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Observation of an oxygen isotope effect in YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)
A small decrease in T/sub c/ of 0.3 K to 0.5 K is observed when as much as 90% of the /sup 16/O in YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ is substituted with /sup 18/O. This result is consistent with our observation that there is an oxygen isotope effect in La/sub 1.85/Sr/sub 0.15/CuO/sub 4/, but in contrast with previous reports that there is no isotope effect for YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/. This new result suggests that phonons play an important role in the electron-pairing mechanism in YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/.
Research Organization:
College of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720
OSTI ID:
6254782
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 59:11; ISSN PRLTA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English