Structure of grain boundaries in YBa2Cu3O7 thin-film step-edge junctions

The atomic structure of 90° [100] (or [010]) tilt grain boundaries in YBa₂Cu₃O₇ thin-film step-edge junctions and, for comparison, in the interface between a-axis and c-axis oriented YBa₂Cu₃O₇ grains is investigated by means of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. For (100)(001)-type boundaries two different structures are found. In the first a (001) CuO₂ plane of one grain faces a (100) Y–Ba–O plane of the other grain, in the second a (001) BaO plane faces a (100) Cu–O plane. In the former structure an incomplete unit cell of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ terminates at the boundary and a smaller strain in the adjacent CuO₂ planes is detected in comparison with the latter. It is found that a combination of a partial dislocation with a 124 stacking fault is a way to accommodate the lattice mismatch between c and 3a of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ in the boundary. For a symmetric (103)(103)-type boundary a displacement of the Cu-atoms of the CuO₂ planes is found near the boundary plane. From this a redistribution of the oxygen atoms around the Y-atoms located right in the boundary plane is inferred. The possible effect of the boundary structure on the superconducting properties of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ films is discussed.     

An experimental approach to the improvement of critical current density in high-TC YBa2Cu3O x ceramics

A “grain coating” technique was developed to improve the intergranular links in YBa₂Cu₃O _x ceramics. Thin layers of additives such as Ag, SnO₂, Bi₂O₃ were introduced into the grain boundaries by vacuum evaporation. Notable J_c increments due to grain coating were observed. TEM investigation revealed that dislocations accompanied by stacking faults existed in these samples.     

YBa2Cu3O7-x涂层导体的外延生长和性能对CeO2缓冲层的依赖性

利用倾斜衬底沉积法在无织构的金属衬底上生长了MgO双轴织构的模板层,在这一模板层上实现了YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x薄膜的外延生长.在外延YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x薄膜前,依次沉积了钇稳定的立方氧化锆和CeO₂作为缓冲层.利用X射线衍射2θ扫描、扫描、Ω扫描和极图分析测定了这些膜的结构和双轴织 关键词： 2Cu₃O_7-x镀膜导体')" href="#">YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x镀膜导体 2缓冲层')" href="#">CeO₂缓冲层 厚度依赖性 外延生长     

Structure and defects at Y2BaCuO5 interfaces in melt-textured YBa2Cu3Ox superconductors

Y₂BaCuO₅ (211) inclusions are prominent microstructural features found in melt-textured YBa₂Cu₃O_x (123) superconductors. These particles are of interest because the 123/211 interfaces and the interface-associated defects have been proposed to be flux pinning centers. In addition, the 211 particles are believed to be heterogeneous nucleation centers of dislocation which can increase the critical current density of 123. Unfortunately, only limited studies have been performed on these particles to ascertain their roles in flux pinning. In this investigation, 211 particles, the interfacial structure and defects in undeformed and mechanically deformed melt-textured 123 have been studied by transmission electron microscopy. It was found that there appears to be a preferred orientation between large oblong 211 particles and the 123 matrix. In addition, while the 123/211 interfaces in undeformed 123 are sharp and relatively undistorted, the interfaces in deformed 123 samples are much thicker. Also, the distribution of strained regions and dislocations around oblong 211 particles in undeformed 123 is nonuniform; the interfaces of low surface curvature are relatively free of defects while the surfaces of high curvature are abundant in dislocations. In contrast, the 123/211 interfaces in deformed 123 samples contain high density of dislocations regardless of interface curvature.     

Effect of heavy atom disorder on the intensities of powder XRD lines of YBa2Cu3O7-y

Abstract

It is shown that heavy atom disorder resulting from Y ? Ba, Ba ? Cu and Y ? Cu interchanges due to local stoichiometric constraints can cause significant changes in the intensities of X-ray powder diffraction lines of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-y . A comparison of the theoretically predicted intensities with published patterns for specimens prepared by the conventional dry route reveals that Ba ? Cu interchanges involving copper atoms in the CuO₂ planes can occur quite frequently and may be mistaken for (00l) texture.     

Effect of nominal copper concentration in YBa2Cu3±x O7−δ on the superconducting transition

Variation of the copper concentration in the nominal composition YBa₂Cu_3±x O_7−δ markedly influences the superconducting transition. The transition occurs at the highest temperature with lower width, whenx = +0·25. Communication No. 82 from Materials Research Laboratory.     

