Grain Boundaray in Superconducting YBa2Cu3O7
and Critical Current Density

The HRTEM picture shows a grain boundary in the famous high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7. This boundary was intentionally made with a specific orientation. Facetting can be clearly seen. The picture and the following results are from the TEM group of Prof. Urban from the Jülich Research Center.
   
Korngrenze inYBa2Cu3O7 und...
 
A whole collection of boundaries was made and the critical current densities measured. The critical current density is the current density at which the superconducting state of the material is destroyed. The relation obtained is shown below.
Critical current density and grain boundary orientation
In general, the critical current density decreases wit increasing misorientation. But around a specific misorientation it has a remarkable maximum. It comes as no surprise that this specific misorientation corresponds to a low S orientation.
 

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© H. Föll (Defects - Script)