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Superconducting Properties and Microstructure of YBa2Cu3O7−δ/PrBa2Cu3O7−δ Superlattices

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Advances in Superconductivity IV

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Abstract

Epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−δ/PrBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO/PBCO) superlattices are tools for systematic, fundamental studies of high-temperature superconductivity. The variation of T c in YBCO/PBCO superlattices can be understood as arising from changes in the interlayer phase coupling between YBCO layers that are highly two-dimensional when they are very thin (∼1–2 c-axis unit cells) and completely isolated from each other. Single-cell-thick YBCO layers, containing isolated pairs of Cu02 planes, are found to be superconducting at T c ∼ 20 K, in a PBCO matrix. The resistance in the superconducting transition region scales with temperature as expected for the (flux flow) resistance produced by thermally generated 2D vortices, or for a 2D array of superconducting weak links. Relative to both thin-film and singlecrystal HTSc specimens, the thin superconducting layers in YBCO/PBCO superlattices exhibit a greatly expanded temperature range over which characteristic 2D dissipation can be observed, as a consequence of the enhanced anisotropy and reduced dimensionality of the YBCO layers. Scanning tunneling microscope studies reveal that YBCO films and YBCO/PBCO superlattices grow unit cell-by-unit cell by a terraced-island growth mechanism. On miscut, near-(001) substrates the terraces are epitaxially aligned with the substrate crystal lattice and spiral growth structures (screw dislocation-mediated growth) are not seen. These observations explain the steps or “kinks” that are seen in cross-section Z-contrast TEM images of YBCO/PBCO superlattices. The kinks may correspond physically to regions where the supercurrent must tunnel along the c-axis, and thus may be weak-link barriers.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Solid State Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831-6056, USA

    Douglas H. Lowndes & David P. Norton

  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA

    Shen Zhu

  3. Health and Safety Research Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831-6056, USA

    X.-Y. Zheng

Authors
  1. Douglas H. Lowndes
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  2. David P. Norton
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  3. Shen Zhu
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  4. X.-Y. Zheng
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464, Japan

    Hisao Hayakawa

  2. Superconductivity Research Laboratory, ISTEC, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135, Japan

    Naoki Koshizuka (Deputy Director) (Deputy Director)

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© 1992 Springer-Verlag Tokyo

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Lowndes, D.H., Norton, D.P., Zhu, S., Zheng, XY. (1992). Superconducting Properties and Microstructure of YBa2Cu3O7−δ/PrBa2Cu3O7−δ Superlattices. In: Hayakawa, H., Koshizuka, N. (eds) Advances in Superconductivity IV. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-68195-3_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-68195-3_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Tokyo

  • Print ISBN: 978-4-431-68197-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-4-431-68195-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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