ABSTRACTLocal structure around the constituent atoms in the compound system Y1-xPrxBa2CU3O7-y has been investigated by means of x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) techniques. By comparing the local structure in the compound x=1 with its counterpart x=0, the XAFS results provide a direct evidence that Pr has replaced Y in the material. The nearest-neighbor structure in the CuO2 planes seems to remain intact as × varies from 0 to 1, indicating that substitution of Pr for Y does not disturb the local distribution of holes in the CuO2 planes. We suggest that local disorder and distortions in the second-neighbor bonding configuration could be responsible for suppression of superconductivity with increasing Pr content in the system.
