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Phase equilibria, superconductivity, and flux creep in Nd sub 1+x Ba sub 2-x Cu sub 3 O sub 7+. delta. superconductors

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7229029

NdBa{sub 2}CU{sub 3}O{sub 7} (Ndl23) is one of REBa{sub 2}CU{sub 3}O{sub 7} (RE123) superconductors (RE = Y and rare earths), having {Tc} of about 90 K. The phase diagram in the Nd-Ba-Cu-O system, superconductivity in Ndl23ss, and the role of Nd substitution for Ba sites as the magnetic flux pinning sites were investigated. The discrepancies in published phase diagrams were clarified. Significant results contain the solubility limits of 0.04{le} {times} {le} 0.6 in Ndl23ss, the existence of Nd{sub 2}BaCuO{sub 10} having a solid solution, and a discovery of a new phase NdBa{sub 6}CU{sub 3}O{sub y}. Superconductivity in Nd{sub l+x}Ba{sub 2-x}CU{sub 3}O{sub 7+{delta}} was studied for well- characterized samples with sharp transitions. With the substitution of Nd{sup +3} for Ba{sup +2}, there is an increase in the O(5) sites surrounding this substitution. While for x > O.l there is a significant depression of{Tc}, for x < O.l there is no substantial decrease in {Tc} within experimental error. {Tc} vs x is characterized by two plateaus analogous to {Tc} vs d in YBa{sub 2}CU{sub 3}O{sub 7-d}. Analysis of O content of Ndl23ss suggests the analogy with Y123 is valid. Transition width and Meissner fraction for all Ndl23ss samples are strongly dependent on the sintering temperature. Hysteresis show good intragranular critical currents (J{sub c}) at high fields but still low intergranular. Since the magnetic fields penetrate a Type II superconductor at high field, flux lines must be pinned to increase the J{sub c}. While {Tc} is not affected over the range 0 < {times} < 0. 1, the oxygens surrounding the substituted Ba sites are expected to locally suppress the superconducting order parameter. Such a local suppression of the order parameter may act as a flux pinning site. Hysteresis exhibits a small increase in the magnetic J{sub c}, but flux creep measurements show no apparent effects of this substitution on flux pinning energy.

Research Organization:
Ames Lab., IA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-82
OSTI ID:
7229029
Report Number(s):
IS-T-1613; ON: DE93001223
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English