High-resolution neutron diffraction studies on NdxY1−xBa2Cu3O7−δ superconductors
A synthesis of neodymium-substituted YBCO superconductor NdxY1−xBa2Cu3O7−δ (x=0,0.25,0.5,0.75,1) has been done using a dissolved method in order to obtain homogeneous crystals and higher critical current density. The effects of the substitutions on the structural and magnetic properties of the superconductors after sintering at 970◦C have been examined. Crystallinity of the synthesized powders was confirmed using high-resolution neutron diffraction (HRPD) techniques. Rietveld analyses for diffraction data sets gave increasing lattice parameters with addition of Nd content and decreasing orthorhombicity. Such addition also caused a decrease in occupancy of the oxygen in the O(4) site.
Crystal structure of NdBa2Cu3O7−δ
HRPD patterns (λ=1.819479 Å) of NdxY1−xBa2Cu3O7−δ (x=0,0.25,0.5,0.75,1.0) superconductors
Orthorhombic strain of NdxY1−xBa2Cu3O7−δ superconductor samples
Oxygen occupancy of O(4) with increase x in the NdxY1−xBa2Cu3O7−δ samples after Rietveld refinement for the HRPD data