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Electrostatic modulation of superconductivity in ultrathin GdBa2Cu3O7-x films
1Departement de Physique de la Matiere Condensee, University of Geneva, 24 Quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 15, 1999
Summary
The polarization field of lead zirconate titanate (Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3) reversibly tuned the critical temperature of gadolinium barium copper oxide (GdBa2Cu3O7-x) superconductors, inducing an insulating state in some samples without chemical changes.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Solid-State Chemistry
Background:
- High-temperature superconductors, such as gadolinium barium copper oxide (GdBa2Cu3O7-x), exhibit a critical temperature (Tc) below which they lose electrical resistance.
- Ferroelectric materials possess a spontaneous electric polarization that can be switched by an external electric field.
- Tuning the properties of superconductors is crucial for advancing technologies like power transmission and magnetic levitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of ferroelectric polarization on the superconducting properties of gadolinium barium copper oxide (GdBa2Cu3O7-x).
- To explore the potential of using lead zirconate titanate (Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3) as a tuning agent for superconductor critical temperatures.
- To determine if the observed changes in superconductivity are reversible and nonvolatile.
Main Methods:
- Applying a polarization field from ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate (Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3) to gadolinium barium copper oxide (GdBa2Cu3O7-x) samples.
- Measuring the critical temperature (Tc) of the superconductor under varying polarization conditions.
- Analyzing the electrical transport properties to observe transitions between superconducting and insulating states.
Main Results:
- A reversible, nonvolatile shift in the critical temperature (Tc) of GdBa2Cu3O7-x was achieved by tuning the polarization field of Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3.
- Slightly underdoped samples showed a uniform increase of several Kelvin in Tc.
- More underdoped samples transitioned from a superconducting state to an insulating state.
Conclusions:
- Ferroelectric polarization is an effective method for tuning the superconducting properties of cuprates like GdBa2Cu3O7-x.
- This tuning can induce a reversible superconducting-to-insulating transition without altering the material's chemical or crystalline structure.
- The findings open new avenues for controlling and utilizing superconductivity through electric field effects.
