Analytical electron microscopy study of high Tc superconductor YBa2Cu3O7.

The high Tc superconducting material YBa2Cu3O7 shows a complex relationship between microstructure and oxygen content, which are controlled by length of heat treatment, atmosphere, and quench rate. An AEM investigation studying changes in the oxygen near edge features was undertaken. Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) measurements have the important advantage that they can be made on single crystal grains, allowing orientation-dependent studies.