Photothermal measurements of high <i>T</i> <i>c</i> superconductors

Abstract

We demonstrate a photothermal method for making point measurements of the thermal conductivities of high Tc superconductors. Images made at room temperature on polycrystalline materials show the thermal inhomogeneities. Measurements on single-crystal Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox compounds reveal a very large anisotropy of about 7:1 in the thermal conductivity.