In this work we report the synthesis of RuSr 2 GdCu 2 O 8 / La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 superconducting-magnetic composites with 50 vol.% of both RuSr 2 GdCu 2 O 8 and La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 compounds. Structural characterization was performed by X-ray diffraction, which permitted us to establish the absence of other crystallographic phases and the non-reactive character of the compounds into the composite. Scanning electron microscopy showed the sub-micrometric size of the grains. Energy dispersive X-ray experiments confirmed chemical stability between RuSr 2 GdCu 2 O 8 and La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 compounds in the composites. Resistivity measurements provided evidence of superconducting transition for the RuSr 2 GdCu 2 O 8 material, with T SC =39.2 K. Results of magnetization as a function of temperature corroborated the superconducting transition and showed the expected antiferromagnetic character of the Ru perovskite, with a Néel temperature T N =132.7 K. Systematic measurements of applied magnetic field up to 5 kOe were performed at these temperature regimes: T N < T < T C (with T C being the Curie temperature of the La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 compound); T SC < T < T N ; and T < T SC . Our results reveal the ferromagnetic character of the composites at the temperature regime T N < T < T C . The exchange bias effect was observed for weak applied fields (H < 1.5 kOe) at temperatures between T SC < T < T N . At the superconducting regime (T < T SC ) weaker exchange bias is observed for low magnetic fields (H < 1 kOe). For strong magnetic fields (H > 2 kOe) the ferromagnetic character of the system is recovered.
Tópico:
Magnetic and transport properties of perovskites and related materials