Evidence of d-wave pairing in the thermal conductivity of YBa2Cu3O7−d and Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 single crystals

The electronic contribution to the thermal conductivity of a d _x ²?_y ²-wave superconductor is calculated within a variational method. By considering the scattering of electrons by point defects and acoustic phonons, the behavior of the thermal conductivity of YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ single crystals can be well described with realistic values of the physical parameters. Besides, the values obtained for the transport electron-phonon coupling constant λ _tr lie in the same range of magnitude than those derived from electrical resistivity measurements. b]References     

Coherence transition in granular high temperature superconductors

We have studied experimentally the electrical conductivity and specific heat near the superconducting transition of granular samples of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ, YBa₂(Cu_2.98Zn_0.02)O_7−δ and GdBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ. The results show that the transition proceeds in two stages. Careful analysis of the conductivity in the regime of approach to the zero resistance state reveals the occurrence of a coherence transition, which is related to the connective nature of the granular samples. This transition occurs when the fluctuating phases of the order parameter in individual grains become long-range ordered. We obtain the exponent for fluctuation conductivity and the relevant critical temperature, T_co, which is close to the point where resistivity vanishes. The specific heat results, when analyzed as dC/dT, show a weak but reproducible cusp-like anomaly at T_co. This finding gives strong support to the interpretation of the coherence transition as a genuine critical phenomenon.     

Permittivity of BaTiO3 epitaxial films grown on the YBa2Cu3O7−δ(001) surface

The epitaxial heterostructures YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ/(5 nm)SrTiO₃/BaTiO₃/(5 nm)SrTiO₃/YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ are grown by the laser evaporation method on an LaAlO₃(100) substrate. The permittivity of a BaTiO₃ layer is approximately doubled (T=300 K) when a SrTiO₃ thin layer is inserted between a ferroelectric layer and superconducting cuprate electrodes. A maximum in the temperature dependence of the permittivity for a barium titanate layer in the YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ/(5 nm)SrTiO₃/BaTiO₃/(5 nm)SrTiO₃/YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ heterostructure is shifted by 70–80 K toward the low-temperature range with respect to its location in the corresponding dependence for the BaTiO₃ bulk single crystal. The bias voltage dependence of the permittivity for the BaTiO₃ grown layers exhibits a clearly pronounced hysteresis (T=300 K). The superconducting transition temperature for the lower YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ electrode in a superconductor/ferroelectric/superconductor heterostructure considerably depends on the rate of its cooling after the completion of the formation process.     

Growth and formation of the microstructure of YBCO films deposited by magnetron sputtering on fianite substrates

The dependence of the electrophysical and structural properties of the high-T _c YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 ? δ} superconductor films deposited by magnetron sputtering on fianite on the growth temperature is studied. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction demonstrate that the layer-by-layer island growth of an YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 ? δ} film occurs on fianite substrates without an additional buffer layer. An increase in the deposition temperature leads to the division of the growing film into regions with strongly different microstructures. The regions of the first type are represented by a high-quality YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 ? δ} layer, and the regions of the second type consists of an YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 ? δ} layer with well-pronounced granule boundaries, which hinder the passage of an electric current.     

Effect of Y-site and Ba-site substitution on thermal properties of YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7−δ</Subscript>

The effect of partial replacement of Y site with Ca or Ba site with Sr on the thermal and electrical properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ superconductors was investigated. For Y(Ba_1?XSr_X)₂Cu₃O_7?δ system, the characteristic enhancement of the thermal conductivity κ(T) below the transition temperature T_c was decreased more slowly by substitution than that for (Y_1?XCa_X)Ba₂Cu₃O_7?δ system. Electron-phonon interaction in these systems were discussed based on the phonon heat conduction model under the weak coupling d-wave energy gap.     

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.     

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.     

Effect of oxygen content on the specific heat and magnetic susceptibility of YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7−δ</Subscript>

The specific heat and magnetic susceptibility of a sample of YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ (YBCO) was measured for 0≤δ≤0.85, 0.8≤T≤120K, and H=0, 3, 5, 7, 9T. The data show the existence of both S=1/2 and S=2 paramagnetic centers, consistent with EPR results. The δ dependences of their concentrations and of other parameters are reported.     

