Local magnetism in superconducting YBa2Cu3O6+x

Oxygen-deficient YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x samples were investigated by the muon spin rotation technique in zero external field. In an intermediate oxygen concentration region we find strongly relaxing μSR signals indicating the existence of internal magnetic fields. The strongly relaxing signals were observed only in samples with superconducting transition temperatures below 50 K. As an interpretation of the data we suggest that magnetic ordering and superconductivity coexist in these samples within regions of extensions of a few lattice constants, but not necessarily on the same sites.     

Positive muon sites and possibility of anyons in the YBa2Cu3O x system

Possible positive muon sites in YBa₂Cu₃O _x were determined from the observedμ ⁺ hyperfine fields in antiferromagnetically ordered YBa₂Cu₃O _x and GdBa₂Cu₃O₇. After determining theμ ⁺ sites, the possibility of anyons or chiral spin ordering in the superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O₇ is discussed. Positive muon implanted in YBa₂Cu₃O₇ feel static magnetic fields of average 1.4G, which are explicable in terms of nuclear magnetic dipolar fields. Non observation of static local magnetic fields of electronic origin (the upper limit is the order of 0.1 G) means that anyons or chiral spin ordering might not exist in superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O₇.     

Features of the superconducting state and structural disorder in ultrafine particles of the HTSC YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>

We study the reasons for which the compound YBa₂Cu₃O _y begins to lose its superconducting ability with a decrease in particle sizes to values of ∼0.1 μm. Our analysis of the results of structural and magnetic studies has allowed us to reveal changes in the parameters of the crystal structure and of the superconducting state in small particles of an HTSC and to show that the main cause of these changes is a special kind of a structural disorder peculiar only to small particles of YBa₂Cu₃O _y and is realized as a consequence of the need for nonequilibrium conditions during their synthesis.     

Antiferromagnetic order in PrBa2Cu3O x (x≈6, 7)

Zero and weak transverse fieldμ ⁺ SR measurements on PrBa₂Cu₃O _x samples withx≈6 andx≈7 show ordered magnetism in both oxygen concentration limits. As expected for equivalent doping (nominally PrBa₂Cu₃O _x ∼YBa₂Cu₃O _x −0.5), neither sample is superconducting. Two muon signals are observed in thex≈6 sample, as in YBa₂Cu₃O₆, but only one (the weaker) has the same local magnetic field as in YBa₂Cu₃O₆. In thex≈7 sample, only one site is observed; its local field is reduced with respect to that of the primary site in YBa₂Cu₃O₆ by a factor roughly consistent with the carrier-density dependence of the Cu ion moment in antiferromagnetic YBa₂Cu₃O _x .     

Comparative analysis of the effect of La and Co on the superconductivity and energyband spectrum of YBa2Cu3Oy for different oxygen contents

Temperature dependences of the resistivity and Seebeck coefficient of Y(Ba_1−x La_x)₂Cu₃O_y and YBa₂Cu_3−x Co_xO_y samples (x=0–0.25) have been measured under maximum sample saturation with oxygen, as well as following their anneal in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere. The T _c (x) dependences for as-prepared samples were found to pass through a maximum at x=0.05, which persists after annealing for Y(Ba_1−xLa_x)₂Cu₃O_y and disappears for YBa₂Cu_3−x Co_xO_y. A phenomenological model of the band spectrum in normal phase has been used to determine the parameters of the conduction band and of the carrier system, and to analyze their variation with the dopant type and content, as well as with annealing. Despite the differences observed in the T _c (x) dependence, the critical temperatures for all the sample series studied were found to correlate with the conduction-band effective width. The mechanism of the effect of impurities on the band-structure parameters and the reasons for the different influence of annealing on the properties of Y(Ba_1−x La_x)₂Cu₃O_y and YBa₂Cu_3−x Co_xO_y are discussed. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 389–394 (March 1997)     

μ+SR studies on superconducting YBa2(Cu1−xFex)3Oy system

Spin-glass like magnetic ordering of iron moments was observed in both orthorhombic and tetragonal YBa₂(Cu_1−xFe_x)₃O_y (x=0.08) by μ⁺SR measurements. In a “Tetra” sample, all the muons sense the superconducting transition at 60 K and magnetic ordering at around 15 K, while in an “Ortho” sample they reveal that two magnetically different parts exist in the sample: about 40% of the sample is superconducting withT _c ≈90K and the remaining part is magnetic withT _M≈33K. These phenomena can be explained in terms of clustering of the Fe atoms in the “Ortho” sample.     

