Role of superconducting fluctuations in c-axis transport of Bi-2:2:1:2 superconductor in high magnetic fields

The c axis resistivity rho(c) of Bi-2:2:1:2 single crystals is measured in magnetic fields up to 26.4 T. In the fluctuation regime, B > H-c2(T), the increase of rho(c) as B approaches H-c2 from above at given T is described by the theory based on the BCS model for Josephson coupled layered superconductors. In contrast, the increase of rho(c) as T approaches T-c(B) is much stronger than this theory predicts. This indicates evidence for a temperature dependent rho(c) in the normal state.