Harmonic response of coupled and uncoupled granular YBCO

The harmonic responses of granular YBCO were obtained via mutual inductance measurements. Two samples, one with and another without intergranular coupling, were investigated in terms of the harmonic components of magnetization at various field amplitudes and frequencies. By comparing the behaviour of the features in the harmonics to that of the peaks in the fundamental response, we explicitly identified which features in the harmonics originate from intragranular harmonic generation and which arise due to a contribution of intergranular coupling. Harmonic responses were obtained despite the absence of vortices and even harmonics were detected in a purely AC magnetic field.