Hg-based cuprate superconducting films patterned into structures for ultrafast photodetectors

We present results which describe procedures of the preparation and patterning of Hg,Re-Ba-Ca-Cu-O superconducting films suitable for coplanar structures usable as possible photodetectors and for microbridges. We compare structural and electrical properties of the final films from the point of their applicability for photodetectors. Our prepared Re-doped Hg-based films on LaAlO₃ substrate are continuous with a sufficient adhesion to the substrate and with a maximum zero resistance critical temperature T_C0 ∼ 122 K. The X-ray diffraction of all the films confirmed the Hg-1212 phase beside the minor Hg-1223 phase and intergrowth phases in some cases. In spite of epitaxial character of the final Hg-based films, the microwave and magnetic measurements suggest a possible existence of nonstoichiometric material between the grains which we register as a presence of weak links near the transition into the superconducting state. We show some electrical properties of the prepared superconducting structures, too. The prepared coplanar structures show ultrafast photoresponse signal to incident laser pulse.     

Local structure study of T′ cuprate superconductors

Undoped T′-type cuprates are believed to be charge transfer (Mott-Hubbard) insulators. Recent observation of undoped superconducting T′-type cuprates suggests half-filling weakly correlated metallic electron states (Tsukada et al.), which is against the fundamental picture. Here we report the local structures of undoped T′-(La³⁺,Y³⁺)₂CuO₄ and doped T′-(La³⁺,Ce⁴⁺)₂CuO₄ thin-film single crystals by polarized extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAS). The in-plane (E//ab) polarized Cu K-EXAFS data shows a remarkable Cu-O bond distance displacement. The broadened Cu-O distribution suggests a large local lattice distortion in T′-type structures, which might influence the electronic structure.     

Structure and superconductivity in FexCu1−xBa2YCu2O7+y superconductors synthesized by high pressure

Comprehensive studies of X-ray diffraction, oxygen content, superconductivity and Mössbauer effect have been made on Fe_xCu_1−xBa₂YCu₂O_7+y superconductors (0.00≤x≤0.70) synthesized by ambient (AM) and high pressure (HP). Results indicate that all the HP-samples have tetragonal structure, smaller lattice parameter c and unit-cell volume than the AM-samples. The studies of oxygen content, and Mössbauer spectroscopy indicate that the HP-samples have higher oxygen content, carrier concentration and average valence of Fe than the AM-samples. Moreover, for the HP-samples more Fe atoms located in CuO_x chains have fivefold-oxygen coordination. These are important reasons for the enhancement of T_c in the HP-samples.     

Checkerboard patterns and magnetic resonance peak in cuprate superconductors

We investigate a kind of spin-Peierls transition (SP) in high T_c superconductivity. It is found the antiferromagnetic exchange integral of SP corresponds to the magnetic resonance peak. The kind of spin-Peierls transition applied to cuprate superconductors is that without dimerization of lattice ions and with dimerization of localized hole h_Cu attached to the ion. Absence of the magnetic resonance peak in La-Sr-Cu-O results from the dimerized state of localized hole, h_Cu below T_c into tetramerized phase above T_c in SP transition without dimerization of copper-ion. The checkerboard patterns with four unit cell period originate from the SP of electronic part without ion-dimerization and from charge occupation probability of oxygen-atom around Cu.     

Effects of oxygen-vacancies in high-temperature cuprate superconductors

We investigate the effects of oxygen vacancies on the magnetic properties and superconducting transition temperature of high-temperature cuprate superconductors. Starting with the d-p Hamiltonian, we simultaneously employ the coherent potential approximation to account for the effects of oxygen vacancies, and the fluctuation-exchange scheme to address the copper-site Coulomb interactions. Our results show that the presence of oxygen vacancies weakens the antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations of d-electrons subsequently lowering the superconducting transition temperature.     

