Raman study of HgBa 2Ca n-1 Cu nO 2 n+2+ δ ( n=1,2,3,4 and 5) superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Xingjiang; Cardona, M.; Chu, C. W.; Lin, Q. M.; Loureiro, S. M.; Marezio, M.

1996-02-01

Polarized micro-Raman scattering measurements have been performed on the five members of the HgBa 2Ca n-1 Cu nO 2 n+2+ δ ( n=1,2,3,4 and 5) high- Tc superconductor family using different laser frequencies. Local laser annealing measurements were carried out to investigate the variation of the Raman spectra with the excess oxygen content, δ. A systematic evolution of the spectra, which display mainly peaks near 590, 570, 540 and 470 cm -1, with increasing number of CuO 2 layers has been observed; its origin has been shown to lie in the variation of the interstitial oxygen content. In addition to confirming that the 590 cm -1 mode represents vibration of apical oxygens in the absence of neighboring excess oxygen, the 570 cm -1 mode, which may be composed of some finer structures, has been assigned to the vibration of the apical oxygen modified by the presence of the neighboring excess oxygens. The 540 and 470 cm -1 modes may represent the direct vibration of excess oxygens. The implication of possible different distribution sites of excess oxygens is discussed. All other observed lower-frequency modes are also assigned.

New 1201-type (Hg,Se)-superconducting cuprate grown by sol gel and sealed quartz tube synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kandyel, Elsayed; Elsabawy, Khaled M.

2008-12-01

A new mercury based superconductor (Hg1-ySey)(Sr2-xLax)CuO4+δ (y = 0.25; 0.3 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.7) with a Tc(onset) of 50 K has been synthesized using sol gel process combined with the sealed quartz tube method. X-ray diffraction shows that the (Hg0.75Se0.25)(Sr2-xLax)CuO4+δ phase crystallizes in the tetragonal symmetry (space group P4/mmm) with a ≈ ap ≈ 3.8 Å and c ≈ 8.7 Å and is isostructural with the 94 K superconductor HgBa2CuO4+δ, adopting the so-called 1201-type structure. Both Se and La are necessary for the stabilization of the 1201-type Hg/Sr cuprates. EDX analysis indicated that mercury and selenium have incorporated into the structure with Se/Hg ≈ ⅓. The new high-Tc superconductor, (Hg0.75Se0.25)(Sr1.3La0.7)CuO4+δ, exhibits a current density, Jc, of 1270 KA/cm2 at (5 K and 5 T) which is higher than the estimated Jc value for (Hg,Cr)Sr2CuO4+δ.

Comparison of the effects of platinum and CeO2 on the properties of single grain, Sm-Ba-Cu-O bulk superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Wen; Shi, Yunhua; Radušovská, Monika; Dennis, Anthony R.; Durrell, John H.; Diko, Pavel; Cardwell, David A.

2016-12-01

SmBa2Cu3O7-δ (Sm-123) is a light-rare-earth barium-cuprate (LRE-BCO) high-temperature superconductor (HTS) with significant potential for high field industrial applications. We report the fabrication of large, single grain bulk [Sm-Ba-Cu-O (SmBCO)] superconductors containing 1 wt% CeO2 and 0.1 wt% Pt using a top-seeded melt growth process. The performance of the SmBCO bulk superconductors containing the different dopants was evaluated based on an analysis of their superconducting properties, including critical transition temperature, T c and critical current density, J c , and on sample microstructure. We find that both CeO2 and Pt dopants refine the size of Sm2BaCuO5 (Sm-211) particles trapped in the Sm-123 superconducting phase matrix, which act as effective flux pinning centres, although the addition of CeO2 results in broadly improved superconducting performance of the fully processed bulk single grain. However, 1 wt% CeO2 is significantly cheaper than 0.1 wt% Pt, which has clear economic benefits for use in medium to large scale production processes for these technologically important materials. Finally, the use of CeO2 results generally in the formation of finer Sm-211 particles and to the generation of fewer macro-cracks and Sm-211 free regions in the sample microstructure.

High-pressure effects on isotropic superconductivity in the iron-free layered pnictide superconductor BaPd2As2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdel-Hafiez, M.; Zhao, Y.; Huang, Z.; Cho, C.-w.; Wong, C. H.; Hassen, A.; Ohkuma, M.; Fang, Y.-W.; Pan, B.-J.; Ren, Z.-A.; Sadakov, A.; Usoltsev, A.; Pudalov, V.; Mito, M.; Lortz, R.; Krellner, C.; Yang, W.

2018-04-01

While the layered 122 iron arsenide superconductors are highly anisotropic, unconventional, and exhibit several forms of electronic orders that coexist or compete with superconductivity in different regions of their phase diagrams, we find in the absence of iron in the structure that the superconducting characteristics of the end member BaPd2As2 are surprisingly conventional. Here we report on complementary measurements of specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, resistivity measurements, Andreev spectroscopy, and synchrotron high pressure x-ray diffraction measurements supplemented with theoretical calculations for BaPd2As2 . Its superconducting properties are completely isotropic as demonstrated by the critical fields, which do not depend on the direction of the applied field. Under the application of high pressure, Tc is linearly suppressed, which is the typical behavior of classical phonon-mediated superconductors with some additional effect of a pressure-induced decrease in the electronic density of states and the electron-phonon coupling parameters. Structural changes in the layered BaPd2As2 have been studied by means of angle-dispersive diffraction in a diamond-anvil cell. At 12 GPa and 24.2 GPa we observed pressure induced lattice distortions manifesting as the discontinuity and, hence discontinuity in the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state. The bulk modulus is B0=40 (6 ) GPa below 12 GPa and B0=142 (3 ) GPa below 27.2 GPa.

Hybrid crystals of cuprates and iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Dai; Cong-Cong, Le; Xian-Xin, Wu; Jiang-Ping, Hu

2016-07-01

We propose two possible new compounds, Ba2CuO2Fe2As2 and K2CuO2Fe2Se2, which hybridize the building blocks of two high temperature superconductors, cuprates and iron-based superconductors. These compounds consist of square CuO2 layers and antifluorite-type Fe2 X 2 (X = As, Se) layers separated by Ba/K. The calculations of binding energies and phonon spectra indicate that they are dynamically stable, which ensures that they may be experimentally synthesized. The Fermi surfaces and electronic structures of the two compounds inherit the characteristics of both cuprates and iron-based superconductors. These compounds can be superconductors with intriguing physical properties to help to determine the pairing mechanisms of high T c superconductivity. Project supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2015CB921300), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 1190020 and 11334012), and the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XDB07000000).

Low-temperature magnetothermal transport investigation of a Ni-based superconductor BaNi2As2: evidence for fully gapped superconductivity.

PubMed

Kurita, N; Ronning, F; Tokiwa, Y; Bauer, E D; Subedi, A; Singh, D J; Thompson, J D; Movshovich, R

2009-04-10

We have performed low-temperature specific heat and thermal conductivity measurements of the Ni-based superconductor BaNi2As2 (T{c}=0.7 K) in a magnetic field. In a zero field, thermal conductivity shows T-linear behavior in the normal state and exhibits a BCS-like exponential decrease below T{c}. The field dependence of the residual thermal conductivity extrapolated to zero temperature is indicative of a fully gapped superconductor. This conclusion is supported by the analysis of the specific heat data, which are well fit by the BCS temperature dependence from T{c} down to the lowest temperature of 0.1 K.

A superconducting conveyer system using multiple bulk Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors and permanent magnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kinoshita, T.; Koshizuka, N.; Nagashima, K.; Murakami, M.

Developments of non-contact superconducting devices like superconducting magnetic levitation transfer and superconducting flywheel energy storage system have been performed based on the interactions between bulk Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors and permanent magnets, in that the superconductors can stably be levitated without any active control. The performances of noncontact superconducting devices are dependent on the interaction forces like attractive forces and stiffness. In the present study, we constructed a non-contact conveyer for which the guide rails were prepared by attaching many Fe-Nd-B magnets onto an iron base plate. Along the translational direction, all the magnets were arranged as to face the same pole, and furthermore their inter-distance was made as small as possible. The guide rail has three magnet rows, for which the magnets were glued on the iron plate such that adjacent magnet rows have opposite poles like NSN. At the center row, the magnetic field at zero gap reached 0.61T, while the field strengths of two rows on the side edges were only 0.48T due to magnetic interactions among permanent magnets. We then prepared a cryogenic box made with FRP that can store several bulk Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors 25 mm in diameter cooled by liquid nitrogen. It was found that the levitation forces and stiffness increased with increasing the number of bulk superconductors installed in the box, although the levitation force per unit bulk were almost the same. We also confirmed that these forces are dependent on the configuration of bulk superconductors.

EDITORIAL: Focus on Iron-Based Superconductors FOCUS ON IRON-BASED SUPERCONDUCTORS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosono, Hideo; Ren, Zhi-An

2009-02-01

pace of research within the last year, iron-based superconductors have revealed several unique properties such as a high upper critical field and a robustness to impurities. Participation of five 3d-orbitals in the Fermi levels also means that the electronic structure is complex compared with the cuprates. So, we now have a new family of superconductors and it is worth stressing that we have only just begun looking at the many varieties of candidate materials containing an iron square lattice. At this time we do not know whether a material with a critical temperature greater than 100 K exists, or if completely new properties are to be found. However, as a research community we should go ahead with hope and 'strike while the iron is hot'—this saying is always true! This focus issue of New Journal of Physics was put together to provide a broad-based, free-to-read snapshot of the current state of research in this rapidly emerging field. The papers included cover many aspects related to material exploration, physical analysis, and the theory of these materials, and, as editors, we thank the authors for their fine contributions, and the many referees for their considerable efforts that have ensured fast publication. As an aside, the first special issue on this SUBject was published in November 2008 in the Journal of the Physical Society of Japan (vol 77, supplement c) as the proceedings of the International Symposium on Iron-Pnictide Superconductors held in Tokyo on 29-30 June 2008. We would like to encourage the community to read both issues. On a final note we would like to acknowledge the staff of New Journal of Physics for all of their efficient work in bringing this collection to fruition. Focus on Iron-Based Superconductors Contents Microwave response of superconducting pnictides: extended s+/- scenario O V Dolgov, A A Golubov and D Parker Orbital and spin effects for the upper critical field in As-deficient disordered Fe pnictide superconductors G Fuchs, S

Electron microscopy of a Gd-Ba-Cu-O superconductor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramesh, R.; Thomas, G.; Meng, R. L.; Hor, P. H.; Chu, C. W.

1989-01-01

An electron microscopy study has been carried out to characterize the microstructure of a sintered Gd-Ba-Cu-O superconductor alloy. The GdBa2Cu3O(7-x) phase in the oxygen annealed sample is orthorhombic, while in the vacuum annealed sample it is tetragonal. It is shown that the details of the fine structure in the 001-line zone axis convergent beam patterns can be used to distinguish between the orthorhombic form and the tetragonal form. In addition to this matrix phase, an amorphous phase is frequently observed at the triple grain junctions. Gd-rich inclusions have been observed inside the matrix phase.

Evidence for Weakly Correlated Oxygen Holes in the Highest-Tc Cuprate Superconductor HgBa2 Ca2 Cu3 O8 +δ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chainani, A.; Sicot, M.; Fagot-Revurat, Y.; Vasseur, G.; Granet, J.; Kierren, B.; Moreau, L.; Oura, M.; Yamamoto, A.; Tokura, Y.; Malterre, D.

2017-08-01

We study the electronic structure of HgBa2 Ca2 Cu3 O8 +δ (Hg1223; Tc=134 K ) using photoemission spectroscopy (PES) and x -ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Resonant valence band PES across the O K edge and Cu L edge identifies correlation satellites originating in O 2 p and Cu 3 d two-hole final states, respectively. Analyses using the experimental O 2 p and Cu 3 d partial density of states show quantitatively different on-site Coulomb energy for the Cu site (Ud d=6.5 ±0.5 eV ) and O site (Up p=1.0 ±0.5 eV ). Cu2 O7 -cluster calculations with nonlocal screening explain the Cu 2 p core level PES and Cu L -edge XAS spectra, confirm the Ud d and Up p values, and provide evidence for the Zhang-Rice singlet state in Hg1223. In contrast to other hole-doped cuprates and 3 d -transition metal oxides, the present results indicate weakly correlated oxygen holes in Hg1223.

Processing of high performance (LRE)-Ba Cu O large, single-grain bulk superconductors in air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hari Babu, N.; Iida, K.; Shi, Y.; Cardwell, D. A.

2006-10-01

We report the fabrication of large (LRE)BCO single-grains with improved superconducting properties for LRE = Nd, Sm and Gd using a practical process via both conventional top seeded melt growth (TSMG) and seeded infiltration-growth (SIG). This process uses a new generic seed crystal that promotes heterogeneous grain nucleation in the required orientation and suppresses the formation of solid solution in a controlled manner within individual grains by the addition of excess BaO2 to the precursor powder. The spatial distribution of the superconducting properties of LRE bulk superconductors as a function of BaO2 addition for large (LRE)BCO grains fabricated in air by TSMG and SIG for LRE = Gd, Sm and Nd are compared. The optimum BaO2 content required to fabricate single-grain (LRE)BCO with high and homogeneous Tc is determined from these experiments for each LRE system. The irreversibility fields of (LRE)BCO bulk superconductors processed in air are as high as those processed in reduced PO2. Critical current densities in excess of 105 A/cm2 at 77 K and higher trapped fields have been achieved in optimized (LRE)BCO superconductors fabricated in air for the first time.

Spin excitations in hole-overdoped iron-based superconductors.

PubMed

Horigane, K; Kihou, K; Fujita, K; Kajimoto, R; Ikeuchi, K; Ji, S; Akimitsu, J; Lee, C H

2016-09-12

Understanding the overall features of magnetic excitation is essential for clarifying the mechanism of Cooper pair formation in iron-based superconductors. In particular, clarifying the relationship between magnetism and superconductivity is a central challenge because magnetism may play a key role in their exotic superconductivity. BaFe2As2 is one of ideal systems for such investigation because its superconductivity can be induced in several ways, allowing a comparative examination. Here we report a study on the spin fluctuations of the hole-overdoped iron-based superconductors Ba1-xKxFe2As2 (x = 0.5 and 1.0; Tc = 36 K and 3.4 K, respectively) over the entire Brillouin zone using inelastic neutron scattering. We find that their spin spectra consist of spin wave and chimney-like dispersions. The chimney-like dispersion can be attributed to the itinerant character of magnetism. The band width of the spin wave-like dispersion is almost constant from the non-doped to optimum-doped region, which is followed by a large reduction in the overdoped region. This suggests that the superconductivity is suppressed by the reduction of magnetic exchange couplings, indicating a strong relationship between magnetism and superconductivity in iron-based superconductors.

a Study of High Transition Temperature Superconductors: Mercury-Copper Oxide Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirven, Paul Douglas

1995-01-01

The Hg-based copper-oxides viz., HgBa _2Ca_{n-1}Cu_ nO _{2n+2+delta}, were discovered in 1993. A system consisting of many different, but related, compounds can be synthesized by including or substituting one or more elements in the original compound (e.g. Hg _{1-x}Pb_ x). In this thesis, the superconducting and normal state properties of several of these compounds were investigated. In the normal state electrical resistivity rho(T) is a linear function of temperature (T) and the magnetic susceptibility, X(T), is weakly paramagnetic. Many were observed to superconduct at very high temperatures. At 5 K up to 80% perfect diamagnetic X(T) was measured. The onset transition temperature (T_ c), where a specimen starts to superconduct, is observed to be as high as 135 K. Although T_ c is about 10 K higher than that of any previously known material, in many respects the properties of this new system are similar to that of other type II superconductors. Flux flow behavior and the nature of these type II superconductors was investigated via SQUID measurements and high field longitudinal magneto-resistance R(T,H) as a function of field and temperature. The study of flux motion allows one to observe Anderson-Kim type logarithimic flux creep at low temperature and field (T < 80K and B < 2T) and giant -flux flow at high temperature and field (80 < T < 130; B < 17T). Key parameters were determined. Some of which include reversibility temperature T*(H), critical field Hc, and pinning potential, Uo. Normal state properties which were also measured include the following: Curie constant, Curie-Weiss temperature (15-25 K), temperature independent susceptibility, and Sommerfeld constant (10-25 mJ/mol.Cu K^2). The values of these parameters of the Hg-based superconductors were compared to those of other superconductors. The results of this investigation are expected to yield a better understanding of this newest family of high temperature superconductors.