The role of interfacial morphology in multilayers based on high T c YBa2Cu3O7-x

The interfacial microstructures in CaTiO₃/YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x /SrTiO₃/LaAlO₃/CaRuO₃ multilayers grown on (001) LaAlO₃ substrates has been characterized using transmission electron microscopy in combination with scanning electron microscopy. The morphology of films grown on both flat surfaces and on stepped surfaces patterned by ion beam milling were interpreted in terms of effects that influence epitaxial orientation relationships, nucleation of Y₂O₃ particles, and pinhole formation. The general conclusions are that a-axis oriented YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x particles should be avoided in multilayer structures. The particles give rise to cracking and pinhole formation. Local surface roughness, which may be due to ion beam milling or to the growth mechanism of YBCO, induces Y₂O₃ particle nucleation and pinhole formation. Very steep surface slopes cause the formation of a-axis YBa₂CU₃O_7-x particles. A critical size effect of the Y₂O₃ particles is suggested.     

Relation between highT c superconductivity and structure: A study of Ba3+x Cu6O14+δ and YBa2Cu3O7−δ systems

Superconductivity is found in tetragonal La_3−x Ba_3+x Cu₆O_14+δ and La, Ba)_6−x Sr _x Cu₆O_14+δ even though they do not possess Cu-O chains or the K₂NiF₄ structure. Resistivity measurements confirm the occurrence of a transformation from chain-superconductivity to sheet-superconductivity in YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ as δ is varied in the range 0.0–0.5. Contribution No. 481 from the Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit     

Interface microstructure in epitaxial YBa2Cu3Ox/PrBa2Cu3Ox/YBa2Cu3Ox ramp-type Josephson junctions

The interfaces in ramp-type YBa₂Cu₃O_x/PrBa₂Cu₃O_x/YBa₂Cu₃O_x Josephson junctions with different ramp slopes were characterized electrically and structurally. From the cross-sectional TEM images, it has been found that the epitaxy remains through all layers even on the ramp surface, providing the ramp angle is less than 45°. No big defects such as grain boundaries and secondary phases occurred at the interface. The major defects which appeared at the interface are antiphase boundaries which were formed by lattice shifts with c/3 unit between PrBa₂Cu₃O_x and YBa₂Cu₃O_x. The interface between YBa₂Cu₃O_x base-layer and PrBa₂Cu₃O_x barrier is more defective in comparison with that between PrBa₂Cu₃O_x barrier and top-layer. Alteration of the ramp slope from 10° to 45° leads to a significant increase in the density of defects near the base-YBa₂Cu₃O_x/PrBa₂Cu₃O_x interface. The average roughness of the ramp surface created by ion milling is about 10 nm, which seems insensitive to the ramp slope. The damaged ramp surface could be repaired during the subsequent deposition process, leading to a negligible interface resistance.     

Crystallographic and microstructural aspects of the superconductor YBa2Cu3O7-y —an overview

Crystal structures and structural inhomogeneities observed in YBa₂Cu₃O_7-y are reviewed. It is brought out that a proper understanding of the nature of the structural inhomogeneities is essential for exploiting the technological potential of this material. The need for an adequate characterization of specimens used for experiments is emphasized. Practical implications of the ferroelastic nature of the material are discussed.     

Studies of synthesizing behaviors and superconductivity of sol-gel YBa2Cu3O7-x samples in flowing oxygen atmosphere

Systematic studies of synthesizing behaviors of sol-gel YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x samples in flowing oxygen atmosphere and their superconductivity have been performed. A set of high temperature ρ-T curves has been obtained for the whole synthesizing process. After four rounds of synthesizing, the resistivity of the sample was around ρ=1.00×10⁻³Ω · cm at room temperature. The ρ-T curve of the fourth round shows that the orthorhombic to tetragonal phase transformation of the sample occurs around 600 °C, which is lower than that of the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x sample prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method. Other measurements, such as X-ray diffraction, SEM measurement and low temperature R-T and M-T measurement, were also performed. And the R-T and M-T measurement results suggest that during the synthesizing process, there exist some state at which the sample has better superconductivity than the other states. Moreover, we found screw dislocations presenting on the sample broken surface from the SEM images. This will change the concept that the screw dislocations can only grow on the surface of the YBCO thin films and single crystals.      

Photoemission study of the Ba core levels in YBa2Cu3O7-x

Angle dependent X-ray photoemission spectra of epitaxial thin YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x films show characteristic differences after various heat and oxygen pretreatments. The component with the lowest binding energy in Ba 3d _5/2 and 4d _5/2 peaks results from bulk Ba in YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x . A component with 2 eV higher binding energy results from Ba in the surface unit cell with different bonding if compared with the bulk superconductor. This surface structure is observed for all YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x surfaces which have been exposed to oxygen. It is not observed for UHV prepared surfaces after mechanical scraping or fracturing.     

On the preparation and the characterization of superconducting thin films of YBa2Cu3O7−x

The results of our initial efforts to deposit thin films of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x system on sapphire substrate are described. The deposited films are shiny black in appearance and are of quite uniform chemical composition. The annealed films exhibit zero resistance superconducting transition temperatureT _c(R=0) ranging between 23 K and 30 K.     

