Observation of supercurrent distribution in YBa2Cu3O7-delta thin films using THz radiation excited with femtosecond laser pulses

We have demonstrated that the supercurrent distribution in current-biased Y Ba2Cu3O7-delta thin films can be obtained by measuring the radiation power of THz electromagnetic pulses excited with femtosecond laser pulses. As the radiation power is proportional to the square of the bias current density at the laser spot position, the two-dimensional current distribution can be obtained from the intensity distribution of THz radiation by scanning the laser spot. The characteristic supercurrent distribution is analyzed by usi ng the critical-state model. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0003 -6951(99)04609-4].