Extraordinary behaviour of the Y1?xPrxBa2Cu3O7?δ system

Investigations of Y_1–x M _x Ba₂Cu₃O_7– (M=Ce, Th)c-axis oriented thin film specimens show that the rate of depression ofT _c withx is larger for M=Th, than for M=Ce and Pr, and suggest that Ce, like Th, is tetravalent in this compound. Hall effect measurements on Y_1–x Pr _x Ba₂Cu₃O_7– single crystals reveal aT ² dependence of the cotangent of the Hall angle in the normal state and a negative Hall anomaly belowT _c in the superconducting state, in agreement with recent reports. Our research shows that the depth, , of the negative Hall signal scales withT/T _c and that the maximum value of decreases linearly withx and vanishes atx0.24. Magnetoresistance measurements on Y_1–x Pr _x Ba₂Cu₃O_7– single crystals indicate that the irreversibility lineH(T ^*) obeys a universal scaling relation characterized by anm=3/2 power law nearT _c, with a crossover to a more rapid temperature dependence of belowT/T _c 0.6, similar to that observed for polycrystalline specimens.     

Magnetic penetration depth of Tl2Ba2CuO6+δ:Tc～σ0 in the overdoped region

We report transverse-field muon-spin-rotation experiments carried out on Tl₂Ba₂CuO₆₊ . This system spans the whole overdoped regime, andT _c is reduced by excess oxygen doping, which increases the normal-state carrier concentration. In the heavily overdoped regime(0) is found to scale linearly with the superconducting critical temperatureT _c , similar to the behavior previously observed for other cuprates in the underdoped regime. However, for the overdoped region one has to explain the reduction of ₀, thus the increase of the magnetic penetration depth, in spite of an increasing normal-state carrier concentration. We discuss some possible explanations for this behavior.     

Study on the Physical and Electrical Properties of Bi2 ? δZnδSr2Ca2Cu3O10 + y Glass-Ceramic Superconductors

We have fabricated a series of glass-ceramic (Bi_{2 –} Zn) Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_{10 + y} , where = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0, and investigated the effect of Zn ions on the glass formation, crystallization, thermal, electrical, and on the magnetic properties of the BSCCO-2223 superconductor system. The structural symmetry was found to be tetragonal in all the substitution levels. The best electrical performance was obtained from the = 0 sample, the T _c and T _zero was obtained at 110 K and 107 K, respectively. The J _c values of the samples were determined using the magnetization hysteresis and Bean's model. The crystallization kinetics were investigated using nonisothermal models of Augis–Bennett. The calculated activation energy, E _a, of the system was found to be in the range of 258–336 kJ/mol.     

On the Bose-Einstein condensation of nonzero-momentum cooper pairs. A second-order phase transition

Based on the BCS Hamiltonian, the normal-to-super phase transition is investigated, approaching the critical temperatureT _c from the high-temperature side. Nonzero-momentum Cooper pairs, that is, pairs of electrons (holes) with antiparallel spins and nearly opposite momenta aboveT _c in the bulk limit, are shown to move like independent bosons with the energy vs. momentump relation=1/2v_F , where _F represents the Fermi velocity (1/2m* _F ² _FFermi energy). The system of free Cooper pairs undergoes a phase transition of the second order with the critical temperatureT _c given byk _B T _c=1/2(²³ _F ³ n/1.20257)^1/3 wheren is the number density of Cooper pairs. The ratio of the jump of the heat capacity, C, to the maximum heat capacity,C _s, is a universal constant: C/C _s=0.60874; this number is close to the universal constant 0.588 obtained by the finite-temperature BCS theory. The physical significance of these results is discussed, referring to the well-known BCS theory, which treats the many-Cooper-pair ground state exactly and the thermodynamic state belowT _c approximately. An explanation is proposed on the question why sodium should remain normal down to 0 K, based on the band structures with the hypothesis that the supercondensate composed of zero-momentum electron and hole Cooper pairs is electrically neutral.     

