Effect of temperature and magnetic field on the evolution of a vortex structure of the granular YBa2Cu3O7 − δ high-temperature superconductor

The temperature dependences of the electrical resistivity ρ(T) _{H = const} have been measured in external magnetic fields H _ext (0 ≤ H _ext ≤ 1420 Oe) at temperatures ranging from 70 to 273 K for samples of the granular YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 ? δ} high-temperature superconductor (HTSC). Cooling of the samples to the minimum temperature T _min (70 K) has been performed in external magnetic fields (FC mode) and in the absence of a magnetic field (ZFC mode). Moreover, the dependences ρ(T) _{H = 0} for samples cooled in the FC mode have been measured in a zero field. The curves ρ(T)H = const have been converted into isotherms of the magnetore-sistance ρ(H _ext) _{T = const}. A comparative analysis of the specific features in the behavior of the curves ρ(H) _{T = const} for samples with different “magnetic prehistories” has made it possible to elucidate the nature and mechanisms of the influence of the particular scenario of the magnetic treatment of granular HTSCs on the behavior of their galvanomagnetic properties. The temperature dependences of the critical magnetic fields of superconducting grains (H _c1g , H _c2g ) and Josephson weak links (H _c2J ) have been determined, and the H-T phase diagrams of granular YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 ? δ} HTSCs have been recovered.     

Process of magnetic field penetration into the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−δ

The processes of magnetic field penetration into the ceramic samples of the HTSC YB₂Cu₃O_～6.95 at T<T _c are studied by the methods of internal friction and magnetization measurements. A clearly manifested correlation is observed between the field dependences of the internal friction spectrum parameters (the logarithmic damping decrement Q ^?1 and the resonance frequency f) and the trapped magnetic flux ΔM. The magneto-mechanical approach we used reveals a significant difference in the field dependences of the densities of pinned (N _p) and free (N _f) Abrikosov vortices for H>H _c1.     

Thermal and magnetic properties of some YBa2Cu3O7−δ samples

Thermal and magnetic measurements have been performed on several YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ compounds, some ones showing a large content of high T_c (93 K) superconducting phase. A jump in the specific heat ΔCp, is well evidenced at the transition allowing a determination of the ratio ΔCp/T_c ≅ 23 ± 5. mJ/ (mole Cu)K². In addition, an estimation of the γ value (≅ 11 mJ/(mole Cu). K²) has been drawn from the determination of the electronic entropy at T_c. The samples have been characterized by susceptibility, magnetization and resistivity experiments. The critical field slopes at T_c were found to be dHc₁/dT ≅ 17 Oe/K and dHc₂/dT ≅ 20 kOe/K. The results are discussed in the framework of the Ginzburg-Landau theory.     

Thermal conductivity anomalies in GdBa2Cu3O7−x

The measurements of the thermal and electric conductivity of three GdBa₂Cu₃O_7−x samples with different orthorhombic distortions are presented. The electronic component of the total conductivity in the normal state is evaluated. Its value is connected with the magnitude of the change of the slope of the total conductivity λ for the critical temperature T_c.     

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.     

Origin of the magnetic field induced changes of the transverse plasma mode in the c-axis infrared response of underdoped YBa2Cu3O(7-δ)

We report on results of our theoretical study of magnetic field induced changes of the c-axis infrared response of bilayer cuprate superconductors using the phenomenological multilayer model involving the conductivity of the spacing layers and that of the bilayer units. For H perpendicular to the planes, the local conductivities have been expressed in terms of a two-fluid approximation--as weighted averages of the superconducting state ones and the normal state ones representing contributions of the vortex cores, the weight of the latter increasing linearly with the field. This allows us to reproduce and interpret the fast decrease with increasing H of the well known 400 cm(-1) peak (transverse plasma mode) in the c-axis conductivity, observed by LaForge and co-workers. For the local conductivities of underdoped YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7-δ) with T(c)=58 K reported by Dubroka and co-workers and the fraction of the normal state (T ≈ T(c)) component given by (μ(0)H/25 T), the computed field induced changes of the reflectivity are in quantitative agreement with the data. This suggests that the response at H=0 and T ≈ T(c) is close to that at H=25 T < H(c2) and T ? T(c), in accord with theories attributing the above T(c) state to that of a superconductor lacking long-range phase coherence. Also discussed are changes of the response induced by H parallel to the CuO(2) planes.     

