Thin-film photopyroelectric detection of thermal impulse response of single-crystalline YBa₂Cu₃O7-x

Photopyroelectric impulse response measurements carried out on single-crystalline YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x are reported over the temperature range from 20 to 300 K. The photopyroelectric signal sensitivity to the superconducting transition is demonstrated; an increases in the impulse time delay at temperatures above 200 K is also detected. The results suggest the applicability of this simple and sensitive thermal wave technique to non-intrusive temperature studies of high-T c superconductors.