Microscopic evidence for Mn-induced long range magnetic ordering in MAX phase compounds.

Zero and low field nuclear magnetic resonance measurements have been performed on MAX phase samples (Cr1-x Mn x )2AC with A = Ge and Ga in order to obtain local microscopic information on the nature of magnetism in this system. Our results unambiguously provide evidence for the existence of long-range magnetic order in (Cr0.96Mn0.04)2GeC and for (Cr0.93Mn0.07)2GaC, but not for (Cr0.97Mn0.03)2GaC. We point to a possible dependence of long range magnetic order in these MAX phase compounds on the A atom.

Observation of magnetic flux generated spontaneously during a rapid quench of superconducting films.

We report observations of spontaneous formation of magnetic flux lines during a rapid quench of YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7-delta) films through T(c). This effect is predicted according to the Kibble-Zurek mechanism of creation of topological defects of the order parameter during a symmetry-breaking phase transition. Our previous experiment, at a quench rate of 20 K/s, gave null results. In the present experiment, the quench rate was increased to >10(8) K/s. The amount of spontaneous flux increases weakly with the cooling rate.