Y1−xCaxBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films: From phase fluctuations to a complex order parameter

This report presents a study of the temperature dependence of the penetration depth in Y_1−xCa_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ thin films, which shows that a contribution to the order parameter from phase fluctuations in optimally doped samples cannot be excluded, and demonstrates the appearance of an imaginary component in the order parameter in overdoped samples. Measurements were performed using two complementary techniques: the parallel plate resonator (PPR), operated at 10 GHz, and far infrared (FIR) transmission, where the absolute value of the penetration depth can be obtained.     

La2−xSrxCuO4−δ superconducting samples prepared by the wet-chemical method

In this work, we report on the physical properties of good-quality polycrystalline superconducting samples of La_2−xSr_xCu_1−yZn_yO_4−δ (y=0, 0.02) prepared by a wet-chemical method, focusing on the temperature dependence of the critical current. Using the wet-chemical method, we were able to produce samples with improved homogeneity compared to the solid-state method. A complete set of samples with several carrier concentrations, ranging from the underdoped (strontium concentration x≈0.05) to the highly overdoped (x≈0.25) region, were prepared and investigated. The X-ray diffraction analysis, zero-field cooling magnetization and electrical resistivity measurements were reported on earlier. The structural parameters of the prepared samples seem to be slightly modified by the preparation method and their critical temperatures were lower than reported in the literature. The temperature dependence of the critical current was explained by a theoretical model which took the granular structure of the samples into account.     

Anomalous Hall effect in sputter-deposited CoxTi1−xO2–δ films

Hall effect measurements were performed on epitaxial Co_xTi_1−xO_2–δ thin films grown on (0 0 1) LaAlO₃ by reactive RF magnetron co-sputter deposition. Magnetization measurements reveal ferromagnetic behavior in M–H loop at room temperature for Co_xTi_1−xO_2–δ thin films for which x?0.02. An anomalous Hall effect was observed for Co_0.10Ti_0.90O_2−δ films grown with the partial pressure of water P(H₂O)=4×10⁻⁴ Torr or less. These films exhibit a positive ordinary Hall coefficient and a positive magnetoresistance. X-ray diffraction on films grown under these conditions shows evidence for Ti_nO_2n−1 phase due to the deficiency of oxygen. In contrast, Hall measurements taken for undoped and Co-doped TiO₂ thin films grown under more oxidizing conditions show only the ordinary Hall effect with a negative Hall coefficient consistent with n-type conduction. For these films, the magnetoresistance was positive and increased monotonically with increasing magnetic field. The results suggest that Co-doped Ti_nO_2n−1 may be a dilute magnetic semiconducting oxide for which the carriers couple to the spin polarization.     

Structural investigation of the BaSnO3–YBa2Cu3O7−x system

We report the microstructure change of BaSnO₃ (BSO)–YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x (YBCO) thin film system grown on SrTiO₃ single crystal substrates by pulsed laser deposition with using the “surface-modified-target” and “mixture-target” methods. Although it was confirmed that the thick BSO nanorods incorporated to YBCO films act as strong artificial pinning centers, the formation mechanism of the nanorods is still unclear. The purpose of this work is to extend the structural investigation to higher contents of BSO (up to 71 vol.%) in order to enlighten the relationship among interfacial energy, morphology and pinning performance in binary BSO–YBCO films.     

The epitaxial growth of BaSnO3 buffer layer on IBAD-MgO template and its effects on GdBa2Cu3O7−δ film: A preliminary study

