This thesis investigates a number of transition-metal coordination polymers and iron-pnictide superconductors through the use of high magnetic fields, low temperatures, and on occasion, high pressures. The thesis will begin by describing my development of the proximity detector dynamic susceptometer, a novel technique that can be used for magnetometery and transport measurements in high magnetic fields. This technique is highly compact and has no moving parts, making it suitable for use in pressure cells, hence opening the way for a variety of new experiments. Through high-field magnetometery and other measurements, I will demonstrate that the pressure can be used to directly control the magnetic properties of the polymeric magnet CuF₂(H₂O)₂(pyrazine). In particular, I observe a transition from quasi-two-dimensional to quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnetism at 9~kbar, driven by the rotation of the Jahn-Teller axis. I will then present a series of measurements on two coordination polymers, showing how a small chemical difference can lead to drastically different magnetic properties. I show that [Cu(pyrazine)H₂O(glycine)₂]ClO₄ is an excellent spin-chain, while the sister compound [Cu(pyrazine)(glycine)]ClO₄ is a dimerised material that shows a spin-gap and is disordered down to very low temperatures, but then undergoes a field-induced phase transition to an ordered phase. I will also describe a series of pulsed-field measurements of the upper critical field of the iron-based superconductors NaFe_1-xCo_xAs across the whole of the doping phase diagram. It is shown that paramagnetic pair-breaking effects dominate the critical field when the field is parallel to the crystal planes. In the parent compound the paramagnetic limit is equal to that expected from BCS theory, but becomes significantly enhanced above the BCS limit upon doping. It is shown that the multi-band nature of the superconductivity leads to a convex curvature in the evolution of the critical field as the temperature is reduced.

No description available.

Thesis (PhD (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Certain types of electric machines are particularly susceptible to the proliferation of eddy currents flowing within the solid conducting regions in the rotor. Single-layer, non-overlapping windings within uneven open slots are some stator properties that can produce damaging, asynchronous magnetic field harmonics which manifest in the rotor as eddy currents. The ohmic losses caused by these eddy currents are a source of inefficiency and can cause a marked increase in the temperature of the rotor. This temperature rise can be dangerous for the magnets, which have to be kept within temperature limits to avoid partial or full demagnetization. The research work presented here is concerned with reducing the effect of eddy currents in the rotor magnets and solid rotor yoke of an electric machine. The work presents analytical methods to calculate the magnetic fields, eddy currents and solid loss in an electric machine due to current in the winding and due to the interaction of the permeance variation in the stator with the magnets in the rotor. A method is also suggested where the analytical theory can be used with a magnetostatic finite element solution to produce a transient solid loss result. The research work also investigates a method for optimal segmentation in both level and penetration, and provides some design suggestions. The work presents the method of partial magnet segmentation, which is a technique whereby thin incisions are made into the magnet material from one or both sides. Another method of partial rotor segmentation is also presented where the incisions are made into a portion of the magnet-facing solid yoke. These methods attempt to interrupt the flow of eddy currents and increase the resistance ‘seen’ by the eddy currents, while also keeping construction difficulty and cost to a minimum. The methods are verified using finite element calculations which are compared to measured results. The result is that partial magnet segmentation is a very useful, effective and practical method of segmenting magnets. The loss reduction profile can be similar to that of traditional full segmentation. The method of partial rotor segmentation also shows a large reduction in rotor power loss. With implementation of these methods on a test machine, one can expect an efficiency increase of more than 4 % / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sekere tipes van elektriese masjiene is veral sensitief vir die vloei van werwelstrome in solied geleidende gebiede in die rotor. Enkellaag, nie-oorvleuelende wikkelings in oneweredige oop gleuwe is enkele stator eienskappe wat skadelike, asinchrone magneetveld harmonieke tot gevolg kan hê, wat as werwelstrome in die rotor manifesteer. Die ohmiese verliese wat deur hierdie werwelstrome teweeg gebring word is 'n bron van ondoeltreffendheid en kan lei tot 'n merkbare toename in die temperatuur van die rotor. Hierdie temperatuur styging hou gevaar in vir die magnete en moet binne temperatuur limiete gehou word om gedeeltlike of self volle demagnetisering te vermy. Die navorsing vervat in hierdie document is gemoeid met die vermindering van die effek van werwelstrome in die rotor magnete en in die soliede rotor juk van 'n elektriese masjien. Die werk bied analitiese metodes aan vir die berekening van die magneetvelde, werwelstrome en soliede verliese in ’n elektriese masjien as gevolg van strome in die wikkelings en die interaksie van die permeansie variasie van die stator met die magnete in die rotor. ’n Metode word ook voorgestel waar die analitiese teorie saam met ’n magnetostatiese eindige element oplossing gebruik word om ’n resultaat vir die oorgang soliede verliese te verkry. Die navorsingswerk ondersoek ook ’n metode vir die optimale segmentering in beide vlak sowel as penetrasie, en verskaf sekere ontwerp voorstelle. Die werk bied die metode aan van gedeeltelike magneet segmentering, wat 'n tegniek is waarvolgens dun insnydings gemaak word aan een of beide kante van die magneet materiaal. Nog ’n metode van gedeeltelike rotor segmentering word beskou waar die insnydings in in ’n gedeelte aan die magneetkant van die soliede rotor juk gemaak word. Hierdie metodes poog om die vloei van werwelstrome te onderbreek en die weerstand soos "gesien" deur die werwelstrome te verhoog, terwyl konstruksie kompleksiteit en koste tot ’n minimum beperk word. Die metodes word bevestig deur eindige element berekeninge wat met gemete resultate vergelyk word. Die gevolg is dat gedeeltelike magneet segmentering 'n baie nuttige, doeltreffende en praktiese metode van die segmentering van magnete is. Die verliesverminderingsprofiel van gedeeltelike segmentering kan soortgelyk wees aan dit van tradisionele volle segmentering. Die metode van gedeeltelike rotor segmentering toon ook 'n groot afname in rotor drywingsverlies. Met die implementering van hierdie metodes op ’n toetsmasjien, kan ’n mens ’n verhoging in benuttingsgraad verwag van meer as 4 %

