Far-infrared spectroscopy of the high Tc superconductor YBa2Cu3O7-δ

We report measurements of the far-infrared reflectivity of polycrystalline samples of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ which have their superconducting transition temperatures in the 90 K range. The measurements performed between 300 K and 10 K reveal temperature-dependent structures attributed to optical phonons in the 150 cm^-1 – 350 cm^-1 range, and excitation of the electrons across the energy gap. Complicated structures make unambiguous fitting with the Mattis-Bardeen theory difficult, but it seems that the energy gap is around 3.5 kT_c for T⪡T_c. Additionally, our results indicate the possibility of a second gap at an energy corresponding to 5.4 kT_c.     

Magnetic properties of the high Tc superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−δ

Magnetic measurements have been performed on the YBa₂Cu₆O_7−δ superconducting system in the temperature range 4.2–320 K. A hystereris loop indicating a coexistence of the superconducting and magnetic ordering below H_c1 at 4.2 K has been recorded.     

X-ray absorption spectroscopy of the 90K superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−δ

X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been used to probe the Cu environment of the new highT _c YBa₂Cu₃O_7– superconductor. Evidences of other valencies than two are found for copper. Besides Cu¹⁺ which is localized on Cu₁ sites when the unit cell is oxygendeficient, one invokes a ground state which merges bivalent 3d ⁹ to 3d ⁹ L configurations as proposed in a recent paper (L stands for a ligand hole in the CuO bond) very similar to that observed in many light rare earth oxides.     

Lack of delocalized Cup states at the fermi level in the high-T c superconductor YBa2Cu3O∼7 by XANES spectroscopy

The x-ray absorption spectra of the single phase high temperature superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O₇ withT _{c, onset}=97 K have been measured between 30 K and 300 K by using synchrotron radiation.The copperK-edge x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectrum gives experimental evidence of the lack of delocalized Cup states close to the Fermi level, in fact a spectral distribution of local (at the Cu site) partial (l=1) density of states as in the insulating CuO has been found.The EXAFS (extended x-ray absorption fine structure) spectrum shows evidence of the formation of layers formed by Cu ions coordinated by oxygen square planes sharing corners. The average Cu–O distance at 30 K in the layers has been found to be 1.93 i.e. 0.02 shorter than in CuO and the average distance between Cu ions at the centers of the square planes is 3.85.The present local structure suggests that superconductivity should occur in the crystalline planes formed by CuO₄ square plane units. The lack of delocalized Cu states is in agreement with the hypothesis that conductivity is due to itinerant holesL in the oxygen derived valence band.The results of this experiment have been presented at the Symposium on the Latest Developments in Superconductivity at High Temperatures of the European Physical Society Meeting held in Pisa april 8, 1987     

Local density theory of X-ray and photoemission from YBa2Cu3O7−δ: The high Tc superconductor

Photoemission, inverse photoemission and X-ray emission spectra have been calculated using results of a highly precise local density energy band study. Compared to experiment, we find a shift of ∼2 eV to higher binding energy for the Cu-d and the O-pπ bonding states. This shift is attributed to the lack of metallic screening for the Cu-d holes which leaves only charge transfer screening by O ligand electrons. The larger shift of the O-pπ states close to E_F compared to those lying lower in energy is attributed to different degrees of localization. By contrast, the lower lying O-pσ bonding states, which show greater itinerant character than the higher lying pπ states, are less affected by relaxation effects.     

Dynamics of atoms in the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−δ

In order to obtain insight into the role played by the phonons in the superconducting phase transition, we have performed infrared reflectivity and inelastic neutron scattering experiments on single phase YBa₂Cu₃O_7–(0.1,T _c =94 K, T _10–90=1 K). These experimental results, together with published Raman scattering and specific heat data are used to determine the parameters of a rigid-ion model; the model is able to reproduce qualitatively the experimental data. On the basis of our model we derive and discuss the phonon density of states and the pattern of atomic displacements of some important vibrational modes. In particular, the model reveals the existence of high-frequency oxygen breathing modes and of low-frequency copper dimerization modes in both the CuO₃-chains and the CuO₂-planes. Furthermore, Jahn-Teller like oxygen modes exist in the chains. The possible role of these modes with respect to the pairing mechanism is discussed. In addition there exist low-frequency chain-degrading modes which favour jumps of oxygen atoms out of the CuO₃-chains into neighbouring vacant sites in the basal plane.     

