Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
04:51
Comparison of Two Different Synthesis Methods of Single Crystals of Superconducting Uranium Ditelluride
Published on: July 8, 2021
Bulk Superconductivity at 122 K in T1(Ba,Ca)2Ca3Cu4O10.5+8 with Four Consecutive Copper Layers
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 2, 1988
Summary
Superconducting transition temperature (T(c)) increases with copper oxide layers in a novel four-layer oxide superconductor. A universal scaling curve reveals the crucial role of Tl(Bi) layers in superconductivity for related materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Solid State Chemistry
Background:
- Superconducting transition temperature (T(c)) in cuprate superconductors generally increases with the number of copper oxide planes.
- Understanding the factors governing T(c) is crucial for developing new superconducting materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the superconducting properties of a four-[CuO(2)](-2) layer oxide superconductor.
- To establish a relationship between the number of copper oxide layers and T(c).
- To identify the role of specific layers in superconductivity.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of a high-purity (>80%) four-[CuO(2)](-2) layer oxide superconductor.
- Magnetic alignment for crystallographic identification.
- Analysis of superconducting transition temperatures (T(c)).
Main Results:
- The observed increase of T(c) with copper oxide layers continues in the four-layer system.
- A master scaling curve was proposed, connecting T(c) values of various Bi and Tl oxide superconductors.
- The Tl(Bi) layers were identified as essential for superconductivity.
Conclusions:
- The four-[CuO(2)](-2) layer oxide superconductor exhibits enhanced T(c) consistent with trends in related materials.
- A unified scaling relationship highlights the critical contribution of Tl(Bi) layers to superconductivity in these oxides.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Types Of Superconductors
A superconductor is a substance that offers zero resistance to the electric current when it drops below a critical temperature. Zero resistance is not the only interesting phenomenon as materials reach their transition temperatures. A second effect is the exclusion of magnetic fields. This is known as the Meissner effect. A light, permanent magnet placed over a superconducting sample will levitate in a stable position above the superconductor. High-speed trains that levitate on strong...
01:24Superconductor
A substance that reaches superconductivity, a state in which magnetic fields cannot penetrate, and there is no electrical resistance, is referred to as a superconductor. In 1911, Heike Kamerlingh Onnes of Leiden University, a Dutch physicist, observed a relation between the temperature and the resistance of the element mercury. The mercury sample was then cooled in liquid helium to study the linear dependence of resistance on temperature. It was observed that, as the temperature decreased, the...
02:37Metallic Solids
Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability. Many...
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability. Many...
01:17Theory of Metallic Conduction
The conduction of free electrons inside a conductor is best described by quantum mechanics. However, a classical model makes predictions close to the results of quantum mechanics. It is called the theory of metallic conduction.
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
01:31Ferromagnetism
Materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt consist of magnetic domains, within which the magnetic dipoles are arranged parallel to each other. The magnetic dipoles are rigidly aligned in the same direction within a domain by quantum mechanical coupling among the atoms. This coupling is so strong that even thermal agitation at room temperature cannot break it. The result is that each domain has a net dipole moment. However, some materials have weaker coupling, and are ferromagnetic at lower...
03:02Colors and Magnetism
Color in Coordination Complexes
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.