Superconductivity at 45 K in La2CuO4+δ oxidized by NaClO

An efficient and convenient oxidizing agent, sodium hypochlorite solution, has been used to chemically prepare the superconductor La₂CuO_4+δ at room temperature. The crystallographic data show an enhanced orthorhombic distortion and an increase of the unit-cell volume. The magnetic susceptibility properties reveal a sharp transition beginning at 45 K and the oxidized sample is a homogeneous and single-phase bulk superconductor. The iodometric titration measurements indicate that the oxidized sample has a higher excess-oxygen content of 0.11. Scanning electron microscope observations showed that no grain size difference was observed for the sample before and after oxidation. Received: 15 September 2000 / Accepted: 19 January 2001 / Published online: 3 April 2001     

Magnetic field dependence on transition temperature Tc in cuprate superconductors

We investigate the magnetic field dependence on T_c in the high transition temperature superconductors. It is shown that phonon-enhanced spin fluctuations drive this superconductivity once more suggested by us [Phys. Rev. B 61 (2001) 4289]. We know magnetic field dependence on our transition temperature is in good correspondence with experimental data. It is elucidated that the external field is closely related to the local internal field in order to influence spin fluctuations.     

Evolution of spin dynamics in electron-doped cuprate superconductors

Within the kinetic energy driven superconducting mechanism, the evolution of the magnetic excitations of the electron-doped cuprates in the superconducting state is studied. It is shown that there is a broad commensurate low energy magnetic scattering peak, while the magnetic resonance energy is located among this broad commensurate low energy scattering range. This broad commensurate low energy magnetic scattering disperses outward into a continuous ring-like incommensurate magnetic scattering at high energy.     

Defining under and over-doping as bond order phenomena in the pair plaid model

Within the rules of a pair plaid model charge-lattice lock-in patterns are identified, which are responsible for the trends to characteristic hole values for a variety of features in the doping curves [onsets, kinks or optima,] of cuprates and related materials. Examples are the prevalence of optimal hole values of 0.16, 0.22 or 0.25. Selection of one of these values depends on the degree of isolation of the plane. Periods of pair plaid represent a central aspect for an algorithm of T_c or doping curve predictions when combined with the plane isolation model. Aspects of the theoretical concept of pair plaids have been made visible in recent STM graphs indicating electronic crystal behavior for the related pseudo-gap region. Pair plaids are in competition with stripes of non-superconducting singles and can be transformed into them. This competition is further elucidated with emphasis on the regions, where both orders can coexist. This further defines over and under-doping.     

Superconductivity and magnetism of La2Cu1−xZnxO4+δ chemically oxidized by NaClO

The structural, superconducting and magnetic properties of La₂Cu_1−xZn_xO_4+δ (0≤x≤0.1) chemically oxidized by NaClO at room temperature were studied. All the samples before and after oxidation are single phase with orthorhombic structure, as indicated by their powder X-ray diffraction analysis. The iodometric titration results indicate that Zn-substituted La₂Cu_1−xZn_xO₄ is more favorable for the insertion of the excess oxygen, as compared to the Zn-free La₂CuO₄. The T_c suppression rate resulting from Zn substitution in La₂Cu_1−xZn_xO_4+δ is −12.4 K/%. The effective magnetic moment induced by the non-magnetic Zn ion is the order of one Bohr magneton, which decreases with increasing the Zn concentrations in the range examined. The latter two results are qualitatively well consistent with those obtained in La_2−xSr_xCu_1−yZn_yO₄ with the Sr optimal doping. This reveals that the non-magnetic Zn ions play the same role in both of the La₂Cu_1−xZn_xO_4+δ with the excess oxygen content of about 0.1 and the La_2−xSr_xCu_1−yZn_yO₄ with the Sr optimal doping.     

Nernst constant of the doped cuprate in the ‘normal’ state: A scaling form

A first analytic calculation has been done in Nernst constant on the basis of the hypothesis that the normal state of the underdoped cuprate is at the two-channel Kondo fixed point of the crystal. Its temperature variation is found to obey a universal scaling relation, which can be checked experimentally. It has the maximum in the pseudogap regime, which has been already found experimentally. We present argument and evidence that in the doped and moderately disordered cuprate the two-channel fixed point is stable.     

