The resonance peak in the high-Tc cuprates

I present a theory in which the resonance peak observed in inelastic neutron scattering experiments on YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x and Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+x arises from a dispersing spin mode. I argue that it is heavily damped in the normal state and becomes visible in the superconducting state due to a drastic decrease in the spin damping. I show that a spin-fermion model correctly describes the doping dependence of the peak position and of its integrated intensity. Finally, I derive a criterion for the existence of the resonance peak in other cuprate superconductors.     

纳米微粒BaFe12O19掺杂对单畴超导块材GdBa2Cu3O7-δ性能的影响

磁通钉扎性能对GdBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ超导块材的实际应用具有重要的影响, 而引入合适的第二相粒子可以改善GdBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ 超导块材的磁通钉扎性能.本文采用顶部籽晶熔融织构法成功地制备出纳米微粒BaFe₁₂O₁₉(<100 nm)掺杂的超导块材, 样品的最终组分为Gd123+ 0.4 Gd211+ x BaFe₁₂O₁₉ (x=0, 0.2 mol%, 0.4 mol%, 0.8 mol%)+ 10 wt%Ag₂O+ 0.5 wt%Pt. 通过研究不同掺杂量的BaFe₁₂O₁₉微粒对GdBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ 超导块材微观结构和超导性能的影响, 结果表明当掺杂量为0.2 mol%时, 样品的临界电流密度几乎在整个外加磁场下都有明显的提高.在零场下, 临界电流密度达到5.5× 10⁴ A/cm². 纳米微粒BaFe₁₂O₁₉不仅可以保持掺杂前的化学组成, 作为有效的钉扎中心存在于超导块材中, 并且能够改善Gd₂BaCuO₅粒子的分布和细化Gd₂BaCuO₅粒子, 使Gd₂BaCuO₅粒子的平均粒径由未掺杂时的1.4 μ m减小到掺杂后的0.79 μ m, 进而提高了超导块材的临界电流密度和俘获磁场, 明显提高了GdBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ 超导块材的超导性能.临界温度T_C也有所提升, 并能够维持在92.5 K左右. 该结果为进一步研究纳米磁通钉扎中心的引入并改善GdBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ 超导块材的性能有着重要的意义.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance study of the electron-doped high-temperature superconducting cuprates

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements have been made on two of the electron-doped high-temperature superconducting cuprates (HTSCs), Pr_2−xCe_xCuO₄ and Sr_0.9La_0.1CuO₂ that represent the two known electron-doped structures. The results are compared with the more-studied hole-doped HTSCs. We show that the electron and hole-doped HTSCs probe a similar antiferromagnetic spin fluctuation spectrum in the normal state, which provides support for theories of superconductivity where the pairing is mediated by antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations and the superconducting order parameter has a d_x²−y² symmetry. Contrary to results from underdoped and hole-doped HTSCs, there is no evidence for a normal-state pseudogap in the NMR data from measurements on the electron-doped HTSCs. Therefore, the electron-doped HTSCs can be better compared with overdoped and hole-doped HTSCs where the normal-state pseudogap is absent. The antiferromagnetic spin fluctuation spectrum as probed by the Cu spin–lattice relaxation rate, is independent of the doped electrons per Cu. A similar effect is observed in the overdoped and hole-doped HTSC, Y_1−xCa_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ for a hole concentration range of 0.063. The anomalous Cu NMR linewidth anisotropy observed in the electron-doped HTSCs suggests a small and static spin variation for temperatures up to room temperature.     

Systematic thermopower measurements of the thallium cuprates Tl(Ba,Sr)2Cam−1CumO2m+3−δ and Tl2Ba2Cam−1CumO2m+4+δ

The thermoelectric power (TEP) S versus temperature has been systematically investigated for several series of the superconducting cuprates Tl(Ba,Sr)₂Ca_m−1Cu_mO_2m+3−δ (m = 2, 3) and Tl₂Ba₂Ca_m−1Cu_mO_2m+4+δ (m = 1, 2, 3). The consideration of the S(T_c) curves allows two important points to be found evidence for. The first one deals with the fact that all these superconducting thallium cuprates are systematically overdoped whatever T_c, and whatever the number of Cu or Tl layers; no underdoped superconducting cuprate could be obtained. The second point shows that there exist two classes of Tl cuprates: the weakly overdoped cuprates that exhibit a T_{c max} ≥ 100 K (all the triple copper layer cuprates and the 2212 cuprates) and those which can be heavily doped that exhibit a T_{c max} ≤ 90 K (the 2201 and the 1212 cuprates). The different behavior of thallium cuprates compared to YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ and to bismuth cuprates is discussed.     

