Influence of experimental conditions on the electric field effect in the ceramic (BiPb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox

An experimental study is reported of the influence of temperature (T), electric field polarity (±E), as well as of changes in the electrode/insulator/superconductor (E/I/S) measuring system on the field effect in the ceramic (BiPb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_x. It has been established that at 77 K and for E⩾60 MV/m the critical current I _c and conductivity of the sample increase for I>I _c, irrespective of the field polarity. For lower fields and a negative electrode potential the conductivity in an electric field may decrease. The field effect decreases with increasing temperature, to practically vanish near T _c where the sample is still in superconducting state. Experiments carried out with more complex systems E/I/M/I/S and E/I/M/S (M stands for a metallic foil) support the conclusion that it is the external electric field that is responsible for the observed effects. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1967–1970 (December 1997)