“Raman-Forbidden” Phonons in YBa2Cu3O7−x Crystals

We have thoroughly studied the additional modes in the phonon spectra of YBa ₂ Cu ₃ O _7–x single crystals in resonant conditions. We have investigated the fine structure of the forbidden Raman spectrum, its dependence on the oxygen concentration and temperature as well as its temporal behavior which reflects the photoinduced oxygen redistribution.     

Sintering of YBa2Cu3O7−x compacts

Heating of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x compacts above about 930°C is shown to induce liquid formation. Presence of the liquid phase results in excellent densification, but limited superconducting properties. Sintering below 930°C occurs primarily by solid-state diffusion. Although the density of these samples is low, the superconducting properties are similar to those of the dense materials produced via liquid-phase sintering. The highest current densities (≈ 500 A/cm²) have been obtained in these solid-state sintered samples.     

Grain growth enhancement in silver-doped YBa2Cu3O7−x superconductor

The effects of silver addition on the microstructural and superconducting properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x (YBCO) have been investigated. It was found that the microstructure of silver-doped YBCO samples is characterized by highly oriented platelet-like grains (up to 3 mm × 0.5 mm × 15 m). The superconducting transition temperatureT _itc (R= 0) is decreased with increasing wt% of silver. The critical transport density (J _cT) is, however, found to be improved (up to two orders of magnitude) in the doped materials (J _itc T (T= 77 K andH = 0 T) = 1250 Acm^–2). It is believed that the addition of silver lowers the melting temperature of the system and thereby enhances the decomposition of the compound and promotes grain growth during solidification.     

Superconductivity of YBa2−x Nd x Cu3O y Solid Solution

The solubility of Nd at the Ba sites and the superconductivity of YBa_2?x Nd _x Cu₃O _y were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and measurements of the electrical resistance and ac susceptibility. The single Re123 phase was obtained for x≤0.30. The onset transition temperature $T_{\text{c}}^{{\text{on}}}$ is insensitive to the Nd content x in the region of x≤0.40. All are higher than 95 K. The zero resistance transition temperatures $T_{\text{c}}^{{\text{zero}}}$ , however, exhibits two-step variation with the increase of x. For x≤0.25, $T_{\text{c}}^{{\text{zero}}}$ are all above 92 K. The highest $T_{\text{c}}^{{\text{zero}}}$ of 94 K was obtained for x=0.25. For x≥0.3 $T_{\text{c}}^{{\text{zero}}}$ drops sharply to about 84 K. Finally $T_{\text{c}}^{{\text{zero}}}$ falls to 30 K and $T_{\text{c}}^{{\text{zero}}}$ is below 10 K for x=0.5. The two-step variation of T _c might be an indication of the existence of two trap levels for holes.     

YBa2Cu3O7—x陶瓷氧扩散动力学

采用动态电导率的测量方法，研究了ＹＢａ２Ｃｕ３Ｏ７－ｘ陶瓷的氧扩散动力学过程，在５００－８５０℃温度范围内，氧分压为９６．８７ｋＰａ下而验证。     

Oxygen Exchange in YBa2Cu3O7 – δ

The oxygen exchange in YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 –} materials of different densities was studied by thermogravimetry over wide ranges of temperatures and oxygen pressures. The results were correlated with x-ray diffraction (b – a), T _c (inductance method), and T _c data. According to polarized-light microscopy and coulometric titration results, the annealing conditions have a strong effect on the uniformity of oxygen distribution in the basal plane.     

High-temperature deformation behaviour of YBa2Cu3O7−x

High-temperature compression tests were performed in air for YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x polycrystals with grain sizes of 3 and 7 m at various strain rates between 1.3×10^–5 and 4×10^–4s^–1 and at temperatures between 1136 and 1253 K. Steady state deformation appeared above 1203 K for both samples. A stress exponent of 1.3 and an activation energy of 150 kJ mol^–1 were evaluated. The compression tests and microstructural observations revealed that there was a difference in deformation mechanism above and below 1203 K. The dominant mechanism was diffusional creep associated with grain-boundary sliding above 1203 K, and dislocation glide accompanied with grain-boundary sliding below 1203 K. The growth of anisotropic grains and their preferred arrangement were enhanced by deformation.     

