Intrinsic Josephson junctions in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ single crystals

We report on thec-axis superconducting energy gap parameter Δ _c (T) of intrinsic Josephson tunnel junctions inBi ₂ Sr ₂ CaCu ₂ O _8+δ (Bi2212) single crystals. Δ _c (4.2K)≈10−13 meV, which is approximately a factor of two smaller than reported in the majority of tunneling experiments. Δ _c (T) deviates strongly from the BCS temperature dependence. These observations may be explained by a multilayer model of Bi2212 which assumes that theBi−O layers are superconducting due to the proximity effects. The Josephson tunneling then takes place between adjacentBi−O layers while there is a strong proximity coupling betweenBi−O andCu−O layers. The work is supported by Swedish Supercon-ductivity Consortium and NUTEK, and, in part, by Russian Foundation for Basic Research, grant #95-02-04307     

Interlayer tunnelling in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ single crystals

We present measurements of the intrinsic quasi-particle conductivity along the c-axis of 2212-BSCCO single-crystal mesa structures in the superconducting and normal states. Direct measurement of the mesa temperature enables corrections to be made for self-heating and permits the acquisition of reliable I–V characteristics over a wide range of temperatures and voltages. Unlike a conventional superconductor, there is no evidence for any change in the quasi-particle conductivity at T_c, consistent with precursor pairing of electrons in the normal state. At low temperatures the initial low-voltage linear conductivity exhibits a T² dependence, approaching a limiting value at zero temperature.     

Electrochemical reduction of Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8 superconductor single crystals

Single crystals and polycrystalline pellets of the high-temperature cuprate superconductor Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂O₈ were doped at room temperature by electrochemical reduction at > 95% Coulombic efficiency using lithium dopant ions in propylene carbonate electrolyte. Cyclic voltammetry and potential step measurements on single crystals suggest an unusual reduction mechanism, with a diffusion coefficient for Li⁺ in the c-axis direction of bulk superconductor of ca. 3 × 10⁻¹¹ cm²s⁻¹. Sintered pellets of polycrystalline powder could be doped more rapidly, with an apparent diffusion coefficient of 7 × 10⁻⁸ cm²s⁻¹. X-ray susceptibility analysis show extensive disordering occurs on heavy Li doping, with a first-order transition from a crystalline/superconducting to an amorphous/non-superconducting phase. Single, crystals of Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂O₈ exhibited a color change on reduction from metallic gray to golden bronze. The reduced material was highly air-sensitive, forming a hydroxide surface film on exposure to ambient atmosphere.     

Temperature dependent water adsorption on Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 single crystal

Temperature dependent infrared study of water adsorption on the bc-plane of a Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ (Bi2212) single crystal reveals that water is molecularly physisorbed, and forms hydrogen-bonded clusters in the temperature range of 85-150 K. Although dissociative adsorption is expected on surfaces terminated with Ca-O and Cu-O groups, no dissociated species is detected. The main absorption bands occur between 3200 and 3500 cm⁻¹ and are assigned to the O-H stretching and the overtone of O-H bending. For exposures higher than 1.0 L, the sticking coefficients are similar for different temperatures. The features in the O-H stretch region for water clusters red-shift as a function of temperature between 85 and 140 K. Water clusters have an amorphous structure between 85 and 140 K, and form a crystalline structure at 150 K.     

Non-collinear vortex states in twinned YBa2Cu3O7?δ single crystals

The magnetic moments parallel and perpendicular to thec-axis (measured simultaneously) have been studied as a function of direction of applied magnetic fieldH in twinned and de-twinned YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ single crystals. They show pronounced anomalies when the field direction approaches thec-axis. These allow clear identification of the angle ϕ_L at which vortices are locked into twin planes. Complete shielding of theH _ab field component (transverse Meissner effect) was observed in the locked state. For larger angles, up to ϕ_T, the vortices continue to be non-collinear with the applied field, but their direction deviates from the trapping plane. ϕ_L exhibits a 1/H field-dependence, whereas ϕ_T shows only weak logarithmic variations withH.     

