Synthesis, structure, and superconductivity of single crystals of high-Tc La1.85Sr0.15CuO4, a lanthanum strontium copper oxide

Abstract

Single crystals in the La-Ba-Cu-O system (LBCO) have been prepared, and x-ray structural characterization and superconducting properties of the crystals are reported. The superconductivity of the sample was detected by rf penetration depth measurements at 500 kHz. The onset temperature for the superconductivity (Tc) was 8.5 - 9.0 K with a broad transition and a low signal response. These findings indicate that only a small fraction of the sample had bulk superconductivity, and the crystals possess a range of Tc values. 13 references, 1 figure, 1 table.