Zinc substitution effects on the superconducting properties of Nd sub 1. 85 Ce sub 0. 15 CuO sub 4-. delta

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