Coherence transition in granular YBa2Cu3O7-δ, YBa2Cu2.95Zn0.05O7-δ, and YBa1.75Sr0.25Cu3O7-δ superconductors

We have studied experimentally the electrical magneto-conductivity near the superconducting transition of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ, YBa₂ (Cu_2.95Zn_0.05)O_7-δ and Y(Ba_1.75Sr_0.25)Cu₃O_7-δ polycrystalline samples. The measurements were performed in magnetic fields ranging from 0 to 400 Oe applied parallel to the current orientation. The results show that the resistive transition of these systems proceeds in two stages. The pairing transition occurs at the bulk critical temperature T_c, where superconductivity is stabilized within small and homogeneous regions of the sample generically called grains. The regime of approach to the zero resistance state reveals the occurrence of a coherence transition at a lower temperature T_c0. This transition is related to the connective nature of the granular samples and is controlled by fluctuations of the order-parameter phase of individual grains. Our experiments show that the Zn-doping, besides depressing the pairing critical temperature, strongly enlarges the temperature range dominated by effects related to the coherence transition. The substitution of Ba by Sr causes only a small reduction of T_c, but also enhances significantly the effects related to the grain coupling phenomenology. In general, our results indicate that these impurity substitutions in YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ produce or magnify the granularity at a microscopic level, enhancing the effects of phase fluctuations in the conductivity near the transition.     

Effects of divalent impurities on the fluctuation conductivity of YBa2Cu3O7 single crystals

We have studied experimentally the in-plane fluctuation conductivity near the superconducting transition in single crystal samples of YBa₂Cu₃O₇, Y_0.98Ca_0.02Ba₂Cu₃O₇, YBa_1.9Sr_0.1Cu₃O₇ and YBa₂Cu_2.97Zn_0.03O₇. In order to test the stability of the observed fluctuation regimes, low magnetic fields were applied perpendicular to the Cu-O₂ atomic planes. When the transition is approached from above we first observe a three-dimensional (3D) Gaussian regime then a crossover to a genuine critical region where the exponent is consistent with the predictions of the 3D-XY-E universality class. Decreasing further the temperature towards T_c, our results systematically reveal the occurrence of a regime beyond 3D-XY characterized by a very small critical exponent. We propose that this regime is precursory to a weak first-order superconducting transition driven by antiferromagnetic excitations related to the pseudogap phenomenon. The dilution of divalent impurities in YBa₂Cu₃O₇ does not affect the stability of the fluctuation regime beyond 3D-XY and in the case of Ca doping a further approach towards the first-order behaviour is observed.     

Modelling of the reactive interface formation on Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8

We have applied the phenomenological model of diffused interfaces, developed originally to describe the Fe growth on Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈, to interpret quantitatively the core photoemission spectra of two reactive interfaces, namely Cr and Ge on Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈. At room temperature the interfaces with Fe and Cr have the same kinetics of growth suggesting similar adatom condensation, while the semiconductor-superconductor interface grows layer-by-layer according to the Franck-van der Merwe kinetics. Differences in the parameters of the model resulting from the simultaneous fit of the core-level decays are related to differences in the microscopic processes occurring during the growth.     

Transport coefficients and flux motion in Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox single crystals

We present measurements of the electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, and Hall, Nernst, and Seebeck effects in the mixed state of single crystalline Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_x. It is shown that the sign of the Hall voltage changes twice as temperature decreases below T_c. From the Nernst effect we estimate the transport entropy S_φ to be about 10⁻¹⁰ erg/K cm. S_φ is equal to zero in the normal state, increases and passes through a maximum at the mixed state as expected. The temperature dependences of the thermoelectric power in magnetic fields are analogous to the resistive transition curves. These phenomena are discussed in terms of flux flow. The contribution of the flux flow to the thermal conductivity is estimated to be negligible. Lowering of the thermal conductivity at temperatures below T_c by a magnetic field is attributed to phonon scattering by the vortex lines.     

