Nd-laser irradiations effects and AFM-investigations on structural and surface features of optimally lutetium thorium-co-doped-2212-BSCCO

Lutetium-thorium optimally co-doped sample with general formula Bi(2-x-y)Lu(x)Th(y)Sr(2)Ca(1)Cu(2)O(8) where x = y = 0.15 mol was selected to be the target for three different doses of Nd-laser beam irradiations the 1st 15 W/cm(2) for 60 min, 2nd 30 W/cm(2) for 120 min and 3rd 45 W/cm(2) for 240 min, respectively. Nd-Laser irradiations doses were monitoring as function of micro-structure, superconducting and structural features of Lu-Th-optimally co-doped 2212-BSCCO. AFM and SE-microscopy were applied to investigate changes occurred in the surface's layers after each Nd-laser irradiation dose. Both of bulk superconductivity and surface resistivity were measured to establish the promotion occurred on the superconducting features due to Nd-laser irradiation doses. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.