Harmonic generation in TlBa2Ca3Cu4Oy superconductor

We have studied harmonic generation in the magnetic response of bulk samples of the ceramic superconductor TlBa₂Ca₃Cu₄O_y. Dependence of the odd and even harmonics of magnetization on the DC magnetic field, amplitude of the AC magnetic field and temperature was investigate experimentally. We have used a critical state model recently developed by Müller et al. to calculate the full harmonic response. At fixed temperature, the dependence of the odd order harmonic response on the amplitude of the AC magnetic field H_m shows an unambiguous crossover from an H²_m behaviour (Bean-like) at small amplitudes to an H³_m behaviour for larger H_m, in quantitative agreement with the modified critical state model.     

Anomalies of ultrasonic velocity in high-Tc ceramics YBa2Cu3Oy and BiSrCaCu2Oy

Ultrasonic longitudinal velocity and adsorption have been measured in ceramic superconductors YBa₂Cu₃O_y with various porosity and also in BiSrCaCu₂O_y. A velocity drop of about 400 ppm was found at T_c only in the measurements on cooling. The magnitude of the velocity drop is anomalously large compared with the value expected from the thermodynamics. A hysteresis of velocity with respect to temperature was observed in all the samples studied. It is suggested that some structural change at pore size level is responsible for this phenomenon.     

New experimental evidence of the structural modification in single crystal Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy by X-ray diffraction observation

The variations of the high angle 00 peak-shape by means of X-ray l scans of the 00l fundamental reflections were investigated in detail for a highly oriented Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_y (Bi2212) crystal with sufficiently small intrinsic mosaicity and the same crystal annealed in air at 250, 300, 400, 600, and 750°C for 20 h in consequence. For the first time, we observed a new additional reflection almost overlapped original 00l fundamental reflection at annealing temperature below 400°C by X-ray diffraction measurement, which shows that there coexisted two sets of lattice periodicity in the c-direction of the annealed crystal. The new additional reflection appeared at 250°C and disappeared at 400°C. Its intensity was increased at 300°C. The measurements of the AC susceptibility, c-axis parameter and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the 00 peaks showed that the new additional reflection was associated with the oxygen diffusion in CuO₂ planes and the changes of strain field. The results provide the new experimental evidence that the structural distortion is more sensitive to the oxygen diffusion in CuO₂ planes than to that in Bi–O layers.     

Electrical transport and superconductivity in the Al2O3-Bi2Sr1.8Ca1.2Cu2Oy and MgO-Bi2Sr1.8Ca1.2Cu2Oy composites

We have measured the resistivities of Al₂O₃-Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2Cu₂O_y and MgO-Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2Cu₂O_y composites with the nominal Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2Cu₂O_y volume fraction, ₂₂₁₂, ranging from 0.15 to 1.00. For the Al₂O₃-Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2Cu ₂O_y composites, we find for the samples with ₂₂₁₂≥0.6 that the superconducting transition temperature, T_c, is not disturbed by the addition of Al₂O₃. For ₂₂₁₂<0.3, no zero-resistivity state is observed. For the MgO-Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2Cu₂O_y composites, T_c is barely disturbed for the samples with ρ₂₂₁₂≥0.7. No superconducting state is observed for the samples with ρ₂₂₁₂<0.35. The variation of (300 K) with ρ₂₂₁₂ indicates a three-dimensional percolating Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O matrix occurring at ρ₂₂₁₂≈0.19 and ≈0.15 in Al₂O₃-Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2 Cu₂O_y and MgO-Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2Cu₂O_y, respectively. Both resistivity and magnetization measurements suggest that the reactions of Bi₂Sr_1.8Ca_1.2Cu₂O_y with MgO are weaker than with Al₂O₃.     

Effects on structure and superconductivity for La and Ca codoping in YBa2Cu3Oy cuprates

The nominal composition of Y_0.8Ca_0.2Ba_2−xLa_xCu₃O_y (YBLCO) cuprates with x≤0.50 has been synthesized by the standard solid state reaction technique. X-ray diffraction and the resistivity measurements are used to characterize the structure and the superconductivity of YBLCO cuprates. There is no structural phase transition in the whole doping range. The dependencies of the lattice constants and some other structural parameters on the content of La for the samples YBLCO with x≤0.20 are different than those for the samples with x≥0.25. The zero resistance temperature T_c0 increases with the increase of the content of La in YBLCO as x≤0.20, and decreases as x≥0.25. We compared these results with those of Nd-doped Y_0.8Ca_0.2Ba_2−zNd_zCu₃O_y cuprates. It seems that T_c0 is related to the structural parameters due to Ca and La codoping in YBLCO.     

Resistivity and thermoelectric power of Bi2Sr2Ca−xPrxCu2Oy system

Samples of Bi₂Sr₂Ca_1−xPr_xCu₂O_y have been characterized by resistivity and thermoelectric power measurements. All metallic samples show superconductivity with a maximum T_c = 90 K at X = 0.2. The sample of x = 0.6 shows a crossover from hopping conduction at low temperature above T_c to metallic conduction at high temperature. For the metallic samples below x = 0.6, the results of thermoelectric power are well fitted by both of a phenomenological band spectrum model and the Nagaosa and Lee model.     

