Change of strength of vortex pinning in YBCO due to BaZrO_3 inclusions

We probe the short-range pinning properties with the application of microwave currents at very high driving frequencies (47.7 GHz) on YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$ films with and without sub-micrometer BaZrO$_3$ inclusions. We explore the temperature and field ranges 60 K$<T<T_c$ and 0$<mu_0H<$0.8 T, with the field applied along the c-axis. The magnetic field induces a much smaller increase of the microwave resistivity, $Delta rho_1(H)+mathrm{i}Delta rho_2(H)$, in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$/BaZrO$_3$ with respect to pure YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$. $Delta rho_1(H)$ is slightly superlinear in pure YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$ (suggesting a possible contribution of thermal activation), but linear or sublinear in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$/BaZrO$_3$ (suggesting a possible suppression of thermal activation as a consequence of BaZrO$_3$ inclusions). These features persist up to close to $T_c$. We discuss our data in terms of the ratio $r=Delta X_s(H)/Delta R_s(H)$ in the framework of the models for the microwave surface impedance in the mixed state. Large $r$ are found in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$/BaZrO$_3$, with little field dependence. By contrast, smaller values and stronger field dependences are found in pure YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$. We discuss the different field dependence of the pinning constant.

Strong Reduction of the Field-Dependent Microwave Surface Resistance in YBCO with BaZrO_3 Inclusions

We present measurements of the magnetic field dependent microwave surface resistance in laser-ablated YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$ films on SrTiO$_3$ substrates. BaZrO$_3$ crystallites were included in the films using composite targets containing BaZrO$_3$ inclusions with mean grain size smaller than 1 $mu$m. X-ray diffraction showed single epitaxial relationship between BaZrO$_3$ and YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$. The effective surface resistance was measured at 47.7 GHz for 60$< T <$90 K and 0$< mu_0H <$0.8 T. The magnetic field had a very different effect on pristine YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$ and YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$/BaZrO$_3$, while for $mu_0H=$0 only a reduction of $T_c$ in the YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$/BaZrO$_3$ film was observed, consistent with dc measurements. At low enough $T$, in moderate fields YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$/BaZrO$_3$ exhibited an intrinsic thin film resistance lower than the pure film. The results clearly indicate that BaZrO$_3$ inclusions determine a strong reduction of the field-dependent surface resistance. From the analysis of the data in the framework of simple models for the microwave surface impedance in the mixed state we argue that BaZrO$_3$ inclusions determine very steep pinning potentials.