We present high pressure diamond anvil cell synchrotron X-ray, resistivity, and ac-susceptibility measurements on electron-doped cuprate Pr$_{ 2-x}$Ce$_{ x}$CuO$_{ 4}$ to much higher pressures than previously reported. At 2.72 GPa between 88 and 98$%$ of the superconducting T$^\prime$ phase \cite{ Tprime} of the optimally doped Pr$_{ 1.85}$Ce$_{ 0.15}$CuO$_{ 4}$ transforms into the insulating phase T. The T$_{ c}$ of the remaining 2-12$%$ T$^\prime$ phase is suppressed continuously from 22 K to 18.5 K at about 14 GPa. Remarkably, the T$_{ c}$ of the over doped Pr$_{ 1.83}$Ce$_{ 0.17}$CuO$_{ 4}$ remains practically unchanged even at 32 GPa. This behavior of the electron-doped cuprate contrasts with that of the hole-doped cuprate for which T$_{ c}$ is first substantially enhanced with applied pressure.
Categories: cond-mat.supr-con