Editors: | F. Kongoli, M.A. Alario Franco, J. Etourneau, S. Kalogirou, F.D.S. Marquis, R. Martins, K. Poeppelmeier, B. Raveau, Y. Shimakawa, M. Takano |
Publisher: | Flogen Star OUTREACH |
Publication Year: | 2019 |
Pages: | 130 pages |
ISBN: | 978-1-989820-08-7 |
ISSN: | 2291-1227 (Metals and Materials Processing in a Clean Environment Series) |
Among the factors controlling the critical temperature (Tc) in the high temperature superconducting cuprates (HTSC), the hole-doping level is one of the most crucial ones. In fact, superconductivity is suggested to be restricted to a “universal” hole doping level 1 psh comprised between ~0.06 and 0.31 holes per copper plane. While the complex charge-spin-lattice interplay in the underdoped regime (i.e. at p
In searching for overdoped systems, the so-called M-1212 phases resulting from partial or total substitution of copper in the Charge Reservoir Layer by other transition metals (TM) are suitable candidates. This is because they allow the total oxygen content to be widely modified with respect to the YSCO parent compound. This is particularly true for high valent TM, as the Mo(V-VI) and Fe(III-IV) cations in the Mo0.3Cu0.7Sr2RECu2Oy3 and FeSr2YCu2Oy phases, in which the oxygen content can be raised to y > 7, above the YBCO limit. This leads to very highly doped CuO2 planes, outside the Tc-psh paradigm.
To shed light to the superconducting properties of these substantially overdoped (Mo & Fe)-1212 systems, we have varied both the oxidation degree and the RE size, looking at the effect of the crystal structure on Tc. We specifically focus on the connection between the atomic arrangement within the unit cell and the hole distribution. To that end, we have performed a joint structural-electronic characterization by means of NPD, ARM and EELS spectroscopy of ozone4 and high-pressure oxidized phases.
We have observed that these materials, which are outside the paradigm, can be superconducting. Due to the Tc increasing with a whole doping level almost double than the above limit. We have also established the upmost importance of order-disorder in both the cation and anion sublattices.