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At least 829 records · Page 46
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Energy gap evolution across the superconductivity dome in single crystals of (Ba 1-x K x )Fe 2 As 2

The mechanism of unconventional superconductivity in iron-based superconductors (IBSs) is one of the most intriguing questions in current materials research. Among non-oxide IBSs, (Ba 1$-$x K x )Fe 2 As 2 has been intensively studied because of its high superconducting transition temperature and fascinating evolution of the superconducting gap structure from being fully isotropic at optimal doping (x ≈ 0.4) to becoming nodal at x > 0.8. Although this marked evolution was identified in several independent experiments, there are no details of the gap evolution to date because of the lack of high-quality single crystals covering the entire K-doping range of the superconducting dome. In this work, we conducted a systematic study of the London penetration depth, λ(T), across the full phase diagram for different concentrations of point-like defects introduced by 2.5-MeV electron irradiation. Fitting the low-temperature variation with the power law, Δλ ~ T n , we find that the exponent n is the highest and the Tc suppression rate with disorder is the smallest at optimal doping, and they evolve with doping being away from optimal, which is consistent with increasing gap anisotropy, including an abrupt change around x ≃ 0.8, indicating the onset of nodal behavior. Our analysis using a self-consistent t-matrix approach suggests the ubiquitous and robust nature of s ± pairing in IBSs and argues against a previously suggested transition to a d-wave state near x = 1 in this system.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Characterization of photoinduced normal state through charge density wave in superconducting YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.67

The normal state of high-T c cuprates has been considered one of the essential topics in high-temperature superconductivity research. However, compared to the high magnetic field study of it, understanding a photoinduced normal state remains elusive. Here, we explore a photoinduced normal state of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.67 through a charge density wave (CDW) with time-resolved resonant soft x-ray scattering, as well as a high magnetic field x-ray scattering. In the nonequilibrium state where people predict a quenched superconducting state based on the previous optical spectroscopies, we experimentally observed a similar analogy to the competition between superconductivity and CDW shown in the equilibrium state. We further observe that the broken pairing states in the superconducting CuO 2 plane via the optical pump lead to nucleation of three-dimensional CDW precursor correlation. Ultimately, these findings provide a critical clue that the characteristics of the photoinduced normal state show a solid resemblance to those under magnetic fields in equilibrium conditions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Effects of rare-earth magnetism on the superconducting upper critical field in infinite-layer nickelates

The search for superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelates was motivated by analogy to the cuprates, and this perspective has framed much of the initial consideration of this material. However, a growing number of studies have highlighted the involvement of rare-earth orbitals; in that context, the consequences of varying the rare-earth element in the superconducting nickelates have been much debated. Here, we show notable differences in the magnitude and anisotropy of the superconducting upper critical field across the La-, Pr-, and Nd-nickelates. These distinctions originate from the 4f electron characteristics of the rare-earth ions in the lattice: They are absent for La 3+ , nonmagnetic for the Pr 3+ singlet ground state, and magnetic for the Nd 3+ Kramer’s doublet. The unique polar and azimuthal angle-dependent magnetoresistance found in the Nd-nickelates can be understood to arise from the magnetic contribution of the Nd 3+ 4f moments. Such robust and tunable superconductivity suggests potential in future high-field applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Two-dimensional superconductivity and anisotropic transport at KTaO 3 (111) interfaces

The distinctive electronic structure found at interfaces between materials can allow unconventional quantum states to emerge. Here we report on the discovery of superconductivity in electron gases formed at interfaces between (111)-oriented KTaO 3 and insulating overlayers of either EuO or LaAlO 3 . The superconducting transition temperature, as high as 2.2 kelvin, is about one order of magnitude higher than that of the LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 system. Notably, similar electron gases at KTaO 3 (001) interfaces remain normal down to 25 millikelvin. The critical field and current-voltage measurements indicate that the superconductivity is two-dimensional. In EuO/KTaO 3 (111) samples, a spontaneous in-plane transport anisotropy is observed before the onset of superconductivity, suggesting the emergence of a distinct “stripe”-like phase, which is also revealed near the critical field.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Nematicity and competing orders in superconducting magic-angle graphene

Strongly interacting electrons in solid-state systems often display multiple broken symmetries in the ground state. The interplay between different order parameters can give rise to a rich phase diagram. We report on the identification of intertwined phases with broken rotational symmetry in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene (TBG). Using transverse resistance measurements, we find a strongly anisotropic phase located in a “wedge” above the underdoped region of the superconducting dome. Upon its crossing with the superconducting dome, a reduction of the critical temperature is observed. Furthermore, the superconducting state exhibits an anisotropic response to a direction-dependent in-plane magnetic field, revealing nematic ordering across the entire superconducting dome. These results indicate that nematic fluctuations might play an important role in the low-temperature phases of magic-angle TBG.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2017

