Quenching superconductivity by Zn doping in YBCO(123).

Polycrystalline YBa2(Cu1-XZnX)3O7-δ samples (x=0.0 to 0.06) were studied using XRD, titration, resistivity, magnetization and XPS measurements. The O2 stoichiometry (δ) is found to change on Zn substitution which affects the normal state resistivity of the system as well as the superconducting transition temperature (TC). Interestingly, the non-magnetic Zn ions also induce local magnetic moment as confirmed from the M-H curves. It is concluded that Zn doping induced change in O2 stoichiometry and the magnetic pair breaking cause a rapid suppression in superconductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]