Crossover effects and finite-size scaling on the temperature dependence of paraconductivity in YBa2Cu3O6.9 and Bi2Sr2CaCu30x compounds

An investigation into the superconducting order parameter thermodynamic fluctuations and their manifestations on paraconductivity in cuprate superconductors is done using a renormalized Gaussian approach based on the Ginzburg–Landau theory. The temperature dependence of paraconductivity is affected by repulsive interactions between Cooper pairs and does not follow the universal power laws predicted by the conventional Aslamazov–Larkin theory. In addition to the well known Lawrence–Doniach crossover from three to two dimensions, we also highlight the crossover from one-dimensional to two-dimensional behavior and the crossover from weak two-dimensional to strong two-dimensional critical behavior in the vicinity of the critical temperature. These dimensional crossovers result from the resistance between Cooper pairs due to critical and thermal fluctuations which cause a transition from a metastable state to one with a smaller current. Two illustrative examples (the cases of ${\mathrm{YBa}}_2{\mathrm{Cu}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_{6.9}$ and ${\mathrm{Bi}}_2{\mathrm{Sr}}_2\mathrm{Ca}{\mathrm{Cu}}_3{\mathrm{0}}_x$ compounds) are provided in support of the analysis, so as to demonstrate the usefulness of the approach.     

Guided vortex motion in YBa2Cu3O7?δ single crystals with unidirectional twins

The even Hall effect and guided vortex motion were observed for the first time under the action of the unidirectional twins array in YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ single crystals. The twins act as planar barriers.     

Magnetization anomaly and anisotropy of Bi2Sr2CaCu2−xNixO8 single crystals

We have observed the anomalous magnetization of Bi₂Sr₂CaCu_2−xNi_xO₈ (x = 0 and 0.02) single crystals. Anisotropy decreases with iodine intercalation although it expands the space between CuO₂ layers. Iodine intercalation seems to suppress the magnetization anomaly for Ni = 1% crystals, but not for Ni = 1% substituted crystals. We have discussed these results in terms of the increase of anisotropy by Ni substitution and the dimensional crossover of flux lines. Effects of both oxygen concentration and substitution of a magnetic element for the Cu site on the anisotropy of Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ crystals show the same tendency as the case of the YBa₂Cu₃O₇ superconductor.     

Low-temperature AC conductivity of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ

We report measurements of anamolously large dissipative conductivities, σ₁, in Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ at low temperatures. We have measured the complex conductivity of Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ thin films at 100–600 GHz as a function of doping from the underdoped to the overdoped state. At low temperatures there exists a residual σ₁ which scales with the T=0 superfluid density as the doping is varied. This residual σ₁ is larger than the possible contribution to σ₁ from a thermal population of quasiparticles (QP) at the d-wave gap nodes.     

Scanning tunneling spectroscopy of a superlattice superconductor: Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8

It is clear that many of the cuprate superconductors are truly superlattices, composed of sheets whose individual superconducting critical temperatures may approach bulk values. Such a cuprate is Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈, often referred to as BSCCO-2212. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (vacuum tunneling) applied toa-bBiO cleavage planes ofT_c≈90 K BSCCO single crystals under liquid helium simultaneously provides topography and local dI/dVspectra (superconducting density of states: DOS). The spectra, which are similar to those obtained from angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, confirm a large gap parameter Δ(x,y) on the uppermost layer. The dI/dVspectra do not unequivocally select order parameter symmetry, but are probably consistent with d-wave or anisotropic s-wave states. Spatial variations of Δ on a 100 Å scale are attributed to variation in BiO metallicity, originating in oxygen stoichiometry variations. A model is presented to explain the different dI/dVspectra which are seen, and associated with different local oxygen concentrations. This model, based on the superconducting proximity effect, assumes that in some regions the BiO uppermost layer is insulating and in other regions it is metallic, in the latter case induced superconductivity by proximity to the CuO₂planes. Our STM measurements appear to sample only the uppermost half cell of the crystal, and contain no obvious superlattice features. Recent measurements have confirmed Josephson radiation from voltage biasedc-axis pillars of BSCCO. From the point of view of the present work, the superconducting systems which weakly couple along thec-direction to create Josephson junctions are probably half-cell slabs of height 15.4 Å, each containing two CuO₂and two BiO layers, which act as single composite electrodes for the Josephson junctions.     

