Cu nuclear spin-spin relaxation in YBa2Cu3O6.98 and YBa2Cu4O8

We have measured the temperature (T) dependence of the transverse relaxation rate (T _G ^–1 ) of the Cu(1) nuclear spin in YBa₂Cu₃O_6.98 (T _c=92 K) and YBa₂Cu₄O₈ (T _c=82 K). From the scaling ratio ofT _G ^–2 (Cu1) toT _G ^–2 (Cu2), we have estimated the strength of a covalent bonding between the CuO₂ plane and the CuO chain to be B0.38×A _zz. The experimentalT _G ^–1 (Cu1) in YBa₂Cu₄O₈ was of the same order of magnitude as the estimated one fromT _G ^–1 (Cu2). These results appear to indicate that the electrons in the CuO₂ plane fairly spread out of the plane in both compounds.     

Shape of the Cu(2) NQR spectra in YBa2Cu3O7, TmBa2Cu3O7 and TmBa2Cu4O8

We present a study of shape of the Cu(2) NQR spectra in YBa₂Cu₃O₇, TmBa₂Cum₃O₇, and TmBa₂Cu₄O₈ compounds at temperatures of 4.2–300 K. The results of the quantitative analysis lead us to conclude that the shape of the Cu(2) NQR spectra in all the samples studied can be described in the framework of the “motional narrowing” model, which implies that the Cu(2) nucleus possesses two different NQR frequencies between which it can rapidly jump. The difference in frequencies seems to be related to the charge-stripe correlations in CuO₂ planes resulting in a dynamical modulation of the electric field gradients at the Cu(2) nuclei. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 66, No. 9, 594–598 (10 November 1997)     

Silver-tracer diffusion in Cu2O

The diffusion of¹¹⁰Ag in Cu₂O has been measured by a serial-sectioning technique as a function of temperature (700–1132°C) and oxygen partial pressure (6 × 10^?6 ?8 × 10^?2 atm). The data are fit to the defect model for Cu₂O developed by the authors in the preceding paper. Silver ions have a larger impurity-vacancy binding free energy and/or a larger jump frequency for the singly charged cation vacancies relative to that for the neutral cation vacancies. The activation enthalpies for the diffusion of copper and silver ions in Cu₂O are nearly equal, but the absolute value of D¹_Ag is about three times larger than D¹_Cu even though the silver ion is 31% larger than the copper ion.     

Biexciton binding energy in Cu2O

The problem of the biexciton molecule in Cu₂O is considered from the theoretical point of view. The possible biexciton levels are classified using the symmetry of the crystal and the band structure scheme proposed by Elliott. The binding energy of the lowest state is computed on the basis of variational calculations with inclusion of the electron—hole exchange contribution. This contribution tends to make the biexciton unbound, the largest possible value of the binding energy being 0.2 meV. We conclude that no biexciton can exist in Cu₂O at any temperature, in agreement with the views of Petroff, Yu and Shen and in disagreement with those of Gross and Kreingold.     

Vortex-creep activation energy in YBa2Cu3O7/PrBa2Cu3O7 superlattices

YBa₂Cu₃O₇/PrBa₂Cu₃O₇ (YBCO/PBCO) superlattices with a different ratio of the superconducting and insulating layer thicknesses were prepared by high pressure dc sputtering. The vortex-creep activation energy U₀ was determined by analyzing the in-plane resistive transition of 200 μm wide bridges with the external magnetic field B oriented along the c axis. It was found that U₀ is proportional to the thickness of the YBCO layers, and does only weakly depend on the PBCO layer thickness, when the latter exceeds two unit cells. We observed a change in the variation of U₀ with the current I in the specimen: U₀ exhibits a plateau in the low-I region, then decreases significantly with increasing I. This behaviour is explained in terms of a crossover plastic vortex creep – elastic (collective) creep induced by the transport current.     

Anomalous diamagnetic transitions in Ba2Cu3O4Cl2 and Sr2Cu3O4Cl2 antiferromagnets

The magnetic properties of Ba₂Cu₃O₄Cl₂ and Sr₂Cu₃O₄Cl₂ oxychlorides have been studied. A spontaneous manifestation of diamagnetism has been found at quasi-zero and low fields. The temperature of these transitions coincides with the temperature of the antiferromagnetic ordering in Ba₂Cu₃O₄Cl₂ (T _NI ≈ 337 K) and Sr₂Cu₃O₄Cl₂ (T _NI ≈ 386 K). The recorded diamagnetic signal is ?10^?4 emu. It is comparable with the percentage of the superconducting phase in the sample. It is supposed that the arising superconductivity is due to the formation of the superconducting clusters with the direct overlap of the copper d orbitals owing to the frustration processes.     

Photocatalytic performance of Cu2O and Ag/Cu2O composite octahedra prepared by a propanetriol-reduced process

Cu₂O and Ag/Cu₂O composite octahedra were synthesized via a hydrothermal reaction of CuAc₂ with urea in H₂O–propanetriol binary solution by adjusting the quantity of AgNO₃ at 180 °C for 10 h. The influence of reaction temperature and time on the morphology and phase of the products was investigated, and a possible growth mechanism of Cu₂O octahedron was also proposed. The photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared Cu₂O and Ag/Cu₂O octahedra for the degradation of methyl orange aqueous solution were studied. The results show that they are effective photocatalysts for the degradation of methyl orange, and the photocatalytic ability of Ag/Cu₂O composite is stronger than that of Cu₂O octahedra, which are expected to be useful in the treatment of wastewaters.     

Ac-Josephson effect in YBa2Cu3O7/YBa2Cu3O7 point contact junctions

The ac-Josephson effect could be demonstrated up to dc voltages of 20 mV on the I–V characteristic of adjustable YBa₂Cu₃O₇/YBa₂Cu₃O₇ point contacts at 4.2 K. A detailed analysis of the rf power dependence of the size of microwave-induced constant voltage steps is given for microwave frequencies of 70 and 90 GHz. The results prove that electron pairing is responsible for the superconductivity in YBa₂Cu₃O₇.     

Photocurrent characteristics in Cu2O/Pt and Cu2O/TiO2 photoelectrochemical cells in aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes

Photocurrent characteristics of the Cu₂O/Pt and Cu₂O/TiO₂ photoelectro-chemical cells have been presented. In aqueous solution, a slow deterioration of power output occurs approximately at the rate of 50% per day. Operation in non-aqueous solutions (acetonitrile and ethanol) also produced a deterioration of power output. However in ethanol, it was found that the deterioration reversed itself and a new cycle of deterioration and rejuvenation began. These suggest that the deterioration is not due to a chemical reduction process at the electrode surface but other factors such as migration of charged defect centres in the depletion layer or chemical reaction on the electrode surface.