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At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Anomalous normal fluid response in a chiral superconductor UTe2

Abstract Chiral superconductors have been proposed as one pathway to realize Majorana normal fluid at its boundary. However, the long-sought 2D and 3D chiral superconductors with edge and surface Majorana normal fluid are yet to be conclusively found. Here, we report evidence for a chiral spin-triplet pairing state of UTe 2 with surface normal fluid response. The microwave surface impedance of the UTe 2 crystal was measured and converted to complex conductivity, which is sensitive to both normal and superfluid responses. The anomalous residual normal fluid conductivity supports the presence of a significant normal fluid response. The superfluid conductivity follows the temperature behavior predicted for an axial spin-triplet state, which is further narrowed down to a chiral spin-triplet state with evidence of broken time-reversal symmetry. Further analysis excludes trivial origins for the observed normal fluid response. Our findings suggest that UTe 2 can be a new platform to study exotic topological excitations in higher dimension.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Correlation-driven electronic reconstruction in FeTe 1−x Se x

Electronic correlation is of fundamental importance to high temperature superconductivity. While the low energy electronic states in cuprates are dominantly affected by correlation effects across the phase diagram, observation of correlation-driven changes in fermiology amongst the iron-based superconductors remains rare. Here we present experimental evidence for a correlation-driven reconstruction of the Fermi surface tuned independently by two orthogonal axes of temperature and Se/Te ratio in the iron chalcogenide family FeTe 1−x Se x . We demonstrate that this reconstruction is driven by the de-hybridization of a strongly renormalized d xy orbital with the remaining itinerant iron 3 d orbitals in the emergence of an orbital-selective Mott phase. Our observations are further supported by our theoretical calculations to be salient spectroscopic signatures of such a non-thermal evolution from a strongly correlated metallic phase into an orbital-selective Mott phase in d xy as Se concentration is reduced.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effective theory of superconductivity in strongly coupled amorphous materials

A theory of phonon-mediated superconductivity in strong-coupling amorphous materials is developed based on an effective description of structural disorder and its effect on the vibrational spectrum. The theory accounts for the diffusivelike transport of vibrational excitations due to disorder-induced scattering within the Eliashberg theory of strong-coupling superconductivity. The theory provides a good analytical description of the Eliashberg function $α^2F(ω)$ in comparison with experiments and allows one to disentangle the effects of transverse and longitudinal excitations on the Eliashberg function. In particular, it shows that the transverse excitations play a crucial role in driving an increase or excess in the Eliashberg function at low energy, which is related to the boson peak phenomenon in vibrational spectra of glasses. This low-energy excess, on the one hand, drives an enhancement of the electron-phonon coupling but at the same time reduces the characteristic energy scale $ω_{\text{log}}$ in the Allen-Dynes formula. As a consequence, the nonmonotonicity of $T_c$ as a function of alloying (disorder) in Pb-based systems can be rationalized. Further, the case of Al-based systems, where disorder increases $T_c$ from the start, is also analyzed. General material-design principles for enhancing $T_c$ in amorphous superconductors are presented.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2026

Co-sputter deposition of Nb₃Sn layer into SRF cavity using Nb-Sn composite target

Nb₃Sn, with its superior superconducting critical temperature (Tc ~18.3 K) and superheating field (Hsh ~400 mT), is considered a promising material for superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) cavities, offering enhanced cryogenic performance compared to bulk niobium cavities. A Nb₃Sn coating technique has been developed for Nb SRF cavities using co-sputtering of Nb-Sn composite target in a DC cylindrical magnetron sputtering system. The composite target configuration and discharge conditions for co-sputtering were optimized to deposit Nb-Sn films on flat Nb substrates, followed by annealing to form Nb₃Sn. Multiple strategies have been explored to improve the surface homogeneity of the Nb₃Sn coating, including optimizing a two-step annealing process, annealing in Sn vapor, and a light Sn recoating process. A 1.5 µm Nb-Sn co-sputtered film was deposited on the interior of a 2.6 GHz Nb SRF cavity and annealed at 600 °C for 6 h, followed by 950 °C for 1 h. Cryogenic RF testing of the annealed cavity demonstrated a Tc of 17.8 K, confirming the formation of Nb₃Sn. Then, the annealed cavity underwent a light recoating treatment and attained a quality factor (Q0) of 8.5E+08 at 2.0 K.