Effect of sample density on magnetic penetration depth in YBaCuO ceramic superconductors

We have measured magnetic penetration depth(0) of high-T _c YBCO samples of different density by the cavity resonant frequency shift method at 10, 16.65, and 22.3 GHz microwave frequencies. The value of(0) at 10 GHz is found to decrease from 5850 Å to 2550 Å as the density of the sample increases from 4.4 to 5.3 g/cm³. The results of the frequency response of the penetration depth show a fairly constant value of(0) for all the three samples in the frequency range 10–22.3 GHz. The wide variation observed in the value of(0) for different density samples has been explained in terms of varying Josephson coupling strength in these ceramics.     

Superconductivity in the tetragonal phase of La1.9Bi0.1CuO4+δ annealed under high oxygen pressure

We have investigated the relation between the crystal structure and superconductivity in La_1.9Bi_0.1CuO₄₊ , in which the phase separation observed in La₂CuO₄₊ is suppressed. A phase diagram in theT– plane is given for La_1.9Bi_0.1CuO₄₊ with excess oxygen. For very small values, the crystal structure is orthorhombic, and an orthorhombic-tetragonal phase transition occurs markedly at 0.03 in the measured temperature range between 13 and 293 K. Superconductivity is observed in the range of 0.04<<0.11. This is clear evidence thathigh-T _c superconductivity also appears in the tetragonal phase.     

Improved Flux Pinning in Melt-Textured YBa2Cu3O7 ? δ and ErBa2Cu3O7 ? δ Through Chemical Additions

The effects of Ce-based additions (CeO₂ and BaCeO₃) in combination with MgO additions on the magnetic properties of melt-textured YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 –} and ErBa₂Cu₃O_{7 –} have been investigated. The additions lead to improvements in the magnetic properties of both RE-123 compounds compared to samples with either addition alone or with no additions. The Ce–Mg addition combination produces a peak effect in the magnetic hysteresis loop without significant T _c degradation. This is postulated to be due to the formation of a new type of pinning center. Both Ce and Mg ions are thought to substitute in the RE-Ba₂Cu₃O_{7 –} lattice, creating defects that produce a peak effect in the magnetic hysteresis loop. Mg additions alone lead to a reduced T _c, while Ce additions restore the T _c and enhance the magnitude of the peak.     

Thermoelectric power measurements of YBa2Cu3O7?δ up to 950°C and their application to test the band structure near EF

Four-probe resistivity () and thermoelectric power (TEP) measurements were carried out on samples of YBa₂Cu₃O_7– up to 950°C, in air and in flowing oxygen at 1 bar. Below 700 K the TEP is small and increases rapidly above it, reaching, at 1200 K, +140V/K in air and +120V/K in oxygen. At the changeover temperature (700 K) the slope of log vs.T changes abruptly. These results are interpreted in terms of a model of transport of carriers in a narrow band, which is full for = 1 and half-filled for = 0. Possible origins for such a narrow band are discussed in detail.     

Development of Spectral Selective Multilayer Film for a Variable Emittance Device and Its Radiation Properties Measurements

A smart radiation device (SRD) that is a variable emittance radiator has been developed as a thermal control material for spacecraft. The SRD has the unique feature of large variation of the total hemispherical emittance _H near room temperature. The _H of the SRD changes depending on its temperature. However, there is a drawback of a large solar absorptance _S. It is too large to use as a thermal control material for spacecraft. In order to reduce the large _S, spectral selective multilayer film was developed. This multilayer film reflects solar radiation and transmits far-infrared radiation to maintain the variation in the _H of the SRD. This paper presents thermal radiative properties of the SRD with spectral selective multilayer film. The multilayer film was designed by using a genetic algorithm (GA). The designed multilayer film was evaporated on the surface of the SRD by the electron beam evaporation method. The experimental results of _S and _H of the SRD with the multilayer film agreed well with calculated results.