Magnetization studies in niobium and YBa2Cu3O7 samples

The results of experimental studies on hysteresis in magnetization, thermomagnetic history effects, anomalous variations in magnetic hysteresis curves and the decay rates of magnetization obtained under different thermomagnetic histories in specimens of conventional and high temperature superconductors are presented. The Bean’s critical state model is considered adequate to explain magnetic behaviour in conventional hard superconductors. The similarity in the general features of the results of different experiments on specimens of the two families of superconductors underscores the efficacy of the said model to understand some aspects of the macroscopic magnetic response of high temperature superconductors as well. For instance, the isothermal magnetization hysteresis loop which comprises of magnetization curves along forward (−H _max to +H _max) and reverse (+H _max to −H _max) paths define an envelop within which all isothermal magnetization data along different thermomagnetic histories lie. There exist inequality relationship between various field values identified asH _peak,H _I,H _II etc. in isothermal magnetization hysteresis as well as magnetic relaxation data. The entire field span of an isothermal magnetization hysteresis data set can be considered to comprise of three parts corresponding to (M _rem(H)−M _FC(H)+M _ZFC(H)) being equal to, less than or greater than zero, whereM _rem(H) are the remanent magnetization values obtained on reducing field to zero after having the specimen in different applied field (H) values. There are, however some situations amongst thermomagnetic history effects in specimens which show incomplete flux trapping on field cooling, where the critical state model has been found inadequate.     

Comparison of irreversibility temperatures determined via DC and AC magnetization techniques in conventional superconductors

A comparison has been made of irreversibility temperature determined by four different methods in few specimens of lead (type-I) and niobium (type-II). The merger ofM _ZFC(T) andM _FC(T) curves giveT _r(H) values lower than those evident from vanishing the hysteresis in isothermal DC magnetization. The identification of peak temperature inx″ _H (T) data withT _r(H) is appropriate only if the contribution from changes in the normal state electrodynamics can be isolated and the peak is narrow. The appearance of differential paramagnetic effect inx′ _H (T) data is adequate to imply reversibility, however, its efficacy to precisely locate irreversibility line remains to be established.     

Magnetic field dependence ofT c and temperature dependence ofH c2 in layered superconductors with open normal state Fermi surface

A theoretical framework for treating the effects of magnetic fieldH on the pairing theory of superconductivity is considered, where the field is taken in an arbitrary direction with respect to crystal axes. This is applicable to closed, as well as open normal state Fermi surface (FS), including simple layered metals. The orbital effects of the magnetic field are treated semiclassically while retaining the full anisotropic paramagnetic contribution. Explicit calculations are presented in the limits |H| → |H _c2(T)|,T ∼ 0 andT →T _c(|H|), |H| ∼ 0. Effects of weak nonmagnetic impurity scattering, without vertex corrections, have also been taken into account in a phenomenological way. The final results for the case of open FS and layered materials are found to differ considerably from those of the closed FS. For example, an important parameter,h(T=0)=|H_c2(0)|/[-Tδ|H _c2 T|δT]_T{s0} for the case of a FS open ink _z-direction with thek _z-bandwidth, 4t ₃, very small compared to the Fermi energy,E _F, is close to 0.5906, compared to 0.7273 for the closed FS, in the clean limit. Analytical results are given for the magnetic field dependence ofT _c and the temperature dependence of H _c2 for a model of layered superconductors with widely open FS. For a set of band structure parameters for YBa₂Cu₃O₇ used elsewhere, we find reasonable values for the upper critical fieldH _c2(0), the slope (dH _c2/dT)_{T c0}, anisotropic coherence lengths ζ_i(T=0),i=x, y, z, and (dT _c/d|H|)_{|H| → 0}.     