Metal to insulator transition in Mn substituted underdoped NdBa2Cu3O7−y: Evidence of strong charge localization

We have synthesized underdoped NdBa₂Cu₃O_7−y (NBCO) and NdBa₂Cu_3−xMn_xO_7−y (x = 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) samples. The analysis of the lattice parameters has been done by using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. Using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) the granular nature as well as the intergranular networks has been studied. The Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS) studies confirm the substitution of Mn in the Cu-sites. The transport measurements in several undoped and Mn-substituted NBCO samples have been carried out. We have observed an indication of the metal to insulator transition as a result of the strong charge localization induced by Mn substitution. The applicability of various conductivity equations has been verified for comparison. Estimations of the activation energy and localization length have been carried out and discussed.     

Investigation of in-plane orientation characteristics for Bi-2212/MgO thin films fabricated by the MOD method

We investigated the characteristics of in-plane orientation for c-axis-oriented Bi-2212 thin films on MgO substrates, fabricated by the metal–organic decomposition (MOD) method. Bi-2212/MgO films were annealed using a 2-step heat treatment. The dominant rotation angle of the Bi-2212 film was 45° ([1 0 0] of Bi-2212 // [1 1 0] of MgO) for a precursor film fabricated at 500 °C and fired at 840 °C for 0 min or 30 min. However, after firing for 1 h the ?-scanning signal indicating the 45° angle became smaller and the signal representing an angle of about ±12° ([1 0 0] of Bi-2212 // [5 1 0] of MgO) became larger. After firing for 3 h, this ±12° signal became dominant. The extent of the 45° angle’s shift to ±12° increased with increasing firing time. On the other hand, when the precursor film was fabricated at 430 °C, signals indicating angles of 0°, ∼±12°, and 45° were observed after firing for 30 min. The rotation angle depended on the precursor-fabrication temperature when the precursor film was fired at 840 °C for 0 min or 30 min.     

Ab initio theory of complex electronic ground state of superconductors: II.: Antiadiabatic state—Ground state of superconductors

Based on Q, P-dependent modification of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation (BOA), the ab initio theory of complex electronic ground state of superconductors is presented. As an illustrative example, application of the theory to superconductors of a different character and to the corresponding nonsuperconducting analogues is presented. It is shown that due to electron-phonon (EP) interactions, which drive system from adiabatic into antiadiabatic state, adiabatic translation symmetry is broken and system is stabilized in antiadiabatic state at distorted geometry with respect to adiabatic equilibrium high-symmetry structure. Stabilization effect in the antiadiabatic state is due to strong dependence of the electronic motion on the instantaneous nuclear kinetic energy, i.e. on the effect that is neglected on the adiabatic level within the BOA. At distorted geometry, antiadiabatic ground state is geometrically degenerated with fluxional nuclear configurations in the phonon modes that drive system into this state. It has been shown that until the system remains in antiadiabatic state, nonadiabatic polaron-renormalized phonon interactions are zero in the well-defined k-region of reciprocal lattice. This, along with geometric degeneracy of the antiadiabatic state, enables formation of mobile bipolarons that can move over lattice as supercarriers without dissipation. Moreover, it has been shown that due to EP interactions at transition into antiadiabatic state, k-dependent gap in one-electron spectrum has been opened. Gap opening is associated with shift of the original adiabatic Hartree-Fock orbital energies and with the k-dependent change in density of states of particular band(s) at Fermi level. Corrected one-particle spectrum enables to derive thermodynamic properties in full agreement with corresponding thermodynamic properties of superconductors.Based on the complex ab initio theory, it has been shown that Fröhlich's effective attractive electron-electron interaction term represents correction to electron correlation energy at transition from adiabatic into antiadiabatic state due to EP interactions. It has been shown that increased electron correlation is a consequence of stabilization of the system in superconducting electronic ground state, but not the reason for its formation.     

