Control of interlayer spacing in (Pb2Cu)Sr2(Dy,Ce)nCu2O6+2n−z/(Pb2Cu)Sr2Dy1−yCayCu2O8+w superconducting superlattices

Abstract

We report on superconducting superlattices in which the distances between the superconducting layers are controlled at the shortest intervals so far achieved. This was accomplished by the artificial modification of an atomic layer stacking in the crystal structure of (Pb2Cu)Sr2DyxCen−xCu2O2n+6 (Pb−32n2 phase: n=3–8), utilizing the tendency to self-organize a layered structure. Ab initio electronic structure calculations for the Pb−32n2 phase with n=1–3 suggest that the anisotropy of conduction increases with n. In [(Pb−32n2)1(Pb−3212)3]9 (n=3, 4, 6) superconducting superlattices, the activation energy of flux motion decreases with increasing n. The above observations and the change in the shape of resistive transitions suggest that the interlayer coupling decreases with increasing the distances between the superconducting layers, as expected. We discuss coupling mechanisms.

Source-reported materials — not catalogue approval

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