Direct observation of antiphase domains in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8by transmission electron microscopy

Abstract
Antiphase domains associated with a commensurate modulation in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 have been directly observed by transmission electron microscopy. A model of the antiphase boundary based on group theoretical considerations is put forward to explain the non-conservative nature of the antiphase boundary. It is suggested that the presence of antiphase domains may have important implications for the superconducting critical current of this compound.