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.     

The effect of gallium substitution on the superconductivity of the BiSrCaCuO system

Magnetic susceptibility, X-ray diffraction and resistivity measurements of the system Bi_1.4Pb_0.6Sr₂Ca_2−xGa_xCu₃O_y are reported for 0 x 2. The high-T_c 2223 phase with a T_c of 107 K for x = 0 exists for x 0.3. The low-T_c 2212 phase with a T_c of 75 K for x = 0 exists for the full range of x. The highest values of the critical temperature and the largest volume fraction of the low-T_c phase in compounds with Ga occur for x = 0.5 ± 0.1. The identification of CaO by X-ray diffraction for x 0.6 indicates that Ga replaces Ca in the compound.     

Resistivity and thermoelectric power of Bi2Sr2Ca−xPrxCu2Oy system

Samples of Bi₂Sr₂Ca_1−xPr_xCu₂O_y have been characterized by resistivity and thermoelectric power measurements. All metallic samples show superconductivity with a maximum T_c = 90 K at X = 0.2. The sample of x = 0.6 shows a crossover from hopping conduction at low temperature above T_c to metallic conduction at high temperature. For the metallic samples below x = 0.6, the results of thermoelectric power are well fitted by both of a phenomenological band spectrum model and the Nagaosa and Lee model.     

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.     

Effect of Yb addition on the superconducting properties of (Bi,Pb)-2212 superconductor

The effects of Yb addition on the phase evolution and superconducting properties of (Bi,Pb)-2212 superconductor prepared by solid state synthesis in the polycrystalline form were studied. Yb content of the samples was varied (x = 0–0.5) on a general stoichiometry of Bi_1.7Pb_0.4Sr_2.0Ca_1.1Cu_2.1Yb_xO_y. Phase analysis by XRD, microstructural examination by SEM, measurements of density and superconducting properties were done to evaluate the relative performance of the samples. A Yb containing secondary phase could be distinguished from XRD analysis from Yb > 0.3 in the stoichiometric level. Microstructural examination showed clear and distinct morphological variation with Yb stoichiometry and a secondary phase with round edged grains was observed in the microstructure of Yb added samples. The critical current density (J_C) and superconducting transition temperature (T_C) of all the Yb added samples were found to be higher than that of the pure sample. A maximum T_C-onset of 94.5 K and a maximum J_C 688 A/cm² has been observed for the sample with Yb = 0.2 in the stoichiometric level. Above this level T_C and J_C began to reduce, may be due to secondary phase formation.     

Substitution of Sn in the superconducting Bi---Pb---Sr---Ca---Cu---O system

X-ray powder diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity measurements have been used to investigate the effect of Sn substitution in the Bi_1.7Pb_0.3Sr₂Ca₂(Cu_3−xSn_x1.2O_y system for different values of Sn concentrationx(0×1.33). The substitution of Sn is found to decrease the superconducting volume fraction of the 2223 phase. The 2212 phase is enhanced until it reaches a maximum at x=0.67. The system has a complete 2212 phase at x=0.88. An increase in the normal-state resistivity with a corresponding suppression of the temperature at which the resistivity goes to zero is observed with increasing x for the samples which are superconducting. The substitution of Sn probably causes a spatial disorder in the CuO₂ planes, which in turn enhances the Coulomb interaction. Samples with x1.0 are found to be insulating.     

Effect of sodium substitution on superconductivity in Bi-based (2212) system

Samples with the nominal composition Bi₂Sr₂Ca_1−xNa_xCu₂O_y (if with X = 0.05, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.5) were prepared by the solid state reaction method. The role of Na and the effect of various heat treatments in the 2212 composition were studied. From the X-ray diffraction data it is found that the samples annealed for longer duration have shown a single phase 2212. From the DC four-probe resistivity data, it was found that the T_c (zero) varies from 79 to 89 K. It is believed that doping with an alkali element would reduce the oxygen content due to monovalency and gives an effect similar to that during heat treatment under low oxygen pressure or quenching. The presence of sodium in the samples was confirmed by electron probe microanalysis.     

Influence of Nd substitution on the superconducting properties of ceramics in the 2212 system Bi2−wPbwSr2−xCa1−yNdx+yCu2O8+z

In the system Bi_2−wPb_wSr_2−xCa_1−yNd_x+yCu₂O_8+z different fractions of Nd are substituted on either Sr of Ca sites in order to introduce intrinsic insulating pinning centres. It is shown that a Nd concentration around x or y = 0.2 is likewise favourable with an average Nd---Nd distance in the range of the coherence length in the a, b-plane. However, clear evidence of flux pinning is only present for charge compensation with Pb²⁺. A simultaneous substitution of the Bi-based 2212 superconductor with moderate amounts of Nd³⁺ and Pb²⁺ improves the superconducting properties by strengthening the flux pinning forces.     

