Conductivity and Interferometry Experiments on YBCO/lead Ramp-Edge Josephson Junctions

In this thesis, we study the details of the order parameter symmetry in arbitrary directions of the high-temperature cuprate superconductor YBa 2Cu3O7-y (YBCO) using YBCO/Pb ramp-edge Josephson junctions with lithographically defined corner and straight-edge geometries. Measurements of the critical current versus applied field, I c(H), and the an dynamic conductance, dI/dV, are presented. For junctions with corner geometries, as well as for most of the straight-edge junctions, the known dx2-y2 order parameter symmetry of YBCO is confirmed. For some of the straight-edge junctions oriented near 45° with respect to the YBCO a and b axes, an anomalous temperature dependence of the Ic(H) pattern is found in the range from 5 down to 1.4 K. We consider the onset of a secondary order parameter and the onset of second-order Josephson coupling as possible interpretations of this anomalous temperature dependence and we find the second-order Josephson coupling interpretation more likely.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Hilliard, Joseph Edward, Jr.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Van Harlingen, Dale J.

• Physics, Condensed Matter

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3023072

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/80469