8 research outputs found
Multiscale distribution of oxygen puddles in 1/8 doped
Despite intensive research a physical explanation of high Tc superconductors
remains elusive. One reason for this is that these materials have generally a
very complex structure making useless theoretical models for a homogeneous
system. Little is known on the control of the critical temperature by the space
disposition of defects because of lack of suitable experimental probes. X-ray
diffraction and neutron scattering experiments used to investigate y oxygen
dopants in YBa2Cu3O 6+y lack of spatial resolution. Here we report the spatial
imaging of dopants distribution in-homogeneity in YBa2Cu3O6.67 using scanning
nano X-ray diffraction. By changing the X-ray beam size from 1 micron to 300 nm
of diameter, the lattice inhomogeneity increases. The ordered oxygen puddles
size distribution vary between 6-8 nm using 1x1 {\mu}m2 beam, while it is
between 5-12 nm with a fat tail using the 300x300 nm2 beam. The increased
inhomogeneity at the nanoscale points toward an intrinsic granular complexity.Comment: letter, 4 figure