Spin-filter tunneling in superconducting mesa structures with a ferromagnetic manganite interlayer

We have studied the current transport and magnetism in epitaxial hybrid superconducting mesa structures consisting of a cuprate superconductor and superconducting niobium with a manganite LaMnO{sub 3} (LMO) interlayer. We have shown experimentally using magnetic resonance that the magnetization, magnetic anisotropy parameters, and transition temperature to the ferromagnetic state of the interlayer of the structures are analogous to those of an autonomous LMO film grown on a neodymium gallate substrate. The estimate of the barrier height obtained from the dependence of the characteristic resistance of mesa structures on the interlayer thickness has shown the barrier height variation with the thickness in the range of 5–30 mV. The temperature dependences of the conductivity of the mesa structure in the range between superconducting transition temperatures of the superconductors can be described in the theory taking into account the d-wave nature of the superconductivity for one of the electrodes and the spin-filtering of carriers passing through the tunnel interlayer. Spin-filtering is confirmed by the tunnel magnetoresistance and the high sensitivity of mesa structures to a weak external magnetic field in a voltage interval smaller than the gap of niobium.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Upper critical field and (non)-superconductivity of magnetars

We construct equilibrium models of compact stars using a realistic equation of state and obtain the density range occupied by the proton superconductor in strong B-fields. We do so by combining the density profiles of our models with microscopic calculations of proton pairing gaps and the critical unpairing field H{sub c2} above which the proton type-II superconductivity is destroyed. We find that magnetars with interior homogeneous field within the range 0.1 ≤ B{sub 16} ≤ 2, where B{sub 16} = B/10{sup 16} G, are partially superconducting, whereas those with B{sub 16} > 2 are void of superconductivity. We briefly discuss the neutrino emissivity and superfluid dynamics of magnetars in the light of their (non)-superconductivity.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Superconducting Properties of Indium Nanostructured in Pores of Thin Films of SiO{sub 2} Microspheres

Samples of a superconducting indium nanocomposite based on a thin-film porous dielectric matrix prepared by the Langmuir–Blodgett method are obtained for the first time, and their low-temperature electrophysical and magnetic properties are studied. Films with thickness b ≤ 5 μm were made from silicon dioxide spheres with diameter D = 200 and 250 nm; indium was introduced into the pores of the films from the melt at a pressure of P ≤ 5 kbar. Thus, a three-dimensional weakly ordered structure of indium nanogranules was created in the pores, forming a continuous current-conducting grid. Measurements of the temperature and magnetic field dependences of the resistance and magnetic moment of the samples showed an increase in the critical parameters of the superconductivity state of nanostructured indium (critical temperature T{sub c} ≤ 3.62 K and critical magnetic field H{sub c} at T = 0 K H{sub c}(0) ≤ 1700 Oe) with respect to the massive material (T{sub c} = 3.41 K, H{sub c}(0) = 280 Oe). In the dependence of the resistance on temperature and the magnetic field, a step transition to the superconductivity state associated with the nanocomposite structure was observed. A pronounced hysteresis M(H) is observed in the dependence of the magnetic moment M of the nanocomposite on the magnetic field at T < T{sub c}, caused by the multiply connected structure of the current-conducting indium grid. The results obtained are interpreted taking into account the dimensional dependence of the superconducting characteristics of the nanocomposite.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Interplay between superconductivity and magnetism in iron-based superconductors

This proposal is for theoretical work on strongly correlated electron systems, which are at the center of experimental and theoretical activities in condensed-matter physics. The interest to this field is driven fascinating variety of observed effects, universality of underlying theoretical ideas, and practical applications. I propose to do research on Iron-based superconductors (FeSCs), which currently attract high attention in the physics community. My goal is to understand superconductivity and magnetism in these materials at various dopings, the interplay between the two, and the physics in the phase in which magnetism and superconductivity co-exist. A related goal is to understand the origin of the observed pseudogap-like behavior in the normal state.My research explores the idea that superconductivity is of electronic origin and is caused by the exchange of spin-fluctuations, enhanced due to close proximity to antiferromagnetism. The multi-orbital/multi-band nature of FeSCs opens routes for qualitatively new superconducting states, particularly the ones which break time-reversal symmetry. By all accounts, the coupling in pnictdes is below the threshold for Mott physics and I intend to analyze these systems within the itinerant approach.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Transmission Level High Temperature Superconducting Fault Current Limiter

