Single-crystal growth of underdoped Bi-2223

To investigate the origin of the enhanced Tc ({approx} 110 K) of the trilayer cuprate superconductor Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+{delta} (Bi-2223), its underdoped single crystals are a critical requirement. Here, we demonstrate the first successful in-plane resistivity measurements of heavily underdoped Bi-2223 (zero-resistivity temperatures {approx} 20~35 K). Detailed crystal growth methods, the annealing process, as well as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and magnetic susceptibility measurement results are also reported.

Doping Dependencies of Onset Temperatures for the Pseudogap and Superconductive Fluctuation in Bi$_{2}$Sr$_{2}$CaCu$_{2}$O$_{8+delta}$, Studied from both In-Plane and Out-of-Plane Magnetoresistance Measurements

To investigate the relationship between the pseudogap and superconductivity, we measured both the in-plane ($rho_{ab}$) and out-of-plane ($rho_c$) resistivity for oxygen-controlled Bi$_{2}$Sr$_{2}$CaCu$_{2}$O$_{8+delta}$ single crystals subject to magnetic fields (parallel to the $c$ axis) of up to 17.5 T. The onset temperature for the superconductive fluctuation, $T_{scf}$, is determined by the large positive in-plane magnetoresistance (MR) and negative out-of-plane MR observed near $T_c$, whereas the pseudogap opening temperature $T^*$ is determined by the semiconductive upturn of the zero-field $rho_c$. $T_{scf}$ was found to scale roughly as $T_c$, with a decreasing temperature interval between them upon doping. On the other hand, $T^*$ starts out much higher than $T_{scf}$ but decreases monotonically upon doping; finally, at a heavily overdoped state, it is not observed above $T_{scf}$. These results imply that the pseudogap is not a simple precursor of superconductivity, but that further study is needed to determine whether or not $T^*$ exists below $T_{scf}$ in the heavily overdoped state.

Pseudogap Phase Boundary in Overdoped Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_8 Studied by Measuring Out-of-plane Resistivity under the Magnetic Fields

The characteristic pseudogap temperature T* in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 system has been systematically evaluated as a function of doping, especially focusing on its overdoped region, by measuring the out-of-plane resistivity under the magnetic fields. Overdoped samples have been prepared by annealing TSFZ-grown Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 single crystals under the high oxygen pressures (990 kgf/cm2). At a zero field, the out-of-plane resistivity showed a metallic behavior down to Tc (= 62 K), while under the magnetic fields of over 3 T,it showed typical upturn behavior from around 65 K upon decreasing temperature. This result suggests that the pseudogap and superconductivity are different phenomena.