Finite-size and pressure effects in YBa_2Cu_4O_8 probed by magnetic field penetration depth measurements

Abstract

We explore the combined pressure and finite-size effects on the in-plane penetration depth λ_{ab} in YBa_2Cu_4O_8. Even though this cuprate is stoichiometric the finite-size scaling analysis of λ_{ab}^{-2}(T) uncovers the granular nature and reveals domains with nanoscale size L_{c} along the c-axis. L_{c} ranges from 33.2 Angstrom to 28.9 Angstrom at pressures from 0.5 to 11.5 kbar. These observations raise serious doubts on the existence of a phase coherent macroscopic superconducting state in cuprate superconductors.

arXiv comment7 pages, 6 figures

References in corpus (5)

• Imaging the granular structure of high-Tc superconductivity in underdoped Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x
• The specific heat of superfluids near the transition temperature
• Probing inhomogeneities in type II superconductors by means of thermal fluctuations, magnetic fields and isotope effects
• Finite size effect in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+d) and YBa2Cu3O6.7 probed by the in-plane and out of plane penetration depths
• Relevance of electron-lattice coupling in cuprates superconductors

Cited by in corpus (3)

• Observing and modeling the sequential pairwise reactions that drive solid-state ceramic synthesis
• Muon spin rotation investigation of the pressure effect on the magnetic penetration depth in YBa2Cu3Ox
• Pressure effects on the superconducting properties of YBa_2Cu_4O_8