Electronic structure and the van Hove singularity scenario in high-T(sub c)H(g)Ba2CuO(4+delta) superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agrawal, Bal K.; Agrawal, Savitri

1995-01-01

The electronic structure and the hole concentrations in the high Tc superconductor HgBa2CuO(4+delta) (delta = O, 1) has been investigated by employing a first principles full potential self-consistent LMTO method with the local density functional theory. The scalar relativistic effects have been considered. The hole concentrations of the Cu-d and O-p(x,y) orbitals are seen to be larger for the HgBaCuO5 system than those of the HgBaCuO4 solid. However, the van Hove singularity (vHs) induced Cu-d and O-p peak which is seen to lie comparatively away and above the Fermi level in the delta = 1 system shifts towards the Fermi level in the delta = 0 system. Thus, the superconducting behavior appears to originate from the occurrence of the vHs peak at the Fermi level. The Fermi surface nesting area in the delta = 0 compound is seen to be larger than in the delta = 1 compound. The calculation reveals that the increase in pressure on the crystal enhances the hole concentrations but without showing any optimum value, On the other hand, the vHs peak approaches to-wards the Fermi level with pressure and crosses the Fermi surface near V/Vo approximately equals 0.625 (V and Vo are the crystal volumes at high and normal pressures, respectively). Our calculated value of the bulk modulus equal to 0.626 Mbar predicts the occurrence of this crossover at about 24 GPa which is in complete agreement with the experimental value. At this pressure the compound has maximum nesting area and self-doped behavior.

Dynamic levitation performance of Gd-Ba-Cu-O and Y-Ba-Cu-O bulk superconductors under a varying external magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Hengpei; Zheng, Jun; Jin, Liwei; Huang, Huan; Deng, Zigang; Shi, Yunhua; Zhou, Difan; Cardwell, David A.

2018-07-01

We report that the dynamic levitation force of bulk high temperature superconductors (HTS) in motion attenuates when exposed to an inhomogeneous magnetic field. This phenomenon has significant potential implications for the long-term stability and running performance of HTS in maglev applications. In order to suppress the attenuation of the levitation force associated with fluctuations in magnetic field, we compare the dynamic levitation performance of single grain Y-Ba-Cu-O (YBCO) and Gd-Ba-Cu-O (GdBCO) bulk superconductors with relatively high critical current densities. A bespoke HTS maglev dynamic measurement system (SCML-03) incorporating a rotating circular permanent magnet guideway was employed to simulate the movement of HTS in a varying magnetic field at different frequencies (i.e. speed of rotation). The attenuation of the levitation force during dynamic operation, which is key parameter for effective maglev operation, has been evaluated experimentally. It is found that GdBCO bulk superconductors that exhibit superior levitation force properties are more able to resist the attenuation of levitation force compared with YBCO bulk materials under the same operating conditions. This investigation indicates clearly that GdBCO bulk superconductors can play an important role in suppressing attenuation of the levitation force, therefore improving the long-term levitation performance under dynamic operating conditions. This result is potentially significant in the design and application of HTS in maglev systems.

Interaction of Au, Ag, and Bi ions with Ba2YCu3O(7-y) - Implications for superconductor applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hepp, A. F.; Gaier, J. R.; Pouch, J. J.; Hambourger, P. D.

1988-01-01

Results are presented on the reactions of Au, Ag, and Bi ions with Ba2YCu3O(7-y) oxides and on the properties of the resultant materials. The results indicate that Au(3+) structural chemistry makes gold an excellent candidate for multiphase structures of the Ba2Y(Cu/1-x/Au/x/)3O(7-y)-type substituted superconductors. Silver is structurally and chemically compatible with the perovskite structure, but when it forms a second phase, it does so without the destruction of the superconducting phase, making silver a useful metal for metal/ceramic applications. On the other hand, bismuth was shown to degrade Tc phase or to form other phases, indicating that it may not be useful in applications with rare-earth-based superconductors.

Raman and thermal-stability studies on annealed HgBa 2CuO 4+δ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Y. T.; Chang, H.; Xiong, Q.; Xue, Y. Y.; Chu, C. W.

1994-06-01

We have studied as-synthesized, vacuum-annealed and high-pressure oxygen annealed HgBa 2CuO 4+δ(Hg-1201) using Raman scattering. The apical-oxygen vibrational frequencies showed a slight but systematic shift (590, 591 and 587 cm -1), in agreement with the slight change in the Hg-O bond length from neutron-diffraction results. This suggested that the valence of Hg did not change significantly with oxygen content. The intensity of the ∼ 570 cm -1 peak decreased significantly after vacuum anneal and increased after high-pressure oxygen anneal, confirming the early assignment of this mode to interstitial oxygen. The thermal stability of these samples was studied by increasing laser power. High power density resulted in the decomposition of Hg-1201, mainly to BaCuO 2-δ, suggesting mercury loss upon local heating. It was found that the annealed samples decomposed more easily. In addition, one kind of crystallites exhibited a 326 cm -1 broad peak, which disappeared after high-power irradiation. We propose that this extra peak may come from HgO and/or the defect oxygen O (4).

Re-induced Raman active modes in HgBa2Can-1CunO2n+2+δ compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poulakis, N.; Lampakis, D.; Liarokapis, E.; Yoshikawa, Akira; Shimoyama, Jun-Ich; Kishio, Kohji; Peacock, G. B.; Hodges, J. P.; Gameson, I.; Edwards, P. P.; Panagopoulos, C.

1999-08-01

A comparative Raman study of Re-free and Re-doped HgBa2Can-1CunO2n+2+δ with n=1,3,4,5 is presented in an attempt to further clarify the structural and phononic modifications brought about by Re substitution. A number of extra high-frequency phonon peaks show up in the spectra of the Re-doped samples and are attributed to the oxygen modes of a strongly bound, almost decoupled ReO6 octahedron. As regards the apex oxygen in the Hg site, a clear transfer of spectral weight from the 590 to the 570 cm-1 apex phonon band is observed upon Re substitution. Such a change may well be accounted for assuming increased excess oxygen content for the Re-doped samples. Another interesting result is the enhancement upon Re doping of a narrow peak probably attributed to c-axis vibrations of Ba whose frequency shows a distinctive change with the number n of the CuO2 layers, providing an easy way to identify the various phases in a sample.

Upper critical field of high temperature Y(1.2)Ba(0.8)CuO(4-delta) superconductor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hor, P. H.; Meng, R. L.; Huang, J. Z.; Chu, C. W.; Huang, C. Y.

1987-01-01

A 20-T high-field magnet is used to measure electrical resistance as a function of temperature in the Y(1.2)Ba(0.8)CuO(4-delta) superconductor. The temperature dependence of the critical field, Hc2(T), is obtained from the superconduction transition. A Hc2(O) value of 166T is determined which is the highest critical field yet reported. Results show Y(1.2)Ba(0.8)CuO(4-delta) to be a 90K Type-II superconductor, with a lower critical field Hc1(O) of about 0.2T and a penetration depth of about 290 A.

Coherent charge and spin density waves in underdoped HgBa 2CuO 4+δ

DOE PAGES

Lee, Jeongseop A.; Xin, Yizhou; Halperin, W. P.; ...

2017-03-16

Charge order in cuprate superconductors appears to be a universal characteristic, often associated with pseudogap behavior in the normal state. The central question is whether such charge ordering or the pseudogap are required for the existence of high temperature superconductivity and embody its mechanism. An important but phenomenological approach to this question is to examine whether these phenomena extend over various members of the cuprate family. Recent nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on oxygen chain-ordered single crystals of YBa 2Cu 3O 6+y (Y123) have demonstrated temperature and magnetic field induced charge ordering that was confirmed in x-ray experiments. In themore » present work on high-quality single crystals of the tetragonal compound, HgBa 2CuO 4+δ, we use 17O NMR to investigate the interplay between charge and spin order deduced from the full quadrupolar-split NMR spectrum over a wide range of temperature and magnetic field. We have found evidence for a coherent modulation of charge and spin order in this compound. Furthermore, neither temperature nor magnetic field induced ordering was observed and we infer that this aspect of high temperature superconductivity is not universal.« less

Synthesis and characterization of high-Tc superconductors in the Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bansal, Narottam P.; Farrell, D. E.

1989-01-01

Both Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3O10 and TlCa3BaCu3O8.5 are investigated for superconductivity as a function of the sintering temperature, time, atmosphere, and quench rate in an effort to synthesize the high-Tc superconducting phase in the thallium system. The samples are characterized by electrical resistivity measurements, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Samples of starting composition Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3O10 fired in air at 860-900 C and rapidly quenched show a Tc of 96-107 K. In contrast, specimens of starting composition TlCa3BaCu3O8.5 when baked at 900 C and slowly cooled in oxygen superconduct at 116 K and above and consist of Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3O(10+x) as the dominant phase. The results also show that, in contrast to the case of YBa2Cu3O(7-x), doping with a small concentration of fluorine sharpens the resistive transition and produces a large Tc increase in thallium-based superconductors.

Campbell penetration depth in Fe-based superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prommapan, Plegchart

A 'true' critical current density, j c, as opposite to commonly measured relaxed persistent (Bean) current, j B, was extracted from the Campbell penetration depth, Λ c(T,H) measured in single crystals of LiFeAs, and optimally electron-doped Ba(Fe 0.954Ni 0.046) 2As 2 (FeNi122). In LiFeAs, the effective pinning potential is nonparabolic, which follows from the magnetic field - dependent Labusch parameter α. At the equilibrium (upon field - cooling), α(H) is non-monotonic, but it is monotonic at a finite gradient of the vortex density. This behavior leads to a faster magnetic relaxation at the lower fields and provides a natural dynamicmore » explanation for the fishtail (second peak) effect. We also find the evidence for strong pinning at the lower fields.The inferred field dependence of the pinning potential is consistent with the evolution from strong pinning, through collective pinning, and eventually to a disordered vortex lattice. The value of jc(2 K) ≅ 1.22 x 10 6 A/cm 2 provide an upper estimate of the current carrying capability of LiFeAs. Overall, vortex behavior of almost isotropic, fully-gapped LiFeAs is very similar to highly anisotropic d-wave cuprate superconductors, the similarity that requires further studies in order to understand unconventional superconductivity in cuprates and pnictides. In addition to LiFeAs, we also report the magnetic penetration depth in BaFe 2As 2 based superconductors including irradiation of FeNi122. In unirradiated FeNi122, the maximum critical current value is, j c(2K) ≅ 3.3 x 10 6 A/cm 2. The magnetic-dependent feature was observed near the transition temperature in FeTe 0.53Se 0.47 and irradiated FeNi122. Because of this feature, further studies are required in order to properly calibrate the Campbell penetration depth. Finally, we detected the crossing between the magnetic penetration depth and London penetration depth in optimally hold-doped Ba 0.6K 0.4Fe 2As 2 (BaK122) and isovalent doped BaFe 2(As 0.7P 0

Campbell penetration depth in iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prommapan, Plengchart

2011-12-01

A "true" critical current density, jc, as opposite to commonly measured relaxed persistent (Bean) current, jB, was extracted from the Campbell penetration depth, lambda C(T, H) measured in single crystals of LiFeAs, and optimally electron-doped Ba (Fe0.954Ni 0.046)2As2 (FeNi122). In LiFeAs, the effective pinning potential is non-parabolic, which follows from the magnetic field - dependent Labusch parameter alpha. At the equilibrium (upon field - cooling), alpha( H) is non-monotonic, but it is monotonic at a finite gradient of the vortex density. This behavior leads to a faster magnetic relaxation at the lower fields and provides a natural dynamic explanation for the fishtail (second peak) effect. We also find the evidence for strong pinning at the lower fields.The inferred field dependence of the pinning potential is consistent with the evolution from strong pinning, through collective pinning, and eventually to a disordered vortex lattice. The value of j c (2 K) ≃ 1:22 x106 A/cm² provide an upper estimate of the current carrying capability of LiFeAs. Overall, vortex behavior of almost isotropic, fully-gapped LiFeAs is very similar to highly anisotropic d-wave cuprate superconductors, the similarity that requires further studies in order to understand unconventional superconductivity in cuprates and pnictides. In addition to LiFeAs, we also report the magnetic penetration depth in BaFe2As2 based superconductors including irradiation of FeNi122. In unirradiated FeNi122, the maximum critical current value is, jc(2 K) ≃ 3.3 x 106 A/cm². The magnetic-dependent feature was observed near the transition temperature in FeTe0.53Se0.47 and irradiated FeNi122. Because of this feature, further studies are required in order to properly calibrate the Campbell penetration depth. Finally, we detected the crossing between the magnetic penetration depth and London penetration depth in optimally hold-doped Ba0.6K 0.4Fe2As2 (BaK122) and isovalent doped BaFe2(As0.7P0.3)2 (BaP122

Pressure-decoupled magnetic and structural transitions of the parent compound of iron-based 122 superconductors BaFe2As2

PubMed Central

Wu, J. J.; Lin, Jung-Fu; Wang, X. C.; Liu, Q. Q.; Zhu, J. L.; Xiao, Y. M.; Chow, P.; Jin, Changqing

2013-01-01

The recent discovery of iron ferropnictide superconductors has received intensive concern in connection with magnetically involved superconductors. Prominent features of ferropnictide superconductors are becoming apparent: the parent compounds exhibit an antiferromagnetic ordered spin density wave (SDW) state, the magnetic-phase transition is always accompanied by a crystal structural transition, and superconductivity can be induced by suppressing the SDW phase via either chemical doping or applied external pressure to the parent state. These features generated considerable interest in the interplay between magnetism and structure in chemically doped samples, showing crystal structure transitions always precede or coincide with magnetic transition. Pressure-tuned transition, on the other hand, would be more straightforward to superconducting mechanism studies because there are no disorder effects caused by chemical doping; however, remarkably little is known about the interplay in the parent compounds under controlled pressure due to the experimental challenge of in situ measuring both of magnetic and crystal structure evolution at high pressure and low temperatures. Here we show from combined synchrotron Mössbauer and X-ray diffraction at high pressures that the magnetic ordering surprisingly precedes the structural transition at high pressures in the parent compound BaFe2As2, in sharp contrast to the chemical-doping case. The results can be well understood in terms of the spin fluctuations in the emerging nematic phase before the long-range magnetic order that sheds light on understanding how the parent compound evolves from a SDW state to a superconducting phase, a key scientific inquiry of iron-based superconductors. PMID:24101468

Low resistivity contact to iron-pnictide superconductors

DOEpatents

Tanatar, Makariy; Prozorov, Ruslan; Ni, Ni; Bud& #x27; ko, Sergey; Canfield, Paul

2013-05-28

Method of making a low resistivity electrical connection between an electrical conductor and an iron pnictide superconductor involves connecting the electrical conductor and superconductor using a tin or tin-based material therebetween, such as using a tin or tin-based solder. The superconductor can be based on doped AFe.sub.2As.sub.2, where A can be Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu or combinations thereof for purposes of illustration only.

Point-contact electron tunneling into the high-Tc superconductor Y-Ba-Cu-O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirk, M. D.; Smith, D. P. E.; Mitzi, D. B.; Sun, J. Z.; Webb, D. J.

1987-06-01

Results are reported from a study of electron tunneling into bulk samples of the new high-Tc superconductor Y-Ba-Cu-O using point-contact tunneling. Based on a superconductive tunneling interpretation, the results show exceptionally large energy gaps in these materials (roughly 2Delta = 100 MeV), implying 2Delta/kBTc = about 13. Similar values were found for La-Sr-Cu-O. The structure in the I-V curves is also similar to that seen in La-Sr-Cu-O. From the asymmetries observed in the I-V characteristics, it is inferred that the natural tunneling barrier on this material is of the Schottky type.

