Subpicovolt resolution measurements of the current-voltage characteristics of twinned crystalline YBa2Cu3O7-x: New evidence for a vortex-glass phase

We present an improved contactless technique that allows measurement of the current-voltage (I-V) curves of YBa2Cu3O7-x single crystals in large magnetic fields with 5 orders of magnitude improved voltage resolution compared to conventional transport measurements. The crystals are shaped in the form of rings. The I-V curves are obtained by applying a small triangular oscillation of magnetic field and measuring the induced current in the ring using a local Hall probe. The magnetic field resolution achieved is 1 ppm. The I-V curves are obtained very close to the glass transition temperature TG, down to voltage levels of 0.1 pV, and show the characteristic change of slope on a log-log plot typical of a glassy transition. © 1995 The American Physical Society.