Disordering effects in the atomic structure of fine-crystalline HTSC YBa2Cu3O y

The atomic structure of YBa₂Cu₃O _y fine-crystalline HTSC samples with various average crystallite sizes ??D?? ranging from 0.4 to 2 ??m and an oxygen concentration y close to the optimal value for superconductivity (y ?? 6.93) is investigated by the neutron diffraction technique. We have found some effects associated with the redistribution of cations and oxygen atoms and with variations in the positions of atomic layers in the unit cell, which are not observed in macrocrystalline samples. In all probability, these effects appear due to nonequilibrium conditions of synthesis required for obtaining this compound in the fine-crystalline state. The results have made it possible to explain the peculiar physical properties of fine-crystalline YBa₂Cu₃O _y samples (in particular, the coexistence of high superconducting transition temperatures T _c and noticeably lower values of magnetization in strong magnetic fields for T < T _c ). It is shown that a nanoscale structural inhomogeneity exists in fine-crystalline YBa₂Cu₃O _y samples with the optimal oxygen content and changes the fundamental superconducting parameters, viz., the magnetic field penetration depth and the coherence length.     

Suppression of hole doping in fine-grained HTSC YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> due to structural disordering

It was proven experimentally that the structural disordering inherent to fine-grained high-temper- ature YBa₂Cu₃O _y superconductors (with an average grain size of 〈D〉 < 2 μm) leads to a reduction of the level of hole doping and the creation of features inherent to the pseudogap state (antiferromagnetic correlations and the lowered density of states at the Fermi level) even in samples with optimum oxygen content y ≈ 6.92.     

A comparative study of magnetic relaxation in YBa2Cu3−x Fe x O7−y single crystals

The zero-field-cooled magnetization relaxation has been studied over wide temperature and field ranges on iron-doped YBa₂Cu₃O_7–y single crystals. The relationship between the twin boundary density, which depends on the iron composition, and the pinning strength of the flux lines is determined systematically. For magnetic fields up to 1 T the inductive critical current density decreases as the iron composition increases. The Bean critical state model and the Anderson-Kim thermally activated flux-creep model are utilized to analyze and interpret the experimental results.     

The superconducting properties of YBa2(Cu1−xMx)3O7 for M=Zn and Ni

Transverse and zero-field μSR measurements were made on YBa₂(Cu_1−xNi_x)₃O_7−y withx=0.1 and 0.2, and YBa₂(Cu_1−x Zn _x )₃O_7−y withx=0.03, 0.06, 0.1, and 0.16, wherey≈0.1. Since doping may lead to magnetic ordering this was searched for with both zero and transverse field μSR, but no evidence was found over the temperature range studied: 10–100 K. However, depolarization rates as functions of temperature were obtained, and the low temperature values of these are σ=3.2 μs⁻¹.1.6μs⁻¹, and 1 μs⁻¹ forx=0.01, and 0.2 Ni, respectively, and σ=0.8 μs⁻¹, 0.75 μs⁻¹, 0.65 μs⁻¹, and 0.4 μs⁻¹ forx=0.03, 0.06, 0.1, and 0.16 Zn, respectively. Estimates for the effect of decreasing electron concentration for Zn are made, but these alone do not account for the drop in σ. Estimates for the effect of scattering on λ and hence σ are made. The reduction in σ for Ni dopant is in surprisingly good agreement with these estimates. For Zn the order of magnitude is correct, but the relative lack of further change in σ after the effect of the first 0.03 addition seems to imply a saturation of the effect of scattering.     

