The Cu valence in the highT c superconductors and in monovalent, divalent and trivalent copper oxides determined from XPS core level spectroscopy

A number of theoretical models have been developed to explain the unexpected high temperature superconductivity in La-Me-Cu-oxides (Me=Ba, Sr) and Y-Ba-Cu-oxides. Some of these models invoke charge fluctuations on the copper ions in the superconductors between a 2+ and a 3+ state. In order to test these possibilities we have measured the Cu−2p3/2-core level spectra of NaCuO2 in which the copper ion is in a 3+ state and compared it with the core line position in pure CuO and to superconducting oxides. The data strongly suggest, that there is, if any very little Cu3+ in the superconducting compounds present. However, we notice, that in comparison to trivalent and monovalent copper oxides the Cu−2p3/2 line in CuO and the superconducting oxides is unexpectedly broad. The cause of this large linewidths remains so far unexplained.