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Variation of superlattice structure of the Bi/sub 2/Sr/sub 2-x/CuO/sub 6-y/ superconductor with composition and thermal history

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6049529

Single crystals of Bi/sub 2/Sr/sub 2-x/CuO/sub 6-y/, (0.1 < x < 0.5, 0 < y < 0.5), were examined using x-ray diffraction techniques. Diffractometer scans of theta--2theta taken normal to the cleavage planes displayed the even (00/ell/) reflections from /ell/ = 2 to 26. Weak satellite peaks were observed on either side of each main (00/ell/) reflection, and their intensities relative to the main peak increased as 2theta was increased. With decreasing Sr content, the satellite peaks systematically moved away from the position of the main reflection. In contrast, the positions of the satellite peaks did not change with oxygen content which was varied by up to 0.5 oxygen atoms per formula unit. Depending on the Sr content of the crystals, generally incommensurate modulations were found with the superstructure periodicity ranging between /approximately/1/5b* + 0.29c* and /approximately/1/5b* + 0.65c*. The modulation in Bi/sub 2-x/CuO/sub 6-y/ has two components. The component along the b* direction is smaller to the superstructure observed in Bi/sub 2/Sr/sub 2/CaCu/sub 2/O/sub 7/ crystals and thus is probably due to the mismatch between the Bi/sub 2/O/sub 2/ layer and the CuO/sub 2/ layer. The additional component along c* may be due to the ordering of Sr vacancies. 12 refs., 3 figs.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
6049529
Report Number(s):
CONF-890426-8; ON: DE89011612
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English