Critical currents in polycrystalline thin films of high-T c superconductors

Summary It is shown that the behaviour of the temperature dependence of the critical current in polycrystalline thin films of high-T _c superconductors depends crucially on the assumption made concerning the nature of the intergranular material. The usual assumption of a superconductor-insulator-superconductor (=SIS) ?sandwich? between each grain leads to a crossover fromI _c∼(1−T/T _c) toI _c∼(1−T/T _c)^3/2, for temperatures nearT _c (whereI _c is the critical current,T the absolute temperature, andT _c the superconducting transition temperature). Instead, for a superconductor-normal metal-superconductor (=SNS) sandwich the dependenceI _c∼(1−T/T _c)² is found for all temperatures. Consideration is given to the effect of self-magnetic field on the analysis. The comparison between expressions for continuous and granular systems is extended. Due to the relevance of its scientific content, this paper has been given priority by the Journal Direction.     

Magnetic phase diagram of anisotropic layered superconductors via magnetization measurements forH‖c in Bi2212

The Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ system is viewed as an archetypal of superconductors modelled as Josephson coupled CuO₂ bilayers. The isothermal and temperature dependent DC and AC magnetization measurements forH‖c in a single crystal of Bi2212 have been performed. Qualitative changes are observed to occur over a narrow range of temperature values before reaching the superconducting-normal transition. The observed behaviour can be ascribed to the rapid variation in the strength of the coupling between the superconducting CuO₂ planes (i.e., bilayers in the case of Bi2212). Strongly coupled planes behave like a 3D superconductor, whereas weakly coupled planes have a two component response attributable to 2D planes and interplanar couplings. We believe that this paper is a plethora of new findings. Our observations imply that resistivity across the planes becomes zero earlier than that within the planes. A new line (designated asH _2D(T)) above which the change in the electromagnetic response is dominated by quasi 2D-planes has been determined for the first time. This paper also contains the first observation of Differential Diamagnetic Effect (DDE) in the In-phase AC susceptibility data which signals the onset (atT _2D(H)) of dominance of response from 2D-planes. In addition to a host of interesting thermomagnetic history effects which are a consequence of interplay between the diamagnetic responses from the two components, a comparison of irreversibility lines (of the 3D state) determined by different methods on the same specimen of a HTSC is also being presented for the first time. We have come across Paramagnetic Meissner Effect (PME), first recognized in ceramic samples of Bi2212, in the temperature region of dimensional crossover in our single crystal sample, whichinter-alia confirms our labelling of the two component behaviour. A schematic phase diagram summarizing the various transformations that can occur nearT _c in the electromagnetic response of an anisotropic layered system has been drawn.     

Spin-wave theory for finite classical magnets and superparamagnetic relation

Analytical calculations based on finite-size spin-wave theory and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations are performed to investigate the validity of the well-known relation m(H, T) = M(H, T)B _D[M(H, T) H/T] between the induced magnetization m of the magnetic particle and its intrinsic magnetization M for the Ising and isotropic classical models (B _D(x) is the Langevin function, D is the number of spin components, is the number of atoms in the particle). It follows from general arguments and from our analytical results for the Heisenberg model at T≪T _c that this relation is not exact for any finite D and nonzero temperature. Nevertheless, corrections to this formula remain very small practically in the whole range T < T _c if ≫ 1, as confirmed by our Monte Carlo calculations. At T T _c/4 there is a good agreement between the MC and finite-size spin-wave calculations for the field dependence of m and M for the Heisenberg model with free boundary conditions. Received 1st December 2000     

Intergranular percolation in granular YBCO/BaTiO3 composites

Ferroelectrics and high temperature superconductors are two promising materials for future electronic devices. Both being perovskite ceramic structures with similar crystal chemistry a set of samples were prepared from the composite of (1−x)YBa₂Cu₃0_7−δ −(x)BaTiO₃ (YBCO/BT). These samples were investigated with temperature dependent resistance, FTIR, X-ray diffraction and SEM-EDX analysis. It has been found that the critical exponent in the T _c0 (R = 0) region is in agreement with the percolation theory. A long-range superconducting order results from thermally assisted percolation process through weak-links between the grains. The connectivity in the coherent transition region can be explained by a power law.      

