Universal non-Landau, self-organized, lattice disordering percolative dopant network sub-T(c) phase transition in ceramic superconductors.

Abstract

Ceramic superconductors (cuprates, pnictides, etc.) exhibit universal features in both T(c)(max) and in their planar lattice disordering measured by EXAFS, as reflected by three phase transitions. The two highest temperature transitions are known to be associated with formation of Jahn-Teller pseudogaps and superconductive gaps, with corresponding Landau order parameters, but no new gap is associated with the third transition below T(c), and its origin is mysterious. It is argued that the third subT(c) transition is a dopant glass transition, which is remarkably similar to topological transitions previously observed in chalcogenide and oxide alloy network glasses (like window glass).