Preparation and superconductivity of (B1−xCx)(Sr1−yBay)2Ca2Cu3Oz

Preparation of (B_1−xC_x)(Sr_1−yBa_y)₂Ca₂Cu₃O_z has been studied using high-pressure synthesis technique to improve sample quality. Samples were prepared from various starting compositions of 0.2≤x≤0.8 and 0≤y≤1. Nearly single-phased samples were obtained for (B_0.6C_0.4)(Sr_1−yBa_y)₂Ca₂Cu₃O_z (0≤y≤0.75) and (B_1−xC_x)-(Sr_0.25Ba_0.75)₂Ca₂Cu₃O_z (0.3≤x≤0.6). We have found that the partial substitution of Ba is effective to improve the sample quality as well as to enhance the T_c. The C substitution was also demonstrated to affect the sample preparation and the physical properties. Based on the substitution study, a maximum T_c of 120 K was observed for the sample with a starting composition of (B_0.65C_0.35)(Sr_0.3Ba_0.7)₂Ca₂Cu₃O_9+δ. Critical current density (J_c) and irreversibility field (H_irr) were estimated from magnetization measurements. The J_c at 77 K in a field of 1 T was about 1.1×10⁴ A/cm³ and the H_irr at 77 K was about 2.5 T. The H_irr was well-described by H_irr=a(1−T/T_c)ⁿ with a=39.1 and n=2.38.     

Magnetism and Superconductivity inCeCu2(Si1−xGex)2 Probed by Cu NQR

We report Cu-NQR results on Ge-doped heavy-fermion superconductor CeCu₂(Si_1–x Ge _x )₂ (0<x0.2) and undoped Ce_0.99Cu_2.02Si₂. The main effect of the Ge doping is considered to be a negative pressure, since the strength of hybridization decreases by the Ge doping. With increasing x, the dynamical characteristics of the magnetic order at x=0 change to more static ones which suggests a localized regime above x0.25. From the derived T–x phase diagram, it is suggested that the magnetic and the superconducting phases are almost degenerate in undoped CeCu₂Si₂. An exotic interplay between the magnetism characterized by the slow fluctuations and the superconductivity is implied in the region of small x.     

Preparation and properties of Y1−xHoxBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films by TFA-MOD method

Y_1?xHo_xBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) thin films were prepared on LaAlO₃ (0 0 1) substrates by trifluoroacetate metal organic deposition (TFA-MOD) without change of the processing parameters. The highest J_c was attributed to the sample of Y_0.6Ho_0.4Ba₂Cu₃O_7?δ thin film, whose critical current density is about 1.6 times as compared to that of YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ thin film at 77 K and self field. The flux pinning type was not varied with Ho substitution and can be attributed to δl pinning model, which is attributed to the close ionic radius between the Y³⁺ and Ho³⁺ ions. The improvement of J_c by Ho substitution without change of the processing parameters will provide an effective route to enhance the J_c of YBCO-based thin films using TFA-MOD method.     

Infrared spectra of superconducting La2−xSrxCuO4 and YBa2Cu3O7−δ

Abstract

Abstract Infrared spectra of La_2?xSr_xCuO₄ and YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ are discussed, specially with respect to the disappearance of the high-frequency (～650 cm) band of the superconducting compositions at 300K. Some of the bands persist at 300K eventhough the materials are fairly conducting. YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ does not show evidence in the far IR spectrum for the presence of an optical gap.     

Local electronic structure of Cu2O,CuO and YBa2Cu3O7−δ

Cu 3d and O 2p electronic states of Cu₂O, CuO, and the highT _c compound YBa₂Cu₃O_7– have been probed by means of high resolution x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES). The CuL and OK XES bands are compared in detail with recently reported x-ray photoelectron and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS) measurements and densities of states obtained by local density functional (LDF) theory. The XES data show that the hybridization between Cu 3d and O 2p states is completely modified in CuO and YBa₂Cu₃O_7–, whered-d correlation energy is large, as compared to LDF predictions. Such is not the case for Cu₂O where agreement between theory and experiment is good.The Cu 3d states are found to be highly localized in YBa₂Cu₃O_7– (though less so than in CuO). The O 2p states lie at lower binding energies than in the simpler oxides and are mainly situated above the Cu 3d states. The respective positions of the centre of gravity of the OK emission bands on an x-ray energy scale indicate that the oxygen sites are less well screened by the O 2p states in the highT _c compound. This provides indirect evidence for the presence ofd-like states at the oxygen sites.     