Οι ολοένα αυξανόμενες ενεργειακές απαιτήσεις των σημερινών κοινωνιών και το γεγονός ότι οι ηλεκτρικές συσκευές και εξοπλισμός έχουν γίνει αναπόσπαστο κομμάτι της καθημερινότητάς μας, έχει οδηγήσει στην αναγωγή του ηλεκτρισμού σε κοινωνικό αγαθό. Παρόλα αυτά, η υπερβολική του χρήση έχει προκαλέσει έντονες ανησυχίες στο κοινό, όσον αφορά τα ηλεκτρομαγνητικά πεδία που εκπέμπονται λόγω του εναλλασσόμενου ρεύματος. Η παρούσα εργασία αποσκοπεί να ξεδιαλύνει το «θολό τοπίο» γύρω από τις επιδράσεις των χαμηλόσυχνων ηλεκτρομαγνητικών πεδίων (δηλαδή τα εκπεμπόμενα πεδία από τις εγκαταστάσεις ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας και τις ηλεκτρικές συσκευές) στην ανθρώπινη υγεία κι έτσι να συνεισφέρει ως ένα βαθμό στην άρση των ανησυχιών του κοινού και των επιπτώσεων που αυτές συνεπάγονται. Ειδικότερα, η εργασία μπορεί να συνοψιστεί ως εξής: Στο Κεφάλαιο 1 γίνεται μια θεωρητική αναφορά στις βασικές έννοιες της ηλεκτρομαγνητικής ακτινοβολίας. Προσδιορίζονται οι επιβλαβείς ακτινοβολίες για την υγεία καθώς επίσης και οι ιδιότητες των χαμηλόσυχνων ηλεκτρομαγνητικών πεδίων. Ακόμη, παρουσιάζονται οι κανονισμοί προστασίας και τα όρια έκθεσης σε ηλεκτρομαγνητικά πεδία, τόσο στην Ευρώπη, όσο και στην Ελλάδα. Στο Κεφάλαιο 2 παρουσιάζονται αναλυτικά οι διαφορετικές πηγές χαμηλόσυχνων ηλεκτρομαγνητικών πεδίων και γίνεται σύγκριση των πεδιακών εντάσεων στο περιβάλλον τους. Στο Κεφάλαιο 3 γίνεται λόγος για τη βιολογική επίδραση των ηλεκτρομαγνητικών πεδίων. Παρουσιάζονται οι επιδράσεις τους στην ανθρώπινη υγεία και οι δράσεις που λαμβάνουν χώρα τόσο για τη μελέτη αυτών των επιδράσεων, όσο και για την προστασία του κοινού. Στο Κεφάλαιο 4 γίνεται ανασκόπηση του προτύπου λήψης μετρήσεων που ακολουθήθηκε. Εξετάζεται το πρότυπο ΙΕC 61786 για μέτρηση χαμηλόσυχνων ηλεκτρομαγνητικών πεδίων και αναφέρονται κάποια χαρακτηριστικά του προτύπου EN 50413 για μέτρηση ηλεκτρομαγνητικών πεδίων όλων των συχνοτήτων. Στο Κεφάλαιο 5 περιγράφεται ο σκοπός και ο εξοπλισμός των μετρήσεων. Παρατίθενται τα αποτελέσματα των μετρήσεων συνοδευόμενα με διαγράμματα και σχόλια επί της μεταβολής της μαγνητικής επαγωγής στο περιβάλλον σχολικών συγκροτημάτων. Τέλος συνοψίζονται τα συμπεράσματα που εξάγονται με βάση όσα εξετάστηκαν στην παρούσα εργασία. Σύμφωνα με αυτά δεν πρέπει να υπάρχει κανένας λόγος ανησυχίας για την επίδραση των χαμηλόσυχνων ηλεκτρομαγνητικών πεδίων στην ανθρώπινη υγεία, καθώς τηρούνται όλοι οι κανονισμοί, οι οποίοι εμπεριέχουν μεγάλους συντελεστές ασφαλείας. / The ever-increasing energy demands of today's society and the fact that electrical appliances and equipment have become an integral part of our daily lives has led to the deduction of electricity into social good. However, its excessive use has caused great concern to the public, regarding to electromagnetic fields’ emissions because of the AC current. This essay aims to unravel the "misty area" around the effects of low frequency electromagnetic fields (i.e. fields emitted from power systems and electrical appliances) to human health and thus contribute to some extent to the disentanglement of public preoccupations and the consequences arising therefrom. In particular, this essay can be summarized as follows: In Chapter 1 there is a theoretical report in the basic concepts of electromagnetic radiation. Harmful radiation as well as the properties of low frequency electromagnetic fields is identified. Moreover, protection regulations and limits on exposure to electromagnetic fields are presented, both in Europe and in Greece. In Chapter 2 different sources of low frequency electromagnetic fields are presented and the fields’ intensities in their environment are compared. Chapter 3 talks about the biological effects of electromagnetic fields. It also presents the effects on human health and the actions that take place for the study of these effects, and for the public’s protection. Chapter 4 gives an overview of the pattern of taking measurements that was followed. The IEC 61786 standard for measuring low frequency electromagnetic fields is examined and some features of the standard EN 50413 for measuring electromagnetic fields of all frequencies are presented. Chapter 5 describes the measurements’ purpose and equipment. The measurements’ results are given, which are accompanied by charts and comments about the change of the magnetic induction around school buildings. Finally, the conclusions based on this essay’s data are summed up, according to which, there should be no reason for public concern about the effect of low frequency electromagnetic fields on human health, since compliance with all special regulations, which contain large safety factors, is being performed.