Study of magnetic ordering of the high Tc superconductor GdBa2Cu3O7−y by muon spin rotation

Muon spin rotation experiments were performed on the high T_c superconductor GdBa₂Cu₃O_7−y in the temperature range from 30 mK to 130 K. Below 2.3 K, we observe in zero external field well defined muon spin precession showing clearly the presence of magnetic ordering in the sample. Two different frequencies could be distinguished which correspond to internal magnetic fields of 33 and 52 mT, respectively. Above 2.3 K up to about 10 K a fast depolarization of the muon spin is observed indicating the persistance of correlations among the Gd moments well above the Néel temperature.     

X-ray photoelectron spectra and composition of YBa2Cu3O7 − δ films prepared by laser ablation

The Y3d, Ba3d _5/2, Cu2p _3/2, and O1s X-ray photoelectron spectra of thick (600 nm) superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 ? δ} films deposited on textured Ni-W substrates with Y₂O₃ + ZrO₂ and CeO₂ buffer layers have been studied. It has been established that, after the mechanical removal of surface layers with a diamond scraper (and as the analyzed region of the film approaches the interface), a decrease in the oxygen content leads to a decrease of the orthophase fraction and an increase of the tetraphase and Cu⁺ ion fractions. This is caused by the presence of elastic stresses in the superconducting film due to the lattice misfit between the phases making up a composite sample. These stresses prevent oxygen diffusion involved in oxidizing annealing. The spectra of the superconducting film have not revealed signals generated by elements of the substrate and buffer layers.     

EPR study of the high-TC superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−δ

EPR spectra of superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ and insulating Y₂BaCuO₅ have been examined. The intensity of Cu²⁺ ions in YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ is about 1/3000 of that in Y₂BaCuO₅ at room temperature. Owing to the Meissner effect in the superconducting state, the EPR signal of Cu²⁺ ions in YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ disappears; moreover the EPR signal of DPPH deposited on the YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ specimen is shifted. An additional EPR line is found for YBa₂(Cu_2.94Cr_0.06)O_7-δ at temperatures below 113K; this can be related to the phenomenon of superconductivity.     

Ferroelastic detwinning of the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7-δ

Crystals of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ (YBC) were prepared using a flux technique. The as-grown crystals were typically on the order of 200 μm × 200 μm × 50 μm, where the 50 μm dimension is in the c-direction. Ferroelastic behavior was observed by applying a uniaxial stress along the [100]_tet-direction using a specially-designed fixture which was mounted to a programmable hot/cold stage of a polarizing reflected-light microscope. Domain wall motion was observed for temperatures greater than 200°C, and complete poling was accomplished at stresses on the order of 50–100 MPa at temperatures of 350–400°C. An ionic diffusion-activated mechanism is suggested.     

Positron annihilation anomaly in the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−x

We have measured the ac susceptibility of a wire with a Nb core (1.27 mm diam.) and a Cu cladding (0.37 mm thickness) atT50 K andB0.1 mG. Due to its proximity to Nb, the Cu becomes fully superconducting. From the data we find a breakdown fieldH _b =1.2 (mG) and a coherence length =2.2T ^–1/2 (m) for the Cu, as well as a field penetration depth -34T ^1/2 (m) at the Cu/Nb interface.     

Far infrared absorption studies of high Tc superconducting material YBa2Cu3O7−x

The high Tc superconducting material YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x has been studied for its absorption in the FIR region. Measurements have been carried out using a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer at different temperatures above and below Tc. Observed bands are examined in the light of theoretical calculations based on different models. Certain IR absorption bands show screening effects in the measurements below Tc. Experimental values for observed IR bands are compared with the work of other authors and the bands are assigned to different IR active modes of vibration of the material.     

Specific heat studies of high-Tc superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−x

Specific heat studies of the high-T_c superconducting compound YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x with bulk transition temperature at 92K are reported. A distinct anomaly of electronic origin in the specific heat is observed with granular-like behavior corresponding to a Sommerfeld constant γ = 7±2mJ(moleCuK²)^±1 Debye temperature (φo ≈ 400K) is obtained by fitting the experimental data with the theoretical Debye specific heat.     

Crystallographic and microstructural aspects of the superconductor YBa2Cu3O7-y —an overview

Crystal structures and structural inhomogeneities observed in YBa₂Cu₃O_7-y are reviewed. It is brought out that a proper understanding of the nature of the structural inhomogeneities is essential for exploiting the technological potential of this material. The need for an adequate characterization of specimens used for experiments is emphasized. Practical implications of the ferroelastic nature of the material are discussed.     