Superconductivity in the cuprates: Deduction of mechanism for d-wave pairing through analysis of ARPES

In the Eliashberg integral equations for d-wave superconductivity, two different functions (α²F)_n(ω, θ) and (α²F)_p,d(ω) determine, respectively, the “normal” self-energy and the “pairing” self-energy. ω is the frequency of fluctuations scattering the fermions whose momentum is near the Fermi-surface and makes an angle θ to a chosen axis. We present a quantitative analysis of the high-resolution laser based Angle Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy (ARPES) data on a slightly under doped cuprate compound Bi2212 and use the Eliashberg equations to deduce the ω and θ dependence of (α²F)_n(ω, θ) for T just above T_c and below T_c. Besides its detailed ω dependence, we find the remarkable result that this function is nearly independent of θ between the (π; π)-direction and 25 degrees from it, except for the dependence of the cut-off energy on θ. Assuming that the same fluctuations determine both the normal and the pairing self-energy, we ask what theories give the function (α²F)_p,d(ω) required for the d-wave pairing instability at high temperatures as well as the deduced (α²F)_n(θ, ω). We show that the deduced (α²F)_n(θ, ω) can only be obtained from antiferromagnetic (AFM) fluctuations if their correlation length is smaller than a lattice constant. Using (α²F)_p,d(ω) consistent with such a correlation length and the symmetry of matrix-elements scattering fermions by AFM fluctuations, we calculate T_c and show that AFM fluctuations are excluded as the pairing mechanism for d-wave superconductivity in cuprates. We also consider the quantumcritical fluctuations derived microscopically as the fluctuations of the observed loop–current order discovered in the under-doped cuprates, and which lead to the marginal Fermi–liquid properties in the normal state. We show that their frequency dependence and the momentum dependence of their matrix-elements to scatter fermions are consistent with the θ and ω dependence of the deduced (α²F)_n(ω, θ). The pairing kernel (α²F)_p,d(ω) calculated using the experimental values in the Eliashberg equation gives d-wave instability at T_c comparable to the experiments.     

The nuclear contribution to the specific heat of single crystals of YBa2Cu3O7 and Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8

Specific heat data below 1 K of Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ and YBa₂Cu₃O₇ are analyzed. For YBa₂Cu₃O₇ the nuclear specific heat, C_N, amounts to 38T⁻² μJ/mol K. C_N for Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ exceeds that of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ by a factor of 15. The nuclear quadrupolar specific heat contribution alone is insufficient to explain the data for YBa₂Cu₃O₇, while lack of NQR data does not allow such a comparison in Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ to be made. The contribution to C_N from nuclear spins coupled via the contact hyperfine interaction with correlated magnetic spins (in the CuO₂ plane) is derived as a function of the correlation length. This contribution can be treated independently from the quadrupolar term. We show that the excess specific heat in YBa₂Cu₃O₇ likely originates in a few percentage of an impurity (oxygen deficient) phase with a strong hyperfine field on the Cu nuclei.     

Study of the magnetic properties of single-crystal Ba0.6K0.4BiO3

The magnetic properties of single-crystal Ba_0.6K_0.4BiO₃ were studied. The results show that this isotropic superconductor (cubic structure with T_c ≈ 32 K) exhibits irreversibility and relaxation properties similar to those observed in the layered, high temperature superconductors. For fields above 0.1 T, an irreversibility line B_irr = B_irr (0) (1 − t)ⁿ with n = 3/2 and B_irr (0) = 20 T is observed. The comparison among several superconducting systems with different anisotropies suggests that the irreversibility line is unlikely to be the melting line for the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ.     

Synthesis and investigation of the complex copper oxides Bi2Sr2R2−xCexCu2O10+δ (R=rare earth)

Bi-2222 phases were prepared by solid state reactions and were studied using X-ray diffraction, chemical and EDS-analysis. Compounds with composition Bi₂Sr₂R_1.33Ce_0.67Cu₂O_10+δ were obtained for R=Pr, Nd, Sm-Er. The phases Bi₂Sr₂Cu₂O_10+δ with similar structure but without Ce were prepared for R = Pr, Sm-Dy. For Bi₂Sr₂Eu_2−xCe_xCu₂O_10+δ the solubility limit was determined and the effect of treatment under different oxygen pressures was investigated. Weak diamagnetic signals (<3%) were detected for some of these samples.     

Quantum tunneling of flux lines in superconductors

We discuss the different regimes which can be expected for quantum creep of flux lines by analysing the experimental results obtained for the relaxation rate as T→0 for Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O₇, Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂O₈ and (ET)₂Cu(NCN)₂Br single crystals. We address the dimensionality of the pinned flux line, the possible bundle regime at high fields for the organic superconductor and the relative invariability of the quantum rate upon introduction of columnar defects.     

