Zinc substitution effects on the superconducting properties of Nd(1.85)Ce(0.15)CuO(4-delta)

摘要

With the discovery of the electron superconductors, a new dimension was added to research in the field of high-temperature superconductivity. Studies of these materials should help elucidate the mechanism responsible for high-temperature superconductivity, as well as improve strategies for finding new superconductors. In this paper, we discuss the superconducting structural properties of Nd(sub 1.85)Ce(sub 0.15)(Cu(sub 1-y)Zn(sub y))O(sub 4) as a function of the Zn concentration y. Detailed comparisons with previous results of similar substitution studies in the single-CuO(sub 2)-layer hole superconductor La(sub 1.85)Sr(sub 0.15)CuO(sub 4) also are made. We have found that the non-magnetic element Zn has a detrimental effect on the T(prime)-phase electron superconductor, and that this effect is as strong as in the T-phase hole superconductor. Theoretical implications and the question of electron-hole symmetry are also discussed.