Magnetic and superconducting properties of RBa2Cu3Ox compounds

Specific-heat and dc magnetic-susceptibility measurements have been performed on RBa2Cu3Ox (R denotes rare earth) compounds. These measurements show that the rare-earth atoms behave as local moments above the superconducting transition temperature of these compounds which can be as high or higher than in nonmagnetic YBa2Cu3Ox. Further, we find coexistence of superconductivity and magnetism in R=Gd,Er,andDy compounds and evidence for crystalline-electric-field splittings in these materials. © 1987 The American Physical Society