Journal Article

Stripe-like nanoscale structural phase separation in superconducting BaPb1−xBixO3

Parra, C., Geballe, T.H., Giraldo-Gallo, P., Fisher, I.R., Beasley, M.R., Kramer, M.J., Manoharan, H.C., Zhang, Y.

2015

Overview

The phase diagram of BaPb 1− x Bi x O 3 exhibits a superconducting dome in the proximity of a charge density wave phase. For the superconducting compositions, the material coexists as two structural polymorphs. Here we show, via high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, that the structural dimorphism is accommodated in the form of partially disordered nanoscale stripes. Identification of the morphology of the nanoscale structural phase separation enables determination of the associated length scales, which we compare with the Ginzburg–Landau coherence length. We find that the maximum T c occurs when the superconducting coherence length matches the width of the partially disordered stripes, implying a connection between the structural phase separation and the shape of the superconducting dome. In BaPb 1− x Bi x O 3 a superconducting dome emerges in the proximity to a charge density wave phase. Here, the authors show with transmission electron microscopy measurements that for superconducting compositions of this allow, the structural dimorphism is accommodated in partially disordered nanoscale stripes.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group,Nature Pub. Group
• Subject: 639/301/357 / 639/766/119/1003 / 639/766/25 / applied physics / Charge density waves / Coherence length / condensed matter / CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY / Dimorphism / Domes / High temperature superconductors / Humanities and Social Sciences / Laboratories / Microscopy / Morphology / multidisciplinary / Phase diagrams / Phase separation / physical sciences / Physics / Science / Science (multidisciplinary) / Superconductivity / Transmission electron microscopy