Ultrasound anomalies in single phase (Bi1-xPbx)2Sr2CanCun+1O2n+6+y superconducting ceramics

Ultrasonic anomalies near 200 K in single-phase (Bi1-xPbx)2Sr2CanCun+1O2n+6+y (x=0-0.2, n=1, 2) superconducting samples were observed by velocity and attenuation measurements of both longitudinal and transverse sound waves. The remarkable isothermal-like anomalous changes near 200 K indicate that there are possible structural changes or phase transitions in the samples. On comparison with YBa2Cu3O7-y, the different behaviours in ultrasonic anomalies are attributed to the differences in structure. It is suggested, however, that the lattice instability appearing near T approximately=2Tc may be a common feature of the existing superconducting perovskites and may have some relation to their high Tc.