Low-temperature growth of high-Tc superconducting films by plasma-enhanced metal-organic chemical vapor deposition

Plasma-enhanced MOCVD in which metal-organic compounds are sublimated directly into the growth chamber is studied for the first time as a new low-temperature process for growing superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O-_-x thin films. Y(THD)₃, Ba(THD)₂, Cu(THD)₂ and oxygen are used as metal sources and oxydizing agent. Emission spectroscopy reveals that activated metal-organic compounds and activated oxygen species are present during film growth. Superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x films whose zero-resistivity temperature are 50 K and 82 K are grown at 550°C and 600°C.     

An “EPR” study of YBa2Cu3O7 and related high-temperature superconductors

Besides ag ≈ 2 signal which disappears on cooling to the superconductingT _c , YBa₂Cu₃O₇ and related oxides show a near-zero-field signal in the superconducting state with certain unusual features attributable to a “superconducting glassy state”. Contribution No. 443 from Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit.     

Improvement of the superconducting properties of an infiltrated YBCO bulk superconductor by a BaCeO3 addition

Single grain YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x (Y123) bulk superconductors with Y₂BaCuO₅ (Y211) and various amounts of BaCeO₃ (5–45 wt.% by an increment of 10 wt.%) were fabricated by a seeded infiltration process. The addition of BaCeO₃ was found to be effective for a modification of the microstructure and an improvement of the superconducting properties. The refinement effect for Y211 particles within an entire superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x (Y123) matrix was achieved by BaCeO₃ additions. The critical current density (J_c) values were increased as the BaCeO₃ contents were increased (maximum J_c at 35 wt.% BaCeO₃ addition). The J_c improvement by BaCeO₃ additions might be due to the microstructure modifications associated with the finely distributed Y211 and BaCeO₃ particles. With the addition of BaCeO₃ the onset T_c values decreased slightly, indicating highly limited Ce substitution for Y site. It can be concluded that the BaCeO₃ addition has a beneficial effect on the morphology, the size and the distribution of the Y211 inclusions and the microstructure regarding pinning improvement.     

The effect of low intra-sublattice repulsion on phase diagram of YBa2Cu3O6+x : A Monte Carlo simulation study

We report the results of Monte Carlo simulation of the phase diagram and oxygen ordering in YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x for low intra-sublattice repulsion. At low temperatures, apart from tetragonal (T), orthorhombic (OI) and ‘double cell’ ortho II phases, there is evidence for two additional orthorhombic phases labelled here asOI andOIII. At high temperatures, there was no evidence for the decomposition of theOI phase into theT andOI phases. We find qualitative agreement with experimental observations and cluster-variation method results.     

Interaction of YBa2Cu3O6.8 with atmospheric moisture during low-temperature annealing

The interaction of YBa₂Cu₃O_6.8 (123) with water vapors at T = 200°C and the water influence on the structure and electrophysical properties of the compound have been studied using Raman spectroscopy, magnetometry, and X-ray diffraction. It has been found that the penetration of water into the 123 structure leads to its transition to a hydride-oxyhydroxide H_{2x ? z} YBa₂Cu₃O _{y + x ? z} (OH) _z containing fragments of the 124-type structure and exhibiting the spectrum of two-magnon scattering characteristic of antiferromagnetic 123 á compositions; in this case, the superconducting properties of the material as a whole are conserved. After short-time recovery annealing and subsequent oxidation, the water is removed from the compound structure, which leads to the disappearance of the spectrum of spin fluctuations. A possible mechanism of change in the 123 structure upon hydrogen and water intercalation has been discussed.     

Bilayer exchange coupling and neel temperature of YBa2Cu3O6.2

The present paper attempts to study the Neel temperature of bilayer antiferromagnetic cuprate YBa₂Cu₃O_6.2 within anisotropic Heisenberg model. The double time Green’s function formalism within random phase approximation (RPA) has been used to obtain various correlation functions. The magnetization and the Neel temperature (T _N) are evaluated. It is observed that the ratio of intrabilayer to inplane exchange coupling (r=J⊥/J‖) plays an important role in the magnetic dynamics of bilayer systems. The recent experimental data of bilayer system YBa₂Cu₃O_6.2 have been used to estimate the ratio r from the expression for Neel temperature. The estimated values of spin gap and the ratio of hopping matrix elements t⊥/t‖ are found to be in fairly good agreement with the existing experimental results.     

Novel 1122 thallium cuprates showing high Tc superconductivity: TlCa1-xY,Ba2Cu2O y,T,1-xPb x CaSr2Cu2O y and TlCa0.5Ln0.5Sr2Cu2O y

Substitution of Ca by Y in TlCaBa₂Cu₂O _y does not favour superconductivity, but substitution of Tl by Pb or of Ca by Ln (Ln = Y or rare earth) in TlCaSr₂Cu₂O _y results in high T_c superconductivity (T_c π 60–90 K). TlCa_1-xLn _x Sr₂Cu₂O _y is a new series of high T_c superconductors, but the x = 0.0 composition does not exhibit bulk superconductivity.