Journal Article

PUBDB-2026-01538

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Superconductivity suppression and bilayer decoupling in Pr-substituted YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7− δ}$

Yang, J. ; Jin, Z. ; Wang, S. ; Moir, C. M. ; Xu, M. ; Gunn, B.Extern* ; Basak, R.Extern* ; Evans, J. R. ; Du, X. ; Kang, Z. ; Feng, K. ; Hashimoto, M. ; Lu, D. ; McChesney, J. L. ; Sundermann, M.Extern* ; Gretarsson, H.DESY* ; Yang, S. ; Xie, W. ; Frano, A. ; Ismail-Beigi, S. ; Maple, M. B. ; He, Y. (Corresponding author)

2026
National Acad. of Sciences Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1073/pnas.2536919123  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2026-01538

Abstract: The mechanism behind superconductivity suppression induced by Pr substitutions in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7− δ}$ (YBCO) has been a mystery since its discovery: in spite of being isovalent to Y$^{3+}$ with a small magnetic moment, it is the only rare-earth element that has a dramatic impact on YBCO’s superconducting properties. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and DFT+ calculations, we uncover how Pr substitution modifies the low-energy electronic structure of YBCO. Contrary to the prevailing Fehrenbacher–Rice (FR) and Liechtenstein–Mazin (LM) models, the low-energy electronic structure contains no signature of any f-electron hybridization or additional f-state Fermi surface sheets. Yet, strong electron doping is observed primarily on the antibonding Fermi surface. Meanwhile, we reveal major electronic structure modifications to Cu-derived states with increasing Pr substitution: a pronounced CuO$_2$ bilayer decoupling and enhanced hopping along the CuO chain, implying indirect electron-release pathways beyond simple 4f state ionization. Our results challenge the long-standing FR/LM mechanism, and establish Pr substituted YBCO as a potential platform for exploring correlation-driven phenomena in coupled 1D–2D systems.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DOOR-User (DOOR ; HAS-User)
2. PETRA-S (FS-PETRA-S)

Research Program(s):

1. 632 - Materials – Quantum, Complex and Functional Materials (POF4-632) (POF4-632)
2. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)
3. FS-Proposal: I-20221007 (I-20221007) (I-20221007)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P01 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; ; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 10 ; JCR ; National-Konsortium ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection ; Zoological Record

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