Flux is continually emerging on the Sun, making its way from the solar interior up into the atmosphere. Emergence occurs on small-scales in the quiet Sun where magnetic fragments emerge, interact and cancel and on large-scales in active regions where magnetic fields emerge and concentrate to form sunspots. This thesis has been concerned with the large-scale emergence process and in particular the results from previous solar flux emergence modelling endeavours. Modelling uses numerical methods to evolve a domain representing simplified layers of the Sun’s atmosphere, within which the subsurface layer contains magnetic flux. The flux is initialised such that it will rises towards the surface at the start of the simulation. Once the flux reaches the solar surface, it can only emerge into the atmosphere if a magnetic buoyancy instability occurs, after which it expands rapidly both vertically and horizontally. The aim of this thesis is to test the robustness of these general findings from simulations to date upon the seed magnetic field. More explicitly, we have used three-dimensional numerical simulations to investigate how variations in the subsurface magnetic field modify the emergence process and the resulting atmospheric field. We initially consider a simple constant twist flux tube for the seed field and vary the tube’s magnetic field strength and degree of twist. Additionally, we have examined the effects of using non-constant twist flux tubes as the seed field by choosing two different profiles for the twist that are functions of the tube’s radius. Finally, we have investigated the effects of increasing the complexity of the seed field by positioning two flux tubes below the solar surface and testing two different configurations for the tubes. In both cases, the magnetic fields of the two tubes are such that, once the tubes come into contact with each other, reconnection occurs and a combined flux system is formed. From our investigations, we conclude that the general emergence results given by previous simulations are robust. However, for constant twist tubes with low field strength and twist, the buoyancy instability fails to be launched when the tubes reach the photosphere and they remain trapped in the low atmosphere. Similarly, when the non-constant twist profile results in a low tension force throughout the tube, we find that the buoyancy instability is not initialised.