Accelerator Physics↗
DOE OSTI2023

Conceptual Design of 20 T Hybrid Accelerator Dipole Magnets

Hybrid magnets are currently under consideration as an economically viable option towards 20 T dipole magnets for next generation of particle accelerators. In these magnets, High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) materials are used in the high field part of the coil with so-called insert coils, and Low Temperature Superconductors (LTS) like Nb 3 Sn and Nb-Ti superconductors are used in the lower field region with so-called outsert coils. The attractiveness of the hybrid option lays on the fact that, on the one hand, the 20 T field level is beyond the Nb 3 Sn practical limits of 15-16 T for accelerator magnets and can be achieved only via HTS materials; on the other hand, the high cost of HTS superconductors compared to LTS superconductors makes it advantageous exploring a hybrid approach, where the HTS portion of the coil is minimized. Here we present in this paper an overview of different design options aimed at generating 20 T field in a 50 mm clear aperture. The coil layouts investigated include the Cos-theta design (CT), with its variations to reduce the conductor peak stress, namely the Canted Cos-theta design (CCT) and the Stress Management Cos-theta design (SMCT), and, in addition, the Block-type design (BL) including a form of stress management and the Common-Coil design (CC). Results from a magnetic and mechanical analysis are discussed, with particular focus on the comparison between the different options regarding quantity of superconducting material, field quality, conductor peak stress, and quench protection.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2021

A snapshot review—Fluctuations in quantum materials: from skyrmions to superconductivity

Abstract By measuring a linear response function directly, such as the dynamic susceptibility, one can understand fundamental material properties. However, a fresh perspective can be offered by studying fluctuations. This can be related back to the dynamic susceptibility through the fluctuation–dissipation theorem, which relates the fluctuations in a system to its response, an alternate route to access the physics of a material. Here, we describe a new X-ray tool for material characterization that will offer an opportunity to uncover new physics in quantum materials using this theorem. We provide details of the method and discuss the requisite analysis techniques in order to capitalize on the potential to explore an uncharted region of phase space. This is followed by recent results on a topological chiral magnet, together with a discussion of current work in progress. We provide a perspective on future measurements planned for work in unconventional superconductivity. Graphical abstract We describe a new X-ray tool for material characterization that will offer an opportunity to uncover new physics in quantum materials using coherent, short-pulsed X-rays. We provide details of the method and discuss the requisite analysis techniques in order to capitalize on the potential to explore an uncharted region of phase space. This is followed by recent results on a topological chiral magnet, together with a discussion of current work in progress. We provide a perspective on future measurements planned for work in unconventional superconductivity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Surpassing millisecond coherence in on chip superconducting quantum memories by optimizing materials and circuit design

The performance of superconducting quantum circuits for quantum computing has advanced tremendously in recent decades; however, a comprehensive understanding of relaxation mechanisms does not yet exist. In this work, we utilize a multimode approach to characterizing energy losses in superconducting quantum circuits, with the goals of predicting device performance and improving coherence through materials, process, and circuit design optimization. Using this approach, we measure significant reductions in surface and bulk dielectric losses by employing a tantalum-based materials platform and annealed sapphire substrates. With this knowledge we predict the relaxation times of aluminum- and tantalum-based transmon qubits, and find that they are consistent with experimental results. We additionally optimize device geometry to maximize coherence within a coaxial tunnel architecture, and realize on-chip quantum memories with single-photon Ramsey times of 2.0 – 2.7 ms, limited by their energy relaxation times of 1.0 – 1.4 ms. These results demonstrate an advancement towards a more modular and compact coaxial circuit architecture for bosonic qubits with reproducibly high coherence.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Quench Protection Study of Superconducting Magnets for the Materials Plasma Exposure Experiment