The electronic properties of high (Tc) superconductors probed by positron annihilation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundar, C. S.; Bharathi, A.; Jean, Y. C.; Hinks, D. G.; Dabrowski, B.; Zheng, Y.; Mitchell, A. W.; Ho, J. C.; Howell, K. H.; Wachs, A. L.

1989-06-01

The discovery of superconductivity at 30 K in Ba(.6)K(.4) BiO3 has generated considerable excitement in view of the contrasting properties of the Ba-K-Bi-O system when compared to the well known Cu-O based high temperature superconductors. Positron annihilation spectroscopy, which is a sensitive local probe of the electronic and defect properties of a solid, was extensively applied in the study of Cu-O based superconductors. The results of positron lifetime as a function of temperature in Ba-K-Bi-O are presented and compared with the known results in the cuprate superconductors. Plausible reasons for the observed temperature dependence of positron lifetime are presented.

Development of Y-Ba-Cu-O Superconductors for Magnetic Bearings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Selvamanickam, V.; Pfaffenbach, K.; Sokolowski, R. S.; Zhang, Y.; Salama, K.

1996-01-01

The material requirements, material manufacturing and magnetic properties that are relevant to fabrication of High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) magnetic bearings have been discussed. It is found that the seeded-melt-texturing method can be used to fabricate the single domain material that is required to achieve the best magnetic properties. Trapped-field mapping has been used as a non-destructive tool to determine the single-domain nature of the HTS material and quantity of the HTS disks. Both the trapped field and the levitation force of the Y-Ba-Cu-O disks are found to be strongly sensitive to the oxygen content.

Anomalous thermal expansion behaviors in Sm-Ba-Cu-O superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okaji, Masahiro; Yamada, Naofumi; Mase, Atsushi; Ikuta, Hiroshi; Mizutani, Uichiro

2000-11-01

Linear thermal expansion coefficients α of c-axis oriented Ag-added Sm-Ba-Cu-O superconductors have been measured in the range of 10 - 300 K. The α showed a large bump along the c-axis and a large dent along the ab-plane around 170 - 260 K for the 2 wt% and 5 wt% Ag 2O specimens, but these anomalies essentially disappeared with thermal cycles between room and cryogenic temperatures. In contrast, there were no significant anomalies for the 10 wt% and 20 wt% Ag 2O specimens. These results suggest that the addition of Ag 2O should moderate deformation and help to increase mechanical strength.

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of superconducting single crystals of HgBa2CuO4+δ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bertinotti, A.; Viallet, V.; Colson, D.; Marucco, J.-F.; Hammann, J.; Forget, A.; Le Bras, G.

1996-02-01

Single crystals of HgBa2CuO4+δ of submillimetric sizes were grown with the same one step, low pressure, gold amalgamation technique used to obtain single crystals of HgBa2Ca2Cu3O8+δ. Remarkable superconducting properties are displayed by the samples which are optimally doped as grown. The sharpness of the transition profiles of the magnetic susceptibility, its anisotropy dependence and the volume fraction exhibiting the Meissner effect exceed the values obtained with the best crystal samples of Hg-1223. X-rays show that no substitutional defects have been found in the mercury plane, in particular no mixed occupancy of copper at the mercury site. The interstitial oxygen content at (1/2, 1/2, 0) δ = 0.066+/-0.008 is about one third that observed in optimally doped Hg-1223, resulting in an identical doping level per CuO2 plane in both compounds.

Improvement of persistent magnetic field trapping in bulk Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, In-Gann; Weinstein, Roy

1993-01-01

For type-II superconductors, magnetic field can be trapped due to persistent internal supercurrent. Quasi-persistent magnetic fields near 2 T at 60 K (and 1.4 T at 77 K) have been measured in minimagnets made of proton-irradiated melt-textured Y-Ba-Cu-O (MT-Y123) samples. Using the trapping effect, high-field permanent magnets with dipole, quadrupole, or more complicated configurations can be made of existing MT-Y123 material, thus bypassing the need for high-temperature superconductor (HTS) wires. A phenomenological current model has been developed to account for the trapped field intensity and profile in HTS samples. This model is also a guide to select directions of materials development to further improve field trapping properties. General properties such as magnetic field intensities, spatial distributions, stabilities, and temperature dependence of trapped field are discussed.

The arrival of high temperature superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Paul C. W.

2011-03-01

The attainment of high temperature superconductivity has been considered a major advancement of modern science. It was the seminal discovery of the first cuprate high temperature superconductor, the Ba-doped La 2 Cu O4 , with a Tc of 35 K in 1986 by Alex Müller and George Bednorz of IBM Zurich Lab, who were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1987, that ushered in the era of cuprate high temperature superconductivity. It was the first liquid nitrogen high temperature superconductor, YBa 2 Cu 3 O7 with a Tc of 93 K discovered in 1987 by Paul C. W. Chu, Maw-Kuen Wu and colleagues in the respective groups at the University of Houston and the University of Alabama at Huntsville that heralded the new era of high temperature superconductivity, drastically changing the psyche of superconductivity research and bringing superconductivity applications a giant step closer to reality. In the ensuing years, many high temperature superconductors have been found, leading to the current record Tc of 134 K which was observed by A. Schilling et al. of ETH in 1993 in HgBa 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O9 - δ at ambient and later raised to 164 K under 30 GPa by L. Gao et al. In the present talk, I shall briefly recall a few events leading to and during the arrival of high temperature superconductivity. The prospects for future superconductors with higher Tc will also be discussed. Supported in part by U.S. AFOSR, U.S. DoE through ORNL, U.S. AFRL CONTACT through Rice University, the T. L. L. Temple Foundation, the John J. and Rebecca Moores Endowment, and the State of Texas through TCSUH.

Elastic properties of iron-based superconductor SrFe2(As1-xPx)2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horikoshi, Keita; Imai, Jo; Nakanishi, Yoshiki; Nakamura, Mitsuteru; Kobayashi, Tatsuya; Adachi, Toru; Miyasaka, Shigeki; Tajima, Setsuko; Yoshizawa, Masahito

2018-05-01

We have measured the transverse elastic constants C44 and C66 of iron-based superconductor SrFe2(As1-xPx)2 (Sr122) single crystals as a function of temperature. Under-doped samples show elastic anomalies towards the structural/magnetic transition temperature. Optimal sample shows an upturn at the superconducting transition temperature in both C44 and C66. These behavior is similar to Ba122, while only C66 shows anomaly for Ba122. The elastic anomalies were analyzed by Jahn-Teller formula, and it was found that the Jahn-Teller energy of C44 is much larger than that of C66. This indicates that monoclinic structural fluctuations exist inherently in Sr122 in addition to the known tetragonal fluctuations. Co-existence of these diverse fluctuations and their cooperation are a key to investigate the mechanism and properties of superconductivity in iron based superconductors.

Unusual two-dimensional behavior of iron-based superconductors with low anisotropy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalenyuk, A. A.; Pagliero, A.; Borodianskyi, E. A.; Aswartham, S.; Wurmehl, S.; Büchner, B.; Chareev, D. A.; Kordyuk, A. A.; Krasnov, V. M.

2017-10-01

We study angular-dependent magnetoresistance in iron-based superconductors Ba1 -xNaxFe2As2 and FeTe1 -xSex . Both superconductors have relatively small anisotropies γ ˜2 and exhibit a three-dimensional (3D) behavior at low temperatures. However, we observe that they start to exhibit a profound two-dimensional behavior at elevated temperatures and in applied magnetic field parallel to the surface. We conclude that the unexpected two-dimensional (2D) behavior of the studied low-anisotropic superconductors is not related to layeredness of the materials, but is caused by appearance of surface superconductivity when magnetic field exceeds the upper critical field Hc 2(T ) for destruction of bulk superconductivity. We argue that the corresponding 3D-2D bulk-to-surface dimensional transition can be used for accurate determination of the upper critical field.

Temperature dependence of positron annihilation parameters in Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundar, C. S.; Bharathi, A.; Ching, W. Y.; Jean, Y. C.; Hor, P. H.; Meng, R. L.; Huang, Z. J.; Chu, C. W.

1990-08-01

The results of positron lifetime and Doppler broadened line-shape parameter measurements as a function of temperature, across Tc, in the Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O superconductors are presented. The bulk lifetime in the normal state is found to decrease with the increase in the number of CuO2 layers. Different temperature dependencies of the annihilation parameters are observed in the various Tl systems containing different numbers of CuO2 layers. In the Tl2Ba2Ca2Cu3O10 system, an increase in lifetime is observed below Tc, whereas in Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8, a decrease in lifetime is seen below Tc. In the Tl2Ba2CuO6 system, the lifetime is observed to be temperature independent. The different temperature variations of positron annihilation parameters are discussed in the light of the positron density distribution, obtained with use of the results of the self-consistent orthogonalized linear combination of atomic orbitals band-structure calculations. It is argued that the different temperature dependencies of the annihilation parameters is related to the positron density distribution within the unit cell and arise due to local charge transfer in the vicinity of the CuO2 layer in the superconducting state.

Gd Ba Cu O bulk superconductors fabricated by a seeded infiltration growth technique under reduced oxygen partial pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iida, K.; Babu, N. H.; Shi, Y. H.; Cardwell, D. A.; Murakami, M.

2006-06-01

Single-grain Gd-Ba-Cu-O (GdBCO) bulk superconductors have been grown by a seeded infiltration and growth (SIG) technique under a 1% O2+N2 atmosphere using a generic MgO-doped Nd-Ba-Cu-O (MgO-NdBCO) seed placed on the sample surface at room temperature (the so-called the cold-seeding method). Partial melting of the MgO-NdBCO seeds fabricated in air under notionally identical thermal processing conditions, however, limited the reliability of this bulk GdBCO single-grain process. The observed seed decomposition is attributed to the dependence of the peritectic temperature Tp of MgO-doped Nd1+xBa2-xCu3Oy solid solution (MgO-doped Nd-123ss, where ss indicates solid solution) compounds on both oxygen partial pressure during the melt process and the level of solid solution (x). The peritectic decomposition temperature of MgO-doped Nd-123ss, with x ranging from 0 to 0.5 under p(O2) = 1.00 atm, was observed to remain constant at 1120 °C. Tp was observed to decrease linearly as a function of solid solution level, on the other hand, under oxygen partial pressures of both p(O2) = 0.21 and 0.01 atm. Based on these results, MgO-doped NdBCO seed crystals should be grown under reduced oxygen partial pressure in order to obtain a stable MgO-doped NdBCO seed crystal suitable for cold-seeding processes of large-grain (RE)BCO bulk superconductors (where RE is a rare earth element).

Correlation-Induced Self-Doping in the Iron-Pnictide Superconductor Ba2Ti2Fe2As4O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, J.-Z.; van Roekeghem, A.; Richard, P.; Liu, Z.-H.; Miao, H.; Zeng, L.-K.; Xu, N.; Shi, M.; Cao, C.; He, J.-B.; Chen, G.-F.; Sun, Y.-L.; Cao, G.-H.; Wang, S.-C.; Biermann, S.; Qian, T.; Ding, H.

2014-12-01

The electronic structure of the iron-based superconductor Ba2Ti2Fe2As4O (Tconset=23.5 K ) has been investigated by using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and combined local density approximation and dynamical mean field theory calculations. The electronic states near the Fermi level are dominated by both the Fe 3 d and Ti 3 d orbitals, indicating that the spacer layers separating different FeAs layers are also metallic. By counting the enclosed volumes of the Fermi surface sheets, we observe a large self-doping effect; i.e., 0.25 electrons per unit cell are transferred from the FeAs layer to the Ti2As2O layer, leaving the FeAs layer in a hole-doped state. This exotic behavior is successfully reproduced by our dynamical mean field calculations, in which the self-doping effect is attributed to the electronic correlations in the 3 d shells. Our work provides an alternative route of effective doping without element substitution for iron-based superconductors.

Effect of heavy-ion and electron irradiation on properties of Fe-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konczykowski, Marcin

2013-03-01

The introduction of defects by particle irradiation is used to reveal the role of disorder in matter, which is unavoidable in all crystalline solids. In superconductors defects introduce flux pinning, controlling critical current, Jc; as well as pair-breaking scattering, limiting the critical temperature, Tc. To elucidate defect related properties of Fe-based superconductors (FBS) we precede in two types of irradiation: heavy ion (6GeV Pb) to create disorder in the form of amorphous tracks and low temperature electron irradiation (2.5MeV at 20K) to create point like defects. Substantial increase of irreversible magnetization and an upward shift of the irreversibility line are observed after heavy ion irradiation of all FBS investigated to date. In BaK 122 , signatures of a Bose-glass vortex state; angular dependence and variable-range hopping flux creep are revealed. Remarkably, heavy ion irradiation does not depress Tc, however, point-like disorder introduced by electron irradiation does substantially. In isovalently substituted Ba(FeAs1 - xPx) 2 and Ba(Fe1 - x Rux As) 2 crystals, Tc decreases linearly with dose. Suppression to 40 % of initial value of Tc was achieved in Ba(FeAs1 - xPx) 2 . An increase of normal state resistivity is observed and correlated to depression of Tc. Change of superconducting gap structure with disorder was determined from penetration depth measurements, λ (T) dependence, at various stages of irradiation. Linear in T variation of pristine samples, indicative of the presence of nodes in gap, turned at low irradiation dose to exponential T variation, indicative of a fully gaped state. T2 variation of λ is observed at higher doses. This behaviour is incompatible with symmetry-imposed nodes of d-wave pairing but consistent with S + / - , S + / + mechanisms. This is the first observation of the impurity-induced node lifting expected in anisotropic s-wave superconductors

Electron and positron states in HgBa2CuO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barbiellini, B.; Jarlborg, T.

1994-08-01

Local-density-calculations of the electronic structure of HgBa2CuO4 have been performed with the self-consistent linear muffin-tin orbital method. The positron-density distribution and its sensitivity due to different potentials are calculated. The annihilation rates are computed in order to study the chemical bonding and to predict the Fermi-surface signal. Comparisons are made with previous calculations on other high-Tc copper oxides concerning the Fermi-surface properties and electron-positron overlap. We discuss the possibility of observing the Fermi surface associated with the Cu-O planes in positron-annihilation experiments.

Effect of Surface Morphology and Magnetic Impurities on the Electronic Structure in Cobalt-Doped BaFe 2 As 2 Superconductors

DOE PAGES

Zou, Qiang; Wu, Zhiming; Fu, Mingming; ...

2017-02-03

Combined scanning tunneling microscopy, spectroscopy, and local barrier height (LBH) studies show that low-temperature-cleaved optimally doped Ba(Fe 1–xCo x) 2As 2 crystals with x = 0.06, with T c = 22 K, have complicated morphologies. Although the cleavage surface and hence the morphologies are variable, the superconducting gap maps show the same gap widths and nanometer size inhomogeneities irrelevant to the morphology. Based on the spectroscopy and LBH maps, the bright patches and dark stripes in the morphologies are identified as Ba- and As-dominated surface terminations, respectively. Magnetic impurities, possibly due to Co or Fe atoms, are believed to createmore » local in-gap state and, in addition, suppress the superconducting coherence peaks. Lastly, this study will clarify the confusion on the cleavage surface terminations of the Fe-based superconductors and its relation with the electronic structures.« less

A parameter free model for HgMn stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michaud, G.

Consideration is given to hydrodynamic and radiative acceleration calculations that may be performed within the context of a parameter-free model of HgMn stars. The model accounts for the formation of HgMn stars at temperatures too high to support an outer hydrogen convection zone by the settling of helium through a He II convection zone which eventually disappears, leaving a diffusive atmosphere with envelope heavy element abundances. Calculations of meridional circulation and the He II diffusion velocity are presented which demonstrate that the He II convection zone can disappear for equatorial rotation velocities less than or equal to 90 km/sec. Detailed radiative acceleration calculations performed for various elements are then reviewed which have reproduced the maximum anomalies observed for He, B, Si, Ca, Sr and Mn abundances in HgMn stars. The parameter-free model is noted to fail, however, in the case of Be.

