection, chemical dispensing, etc. However, a significant challenge in this domain lies in efficiently developing soft, slippery surfaces with large-range anisotropic wettability and compatibility for curved scenarios. This study addressed this challenge through a quick 3D printing-assisted method to produce soft, ridged-slippery surfaces (SRSSs) as the droplet manipulation platform. The SRSSs demonstrated substantial anisotropic rolling resistances, measuring 116.9 μN in the perpendicular direction and 7.7 μN in the parallel direction, exhibiting a ratio of 15.2. Combining several extents of anisotropic wettability on a soft substrate could realize diverse reagent manipulation functions. Furthermore, these SRSSs showcased high compatibility with various droplet constituents, impressive liquid impact resistance, self-repair capability, and mechanical durability and thermal durability, ensuring exceptional applicability. As proofs of concept, the SRSSs were successfully applied in droplet control and classification for heavy metal ion detection, mechanical arm-based droplet grab and release, and cross-species transport, showcasing their remarkable versatility, compatibility, and practicality in advanced droplet microfluidic chips and water harvesting applications.

High-field magnetoresistance measurements on Ni75Co25 and Ni40Co60 alloys at 3 K and 300 K

In the present work, a detailed field dependence of the resistivity of Ni75Co25 and Ni40Co60 bulk alloys was measured at T = 3 K and 300 K up to high magnetic fields. The focus of the study was to determine the anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) and to get a quantitative description of the field-induced resistivity change, the latter not yet being available for Ni-Co alloys. The AMR parameters were derived from the resistivity data in the magnetically saturated (monodomain) state by using the Kohler analysis. The values of the AMR ratio were found to be close to the relevant previous data both at low and high temperatures. Due to the measurement precision and careful data evaluation, our AMR data obtained on well-characterized samples can be considered as reference values for the bulk state of the investigated compositions. In addition, also the resistivity anisotropy splitting was determined. The experimentally found field dependence of the resistivity at both T = 3 K and 300 K turned out to be at variance with the current theoretical descriptions both for the resistivity increase due to the ordinary magnetoresistance effect being significant at T = 3 K and for the resistivity decrease due to the magnon suppression process at T = 300 K, invoking for a refinement of theory in both cases.

Phase-field modeling of anisotropic crack propagation based on higher-order nonlocal operator theory

This paper presents a novel higher-order nonlocal operator theory for the phase-field modeling of brittle fracture in anisotropic materials. Incorporating higher order nonlocal operators can enhance the accuracy of the phase-field model by effectively capturing long-range interactions that hold significance in numerous materials. The reproducing kernel particle method is employed to derive a nonlocal differential operator to enhance computational stability and accuracy. Moreover, the proposed method eliminates the need for direct computation of derivatives of the modified kernel function, which avoids the calculation of moment matrix derivatives and improves computational efficiency. The phase-field modeling of polycrystalline materials, considering the anisotropic fracture resistance of each grain, is implemented using this numerical framework. The present method is able to capture different scenarios intergranular and transgranular crack propagation patterns in polycrystalline materials. The proposed method involves a detailed representation of the complex process of crack initiation and propagation in 2D and 3D models of polycrystalline materials.

Deep structural controls on the distribution of carbonate reservoirs and overburden heterogeneity in Central Luconia province, offshore Borneo revealed by 3D anisotropic inversion of regional controlled-source electromagnetic and magnetotelluric profile data

Understanding the deep structural controls on reservoir distribution and overburden heterogeneity is important for near-field exploration and green-field development of the Miocene to Holocene carbonate buildups in Central Luconia province in offshore northwest Borneo, Malaysia. Data from 59 stations along an approximately 180 km long controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) and magnetotelluric (MT) survey line with three segments recorded using different CSEM transmitter-towing directions were available. We applied three-dimensional (3D) anisotropic resistivity inversion with cross-gradient constraint and verified the resulting models using resistivity logs from nearby wells and the acoustic basement interpreted from seismic data. Our anisotropic resistivity models reveal a fragmented carbonate-rich zone atop a segmented basement comprising electrically resistive horsts coinciding with the northerly Mega-platform, Central and Southern Field Highs, separated by steep conductive zones coinciding with the West, East, and Southeast Troughs previously interpreted from seismic data. The structural highs correlate with the spatial distribution of the known carbonate buildups implying a genetic link. The carbonate bodies are overlain and underlain by persistent layers (C2 and C3) of low resistivity and high anisotropy, which we interpret as indicating compressional deformation or detachment zones. Overburden layer C2 (whose base coincides with the top of a key sedimentary package, Cycle V in seismic data) is thinnest over the East Trough and is discontinuous at the eastern margin of the West Trough, which are locations where drilled wells did not find hydrocarbons implying that the seal rocks are inefficient or breached at those localities. We used these observations to refine the existing seismic-based interpretation of carbonate play-types along our transect indicating how 3D joint CSEM-MT imaging can potentially contribute to derisking or optimizing future exploration and/or development work in this province.

