Suppression of superconductivity and normal state electrical transport in Y_1−xPr_xBaSrCu₃O_7−δ and Y_1−xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ systems

Abstract

The structure, normal state electrical transport and superconducting critical temperatures (T c ) of Y 1-x Pr x BaSrCu 3 O 7-δ (i.e., Y(Pr)-1113) and Y 1-x Pr x Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ (i.e., Y(Pr)-123) systems, with 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 1.00 and 6.93 ≤ 7 -δ ≤ 6.95, have been investigated. Residual resistivity (ρ 0 ) and resistivity slope ((dρ/dT) cc ) corresponding to the linear ρ-T region are determined from the normal state resistivity measurements. It is found that an increase in ρ 0 and (dρ/dT) cc correlates with a decrease and enhancement of T c (x), respectively. Interestingly, in both the systems, the destruction of superconductivity seems to occur at the same value of x where (dρ/dT) cc tends to zero. The observed correlations suggest a possible mechanism of superconductivity in these systems, which is discussed.