Magnetic ordering of Fe atoms in YBa2(Cu1−x Fe x )3O3 in superand semiconducting states

Magnetic behavior of Fe atoms in YBa₂(Cu_1−x Fe _x )₃O _y system in superconducting (SC) and non-SC states is studied. In SC region one magnetic ordering point T_m1 is observed for all Fe atoms in Cu1 sites: T_m1=10 K and 16 K for x=0.05 and x=0.10, respectively. In the non-SC state for x=0.05 Cu1 and Cu2 sublattices are magnetically independent and two magnetic ordering points are found: T_m1=20 K and T_m2=405K. For x=0.10 a strong magnetic interaction between Cu1 and Cu2 sublattices appears and only one ordering point T_m2=435 K is observed.     

Investigation of superconductivity and magnetism in ceramic YBa2Cu3O6+x

In this work the magnetic and superconducting properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x , ceramic samples are studied with regard to there preparations technology and oxygen content. It is shown that at 0.41≤x≤0.45 the magnetic and superconducting states coexist.     

Superconductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and band structure transformation in Y1−x CaxBa2Cu3−x CoxOy (x=0–0.3)

The temperature dependences of the resistivity and of the Seebeck coefficient S is studied in three series of Y_1−x Ca_xBa₂Cu_3−x Co_xO_y samples (x=0–0.3) differing in oxygen content. It was found that the critical temperature decreases for y≈7.0, and S(T=300 K) increases with doping, whereas oxygen deficiency results in a nonmonotonic variation of these quantities with increasing x. The band structure parameters have been determined from an analysis of the S(T) relations using a phenomenological theory of electron transport. It was found that an increase in x results in a gradual increase in band asymmetry, which is caused by calcium-induced creation of additional states in the band responsible for conduction in the normal phase. An analysis has shown that high impurity concentrations in oxygen-deficient Y_1−x Ca_xBa₂Cu_3−x Co_xO_y samples bring about an additional ordering of the structure, which may be caused by formation of a cobalt superlattice. It has also been shown that, in the case of Ca and Co codoping, the dependence of critical temperature on effective conduction-band width coincides with the universal correlation relation observed in the YBa₂Cu₃O_y system with single substitutions in various lattice sites. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 1363–1371 (August 1999)     

Controllable generation of harmonics by means of YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> superconductors

The nonlinear magnetic properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 − x} high-temperature superconducting polycrystals are investigated. Using the results of investigations as a basis, a method for controlling the amplitudes of generated magnetization harmonics is worked out and a controllable harmonic generator is devised. The amplitudes of the harmonics are controlled by means of a permanent magnetic field or current. The use of YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 − x} polycrystals makes it possible to produce a spectrum with offering a large number of higher harmonics. An YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 − x} -based device has a wide dynamic range; its design is simple and reliable in a wide interval of the amplitudes of an input signal.     

Geometry effect on the nonlinear magnetic response of YBa2Cu3O7−y

Results are presented for study of nonlinear magnetization of a sintered YBa₂Cu₃O_7−y pellet of different thickness of a sample subjected to very low magnetic field. On cooling the sample belowT _c in zero field a change, in the oscillatory structure of harmonics in increasing dc field is observed in very low ac magnetic field. The effect of finiteness of the sample on the oscillatory structure and on the hysteresis of harmonics is also studied. The results are explained qualitatively.     

Interpretation of neutron scattering and μSR data on paramagnetic Gd in terms of magnetic clusters and coherent dissipative structures

Fullyc-axis oriented thin films of YBa₂(Cu_1−x ⁵⁷Fe _x )₃O_7−y were studied by varying the Fe- and O-content and the substrate. For the two substrates MgO and SrTiO₃ no difference in the CEMS spectra was observed. Measurements for differentx andy values and their comparison with results from powder samples proved that the solubility of iron is the same in the films and powders. The substitution of Cu(2) by Fe in the films is the highest ever reported. The CEMS spectrum of a reduced film shows that the direction of the magnetic hyperfine field for doubletC is perpendicular to thec-axis.     

