Ferroelastic behaviour of the (Ln)Ba₂Cu₃O_6+x orthorhombic phase

Abstract

The orthorhombic phase of the high T_c superconductor (Ln)Ba₂Cu₃O_6+A is observed in transmission electron microscopy. This phase is ferroelastic and exhibits two different orientation domains. A full description of the twin boundaries is given. The behaviour of the ferroelastic domains at the intersection of orthogonal twin walls is more particularly investigated.

Key Words:

• ferroelastic domains
• phase transition
• twin boundaries
• disclinations
• transmission electron microscopy
• high T_c superconductors.