We report a successful fabrication of c-axis oriented GdBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (GdBCO) films on the BaSnO₃ (BSO) buffer layers on ion-beam assisted deposition (IBAD)-MgO template by pulsed-laser deposition (PLD). The (0 0 l) growth and in-plane textures of BSO buffer layers were found sensitive to the substrate temperature (T_s). With increasing the BSO layer thickness up to ∼165 nm, in-plane texture (Δ? ∼ 6.2°) of BSO layers was almost unaltered while completely c-axis oriented BSO layers were obtainable from samples with the thickness below ∼45 nm. On the BSO buffer layers showing in-plane texture of 6.2° and RMS surface roughness of ∼8.6 nm, GdBCO films were deposited at 780–800 °C. All GdBCO films exhibited Δ? values of 4.6–4.7°, T_c,zero of ∼91 K, and critical current density (J_c) over 1 MA/cm² at 77 K in a self-field. The highest J_c value of 1.82 MA/cm² (I_c of 51 A/cm-width) was achieved from the GdBCO film deposited at T_s of 790 °C. These results support that BSO can be a promising buffer layer on the IBAD-MgO template for obtaining high-J_c GdBCO coated conductors.     

Hall effect and sign reversal in Gd(Ba2−xNdx)Cu3O7+δ

We have investigated the Hall measurement of Gd(Ba_2−xNd_x)Cu₃O_7+δ with x=0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 in a magnetic field of 0–1 T. The nominal samples has been prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction technique. The iodometric titration experiment was carried out for samples. The Rietveld analysis of the X-ray diffraction patterns indicates that samples are mainly single phase. The normal state Hall coefficient behaves as 1/T in all samples. All samples with nominal compositions show single sign reversal with variation of magnetic field and temperature. The Hall resistivity of the samples with x=0 and 0.1 close to the superconducting transition temperature changes its sign with decreasing temperature and tends to a minimum −Δ_max, and then monotonically goes to zero. The absolute value of −Δ_max decreases with the increase of magnetic field. This can be qualitatively explained by a model calculation based on the time-dependent Ginsburg–Landau theory.     

First study of the B1g buckling phonon mode in optimally doped, de-twinned, YBa2Cu3O7−δ by inelastic X-ray scattering

We have measured the buckling, B_1g, phonon mode of optimally doped, de-twinned, YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ using inelastic X-ray scattering (IXS) at BL35XU of SPring-8. Measurements of this mode, which has atomic motion transverse to the Cu-O planes, serve to demonstrate some of the advantages of the unique two-dimensional (2-D) analyzer array at BL35. Analysis based on fitting the entire spectra simultaneously at 10 and 100 K shows that the buckling mode is rather broad in the middle of the zone (near (0.3 0 0)). We see a consistent softening of the mode at 10 K as compared to 100 K for all measured wave-vectors (h 0 0), and a q-dependent softening as zone center is approached.     

Pressure tuned crystal structure in NdBa2Cu3O6+δ superconductor

The high-pressure angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction experiments on the NdBa₂Cu₃O_6+δ superconductor were performed from ambient to above 30 GPa at room temperature. The structure analysis based on the Rietveld refinement methods shows the different pressure dependence for the bond length between the basal-plane copper of the pyramids to the apical oxygen (denoted Cu(2)–O(1)) and bond length between basal-plane copper to plane oxygen (denoted Cu(2)–O(2,3)). The ambient bulk modulus B₀ is derived as 127 GPa. A possible correlation between Cu(2)–O(1) and T_c was discussed.     

Fluorination of perovskite-related phases of composition La1−xSrxFe1−yCoyO3−δ

We report here on the fluorination of the perovskite-related phases La_1−xSr_xFe_1−yCo_yO_3−δ. The introduction of fluorine in place of oxygen is achieved through a low-temperature (400 °C) reaction with poly(vinylidene fluoride). X-ray powder diffraction data show that in all cases the fluorination leads to an expansion in the unit cell, which is consistent with partial replacement of oxygen by fluorine and consequent reduction in the oxidation state of iron and/or cobalt. This reduction in oxidation state is confirmed by X-ray absorption- and Mössbauer-spectroscopy. The Mössbauer spectra show complex magnetically split hyperfine patterns for the fluorinated samples, reflecting the interactions between Fe³⁺ ions, which are not possible in oxides containing Fe⁴⁺.     