Process of magnetic field penetration into the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−δ

The processes of magnetic field penetration into the ceramic samples of the HTSC YB₂Cu₃O_～6.95 at T<T _c are studied by the methods of internal friction and magnetization measurements. A clearly manifested correlation is observed between the field dependences of the internal friction spectrum parameters (the logarithmic damping decrement Q ^?1 and the resonance frequency f) and the trapped magnetic flux ΔM. The magneto-mechanical approach we used reveals a significant difference in the field dependences of the densities of pinned (N _p) and free (N _f) Abrikosov vortices for H>H _c1.     

Fluctuation-induced conductivity in melt-textured Pr-doped YBa2Cu3O7-δ composite superconductor

In this study, the effects of thermal fluctuations on the electrical conductivity in melt-textured YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ, Y_0.95Pr_0.05Ba₂Cu₃O_7-δ and (YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ)_0.95–(PrBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ)_0.05 composite superconductor were considered. The composite superconductor samples were prepared through the top seeding method using melt-textured NdBa₂Cu₃O_7-d seeds. The resistivity measurements were performed with a low-frequency, low-current AC technique in order to extract the temperature derivative and analyze the influence of the praseodymium ion on the normal superconductor transition and consequently on the fluctuation regimes. The results show that the resistive transition is a two-step process. In the normal phase, above the critical temperature, Gaussian and critical fluctuation regimes were identified, while below the critical temperature, in the regime near the approach to the zero-resistance state, the fluctuation conductivity diverges as expected in a paracoherent-coherent transition.     

Generation of coherent off-diagonal raman-active phonons by femtosecond laser pulses in high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−x

The time-resolved optical response from various crystallographic planes of a YBa₂Cu₃O_7?x monocrystal is investigated. In such measurements of temporal behavior, the phonon system is driven by an ultrashort (subpicosecond) pulse into a coherent state and is probed by a second ultrashort pulse with a given temporal delay. A comparison of the Fourier transforms of the temporal responses with the spontaneous Raman scattering spectra shows that the contribution to a temporal response comes not only from fully symmetric phonons, but also from off-diagonal modes. The mechanism of generation of coherent phonons in high-temperature superconductors is discussed.     

Magnetoresistance hysteresis of granular YBa2Cu3O7−δ high-temperature superconductor in weak magnetic fields

The variation of the transverse magnetoresistance of YBa₂Cu₃O_～6.95 high-temperature superconducting ceramic with external magnetic field intensity H _ext first increasing from zero to ～500 Oe (Δρ⁺ / ρ_{273 K}) and then decreasing from about 500 Oe to zero (Δρ^? / ρ_{273 K}) is studied for transport current densities varying from j/j _c ≈ 0.01 to ≈0.99 (where j _c is the critical current density in the absence of the magnetic field) at 77.3 K. It is found that the field dependence of the magnetoresistance of YBa₂Cu₃O_～6.95 high-temperature superconductor is characterized by pronounced hysteresis, the difference Δρ⁺ / ρ_{273 K} ? Δρ^? / ρ_{273 K} increasing with j/j _c. As j/j _c grows, the effective critical fields of Josephson weak links, H _c2J , and the lower critical fields of superconducting grains, H _c1A , decline. When field H _ext rises, the critical fields are lower than when H _ext diminishes: H _c2J ⁺ < H _c2J ^? and H _c1A ⁺ < H _c1A ^? .     

Molecular‐dynamics simulation of YBa2Cu3O7 at high temperatures

Molecular-dynamics simulation of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ is carried out to study the oxygen-atom distribution at high temperatures as the system undergoes the orthorhombic-to-tetragonal phase transition. While at the transition the one-dimensional arrangement of oxygen atoms in the Cul(0,0,0)-O4(0, 1/2, 0) chains begins to disorder, at temperatures above the transition the simulation also indicates the presence of a few vacancies at the O1(0, 0, z) sites. At still higher temperatures vacancies occur at all the oxygen sites. The simulation utilises an interatomic potential based on an unscreened rigid-ion model which was earlier found to be useful in understanding the structure, phonon density of states, and related properties. The thermal expansion, as obtained from the zero-pressure simulation, is in reasonable agreement with the observations of Jorgensen et al. on the oxygen-deficient system. The melting temperature obtained from the simulation is also in fair agreement with experiment.