Ca-Co co-doped strontium ferrite ceramic with tunable magnetic properties for enhanced microwave absorbing application

M-type strontium ferrite (SrFe12O19), due to its excellent thermal stability, corrosion resistance, resistivity, curie temperature, and magnetic anisotropy, should be an ideal candidate for designing microwave absorbers, and the only obstacle is its unsatisfied magnetic properties. Herein, we proposed a co-doping strategy to tune the magnetic properties of SrFe12O19, namely Ca-Co co-substituted SrFe12O19 (CaxSr1-xFe12-xCoxO19; x ≤ 0.4), which is fabricated via a solid phase sintering process. By changing the co-doping ratio (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4), the magnetic properties were well regulated, including saturation magnetization (41.70∼57.92 emu⋅g − 1), coercivity (156.507∼291.747 Oe), and magneto-anisotropy constant (1.476∼2.409×106 erg/cm3). As initially expected, the CaxSr1-xFe12-xCoxO19 (x = 0.) ceramic show good microwave absorbing performance, for example, an optimal reflection loss of −21.3 dB and an effective absorbing bandwidth of 4.8 GHz at a sample thickness of 2 mm was achieved. Such results demonstrate the validity of the co-doping strategy in designing microwave absorbers with high performance based on M-type ferrite.

Protostellar discs fed by dense collapsing gravomagneto sheetlets

ABSTRACT Stars form from the gravitational collapse of turbulent, magnetized molecular cloud cores. Our non-ideal MHD simulations reveal that the intrinsically anisotropic magnetic resistance to gravity during the core collapse naturally generates dense gravomagneto sheetlets within inner protostellar envelopes – disrupted versions of classical sheet-like pseudo-discs. They are embedded in a magnetically dominant background, where less dense materials flow along the local magnetic field lines and accumulate in the dense sheetlets. The sheetlets, which feed the disc predominantly through its upper and lower surfaces, are the primary channels for mass and angular momentum transfer from the envelope to the disc. The protostellar disc inherits a small fraction (up to 10 per cent) of the magnetic flux from the envelope, resulting in a disc-averaged net vertical field strength of 1–10 mG and a somewhat stronger toroidal field, potentially detectable through ALMA Zeeman observations. The inherited magnetic field from the envelope plays a dominant role in disc angular momentum evolution, enabling the formation of gravitationally stable discs in cases where the disc field is relatively well-coupled to the gas. Its influence remains significant even in marginally gravitationally unstable discs formed in the more magnetically diffusive cases, removing angular momentum at a rate comparable to or greater than that caused by spiral arms. The magnetically driven disc evolution is consistent with the apparent scarcity of prominent spirals capable of driving rapid accretion in deeply embedded protostellar discs. The dense gravomagneto sheetlets observed in our simulations may correspond to the ‘accretion streamers’ increasingly detected around protostars.

Anisotropic magneto-resistivity and magnetocaloric effect in DyAl2

In this study, we experimentally and theoretically investigate the correlation between the anisotropic magnetic resistivity and magnetocaloric effect in DyAl2 single crystals. DyAl2 crystallizes in the C15 Laves phase structure with cubic symmetry. While some earlier studies revealed that the isothermal entropy change in dialuminides follows a similar trend as the electrical resistivity change as a function of temperature and magnetic field, the correlation between anisotropic behavior of these two physical parameters is yet to be explored to the best of our knowledge. To address this gap, we measured electrical resistivity of DyAl2 single crystals along two different directions in zero and applied magnetic fields and compared the experimental results with our theoretical model. For the theoretical analysis, we employed a model Hamiltonian in the mean-field approximation, considering the exchange interaction, Zeeman effect, and crystalline electric field associated with the cubic symmetry. Our findings reveal a significant dependence of DyAl2 resistivity on the direction of the applied magnetic field, in agreement with our theoretical results. These outcomes emphasize the interplay between magnetocaloric effect and magneto-resistivity, underscoring the potential of the magnetocaloric effect as a valuable tool for gaining deeper insights into basic physical properties including electron transport behavior.

Microstructure-induced anisotropic tribological properties of Sc-Zr modified Al–Mg alloy (Scalmalloy®) produced via laser powder bed fusion process

AbstractIn this study, the correlation between the microstructure and tribological performance of Sc and Zr-modified Al–Mg alloy (Scalmalloy®) samples produced via laser powder bed fusion process was evaluated via a dry sliding Pin-on-Disc wear test under different planes, directions, and various normal applied loads. The results revealed a remarkable dependency of wear properties on the as-built microstructure so that different behaviors were observed along the scanning and building planes. The microstructural examination indicated the presence of bi-modal grains and finely shaped equiaxed grains observed in the building and scanning planes, respectively. Increasing the applied loads from 20 to 40 N led to a significant increase in the coefficient of friction (COF) while increasing the load from 40 to 60 N, slightly decreasing the COF for the studied samples. No dependency was found between the COF and the corresponding microstructure at the highest applied load. The anisotropic wear resistance and COF values were predominant at the lowest applied load. Due to tailored as-built microstructural features and different microhardness values, lower wear rates were noticed along the scanning plane for all applied loads. Under the 20 N applied load, however, the worn surface of the scanning plane showed a clearer and smoother surface compared to the building plane surfaces. Ultra-fine equiaxed grains along the scanning plane and columnar grains along the building plane were determined as the main factors creating anisotropic tribological behavior. The outcomes of this study can pave the way toward producing more wear-resistant surfaces and developing components for critical wear applications in as-built conditions with no need for expensive and time-consuming surface treatments.