Antiferroic electronic structure in the nonmagnetic superconducting state of the iron-based superconductors

PubMed Central

Shimojima, Takahiro; Malaeb, Walid; Nakamura, Asuka; Kondo, Takeshi; Kihou, Kunihiro; Lee, Chul-Ho; Iyo, Akira; Eisaki, Hiroshi; Ishida, Shigeyuki; Nakajima, Masamichi; Uchida, Shin-ichi; Ohgushi, Kenya; Ishizaka, Kyoko; Shin, Shik

2017-01-01

A major problem in the field of high-transition temperature (Tc) superconductivity is the identification of the electronic instabilities near superconductivity. It is known that the iron-based superconductors exhibit antiferromagnetic order, which competes with the superconductivity. However, in the nonmagnetic state, there are many aspects of the electronic instabilities that remain unclarified, as represented by the orbital instability and several in-plane anisotropic physical properties. We report a new aspect of the electronic state of the optimally doped iron-based superconductors by using high–energy resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. We find spectral evidence for the folded electronic structure suggestive of an antiferroic electronic instability, coexisting with the superconductivity in the nonmagnetic state of Ba1−xKxFe2As2. We further establish a phase diagram showing that the antiferroic electronic structure persists in a large portion of the nonmagnetic phase covering the superconducting dome. These results motivate consideration of a key unknown electronic instability, which is necessary for the achievement of high-Tc superconductivity in the iron-based superconductors. PMID:28875162

Antiferroic electronic structure in the nonmagnetic superconducting state of the iron-based superconductors.

PubMed

Shimojima, Takahiro; Malaeb, Walid; Nakamura, Asuka; Kondo, Takeshi; Kihou, Kunihiro; Lee, Chul-Ho; Iyo, Akira; Eisaki, Hiroshi; Ishida, Shigeyuki; Nakajima, Masamichi; Uchida, Shin-Ichi; Ohgushi, Kenya; Ishizaka, Kyoko; Shin, Shik

2017-08-01

A major problem in the field of high-transition temperature ( T c ) superconductivity is the identification of the electronic instabilities near superconductivity. It is known that the iron-based superconductors exhibit antiferromagnetic order, which competes with the superconductivity. However, in the nonmagnetic state, there are many aspects of the electronic instabilities that remain unclarified, as represented by the orbital instability and several in-plane anisotropic physical properties. We report a new aspect of the electronic state of the optimally doped iron-based superconductors by using high-energy resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. We find spectral evidence for the folded electronic structure suggestive of an antiferroic electronic instability, coexisting with the superconductivity in the nonmagnetic state of Ba 1- x K x Fe 2 As 2 . We further establish a phase diagram showing that the antiferroic electronic structure persists in a large portion of the nonmagnetic phase covering the superconducting dome. These results motivate consideration of a key unknown electronic instability, which is necessary for the achievement of high- T c superconductivity in the iron-based superconductors.

Ultrafast studies of coexisting electronic order in cuprate superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hinton, James; Thewalt, Eric; Alpichshev, Zhanybek; Sternbach, Aaron; McLeod, Alex; Ji, L.; Veit, Mike; Dorrow, Chelsey; Koralek, Jake; Xhao, Xudong; Barisic, Neven; Kemper, Alexander; Gedik, Nuh; Greven, Martin; Basov, Dimitri; Orenstein, Joe

The cuprate family of high temperature superconductors displays a variety of electronic phases which emerge when charge carriers are added to the antiferromagnetic parent compound. These electronic phases are characterized by subtle differences in the low energy electronic excitations. Ultrafast time-resolved reflectivity (TRR) provides an ideal tool for investigating the cuprate phase diagram, as small changes in the electronic structure can produce significant contrast in the non-equilibrium reflectivity. Here we present TRR measurements of cuprate superconductors, focusing on the model single-layer cuprate HgBa2CuO4+δ. We observe a cusp-like feature in the quasiparticle lifetime near the superconducting transition temperature Tc. This feature can be understood using a model of coherently-mixed charge-density wave and superconducting pairing. We propose extending this technique to the nanoscale using ultrafast scattering scanning near-field microscopy (u-SNOM). This will allow us to explore how these electronic phases coexist and compete in real-space.

Electronic Structure of HgBa2CaCu2O(6+delta) Epitaxial films measured by x-ray Photoemission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vasquez, R. P.; Rupp, M.; Gupta, A.; Tsuei, C. C.

1995-01-01

The electronic structure and chemical states of HgBa2CaCu20(sub 6 + delta), epitaxial films have been studied with x-ray photelectron spectroscopy. Signals from the superconducting phase dominate all the core-level spectra, and a clear Fermi edge is observed in the valence-band region. The Ba, Ca, Cu, and O core levels are similar to those of Tl2Ba2CaCu208(+)O(sub 6 + delta), but distinct differences are observed in the valence bands which are consistent with differences in the calculated densities of states.

Materials process and applications of single grain (RE)-Ba-Cu-O bulk high-temperature superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Beizhan; Zhou, Difan; Xu, Kun; Hara, Shogo; Tsuzuki, Keita; Miki, Motohiro; Felder, Brice; Deng, Zigang; Izumi, Mitsuru

2012-11-01

This paper reviews recent advances in the melt process of (RE)-Ba-Cu-O [(RE)BCO, where RE represents a rare earth element] single grain high-temperature superconductors (HTSs), bulks and its applications. The efforts on the improvement of the magnetic flux pinning with employing the top-seeded melt-growth process technique and using a seeded infiltration and growth process are discussed. Which including various chemical doping strategies and controlled pushing effect based on the peritectic reaction of (RE)BCO. The typical experiment results, such as the largest single domain bulk, the clear TEM observations and the significant critical current density, are summarized together with the magnetization techniques. Finally, we highlight the recent prominent progress of HTS bulk applications, including Maglev, flywheel, power device, magnetic drug delivery system and magnetic resonance devices.

Effect of grain alignment on magnetic properties of Hg(Re)-1223 superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakamoto, N.; Noguchi, S.; Akune, T.; Matsumoto, Y.

2002-08-01

Alignment of HgBa 2Ca 2Cu 3Re 0.2O y (Hg(Re)-1223) powders was made in epoxy resin under a high magnetic field of 10 T to be confirmed by X-ray analysis. DC magnetizations and AC susceptibilities of the grain aligned specimen were measured by SQUID and PPMS magnetometers at temperatures of 5-110 K and under the field of 0-14 T for both field directions of B parallel and perpendicular to ab-plane. The magnetization width for B parallel to the c-axis ΔMc showed high values at low field, decreased rather rapidly with the magnetic field compared to that for B parallel to the ab-plane ΔMab and became lower than ΔMab above a crossing field Bcr. Peak-heights of the imaginary parts of the AC susceptibilities χ″ were largest at B∥ c-axis. Non-aligned samples always showed intermediate characteristics between B∥ c-axis and B∥ ab-plane. Irreversibility fields of all samples were also evaluated. Correlations of the pinning mechanism with the crystal axis orientations are discussed.

Optimization of a Non-arsenic Iron-based Superconductor for Wire Fabrication

DOE PAGES

Mitchell, Jonathan E; Hillesheim, D A; Bridges, Craig A; ...

2015-03-13

Here we report on the optimization of synthesis of iron selenide-based superconducting powders and the fabrication of selenide-based wire. The powders were synthesized by an ammonothermal method, whereby Ba is intercalated between FeSe layers to produce Ba x(NH 3) yFe 2Se 2, with tetragonal structure similar to AFe 2X 2 (X: As, Se), '122', superconductors. The optimal T c (up to 38 K) and Meissner and shielding superconducting fractions are obtained from the shortest reaction time (t) of reactants in liquid ammonia (30 min). With the increase of t, a second crystalline 122 phase, with a smaller unit cell, emerges.more » A small amount of NH 3 is released from the structure above ~200 °C, which results in loss of superconductivity. However, in the confined space of niobium/Monel tubing, results indicate there is enough pressure for some of NH 3 to remain in the crystal lattice, and thermal annealing can be performed at temperatures of up to 780 °C, increasing wire density and yielded a reasonable T c ≈ 16 K. Here, we report of the first successful wire fabrication of non-arsenic high-T c iron-based superconductor. We find that although bulk materials are estimated to carry critical current densities >100 kA cm ₋2 (4 K, self-field), the current transport within wires need to be optimized (J c ~ 1 kA cm ₋2).« less

Spin excitations in optimally P-doped BaFe 2 ( As 0.7 P 0.3 ) 2 superconductor

DOE PAGES

Hu, Ding; Yin, Zhiping; Zhang, Wenliang; ...

2016-09-02

We use inelastic neutron scattering to study temperature and energy dependence of spin excitations in optimally P-doped BaFe 2(As 0:7P 0:3) 2 superconductor (T c = 30 K) throughout the Brillouin zone. In the undoped state, spin waves and paramagnetic spin excitations of BaFe 2As 2 stem from antiferromagnetic (AF) ordering wave vector QAF = ( 1; 0) and peaks near zone boundary at ( 1; 1) around 180 meV. Replacing 30% As by smaller P to induce superconductivity, low-energy spin excitations of BaFe 2(As 0:7P 0:3) 2 form a resonance in the superconducting state and high-energy spin excitations nowmore » peaks around 220 meV near ( 1; 1). These results are consistent with calculations from a combined density functional theory and dynamical mean field theory, and suggest that the decreased average pnictogen height in BaFe 2(As 0:7P 0:3) 2 reduces the strength of electron correlations and increases the effective bandwidth of magnetic excitations.« less

Effects of neutron and electron irradiation on superconducting HgBa 2CuO 4+ δ single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zehetmayer, M.; Eisterer, M.; Kazakov, S. M.; Karpinski, J.; Wisniewski, A.; Puzniak, R.; Daignere, A.; Weber, H. W.

2004-08-01

We report on measurements of the magnetic moment in superconducting HgBa 2CuO 4+ δ single crystals by SQUID magnetometry. Neutron and electron irradiation are employed to modify the defect structure. Both types of radiation affect the irreversible properties, but characteristic qualitative differences occur, which will be discussed.

Fracture toughness for copper oxide superconductors

DOEpatents

Goretta, K.C.; Kullberg, M.L.

1993-04-13

An oxide-based strengthening and toughening agent, such as tetragonal ZrO[sub 2] particles, has been added to copper oxide superconductors, such as superconducting YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub x] (123) to improve its fracture toughness (K[sub IC]). A sol-gel coating which is non-reactive with the superconductor, such as Y[sub 2]BaCuO[sub 5] (211) on the ZrO[sub 2] particles minimized the deleterious reactions between the superconductor and the toughening agent dispersed therethrough. Addition of 20 mole percent ZrO[sub 2] coated with 211 yielded a 123 composite with a K[sub IC] of 4.5 MPa(m)[sup 0.5].

Fracture toughness for copper oxide superconductors

DOEpatents

Goretta, Kenneth C.; Kullberg, Marc L.

1993-01-01

An oxide-based strengthening and toughening agent, such as tetragonal Zro.sub.2 particles, has been added to copper oxide superconductors, such as superconducting YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x (123) to improve its fracture toughness (K.sub.IC). A sol-gel coating which is non-reactive with the superconductor, such as Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 (211) on the ZrO.sub.2 particles minimized the deleterious reactions between the superconductor and the toughening agent dispersed therethrough. Addition of 20 mole percent ZrO.sub.2 coated with 211 yielded a 123 composite with a K.sub.IC of 4.5 MPa(m).sup.0.5.

Phonon properties of iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Yuhit; Goyal, Megha; Sinha, M. M.

2018-05-01

Earlier, it was thought there is antagonist relationship between superconductivity and ferromagnetic materials, But, a discovery of iron-based superconductors have removed this misconception. It gives an idea to make a review on the superconductivity properties of different materials. The new iron-based superconductors' present symmetry breaking competing phases in the form of tetragonal to orthorhombic transition. It consists of mainly four families [1111], [111], [122], and [11] type. Superconductivity of iron-based superconductors mainly related with the phonons and there is an excellent relation between phonons and superconductivity. Phonons properties are helpful in predicting the superconducting properties of materials. Phonon properties of iron-based superconductors in various phases are summarized in this study. We are presenting the review of phonon properties of iron-based superconductors.

Guided design of copper oxysulfide superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yee, Chuck-Hou; Birol, Turan; Kotliar, Gabriel

2015-07-01

We describe a framework for designing novel materials, combining modern first-principles electronic-structure tools, materials databases, and evolutionary algorithms capable of exploring large configurational spaces. Guided by the chemical principles introduced by Antipov et al., for the design and synthesis of the Hg-based high-temperature superconductors, we apply our framework to screen 333 proposed compositions to design a new layered copper oxysulfide, Hg(CaS)2CuO2. We evaluate the prospects of superconductivity in this oxysulfide using theories based on charge-transfer energies, orbital distillation and uniaxial strain.

Aspects of forming metal-clad melt-processed Y-Ba-Cu-O tapes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kozlowski, G.; Oberly, C.E.; Ho, J.

1991-03-01

This paper reports on melt-processing of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductor in a usable form for magnet winding which requires the development of a cladding with demanding properties. Numerous recent efforts in cold forming Bi-based superconductor tapes have been successful because a silver tube can be used to constrain the ceramic material, which is sintered at much lower temperature than the Y-Ba-Cu-O. Typical high temperature metals which can be used to encase Y-Ba-Cu-O during sintering do not permit ready diffusion of oxygen as silver does. Recently, the full or partial recovery of superconductivity has been achieved in transition-metal- doped Y-Ba-Cu-O due to themore » partial-melt processing.« less

Photoemission and x-ray absorption studies of the isostructural to Fe-based superconductors diluted magnetic semiconductor Ba1 -xKx(Zn1 -yMny)2As2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, H.; Zhao, K.; Shibata, G.; Takahashi, Y.; Sakamoto, S.; Yoshimatsu, K.; Chen, B. J.; Kumigashira, H.; Chang, F.-H.; Lin, H.-J.; Huang, D. J.; Chen, C. T.; Gu, Bo; Maekawa, S.; Uemura, Y. J.; Jin, C. Q.; Fujimori, A.

2015-04-01

The electronic and magnetic properties of a new diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) Ba1 -xKx (Zn1 -yMny )2As2 , which is isostructural to so-called 122-type Fe-based superconductors, are investigated by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and resonance photoemission spectroscopy (RPES). Mn L2 ,3-edge XAS indicates that the doped Mn atoms have a valence 2+ and strongly hybridize with the 4 p orbitals of the tetrahedrally coordinating As ligands. The Mn 3 d partial density of states obtained by RPES shows a peak around 4 eV and is relatively high between 0 and 2 eV below the Fermi level (EF) with little contribution at EF, similar to that of the archetypal DMS Ga1 -xMnxAs . This energy level creates a d5 electron configuration with S =5 /2 local magnetic moments at the Mn atoms. Hole carriers induced by K substitution for Ba atoms go into the top of the As 4 p valence band and are weakly bound to the Mn local spins. The ferromagnetic correlation between the local spins mediated by the hole carriers induces ferromagnetism in Ba1 -xKx (Zn1 -yMny )2As2 .

The successful incorporation of Ag into single grain, Y-Ba-Cu-O bulk superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Congreve, Jasmin V. J.; Shi, Yunhua; Dennis, Anthony R.; Durrell, John H.; Cardwell, David A.

2018-07-01

The use of RE-Ba-Cu-O [(RE)BCO] bulk superconductors, where RE = Y, Gd, Sm, in practical applications is, at least in part, limited by their mechanical properties and brittle nature, in particular. Alloying these materials with silver, however, produces a significant improvement in strength without any detrimental impact on their superconducting properties. Unfortunately, the top seeded melt growth technique, used routinely to process bulk (RE)BCO superconductors in the form of large, single grains required for practical applications, is complex and has a large number of inter-related variables, so the addition of silver increases the complexity of the growth process even further. This can make successful growth of this system extremely challenging. Here we report measurements of the growth rate of YBCO-Ag fabricated using a new growth technique consisting of continuous cooling and isothermal hold process. The resulting data form the basis of a model that has been used to derive suitable heating profiles for the successful single grain growth of YBCO-Ag bulk superconductors of up to 26 mm in diameter. The microstructure and distribution of silver within these samples have been studied in detail. The maximum trapped field at the top surface of the bulk YBCO-Ag samples has been found to be comparable to that of standard YBCO processed without Ag. The YBCO-Ag samples also exhibit a much more uniform trapped field profile compared to that of YBCO.

