Preparation and Physical Properties of Single Crystals and Thin Films of Neodimium Cerium Copper Oxides and Related Copper Oxides

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9510475 Greene This project has as its goal the preparation and characterization of high quality neodymium-cerium- copper- oxygen (NCCO) single crystals and thin films and lanthanum-strontium-copper-oxygen (LSCO) thin films. Comprehensive physical property measurements will be carried out with the aim of providing reliable experimental constraints on the theories for high temperature superconductivity and anomalous normal state properties of copper oxides. A detailed comparison of the electron- doped NCCO system and the hole-doped LSCO system will be made in order to better understand the transition between insulating, metallic and superconducting phases as the cerium, strontium, or oxygen composition is changed. %%% Many copper oxide materials are superconductors at temperatures above the boiling point of liquid nitrogen (77K) and have potential for applications. However, an understanding of why these materials are superconductors at such high temperatures is lacking at present. The goal of this project is to prepare and characterize some selected copper oxide superconductors by improved methods. This is expected to lead to a better understanding of how these materials work, and hopefully, to insights on how to prepare materials which are better for technological applications. ***