μSr and vortex pinning in Bi2Sr2Ca1−x Gd x )Cu2O y

We present transverse fieldSR and bulk magnetisation studies on powders of Bi₂Sr₂(Ca_1{itxGd _x )Cu₂O _y for 0x<0.5. We have found that the effective pinning decreases rapidly withx even for values ofx for whichT _c remains unchanged. We have interpreted this decrease in terms of changes in _ab (obtained fromSR) which cause a decrease in vortex-vortex interactions. The field distribution spectra in these superconductors have been obtained using a maximum entropy analysis and are found to agree with the calculations by Harshmanet al.     

Effect of ion irradiation induced defects on the excess conductivity of Cu1−xTlxBa2Ca1Cu2O8−δ superconductor thin films

The Cu_1?xTl_xBa₂Ca₁Cu₂O_8?δ superconductor thin film samples were bombarded with protons, Si and Au ions of energies 6, 20 and 20 MeV respectively using 5MV tandem pelletron accelerator at Experimental Physics Labs. Each un-irradiated sample had different values of normal state resistivity and the zero resistance critical temperature. The zero resistivity critical temperature has been increased after the irradiation by Si and Au ions. The fluctuation induced conductivity (FIC) analysis of the as-prepared and the ion irradiated samples were performed in the light of Aslamasov–Larkin (AL) theory. The FIC analysis has shown three dimensional (3D) fluctuations in the order parameter in all the samples along with a cross-over to two dimensional (2D) fluctuations at higher temperature. The 3D–2D cross-over temperature has been shifted to higher values after the ion irradiation. Moreover, a direct correlation between the zero resistivity critical temperature, 2D–3D cross-over temperature (T_LD) and superconductivity fluctuation temperature (T_scf) was observed. These studies have shown that the fluctuation induced conductivity (excess conductivity) depends on the density of defects and is independent of their nature.     

Thermophoresis-assisted vapour phase synthesis of CeO2 and CexY1−xO2−δ nanoparticles

Thermophoresis-assisted chemical vapour deposition (CVD) was used to produce nano-sized particles of ceria and yttria-doped ceria. The solid precursors cerium trichloride and yttrium trichloride were used with oxygen. After homogeneous nucleation, condensation and coagulation, thermophoresis-assisted particle collection was achieved in two different ways. Particle dimensions were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD)-line broadening. Crystallite and particle dimensions varied from 9 to 30 nm and from 30 to 80 nm, respectively. The influence of process conditions is discussed.     

Crystalline-electric field interactions in DyBa2Cu3O7−δ and TmBa2Cu3O7−δ from161Dy- and169Tm-Mössbauer spectroscopy

¹⁶¹Dy- and¹⁶⁹Tm-Mössbauer spectroscopy is employed to measure the temperature dependence of the electric quadrupole interaction at the rare earth nucleus in orthorhombic and tetragonal phases of DyBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and TmBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ. Analyses of the quadrupole splittings in terms of the crystalline-electric field parametersB _n ^m are compared with available data from inelastic neutron scattering and¹⁵⁵Gd-Mössbauer measurements.     

The hole concentration on oxygen sites in the highT c superconductor Y1−Ba2−Cu3−O7−x

From XPS core level spectroscopy the average copper charge on the Cu sites in the high temperature superconductor Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7–x is determined as function of the oxygen vacancy concentrationx. Analysis of these data leads to the suggestion that there are holes on the oxygen sites in the basal plane of the crystal structure. The probability for holes on these oxygen ions is rather constant for 0x0.3 with a value of 0.64 and decreases to zero forx=0.5. The dependence of the superconducting transition temperature on the hole concentration is discussed. An energy level diagram for Cu²⁺ and Cu³⁺ in YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x is constructed.     

Crystallographic and optical properties of Li1−xTa1−xEu2xO3 solid solutions

Abstract

The effects of europium substitution on crystalline solubility, structural changes and optical properties of Li_1?xTa_1?xEu_2xO₃ solid solutions are reported. The solid solutions exist over a very limited range of europium concentrations (x ≤ 0.02). They were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and density measurements. The liquid nitrogen fluorescence and excitation spectra of Eu³⁺ in the solid solutions were measured in the frequency range 12,200–45,450 cm^?1. The emission mainly arises from the ⁵ D ₀ level to Stark components of the five lowest ⁷ F _j (j = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) states. It was inferred from the analyses of the optical and density data that the Eu³⁺ ions may lie on both Li and Ta sites, but not on the intrinsic vacant lattice sites.     

Tribological and mechanical properties of composites based on ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene and quasicrystalline Al−Cu−Fe filler

Samples of composites, in which ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer is used as a matrix and quasicrystalline Al?Cu?Fe powder as a filler with 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 vol % concentrations, are prepared. Electron microscopy studies of the sample structure are carried out. The influence of the filler on the crystallinity and temperatures of sample melting and destruction is investigated. The mechanical and tribological properties of the samples are tested. It is found that an increase in the filler content changes neither the mechanical nor thermodynamic characteristics of the material but significantly improves the tribological characteristics. The friction coefficient decreases twice at 1 vol % of the filler and the wear resistance increases by 40 times at 8 vol %. Experimental data indicate the probability of good adhesion of the filler particles to the fluoropolymer matrix. The composites under investigation may be of interest as promising materials for polymer friction bearings.     

