Enhancement of superconducting transition temperature via Ba doping in RuSr[sub 2-x]Ba[sub x]GdCu[sub 2]O[sub 8] (x<=0.1).

The crystal structure and superconducting properties of RuSr[sub 2-x]Ba[sub x]GdCu[sub 2]O[sub 8] (0<=x<=0.1) have been investigated. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns show that the solid solution range is 0<=x<=0.1. The superconducting transition temperature was raised up to 35 K (zero) and 62 K (onset) for x=0.07, from 16 K (zero) and 45 K (onset) for x=0.0, and then T[sub C] decreases with x when x>0.07. Rietveld refinement for XRD data of RuSr[sub 2-x]Ba[sub x]GdCu[sub 2]O[sub 8] show that the apical Cu–O(1) bond length increases with an increase of x, while the Ru–O(1) bond length decreases, This may account for the enhancement of the superconducting transition temperature. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]