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Structural origin of misorientation-independent superconducting behavior at [001] twist boundaries in Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8+{delta}}

Journal Article · · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter
; ; ;  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Department of Applied Sciences, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973 (United States)
  2. School of Physics, University of New South Wales, New South Wales 2033 (Australia)
  3. Superconductivity Research Laboratory, ISTEC, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135 (Japan)
A systematic investigation of the structure and properties of [001] twist boundaries was made in Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8+{delta}} bicrystals. Contrary to conventional wisdom, all these boundaries, regardless of their misorientation angle, carried almost the same critical current as their constituent single crystals at magnetic fields up to 9t. The origin of this misorientation-independent superconducting behavior at twist boundaries was sought by detailed structural characterization using high-resolution and nanoprobe transmission-electron microscopy. The robust electromagnetic properties of these grain boundaries were mainly attributed to the high anisotropy of the crystals, and to the softness of the double BiO layers at the boundaries which allow the CuO{sub 2} layers adjacent to the boundary plane to remain undisturbed. The structural characteristics of these boundaries are identical to those found in Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8+{delta}} and Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 10+{delta}} tapes, suggesting that the large-angle [001] twist boundaries are not a current-limiting obstacle in this important conductor. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
OSTI ID:
599144
Journal Information:
Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter Journal Issue: 14 Vol. 57; ISSN PRBMDO; ISSN 0163-1829
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English