Microwave absorption and paracoherence excess conductivity studies in high-Tc superconductors

Single phase polycrystalline samples of La_1.8Sr_0.2CuO₄, YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ and Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y high-T_c superconductors have been studied using XRD, SEM, EDAX, (T), χ_AC and EPR techniques. Detailed investigations on low-field-dependent microwave absorption have been carried out in order to investigate the effects of field exposure, field cooling, zero field cooling and amplitude of field variation on the samples. The results have been discussed on the basis of granular model via Josephson junctions of high-T_c superconductors. Over and above, paracoherence excess conductivity analysis has been carried out in all the three samples. The critical exponent (γ) estimated for all the three samples in close vicinity to their respective transition temperatures has an excellent agreement with the theoretically predicted value for 3-dimensional XY-ferromagnet (γ = 1.33 for D = 3, N = 2).     

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.     

Study on the superconducting composite material formation in the system Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x/Al-containing phases

Phase evolution in the Bi---Sr---Ca---Cu---Al---O system was studied. Two Al-containing phases BiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z and (Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ (x = 0.4 − 0.45) were determined to be chemically compatible with Bi_2.18Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+x (Bi-2212) at temperatures of the samples processing. The phase equilibria in the title system were investigated above the solidus temperature. The BiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z was found to be in equilibrium only with the melt and the (Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ phase. This latter aluminate equilibrated with Ca,Sr cuprates, CaO, the Cu-free phase, and the liquid. The melting and solidification in Bi-2212, doped with the aluminate, corresponded to the reversible reaction Bi-2212 + BiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z ↔ (Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ + liquid. Two sets of superconducting composite materials with initial compositions Bi-2212 + nBiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z and Bi-2212 + m(Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ were prepared by solidification from the partial melt. The former material was composed mostly of large Bi-2212 lamellas separated by the BiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z phase, which destroyed superconducting links between Bi-2212 grains. The latter material consisted of a Bi-2212 polycrystalline matrix with high concentration of small (ca. 3 μm) grains of (Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ imbedded in Bi-2212 lamellas. The Bi-2212 + m(Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ materials displayed a trend to enhance flux pinning at T = 60 K with the increase of aluminate phase content.     

Oxyanion derivatives of cuprate superconductors superconducting 123 phosphates

While YSr₂Cu₃O₇ cannot be prepared under ambient conditions, partial substitution of the phosphate group for copper, as in YSr₂Cu_2.8(PO₄)_0.2O_y, stabilizes this phase in the orthorhombic structure, but the material is not superconducting. Superconductivity in YSr₂Cu_2.8(PO₄)_0.2O_y is obtained by increasing the hole concentration through partial substitution of Y by Ca, as in Y_0.7Ca_0.3Sr₂Cu_2.8(PO₄)_0.2O_y (T_c≈40 K). By incorporating the phosphate group in orthorhombic YBaSrCu₃O ₇, a stable tetragonal derivative of the formula YBaSrCu_2.8(PO₄)_0.2O_y (T_c≈ 47 K) has been prepared; the T_c increases to 70 K by partial substitution of Y by Ca as in Y_0.7Ca_0.3BaSrCu_2.8(PO₄)_0.2O_y.     

Effective activation energy Ue(T,J,H) in textured Bi1.84Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3Oy silver-clamped thick films

We have measured the resistivity of textured Bi_1.84Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y silver-clamped thick films as a function of temperature, current density ranging from 10 to 1×10³ A/cm² and magnetic field up to 0.3 T. We find that the effective activation energy U_e follows U_e(T,J,H)=U₀(1−T/T_p)^mln(J_c0/J)H⁻ with m=1.75 for Hab-plane and 2.5 for Hc-axis and =0.76 for Hab and 0.97 for Hc, for the current density regime above 100 A/cm², where T_p is a function of applied magnetic field and current density. This result suggests the effective activation energy U_e be correlated with the temperature, current density and magnetic field. The possible dissipative mechanisms responsible for the temperature, current density and magnetic field dependence of the effective activation energy are discussed.     

Oxygen nonstoichiometry and high temperature conductivity of the 2201 phase of the Bi---Sr---Cu---O superconducting oxide

The oxygen nonstoichiometry and high temperature conductivity of Bi_2.12Sr_1.86Cu_1.02O_y (2201 phase) were determined as a function of temperature (T) and oxygen partial pressure (P_O2). The dependences of conductivity on T and P_O2 were similar to those of oxygen content, and two subphases, and β, were found in such cases as 2212 and 2223 phases. From the result a close relationship was inferred between conductivity and oxygen content, and the mobility and carrier density were calculated. The carrier density of 2201 phase was smaller than those of the 2212 and 2223 phases.     

