Defects in High Tc Cuprate Superconductors

Abstract

Characterization of microstructural defects in high critical temperature oxide superconductors has been very valuable in gaining an understanding of their phase transformations and insight into the relationship between defects and some superconducting properties such as critical current densities Jc. For this purpose, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques have been proved powerful. In this article we will briefly summarize typical defects in the perovskite-based layered oxides, i.e., [La(1−x)(Ba,Sr)x]2CuO4, YBa2Cu3O7−δ, and (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Can−1Cun−O4+2n+δ. Then we will discuss the nature of defects in YBa2Cu3O7−δ in detail since this oxide has been most extensively studied. Among the many varieties of microstructural defects in YBa2Cu3O7−δ, we will emphasize only those we consider most important. An account of the field before 1990 is given in an excellent review by Beyers and Shaw and a more recent review of the structure of the grain boundaries in YBa2Cu3O7−δ by Babcock.Since the types and the nature of the defects depend greatly on the crystal structure of the materials, the basic structures of the three oxides are shown in Figures la to 1c: (a) [La1−x(Sr,Ba)x]2CuO4, (2:1:4), (b) YBa2Cu3O7 (1:2:3:), and (c) Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (2:2:1:2). (The structure of Tl cuprates are very similar to the Bicuprate and will not be discussed here.)