Photoexcitation effects in YBa2Cu3Ox

Abstract

We show through photoexcitation experiments carried out on YBa2Cu3Ox c-axis oriented films that photoinduced phenomena are not restricted to insulating samples. Superconducting films with critical temperatures varying between 2 K and 40 K show a clear enhancement of the superconducting transition after illumination. The increase in Tc is accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the resistivity ρ, and an increase in the Hall coefficient RH, indicative of an increased carrier density. Furthermore, the carrier mobility is also affected by illumination.