Magnetic properties of the Bi1.95Sr2.05−xLaxCuOy (Bi-2201) superconducting phase

We have investigated the reversible mixed-state magnetization M of three lanthanum substituted Bi_1.95Sr_2.05−xLa_xCuO_y (Bi-2201) ceramic samples having different critical temperatures T_c ranging from 20.0 to 35.5 K. As for the Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ (Bi-2212) phase, we found that anisotropy of Bi-2201 is large. A manifestation of this anisotropy is the field independent magnetization M^* observed at a temperature T^*. In the framework of the London model, and including thermal fluctuations of vortices, we found for the temperature dependence of the penetration depth λ_ab(T) = λ_ab(0)[1 − (T/T_c0)ⁿ]^−1/2, with n 1.7 and λ_ab (T = 0) 4000 Å. The estimated upper critical fields μ₀H_c2,c are of the order of 10 T. We observe a peculiar negative slope M/T at low temperature and sufficiently high external magnetic field. This feature seems to be a characteristic of the Bi-2201 phase. However, we do not know whether it is associated with the superconducting mixed-state. A small amount of magnetic impurities could also be responsible for this behavior. Finally, the behavior of the reversible magnetization of the Bi-2201 samples investigated, which are situated at the optimal and in the overdoped region, did not indicate any unusual temperature dependence for the upper critical field H_c2,c.     

Influence of the Tl- and Hg-content on magnetic and transport properties of the Pb, Sr-doped Tl-1223 and Hg-1223 superconductors

The effects of the thallium and mercury content x on the as-sintered and post annealed samples of M_xPb_0.4Sr_1.6Ba_0.4Ca₂Cu₃O_8+δ {M: Tl (0.32≤x≤0.74) or Hg (0.18≤x≤0.68)} have been studied by magnetization and transport measurements. For Tl-1223 we have found the optimum Tl doping level to be x=0.53 regarding the grain properties, the content of superconducting phase, the first penetration field H_pl^wl, the transport (J_c^tr), magnetic intergrain (J_c^M) and intragrain (J_c^g) critical current densities. The critical temperature T_c of the as-sintered Tl-1223 sample decreased with increasing Tl content. Post-annealing in oxygen improved the T_c for Tl contents of x≥0.53 and had generally positive effects on the critical current densities. The intergrain properties of the Hg-1223 samples were much worse than those of the Tl-based superconductors.     

Infrared spectra and transport properties of Li-doped La214 system

The microstructure, charge transport and phonon vibration of polycrystalline samples of Li-doped La214 system have been studied by X-ray diffraction, resistivity and transmission infrared (IR) spectra. It is found that the doping of Li in La₂Cu_1−xLi_xO_y (0x0.5) and La_1.85+xSr_0.15−xCu_1−xLi_xO_y shows different effects on the crystal structure and resistivity. The change of resistivity with Li doping can be interpreted based on the variation of carrier concentration and impurity scattering. The shift of two IR vibration modes around 512 and 683 cm⁻¹, which are referred to the vibrations of apical oxygen and planar oxygen, is analyzed in detail. The change of the intensity for the mode around 683 cm⁻¹ is interpreted in terms of the screened effect of charge carrier in CuO₂ plane. The relation among crystal microstructure, carrier concentration, transport properties and phonon vibration is analyzed and discussed based on the experiment results.     

Superconductivity at 27 K in Nb-1222 cuprate: NbSr2(GdCe)2Cu2Oy

Samples of NbSr₂Gd_2−xCe_xCu₂O_y have been prepared by solid state reaction. The X-ray powder diffraction patterns show that a single phase can be formed in the composition range of 0.49<x<0.51 that has TaSr₂ (NdCe)₂Cu₂O_y structure [1], the cell parameters being a=3.8669±0.0046 Å and c=28.742±0.0048 Å. Superconductivity was found by resistance measurements in the sample of NbSr₂Gd_1.5Ce_0.5Cu₂O_y: the onset transition temperature is 27.4 K, and zero resistance appears at approximately 13 K.     

Trapping mechanism of superconductivity suppression induced by Pr substitution in the Ho1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ system

Pr concentration dependence of the superconducting transition temperature T_c in the Ho_1−xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ system is determined from measurements of DC electrical resistance. This dependence coincides with that for the parallely studied Y_1−xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ reference system. Both systems have the same value of the critical concentration x_c=0.58, in accordance with nearly equal ionic radii of Ho³⁺ and Y³⁺ ions. It has been shown that the T_c(x) curve can be described with a single mechanism based on a decreasing number of sheet holes trapped by Pr^IV-ions, if one takes also into account that the number of these ions changes with x.     

A Raman study of the structural properties of YBa2(Cu1 − xFex)3Oy

The effects of Fe-substitution of YBa₂Cu₃O_y have been investigated by means of Raman scattering, X-ray diffraction, resistivity and susceptibility measurements. A series of samples of YBa₂(Cu_{1 − x}Fe_x)₃O_y with different dopant concentration (0 x 0.15) has been prepared in two batches, the second set having undergone twice the heat and mechanical treatment used to produce the first batch. Considerable improvement in the superconducting transition temperature, T_c, is obtained upon reprocessing. A phase transformation from orthorhombic to tetragonal symmetry is observed for x=0.05 from the X-ray measurements in agreement with previous work. Using a micro-Raman technique, all five A_g vibrational modes have been measured and their dependence on Fe-concentration is analyzed. There are indications that iron substitutes for copper at both sites and that the structure is a mixture of orthorhombic and tetragonal microdomains for all x.