Peculiarities of magnetic flux penetration and trapping in monocrystalline (YBa2Cu3O7−x and Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x ) and polycrystalline (YBa2Cu3O7−x ) samples

A comparative analysis of the magnetic flux trapping in monocrystalline and polycrystalline HTSC samples is carried out, and the possibility of employing the dependence of the trapped magnetic flux on the external magnetic field for obtaining comparative estimates of the effect of pinning centers is determined.     

Tunneling conductance of a Bi2−xPbxSr2Ca2Cu3O10−y-SnO2 junction

Fine structures were observed in the tunneling conductance of a sintered Bi 2223-SnO₂ junction. The structures are weaker than those of a single crystalline Bi2212. They correspond to the Raman spectrum of Bi2223 and approximately to the phonon density of states of Bi2212. The structures must therefore be phonon structures, and phonons may contribute substantially to highT _c superconductivity. Multiphonon structures are scarcely discernible. Hence we propose a new model, in place of the prior multiphonon model, to explain the rapid increase inT _c with the CuO₂ layer number. 2 (21 K)=68±4 meV inT _c=98±5 K. 2 (0)/k _B T _c is 8.1±0.9. The temperature dependence of the gap was also observed and discussed.     

Superlattice structures in solid solution of high-Tc YBa2Cu3O7−δ and (Pb,Cu)Sr2(Ca,Y)Cu2O7−δ superconductors

A complete solid solution range exists between the systems YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ and (Pb,Cu)Sr₂(Ca,Y)Cu₂O_7−δ has been found with general stoichiometry (Pb_0.75xCu_1−0.75x)(Sr_2xBa_2−2x)(Ca_0.5xY_1−0.5x)Cu₂O_7−δ. Energy dispersive spectrometry and X-ray diffraction identified that a true solid solution exists. Superlattice structures observed by electron diffraction across the solid solution range have a modulation range have a modulation periods along a* which can be varied by altering both the compositional parameter x and the overall oxygen content. The existence of these superlattices infers that the solid solution is non-random and therefore thermodynamically non-ideal. The superconducting transition temperatures, T_c, across the solid solution range are also strongly dependent on the composition, x, but no direct relationship with the modulation period has been established. From these studies it may be concluded that the solid solution between known superconductors is possible, although involving some partial ordering of the lattice, but ordering of cations in the rock-salt to charge reservoir layer is not a significant factor in determining the superconducting properities, which depend more closely on the overall composition and hence on the ability of the charge reservoir layer to transfer charge to the superconducting layers.     

Superconductivity and magnetism in Y1−x Ca x Sr2GaCu2O7−δ

Samples of Y_1–x Ca _x Sr₂GaCu₂O_7– (x=0, 0.4) doped with⁵⁷Fe, prepared under various oxygen pressures, have been studied by magnetometry and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Most of the iron ions (Fe³⁺) enter the Ga(Cu(1)) site. For thex=0 sample, the Mössbauer spectra of the iron nuclei in the Cu(2) sublattice display magnetic order of Cu,T _N=370 K. The iron ions in the Ga site display magnetic order only at low temperatures. At temperatures above 90 K, these iron ions display a pure quadrupole doublet Mössbauer spectrum. The samplex=0.4 also displays magnetic order of the Cu(2) site,T _N370 K. A sharp drop in the hyperfine field is observed atT _N, probably associated with a first-order phase transition or two-dimensional ordering. The iron nuclei in the Ga site display paramagnetic long spin relaxation time phenomena at 4.2 K. Thex=0.4 sample prepared under 110 atm oxygen pressure, displays superconductivity,T _c50 K. The Mössbauer spectra give evidence of the presence of two phases. One displays magnetic order, the other is paramagnetic, the last is probably associated with the superconducting phase.     

Fluctuation-enhanced conductivity and magnetoconductivity of high-quality YBa2Cu3O7−δ crystals

We present measurements of the in-plane resistivity _ab of YBa₂Cu₃O_7– single crystals withT _c 92 K and _ab (100 K)50 cm. The temperature dependence of the fluctuation conductivity and of the magnetoconductivity aboveT _c is analyzed in terms of direct and indirect fluctuation contributions for layered superconductors. The combination of fluctuation conductivity and magnetoconductivity allows to determine both coherence lengths _ab (0) and _c (0) as well as the phase-relaxation time of the pairs in an unequivocal manner. Evidence for clean limit type-II superconductivity in our crystals is given by large values of the mean free pathl _{ab ab} (0).Dedicated to Prof. Dr. F. Hund on the occasion of his 95th birthday