GdBa2Cu3O7-δ单晶的各向异性研究

本文报道了对GdBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ单晶正常态电阻率、超导临界温变,以及磁转变的各向异性观测结果,发现ab平面上及c轴方向的电阻率,除T_c附近由于超导涨落引起的明显偏离以外,在正常态都能很好地满足Anderson-Zou关系:ρ=A/T+BT,但两方向的A,B存在显著差异说明其输运电荷是由不同机制产生,它具有显著的二维特征;沿c轴方向的超导电性比沿ab平面的超导电性要弱,T_ce⊥比T_ce∥低2K;H∥ab平面时的交流屏蔽效应仅是H⊥ab平面时的76％。 关键词：     

Dielectric properties of Cu0.5Tl0.5Ba2Ca3Cu4O12−δ bulk superconductor

The dielectric properties of Cu_0.5Tl_0.5Ba₂Ca₃Cu₄O_12−δ superconductor samples were studied at 79 and 290 K by means of capacitance (C) and conductance (G) measurements with the test frequency (f) in the range of 10 kHz to 10 MHz. A negative capacitance (NC) phenomenon has been observed, which is most likely arising due to higher Fermi level of ceramic superconductor samples than metal electrodes. Also the NC may be due to the space charge located at the multiple insulator–superconductor interfaces (grain boundaries) in the materials. The negative dielectric constant (ε′) and loss factor (tan δ) show strong dispersion at low frequencies. The lower thermal agitation at 79 K may enhance the polarizability and hence the dielectric constants (ε′ and ε″).     

Superconductivity and critical fields in undoped and Sn-doped MoSr2YCu2O8−δ

Samples with nominal compositions MoSn_xSr₂YCu₂O_8−δ (0 ? x ? 0.075) were synthesized and their superconducting and magnetotransport properties were investigated. It was established that the optimum Sn-doping (x = 0.02 and 0.03) increases the T_c of the undoped MoSr₂YCu₂O_8−δ. The upper critical fields of the samples were determined using magnetization, susceptibility and resistivity measurements. It was established that the Sn-doping weakly affects the first and the intragrain second critical field of Mo-1212 but enhances the extrapolated to T = 0 (i.e. the intergrain) upper critical field. The observed phenomena were discussed on the basis of the Josephson-junction-arrays model. A phenomenological expression describing the temperature dependency of the susceptibility of Mo-1212 was found.     

Low-temperature synthesis of nanocrystalline Ca1−xHoxMnO3−δ (0?x?0.3) powders

Nanocrystalline Ca_1−xHo_xMnO_3−δ (0?x?0.3) manganites were synthesized as phase-pure by a simple and instantaneous solution autogel combustion method, which is a low temperature initiated synthetic route to obtain fine grain size. All the samples, heated at 800 °C for 18 h, can be produced as phase-pure; the polycrystalline powders are homogeneous and possess ultrafine particle size. The holmium-doped calcium manganites retain the orthorhombic phase of the undoped sample. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images revealed that the combustion-derived compounds exhibit particle size that decreases with holmium content from 300 to 80 nm. All manganites show two active IR vibrational modes near 400 and 600 cm⁻¹. The high temperature dependence of resistivity was measured using a standard four-probe method in the range 25-600 °C. All the samples exhibit semiconductor behaviour and holmium induces a marked decrease in the electrical resistivity when compared with the parent CaMnO₃. The results can be well attributed to the Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺ ratio and to the particle grain size.     

高温超导体GdBa2Cu3O7－δ的穆斯堡尔研究

本文对掺0.5%Fe的高温超导氧化物GdBa₂Cu₃O_7－δ进行了大温度范围(1.4K－700K)的穆斯堡尔研究,分析了Fe的价态与环境.Fe在氧化物中存在四亚晶位(Fe(A)、Fe(B)、Fe(C)、Fe(D)),其中Fe(A)、Fe(B)和Fe(C)占据氧化物中Cu(1)的位置,只是氧配位不同;Fe(D)独占Cu(2)位置.Fe在亚晶位B和D上分别为高自旋4+和3+.在磁场的作用下,氧化物呈现织构效应.     

