C-axis negative magnetoresistance and upper critical field of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8

The out-of-plane resistance and the resistive upper critical field of BSCCO-2212 single crystals with Tc=91-93 K have been measured in magnetic fields up to 50 T over a wide temperature range. The results are characterised by a positive linear magnetoresistance in the superconducting state and a negative linear magnetoresistance in the normal state. The zero field normal state c-axis resistance, the negative linear normal state magnetoresistance, and the divergent upper critical field Hc2(T)are explained in the framework of the bipolaron theory of superconductivity.