Comparative 3D inversion of magnetotelluric phase tensors and impedances reveals electrically anisotropic base of Gawler Craton, South Australia

Isotropic three-dimensional (3-D) inversion has become a standard tool in the interpretation of magnetotelluric (MT) data. 3-D anisotropic inversion codes are under development, yet the number of unknowns increases by a factor of 6 rendering the problem extremely ill-posed. The presence of anisotropy is usually inferred from (i) spurious sequences of conductive and resistive bodies or (ii) comparison with two-dimensional anisotropic modelling approaches. Here, we investigate the 3-D structure of the Gawler Craton down to ∼250 km depth using 282 sites of the AusLAMP array located in the southern half of South Australia. Inversions of the MT impedance as phase tensors and real and imaginary parts result in diverging structures at depths > 70 km. We demonstrate that a unifying model that explains all data types similarly well is suggestive of an anisotropic resistivity structure at the base of the Gawler Craton lithosphere at depths of 120–210 km. Depth location and orientation of the anisotropy agree well with results from the analysis of seismic receiver functions. We suggest that electric anisotropy in the Gawler Craton is a result of lattice-preferred orientation of olivine crystals and metasomatic processes with macroscopic preferential orientation. Our results illustrate that inversion of phase tensor data is superior for the direct imaging of anisotropic resistivity contrasts in otherwise isotropic resistivity models; inversion models obtained with impedances may miss such structures. “Comparable” overall RMS misfits are often meaningless when comparing inversion results for various data types since sensitivities differ between data types. Reliable inversion results consistent with the entire data set can only be recovered if data fits are assessed systematically for all data representations. We also discuss the influence of error settings for phase tensors on the inversion. Our study also revealed that, if persistent across large areas, (i) parallel orientation of phase tensor major axes, (ii) constantly high phase tensor maximum phases or (iii) diverging directions of phase tensor major axes and induction arrows are suggestive of anisotropic structures and corresponding hypotheses should be evaluated.

Thermodynamic and magnetotransport properties of EuAg2Ge2 single crystals

Here, we report the crystallographic, thermodynamic, and magnetotransport properties of flux grown EuAg2Ge2 single crystals using X-ray diffraction, anisotropic magnetic susceptibility, and magnetization, heat capacity, electrical resistivity, and magnetoresistance measurements. The room temperature powder X-ray diffraction pattern confirms that EuAg2Ge2 crystallizes in a body-centered tetragonal ThCr2Si2–type structure (space group I4/mmm) with lattice parameters, a = 4.401 Å and c = 10.845 Å. The magnetic susceptibility data reveal two subsequent antiferromagnetic transitions at TN1 ∼ 8.3 K, and TN2 ∼ 6.2 K. For H‖c at T = 5 K, the magnetization data show the spin-flop like metamagnetic transition around the critical field of 1.4 T. The existence of antiferromagnetic transitions is further confirmed by the heat capacity measurements, which display two anomalies around TN1 = 8.3 K and TN2 = 6.1 K. The electrical resistivity data show the metallic behavior of the compound, which is best described by the Bloch-Grüneisen model above 30 K. At low temperatures, the antiferromagnetic transition manifests through a slight upturn around 8 K, followed by a sharp drop in the resistivity data. The transverse magnetoresistance (MR) measured for H‖c below TN first increases, showing a broad maximum at critical field strength that shifts towards lower fields with increasing temperature. With further increasing fields beyond the maximum, MR decreases, and changes its value from positive to negative. The evolution of MR from positive to negative could be associated with the metamagnetic transition in EuAg2Ge2. In the paramagnetic region, MR remains negative across the entire field range.

Электросопротивление и оптическая проводимость монокристалла антиферромагнитного топологического изолятора MnBi2Te4

The anisotropy of the electrical resistivity and optical properties of the antiferromagnetic topological insulator MnBi2Te4 single crystal has been studied. It is shown that the electrical resistivity of MnBi2Te4 measured perpendicular to the (00l) plane is an order of magnitude higher than the resistivity measured in this plane. The behavior of optical conductivity is qualitatively similar for the cases when light is directed at the surface (00l) and at a surface perpendicular to the plane (00l). It has been shown that the optical spectrum of MnBi2Te4 is formed predominantly by interband transitions of charge carriers.