Point-contact and tunneling spectroscopy of YBa2Cu3O7-x and YbBa2Cu3O7-x (90-K phase) single crystals
Aminov B. A., Wehler D., Muller G., Piel H., Hein M. A., Heinrichs H., Brandt N. B., Hu C.S., Ponomarev Ya. G., Tsokur E. B., Chesnokov S. N., Yusupov K. Ch., Yarygin A. V., Winzer K., Rosier K., Wolf T.
Point-contact and tunneling spectroscopy has been used to determine the gap parameter Δ of single crystals of YBa2Cu307_x [28 meV =£ ä (4.2 K) =s 33 meV] and YbBa2Cu307_^ [29 meV =s Δ (4.2 ë) « 32 meV], with transition temperatures 87=£çÓ=Å90 ë. An additional fine structure has been observed on the current-voltage characteristics of point contacts containing a subharmonic structure [Vn = 2A/(en)]. This additional structure may stem from a quantum size effect in the quasiparticle spectrum in the N transition region of the S-N-S point contact. Current-voltage characteristics with a small excess current in the subgap region have been observed for 5-7-5 tunnel junctions. The shape of the current-voltage characteristics of the S-I-S contacts can be described well by the semiempirical Dynes model. A ratio Γ/Δ = 0.07, where ç is a smearing parameter (T=4.2 K), has been found. This is a record-low value for high-IT,. superconducting tunnel junctions. © 1994 American Institute of Physics.