To advance the understanding of plasma material interactions, the Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX) is a new linear plasma device that will generate and deliver plasma relevant to future fusion reactor divertors. The operation of MPEX is planned to be steady-state in order to facilitate high fluence exposures of plasma facing materials and components. The desire for steady-state operation along with the magnetic field requires the utilization of superconducting coils. The superconducting magnet system for MPEX has been developed. The baseline model has six superconducting magnet and one room-temperature magnet subsystems. In order to protect multiple superconducting magnet systems, quench analysis was carried out to determine the best protection approach for each magnet type. Because the mutual inductance accounts for approximately 35% of the stored energy in the entire system, this must be considered when determining the peak voltages and temperatures during a quench. Two approaches for passive quench protection are considered: (1) self-protecting magnets and (2) use of diodes to sub-divide the coils. For both approaches, active quench detection will be used to ensure all coils are de-energized in the event of a quench. Results of the quench analysis for several quench scenarios are presented.

Burkhardt, Earle↗
DOE OSTI2023

Final Design and Analysis of the Superconducting Magnets for the Material Plasma Exposure Experiment

The Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX), which has completed its final design, is a new linear plasma device to advance the understanding of plasma-material interactions through the generation and delivery of plasmas as they are expected in future fusion reactor divertors. MPEX will be a steady-state device to study high-fluence exposures of plasma-facing materials and components. The requirements for the magnetic field at the heating stages and the target make the application of superconducting coils necessary. The final designs for the superconducting magnets have been developed using three cryostat designs with warm bore diameters of 65 cm and 156 cm. The large bores are required to for other systems such as vacuum, water cooling, and RF power. There are 19 superconducting coils in MPEX that are contained in six cryostats. Although design, fabrication, and testing for the magnets as stand-alone units are straightforward, challenges will arise during the integration of the system. Various field profiles will be used during operation. The magnetic field where the electron cyclotron heating occurs needs to operate at both 1.25 and 2.50 T. Analyses that have been performed on the final design include designing the coils and determining operating currents to meet field requirements, forces between cryostats, the effects of coil and/or cryostat movement, and quench analysis. To ensure that the magnetic field requirements are met, a plan for monitoring the magnetic field at specified locations has been developed which includes the effect of coil and/or cryostat movement.

Burkhardt, Earle↗
DOE OSTI2025

Magnet-superconductor hybrid quantum systems: a materials platform for topological superconductivity

Magnet–superconductor hybrid (MSH) systems have recently emerged as one of the most significant developments in condensed matter physics. This has generated, in the last decade, a steadily rising interest in the understanding of their unique properties. They have been proposed as one of the most promising platforms for the establishment of topological superconductivity, which holds high potential for application in future quantum information technologies. Their emergent electronic properties stem from the exchange interaction between the magnetic moments and the superconducting condensate. Given the atomic-level origin of such interaction, it is of paramount importance to investigate new magnet–superconductor hybrids at the atomic scale. In this regard, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy are playing a crucial role in the race to unveil the fundamental origin of the unique properties of MSH systems, with the aim to discover new hybrid quantum materials capable of hosting topologically non-trivial unconventional superconducting phases. In particular, the combination of STM studies with tight-binding model calculations have represented, so far, the most successful approach to unveil and explain the emergent electronic properties of MSHs. The scope of this review is to offer a broad perspective on the field of MSHs from an atomic-level investigation point-of-view. The focus is on discussing the link between the magnetic ground state hosted by the hybrid system and the corresponding emergent superconducting phase. This is done for MSHs with both one-dimensional (atomic chains) and two-dimensional (atomic lattices and thin films) magnetic systems proximitized to conventional s-wave superconductors. We present a systematic categorization of the experimentally investigated systems with respect to defined experimentally accessible criteria to verify or falsify the presence of topological superconductivity and Majorana edge modes. The discussion will start with an introduction to the physics of Yu–Shiba–Rusinov bound states at magnetic impurities on superconducting surfaces. This will be used as a base for the discussion of magnetic atomic chains on superconductors, distinguishing between ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic and non-collinear magnetic ground states. A similar approach will be used for the discussion of magnetic thin film islands on superconductors. Given the vast number of publications on the topic, we limit ourselves to discuss works which are most relevant to the search for topological superconductivity.