Superconductivity in the ‘triple-fluorite-layer’ copper oxides (Cu,M)-1232 (M=Mo, W, Re, Pb)

Here two new high-T_c superconductors are reported of the (Cu,M)-1232 structure containing a fluorite-structured (Ce,Y)-O₂-(Ce,Y)-O₂-(Ce,Y) triple-layer block between two adjacent superconductive CuO₂ planes. The new superconductors were found through substitution studies at the Mo site in the recently synthesized superconductor, (Cu_0.75Mo_0.25)Sr₂(Ce_0.67Y_0.33)₃Cu₂O_11+δ or (Cu_0.75Mo_0.25)-1232 [Y. Morita, T. Nagai, Y. Matsui, H. Yamauchi, M. Karppinen, Phys. Rev. B 70 (2004) 174515. [10a]]. Essentially single-phase samples of the (Cu_0.75M_0.25)-1232 phase with M=W, Re and Pb were obtained by an ambient-pressure solid-state synthesis method. Through a subsequent high-pressure oxygenation (HPO) treatment carried out at 5 GPa and 500 °C in the presence of Ag₂O₂ as an oxygen source the M=W and Re samples were successfully ‘superconductorized’. Introduction of Pb was found to markedly enhance the speed of the formation of the 1232 phase, but the (Cu,Pb)-1232 samples did not exhibit superconductivity. Among the superconductive (Cu,M)-1232 samples, the highest T_c value of 56 K was achieved for (Cu_0.75Re_0.25)-1232. It is likely that the higher the average valence of cations in the (Cu,M)O_1+δ charge-reservoir is, the more can the phase accommodate excess oxygen upon HPO treatment and the higher is the resulting T_c value.     

Enhanced superconductivity in Sr2CuO4−v

A critical review of previous investigations of the superconductivity with enhanced T_c ∼ 95 K found in Sr₂CuO_4−v shows that new physics occurs in a highly overdoped region of the cuprate phase diagram. Moreover, evidence is adduced from the literature that 30% of the oxygen sites in the CuO₂ layers are vacant; a conclusion which is at odds with the universally made assumption that superconductivity originates in stoichiometric CuO₂ layers. While further research is needed in order to identify the pairing mechanism(s) responsible for the enhanced T_c, we suggest possible candidates.     

Rare earth ion effects on the pseudo-gap in electron-doped superconductors and possible nodeless d-wave gap

We report angle resolved photoemission (ARPES) studies on electron-doped cuprate superconductor Sm_2-xCe_xCuO₄ (x=0.14 and 0.18). A wide energy range scan shows clear “waterfall” effect at an energy scale close to 500 meV which is consistent with the value found in Nd_2-xCe_xCuO₄ (NCCO) but larger than that from hole-doped superconductors. High resolution results from both dopings show pseudo-gap effects that were observed in NCCO. However, the effects are found to be stronger than that observed in optimally doped NCCO. The overall electronic structure is well understood within a simple model in which a static order is assumed. Both ARPES and optical measurements give the coupling strengths to the Q=(π/2,π/2) (due to the order) to be about 0.1 eV, compatible with each other. The effect is strong enough to push the band near the nodal region below the Fermi energy, resulting in possible nodeless d-wave superconductivity where zero energy quasi-particle excitation is inhibited.     

The effect of Fe and Ru substitution on the superconductivity in MgCNi3

We report the effects of partial substitutions of the VIIIa elements: Fe (3d) and Ru (4d) in the intermetallic perovskite superconductor MgCNi₃. In both the MgCNi_3−xRu_x and MgCNi_3−xFe_x systems, the superconducting critical temperature (T_C) decreases monotonically as x is increased. T_C decreases more slowly in the case of Ru, suggesting that the 3d electrons in Fe are magnetically pair breaking. This is supported by the normal state magnetic susceptibility measurements (χ), which shows that χ increases with Fe and decreases with Ru doping. No ferromagnetism is observed in either system.