Published May 28, 1987 | Version v1
Journal article

Structure and crystal chemistry of the high-Tsub(c) superconductor YBa2Cu3Osub(7-x)

  • 1. Rutherford Appleton Lab., Chilton (UK)

Description

The paper presents high resolution neutron powder diffraction data on the high critical temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3Osub(7-0.15). Results are given for cation positions and the location of oxygen defects. The data reveal that the corner-linked CuO4 planar groups are connected not only as sheets in the a-b plane but also as chains parallel to the b-axis. The average copper valence is 2.23. From bond valence arguments it is inferred that the Cu2+ and Cu3+ ions preferentially occupy square, pyramidal and square planar sites respectively. Crystal chemical considerations suggest that these structural features may be involved in the superconducting mechanism. (U.K.)

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Nature (London)
Journal Volume
327
Journal Issue
6120
Series
Nature (London).
Journal Page Range
310-312
ISSN
0028-0836
CODEN
NATUA

Optional Information

Notes
Letter-to-the-editor.