Majorana states↗
DOE OSTI2021

Light quantum control of persisting Higgs modes in iron-based superconductors

The Higgs mechanism, i.e., spontaneous symmetry breaking of the quantum vacuum, is a cross-disciplinary principle, universal for understanding dark energy, antimatter and quantum materials, from superconductivity to magnetism. Unlike one-band superconductors (SCs), a conceptually distinct Higgs amplitude mode can arise in multi-band, unconventional superconductors via strong interband Coulomb interaction, but is yet to be accessed. Here we discover such hybrid Higgs mode and demonstrate its quantum control by light in iron-based high-temperature SCs. Using terahertz (THz) two-pulse coherent spectroscopy, we observe a tunable amplitude mode coherent oscillation of the complex order parameter from coupled lower and upper bands. The nonlinear dependence of the hybrid Higgs mode on the THz driving fields is distinct from any known SC results: we observe a large reversible modulation of resonance strength, yet with a persisting mode frequency. Together with quantum kinetic modeling of a hybrid Higgs mechanism, distinct from charge-density fluctuations and without invoking phonons or disorder, our result provides compelling evidence for a light-controlled coupling between the electron and hole amplitude modes assisted by strong interband quantum entanglement. Such light-control of Higgs hybridization can be extended to probe many-body entanglement and hidden symmetries in other complex systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Locally commensurate charge-density wave with three-unit-cell periodicity in YBa 2 Cu 3 O y

In order to identify the mechanism responsible for the formation of charge-density waves (CDW) in cuprate superconductors, it is important to understand which aspects of the CDW’s microscopic structure are generic and which are material-dependent. Here, we show that, at the local scale probed by NMR, long-range CDW order in YBa 2 Cu 3 O y is unidirectional with a commensurate period of three unit cells ( λ = 3 b ), implying that the incommensurability found in X-ray scattering is ensured by phase slips (discommensurations). Furthermore, NMR spectra reveal a predominant oxygen character of the CDW with an out-of-phase relationship between certain lattice sites but no specific signature of a secondary CDW with λ = 6 b associated with a putative pair-density wave. These results shed light on universal aspects of the cuprate CDW. In particular, its spatial profile appears to generically result from the interplay between an incommensurate tendency at long length scales, possibly related to properties of the Fermi surface, and local commensuration effects, due to electron-electron interactions or lock-in to the lattice.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

A microscopic perspective on moiré materials

Quantum materials research has experienced a veritable renaissance in the past 6 years, with a surge of experimental reports of nearly every known electronic phase of matter and of several unique and unexpected phases, all found in an emerging class of highly tunable 2D materials, known as moiré materials1,2,3. Here, moiré materials are designed through either the rotational misalignment of identical 2D atomic crystals or the lattice mismatch of dissimilar 2D atomic crystals (Fig. 1). Both these incommensurability conditions cause long-wavelength (~10 nm) interference patterns between the two constituent atomic lattices, forming an enlarged moiré superlattice that generically hosts flat electronic bands, which are highly conducive to correlated, collective phases of matter.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Imaging a terahertz superfluid plasmon in a two-dimensional superconductor

The superconducting gap defines the fundamental energy scale for the emergence of dissipationless transport and collective phenomena in a superconductor. In layered high-temperature cuprate superconductors, in which the Cooper pairs are confined to weakly coupled two-dimensional (2D) copper–oxygen (CuO 2 ) planes, terahertz (THz) spectroscopy at subgap millielectronvolt (meV) energies has provided crucial insights into the collective superfluid response perpendicular to the superconducting layers. However, within the CuO 2 planes, the collective superfluid response manifests as plasmonic charge oscillations at energies far exceeding the superconducting gap, obscured by strong dissipation. Here, in this study, we present spectroscopic evidence of a below-gap, 2D superfluid plasmon in few-layer Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+x and spatially resolve its deeply subdiffractive THz electrodynamics. By placing the superconductor in the near field of a spintronic THz emitter, we reveal this distinct resonance—absent in bulk samples and observed only in the superconducting phase—and determine its plasmonic nature by mapping the geometric anisotropy and dispersion. Crucially, these measurements offer a direct view of the momentum-dependent and frequency-dependent superconducting transition in two dimensions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2020