Spin-orbit coupling,spin-lattice relaxation,and spin-memory studies ofF-center-molecular-ion pairs in alkali halides

Summary The spin-orbit parameter Δ, spin-lattice relaxation timeT ₁, and spin-mixing parameter ɛ ofF _H(OH⁻) andF _H(CN⁻) centers in several alkali halides have been studied with magnetic circular dichroism at ∼2 K. A close comparison of the experimental results before and after optically induced association of theF center with the molecular ion has been made. In crystals of NaCl structure the negative spin-orbit parameter Δ changes little betweenF andF _H centers in the same host. For CsCl and CsBr two values of Δ have been derived forF _H(CN⁻) centers with axis parallel or perpendicular to the magnetic field. In all studied systems, the spin-lattice relaxation timeT ₁ is already shorter before aggregation compared toF formation. The spin-mixing parameter ɛ decreases slightly forF _H(OH⁻) compared toF centers, while it increases drastically forF _H(CN⁻) defects and reaches its maximum possible value ɛ=0.5 in cesium halides. First attempts to interpret these magneto-optical results will be presented. In honour of Prof. Fausto Fumi on the occasion of his retirement from teaching.     

Landau level quantization and possible superconducting instabilities in highly oriented pyrolitic graphite

Measurements of the basal-plane resistivity ρ _a(T,H) performed on highly oriented pyrolitic graphite, with magnetic field H∥c-axis in the temperature interval 2–300K and fields up to 8 T, provide evidence for the occurrence of both field-induced and zero-field superconducting instabilities. Additionally, magnetization M(T,H) measurements suggest the occurrence of Fermi surface instabilities which compete with the superconducting correlations. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 2135–2138 (December 1999)     

Ullah-Dorsey Scaling of Fluctuation Conductivity Near the Superconducting Transition in (LaSe)1.14(NbSe2)

Magnetotransport measurements with the quasi two-dimensional misfit-layer compound (LaSe)_1.14(NbSe₂) with critical temperature T _c = 1.23 K are presented. The temperature dependence of the upper critical magnetic field H _c2 has been determined from an analysis of magnetoresistance data through the scaling procedure obtained theroretically by Ullah and Dorsey for the fluctuation conductivity. We show that in contrast to a direct determination of H _c2(T) with a positive curvature the temperature dependence of H _c2 obtained via the scaling procedure reveals a negative curvature in agreement with the Werthammer-Helfand-Hohenberg theory for conventional type-II superconductors.     

A new type of peak effect in the magnetization of anisotropic superconductors

Experimental and theoretical studies of the magnetization curves M(_H) obtained for plates of an anisotropic hard superconductor are performed. The samples are YBCO single-domain textured crystals with the c axis lying in the sample plane. It is shown that, for some orientations of the magnetic field in the sample plane, the magnetization curves contain additional extrema; at the same time, the virgin magnetization curve M(H) exhibits features characteristic of the peak effect. This proves that the anisotropy of the current-carrying ability can give rise to a new type of peak effect.     

Probing the field-induced variation of the chemical potential in Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy via magneto-thermopower measurements

Approximating the shape of the magneto-thermoelectric power (TEP) ΔS(T,H) measured in Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_y by an asymmetric linear triangle of the form ΔS(T,H)≃S _p (H)±B ^±(H)(T _c −T) with positive B ⁻(H) and B ⁺(H) defined below and above T _c , we observe that B ⁺(H) ≃2B ⁻(H). To account for this asymmetry, we explicitly introduce the field-dependent chemical potential μ(H) of holes into the Ginzburg-Landau theory and calculate both an average ΔS _av(T,H) and fluctuation contribution ΔS _fl(T,H) to the total magneto-TEP ΔS(T,H). As a result, we find a rather simple relationship between the field-induced variation of the chemical potential in this material and the above-mentioned magneto-TEP data around T _c , viz. Δ μ(H)∝S _p (H). Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 116, 257–262 (July 1999) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Reproduced here with stylistic changes by the Translation Editor.     