The primary objective of this project was to demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of utilizing high-temperature superconducting (HTS) materials in a Transmission Level Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) application. During the project, the type of high-temperature superconducting material used evolved from 1 st generation (1G) BSCCO-2212 melt cast bulk high-temperature superconductors to 2 nd generation (2G) YBCO-based high-temperature superconducting tape. The SFCL employed SuperPower's “Matrix” technology, that offers modular features to enable scale up to transmission voltage levels. The SFCL consists of individual modules that contain elements and parallel inductors that assist in carrying the current during the fault. A number of these modules are arranged in an m x n array to form the current-limiting matrix.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2019

Ultrafast infrared nano-spectroscopy and nano-imaging of unconventional superconductivity in cuprate and pnictide high- T c systems

High- T c superconductivity is surpassed by few, if any, other unsolved problems in contemporary physics in terms of its richness, complexity, impact on other fields, and potential technological importance. Before 2008, the term “high- T c superconductivity” was reserved for copper oxides or cuprates (maximum T c ~160 K). The discovery of superconductivity in Fe-based pnictides compounds with Tc almost as high as 60 K has prompted a renewed surge of research activity. Systematic studies have revealed both common and contrasting trends in the cuprate and pnictide superconductors. In both classes of materials, superconductivity occurs in close proximity with other electronic phases: an antiferomagnetic (AF) Mott insulator state in the case of the (hole-doped) cuprates and metallic spin density wave (SDW) phase in the case of the pnictides. One common aspect of Fe- and Cu-based systems is a propensity towards electronic and magnetic self-organization, leading to dynamic inhomogeneities at nano-to-mesoscopic length scales. The inhomogeneities have so far been documented with quasi-static probes such as nuclear magnetic resonance, neutron and x-ray scattering along with scanning tunneling microscopies. In contrast, ultrafast infrared/optical studies enable characterization of dynamics and fluctuations in superconductors. However, such experiments have been carried out using diffraction-limited optics and therefore probe length scales that inform us of a “mixed” response involving contributions from the multiple electronic, chemical and structural phases occurring in real materials while averaging over nanoscale heterogeneities. As a result, the interpretation of area-averaged ultrafast optics data has often remained both complicated and ambiguous.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Non-Centrosymmetric Topological Superconductivity

We have pursued a joint experimental and theoretical effort to focus on understanding the topological superconducting state of the non-centrosymmetric half-Heusler family, with particular emphasis on the material YPtBi. We completed a thorough study of the palladium-based rare earth-bismuthide (RPdBi) half-Heusler family, synthesizing high-quality crystalline specimens and fully characterizing their normal, superconducting and magnetic states in an effort to reveal their potential for realizing the next generation of topological insulators and superconductors. We synthesized the series of heavy-R compounds, including Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm magnetic rare earths as well as Y and Lu non-magnetic elements. Electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements of the RPdBi series has been performed down to 20 mK temperatures, revealing an interesting progression of superconducting phase transitions that evolves with rare earth species. We have found that superconductivity exists in most of these compounds, with a maximum transition T c = 1.6 K found in the non-magnetic Y- and Lu-based compounds, and is systematically suppressed with increasing strength of magnetism from the magnetic rare earth species. Neutron scattering experiments have confirmed long-ranged antiferromagnetic order which presents a representative scan of magnetic peaks in DyPdBi (T N =3.5 K) and the AFM order parameter in TbPdBi (T N =4.9 K).

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Controlling Superconductivity via Tunable Nanostructure Arrays

This report describes the research accomplished under the award topic of “Controlling Superconductivity via Tunable Nanostructure Arrays.” Under this program, proximity-coupled nanostructure arrays were experimentally and theoretically studied, to understand and control how collective behavior emerges in superconducting systems. The outcome of this research was the discovery and characterization of exotic phases in superconducting systems, a better understanding of how microscopic parameters lead to macroscopic behavior in key materials systems, and an improved ability to control interactions to manipulate the electronic properties of superconductors. The program was based on the idea that superconducting islands placed on a thin conductor at a separation smaller than the normal metal coherence length can support a finite Josephson coupling between the islands, where the strength of the coupling depends on the length and conductance of the intervening material. By adjusting the size, configuration, and type of islands, the correlated states, as well as the competition between them, were precisely tuned. This allowed for the clear determination of how superconductors’ critical properties, such as fundamental vortex dynamics, can be controlled.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Center for Applied Physics and Superconducting Technologies (CAPST)

Fermi Research Alliance, LLC, as operator of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) and Northwestern University (Northwestern) have a broad overlap in scientific interests and complementary state-of-the-art facilities in the area of applied physics and technology, in particular physics of superconductivity, materials science, and detector technology. The Center for Applied Physics and Superconducting Technology (CAPST) will provide a mechanism for cross-utilizing capabilities of the two institutions for advances in understanding key scientific problems of mutual interest and opening up broader educational opportunities for students and postdoctoral candidates (postdocs). Northwestern undergraduate students, graduate students and postdocs will be able to perform cutting edge science and technology research in accelerator and detector science and the physics of superconductivity at Fermilab and Northwestern under the joint direction of Fermilab researchers and Northwestern professors. Research program covers three thrusts below, with subtopics detailed in the CRADA: • Vortex dynamics in superconductors • Superconducting devices • New frontiers in microwave instrumentation/techniques.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