Electrical transport and superconductivity in the Al2O3-Bi2Sr1.8Ca1.2Cu2Oy and MgO-Bi2Sr1.8Ca1.2Cu2Oy composites

We have measured the resistivities of Al₂O₃-Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2Cu₂O_y and MgO-Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2Cu₂O_y composites with the nominal Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2Cu₂O_y volume fraction, ₂₂₁₂, ranging from 0.15 to 1.00. For the Al₂O₃-Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2Cu ₂O_y composites, we find for the samples with ₂₂₁₂≥0.6 that the superconducting transition temperature, T_c, is not disturbed by the addition of Al₂O₃. For ₂₂₁₂<0.3, no zero-resistivity state is observed. For the MgO-Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2Cu₂O_y composites, T_c is barely disturbed for the samples with ρ₂₂₁₂≥0.7. No superconducting state is observed for the samples with ρ₂₂₁₂<0.35. The variation of (300 K) with ρ₂₂₁₂ indicates a three-dimensional percolating Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O matrix occurring at ρ₂₂₁₂≈0.19 and ≈0.15 in Al₂O₃-Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2 Cu₂O_y and MgO-Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2Cu₂O_y, respectively. Both resistivity and magnetization measurements suggest that the reactions of Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2Cu₂O_y with MgO are weaker than with Al₂O₃.     

Intergrain and intragrain superconductivity in Sn- and Sb-doped Bi1.7Pb0.3Sr2Cu3Oy

Measurements of the resistivity and current dependent resistivity for small current densities ranging from 0.03 A/cm² to 3.0 A/cm² were performed with two Sn-doped and two Sb-doped polycrystalline Bi_1.7Pb_0.3Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y samples in magnetic fields up to 1.7 T. Features in the temperature derivative of the resistivity curves were associated with the presence of a superconducting transition between superconducting grains, coupled by weak links with a distribution of critical currents and critical temperatures, and the superconducting transition within grains. The transition between grains was more strongly suppressed in temperature with the application of a magnetic field in samples with weaker coupling between grains. The presence of a transition in a magnetic field due to weak links between grains was verified at 77 K by the observation of a current dependent resistivity in a magnetic field.     

Epitaxial Bi2Sr2CuOy thin films as p-type transparent conductors

Development of p-type transparent conducting thin films is tireless due to the trade-off issue between optical transparency and conductivity. The rarely concerned low normal state resistance makes Bi-based superconducting cuprates the potential hole-type transparent conductors, which have been realized in Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_y thin films. In this study, epitaxial superconducting Bi₂Sr₂CuO_y and Bi₂Sr_1.8Nd_0.2CuO_y thin films with superior normal state conductivity are proposed as p-type transparent conductors. It is found that the Bi₂Sr_1.8Nd_0.2CuO_y thin film with thickness 15 nm shows an average visible transmittance of 65% and room-temperature sheet resistance of 650 Ω/sq. The results further demonstrate that Bi-based cuprate superconductors can be regarded as potential p-type transparent conductors for future optoelectronic applications.     

Temperature dependence of the critical current in YBa2Cu3O7−δ and Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8 Josephson junctions

We have studied the stationary Josephson effect on YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (T_c=90 K) and Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂ O₈ (T_c=80 K and 87 K for two samples of different origin) ceramic based junctions. The temperature dependence of the critical current near T_c has been found as I_c≈(T_c-T) for the Y-Ba-Cu-O samples indicating that they should be classified as S-N-I-N-S type junctions. The I-V curves of the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu samples show the typical behaviour of S-I-S structures. Using Ambegaokar-Baratoff's theory for Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂O₈, the temperature dependence of the superconducting state gap Δ(T) was calculated and it was evaluated that 1.452Δ(0)/k_BT_c3.5.     

Oxygen nonstoichiometry effect on structural modulation in Bi-2212 cuprate superconductors

The X-ray diffraction patterns for Bi₂Sr₂Ca_1−xY_xCu₂O_8+y sintered in air or Ar indicated that the reduction in the number of excess oxygen ions induced a structural change from orthorhombic to pseudotetragonal. When the oxygen contents decreased with the reducing treatment, the period of modulation in Bi₂Sr₂Ca_1−xY_xCu₂O_8+y increased. This result supported the model of excess oxygen ions in the Bi---O sheet. However, it was difficult to understand the change of modulation period with increasing Y contents using the model of excess oxygen ions in the Bi---O layers. Also, it is included that the Y substitution for Ca and La substitution for Sr in the Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+y system result in parallel effects for the modulation structure.     