Doping evolution of the anisotropic upper critical fields in the iron-based superconductor Ba 1-xK xFe 2As 2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tanatar, Makariy A.; Liu, Yong; Jaroszynski, J.

In-plane resistivity measurements as a function of temperature and magnetic field up to 35 T with precise orientation within the crystallographic ac plane were used to study the upper critical field H c2 of the hole-doped iron-based superconductor Ba 1–xK xFe 2As 2. Compositions of the samples studied spanned from under- doped x=0.17 (T c=12 K) and x=0.22 (T c=20 K), both in the coexistence range of stripe magnetism and superconductivity, through optimal doping x=0.39 (T c=38.4 K) and x=0.47 (T c=37.2 K), to overdoped x=0.65 (T c=22 K) and x=0.83 (T c=10 K). Here, we find notable doping asymmetrymore » of the shapes of the anisotropic H c2(T), suggesting the important role of paramagnetic limiting effects in the H∥a configuration in overdoped compositions and multiband effects in underdoped compositions.« less

Doping evolution of the anisotropic upper critical fields in the iron-based superconductor Ba 1-xK xFe 2As 2

DOE PAGES

Tanatar, Makariy A.; Liu, Yong; Jaroszynski, J.; ...

2017-11-14

In-plane resistivity measurements as a function of temperature and magnetic field up to 35 T with precise orientation within the crystallographic ac plane were used to study the upper critical field H c2 of the hole-doped iron-based superconductor Ba 1–xK xFe 2As 2. Compositions of the samples studied spanned from under- doped x=0.17 (T c=12 K) and x=0.22 (T c=20 K), both in the coexistence range of stripe magnetism and superconductivity, through optimal doping x=0.39 (T c=38.4 K) and x=0.47 (T c=37.2 K), to overdoped x=0.65 (T c=22 K) and x=0.83 (T c=10 K). Here, we find notable doping asymmetrymore » of the shapes of the anisotropic H c2(T), suggesting the important role of paramagnetic limiting effects in the H∥a configuration in overdoped compositions and multiband effects in underdoped compositions.« less

Pressure-induced superconductivity in the iron-based ladder material BaFe2S3.

PubMed

Takahashi, Hiroki; Sugimoto, Akira; Nambu, Yusuke; Yamauchi, Touru; Hirata, Yasuyuki; Kawakami, Takateru; Avdeev, Maxim; Matsubayashi, Kazuyuki; Du, Fei; Kawashima, Chizuru; Soeda, Hideto; Nakano, Satoshi; Uwatoko, Yoshiya; Ueda, Yutaka; Sato, Taku J; Ohgushi, Kenya

2015-10-01

All the iron-based superconductors identified so far share a square lattice composed of Fe atoms as a common feature, despite having different crystal structures. In copper-based materials, the superconducting phase emerges not only in square-lattice structures but also in ladder structures. Yet iron-based superconductors without a square-lattice motif have not been found, despite being actively sought out. Here, we report the discovery of pressure-induced superconductivity in the iron-based spin-ladder material BaFe2S3, a Mott insulator with striped-type magnetic ordering below ∼120 K. On the application of pressure this compound exhibits a metal-insulator transition at about 11 GPa, followed by the appearance of superconductivity below Tc = 14 K, right after the onset of the metallic phase. Our findings indicate that iron-based ladder compounds represent promising material platforms, in particular for studying the fundamentals of iron-based superconductivity.

High critical currents in heavily doped (Gd,Y)Ba 2Cu 3O x superconductor tapes

DOE PAGES

Selvamanickam, V.; Gharahcheshmeh, M. Heydari; Xu, A.; ...

2015-01-20

REBa 2Cu 3O x superconductor tapes with moderate levels of dopants have been optimized for high critical current density in low magnetic fields at 77 K, but they do not exhibit exemplary performance in conditions of interest for practical applications, i.e., temperatures less than 50 K and fields of 2–30 T. Heavy doping of REBCO tapes has been avoided by researchers thus far due to deterioration in properties. Here, we report achievement of critical current densities (J c) above 20 MA/cm 2 at 30 K, 3 T in heavily doped (25 mol. % Zr-added) (Gd,Y)Ba 2Cu 3O x superconductor tapes,more » which is more than three times higher than the J c typically obtained in moderately doped tapes. Pinning force levels above 1000 GN/m 3 have also been attained at 20 K. A composition map of lift factor in J c (ratio of J c at 30 K, 3 T to the J c at 77 K, 0 T) has been developed which reveals the optimum film composition to obtain lift factors above six, which is thrice the typical value. A highly c-axis aligned BaZrO 3 (BZO) nanocolumn defect density of nearly 7 × 10 11 cm –2 as well as 2–3nm sized particles rich in Cu and Zr have been found in the high J c films.« less

Improving superconductivity in BaFe2As2-based crystals by cobalt clustering and electronic uniformity.

PubMed

Li, L; Zheng, Q; Zou, Q; Rajput, S; Ijaduola, A O; Wu, Z; Wang, X P; Cao, H B; Somnath, S; Jesse, S; Chi, M; Gai, Z; Parker, D; Sefat, A S

2017-04-19

Quantum materials such as antiferromagnets or superconductors are complex in that chemical, electronic, and spin phenomena at atomic scales can manifest in their collective properties. Although there are some clues for designing such materials, they remain mainly unpredictable. In this work, we find that enhancement of transition temperatures in BaFe 2 As 2 -based crystals are caused by removing local-lattice strain and electronic-structure disorder by thermal annealing. While annealing improves Néel-ordering temperature in BaFe 2 As 2 crystal (T N  = 132 K to 136 K) by improving in-plane electronic defects and reducing overall a-lattice parameter, it increases superconducting-ordering temperature in optimally cobalt-doped BaFe 2 As 2 crystal (T c  = 23 to 25 K) by precipitating-out the cobalt dopants and giving larger overall a-lattice parameter. While annealing improves local chemical and electronic uniformity resulting in higher T N in the parent, it promotes nanoscale phase separation in the superconductor resulting in lower disparity and strong superconducting band gaps in the dominant crystal regions, which lead to both higher overall T c and critical-current-density, J c .

Improving superconductivity in BaFe 2As 2-based crystals by cobalt clustering and electronic uniformity

DOE PAGES

Li, L.; Zheng, Q.; Zou, Q.; ...

2017-04-19

Quantum materials such as antiferromagnets or superconductors are complex in that chemical, electronic, and spin phenomena at atomic scales can manifest in their collective properties. Although there are some clues for designing such materials, they remain mainly unpredictable. In this work, we find that enhancement of transition temperatures in BaFe 2As 2-based crystals are caused by removing local-lattice strain and electronic-structure disorder by thermal annealing. While annealing improves Neel-ordering temperature in BaFe 2As 2 crystal (T N=132K to 136K) by improving in-plane electronic defects and reducing overall a-lattice parameter, it increases superconducting-ordering temperature in optimally cobalt-doped BaFe 2As 2 crystalmore » (T c=23 to 25K) by precipitating-out the cobalt dopants and giving larger overall a-lattice parameter. And while annealing improves local chemical and electronic uniformity resulting in higher T N in the parent, it also promotes nanoscale phase separation in the superconductor resulting in lower disparity and strong superconducting band gaps in the dominant crystal regions, which lead to both higher overall T c and critical-current-density, J c« less

Improving superconductivity in BaFe 2As 2-based crystals by cobalt clustering and electronic uniformity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, L.; Zheng, Q.; Zou, Q.

Quantum materials such as antiferromagnets or superconductors are complex in that chemical, electronic, and spin phenomena at atomic scales can manifest in their collective properties. Although there are some clues for designing such materials, they remain mainly unpredictable. In this work, we find that enhancement of transition temperatures in BaFe 2As 2-based crystals are caused by removing local-lattice strain and electronic-structure disorder by thermal annealing. While annealing improves Neel-ordering temperature in BaFe 2As 2 crystal (T N=132K to 136K) by improving in-plane electronic defects and reducing overall a-lattice parameter, it increases superconducting-ordering temperature in optimally cobalt-doped BaFe 2As 2 crystalmore » (T c=23 to 25K) by precipitating-out the cobalt dopants and giving larger overall a-lattice parameter. And while annealing improves local chemical and electronic uniformity resulting in higher T N in the parent, it also promotes nanoscale phase separation in the superconductor resulting in lower disparity and strong superconducting band gaps in the dominant crystal regions, which lead to both higher overall T c and critical-current-density, J c« less

Development of near-field scanning microwave and optical dual probe: Application to characterization of high-T(c) superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aga, Roberto Sabas, Jr.

In this dissertation, a novel dual-channel near-field scanning microwave and optical microprobe (NSMM/NSOM) was developed for simultaneous mapping of microwave and optical properties of a sample at microscopic scales. This microprobe is composed of an open-end coaxial resonator with its center conductor being replaced by a stainless steel tube terminated by a titanium/silver coated fiber optic with a tapered tip. The optical fiber serves as the channel for NSOM, while its metal coating is the channel for NSMM. Using this dual-channel NSMM/NSOM probe, a spatial resolution of ˜5 mum, that is comparable to the best reported for single-channel NSMM, has been achieved on metallic samples. This resolution is mainly limited by the sensitivity of the NSMM channel and may be further improved when the sensitivity of NSMM is enhanced. Characterization of the microwave properties of the highest-Tc Hg-based superconductors has been carried out using a traditional resonant cavity technique, as well as a novel single-channel NSMM and the dual-channel NSMM/NSOM. Using the traditional technique, the microwave surface resistance (Rs) and power handling capability (Pc) of HgBa 2CaCu2O6 (Hg-1212 with Tc ˜ 125 K) films have been measured for the first time, and the results are superior to the best achieved on other superconductors. For example, a comparable R s ˜ 0.3 mO (10 GHz) can be obtained on Hg-1212 at close to 120 K as opposed to the same Rs for YBa2Cu3O 7 (the most popular high-Tc superconductor with Tc ˜ 92 K) at around 77K. This can be attributed to the large difference in the Tcs between the two materials and has demonstrated the potential of Hg-1212 for microwave applications. A comparison of the microwave properties of Hg-1212, Tl-2212 and YBCO films at reduced temperature scale suggested further room for improvement of Hg-1212 performance. Using NSMM, the localized microwave properties, such as Tcs, sheet resistance and power handling capability have been investigated

Superconductivity in Russia: Update and prospects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ozhogin, V.

1995-01-01

The research projects and new technological developments that have occured in Russia are highlighted in this document. Some of the research discussed includes: x-ray structure analysis of YBCO superconducting single crystals and accompanying phase transformations; the role of electron-electron interaction in High Temperature Superconductors (HTSC); the formation of Cooper pairs in crystals; the synthesis and research on a new family of superconductors based on complex copper and mercury oxides (HgBa2CuO4 + alpha and HgBa2CaCu2O6 + alpha); methods for the extraction of higher (up to C200) fullerenes and metalfullerenides has been developed; and process of production of Josephson junctions and development of SQUID's.

Induced superconductivity in the three-dimensional topological insulator HgTe.

PubMed

Maier, Luis; Oostinga, Jeroen B; Knott, Daniel; Brüne, Christoph; Virtanen, Pauli; Tkachov, Grigory; Hankiewicz, Ewelina M; Gould, Charles; Buhmann, Hartmut; Molenkamp, Laurens W

2012-11-02

A strained and undoped HgTe layer is a three-dimensional topological insulator, in which electronic transport occurs dominantly through its surface states. In this Letter, we present transport measurements on HgTe-based Josephson junctions with Nb as a superconductor. Although the Nb-HgTe interfaces have a low transparency, we observe a strong zero-bias anomaly in the differential resistance measurements. This anomaly originates from proximity-induced superconductivity in the HgTe surface states. In the most transparent junction, we observe periodic oscillations of the differential resistance as a function of an applied magnetic field, which correspond to a Fraunhofer-like pattern. This unambiguously shows that a precursor of the Josephson effect occurs in the topological surface states of HgTe.

Anisotropy of the Seebeck and Nernst coefficients in parent compounds of the iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matusiak, Marcin; Babij, Michał; Wolf, Thomas

2018-03-01

In-plane longitudinal and transverse thermoelectric phenomena in two parent compounds of iron-based superconductors are studied. Namely, the Seebeck (S ) and Nernst (ν) coefficients were measured in the temperature range 10-300 K for BaF e2A s2 and CaF e2A s2 single crystals that were detwinned in situ. The thermoelectric response shows sizable anisotropy in the spin density wave (SDW) state for both compounds, while some dissimilarities in the vicinity of the SDW transition can be attributed to the different nature of the phase change in BaF e2A s2 and CaF e2A s2 . Temperature dependences of S and ν can be described within a two-band model that contains a contribution from highly mobile, probably Dirac, electrons. The Dirac band seems to be rather isotropic, whereas most of the anisotropy in the transport phenomena could be attributed to "regular" holelike charge carriers. We also observe that the off-diagonal element of the Peltier tensor αx y is not the same for the a and b orthorhombic axes, which indicates that the widely used Mott formula is not applicable to the SDW state of iron-based superconductors.

Electronic properties of high-temperature superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richert, Brent Armand

1989-08-01

A semiempirical tight-binding model was developed for the electronic energy bands, the local and total densities of states, and the atomic valences in the high temperature superconductors La(1.85)Sr(0.15)CuO4, YBaCu307, Bi2Sr2CuO6, Bi2CaSr2Cu2O8, Tl2Ba2CuO6, Tl2CaBa2Cu2O8, Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3O10, TlCa3Ba2Cu4O11, BaPb(0.75)Bi(0.25)O3, and Ba(0.6)K(0.4)BiO3. Calculations of the changes in electronic properties associated with atomic substitutions in YBa2Cu3O7, Bi2CaSr2Cu2O8, and Tl2CaBa2Cu2O8 give results in agreement with expected chemical trends and consistent with observed changes in the superconducting properties. For example, substitution of Lead for Bismuth in BiMCaSr2Cu2O8 increases the concentration of hole carriers within the CuO2 planes. Similarly, doping with Mercury or Pb in TlMCaBa2Cu2O8 also affects the carrier concentration, with Hg creating holes and Pb destroying them. Oxygen vacancies in both La(1.85)Sr(0.15)CuO(4-y) and YBa2Cu3O(7-y) act as electron donors. This is consistent with the observations that oxygen vacancies degrade the superconductivity and metallic conductivity in these materials. Lanthanum vacancies in La2-xCuO4 donate holes, giving the same electronic effect as doping with divalent metal atoms or excess oxygen initially stoichiometric La2CuO4. A specific excitonic mechanism for high temperature superconductivity is proposed which requires insulating metal oxide layers adjacent to the superconducting planes.

Experimental evidence for importance of Hund's exchange interaction for incoherence of charge carriers in iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fink, J.; Rienks, E. D. L.; Thirupathaiah, S.; Nayak, J.; van Roekeghem, A.; Biermann, S.; Wolf, T.; Adelmann, P.; Jeevan, H. S.; Gegenwart, P.; Wurmehl, S.; Felser, C.; Büchner, B.

2017-04-01

Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy is used to study the scattering rates of charge carriers from the hole pockets near Γ in the iron-based high-Tc hole-doped superconductors KxBa1 -xFe2As2 , x =0.4 , and KxEu1 -xFe2As2 , x =0.55 , and the electron-doped compound Ba (Fe1-xCox) 2As2 , x =0.075 . The scattering rate for any given band is found to depend linearly on the energy, indicating a non-Fermi-liquid regime. The scattering rates in the hole-doped compound are considerably higher than those in the electron-doped compounds. In the hole-doped systems the scattering rate of the charge carriers of the inner hole pocket is about three times higher than the binding energy, indicating that the spectral weight is heavily incoherent. The strength of the scattering rates and the difference between electron- and hole-doped compounds signals the importance of Hund's exchange coupling for correlation effects in these iron-based high-Tc superconductors. The experimental results are in qualitative agreement with theoretical calculations in the framework of combined density functional dynamical mean-field theory.

