Spectroscopy of voltage dependence of oxygen movement in YBa2Cu3O7-δ -: art. no. 180506

Injection of few-volt electrons at room temperature can displace oxygen atoms in the lattice of yttrium barium cuprate (YBCO). The metal cladding of a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) probe tip is used as a tunnel electrode for locally injecting the electrons with controlled energies. The NSOM optical signal is used to detect changes in the local oxygen concentration. The data support bond breaking in a Franck-Condon-like effect causing enhanced diffusion of oxygen atoms in the lattice. The voltage dependence is consistent with the band structure of YBCO.