C-axis magnetoresistance of a few atomic surface layers of the Bi:2212 single crystals

We measured the c -axis magnetoresistance R of ≥200Aheigh mesas patterned on the surfaces of Bi:2212 single crystals. For the magnetic field H | c , we observed a large peak in R(T) at a temperature T * below the zero-field transition temperature T co : R /( T *)/ R (120) ≈ 9atμ 0 H ≈ 7 T . The full current-voltage characteristics were also measured at each H and T . The data clearly demonstrate that the c -axis transport of the Bi:2212 single crystals is similar to that of a series array of Josephson tunnel junctions.