Gold substitution in mercury cuprate superconductors

By using the high-pressure high-temperature technique, we succeeded in substituting in the mercury cuprate superconductors up to about 40% of mercury by gold. The samples were studied by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy. AC suceptibility measu...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bordet, P, Le Floch, S, Capponi, J, Chaillout, C, Gorius, M, Marezio, M, Tholence, J, Radaelli, P
Format: Journal article
Published: 1996
Description
Summary:By using the high-pressure high-temperature technique, we succeeded in substituting in the mercury cuprate superconductors up to about 40% of mercury by gold. The samples were studied by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy. AC suceptibility measurements were also performed. The experimental data obtained for the Au substituted Hg-1223 compound indicate that the substitution leads to overdoping of the CuO2 layers, with a progressive decrease of cell parameters and Tc with increasing gold content. Taking into account these results, we used gold substitution to increase Tc of a Hg-1245 sample up to 110 K. The corresponding unsubstituted samples are normally obtained by the high-pressure high-temperature technique in an underdoped state with a Tc around 100 K.