Ac-Josephson effect in YBa2Cu3O7/YBa2Cu3O7 point contact junctions

The ac-Josephson effect could be demonstrated up to dc voltages of 20 mV on the I–V characteristic of adjustable YBa₂Cu₃O₇/YBa₂Cu₃O₇ point contacts at 4.2 K. A detailed analysis of the rf power dependence of the size of microwave-induced constant voltage steps is given for microwave frequencies of 70 and 90 GHz. The results prove that electron pairing is responsible for the superconductivity in YBa₂Cu₃O₇.     

Hall effect in a GdBa2Cu3O7−δ/La0.75Sr0.25MnO3 perovskite bilayer

We present results on the Hall coefficient R_H in the normal state for a GdBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ/La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ bilayer and a La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ film grown by dc magnetron sputtering on (1 0 0) SrTiO₃. We find that the electric transport on the bilayer can be qualitatively described using a simple parallel layers model. The GdBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ layer presents a carrier density approximately equal to that reported for 7 − δ = 6.85 oxygen doping. Also we observe an unexpected presence of two Hall resistivity regimes, effects that may be associated with the internal magnetic field induced on the superconducting layer by the ferromagnetic layer.     

Structural transition of secondary phase oxide nanorods in epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−δ films on vicinal substrates

A theoretical study of a structural transition of secondary phase oxide nanorods in epitaxial YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ films on vicinal SrTiO₃ substrates is presented. Two possible types of film/substrate interface are considered, with one assuming complete coherence, while the other is defective as manifested by the presence of antiphase grain boundaries. Only in the former case does the increase of the vicinal angle of the substrate lead to a substantial change of the strain field in the film, resulting in a transition of the nanorod orientation from the normal to the in-plane direction of the film. The calculated threshold vicinal angle for the onset of the transition and lattice deformation of the YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ film due to the inclusion of the nanorods is in very good agreement with experimental observations. This result sheds lights on the understanding of the role of the film/substrate lattice mismatch in controlling self-assembly of dopant nanostructures in matrix films.     

Infrared spectra of superconducting La2−xSrxCuO4 and YBa2Cu3O7−δ

Abstract

Abstract Infrared spectra of La_2?xSr_xCuO₄ and YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ are discussed, specially with respect to the disappearance of the high-frequency (～650 cm) band of the superconducting compositions at 300K. Some of the bands persist at 300K eventhough the materials are fairly conducting. YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ does not show evidence in the far IR spectrum for the presence of an optical gap.     

Production of thick YBa2Cu3O7-δ films on sapphire with a cerium oxide sublayer

The feasibility of producing high-quality films of the high-temperature superconducting material YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ with thicknesses up to 2.6 μm by dc magnetron sputtering is demonstrated. It is found that inclusions consisting of CuO and YBa₂Cu₃O₈ coexist with the growing film and are “sinks” for defects, nonstoichiometric atoms, and mechanical stresses. X-ray diffraction and Rutherford backscattering studies show that the structural perfection of the films increases as the thickness is increased in the proposed production regime. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 69, 132–136 (September 1999)     

Luminescence spectra and crystal structure of high-temperature superconductors

A study is reported of the effect of temperature (4.2 K≤T≤150 K), the content of weakly bonded oxygen [6.1≤(7?δ)≤6.9], illumination [E _exc=3.4 eV, (Φt)_max～1.5 ×10²⁰ photon cm^?2, and substitution (Cu → Ag, Cr, Fe, Mn) on the luminescence spectra of the high-T _c superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ. Only two bands with E _lum～2.4 and ～2.8 eV were observed in the luminescence spectra in all these cases. A clearly pronounced correlation between the electronic and structural changes in YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ, caused by the influence of temperature, illumination, doping with oxygen or metal ions, and the spectral parameters (peak position E _lum, width Δλ _lum, and intensity I _lum of the luminescence bands), has been established. It is shown that luminescence spectra of HTSCs can be employed as a fairly reliable optical probe to study the electronic processes occurring in these substances, in particular, the electron (hole) transfer between the CuO₂ plane and the CuO_1?δ chain plane serving as a charge reservoir.     

