Raman study of lattice modes in the high–critical-temperature superconductor Y-Ba-Cu-O

Raman spectra of high-temperature superconducting materials composed of Y-Ba-Cu-O compounds are reported for the first time. These spectra show numerous lattice modes which are attributed both to the superconducting phase YBa₂{Cu}₃Oₓ and also to the impurity phases of BaCuO₂ and Y₂{BaCuO}₅$. Raman spectroscopy is shown to be a sensitive probe of both the phonon structure of the superconductor and of the impurity phases in the material.