Intergrain and intragrain superconductivity in Sn- and Sb-doped Bi1.7Pb0.3Sr2Cu3Oy

Measurements of the resistivity and current dependent resistivity for small current densities ranging from 0.03 A/cm² to 3.0 A/cm² were performed with two Sn-doped and two Sb-doped polycrystalline Bi_1.7Pb_0.3Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y samples in magnetic fields up to 1.7 T. Features in the temperature derivative of the resistivity curves were associated with the presence of a superconducting transition between superconducting grains, coupled by weak links with a distribution of critical currents and critical temperatures, and the superconducting transition within grains. The transition between grains was more strongly suppressed in temperature with the application of a magnetic field in samples with weaker coupling between grains. The presence of a transition in a magnetic field due to weak links between grains was verified at 77 K by the observation of a current dependent resistivity in a magnetic field.     

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.     

Structure and properties of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox/Bi2Sr2CuOx superlattices prepared by RF magnetron sputtering

We have prepared Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_x/Bi₂Sr₂CuO_x (2212/2201) superlattices with various stacking periodicity by multitarget RF magnetron sputtering. Their crystal structure and electrical properties were investigated. The superlattice was found to be successfully constructed from the data of XRD patterns, AES, etc. The critical temperature increased almost linearly with increasing thickness of the 2212 phase up to a thickness of 6 unit cells. On the other hand, it did not decrease as the thickness of the 2201 layers was increased. The unit cell/unit cell superlattice showed T_{c zero} of 30 K.     

Magnetic and transport properties of YBa2Cu3Oy superconductor foams

The recently reported superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O_y (Y123) foams are highly interesting and promising for variety of applications. In this report we present first magneto-transport measurements of the superconducting properties of these foams. The investigations reveal the superconducting properties being similar to those of bulk melt processed materials. The 123 foams reveal a T_c of 92 K and have a magnetization J_c of 40,000 A/cm² at 77 K and 0 T. The measurements of magnetic hysteresis versus field show a high anisotropy of the critical current density up to J_c^ab/J_c^c7.     

Effects of 230 MeV Au irradiation on Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox

Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_x tapes were irradiated using 230 MeV Au¹⁴⁺ ions. Columnar defects were presumably produced due to irradiation. Zero-field-cooling (ZFC) magnetization increased up to a fluence of 1.6 × 10¹¹ Au⁺/cm², but field-cooling (FC) magnetization decreased, indicating the strong pinning effects resulting from the columnar defects. The critical current density as well as the irreversibility field, obtained from the hysteresis loops, were enhanced. Irreversibility fields are fitted by H_irr = A exp(−T/T_A). An effective activation energy for flux motion was obtained from the measurements of magnetization relaxation. The features of flux pinning as a result of the columnar defects were compared with those of point defects brought about by 120 MeV O⁷⁺ irradiation.     

Synthesis and superconductivity of (Pb0.5Cd0.5)(Sr0.9R0.1)2(R′0.7Ce0.3)2Cu2Oy

New Pb based layered superconducting cuprates (Pb_0.5Cd_0.5)(Sr_0.9R_0.1)₂(R′_0.7Ce_0.3)₂Cu₂O_y with (R,R′) = (Eu,Gd), (Eu,Dy) and (Nd,Gd), have been successfully synthesized. The structure of (Pb,Cd)(Sr,Eu)₂(Gd,Ce)₂Cu₂O_y is determined using XRD data. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern can be indexed by the tetragonal structure with lattice parameters a = 3.8250 Å, C = 29.2235 Å and a space group of I4/mmm. The effects of synthesis conditions on (Pb,Cd)(Sr,Eu)₂(Gd,Ce)₂Cu₂O_y are studied and a T_c(onset) of 26 K is obtained by resistance measurements. It is isostructural to the superconductor (Pb,Cu)(Sr,Eu)₂(Eu,Ce)₂Cu₂O_y.     

Phase formation and superconductivity in REBaSrCu3−x(PO4)xOy (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3)

Oxy-anion (PO₄³⁻) substituted phases of the composition REBaSrCu_2.8(PO₄)_0.2O_y have been synthesized. Single phase formation is achieved only for the larger rare earths (La → Ho and Y) and all the phases crystallize in the tetragonal 123 structure. IR studies confirm the presence of a phosphate group in the structure. The total oxygen content (including that associated with the oxy-anion PO₄³⁻) has been found to be in the range 7.01 to 7.10 per formula unit. Except for RE = La, Nd, Yb and Lu, all the phases exhibit superconductivity and the T_c,zero values vary from 18 to 38 K. The T_c,zero increases with decreasing size of RE³⁺. ErBaSrCu₃O₇ is multiphasic and single phase formation is achieved for the first time by phosphate substitution at the copper site. Single phase formation is encountered for x = 0.10 and 0.15 with T_c,zero values of 54 and 37 K respectively.     

