Suppression of superconductivity at the nanoscale in chemical solution derived YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films with defective Y2Ba4Cu8O16 intergrowths. Issue 8 (30th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Ziliang; Coll, Mariona; Mundet, Bernat; Palau, Anna; Puig, Teresa; Obradors, Xavier
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale advances. Volume 2:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: 3384
• Page End: 3393
• Publication Date: 2020-06-30
• Subjects: 620.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d0na00456a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-0230

Abstract

Abstract : The analysis of the microstructure and superconducting behavior of chemical solution deposited epitaxial YBa2 Cu3 O7− δ films, with thickness down to 5 nm, has been carried out to disclose the behavior of the most common intergrowth Y2 Ba4 Cu8 O16 . Abstract : The analysis of the microstructure and superconducting behavior of chemical solution deposited epitaxial YBa2 Cu3 O7− δ films, with thickness going down to 5 nm has been carried out with the purpose to disclose the behavior of the most common intergrowth in these films, the Y2 Ba4 Cu8 O16 . The analysis of ultrathin films is a unique opportunity to investigate the superconducting behavior of these nanoscale defects because of the high concentration created as a consequence of the elastic energy associated to the misfit strain. Magnetic susceptibility and X-ray diffraction measurements evidence a strong decrease of the superconducting volume correlated with an increase of the intergrowth volume fraction. We demonstrate that these intergrowths are non-superconducting nanoscale regions where Cooper pair formation is disrupted, in agreement with their key role as artificial pinning centers for vortices in YBa2 Cu3 O7− δ films and coated conductors.