Measurement and understanding of magnetization in AC and DC fields and the determination of intragrainH c1 in highT c RBa2Cu3O7 superconductors

We present DC and low frequency AC magnetization measurements on various RBa₂Cu₃O₇ superconductors. We identify features intrinsic to these compounds, and establish the features originating from intergranular links in sintered pellets. The isothermal magnetization curves, and the temperature dependence of magnetization in field-cooled and zero field-cooled states are shown to be consistent with the calculations done following a recent extension of Bean’s model. Low field anomalies predicted within this model are observed, and yieldH _c1 values of a few Oe. These values are shown to be consistent with the temperature variation of magnetization. A comparison is made with the other existing data and it is demonstrated that earlier quoted values ofH _c1 are gross overestimates.     

Different types of vortex pinning contribution to critical current density in YBa2Cu3O7−δ /YSZ quasi-multilayer

The quasi-multilayer films of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ /YSZ (YSZ denotes Yttria Stabilized Zirconia) are prepared by means of pulsed laser deposition (PLD), and a systematic study of the magnetic-field and temperature dependence of the critical current density J _c(H,T) for the YBCO/YSZ quasi-multilayer film is presented. Angular-dependent J _c(H,T) measurements have demonstrated that the growth control strategy is very effective in preventing the vortex motion at high fields and high temperatures. The temperature dependence of isotropic and anisotropic contribution to J _c is investigated in order to evaluate the strength of the defects. It is suggested that at high applied fields (such as 7 T), the pinning contribution of the YBCO/YSZ quasi-multilayer is dominated by the anisotropic disorders, while at intermediate-low fields (such as 1 and 3 T) the pinning contribution is determined by both isotropic and anisotropic disorders.     

Temperature dependences of the high-field magnetization of dilute frustrated ferrimagnetic spinels

Results are presented of an investigation of the magnetic properties of dilute frustrated ferrimagnetic spinels Li_0.5Fe_2.5−x Ga_xO₄ (x=0.8–1.2), which characterize the main parameters of the ferrimagnetic state and provide evidence of local violation of collinear spin ordering and frustrations. In particular, measurements were made of the concentration dependences of the magnetic moment n ₀(x) and the Curie point T _c (x), the magnetization isotherms σ _T (H) at T=4.2 K and H⩽10 kOe, and also the low-and high-field magnetization polytherms σ _H (T). It was established that for x⩾0.8 in fields exceeding the technical saturation field H _s ∼2 kOe, the temperature dependences of the high-field magnetization σ _H (T) between 4.2 and 230 K cannot be described by the Bloch T ^3/2 law whereas this law is satisfied for undiluted Li spinel (x=0). Over the entire temperature range (4.2–230 K) the experimental curves σ _H (T) may be approximated by σ _H (T)=σ ₀(1−AT ^3/2 − BT ^5/2) for x=0.8–1.0 and σ _H (T)=σ ₀[1−CT ^3/2exp(μ(H−H ₀)/k _B T)] for x=1.1, 1.2, where μH ₀∼15 K is the internal field produced by competition between exchange interactions and frustrations. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 1075–1079 (June 1998)     

High-quality YBCO d.c. SQUIDs based on bicrystal substrates

Summary An analysis of superconducting transport properties and magnetic behaviour of d.c. SQUIDs employing YBCO bicrystal grain boundary junctions (GBJs) has been performed. GBJs have been obtained by deposition of ac-axis-oriented YBCO film on a SrTiO₃ bicrystal substrate by ICM sputtering technique. Experimental measurements on a YBCO d.c. SQUID with a misorientation angle θ=20° are reported. The SQUID shows a critical temperatureT _c∼89 K and a high critical current densityJ _c∼3·10⁶ A/cm² atT=4.2 K. Current-voltage characteristics are close to the behaviour predicted by the resistively shunted junction (RSJ) model and the temperature dependenceJ _c(T) shows a linear behaviour at small reduced temperatures and a depressedJ _c value close toT _c. High-quality flux-voltage curves have been found upT=87 K over a large range of magnetic field. The high reproducibility and the good control of transport properties by the variation of θ make YBCO bicrystal GBJs very useful for applications in electronics. Paper presented at the ?VII Congresso SATT?, Torino, 4–7 October 1994.     

