Anomalous phonon damping in insulating cuprates
- Univ. of Miami, Coral Gables, FL (United States)
Measurements of the in-plane ({kappa}{sub ab}) and out-of-plane ({kappa}{sub c}) thermal conductivity for insulating cuprate crystals are discussed along with new measurements for YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 6} and PrBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 6}, where both {kappa}{sub ab} and {kappa}{sub c} are twice the magnitude previously reported for this material. An unusual temperature (T) dependence of {kappa}{sub ab} in cuprates with apical oxygen indicates the onset of strong phonon damping for T<200-250K. Along with dielectric and elastic anomalies reported in this regime, the data suggest the occurrence of a structural phase transition, involving rotations of the CuO polyhedra about an in-plane axis. The role of such local distortions in the thermal transport of superconducting compounds and the superconducting-state enhancement of {kappa}{sub ab} are discussed.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 136193
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950144--
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Superconductivity, Journal Name: Journal of Superconductivity Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 8; ISSN JOUSEH; ISSN 0896-1107
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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