Lanthanide doping and external parameters in RBa2Cu3O7–δ superconductors: A brief review

Abstract

The invention of superconductivity was a major advance of solid state physics. In the present review, we briefly discuss the emergence of RBa2Cu3O7–δ (R are lanthanides). In the first part, we consider the impact of lanthanide doping and the intricacy of the praseodymium anomaly. In the second part, we discuss the impact of external parameters such as pressure and electron irradiation on the critical superconducting parameters. This brief review concludes with future perspectives of the field, considering recent advances.