Abstract
A new member of the superconducting series Pb2Sr2(R/Ca)Cu3O8 has been synthesized with R = Am (Z = 95). X-ray diffraction, Am L3-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility data were used to characterize the sample. This actinide analog has a structure similar to the other members of the series, but it could not be made superconducting. Am L3-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) are used to show that Am is tetravalent in Pb2Sr2(Am/Ca)Cu3O8, a finding supported by the susceptibility data. The absence of superconductivity in this Am analog of the Pb-based system is discussed in terms of the presence of a tetravalent R-ion and the resulting charge compensation.
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