Low-temperature specific heat measurements on metals: Application to high-T(sub c) superconductors.

摘要

The main features of the specific heats of normal metals and conventional superconductors, and the types of information that can be derived from specific heat data are summarized. The complications in extending this approach to high-(Tc) superconductors are outlined. It is shown that the properties of the superconducting state in YBa(sub 2)Cu(sub 3)O(sub 7), and , more generally, probably in high-(Tc) materials, are correlated with a concentration of Cu(sup 2+) magnetic moments that can be derived from specific heat data. These correlations are of both practical and fundamental interest. They provide a criterion that should be useful in evaluating processing techniques for the production of high-quality bulk superconductors, and the values of parameters that are relevant to the nature of the superconducting state. 27 refs., 12 figs. (ERA citation 15:034974)