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Suppression of superconductivity in high-temperature superconductors: Electronic-structure effects

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:7198294

The author studied the electronic structure of the copper oxide high-temperature superconductors RBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-x}, where R = Eu and Y. The objective was to study the electronic state of the copper and oxygen ions as the system was chemically driven from the superconducting to the non-superconducting regime. Specifically, the oxygen content was reduced by adjusting the annealing conditions, Zn was substituted for Cu, and Pr and Ce were introduced as dopants on the rare-earth sites. Measurements of the Cu-1s and Cu-2p edge structure in high-T{sub c} superconducting compounds can be consistently interpreted by assuming Cu to be in a 2+ state. Unoccupied states of Cu-3d character were detected in these compounds. More important, measurements of the O-1s edge indicate empty states of O-2p symmetry exist at the Fermi level. When the oxygen content is reduced, and superconductivity is suppressed, there is clear evidence for the formation of Cu{sup 1+} ions. When Zn sufficient to suppress superconductivity is substituted for Cu there is little change in the electronic states of the Cu and O ions. Microprobe analysis of Pr-doped samples indicate that Pr is completely soluble in the Eu 1-2-3 compound.

Research Organization:
New York Univ., NY (USA)
OSTI ID:
7198294
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English