Analysis of nonlinearity of magnetization of YBa2Cu3O7 − x by the magnetic field modulation method

Temperature dependences of the magnetization harmonics of YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 ? x} monodomain samples are studied experimentally at temperatures of 77–120 K. It is found that nonlinearity of magnetization of YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 ? x} (higher harmonics generation) is observed up to temperatures T = 103–112 K, which are much higher than the superconducting transition temperature of this compound. At the same temperatures, the temperature dependence of resistivity begins to deviate from linearity. The observed singularity of the magnetization of YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 ? x} is associated with the emergence of a pseudogap state in this compound.     

Transport properties of a and c axis oriented (Y1?xCax)Ba2Cu3Oy thin films

Anisotropy and Hall effect measurements have been performed in calcium-doped, i.e., overdoped YBa₂Cu₃O_y ((Y_1−xCa_x)Ba₂Cu₃O_y) thin films witha andc axis orientations. In highly overdoped films (x=0.4), the anisotropy of the normal resistivity decreases and a drastic change in Hall conductivity in the mixed state is observed. The change in Hall conductivity in the overdoped region is consistent with recent experimental results for La_2−xSr_xCuO₄ films and seems to be common in highT _c superconductors.     

Identification of two-electron centers with a negative correlation energy in high-temperature superconductors

On the basis of comparison of experimental and calculated parameters of the electric field gradient tensor, it is shown that holes in the YBa₂Cu₃O₇ and YBa₂Cu₄O₈ lattices are localized on oxygen ions in the CuO₃ chains. These results agree with the model suggesting that the mechanism responsible for the high-temperature superconductivity in the YBa₂Cu₃O₇ and YBa₂Cu₄O₈ compounds is the interaction of electrons with two-atom two-electron copper centers with a negative correlation energy.     

YBa2Cu3O6+δ/BaTiO3系复合功能陶瓷特性研究

报道了超导陶瓷ＹＢａ₂Ｃｕ₃Ｏ_6+δ与铁电陶瓷ＢａＴｉＯ₃进行复合的结果。研究了该复合功能陶瓷的物相、（超）导电性和低温电阻温度特性。结果表明，采用合理的合成工艺，可得到呈现混和分布的两相复合功能陶瓷材料；该复合材料的电导特征符合三维渗流导电行为，发现在较高ＹＢａ₂Ｃｕ₃Ｏ_6+δ含量时，样品呈超导电性，并对此作了初步讨论。 关键词：     

Y1-xCaxBa2Cu3-xMxO7-δ (M=Fe,Ni)体系的超导电性

本文报道,通过对Y_1-xCa_xBa₂Cu_3-xMxO_7-δ(M=Fe,Ni)体系样品的晶体结构、氧含量、正常态电阻率与温度的关系,以及超导转变温度等测量,并与YBa₂Cu_3-xMxO_7-δ(M=Fe,Ni)体系进行比较,发现Y_1-xCa_xBa₂Cu_3-xFe_xO_7-δ体系的T_c显著地高于相应x值的YBa₂Cu_3-xFe_xO_7-δ体系,而Y_1-xCa_xBa₂Cu_3-xNi_xO_7-δ体系则相反,T_c低于仅Ni替代的体系,表明Ca和Fe同时替代时两者引起的载流子浓度(n_H)变化相互补偿,抑制了仅Fe替代时引起的n_H和T_c急剧下降;而作Ca和Ni同时替代时主要的不是两者引起载流子浓度变化的相互补偿,Ca和Ni替代效应之间的关联较弱。作者认为,对Y_1-xCa_xBa₂Cu_3-xFe_xO_7-δ体系属于CuO₂平面外的元素替代,这时载流子浓度是决定Tc的主要因素;而对Y_1-xCa_xBa₂Cu_3-xNi_xO_7-δ体系,由于Ni²⁺离子主要占据Cu(Ⅱ)位,它导致磁拆对效应,Ni²⁺离子的拆对效应是引起T_c下降的直接原因。 关键词：     

Suppressed diffusion of metal atoms upon excitation of slightly damped plasmons

In the YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ superconductor, the excitation of slightly damped plasmons upon the nonuniform heating of electron gas in a microwave electromagnetic field and upon perturbation of the charge density by the thermal desorption of oxygen atoms from the Cu1-O plane suppresses surface and volume diffusion of nickel and gold interstitials. The interstitial atoms aggregate in the surface layer of the crystallites.