Download Correlation of Novel Micron-scale Ribbon

Correlation of Novel Micron-scale Ribbon-like Phase and TC in
Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+ Superconductor
Yang Ding
HPSTAR, Haidian, Beijing, China
Cuprate high-temperature superconductors (HTSC) are among the most extensively studied complex
quantum systems. However, the underlying superconducting mechanism of these materials and the key
parameters controlling their critical transition temperature (TC) remain elusive. The challenges in
studying these topics can stem from a lack of comprehensive information on structural inhomogeneity.1
So far, a direct experimental evidence linking the role of lattice inhomogeneity and superconductivity
is still missing, which is largely due to experimental limitations.2 Here we report the discovery with
hard x-ray nano-imaging3,4 of a novel micron-scale ribbon-like phase intercalating with the modulated
structure of single-crystal Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+ (Bi-2212). The morphology of the ribbon-like phase
evolves coincidentally with the dome-shaped behavior of TC under external pressure. We also find that
nanoscale short-range ordering induced by long-time exposure of the sample to x-ray radiation directly
affects TC, while the drop in TC at high pressure still ties to the morphology of the ribbon-like phase.
These results provide unambiguous evidences of close correlation between TC and optimal
inhomogeneity at different length scales in cuprate HTSC.