About specific features of the structure modulation in the Bi-ferrate compounds isostructural with Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8

The single-crystalline specimens of the Fe-doped (5% ⁵⁷Fe) Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ (2212Cu) compound have been synthesized to compare the behavior of the structure modulation in Bi-cuprate and Bi-ferrate compounds. According to the Mössbauer data obtained, one can conclude that extra oxygen, related to the presence of Cu³⁺ in 2212Cu, is most probably arranged in the Ca layer rather than in the Bi layer, as was supposed in the model of extra oxygen. Based on the analysis of the experimental data we propose the explanation of the structure modulation in Bi compounds. Due to the mismatch between the internal perovskite block and the external BiO layers the structure of the Bi compounds is distorted. The Sr layer being boundary between these blocks probably is most distorted and stressed. We suppose that the different changes related to the modulation can occur just in this layer. The Bi excess, which is always present in Bi compounds (especially in single crystals), can be just the necessary condition at which the modulation appears. Extra oxygen in principle can be present in modulated structures. However, in our opinion, it only complements the influence of other factors and is not the driving force in the structure modulation.     

Infrared optical response of YBa2Cu3O7 and PrBa2Cu3O7 An ellipsometric study

Ellipsometry was used to study (110) and (001) oriented films of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ and PrBa₂Cu₃O₇ in the mid-and near-infrared spectral regions. Below a photon energy of 0.1 eV, the in-plane component of the dielectric tensor of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ is dominated by a Drude term with a squared plasma energy of (3.0 ± 0.3) eV². This “oscillator strength”, and the Lorentzian broadening energy of (0.104 ± 0.005) eV at room temperature, are confirmed by the changes induced in Pr-substituted material, and by low-temperature measurements in the near-infrared. The deviation from the Drude behavior observed above 0.1 eV is accounted for by a broad absorption band with an oscillator strength of (3.6 ± 0.1) eV² in YBa₂Cu₃O₇ which shifts to higher energies and takes over almost all of the oscillator strength of the Drude term when Y is substituted by Pr. The response to electric fields perpendicular to the planes is much weaker, with an upper bound of 0.63 eV² for the squared plasma energy. The in-plane loss function computed from the measured dielectric function follows the Drude-like lineshape, modified by the bound-state absorption band, down to the lowest energy reached in our measurements (0.058 eV).     

Temperature dependence of the work function of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 single crystal cleaved at low temperature

We measured the anomalous change in the work function of Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ around a critical temperature (T_c ≈ 85 K). The work function becomes a minimum at T_c; the work function decreases in a normal-conductive state and then increases in a superconductive state as the temperature decreases. An increase in the work function for a transition from a normal-conductive state to a superconductive state at 0 K is about 9 meV. The contribution of the chemical potential and the surface dipole barrier to the work function are discussed.     

Angular dependence of the magnetization curves and interlayer Josephson coupling in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8

Magnetization curves were measured for Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ crystals which were irradiated with 5.8 GeV Pb ions along the c direction or at 45° with respect to it. Each ion produces continuous columnar that crosses the sample and yields a unidirectional pinning center. The density of the defects in the various samples ranges from 10¹⁰ to 2.5 X 10¹¹ ions/cm². In all the irradiated samples the width of the magnetization curves is found to be the largest for fields along the defects indicating that when the field is at other directions the vortices are tilted away from the defects. This manifests the important role of the Josephson coupling between the CuO₂ planes. We also report on accelerated flux escape around zero magnetization and around zero field, particularly in samples with a high dose of irradiation.     

Magnetic levitation of YBa2Cu3Oy single crystals

By using an ordinary electric balance, we are able to measure the magnetic levitation forces acting on a superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O_y (YBCO) single crystal. It is found that when the external magnetic field is parallel to the c-axis of the single crystal, the hysteretic levitation curve is similar to that of a melt-processed YBCO superconducting sample. However, when the external magnetic field is perpendicular to the c-axis of the YBCO single crystal, the levitation forces are too small to be measured by our equipment. Also, we have introduced a simple model with the Bean's approximations to explain the levitation forces. The critical current density derived from this model by fitting with experimental data is quite close to the value obtained from magnetization measurements.