YBa2Cu3O7—x超导材料的水解性质

以 Y_2O_3-BaO-CuO 三元系制备的 YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-x)超导材料对水和水蒸汽很敏感。超导相 YBa_2Cu_3O_((?)-x)与水的作用随温度升高而迅速增强,通常的水解产物为 Ba(OH)_2、Y(OH)_3和 CuO。这种性质起因于晶体结构的不稳定性,因为在这类钙钛矿型的超点阵结构中存在很多氧空位。室温下,YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-x)相与水的作用较弱,而杂质相 Ba_4Y_2O_7和 BaCuO_7等可与水迅速产生反应并释放热量,从而导致 YBa_(?)Cu_3O_(7-x)脱氧、水解。     

Two phase co-existence in YBa2(Cu1−x Co x )3O7−δ superconductor with x=0.03

Co-doped impurity-free YBa₂(Cu_1–x Co _x )₃O_7–(123Co_x) with x=0.03 superconducting samples have been synthesized using conventional solid state reaction techniques. A Rietveld analysis of X-ray diffraction data for these specimens reveals that two structures (one tetragonal represented by T-YBCO, and the other orthorhombic represented by O-YBCO) co-exist at this composition of the cuprate. The use of a single tetragonal or single orthorhombic structure as the model for the refinements does not produce acceptable fits to the X-ray diffraction pattern. The refinements show that the T-YBCO phase at 298 K has tetragonal symmetry (P4/mmm) with a=0.387879(4) nm, c=1.17314(1) nm, and that the O-YBCO phase has at 298 K an orthorhombic symmetry (Pmmm) with a=0.387555(4) nm, b=0.389400(4) nm, c=1.17363(1) nm, respectively.     

Microstructure and properties of K2O doped superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−x

K doped YBa₂Cu₂O _x powders have been obtained by incorporating K₂CO₃ to previously coprecipitated amorphous hydroxide mixtures. Synthesis was performed at 900C and an orthorhombic 1 2 3 phase was the final product. Sintering of isopressed bars was carried out from 920 to 940C. K doping up to 5 at % led to the development of dense bodies with good superconducting behaviour. Oxygen pick-up during the cooling step following sintering was well accomplished despite the high density of the samples. Transition temperatures 90 K were measured. Doping above that percentage led to samples with lower density values. The presence of non-superconducting phases, such as CuO and a green phase, was very significant, and suppressed the superconducting transition.     

Normal state properties of lithiated YBa2Cu3O7−x samples

Measurements of the resistivity in the normal state of lithiated YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x are reported. At low x_Li-values (<0.06), lithium substitutes copper of the CuO₂ planes. The samples are metallic; a progressive localization of the charge carriers is observed. In the intermediate concentration range, lithium occupies both copper sites planes and chains which leads to a two-phased system; the slope dϱ/dT is nearly independent of temperature. In the concentrated range, lithium is in the chain site. The resistivity behaviour is well described by the simple relation with ρ₀T₀=10Ω.cm.K, a result which is consistent with a single YBCO₆-type phase.     

YBa2Cu3O7−x Thin Films by Citrate-Based Non-fluorine Precursor

A new fluorine-free chemical solution deposition route has been developed for YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x (YBCO) thin films. The precursor was formed by dissolving metal nitrates and citric acid in ethylene glycol. Polyethyleneimine was used to modify the solution. The preparation of YBCO thin films consisted of repeated dip coating, drying, heat-treating in air and annealing in flowing argon with a small addition of oxygen and with final treatment in pure oxygen. The films were characterized by XRD and SEM and show dominating and well-textured YBCO phase. The AC susceptibility and magnetization measurements reveal a critical temperature about 90 K and a high critical current density, comparable with that of pulse laser deposited films. The simplicity and high performance of the method may be attractive for large-scale superconducting applications.     

