Electron-energy-loss Spectroscopy of YBa2Cu3-xFexO7-y Superconductors
Abstract
YBa2Cu3 „Fe„07 ~ (x =0.0, 0.05, 0.1) compounds have been studied using energy-dispersive xray (EDX) and electron-energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). X-ray diffraction data indicated the formation of structurally known superconducting compounds. Transition temperatures, as measured by a Faraday balance, showed a decrease as the iron concentration was increased. Using the spot mode in an analytical electron microscope, the EDX and EELS data were obtained for identifiable, well-defined small regions of the superconducting particles. EDX spectra have been used to analyze different components and phases present in the samples. Detailed EELS data for the 0 1s excitation have been obtained, and a peak in the pre-edge continuum has been observed in all the samples. The intensity and the nature of this peak are found to depend upon the iron concentration. The results of this investigation suggest structural disorder and orthorhombic-to-tetragonal transition as major reasons for the decrease in transition temperature for the iron-doped superconductors.
