Abstract: We investigated Raman-forbidden signals in RBa2Cu3O7-delta with R = Y or Pr, which lose intensity under illumination at low temperatures. These defect-induced,peaks are only visible in oxygen-deficient material and for light polarized parallel to the copper-oxygen chains along the material's b-axis. In a first, two-laser based experiment we established that the bleaching effect of the light is polarization dependent as well. From this and other known properties we conclude that the signal is connected to the copper-oxygen chains, reflecting their state of disorder, and is thus closely related to aging and to the persistent photoconductivity effect in the material. In a second set of experiments we followed the temperature dependence of the Raman spectra and the intensity decrease.

Abstract: The local modification of an insulating GdBa2Cu3O6.5 thin film, made superconducting by illumination with a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM), is reported. A 100-nm aperture NSOM probe acts as a sub- wavelength light source of wavelength ?(exc)=480-650 nm, locally generating photocarriers in an otherwise insulating GdBa2-Cu3O6.5 thin film. Of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs, electrons are trapped in the crystallographic lattice, defining an electrostatic confining potential to enable the holes to move. Reflectance measurements at ? = 1.55 ?m at room temperature show that photocarriers can be induced and constrained to move on a ?? 200 nm scale for all investigated ?(exc). Photogenerated wires present a superconducting critical temperature T(c) = 12 K with a critical current density J(c) = 104 A cm-2. Exploiting the flexibility provided by photodoping through a NSOM probe, a junction was written by photodoping a wire with a narrow (? 50 nm) under-illuminated gap. The strong magnetic field modulation of the critical current provides a clear signature of the existence of a Josephson effect in the junction.

Abstract: We present the evolution of magnetic and structural properties of Y1-xPrxBa2Cu3Oy (xsimilar to0.5 and x = 1) single crystals and polycrystalline materials when the oxygen concentration y is varied from under- to overdoping. We have found a monotonous evolution of the Pr Neel temperature for x = 1 samples and a maximum of the superconducting critical temperature for the xsimilar to0.5 samples. The structural properties as detected by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy show no instabilities when crossing the optimal doping region as was found in the x = 0 material. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: We experimentally study the dynamical response of the superconducting vortex system near the solid-liquid transition by applying forces parallel and perpendicular to a planar random defect array. Our results show that for magnetic fields above a certain critical field Hcr'? 4 T the solid glassy vortex phase in YBa2Cu3O7-? crystals with oriented twin planes does not correspond to the so-called Bose-glass phase.