Universal Non-Landau, Self-Organized, Lattice Disordering Percolative Dopant Network Sub-Tc Phase Transitions in Ceramic Superconductors

TL;DR

This paper proposes a universal, non-Landau, self-organized lattice disordering percolative dopant network model explaining three phase transitions in ceramic superconductors, including a dopant glass transition below Tc.

Contribution

It introduces a novel non-Landau, self-organized percolative model for phase transitions in ceramic superconductors, linking lattice disorder and dopant glass transitions.

Findings

Identification of three universal phase transitions in ceramic superconductors.

Association of the third transition with dopant glass behavior.

No new gap associated with the third transition below Tc.

Abstract

Ceramic superconductors (cuprates, pnictides, ...) exhibit universal features in both Tcmax and in their planar lattice disordering measured by EXAFS, as reflected by three phase transitions. The two highest temperature transitions are known to be associated with formation of pseudogaps and superconductive gaps, with corresponding Landau order parameters, but no new gap is associated with the third transition below Tc. It is argued that the third transition is a dopant glass transition, which is remarkably similar to transitions previously observed in chalcogenide and oxide alloy network glasses (like window glass).