Upper limit ofTc for the copper oxides

The value of the critical temperature of the cuprates correlates with the doping level and is affected by the interplay of two competing factors: (1) the increase in carrier concentration, and (2) the pair-breaking effect of magnetic impurities. An analysis of the temperature dependence of the critical field leads to the conclusion that magnetic impurities are present even in a sample with the maximum observed value ofT _c.A new parameter, intrinsicT _c (T _cintr), which is its value in the absence of magnetic impurities, is introduced. The maximum value ofT _cintr, which corresponds to the maximum doping level, appears to be similar for different cuprates and to be equal to 160–170 K. This is the upper limit ofT _c in the cuprates.     

Superconducting transition temperatures in the Ru-1232 system, RuSr2(Gd1? x Ln x Ce1.8Sr0.2)Cu2O z (Ln = Sm, Dy, and Ho)

We have investigated effects of the lanthanide element Ln and the composition changes on the superconducting transition temperatureT _c in the Ru-1232 system, RuSr₂(Gd_1−x Ln _x Ce_1.8Sr_0.2)Cu₂O _z (Ln = Sm, Dy, and Ho). At first, in the case of the samples with Ln = Sm among almost the single 1232 phase samples, the values of the superconducting onset temperatureT _co are almost the same forx=0.00−0.15, and each of the lattice parametersa andc is almost constant. While, in each of the cases of the samples with Ln = Dy and Ho, the sample withx=0.05 shows the maximum values for both the superconducting onset temperatureT _co and the zero resistivity temperatureT _cz. Especially for the sample with Ln = Dy, the values ofT _co andT _cz are 18.5 and 6.5 K, respectively. These are higher than those of the mother sample of RuSr₂(GdCe_1.8Sr_0.2)Cu₂O _z . Moreover, from variations ofT _co, lattice parameters ofa andc in the RuSr₂(Gd_1−x Dy _x Ce_1.8Sr_0.2)Cu₂O _z system as a function of Dy contentx, the relationship between the superconducting transition temperature and the lattice parameters in the present system are investigated.     

High-pressure dc sputtering of High-Tc BPSCCO thin films withTc(0) above 100 K

High-T _c Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O thin films have been made on single-crystal MgO substrates using high-pressure dc sputtering technique. X-ray studies confirm the crystallinity and highly oriented structure withc-axis perpendicular to the substrate. By optimizing the annealing schedule the formation of the high-T _c phase is stabilized. The best film exhibited superconducting transition temperature with zero-resistance temperature,T _c(0), as high as 101 K. Temperature dependence ofJ _c indicates the presence of Josephson-type weak links.     

Tcenhancement in superconductor-semiconductor arrays

Subsequent to our observation that the Tl- and Bi-based cuprate high-T _c superconductors are built of superconductor-semiconductor arrays (P. C. W. Fung and W. Y. Kwok,J. Superconduct., this issue), we investigate in this paper the possibility ofT _c enhancement arising from the effect of change of phonon spectrum and the effect of size quantization when one or more semiconductor blocks is attached to the basic superconductor in the unit cell.     

Magnetization curves and Bean''s model in high-Tcsuperconductors

High-T _c superconductors have critical currents that decay sharply with increasing magnetic field. We solve Bean's model forJ _c decaying exponentially withH and obtain qualitative agreement with existing magnetization data. We show thatH _c1 cannot be obtained from the linear part of the magnetization curve; it can only be inferred from a low-field anomaly in the hysteresis curve. Presently quoted values ofH _c1 ,based on the linear part of the magnetization curve, are gross overestimates.     

Observation of X-band SQUID signals in a High-Tc superconducting film device

A microwave superconducting magnetometer is described in which a microstrip resonator is coupled to a two-hole high-T _c thin-film SQUID device. Both the microstrip circuit and the thin-film SQUID were fabricated by photolithography techniques. The YBCO thin film was deposited on single-crystal substrate of yttria-stabilized zirconia [YSZ(100)] by an ion beam sputtering technique producing a superconducting transition measured at a critical temperature ofT _c =92 K to within T 3 K. Non linear oscillatory behavior was observed in the microstrip resonator when inductively coupled to the SQUID. This nonlinear behavior yielded a microwave device in which the reflected microwave power varied with applied DC magnetic flux.     

