Electronic Transport in Underdoped YBCO Nanowires: Possible Observation of Stripe Domains

TL;DR

This study investigates the transport properties of underdoped YBCO nanowires, revealing resistance fluctuations and hysteretic steps that suggest the presence of stripe domains and complex charge ordering phenomena.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of stripe domain formation and dynamics in underdoped YBCO nanowires through transport measurements.

Findings

Resistance fluctuations indicative of stripe domain dynamics

Hysteretic steps in I-V characteristics below Tc

Evidence supporting charge stripe formation in underdoped YBCO

Abstract

We have measured the transport properties of a series of underdoped YBa2Cu3O7 nanowires fabricated with widths of 100-250 nm. We observe large telegraph-like fluctuations in the resistance between the pseudogap temperature T* and the superconducting transition temperature Tc, consistent with the formation and dynamics of a domain structure such as that created by charge stripes. We also find anomalous hysteretic steps in the current-voltage characteristics well below Tc.