The Effect of $\hbox {BaZrO}_{3}$ Nanorods on the Normal State Properties and on the Anomaly in the Even Transverse Resistivity in YBCO Thin Films

Nanoscale insulating rods grow in YBa₂Cu₃O_{6 +}x (YBCO) thin films when they are made by pulsed laser deposition from BaZrO₃ (BZO) doped targets. The longitudinal and transverse resistivities of BZO doped YBCO thin films were measured to investigate the effect of the BZO nanorods as a small-scale inhomogeneity to the anomalies sometimes observed in transverse resistivity. The BZO nanorods were seen to reduce the oxygen content of the films only at high BZO doping levels. Anomalies in the even transverse resistivity in zero field were observed but no systematic correlation with the BZO doping was seen. The origin of the anomaly is attributed to larger scale inhomogeneities present in the samples than the BZO nanorods.