Field, temperature, and angle dependence of the critical current density in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O10/Ag ribbons

Current-voltage characteristics of high-critical-current Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₁₀/Ag ribbons were measured using both transport and magnetization techniques. The slope of these curves changes with magnetic field and temperature in a way very similar to the observedj _c (H, T) behavior. This correspondence between the critical current and the slope of theI–V characteristics can be explained within the thermally activated flux creep framework. The dependence ofj _c on the angle between field and ribbon is compared to the existing intrinsic anisotropy models.     

Partial substitution of Li for Cu in superconducting YBa2Cu3Oy

0.33–33% of the Cu in superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O _y has been replaced by Li (i.e.,x=0.01–1 in single-phase or nominal YBa₂Cu_3–x Li_xO_y). X-ray diffraction powder patterns remain the same as for YBn₂Cu₃O _y , with identical patterns up to about 17% substitution (i.e.,x=0.5). At higher percentages an additional phase appears. Electrical conductivity measurements indicate a small elevation ofT _c at low Li content. Starting at about 5% Li (x=0.15),T _c declines progressively and its width increases asx is raised.     

Pair breaking, “intrinsic”Tc, and the upper limit ofTc in the cuprates

The presence of magnetic impurities leads to a drastic decrease inT _c in the overdoped region, gaplessness, and the usual temperature dependence ofH _c2. The magnetic moments are localized on the apical oxygen site, and this allows us to explain the increase inT _c with the increase in the number of Cu-O planes in the unit cell. Applied pressure can raiseT _c above the usual value at optimum doping, toward the intrinsicT _c. The cuprates as a class of compounds have an upper limit ofT _c in the rangeT _c,upp=160–170 K.     

Magnetic scattering in the cuprates: Upper limit ofT c , novel isotope effects

The pair-breaking effect caused by magnetic scattering makes a strong impact on the properties of cuprates. The study of magnetic properties allows one to introduce a new parameter, the intrinsicT _c , which is the upper limit ofT _c in these materials: T_c,upp= 160–170 K. In addition, the presence of magnetic impurities leads to the unconventional isotope effect observed experimentally.     

Superconductivity and Ferromagnetism of the Ru-1232 Compounds in the (Ru1?xNbx)Sr2(GdCe1.8Sr0.2)Cu2Oz System

The Ru-1232 compounds have been synthesized in the (Ru_1–xNb _x )Sr₂(GdCe_1.8Sr_0.2)Cu₂O _z system, and effects of Nb substitution for Ru on superconductivity and ferromagnetism of the Ru-1232 compounds have been investigated. First, X-ray powder diffraction study shows that nearly the single 1232 phase samples can be obtained in the x composition range from 0.0 to 0.3. Then, from the electrical resistivity study, it is found that each of the samples shows resistivity dropping phenomenon at two temperatures of T _c ^l and T _c ^h, which originates from superconductivity of the Ru-1232 phase and the Ru-1222 one, respectively. Both of the starting temperatures are lowering with increasing Nb content x. Lastly, from the magnetic susceptibility study, it is found that superconducting transition temperature T _c is 20 K for the Ru-1232 sample with x = 0.0 and the ferromagnetic transition temperature T _m is about 90 K. This study also shows that both of the values of T _c and T _m become low with increasing x from 0.0 to 0.3.     

Superconducting behavior of high-Tc YBa2Cu3O7 thin films with BaO impurity produced by pulsed laser deposition

We have investigated the superconducting behavior of high-T _c YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (YBCO) thin films containing BaO impure phase produced by pulsed laser deposition. The thin films were characterized by the standard four-probe method, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD showed that all these thin films contained BaO impurity, with thec-axis normal to the surface of the substrates. The presence of impurity existed from substrate temperatureT _s of 727 to 796°C. When these thin films with BaO impurity were measured under the magnetic fields, it was found that the critical current densityJ _c increased slightly with increase in magnetic fieldB within the range ofB500 G, in the case ofB perpendicular to thec-axis of the film.     

Superconductivity in epitaxial Bi2Sr2CuO6/Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 superlattices: The superconducting behavior of ultrathin cuprate slabs

Utilizing atomic layer-by-layer molecular beam epitaxy (ALL-MBE), we have synthesized a series of high-quality superlattices in which ultrathin slabs (one-half unit cell thick) of the high-T _c superconductor Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ alternate with up to five such layers of the low-T _c Bi₂Sr₂Cu₁O₆ phase. In all these superlattices we foundT _c to be essentially equal to that of the high-T _c Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ phase itself, which indicates that this cuprate is a 2D superconductor insofar as the interslab coupling plays at best a secondary role. Furthermore, it is demonstrated thatT _c need not be reduced at heterostructure interfaces.     

