Single-phase samples of Ba{sub 1-x}K{sub x}BiO{sub 3}(00.35 with {Tc} gradually decreasing as x increases. At 10K, with decreasing potassium content, the symmetry reduces to tetragonal at x=0.35, orthorhombic at x=0.2 and finally to monoclinic at x=0.1. Normal state resistivity displays metallic behavior for 0.40
An irreversibility line has been identified in bulk Ba{sub 0.625}K{sub 0.375}BiO{sub 3}, which follows the relation 1{minus}{ital T}/{ital T}{sub {ital c}}{similar to}{ital H}{sup 2/3}. According to the flux-creep model, the magnetic irreversibility is caused by thermally activated flux creep and is closely connected with the field-induced resistive broadening. However, previous resistivity measurements showed that the Ba{sub 0.625}K{sub 0.375}BiO{sub 3} system did not exhibit resistive transition broadening. Thus, an alternative explanation based on the Josephson-coupling model is suggested to interpret the irreversibility observed in Ba{sub 0.625}K{sub 0.375}BiO{sub 3}.
Observation of similar behavior in three different superconducting oxides suggests that the maximum {Tc} is limited by phase instability. These conclusions are based on previously published neutron powder diffraction data for La{sub 2}CuO{sub 4+x} and Nd{sub 2-x}Ce{sub x}CuO{sub 4} and new data for La{sub 2-x}Sr{sub x}CuO{sub 4} which show a phase separated region for compositions adjacent to that which produces the highest {Tc}. 13 refs., 7 figs.
Tunneling spectroscopy measurements have been performed on bulk samples of Ba{sub 1-x}K{sub x}BiO{sub 3} for the compositions, x=0.375, 0.4 and 0.5, using the natural, surface oxide as the tunnel barrier. The data show structures which are characteristic of phonon effects as seen in conventional superconductors and suggest that {alpha}{sup 2}F({omega}) is strongest for the high frequency optical modes. These results are consistent with other experiments and with recent microscopic calculations which indicate that phonon-mediated pairing is responsible for the superconductivity in this compound. 21 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.
Superconducting Ba 1−x K x BiO 3 , with a T c of 30K, shows a large 18 O isotope effect which indicates that phonons are involved in the pairing mechanism. Superconducting energy gap measurements from IR reflectivity and tunneling are consistent with moderate coupling (2Δ/kT c = 3.5 ± 0.5). A characteristic phonon energy of about 40 meV would be required to obtain the high T c . Neuron scattering measurements show a large density of phonons in the range 40 to 80 meV and strong coupling of electrons to these modes is indicated in tunneling spectroscopy. Additional results are reported, including the structural phase diagram, which suggest that superconductivity is phonon mediated.