Nd2xCexCuO4

Nd2xCexCuO4 is a family of superconducting cuprate materials with the general chemical formula Nd2-xCexCuO4. The 'x' represents a variable concentration of cerium (Ce) substituting for neodymium (Nd) in the crystal structure. This substitution is crucial for inducing superconductivity in this material. The parent compound, Nd2CuO4, is an antiferromagnetic insulator. When cerium is introduced, typically in a doping range of x from 0.15 to 0.18, the material transitions into a metallic state and exhibits superconductivity.

The crystal structure of Nd2xCexCuO4 is a variant of the K2NiF4 structure, often described as a layered perovskite. It consists of CuO2 planes, which are believed to be the active layers for superconductivity, sandwiched between layers containing neodymium, cerium, and oxygen atoms. The superconductivity in this family of materials is a topic of significant research interest, with the mechanism still not fully understood. Unlike many other high-temperature superconductors, Nd2xCexCuO4 is an electron-doped superconductor, meaning that superconductivity arises from the addition of electrons to the CuO2 planes, as opposed to hole doping found in materials like YBa2Cu3O7. The critical temperature (Tc) for superconductivity in Nd2xCexCuO4 is relatively low compared to some other cuprates, typically in the range of 15-25 Kelvin, but it remains a significant example of electron-doped superconductivity.