Effect of the percentage of yttrium oxide on the phase composition of annealed samples of YzBa5Cu7Oy and YzBa3Cu5Oy composition

The phase composition of Y _z Ba₅Cu₇O _y (1) and Y _z Ba₃Cu₅O _y (2) samples with a variable percentage of yttrium up to the stoichiometric composition of the Y _n Ba _m Cu _{m + n} O _y series is investigated by X-ray phase and elemental analyses, electron diffraction, and high resolution imaging in a transmission electron microscope at a temperature of 930°C in the crystallization field of a matrix oxide (Ba: Cu) of 5: 6 composition on the phase diagram of the BaO-CuO _x system at P(O₂) = 21 kPa. The substantial effect of yttrium oxide’s presence on the phase composition of both objects is found, providing evidence of a complex ionic equilibrium within the melt. The fine-domain oxide structure of the YBa₂Cu₃O₆ tetragonal form, which is due to the coexistence of oxides of an Y _n Ba _m Cu _m+n O _y homologous series of (Y: Ba: Cu) 235, 123, and 257 composition is revealed. The domain size for these phases is 20–50 ?. The domains are joined coherently along axis c.     

Superconductivity at 27 K in Nb-1222 cuprate: NbSr2(GdCe)2Cu2Oy

Samples of NbSr₂Gd_2−xCe_xCu₂O_y have been prepared by solid state reaction. The X-ray powder diffraction patterns show that a single phase can be formed in the composition range of 0.49<x<0.51 that has TaSr₂ (NdCe)₂Cu₂O_y structure [1], the cell parameters being a=3.8669±0.0046 Å and c=28.742±0.0048 Å. Superconductivity was found by resistance measurements in the sample of NbSr₂Gd_1.5Ce_0.5Cu₂O_y: the onset transition temperature is 27.4 K, and zero resistance appears at approximately 13 K.     

Oxygen overdoping in superconducting and non-superconducting Y1−xPrxBa2Cu3Oy

We present the evolution of magnetic and structural properties of Y_1−xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_y (x0.5 and x=1) single crystals and polycrystalline materials when the oxygen concentration y is varied from under- to overdoping. We have found a monotonous evolution of the Pr Néel temperature for x=1 samples and a maximum of the superconducting critical temperature for the x0.5 samples. The structural properties as detected by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy show no instabilities when crossing the optimal doping region as was found in the x=0 material.     

Primary crystallization field of YnBamCum + nOy oxides with YBa2Cu3O6 tetragonal structure

The phase composition of specimens in the primary crystallization field of the Y _n Ba _m Cu _{m + n} O _y oxide series with compositions of (Y:Ba:Cu) 235, 123, and 257 was investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray microprobe analysis, electron diffraction, and high resolution imaging in a transmission electron microscope. Y _n Ba _m Cu _{m + n} O _y oxides have the YaBa₂Cu₃O₆ tetragonal structure and can be represented in the general form as 123 oxides. It was found that the crystallization field of 123 oxides corresponds to the crystallization fields of the Ba _m Cu _{m + n} O _y oxide series with the BaCuO₂ cubic structure. These crystallization fields are located in the matrix phase diagram of the BaO-CuO _x system at P(O₂) = 21 kPa in the range of 50–90 mol % CuO and 910–1000°C. The 123 oxides are formed according to an intercalation mechanism with the participation of barium-copper oxide matrices with the composition (Ba: Cu) 3: 5, 2: 3, and 5: 7     

Investigation of superconductivity effects in single-phase and multiphase Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 single-crystals at 2-MM wavelengths

Experimental investigations of superconductivity effects in single-phase and multiphase Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ single-crystals have been carried out at 142 GHz frequency by means of the standing wave profile method [1]. Josephson harmonic generation has been observed to be responsible for the appearence of additional peaks on the standing wave profile of the open dielectric resonator loaded with a properly orientated multiphase high-T_c superconductor specimen. This leads to the conclusion that most of the Josephson junctions in multiphase crystals are located in certain crystallographic planes. The investigations of temperature dependencies showed that sharp resonant peaks of conductivity observed earlier [2] at 60 GHz could also be observed at 142 GHz.     

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.     

A Raman study of the structural properties of YBa2(Cu1 − xFex)3Oy

The effects of Fe-substitution of YBa₂Cu₃O_y have been investigated by means of Raman scattering, X-ray diffraction, resistivity and susceptibility measurements. A series of samples of YBa₂(Cu_{1 − x}Fe_x)₃O_y with different dopant concentration (0 x 0.15) has been prepared in two batches, the second set having undergone twice the heat and mechanical treatment used to produce the first batch. Considerable improvement in the superconducting transition temperature, T_c, is obtained upon reprocessing. A phase transformation from orthorhombic to tetragonal symmetry is observed for x=0.05 from the X-ray measurements in agreement with previous work. Using a micro-Raman technique, all five A_g vibrational modes have been measured and their dependence on Fe-concentration is analyzed. There are indications that iron substitutes for copper at both sites and that the structure is a mixture of orthorhombic and tetragonal microdomains for all x.