Superconducting properties of copper oxide high-temperature superconductors

PubMed Central

Chen, Guanhua; Langlois, Jean-Marc; Guo, Yuejin; Goddard, William A.

1989-01-01

The equations for the magnon pairing theory of high-temperature copper-oxide-based superconductors are solved and used to calculate several properties, leading to results for specific heat and critical magnetic fields consistent with experimental results. In addition, the theory suggests an explanation of why there are two sets of transition temperatures (Tc ≈ 90 K and Tc ≈ 55 K) for the Y1Ba2Cu3O6+x class of superconductors. It also provides an explanation of why La2-xSrxCuO4 is a superconductor for only a small range of x (and suggests an experiment to independently test the theory). These results provide support for the magnon pairing theory of high-temperature superconductors. On the basis of the theory, some suggestions are made for improving these materials. PMID:16594038

Is BaCr 2 As 2 symmetrical to BaFe 2 As 2 with respect to half 3 d shell filling?

DOE PAGES

Richard, P.; van Roekeghem, A.; Lv, B. Q.; ...

2017-05-25

We have performed an angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of BaCr 2As 2, which has the same crystal structure as BaFe2As2, a parent compound BaFe 2As 2 of Fe-based superconductors. We determine the Fermi surface of this material and its band dispersion down to 5 eV below the Fermi level. Very moderate band renormalization (1.35) is observed for only two bands. We attribute this small renormalization to enhanced direct exchange as compared to Fe in BaFe 2As 2, and to a larger contribution of the eg orbitals in the composition of the bands forming the Fermi surface.

A multifunctional label-free electrochemical impedance biosensor for Hg(2+), adenosine triphosphate and thrombin.

PubMed

Chen, Lifen; Chen, Zhong-Ning

2015-01-01

A multifunctional label-free biosensor for the detection of Hg(2+), adenosine triphosphate and thrombin has been developed based on the changing of the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) from the modified electrodes when nucleic acid subunits interacting with different targets. The modified electrode consists of three interaction sections, including DNA with T-T mismatch recognizing Hg(2+) to form T-Hg(2+)-T complex, split DNA chip against ATP, and DNA domin against thrombin to form G-quadruplex. Upon DNA interaction with thrombin or ATP, an increased charge transfer resistance (Rct) had been detected. However, a decreased Rct against Hg(2+) was obtained. The Rct difference (ΔRct) has relationship with the concentration of the different targets, Hg(2+), ATP and thrombin can be selectively detected with the detection limit of 0.03, 0.25, and 0.20 nmol L(-1), respectively. To separately detect the three analytes existing in the same sample, ATP aptamer, G-rich DNA strands and EDTA were applied to mask ATP, Hg(2+) or thrombin separately. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nematic fluctuations and resonance in iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gallais, Yann

The spontaneous appearance of nematicity, a state of matter that breaks rotation but not translation symmetry, is ubiquitous in many iron based superconductors (Fe SC), and has relevance for the cuprates as well. Here I will review recent electronic Raman scattering experiments which report the presence of critical nematic fluctuations in the charge channel in the tetragonal phase of several Fe SC systems. In electron doped Co-BaFe2As2 (Co-Ba122), these fluctuations extend over most of the superconducting dome. Their associated nematic susceptibility shows Curie-Weiss behavior, and its doping dependence suggests the presence of a nematic quantum critical point near optimal TC Similar nematic fluctuations are also observed in FeSe despite the absence of magnetic order, raising the question of the link between nematicity and magnetism in Fe SC. In FeSe I will further contrast the evolution of nematic fluctuations under isoelectronic S substitution and hydrostatic pressures up to 8 GPa, with only the former showing evidence for a nematic quantum critical point. In the superconducting state of Co-Ba122, I will show that a resonance emerges in the Raman spectra near the nematic quantum critical point. This nematic resonance is a clear fingerprint of the coupling between nematic fluctuations and Bogoliubov quasiparticles, and can be thought as the nematic counterpart of the spin resonance observed in neutron scattering experiments. Support from Agence Nationale de la Recherche via ANR Grant ''Pnictides'' is acknowledged.

Conventional empirical law reverses in the phase transitions of 122-type iron-based superconductors

DOE PAGES

Yu, Zhenhai; Wang, Lin; Wang, Luhong; ...

2014-11-24

Phase transition of solid-state materials is a fundamental research topic in condensed matter physics, materials science and geophysics. It has been well accepted and widely proven that isostructural compounds containing different cations undergo same pressure-induced phase transitions but at progressively lower pressures as the cation radii increases. However, we discovered that this conventional law reverses in the structural transitions in 122-type iron-based superconductors. In this report, a combined low temperature and high pressure X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement has identified the phase transition curves among the tetragonal (T), orthorhombic (O) and the collapsed-tetragonal (cT) phases in the structural phase diagram ofmore » the iron-based superconductor AFe 2As 2 (A = Ca, Sr, Eu, and Ba). As a result, the cation radii dependence of the phase transition pressure (T → cT) shows an opposite trend in which the compounds with larger ambient radii cations have a higher transition pressure.« less

Chemical spray pyrolysis of Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O high-T(sub c) superconductors for high-field bitter magnets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Derochemont, L. Pierre; Zhang, John G.; Squillante, Michael R.; Hermann, A. M.; Duan, H. M.; Andrews, Robert J.; Kelliher, Warren C.

1991-01-01

The deposition of Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O thick films by spray pyrolyzing a Ba-Ca-Cu-O precursor film and diffusing thallium into the film to form the superconducting phase is examined. This approach was taken to reduce exposure to thallium and its health and safety hazards. The Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O system was selected because it has very attractive features which make it appealing to device and manufacturing engineering. Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O will accommodate a number of superconducting phases. This attribute makes it very forgiving to stoichiometric fluctuations in the bulk and film. It has excellent thermal and chemical stability, and appears to be relatively insensitive to chemical impurities. Oxygen is tightly bound into the systems, consequently there is no orthorhombic (conductor) to tetragonal (insulator) transition which would affect a component's lifetime. More significantly, the thallium based superconductors appear to have harder magnetic properties than the other high-Tc oxide ceramics. Estimates using magnetoresistance measurements indicate that at 77 K Tl2Ba2CaCu2O10 will have an upper critical field, H(sub c2) fo 26 Tesla for applied fields parallel to the c-axis and approximately 1000 Tesla for fields oriented in the a-b plane. Results to date have shown that superconducting films can be reproducibly deposited on 100 oriented MgO substrates. One film had a zero resistance temperature of 111.5 K. Furthermore, x ray diffraction analysis of the films showed preferential c-axis orientation parallel to the plane of the substrate. These results have now made it possible to consider the manufacture of a superconducting tape wire which can be configured into a topology useful for high-field magnet designs. The research which leads to the preparation of these films and plans for further development are reviewed.

Hydrostatic pressure study on high temperature superconductors: HgBa(2)Casb(m-1)Cu(m)O(2m+2+delta) (m = 1 to 6) and (Cu,C)Ba(2)Ca(m-1)Cu(m)O(2m+3) (m = 3 and 4)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Yong

1998-12-01

Over the last decade, numerous extensive as well as intensive experimental and theoretical investigations have been carried out since the great discovery of high temperature superconductivity (HTSy) in cuprate superconductors Lasb{2-x}Basb{x}CuOsb4,\\ YBasb2Cusb2Osb{7-delta} and other compounds. Although there is still no widely accepted microscopic theory on the mechanism responsible for such high superconducting transition temperatures (Tsb{c}), systematic trends of the evolution of HTSy with various parameters have been studied and analyzed. One of them is the universal inverse parabolic correlation between the Tsb{c} and the number of carriers per CuOsb2 plane (n) in various cuprate superconductors. The high pressure technique provides a clean way to change the distance between atoms without causing the side effects typical of chemical doping, and thus has long been used to test and provide guidance for theoretical models, as well as give hints about the synthesis of compounds with higher Tsb{c}. Therefore, we have done a systematic study on the pressure effect on Tsb{c} of two homologous superconducting compound series: HgBasb2Casb{m-1}Cusb{m}Osb{2m+2+delta} (Hg-12(m-1)m) (m = 1 to 6) and (Cu,C)Basb2Casb{m-1}Cusb{m}Osb{2m+3+delta} ((Cu,C)-12(m-1)m) (m = 3 and 4). Several factors which influence the hydrostatic pressure effect on Tsb{c} have been systematically analyzed. They include the n, the type of charge reservoir layer, and the number of CuOsb2 layers per unit cell (m). We came to several conclusion: (1) The inverse parabolic Tsb{c}(n) correlation and its universal parameters are valid only under conditions more restrictive than originally expected, and the rigid band model may not hold for some cuprate superconductors under pressure. (2) The pressure coefficient (dTsb{c}/dP) may have a different dependence on n. The compounds with Cu-O chains in their charge reservoir usually show a large linear variation of dTsb{c}/dP with n, while no significant

Direct evidence for a pressure-induced nodal superconducting gap in the Ba0.65Rb0.35Fe2As2 superconductor

PubMed Central

Guguchia, Z.; Amato, A.; Kang, J.; Luetkens, H.; Biswas, P. K.; Prando, G.; von Rohr, F.; Bukowski, Z.; Shengelaya, A.; Keller, H.; Morenzoni, E.; Fernandes, Rafael M.; Khasanov, R.

2015-01-01

The superconducting gap structure in iron-based high-temperature superconductors (Fe-HTSs) is non-universal. In contrast to other unconventional superconductors, in the Fe-HTSs both d-wave and extended s-wave pairing symmetries are close in energy. Probing the proximity between these very different superconducting states and identifying experimental parameters that can tune them is of central interest. Here we report high-pressure muon spin rotation experiments on the temperature-dependent magnetic penetration depth in the optimally doped nodeless s-wave Fe-HTS Ba0.65Rb0.35Fe2As2. Upon pressure, a strong decrease of the penetration depth in the zero-temperature limit is observed, while the superconducting transition temperature remains nearly constant. More importantly, the low-temperature behaviour of the inverse-squared magnetic penetration depth, which is a direct measure of the superfluid density, changes qualitatively from an exponential saturation at zero pressure to a linear-in-temperature behaviour at higher pressures, indicating that hydrostatic pressure promotes the appearance of nodes in the superconducting gap. PMID:26548650

Direct evidence for a pressure-induced nodal superconducting gap in the Ba 0.65Rb 0.35Fe 2As 2 superconductor

DOE PAGES

Guguchia, Z.; Amato, A.; Kang, J.; ...

2015-11-09

The superconducting gap structure in iron-based high-temperature superconductors (Fe-HTSs) is non-universal. Contrasting with other unconventional superconductors, in the Fe-HTSs both d-wave and extended s-wave pairing symmetries are close in energy. Probing the proximity between these very different superconducting states and identifying experimental parameters that can tune them is of central interest. Here we report high-pressure muon spin rotation experiments on the temperature-dependent magnetic penetration depth in the optimally doped nodeless s-wave Fe-HTS Ba 0.65Rb 0.35Fe 2As 2. Upon pressure, a strong decrease of the penetration depth in the zero-temperature limit is observed, while the superconducting transition temperature remains nearly constant.more » More importantly, the low-temperature behaviour of the inverse-squared magnetic penetration depth, which is a direct measure of the superfluid density, changes qualitatively from an exponential saturation at zero pressure to a linear-in-temperature behaviour at higher pressures, indicating that hydrostatic pressure promotes the appearance of nodes in the superconducting gap.« less

Chemical stability of high-temperature superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bansal, Narottam P.

1992-01-01

A review of the available studies on the chemical stability of the high temperature superconductors (HTS) in various environments was made. The La(1.8)Ba(0.2)CuO4 HTS is unstable in the presence of H2O, CO2, and CO. The YBa2Cu3O(7-x) superconductor is highly susceptible to degradation in different environments, especially water. The La(2-x)Ba(x)CuO4 and Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O HTS are relatively less reactive than the YBa2Cu3O(7-x). Processing of YBa2Cu3O(7-x) HTS in purified oxygen, rather than in air, using high purity noncarbon containing starting materials is recommended. Exposure of this HTS to the ambient atmosphere should also be avoided at all stages during processing and storage. Devices and components made out of these oxide superconductors would have to be protected with an impermeable coating of a polymer, glass, or metal to avoid deterioration during use.

Computational Approach to Explore the B/A Junction Free Energy in DNA.

PubMed

Kulkarni, Mandar; Mukherjee, Arnab

2016-01-04

Protein-DNA interactions induce conformational changes in DNA such as B- to A-form transitions at a local level. Such transitions are associated with a junction free energy cost at the boundary of two different conformations in a DNA molecule. In this study, we performed umbrella sampling simulations to find the free energy values of the B-A transition at the dinucleotide and trinucleotide level of DNA. Using a combination of dinucleotide and trinucleotide free energy costs obtained from simulations, we calculated the B/A junction free energy. Our study shows that the B/A junction free energy is 0.52 kcal mol(-1) for the A-philic GG step and 1.59 kcal mol(-1) for the B-philic AA step. This observation is in agreement with experimentally derived values. After excluding junction effects, we obtained an absolute free energy cost for the B- to A-form conversion for all the dinucleotide steps. These absolute free energies may be used for predicting the propensity of structural transitions in DNA. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Local destruction of superconductivity by non-magnetic impurities in mesoscopic iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jun; Ji, Min; Schwarz, Tobias; Ke, Xiaoxing; van Tendeloo, Gustaaf; Yuan, Jie; Pereira, Paulo J.; Huang, Ya; Zhang, Gufei; Feng, Hai-Luke; Yuan, Ya-Hua; Hatano, Takeshi; Kleiner, Reinhold; Koelle, Dieter; Chibotaru, Liviu F.; Yamaura, Kazunari; Wang, Hua-Bing; Wu, Pei-Heng; Takayama-Muromachi, Eiji; Vanacken, Johan; Moshchalkov, Victor V.

2015-07-01

The determination of the pairing symmetry is one of the most crucial issues for the iron-based superconductors, for which various scenarios are discussed controversially. Non-magnetic impurity substitution is one of the most promising approaches to address the issue, because the pair-breaking mechanism from the non-magnetic impurities should be different for various models. Previous substitution experiments demonstrated that the non-magnetic zinc can suppress the superconductivity of various iron-based superconductors. Here we demonstrate the local destruction of superconductivity by non-magnetic zinc impurities in Ba0.5K0.5Fe2As2 by exploring phase-slip phenomena in a mesoscopic structure with 119 × 102 nm2 cross-section. The impurities suppress superconductivity in a three-dimensional `Swiss cheese'-like pattern with in-plane and out-of-plane characteristic lengths slightly below ~1.34 nm. This causes the superconducting order parameter to vary along abundant narrow channels with effective cross-section of a few square nanometres. The local destruction of superconductivity can be related to Cooper pair breaking by non-magnetic impurities.

Local destruction of superconductivity by non-magnetic impurities in mesoscopic iron-based superconductors.

PubMed

Li, Jun; Ji, Min; Schwarz, Tobias; Ke, Xiaoxing; Van Tendeloo, Gustaaf; Yuan, Jie; Pereira, Paulo J; Huang, Ya; Zhang, Gufei; Feng, Hai-Luke; Yuan, Ya-Hua; Hatano, Takeshi; Kleiner, Reinhold; Koelle, Dieter; Chibotaru, Liviu F; Yamaura, Kazunari; Wang, Hua-Bing; Wu, Pei-Heng; Takayama-Muromachi, Eiji; Vanacken, Johan; Moshchalkov, Victor V

2015-07-03

The determination of the pairing symmetry is one of the most crucial issues for the iron-based superconductors, for which various scenarios are discussed controversially. Non-magnetic impurity substitution is one of the most promising approaches to address the issue, because the pair-breaking mechanism from the non-magnetic impurities should be different for various models. Previous substitution experiments demonstrated that the non-magnetic zinc can suppress the superconductivity of various iron-based superconductors. Here we demonstrate the local destruction of superconductivity by non-magnetic zinc impurities in Ba0.5K0.5Fe2As2 by exploring phase-slip phenomena in a mesoscopic structure with 119 × 102 nm(2) cross-section. The impurities suppress superconductivity in a three-dimensional 'Swiss cheese'-like pattern with in-plane and out-of-plane characteristic lengths slightly below ∼1.34 nm. This causes the superconducting order parameter to vary along abundant narrow channels with effective cross-section of a few square nanometres. The local destruction of superconductivity can be related to Cooper pair breaking by non-magnetic impurities.

