Correlation of superconducting properties and oxygen concentration in Y1Ba2Cu3O7−δ films via Raman spectroscopy

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Abstract
We report Raman scattering and resistance measurements on a YBa2Cu3O7−δ film in which δ is varied by repeated annealing in oxygen or argon. As oxygen is removed, the resistance rises, the transition moves to lower temperature and broadens, and ‘‘forbidden’’ Raman modes are observed. Group theory, the Raman activity of another oxygen rich (δ∼0) film of different orientation, and comparison with results on single crystals allow us to assign each Raman phonon. We hence demonstrate that several ‘‘forbidden’’ Raman peaks are associated with depletion of oxygen chain sites. Our results establish that the oxygen concentration δ, and hence the superconducting properties, can be varied reversibly by reannealing in oxygen or argon with the Raman spectra providing a useful microscopic probe of the lattice.