CMOS-Compatible Ultrathin Superconducting NbN Thin Films Deposited by Reactive Ion Sputtering on 300 mm Si Wafer

We report a milestone in achieving large-scale, ultrathin (~5 nm) superconducting NbN thin films on 300 mm Si wafers using a high-volume manufacturing (HVM) industrial physical vapor deposition (PVD) system. The NbN thin films possess remarkable structural uniformity and consistently high superconducting quality across the entire 300 mm Si wafer, by incorporating an AlN buffer layer. High-resolution X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analyses unveiled enhanced crystallinity of (111)-oriented δ-phase NbN with the AlN buffer layer. Notably, NbN films deposited on AlN-buffered Si substrates exhibited a significantly elevated superconducting critical temperature (~2 K higher for the 10 nm NbN) and a higher upper critical magnetic field or H c2 (34.06 T boost in H c2 for the 50 nm NbN) in comparison with those without AlN. These findings present a promising pathway for the integration of quantum-grade superconducting NbN films with the existing 300 mm CMOS Si platform for quantum information applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2015

Heat Capacity and Thermal Conductance Measurements of a Superconducting-Normal Mixed State by Detection of Single 3 eV Photons in a Magnetic Penetration Thermometer

We report on measurements of the detected signal pulses in a molybdenum-gold Magnetic Penetration Thermometer (MPT) in response to absorption of one or more 3 eV photons. We designed and used this MPT sensor for x-ray microcalorimetry. In this device, the diamagnetic response of a superconducting MoAu bilayer is used to sense temperature changes in response to absorbed photons, and responsivity is enhanced by a Meissner transition in which the magnetic flux penetrating the sensor changes rapidly to minimize free energy in a mixed superconducting normal state. We have previously reported on use of our MPT to study a thermal phonon energy loss to the substrate when absorbing x-rays. We now describe results of extracting heat capacity C and thermal conductance G values from pulse height and decay time of MPT pulses generated by 3 eV photons. The variation in C and G at temperatures near the Meissner transition temperature (set by an internal magnetic bias field) allow us to probe the behavior in superconducting normal mixed state of the condensation energy and the electron cooling power resulting from quasi-particle recombination and phonon emission. The information gained on electron cooling power is also relevant to the operation of other superconducting detectors, such as Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors.

superconductivity↗
NASA NTRS2024

Thermal Cycling of Stationary Superconducting Rotor Coils for the High Efficiency Megawatt Motor

The self-cooled, superconducting rotor included in the design of the High Efficiency Megawatt Motor (HEMM) can produce magnetic field strengths far higher than those produced using conventional approaches. However, the superconductivity properties of high-temperature superconducting coils can degrade as the coil is repeatedly thermally cycled, significantly impacting the HEMM’s performance. To explore ways to reduce this risk, NASA researchers fabricated and tested several coils of increasing complexity. The results of the testing campaign indicate that NASA can fabricate and test full-scale superconducting coils for the rotor of the HEMM that can reliably survive repeated thermal cycling with no or acceptably slow degradation.

Electrified Aircraft Propulsion↗
NASA NTRS2024

Effect of High-Speed Rotation on High-Temperature Superconducting Coils for High Efficiency Megawatt Motor

The use of a superconducting rotor in the High Efficiency Megawatt Motor (HEMM) comes with a number of challenges. The HEMM’s rotor must be designed so that the superconducting coil can tolerate the forces it will encounter during operation. These forces introduce considerable risk to the design of the HEMM. Because this risk cannot be adequately addressed through refined analysis, a set of experiments was deemed necessary to demonstrate that the HEMM’s superconducting coils can survive the stresses imparted by the centrifugal forces acting on the coil during full-speed operation of the machine. These experiments required spin testing a full-scale HEMM coil on a representative rotor structure at room temperature and sequentially higher rotation speeds and measuring the superconductivity response of the coil in liquid nitrogen (LN2) before and after each spin test. Tests were carried out to the full centripetal loading of a recent HEMM design. According to finite element analysis, this load produced stress components in the coil that exceed their design limit by a factor of 1 to 7.4. Although not yet confirmed, the current HEMM design is expected to produce even smaller stresses in the coil due to a 20 percent reduction in the coil’s mass and an increased volume of structural material. The only degradation of the coil that occurred during this testing resulted from a test rig failure and from the voltage taps, which are not part of the final coil design.

Electrified Aircraft Propulsion↗