Single crystal X-ray diffraction study of the HgBa2CuO4+δ superconducting compound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bordet, P.; Duc, F.; Lefloch, S.; Capponi, J. J.; Alexandre, E.; Rosa-Nunes, M.; Antipov, E. V.; Putilin, S.

1996-02-01

A high precision X-ray diffraction analysis up to sin θ/λ = 1.15 of a HgBa2CuO4+δ single crystal having a Tc of ~ 90 K is presented. The cell parameters are a = 3.8815(4), c = 9.485 (7) Å. The refinements indicate the existence of a split barium site due to the presence of excess oxygen in the mercury layer. The position of this excess oxygen might be slightly displaced from the (1/2 1/2 0) position. A 6% mercury deficiency is observed. Models, including mercury defects, substitution by copper cations, or carbonate groups, are compared. However, we obtain no definite evidence for either of the three models. A possible disorder of the Hg position, due to the formation of chemical bonds with neighbouring extra oxygen anions, could correlate to the refinements of mixed species at the Hg site. A low temperature single crystal x-ray diffraction study, and comparison of refinements for the same single crystal with different extra oxygen contents, are in progress to help clarify this problem.

Commensurate antiferromagnetic excitations as a signature of the pseudogap in the tetragonal high-T c cuprate HgBa 2CuO 4+δ

DOE PAGES

Chan, M. K.; Dorow, C. J.; Mangin-Thro, L.; ...

2016-03-04

We report that antiferromagnetic correlations have been argued to be the cause of the d-wave superconductivity and the pseudogap phenomena exhibited by the cuprates. Although the antiferromagnetic response in the pseudogap state has been reported for a number of compounds, there exists no information for structurally simple HgBa 2CuO 4+δ. We report neutron-scattering results for HgBa 2CuO 4+δ (superconducting transition temperature T c≈71 K, pseudogap temperature T*≈305 K) that demonstrate the absence of the two most prominent features of the magnetic excitation spectrum of the cuprates: the X-shaped ‘hourglass’ response and the resonance mode in the superconducting state. Instead, themore » response is Y-shaped, gapped and significantly enhanced below T*, and hence a prominent signature of the pseudogap state.« less

Synchrotron x-ray scattering study of charge-density-wave order in HgBa2CuO4 +δ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tabis, W.; Yu, B.; Bialo, I.; Bluschke, M.; Kolodziej, T.; Kozlowski, A.; Blackburn, E.; Sen, K.; Forgan, E. M.; Zimmermann, M. v.; Tang, Y.; Weschke, E.; Vignolle, B.; Hepting, M.; Gretarsson, H.; Sutarto, R.; He, F.; Le Tacon, M.; Barišić, N.; Yu, G.; Greven, M.

2017-10-01

We present a detailed synchrotron x-ray scattering study of the charge-density-wave (CDW) order in simple tetragonal HgBa2CuO4 +δ (Hg1201). Resonant soft x-ray scattering measurements reveal that short-range order appears at a temperature that is distinctly lower than the pseudogap temperature and in excellent agreement with a prior transient reflectivity result. Despite considerable structural differences between Hg1201 and YBa2Cu3O6 +δ , the CDW correlations exhibit similar doping dependencies, and we demonstrate a universal relationship between the CDW wave vector and the size of the reconstructed Fermi pocket observed in quantum oscillation experiments. The CDW correlations in Hg1201 vanish already below optimal doping, once the correlation length is comparable to the CDW modulation period, and they appear to be limited by the disorder potential from unit cells hosting two interstitial oxygen atoms. A complementary hard x-ray diffraction measurement, performed on an underdoped Hg1201 sample in magnetic fields along the crystallographic c axis of up to 16 T, provides information on the form factor of the CDW order. As expected from the single-CuO2-layer structure of Hg1201, the CDW correlations vanish at half-integer values of L and appear to be peaked at integer L . We conclude that the atomic displacements associated with the short-range CDW order are mainly planar, within the CuO2 layers.

Enhanced critical-current in P-doped BaFe2As2 thin films on metal substrates arising from poorly aligned grain boundaries.

PubMed

Sato, Hikaru; Hiramatsu, Hidenori; Kamiya, Toshio; Hosono, Hideo

2016-11-11

Thin films of the iron-based superconductor BaFe 2 (As 1-x P x ) 2 (Ba122:P) were fabricated on polycrystalline metal-tape substrates with two kinds of in-plane grain boundary alignments (well aligned (4°) and poorly aligned (8°)) by pulsed laser deposition. The poorly aligned substrate is not applicable to cuprate-coated conductors because the in-plane alignment >4° results in exponential decay of the critical current density (J c ). The Ba122:P film exhibited higher J c at 4 K when grown on the poorly aligned substrate than on the well-aligned substrate even though the crystallinity was poorer. It was revealed that the misorientation angles of the poorly aligned samples were less than 6°, which are less than the critical angle of an iron-based superconductor, cobalt-doped BaFe 2 As 2 (~9°), and the observed strong pinning in the Ba122:P is attributed to the high-density grain boundaries with the misorientation angles smaller than the critical angle. This result reveals a distinct advantage over cuprate-coated conductors because well-aligned metal-tape substrates are not necessary for practical applications of the iron-based superconductors.

Fabrication of single domain GdBCO bulk superconductors by a new modified TSIG technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, W. M.; Zhi, X.; Chen, S. L.; Wang, M.; Li, J. W.; Ma, J.; Chao, X. X.

2014-01-01

Single domain GdBCO bulk superconductors have been fabricated with new and traditional solid phases by a top seeded infiltration and growth (TSIG) process technique. In the conventional TSIG process, three types of powders, such as Gd2BaCuO5, GdBa2Cu3O7-x and Ba3Cu5O8, must be prepared, but in our new modified TSIG technique, only BaCuO2 powders are required during the fabrication of the single domain GdBCO bulk superconductors. The solid phase used in the conventional process is Gd2BaCuO5 instead of the solid phase (Gd2O3 + BaCuO2) utilized in the new process. The liquid phase used in the conventional process is a mixture of (GdBa2Cu3O7-x + Ba3Cu5O8), and the liquid phase in the new process is a mixture of (Gd2O3 + 10BaCuO2 + 6CuO). Single domain GdBCO bulk superconductors have been fabricated with the new solid and liquid phases. The levitation force of the GdBCO bulk samples fabricated by the new solid phase is 28 N, which is slightly higher than that of the samples fabricated using the conventional solid phases (26 N). The microstructure and the levitation force of the samples indicate that this new method can greatly simplify the fabrication process, introduce nanometer-sized flux centers, improve the levitation force and working efficiency, and greatly reduce the cost of fabrication of single domain GdBCO bulk superconductors by the TSIG process.

Interplay of magnetism and superconductivity in the compressed Fe-ladder compound BaFe 2 Se 3

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ying, Jianjun; Lei, Hechang; Petrovic, Cedomir

High pressure resistance, susceptibility, and Fe K β x-ray emission spectroscopy measurements were performed on Fe-ladder compound BaFe 2 Se 3 . Pressure-induced superconductivity was observed which is similar to the previously reported superconductivity in the BaFe 2 S 3 samples. The slope of local magnetic moment versus pressure shows an anomaly across the insulator-metal transition pressure in the BaFe 2 Se 3 samples. The local magnetic moment is continuously decreasing with increasing pressure, and the superconductivity appears only when the local magnetic moment value is comparable to the one in the iron-pnictide superconductors. Our results indicate that the compressedmore » BaFe 2 C h 3 ( C h = S , Se) is a new family of iron-based superconductors. Despite the crystal structures completely different from the known iron-based superconducting materials, the magnetism in this Fe-ladder material plays a critical role in superconductivity. This behavior is similar to the other members of iron-based superconducting materials.« less

Free energy landscape and transition pathways from Watson–Crick to Hoogsteen base pairing in free duplex DNA

PubMed Central

Yang, Changwon; Kim, Eunae; Pak, Youngshang

2015-01-01

Houghton (HG) base pairing plays a central role in the DNA binding of proteins and small ligands. Probing detailed transition mechanism from Watson–Crick (WC) to HG base pair (bp) formation in duplex DNAs is of fundamental importance in terms of revealing intrinsic functions of double helical DNAs beyond their sequence determined functions. We investigated a free energy landscape of a free B-DNA with an adenosine–thymine (A–T) rich sequence to probe its conformational transition pathways from WC to HG base pairing. The free energy landscape was computed with a state-of-art two-dimensional umbrella molecular dynamics simulation at the all-atom level. The present simulation showed that in an isolated duplex DNA, the spontaneous transition from WC to HG bp takes place via multiple pathways. Notably, base flipping into the major and minor grooves was found to play an important role in forming these multiple transition pathways. This finding suggests that naked B-DNA under normal conditions has an inherent ability to form HG bps via spontaneous base opening events. PMID:26250116

Wigner-Seitz local-environment study of the high-T/sub c/ superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Melamud, M.; Bennett, L.H.; Watson, R.E.

The near-neighbor environments and the bonding of atoms in the high-T/sub c/ superconductors are studied using a Wigner-Seitz-cell contruction. Assuming metallic radii for the atoms, it is shown that the Ba, Y, and La atoms have large coordination numbers, implying a three-dimensional bonding scheme. The La-Cu-O type (approx. =40 K) and the Y-Ba-Cu-O type (approx. =90 K) superconductors both display the same bonding characteristics.

Numerical modelling of iron-pnictide bulk superconductor magnetization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ainslie, Mark D.; Yamamoto, Akiyasu; Fujishiro, Hiroyuki; Weiss, Jeremy D.; Hellstrom, Eric E.

2017-10-01

Iron-based superconductors exhibit a number of properties attractive for applications, including low anisotropy, high upper critical magnetic fields (H c2) in excess of 90 T and intrinsic critical current densities above 1 MA cm-2 (0 T, 4.2 K). It was shown recently that bulk iron-pnictide superconducting magnets capable of trapping over 1 T (5 K) and 0.5 T (20 K) can be fabricated with fine-grain polycrystalline Ba0.6K0.4Fe2As2 (Ba122). These Ba122 magnets were processed by a scalable, versatile and low-cost method using common industrial ceramic processing techniques. In this paper, a standard numerical modelling technique, based on a 2D axisymmetric finite-element model implementing the H -formulation, is used to investigate the magnetisation properties of such iron-pnictide bulk superconductors. Using the measured J c(B, T) characteristics of a small specimen taken from a bulk Ba122 sample, experimentally measured trapped fields are reproduced well for a single bulk, as well as a stack of bulks. Additionally, the influence of the geometric dimensions (thickness and diameter) on the trapped field is analysed, with a view of fabricating larger samples to increase the magnetic field available from such trapped field magnets. It is shown that, with current state-of-the-art superconducting properties, surface trapped fields >2 T could readily be achieved at 5 K (and >1 T at 20 K) with a sample of diameter 50 mm. Finally, an aspect ratio of between 1 and 1.5 for R/H (radius/thickness) would be an appropriate compromise between the accessible, surface trapped field and volume of superconducting material for bulk Ba122 magnets.

Concealed d -wave pairs in the s ± condensate of iron-based superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ong, Tzen; Coleman, Piers; Schmalian, Jörg

A central question in iron-based superconductivity is the mechanism by which the paired electrons minimize their strong mutual Coulomb repulsion. In most unconventional superconductors, Coulomb repulsion is minimized through the formation of higher angular momentum Cooper pairs, with Fermi surface nodes in the pair wavefunction. The apparent absence of such nodes in the iron-based superconductors has led to a belief they form an s-wave (s ±) singlet state, which changes sign between the electron and hole pockets. However, the multiorbital nature of these systems opens an alternative possibility. In this paper, we propose a new class of s ± statemore » containing a condensate of d-wave Cooper pairs, concealed by their entanglement with the iron orbitals. By combining the d-wave (L=2) motion of the pairs with the internal angular momenta I =2 of the iron orbitals to make a singlet (J =L+I =0), an s ± superconductor with a nontrivial topology is formed. This scenario allows us to understand the development of octet nodes in potassium-doped Ba 1$-$xK XFe 2As 2 as a reconfiguration of the orbital and internal angular momentum into a high spin (J =L+I =4) state; the reverse transition under pressure into a fully gapped state can then be interpreted as a return to the low-spin singlet. Finally, the formation of orbitally entangled pairs is predicted to give rise to a shift in the orbital content at the Fermi surface, which can be tested via laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy.« less

Concealed d -wave pairs in the s ± condensate of iron-based superconductors

DOE PAGES

Ong, Tzen; Coleman, Piers; Schmalian, Jörg

2016-05-02

A central question in iron-based superconductivity is the mechanism by which the paired electrons minimize their strong mutual Coulomb repulsion. In most unconventional superconductors, Coulomb repulsion is minimized through the formation of higher angular momentum Cooper pairs, with Fermi surface nodes in the pair wavefunction. The apparent absence of such nodes in the iron-based superconductors has led to a belief they form an s-wave (s ±) singlet state, which changes sign between the electron and hole pockets. However, the multiorbital nature of these systems opens an alternative possibility. In this paper, we propose a new class of s ± statemore » containing a condensate of d-wave Cooper pairs, concealed by their entanglement with the iron orbitals. By combining the d-wave (L=2) motion of the pairs with the internal angular momenta I =2 of the iron orbitals to make a singlet (J =L+I =0), an s ± superconductor with a nontrivial topology is formed. This scenario allows us to understand the development of octet nodes in potassium-doped Ba 1$-$xK XFe 2As 2 as a reconfiguration of the orbital and internal angular momentum into a high spin (J =L+I =4) state; the reverse transition under pressure into a fully gapped state can then be interpreted as a return to the low-spin singlet. Finally, the formation of orbitally entangled pairs is predicted to give rise to a shift in the orbital content at the Fermi surface, which can be tested via laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy.« less

Concealed d-wave pairs in the s± condensate of iron-based superconductors.

PubMed

Ong, Tzen; Coleman, Piers; Schmalian, Jörg

2016-05-17

A central question in iron-based superconductivity is the mechanism by which the paired electrons minimize their strong mutual Coulomb repulsion. In most unconventional superconductors, Coulomb repulsion is minimized through the formation of higher angular momentum Cooper pairs, with Fermi surface nodes in the pair wavefunction. The apparent absence of such nodes in the iron-based superconductors has led to a belief they form an s-wave ([Formula: see text]) singlet state, which changes sign between the electron and hole pockets. However, the multiorbital nature of these systems opens an alternative possibility. Here, we propose a new class of [Formula: see text] state containing a condensate of d-wave Cooper pairs, concealed by their entanglement with the iron orbitals. By combining the d-wave ([Formula: see text]) motion of the pairs with the internal angular momenta [Formula: see text] of the iron orbitals to make a singlet ([Formula: see text]), an [Formula: see text] superconductor with a nontrivial topology is formed. This scenario allows us to understand the development of octet nodes in potassium-doped Ba1-x KXFe2As2 as a reconfiguration of the orbital and internal angular momentum into a high spin ([Formula: see text]) state; the reverse transition under pressure into a fully gapped state can then be interpreted as a return to the low-spin singlet. The formation of orbitally entangled pairs is predicted to give rise to a shift in the orbital content at the Fermi surface, which can be tested via laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy.

High pressure low temperature studies on 1-2-2 iron-based superconductors using designer diamond cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Uhoya, Walter O.; Tsoi, Georgiy M.; Vohra, Yogesh K.