Laser patterning of superconducting YBa2Cu3O7–x thin films

Abstract

Epitaxial YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x thin films have been patterned using aKrF excimer laser. Contact masks and mask imaging have been used to obtain YBa₂ Cu₃O_7–x bridges 8–20 μm in width. The process has been carried out under different environmental and laser fluence conditions. The best morphology is obtained in vacuum and with the highest laser fluences. The material composition in the bridges depends strongly on the fluence but not on the environment. The composition edges become steeper as the fluence is increased over the ablation threshold. Mask imaging allows retention of the electrical properties of the original film in the bridges, with a critical temperature greater than 91 K, a transition width of 1·5 K, and a critical current density greater than 10⁶ A cm^?2 at 77 K. The bridges defined by contact masks have slightly inferior superconducting properties but they can be recovered by annealing in flowing oxygen.

MST/3224     

High-Frequency Fluctuational Conductivity in YBa2Cu3O7−δ

We present measurements of the fluctuational excess conductivity at 48 GHz and 24 GHz in YBa₂Cu₃O_7– films above the transition temperature. The measurements depart from the gaussian prediction for finite-frequency fluctuational conductivity. We focus on the region not too close to T _c, where the real part of the excess conductivity drops much faster than the prediction of the gaussian model. We calculate the dynamic excess conductivity within a Ginzburg–Landau approach. In the calculation we insert a short-wavelength cutoff of the order of the inverse coherence length, in order to suppress high-momentum modes. The excess conductivity of all samples measured can be described very well by the modified model.     

Anisotropy of in-plane thermal conductivity in YBa2Cu3Oδδδ

The thermal conductivity of two untwinned single crystals of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-.     

Disordered Vortex Phases in YBa2Cu3O7?δ

The disordered vortex phases induced by line and point pinning in YBa₂Cu₃O_7– are explored. At high defect densities, only a single disordered solid separated from the liquid phase by a melting line is observed. At low defect densities the topology of the phase diagram changes dramatically, with a vortex lattice phase adjoining disordered phases at high or low field. Critical points at the termination of the first-order melting line separate the lattice and the disordered phases. The line defect disordered phases follow the expected Bose glass behavior, while the point defect disordered phases do not exhibit the expected vortex glass behavior.     

Investigation of Magneto-Resistance Behavior in High Pulsed Magnetic Fields up to 35 T of YBa2Cu3O x and YBa2Cu3O x (5% Ag-doped) Thick Films Near 77 K

We investigated the influence of pulsed magnetic fields of up to 35 T on thick film samples of YBa₂Cu₃O _x (x<6.8) and YBa₂Cu₃O _x (5% Ag-doped), produced from powders on which electromagnetic separation had been performed. It was discovered, that subjecting the thick film samples of YBa₂Cu₃O _x to 10 pulses of a cyclic pulsed magnetic field of 32 T had the effect of significantly increasing T _c . The films had an oxygen deficit of 6.6–6.8%. Initially, T _c was 74 K. After the treatments by the strong pulses of magnetic fields, T _c had increased to 80 K. On the other hand, in YBa₂Cu₃O _x (5% Ag), the processing by strong pulsed magnetic fields will lead to dynamic mechanic stresses, which will increase the amount of tetragonal phases and lead to a lower temperature of the superconductivity transition.     

Superconductivity Enhancement in Fe3O4 Doped YBa2Cu3O7−δ

Flux pinning can lead to the enhancement of J _c in superconductor. In order to study the effect of magnetic particles on superconductivity, the composites of (YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ )_0.98(Fe₃O₄)_0.02 and (YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ )_0.98(α-Fe₂O₃)_0.02 are synthesized with former sintered at different temperatures. The field-cooling measurements show that the T _c of the samples has not changed. The superconducting properties are enhanced when the samples are sintered at high temperature (750 ^°C), but suppressed for the samples without sintering or sintered at low temperature (350 ^°C). Scanning electron microscopy images show that the doped Fe₃O₄ are diffused into intergrain sites. With the increase of sintering temperatures, the grain size of the sample grows up and the flux pinning, which leads to the enhancement of J _c is formed by the addition of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The extended X-ray absorption fine structure and X-ray absorption near edge structure experiments prove that after sintered at high temperatures the addition of Fe₃O₄ can induce disorder of local structures of YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ . Also, the transition from the tetragonal phase to the orthorhombic phase is observed by the X-ray diffraction spectra. By the above analysis of experimental data, the enhancement of diamagnetic signal, which represents the superconducting properties can be attributed to the disorder enhancement of local structures and structural phase transition of the cuprates induced by the addition of Fe₃O₄.