Effect of Zr,Ti substitutions onT c in superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−δ system

Zr and Ti have been substituted in the system Y_1−x M _x Ba₂Cu₃O_7−δ(M=Zr, Ti,x=0.05,0.1). We find that theT _c value is unchanged, ∼90K for Zr substitutions up to 10% and in the case of Ti substitutions theT _c drops significantly. These changes may arise from their site preference.     

Magnetic relaxation in a three-dimensional ferromagnet with weak quenched random-exchange disorder

Isothermal remanent magnetization decay,M _r(t), and ‘in-field’ growth of zero-field-cooled magnetization,M _ZFC(t), with time have been measured over four decades in time at temperatures ranging from 0.25T _c to 1.25T _c (whereT _c is the Curie temperature, determined previously for the same sample from static critical phenomena measurements) for a nearly ordered intermetallic compound Ni₃Al, which is an experimental realization of a three-dimensional (d = 3) ferromagnet with weak quenched random-exchange disorder. None of the functional forms ofM _r(t) predicted by the existing phenomenological models of relaxation dynamics in spin systems with quenched randomness, but only the expressions and closely reproduce such data in the present case. The most striking features of magnetic relaxation in the system in question are as follows: Aging effects are absent in bothM _r t andM _ZFC(t) at all temperatures in the temperature range covered in the present experiments. A cross-over in equilibrium dynamics from the one, characteristic of a pured = 3 ferromagnet with complete atomic ordering and prevalent at temperatures away from T_c, to that, typical of ad = 3 random-exchange ferromagnet, occurs asT → T_c. The relaxation times τ₁(T)(τ₁ ^′(T)) and τ₂(T)(τ₂ ^′(T)) exhibit logarithmic divergence at critical temperatures and ; and both increase with the external magnetic field strength,H, such that at any given field value, . The exponent characterizing the logarithmic divergence in τ ₁ ^′ (T) and τ ₂ ^′ T possesses a field-independent value of ≃16 for both relaxation times. Of all the available theoretical models, the droplet fluctuation model alone provides a qualitative explanation for some aspects of the present magnetic relaxation data     

Enhancement of pseudogap anomalies induced by nanoscale structural inhomogeneity in YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>6.93</Subscript> high-<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis><Subscript>c</Subscript> superconductor

The magnetization M(H) in the superconducting state, dc magnetic susceptibility χ(T) in the normal state, and specific heat C(T) near the superconducting transition temperature T _c have been measured for a series of fine-crystalline YBa₂Cu₃O _y samples having nearly optimum values of y = 6.93 ± 0.3 and T _c = (91.5 ± 0.5) K. The samples differ only in the degree of nanoscale structural inhomogeneity. The characteristic parameters of superconductors (the London penetration depth and the Ginzburg–Landau parameter) and the thermodynamic critical field H _c are determined by the analysis of the magnetization curves M(H). It is found that the increase in the degree of nanoscale structural inhomogeneity leads to an increase in the characteristic parameters of superconductors and a decrease in H _c(T) and the jump of the specific heat ΔC/T _c. It is shown that the changes in the physical characteristics are caused by the suppression of the density of states near the Fermi level. The pseudogap is estimated by analyzing χ(T). It is found that the nanoscale structural inhomogeneity significantly enhances and probably even creates the pseudogap regime in the optimally doped high-T _c superconductors.