Yb (Ba, Sr)2Cu4O8: a “124” phase superconductor with a reduced unit cell volume

Yb(Ba_1−xSr_x)₂Cu₄O₈ (0.1x0.3) superconductors of the YBa₂Cu₄O₈(“124”) structure were successfully synthesized using an O₂-hot-isostaticc-pressing (HIP) technique. The samples were characterized with respect to the crystal structure and superconducting properties. The lattice parameters of the samples decreased as the substitution of Sr for Ba proceeded. The superconducting transition temperatures of all the Yb-“124” samples were more or less the same, being around 80 K.     

Realization and properties of ramp-type YBa2Cu3O7−δ/Au/Nb junctions

All-thin-film ramp type Josephson junctions between YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ and Nb have been fabricated. This procedure allows connections between high-T_c and low-T_c superconductors at different crystal sides of the high-T_c superconductor on one chip, which is of great interest for novel phase devices. A thin Au layer is incorporated as a chemical barrier to avoid oxygen transfer from the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ to the Nb. Critical current densities up to 600 A/cm² are obtained at T=4.2 K, with typical R_nA values of 0.8 μΩ cm². The variation of the magnetic field dependence of the critical current with the angle between the junction barrier and the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ crystal axes is explained by considering a predominant d_x²−y² order parameter symmetry of the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ. The successful fabrication of these junctions allows the implementation of novel superconducting electronics, such as complementary Josephson circuitry or proposed qubit concepts, using the unconventional order parameter symmetry of the high-T_c superconductor.     

Effect of lead addition to Bi-based 2222 superconducting cuprates Bi2-xPbxSr2(Y, Ce)2Cu2O10+δ

Bi_2-xPb_xSr₂(Y, Ce)₂Cu₂O_10+δ, a new family of lead containing Bi-2222 compounds has been synthesized and effects of annealing in high pressure of oxygen studied. Lead-free Bi₂Sr₂(Y, Ce)₂Cu₂O_10+δ synthesized under flowing oxygen is known to be non-superconducting, but annealing under high oxygen pressure (100 bar) at 500°C, induced superconductivity with T_c=25 K. On substitution of lead (x>0.4), the superconductivity appears even in samples synthesized under flowing oxygen (1 bar). T_c increases with oxygen annealing pressure for all compositions, and it also increases with Pb content at a given oxygen pressure. These findings are discussed.     

Electrochemical reduction of Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8 superconductor single crystals

Single crystals and polycrystalline pellets of the high-temperature cuprate superconductor Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂O₈ were doped at room temperature by electrochemical reduction at > 95% Coulombic efficiency using lithium dopant ions in propylene carbonate electrolyte. Cyclic voltammetry and potential step measurements on single crystals suggest an unusual reduction mechanism, with a diffusion coefficient for Li⁺ in the c-axis direction of bulk superconductor of ca. 3 × 10⁻¹¹ cm²s⁻¹. Sintered pellets of polycrystalline powder could be doped more rapidly, with an apparent diffusion coefficient of 7 × 10⁻⁸ cm²s⁻¹. X-ray susceptibility analysis show extensive disordering occurs on heavy Li doping, with a first-order transition from a crystalline/superconducting to an amorphous/non-superconducting phase. Single, crystals of Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂O₈ exhibited a color change on reduction from metallic gray to golden bronze. The reduced material was highly air-sensitive, forming a hydroxide surface film on exposure to ambient atmosphere.     

Critical current density behaviors across a grain boundary inclined to current with different angles in YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-δ) bicrystal junctions

The critical current density behaviors across a bicrystal grain boundary(GB) inclined to the current direction with different angles in YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-δ) bicrystal junctions in magnetic fields are investigated.There are two main reasons for the difference in critical current density in junctions at different GB inclined angles in the same magnetic field:(i) the GB plane area determines the current carrying cross section;(ii) the vortex motion dynamics at the GB affects the critical current value when the vortex starts to move along the GB by Lorentz force.Furthermore,the vortex motion in a bicrystal GB is studied by investigating transverse(Hall) and longitudinal current–voltage characteristics(I–V_(xx) and I–V_(xy)).It is found that the I–V_(xx) curve diverges from linearity at a high driving current,while the I–V_(xy) curve keeps nearly linear,which indicates the vortices inside the GB break out of the GB by Lorentz force.     

Vortex phases and dynamics in high-temperature and conventional amorphous superconductors

The vortex phases and dynamics of high-temperature and conventional amorphous superconductors are investigated over a broad frequency range. A second-order vortex-solid melting transition in both YBa₂Cu₃O₇ single crystals with random point defects and amorphous Mo₃Si films is manifested by a set of universal critical exponents (ν≈2/3 and z≈3) from both ac and dc transport as well as ac magnetic susceptibility measurements. In contrast, the melting transition in YBa₂Cu₃O₇ single crystals with correlated columnar defects is found to be consistent with a Bose-glass phase transition characterized by a different set of critical exponents (ν≈1/2 and z′≈4).