Normal state resistivity of YBa2Cu3O7−x

A systematic study has been carried out on the normal state resistivity of YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x . Samples were cut from the same well-annealed material and were quenched from different temperatures (T _Q ). The resistivity is metallic whenT _Q 500 °C and becomes semiconductor-like whenT _Q 600 °C. The data on the latter was interpreted in terms of the three-dimensional localization model proposed by Mott.The work at USCD was supported by the California MICRO program     

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.     

Thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity of the high-Tc superconductor YBa2Cu3O9−Δ

Thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity of single-phase YBa₂Cu₂O_9−Δ compound were measured in the superconducting (T_c=89.5 K) and normal states, in the temperature range 5–320 K. The electronic component of the total thermal conductivity was estimated to be 20%. The electrical resistivity changed linearly in the normal state up to highest measured temperature.     

Effect of an external magnetic field and a trapped magnetic flux on the current-voltage characteristics of a granular high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−δ

A comparative study of the current-voltage characteristics of the high-temperature ceramic superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_～6.95 at T = 77.3 K is performed over wide ranges of external magnetic fields H _ext and “treatment” fields H _treat. It is found that the field dependences of the parameters a and j _c involved in the exponential equation E = a(j ? j _c)^v describing the current-voltage characteristics depend substantially on the method used for applying the magnetic field, whereas the exponent v ～ 2 depends on neither the method of application nor on the magnetic field strength. The field dependence of the trapped magnetic field H _trap is determined.     

On the problem of Fe-substitution in YBa2Cu3O7-δ: a neutron powder diffraction study

Neutron powder diffraction study of YBa₂(Cu₁-xFe _x )₃O_7- was carried out for a series of samples with 0.005x0.12. The results obtained suggest that Fe substitutes for Cu at both, Cu1 and Cu2 sites with equal probabilities. There is a significant number (9%) of vacancies at the Cu1 site. This number is decreasing with an increasing concentration of Fe in a specimen. The oxygen content does not vary forx<0.08, but increases to about 7.06 for 12% Fe. There is a very low probability that Fe substitutes for Ba.     

Effect of oxygen deficiency on the magnetic field-dependent entropy in YBa2Cu3O7−δ

Roulin et al (1988), in one of their experimental papers, have presented a study of field-dependent entropy of high-purity YBa₂Cu₃O_7???δ (YBCO) as a function of oxygen deficiency. In order to explain their experimental results, we have used phenomenological GL-theory of anisotropic HTSCs in the London limit in line with of our earlier paper (Pattanaik et al, Physica B405, 3234 (2010)). Moreover, to account for the applicability of the theory at high field, we have incorporated the effect of vortex overlapping in the London theory done by Nanda (1995). Here, we have presented the variation of change in entropy (ΔS) with magnetic field for different oxygen deficiencies δ?=?0, 0.04, and 0.06. On comparison, we found that our results are in good agreement with the experimental data of Roulin et al (1988). The variation of penetration depth (λ) and anisotropic ratio of effective masses (γ) with concentration is also presented.     

Model of current and optical conductivity switching in YBa2Cu3O7−x films

A model is proposed for the thermal and electrical responses of films of the high-T _c superconducting material YBa₂Cu₃O7_7−x to current and optical pulses. Numerical calculations are compared with experimental data for current pulses of duration 100 μs and laser pulses of duration 0.1 ns; this yields improved data on the thermal conductivity of thin YBa₂Cu₃O7_7−x films (1.5–2 W/m·K) and thermal resistance of the film-substrate contact (5×10⁻⁸m²·K/W) in the neighborhood of the superconducting transition. This model can be used for optimizing the film structure parameters and control regimes for switching elements for pulses lasting longer than 0.1 ns. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 69, 77–82 (October 1999)     

Transient photoimpedance response of YBa2Cu3O7−0δ epitaxial films in the mixed state

