THERMOPOWER MAPPING OF SUPERCONDUCTING CUPRATES

摘要

The invention comprises a method for determining the hole or electron concentration, transition temperature, ratio Tc/Tc(max), or state of doping of a material capable of exhibiting superconductivity when cooled below its critical temperature, by measuring the thermopower of a sample of the material above the critical temperature of the material and determining from the thermopower the hole or electron concentration, transition temperature, ratio Tc/Tc(max), or state of doping of the material as to whether it is underdoped, overdoped or optimally doped. The sample may be differentially heated and/or cooled to generate a temperature difference across the sample, the temperature difference across the sample measured, the voltage across the sample measured, and the hole concentration or similar determined from the measured temperature difference and the measured voltage. Means for determining the hole concentration, transition temperature, or doping of the material is also claimed.