HIGH-TEMPERATURE OXIDE SUPERCONDUCTORS: STRUCTURE, STOICHIOMETRY AND THE MECHANISM OF SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
Magnetic susceptibility data show La2CuO4 to be antiferromagnetic. Oxides of the K2NiF4 structure of the general formula (La1−y Lny)2−x Srx(Bax)CuO4 show superconductivity in the 15-40K range, the Tc becoming maximum at a specific value of x or of the a-parameter. Superconductivity in La3−xBa3+xCu6O14 and La4−xBa1+xCu5O13 systems has been investigated besides that in the Y-Ba-Cu-O system. Role of oxygen in the superconductivity of YBa2Cu3O7−δ is discussed. The problem of rationalizing macro and microstructures of YBa2Cu3O7−δ is indicated. Infrared spectra of the superconducting oxides and their marginal metallicity in the normal state are examined. Based on electron spectroscopic studies, it is shown that holes are likely to be on oxygen rather than on copper, giving rise to peroxide-like species; Copper is present in the 1+ state (besides the 2+ state).