Emergence of quasiparticles in a doped Mott insulator

How a Mott insulator develops into a weakly coupled metal upon doping is a central question to understanding various emergent correlated phenomena. To analyze this evolution and its connection to the high- T c cuprates, we study the single-particle spectrum for the doped Hubbard model using cluster perturbation theory on superclusters. Starting from extremely low doping, we identify a heavily renormalized quasiparticle dispersion that immediately develops across the Fermi level, and a weakening polaronic side band at higher binding energy. The quasiparticle spectral weight roughly grows at twice the rate of doping in the low doping regime, but this rate is halved at optimal doping. In the heavily doped regime, we find both strong electron-hole asymmetry and a persistent presence of Mott spectral features. Finally, we discuss the applicability of the single-band Hubbard model to describe the evolution of nodal spectra measured by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) on the single-layer cuprate La 2– x Sr x CuO 4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15). This work benchmarks the predictive power of the Hubbard model for electronic properties of high- T c cuprates.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Absence of Y-pocket in 1-Fe Brillouin zone and reversed orbital occupation imbalance in FeSe

The FeSe nematic phase has been the focus of recent research on iron-based superconductors (IBSs) due to its unusual properties, which are distinct from those of the pnictides. A series of theoretical/experimental studies were performed to determine the origin of the nematic phase. However, they yielded conflicting results and caused additional controversies. Here, we report the results of angle-resolved photoemission and X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies on FeSe detwinned by a piezo stack. We fully resolved band dispersions with orbital characters near the Brillouin zone (BZ) corner, and revealed an absence of any Fermi pocket at the Y point in the 1-Fe BZ. In addition, the occupation imbalance between d xz and d yz orbitals was the opposite of that of iron pnictides, consistent with the identified band characters. These results resolve issues associated with the FeSe nematic phase and shed light on the origin of the nematic phase in IBSs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Giant orbital polarization of Ni 2+ in a square planar environment

Finding large orbital polarization in Ni-based oxides has become a topic of paramount interest in recent years due to the prospect of finding superconductivity. In this study, we investigate the electronic structure of single-crystalline samples of Sr 2 CuO 3 and Ni-doped Sr 2 CuO 3 containing Cu/NiO 4 square planar units. Our polarization-dependent x-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments reveal extremely large orbital polarization (~63%) for Ni 2+ . Cluster calculations and ab initio calculations find that the giant orbital polarization arises due to the low-spin (S=0) configuration with two holes in the Ni 3d x 2 -y 2 orbital, contrary to the expected high-spin (S=1) state from Hund's first rule.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Simulation for the fault current limiting operation of REBCO CORC superconducting cables with different core materials

With high power density and low loss, CORC superconducting cables composed of RE- Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7–δ (REBCO) coated conductors are of great interest for power transmission applications. They can also effectively be designed to serve as fault current limiters, thanks to their sharp superconducting-to-normal transition. Coupled electromagnetic-thermal finite element (FE) simulations implemented in COMSOL Multiphysics were developed and validated against the published results for the fault current limiting performance of two CORC cables of REBCO coasted conductors wound on either copper or stainless steel cores. For improved accuracy, temperature dependencies of electrical and thermal properties of all component materials were considered in the simulations. The simulations were performed in the cross-sections of the cables for every individual layer of each REBCO tape to deliver comprehensive understanding of evolution of the current distribution and temperature rise in those layers. Furthermore, the studies can suggest approaches to optimize cable design for fault current limiting (FCL) applications by assessing the role of individual components. In the paper, possible computational errors, challenges and improvements are also discussed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