Influence of transition metals substitution on the superconductor Bi4Ca3Sr3Cu4O y

The results of our investigation on the specimens Bi₄Ca₃Sr₃Cu_4−x T _xO _y (T=Fe, Co, Ni,x⩽0.5) synthesized in air are presented. Fe and Co substituents result in the formation of Bi₂Sr₂CuO _y -type of phase, with considerable depression ofT _c of the main phase. However, Ni is completely soluble with Cu in this concentration range without significant depression of superconducting transition temperature (T _c). This difference in the solubility behaviour of Fe and Co on the one hand and Ni on the other is explained taking into account ionic charge and coordination number mismatches.     

Superconductivity of Ba1 ? xKxBiO3 (0.35 < x < 1) Synthesized by the High Pressure and High Temperature Technique

Ba_{1 – x} K _x BiO₃ (BKBO) samples with 0.35 < x < 1 were synthesized by the high pressure and high temperature technique. XRD analysis showed that the BKBO samples were single phase for the whole range of the potassium doping concentration. The change of superconducting transition temperature, T _c, as well as lattice parameters have been investigated upon doping concentration. As the K doping concentration (x) increases from x = 0.37, T _c decreases from 30.4 K to almost zero at x = 0.74. However, in some BKBO samples without including any barium in the starting composition (x = 1), which is denoted as KBO samples, superconductivity is observed with T _c as high as 9 K with partial substitutions of Bi at the K site. Depending on the synthesis condition of the KBO samples, T _c and lattice parameters were different from sample to sample. Compared with other superconducting bismuthates, the evolution of T _c by potassium doping in the cubic BKBO system is discussed in terms of its electronic band structure.     

Preparation of YBa2Cu3O7–x high-Tcceramic superconductors from melt

Fabrication of high-T _c ceramic superconductor in the system Y₂O₃-BaO-CuO by melting a mixture of component oxides has been investigated. The compositions of the resulting specimens and the effects of heat treatment have been investigated. It was determined that molten material was composed of phases including BaCuO₂, CuO, Y₂O₃, and Y₂BaCuO₅. A subsequent heat treatment in air produced a nominal amount of the high-T _c phase, while heat treatment in an O₂ atmosphere resulted in a significantly large percentage of the superconducting phase.     

Effect of Bi/Pb ratio and annealing temperature onTc and formation of high-Tc phase in Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductor

We studied the effect of Bi/Pb ratio and annealing temperature onT _c and formation of the high-T _c ; phase in Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductor by the three-step reaction process. The optimum Bi/Pb ratio is about 1.80.3 and the optimum annealing temperature is about 845–855°C. It is found that a variate high-T _c phase existed at the higher annealing temperature. The zero-resistance temperature of the variate high-T _c phase decreased when the annealing temperature increased, although the phase is isostructural with the 110 K phase.     

Measurements ofHc2(T) in Bi-Sr-Cu-O

H _c2(T) has been measured for thin BSCO films at temperatures down to 65 mK and pulsed fields up to 35 T.H _c2(T) diverged anomalously as the temperature decreased. At the lowest temperature, it was five times that expected for a conventional superconductor.     

A New Method for the Estimation of Hc2 Anisotropy in Polycrystalline MgB2 Samples

By using isothermal magnetization measurements in polycrystalline MgB₂ samples, we estimate the H ^c _c2 in the interval [0, T _c]. By combining these measurements to the estimated H ^ab _c2 from the onset of the diamagnetic transition in isofield and isothermal magnetic measurements, an estimation of the anisotropy parameter can be achieved. The H ^c _c2 values coming from high quality polycrystalline samples agrees nicely to those obtained on single crystals. Our results show a temperature variation of the (T ) = H ^ab _c2/H^c2 with (T _c) 3.     

Microwave absorption in high-Tc superconductors

We have investigated the 9- and 10-GHz microwave properties of bulk samples of strontium and barium substituted La₂CuO₄ and YBa₂Cu₃O₇ and one YBa₂Cu₃O₇ MBE film on SrTiO₃. Anomalous microwave absorption is seen especially for poorly compacted bulk ceramic samples. Transitions were generally broadened nearT _c and the residual losses were high. The real part of the surface impedance could be fit belowT _c to the empirical equation with an added term linear in temperature. The microwave response of the film was masked by paraelectric absorption and acoustic resonances in the substrate.