Superconductivity on Interfaces of Nonsuperconducting Granules La2CuO4 and La1.56Sr0.44CuO4

Abstract

Composite materials fabricated by annealing of nonsuperconducting ceramics La2CuO4 and La1.56Sr0.44CuO4 at 910 °C during various time are investigated. Areas of superconducting La1.85Sr0.15CuO4 phase arises at boundaries of contacting nonsuperconducting granules. The volume fraction of the superconducting phase increases with increasing annealing time. A model describing the magnetic and transport properties of the samples at low magnetic fields is constructed. The magnetotransport characteristics of obtained samples at low magnetic fields (∼ 100 Oe) are defined by weak links network formed by superconducting areas. At high fields, behavior of the system is defined by a magnetization of the disconnected superconducting islands. The average size of the superconducting areas has been estimated from an extended critical state model.