Transport studies of YBa2Cu3Oy/YxPr1−xBa2Cu3Oy and YBa2Cu3Oy/R0.7M0–3MnO3 superlattices,in which R=La or Nd,and M=Ca or Sr

We report the transport studies of YBa₂Cu₃O_y/Y_xPr_1−xBa₂Cu₃O_y and YBa₂Cu₃Oy/R_1−xM_xMnO₃ superlattices in magnetic fields in which R=La or Nd, and M=Ca or Sr. The X-ray diffraction of samples shows superlattice structure. The resistive transition in a magnetic field shows thermal activated behavior. The flux pinning is reduced when the coupling strength between YBCO layers is decreased. The angular dependence of the critical current of YBa₂Cu₃O_y/PrBa₂Cu₃O_y superlattices reveals the dimensionality of superlattices. The magnetoresistance ratio (MR), |Δρ(H=7 T)−Δρ(H=0)|/Δρ(H=7 T), of YBa₂Cu₃O_y/R_1−xM_xMnO₃ superlattices is affected by the layer coupling of R_1−xM_xMnO₃ layers. The enhancement of the MR ratio in the tri-layer YBa₂Cu₃O_y/La_0.7M_0.3MnO₃/YBa₂Cu₃O_y film in the low temperature regime is significant and has a value of 33650% at T=75 K. We attribute this enhancement of the MR to the ordering of magnetic moment in ferromagnetic layers in magnetic fields. The results are discussed in terms of existing theories.     

Magnetism and candidate muon-probe sites in RBa2Cu3O y

Key results of zero-field (ZF) and transverse-field (TF) muon-spin-relaxation (μSR) experiments on superconducting and insulating RBa₂Cu₃O _y (R123 _y , with R=Eu, Gd, Pr and Pr/Y:y=6, 7) are examined. The chemical behavior of the positive muon probe is addressed, and muon-oxygen bonding is shown to occur in all these cuprates. To explain magnetic fields at muon-probe sites in Pr _x Y_1−x Ba₂Cu₃O _y (0<=x<0.5,y=7 andx=0,y=6) samples, improvements on the reported magnetic structures from neutron diffraction are necessary. Cu magnetism in Pr123y (y=6,7) is observed belowT _N1, which is near RT. The magnetism seen belowT _N2 can be interpreted assuming an additional ordering in the Cutt-O chain layers. Alternatively, Pr ordering is also considered as the cause of the second phase transition. Considering the specific muon-probe location, a more detailed interpretation can be provided for the μSR parameters, measured in the normal and mixed states of these unconventional superconductors.     

Spin triplet pairing in high temperature superconductors

Various superconductivity mechanisms show that the electron pair is in spin singlet (S=0) belowTc. In contrast with these, our EPR measurements show that the electron pair is in spin triplet (S=1) rather than the spin singlet. Since an intense zero field absorption was observed in the high temperature superconductors of YBa₂Cu₃O_7–y , and YBa₂Cu₃O_7–y F₁, which violated various spin-pairing singlet superconductivity mechanisms.     

The behavior of thermopower in the YBa2−x LaxCu3Oy system. Correlation between the band parameters in normal state and critical temperature

The thermopower in the YBa_2−x La_xCu₃O_y system (x=0–0.5) has been studied. An analysis made in terms of the narrow-band model revealed trends in the variation of the main band parameters with increasing lanthanum concentration. The dependence of the conduction band width on lanthanum concentration was found to pass through a weak minimum at x=0.05–0.1, which correlates in position with the maximum in the concentration dependences of the critical temperature and degree of sample orthorhombicity. The results obtained and their comparison with Fe, Co→Cu substitution data permit a conclusion that the main factor affecting the properties of the YBa₂Cu₃O_y system under nonisovalent substitution of various cations is the increasing disorder in the chain-oxygen subsystem caused by increasing impurity content. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 17–22 (January 1998)