Structure and Charge transfer Mechanism in Y1-xCaxBa2Cu3O7-{\delta} through direct doping

TL;DR

This study investigates how calcium doping affects the charge transfer and superconducting properties of YBa2Cu3O7-{ extdelta} by synthesizing various compositions and analyzing structural and electronic changes through multiple measurement techniques.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the relationship between calcium doping, structural modifications, and superconductivity in YBa2Cu3O7-{ extdelta}.

Findings

Ca doping decreases Tc in oxygenated samples but increases it in reduced samples.

Higher temperature reduction can induce superconductivity in samples with x=0.30.

Structural bond length variations correlate with charge transfer and hole doping levels.

Abstract

Here we study the effect of Ca doping on charge transfer mechanism of polycrystalline YBa2Cu3O7-{\delta} compound. The samples of composition Y1-xCaxBa2Cu3O7-{\delta} (x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30) are synthesized through standard solid state reaction route. Carrier doping is controlled by annealing of samples in oxygen and subsequently in reducing atmosphere. Samples are investigated using resistivity, dc magnetization (M-T) and magnetization with field (M-H) measurements. With increase of Ca the transition temperature (Tc) decreases in oxygenated samples, whereas the same increases in reduced samples. Further reduction of samples at higher temperatures (> 600 0C) though results in non-superconducting nature up to Ca concentration of x = 0.20, the x = 0.30 sample is superconducting below 30K. This provides a remarkably simple and effective way to study the relationship between structure, superconductivity, and associated electronic properties. Variations in Cu1-O4, Cu2-O4 and Cu2-O2 bond lengths with oxygen content, is seen through the structural refinement of XRD pattern. The effective coordination of Cu2 atom with oxygen changes with the change in theses bond lengths and hence the holes in the CuO2 planes. The charge transfer mechanism from CuOx chains to CuO2 planes and thus effective hole doping is discussed in context of observed results.