Optimization of large-area YBa2Cu3O7-δ thin films by pulsed laser deposition for planar microwave devices

This paper presents high quality YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ(YBCO) thin films on LaAlO₃ substrate for microwave devices prepared by pulsed laser deposition(PLD). The double-sided YBCO films cover a large area and have been optimized for key parameters relevant to microwave device applications, such as surface morphology and surface resistance(Rs).This was achieved by improving the target quality and increasing the oxygen pressure during deposition, respectively. To ev...     

Heterogeneous magnetic and electronic states in Ca1−xLaxMnO3−δ (x⩽0.12) single crystals with electron doping

The magnetic, transport, and optical properties of electron-doped Ca_1−xLa_xMnO_3−δ single crystals with x  ?0.12 were studied. The magnetic measurements show that in single crystals with x=0$x=0$ and 0.05 the G-type AFM phase with weak FM component is realized and in crystals with x=0.10$x=0.10$ and 0.12 the G- and C-type AFM phases coexist. The C-type magnetic structure arises at less concentration of La than in polycrystalline samples as a result of oxygen vacancies being additional source of electrons. Under magnetic transitions in the G- and C-type phases, resistivity and magnetoresistance of the doped single crystals have anomalies. Optical absorption in IR range indicates formation of a charge gap in crystals with x=0.10$x=0.10$ and 0.12 at appearance of the C-AFM and monoclinic phase with orbital/charge ordering. By comparing optical and transport properties, heterogeneous electronic state and its relation with heterogeneous magnetic state are shown.     

Enhanced Jc in air-processed GdBa2Cu3O7−δ superconductor bulk grown by the additions of two Nd2BaCuO5 seeds

By using top seeding melt-textured growth process, single domain GdBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ bulk superconductor has been fabricated successfully in growth with the additions of two Nd₂BaCuO₅ (Nd123) seeds. Both microstructure and superconducting properties were investigated from the seed position to the boundary of the sample. The experiments showed the enhanced superconducting properties such as the critical current density (J_c) and the irreversibility (B_irr) in the edge of the domain and the part between two seeds. The additions of two Nd123 seeds accumulate the richer Gd₂BaCuO₅ inclusion particles and improve the J_c at the edge of single domain, which is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy.     

Epitaxial growth of YSZ buffer layer for YBa2Cu3O7−δ coated conductor by reel-to-reel pulsed laser deposition

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) buffer layers were deposited on CeO₂ buffered biaxially textured Ni-W substrate by reel-to-reel pulsed laser deposition (PLD) for the application of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (YBCO) coated conductor and the influence of substrate temperature and laser energy on their crystallinity and microstructure were studied. YSZ thin films were prepared with substrate temperature ranging from 600 to 800 °C and laser energy ranging from 120 to 350 mJ. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to investigate how thin film structure and surface morphology depend on these parameters. It was found that the YSZ films grown at substrate temperature below 600 °C or laser energy above 300 mJ showed amorphous phase, the (0 0 1) preferred orientation and the crystallinity of the YSZ films were improved with increasing the temperature, but the surface roughness increased simultaneously, the SEM images of YSZ films on CeO₂/NiW tapes showed surface morphologies without micro-cracks. Based on these results, we developed the epitaxial PLD-YSZ buffer layer process at the tape transfer speed of 3-4 m/h by the reel-to-reel system for 100 m class long YBCO tapes.     

Magnetic properties of low-doped bulk Sr(Ti, Co)O3−δ perovskites

Magnetic properties of bulk SrTi_1−xCo_xO_3−δ solid solutions (for x from 0 to 0.05), prepared in air as those partially reduced, were studied by following the influence of the dopant concentration and valence. A strong paramagnetic and/or diamagnetic contribution and an extremely weak ferromagnetic contribution maintained up to room temperature is observed for all the studied compositions, including the undoped samples. While the paramagnetic contribution shows a classical evolution with cobalt concentration and valence, the ferromagnetic part of the magnetization seems to be independent of the doping process. While some of the observations can support the assumption of an intrinsic property of the SrTiO₃ matrix, the hypothesis of a ferromagnetism associated to some contamination with external magnetic impurities cannot be completely discarded and will be retained here.