Literature Search On High Temperature Superconductors (Background)

(WWW, Electronic Journals and Library)

Write 10 Page Summary

1. What is superconductivity?
2. What materials become superconducting?
3. Describe the physics of superconductors?
4. What are the technological applications of superconductivity?
5. What are high temperature superconductors?
6. Describe the atomic structure of these materials?
7. How were they discovered?
8. List and describe methods of synthesis of high temperature supercondutors

Structure, Chemical Composition and Preparation of Bulk Superconductor

- Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x,= YBCO)

(WWW, Electronic Journals and Library)

1. Complete background paper
2. Determine composition of YBCO
3. Find the molecular weight of each component element
4. Describe the crystal structure of YBCO
5. Find detailed preparation method on the WWW for YBCO

Write down, in your own words, a detailed procedure for preparing YBCO by solid phase reaction

Structure, Chemical Composition and Preparation of Bulk Superconductor

- Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x,= YBCO)

(WWW, Electronic Journals and Library)

1. Complete stoichiometry exercise
2. Write down detailed preparation procedure for YBCO
3. Prepare YBCO sample and place in furnace

Structure, Chemical Composition and Preparation of Bulk Superconductor

- Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x,= YBCO)

(WWW, Electronic Journals and Library)

Inspect YBCO sample and determine purity (look for non-uniform color)

Grind powder sample for 40 minutes and reheat (cook).

Work on methods of sample characterization

1. Do WWW search on x-ray diffraction and write 3-page report
2. What is x-ray diffraction?
3. What can one determine by x-ray diffraction?
4. What can x-ray diffraction tell us about the YBCO sample?

Structure, Chemical Composition and Preparation of Bulk Superconductor

- Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x,= YBCO)

(WWW, Electronic Journals and Library)

Carefully read C "Manual"

Type-in and execute test programs

Run programs to compute diffraction pattern of YBCO

Compare all measured diffraction peaks with those that you have computed

Structure, Chemical Composition and Preparation of Bulk Superconductor

- Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x,= YBCO)

(WWW, Electronic Journals and Library)

Convert Weekly Exercises into Presentation

Outline Presentation and Prepare Overheads

Outline (Suggestion)

                            I. Background and History

1. Discovery
2. History of Superconductivity
3. Compare and Contrast Conventional and High Temperature Superconductors
4. Physics of Superconductivity
5. Technological Applications
   

II. Preparation of YBCO

1. Stoichiometry Example
2. Case for YBCO
3. Details of Preparation

III. Characterization

1. Crystal Structure of YBCO
2. Details of X-Ray Diffraction Measurements
3. Simulation of X-Ray Diffraction Pattern
4. Identification of YBCO Phase
5. Meissner Effect

Structure, Chemical Composition and Preparation of Bulk Superconductor

- Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x,= YBCO)

(WWW, Electronic Journals and Library)

Write 4 page section on Raman Scattering (or Raman Spectroscopy)

What is Raman Scattering?

What can Raman Scattering Tell You about YBCO?

Monday: Do WWW Search

Tuesday: Go to Library and Look-Up Books on Raman Scattering

Wednesday: Work on YBCO Raman measurements with Prof. Federeici

Combine all components into 15-20 Page Report