Development of spatial inhomogeneity of internal magnetic field above $T_{\rm c}$ in Bi$_2$Sr$_2$Ca$_{1-x}$Y$_x$Cu$_2$O$_{8+\delta}$ observed by longitudinal-field muon-spin-relaxation

Abstract

Longitudinal-field muon-spin-relaxation measurements have revealed inhomogeneous distribution of the internal magnetic field at temperatures above the bulk superconducting (SC) transition temperature, $T_{\rm c}$, in slightly overdoped Bi$_2$Sr$_2$Ca$_{1-x}$Y$_x$Cu$_2$O$_{8+\delta}$. The distribution width of the internal magnetic field, $\Delta$, evolves continuously with decreasing temperature toward $T_{\rm c}$. The origin of the increase in $\Delta$ is discussed in terms of the creation of SC domains in a sample.