Crystal Chemistry of High-Tc Superconducting Copper Oxides

This comprehensive and richly illustrated review of the complex solid-state chemistry of the superconducting copper oxides will be welcomed by all researchers and graduate students interested in high Tc superconductors.

Texte du rabat

This book presents a complete review of the solid-state chemistry of the materials behind the recent revolution in superconductivity research. Particular attention is paid to the main features that are necessary for the generation of high Tc superconductivity, for example, low dimensionality of the structure, a mixed valence of copper, hole delocalization and the role of lone-pair cations and alkaline earth elements. The relationships between the structures of the various oxide superconductors discovered so far are emphasized. Besides chemical and structural aspects, physical topics are included, such as electron transport properties in connection with oxygen nonstoichiometry and irradiation effects induced by neutrons, electrons and fast heavy ions. The numerous diagrams and photographs in this book simplify visualization of the structures and complement the clarity of the text.

Contenu

1. Introduction: Superconductivity in Oxides Before 1986.- 2. Phases of the Systems A-La-Ca-Cu-O and A-Y-Ca-Cu-O (A = Ca, Sr, Ba): Structural Aspects.- 2.1 Copper Chemistry in Oxides: Oxidation States and Coordination.- 2.2 The Ternary Systems La-Cu-O and A-Cu-O (A = Ca,Sr,Ba).- 2.3 The Pseudoternary Systems A-La-Cu-O (A = Ca,Sr,Ba).- 2.4 The Pseudoternary System Y-Ba-Cu-O.- 2.5 The Systems Ln-Sr-Cu-O (Ln ? La).- 3. Electron Transport Properties Connected with Oxygen Nonstoichiometry.- 3.1 Electron Transport Properties in Cuprates Related to the Perovskite: General Considerations.- 3.2 Oxides with the K2NiF4-Type Structure.- 3.3 Oxides with the Oxygen-Deficient Sr3Ti2O7-Type Structure.- 3.4 Oxides with the Oxygen-Deficient Perovskite Structure.- 4. Substitutions in La2CuO4-Type and YBa2Cu3O7-Type Superconductors.- 4.1 Substitution on the Rare-Earth Sites.- 4.2 Substitution on the Copper Sites.- 4.3 Substitutions on Other Sites.- 5. Bismuth, Thallium and Lead Superconducting Cuprates.- 5.1 Bismuth Alkaline-Earth Superconducting Cuprates.- 5.2 Thallium Alkaline-Earth Superconducting Cuprates.- 5.3 Lead Alkaline-Earth Superconducting Cuprates.- 5.4 Layered Cuprates Involving Double Fluorite-Type Layers.- 5.5 Structural Relationships.- 6. Extended Defects in Superconducting Oxides: High-Resolution Electron Microscopy.- 6.1 YBa2Cu3O7-Type Superconductors: Ordering in the Perovskite Framework.- 6.3 Layer Interconnections.- 6.4 Extra Spots in ED Patterns: An Amazing Variety.- 6.5 Domains and Boundaries.- 7. Irradiation Effects in the High-Tc Superconducting Oxides.- 7.1 Radiation Damage in Solids.- 7.2 Radiation Damage by Electrons and Fast Neutrons in Copper Oxide Superconductors.- 7.3 Phase Transformations Induced by Fast Heavy Ions in the High-Tc Copper Oxides.- 7.4Conclusions.- 8. Concluding Remarks.- 8.1 Low Dimensionality of the Structure.- 8.2 Mixed Valence of Copper and Hole Delocalization.- 8.3 The Model of Copper Disproportionation.- 8.4 Role of the Lone Pair Cations and of the Alkaline Earth Elements.- References.