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This document consists of two very different projects but the common thread is in the interest of magnetic fields. It describes the effect of magnetic fields in two Interstellar Medium regions in the Galaxy. Electromagnetic force is one of the four fundamental forces in physics. It is not known where magnetic field has initially risen in the Universe, but what is certain is that it has significant effect in the dynamics of star formation and galaxy formation. The studies aim to better understand the effects of field in an active star forming region and in the halo of the Galaxy. We observed the HI 21 cm spectral line via the Zeeman effect in attempt to detect line-of-sight magnetic field strengths in both of the projects. For the star forming region project in Chapter 2, towards the Eagle Nebula, an upper limit of the field strength was determined. From the observational results, physical conditions of the region were modeled. For the second project in Chapter 3, we attempted to detect magnetic fields via Zeeman effect towards non galactic disk objects. All of the observed positions have radial velocities that cannot be explained by the simple galactic rotation. Hence, they are considered to be non galactic disk sources and often grouped as High Velocity Clouds. With a unique observational technique and analysis, we derived the best fit line-of-sight magnetic fields. A particular interest to us is the Smith Cloud. From the detection of magnetic field, we attempted to estimate the density of the ambient medium in the halo, which will be useful for studying the galaxy formation.

The interstellar medium (ISM) of our Galaxy, and of others, is pervaded by ultra low-density gas and dust, as well as magnetic fields. Embedded magnetic fields have been known to play an important role in the structure and dynamics of the ISM. However, the ability to accurately quantify these fields has plagued astronomers for many decades. Unfortunately, the experimental techniques for measuring the strength and direction of magnetic fields are few, and they are observationally challenging. The only direct method of measuring the magnetic field is through the Zeeman effect. The goal of this dissertation is to expand upon the current observational studies and understanding of the effects of interstellar magnetic fields across various regions of the Galaxy. Zeeman effect observations of magnetic fields in two dynamically diverse environments in the Milky Way are presented: (1) An OH and HI absorption line study of envelopes of molecular clouds distributed throughout the Galaxy, and (2) A study of OH absorption lines toward the Galactic center region in the vicinity of the supermassive black hole Sgr A*. We have executed the first systematic observational survey designed to determine the role of magnetic fields in the inter-core regions of molecular clouds. Observations of extragalactic continuum sources that lie along the line-of-sight passing through Galactic molecular clouds were studied using the Arecibo telescope. OH Zeeman effect observations were combined with estimates of column density to allow for computation of the mass-to-flux ratio, a measurement of the gravitational to magnetic energies within a cloud. We find that molecular clouds are slightly subcritical overall. However, individual measurements yield the first evidence for magnetically subcritical molecular gas. Jansky VLA observations of 18 cm OH absorption lines were used to determine the strength of the line-of-sight magnetic field in the Galactic center region. This study yields no clear detections of the magnetic field and results that differ from a similar study by Killeen, Lo, & Crutcher (1992). Our results suggest magnetic fields no more than a few microgauss in strength.

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No description available.