Abstract
Superconducting samples of the type GdBa(2)Cu(3-x)RuxO(7-delta) with 0.000 <= x <= 0.300 were prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction technique. The phase formation percentage, lattice parameters, orthorhombic distortion and oxygen-content were calculated using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) data. The real elemental-content of the prepared samples was estimated from particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE). In addition, the oxygen-content was determined using elastic Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) technique at 3 MeV proton beam and Rietveld XRD analysis. Moreover, the prepared samples were investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements. The number of spins N participating in EPR resonance and the paramagnetic susceptibility chi were calculated as a function of both Ru-content and temperature. In addition, the activation energy E-a, Curie constant C, Curie temperature theta, the effective magnetic moment mu and the electronic specific heat coefficient gamma were estimated as a function of Ru-content. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.