This paper reports on an investigation of transient photoimpedance response to radiation, in other words, real-time variations of the impedance induced by femtosecond optical pulses in superconducting films transferred to the mixed state by an external magnetic field applied parallel to the c-axis. When the films were in a state characterized by the absence of dc resistivity, the response amplitude increased with the magnetic field faster than expected owing to the contribution of magnetic vortices to the impedance of a superconductor with s-wave pairing of electrons. It turned out that the effect is due to a growth in the effective density of quasiparticle states in the mixed state of a d-wave superconductor. In the absence of magnetic field, however, the response amplitude was higher at lower temperatures, which contradicts the predictions of both models. Possible reasons for this feature in the response as a function of temperature are discussed. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 116, 1035–1047 (September 1999)     

Ferroelastic detwinning of the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7-δ

Crystals of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ (YBC) were prepared using a flux technique. The as-grown crystals were typically on the order of 200 μm × 200 μm × 50 μm, where the 50 μm dimension is in the c-direction. Ferroelastic behavior was observed by applying a uniaxial stress along the [100]_tet-direction using a specially-designed fixture which was mounted to a programmable hot/cold stage of a polarizing reflected-light microscope. Domain wall motion was observed for temperatures greater than 200°C, and complete poling was accomplished at stresses on the order of 50–100 MPa at temperatures of 350–400°C. An ionic diffusion-activated mechanism is suggested.     

Thermal boundary between normal conductivity and fluctuation superconductivity in YBa2Cu3O7 − δ

The absence of a linear behaviour of the dependence of the resistance() over a temperature interval 77–300 K was observed for ceramic superconductors YBa₂Cu₃O_7 − δand thick polycrystallin films of the same composition with the addition of silver. A comparative analysis of the excess conductivity for HTSC and metal samples, characterizing the deviationR(T) from a linear dependence, allows one to determine the onset temperature of fluctuation superconductivity: within 105–110 K. The analysis of fluctuation superconductivity is performed using the Aslamazov–Larkin model. A smooth transition from the one-dimensional to the two- and three-dimensional nature of superconducting fluctuations in the order parameter was observed for ceramic samples as the temperature decreased.     

Fluctuation-enhanced conductivity and magnetoconductivity of high-quality YBa2Cu3O7−δ crystals

We present measurements of the in-plane resistivity _ab of YBa₂Cu₃O_7– single crystals withT _c 92 K and _ab (100 K)50 cm. The temperature dependence of the fluctuation conductivity and of the magnetoconductivity aboveT _c is analyzed in terms of direct and indirect fluctuation contributions for layered superconductors. The combination of fluctuation conductivity and magnetoconductivity allows to determine both coherence lengths _ab (0) and _c (0) as well as the phase-relaxation time of the pairs in an unequivocal manner. Evidence for clean limit type-II superconductivity in our crystals is given by large values of the mean free pathl _{ab ab} (0).Dedicated to Prof. Dr. F. Hund on the occasion of his 95th birthday     

Two kinds of positive holes in YBa2Cu3O7-δ around Tc through the analysis of the hall effect in weak field

Abstract

To obtain information about the mechanism of high T_c superconductivity in YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ (YBCO) the dependence of Hall coefficient R_H and electrical resistivity ρ on the temperature were studied in range from 77 to 300K. An inflexion point θ was found to exist around 130K in R_H(T) and ρ(T) curves. Both the mobility μ and the concentration of the holes were evaluated above and below θ, separately. The μ of the holes dominant below θ was ten times greater than that above θ. The concentration of the heavy holes above θ was, however, one hundred times larger than that below θ. A discussion will be given in terms of the transport process of the holes drifting through P_[sgrave]- and P_σ-orbits on the CuO₂ planes in YBCO.     

Temperature dependence of the Cu(2) NQR line width in YBa2Cu3O7−y

Precision X-ray structural studies were carried out for LiNbO₃:Zn_x single crystals with x=0.0, 2.87, 5.20, and 7.60 at. %. It was found that the insertion of the Zn atoms into the Li position was accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of intrinsic Nb_Li defects. At x=7.6%, the Zn atoms change their locations in the lattice and partially occupy the Nb positions. This clarifies the structural nature of the “threshold” Zn concentration, which manifests itself as singularities in the concentration dependences of various optical properties. The structural origin of the threshold concentration is likely a common feature of all nonphotorefractive impurities (Mg, Zn, In, and Sc) in LiNbO₃. A change in the intrinsic defect structure of the LiNbO₃ crystals with different Zn concentrations is discussed.