In this study, high pressure low temperature electrical resistance measurements were carried out on a series of 122 iron-based superconductors using a designer diamond anvil cell. These studies were complemented by image plate x-ray diffraction measurements under high pressures and low temperatures at beamline 16-BM-D, HPCAT, Advanced Photon Source. A common feature of the 1-2-2 iron-based materials is the observation of anomalous compressibility effects under pressure and a Tetragonal (T) to Collapsed Tetragonal (CT) phase transition under high pressures. Specific studies on antiferromagnetic spin-density-wave Ba 0.5Sr 0.5Fe 2As 2 and Ba(Fe 0.9Ru 0.1) 2As 2 samples are presented to 10more » K and 41 GPa. The collapsed tetragonal phase was observed at a pressure of 14 GPa in Ba 0.5Sr 0.5Fe 2As 2 at ambient temperature. The highest superconducting transition temperature in Ba 0.5Sr 0.5Fe 2As 2 was observed to be at 32 K at a pressure of 4.7 GPa. The superconductivity was observed to be suppressed on transformation to the CT phase in 122 materials.« less

Local destruction of superconductivity by non-magnetic impurities in mesoscopic iron-based superconductors

PubMed Central

Li, Jun; Ji, Min; Schwarz, Tobias; Ke, Xiaoxing; Van Tendeloo, Gustaaf; Yuan, Jie; Pereira, Paulo J.; Huang, Ya; Zhang, Gufei; Feng, Hai-Luke; Yuan, Ya-Hua; Hatano, Takeshi; Kleiner, Reinhold; Koelle, Dieter; Chibotaru, Liviu F.; Yamaura, Kazunari; Wang, Hua-Bing; Wu, Pei-Heng; Takayama-Muromachi, Eiji; Vanacken, Johan; Moshchalkov, Victor V.

2015-01-01

The determination of the pairing symmetry is one of the most crucial issues for the iron-based superconductors, for which various scenarios are discussed controversially. Non-magnetic impurity substitution is one of the most promising approaches to address the issue, because the pair-breaking mechanism from the non-magnetic impurities should be different for various models. Previous substitution experiments demonstrated that the non-magnetic zinc can suppress the superconductivity of various iron-based superconductors. Here we demonstrate the local destruction of superconductivity by non-magnetic zinc impurities in Ba0.5K0.5Fe2As2 by exploring phase-slip phenomena in a mesoscopic structure with 119 × 102 nm2 cross-section. The impurities suppress superconductivity in a three-dimensional ‘Swiss cheese'-like pattern with in-plane and out-of-plane characteristic lengths slightly below ∼1.34 nm. This causes the superconducting order parameter to vary along abundant narrow channels with effective cross-section of a few square nanometres. The local destruction of superconductivity can be related to Cooper pair breaking by non-magnetic impurities. PMID:26139568

Comparative studies of '1212' superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gapud, Albert Agcaoili

Several properties of highly isomorphic species of HgBa2CaCu 2O6+delta (Hg-1212) and TlBa2CaCu2O 7-delta (Tl-1212) were compared. The samples used were high-quality, c-oriented thin films with epitaxial growth. In particular, the Hg-1212 films were made from either Tl-2212 or Tl-1212 films using a novel method in which the Tl cations were surgically replaced by Hg cations, during which the 1212 structure was retained. Properties studied were: the irreversibility line, critical current density, the magnetic phase diagram, the normal-state Hall effect, and the mixed-state Hall effect. There are several indications that the most significant difference between the 1212 species is mostly in their superconducting charge carrier density. However, the subtle differences in their electronic band structure may have also been discerned.

Growth of Cu 0.5Tl 0.5Ba 2Ca 3Cu 4-yZn yO 12-δ superconductor with optimum carriers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mumtaz, M.; Khan, Nawazish A.; Khan, E. U.

2010-05-01

We have tried to vary the carriers concentration in Cu 0.5Tl 0.5Ba 2Ca 3Cu 4-yZn yO 12-δ ( y = 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5) superconductor with the help of post-annealing experiments carried out in nitrogen, oxygen and air and to investigate its effects on the superconductivity parameters. The zero resistivity critical temperature [ T c( R = 0)], the magnitude of diamagnetism and critical current [ I c( H = 0)] are found to increase in Zn free samples after post-annealing in oxygen and air, while these superconducting properties have been suppressed after post-annealing in nitrogen at 550 °C for 6 h. The post-annealing of Zn-doped samples in air has marginally increased the superconducting properties, while these properties have been suppressed after post-annealing in nitrogen and oxygen. These studies have led us to the definite conclusion that the Zn-doped material has grown with optimum carriers concentration.

Role of Free Radicals/Reactive Oxygen Species in MeHg Photodegradation: Importance of Utilizing Appropriate Scavengers.

PubMed

Han, Xiaoxiao; Li, Yanbin; Li, Dan; Liu, Chang

2017-04-04

A variety of free radicals (FR)/reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been proposed to dominate methylmercury (MeHg) photodegradation, primarily based on the results of FR/ROS scavenger addition experiments. However, in addition to eliminating FR/ROS, the added scavengers may also affect the experimental results by altering some water chemical properties, resulting in a misleading assessment of the importance of FR/ROS. In this study, 20 common FR/ROS scavengers were evaluated in terms of their influence on light absorbance, pH, MeHg analysis, MeHg-dissolved organic matter (DOM) complexation, and the scavenger-induced degradation of MeHg. Only nine scavengers were identified to be appropriate for investigating MeHg photodegradation. By utilizing these appropriate scavengers, direct photodegradation of MeHg-DOM complexes was found to be the major pathway of MeHg photodegradation in Laoshan Reservoir water and Stone Old Beach seawater. In contrast, MeHg photodegradation in Ink River water primarily occurs through both ·OH and 3 DOM* mediated indirect pathways and direct photodegradation of MeHg-DOM complexes. The diverse pathways of MeHg photodegradation in the tested water may be due to differences in water chemical properties. A severe overestimation of the role of FR/ROS was observed when several improper but commonly used scavengers were adopted, highlighting the necessity of utilizing appropriate scavengers.

Free energy landscape and transition pathways from Watson-Crick to Hoogsteen base pairing in free duplex DNA.

PubMed

Yang, Changwon; Kim, Eunae; Pak, Youngshang

2015-09-18

Houghton (HG) base pairing plays a central role in the DNA binding of proteins and small ligands. Probing detailed transition mechanism from Watson-Crick (WC) to HG base pair (bp) formation in duplex DNAs is of fundamental importance in terms of revealing intrinsic functions of double helical DNAs beyond their sequence determined functions. We investigated a free energy landscape of a free B-DNA with an adenosine-thymine (A-T) rich sequence to probe its conformational transition pathways from WC to HG base pairing. The free energy landscape was computed with a state-of-art two-dimensional umbrella molecular dynamics simulation at the all-atom level. The present simulation showed that in an isolated duplex DNA, the spontaneous transition from WC to HG bp takes place via multiple pathways. Notably, base flipping into the major and minor grooves was found to play an important role in forming these multiple transition pathways. This finding suggests that naked B-DNA under normal conditions has an inherent ability to form HG bps via spontaneous base opening events. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

Point contact Andreev reflection spectroscopic (PCARS) studies on 122-type iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Xin; Park, W. K.; Greene, L. H.; Yuan, H. Q.; Chen, G. F.; Luo, G. L.; Wang, N. L.; Sefat, A. S.; McGuire, M. A.; Jin, R.; Sales, B. C.; Mandrus, D.; Gillett, J.; Sebastian, S. E.

2010-03-01

PCARS is applied to investigate the superconducting gap in iron pnictide single crystal superconductors of the AFe2As2 (A=Ba, Sr) family with two categories of G(V) curves observed [1]: one where Andreev reflection (AR) is present for (Ba0.6K0.4)Fe2As2 and Ba(Fe0.9Co0.1)2As2, and the other without AR but a V^2/3 shape for Sr0.6Na0.4Fe2As2 and Sr(Fe0.9Co0.1)2As2. The latter is also observed in the nonsuperconducting parent compound BaFe2As2. Mesoscopic phase-separated coexistence of magnetic and superconducting orders is considered to explain distinct behaviors. A gap size ˜3.0-4.0 meV with 2δ0/kBTc˜2.0-2.6 is observed for PCARS on Ba0.6K0.4Fe2As2. For the Ba(Fe0.9Co0.1)2As2, G(V) curves typically display a zero-bias conductance peak, sometimes with a V-shape background. [1] Xin Lu et al., arXiv:0910.4230

A brief review of Ba(Ti0.8Zr0.2)O3-(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics: Past, present and future perspectives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yong; Sun, Huajun; Chen, Wen

2018-03-01

As one kind of most crucial and emerging lead-free piezoelectric systems, Ba(Ti0.8Zr0.2)O3-(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BCZT) based lead-free piezoceramics have attracted worldwide attention in recent years. Much progress has been made, however, a summary which covers both the recent progress and the remained problems is urgently needed to further push this field forward. In this review, a brief background of the development of BCZT based lead-free piezoceramics was illustrated firstly. Then, the internal mechanism for the high piezoelectric response would be elaborated. Current research status was discussed in detail in the third section. Various strategies including: (1) Using distinct synthesis routes, (2) adopting different sintering techniques, (3) doping with foreign ions and/or second components, (4) grain size control, were exploited to improve the comprehensive performance and in turn broaden their application areas. In this part, some recently representative works were touched in detail and several existing problems were pointed out. Last, some critical comments (some thoughts related to the potential and future development of BCZT system) were given based on the current research status and existing problems. All in all, this review is devoted to summarizing the milestones in the past, classifying selected recent works and analyzing the prospects of BCZT based ceramics. It can be expected that, this first review that concentrates on BCZT based ceramics obviously would provide useful guidance for the research community.

Structure of new Hg0.75V0.25Ba2CuO4+δ superconducting single crystals.Effect of overdoping on the magnetization second peak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Villard, G.; Pelloquin, D.; Maignan, A.

1998-10-01

Superconducting crystals (Tc=88 K) of the `1201' mercury cuprate have been grown by using vanadium as stabilizer of the (HgOδ) mercury layer. Its shortened c-axis parameter, c=9.345 Å, is linked to the substitution of small VO4 tetrahedra for HgO2 stick deduced from the structural study. The regular layer stacking is confirmed by high resolution microscopy, and cationic analysis coupled to an electron microscope leads to the average formula Hg0.75V0.25Ba2CuO4+δ for these overdoped crystals in good agreement with the structural refinements. One of the major result of the structural part is the mobility of oxygens located at the [BaO]∞ layer level. The superconducting properties of crystals with typical 800×500×10 μm3 dimensions have been investigated by magnetic measurements. Well-marked fishtail features are exhibited on their M(H) curves. The corresponding second peak line differs from that of optimized 1201 crystals demonstrating the important consequences on the superconducting properties of the vanadium for mercury substitution.

New diluted ferromagnetic semiconductor with Curie temperature up to 180 K and isostructural to the '122' iron-based superconductors.

PubMed

Zhao, K; Deng, Z; Wang, X C; Han, W; Zhu, J L; Li, X; Liu, Q Q; Yu, R C; Goko, T; Frandsen, B; Liu, Lian; Ning, Fanlong; Uemura, Y J; Dabkowska, H; Luke, G M; Luetkens, H; Morenzoni, E; Dunsiger, S R; Senyshyn, A; Böni, P; Jin, C Q

2013-01-01

Diluted magnetic semiconductors have received much attention due to their potential applications for spintronics devices. A prototypical system (Ga,Mn)As has been widely studied since the 1990s. The simultaneous spin and charge doping via hetero-valent (Ga(3+),Mn(2+)) substitution, however, resulted in severely limited solubility without availability of bulk specimens. Here we report the synthesis of a new diluted magnetic semiconductor (Ba(1-x)K(x))(Zn(1-y)Mn(y))(2)As(2), which is isostructural to the 122 iron-based superconductors with the tetragonal ThCr(2)Si(2) (122) structure. Holes are doped via (Ba(2+), K(1+)) replacements, while spins via isovalent (Zn(2+),Mn(2+)) substitutions. Bulk samples with x=0.1-0.3 and y=0.05-0.15 exhibit ferromagnetic order with T(C) up to 180 K, which is comparable to the highest T(C) for (Ga,Mn)As and significantly enhanced from T(C) up to 50 K of the '111'-based Li(Zn,Mn)As. Moreover, ferromagnetic (Ba,K)(Zn,Mn)(2)As(2) shares the same 122 crystal structure with semiconducting BaZn(2)As(2), antiferromagnetic BaMn(2)As(2) and superconducting (Ba,K)Fe(2)As(2), which makes them promising for the development of multilayer functional devices.

Development of strong vortex pinning and very high Jc in iron based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarantini, Chiara

2015-03-01

Ba(Fe1-xCox)2 As2 (Ba122) is the most tunable of the Fe-based superconductors (FBS) in terms of its acceptance of high densities of secondary phases capable of acting as effective pinning centers without depressing the properties of the superconducting matrix. It has been demonstrated that self-assembled nanorods made of Ba-Fe-O generate a strong correlated pinning along the c-axis, enhancing the critical current density, Jc, in this direction and reducing the Jc anisotropy. However, when 20% of secondary phases are introduced, the reduction of the cross-section becomes significant, decreasing the low field performance. In order to overcome this issue, artificially introduced pinning centers can be added by multilayer deposition producing an almost isotropic increase of Jc. Moreover, FBS are very sensitive to strain, allowing an important enhancement in the critical temperature, Tc, of the material. It will be shown that strain induced by the substrate can further improve Jc of both single and multilayer films by more than expected because of the Tc increase. The multilayer deposition of Ba122 on CaF2 increases the pinning force density, Fp, by more than 60% compared to a single layer film, reaching a maximum of 84 GN/m3 at 22.5T and 4.2 K, the highest value ever reported in any 122 phase. This work shows that the in-field performance of Ba122 widely exceeds that of Nb3Sn above 10T, attracting attention for possible applications.

Universal lower limit on vortex creep in superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eley, S.; Miura, M.; Maiorov, B.; Civale, L.

2017-04-01

Superconductors are excellent testbeds for studying vortices, topological excitations that also appear in superfluids, liquid crystals and Bose-Einstein condensates. Vortex motion can be disruptive; it can cause phase transitions, glitches in pulsars, and losses in superconducting microwave circuits, and it limits the current-carrying capacity of superconductors. Understanding vortex dynamics is fundamentally and technologically important, and the competition between thermal energy and energy barriers defined by material disorder is not completely understood. Specifically, early measurements of thermally activated vortex motion (creep) in iron-based superconductors unveiled fast rates (S) comparable to measurements of YBa 2Cu3O7-δ (refs ,,,,,). This was puzzling because S is thought to somehow correlate with the Ginzburg number (Gi), and Gi is significantly lower in most iron-based superconductors than in YBa 2Cu3O7-δ. Here, we report very slow creep in BaFe 2(As0.67P0.33)2 films, and propose the existence of a universal minimum realizable S ~ Gi1/2(T/Tc) (Tc is the superconducting transition temperature) that has been achieved in our films and few other materials, and is violated by none. This limitation provides new clues about designing materials with slow creep and the interplay between material parameters and vortex dynamics.

Plasmons in cuprate superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bozovic, Ivan

1990-08-01

The customary way of determining the complex dielectric constant from the measured reflectance spectra suffers from large uncertainties because of the extrapolations required for the Kramers-Kronig transformation. To avoid these, a method is introduced in which reflectance and ellipsometric data on single crystals and epitaxial films are combined. Utilizing this approach, the spectral functions of YBa2Cu3O7 (Y-Ba-Cu-O) and Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O) are determined with substantially improved accuracy. This enables the unambiguous identification of optic plasmons at 1.4 eV in Y-Ba-Cu-O and at 1.1 eV in Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O. No other low-lying optic plasmons are detected, which likely rules out most plasmon-mediated superconductivity models. Next, the bare plasma frequency is found to be ħωp=3.2+/-0.3 eV in Y-Ba-Cu-O and ħωp=2.4+/-0.3 eV in Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O. These values support ascribing the strong infrared absorption to charge carriers which, however, are not free-electron-like, but rather show characteristic polaronic behavior. Finally, in both Y-Ba-Cu-O and Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O, it is found that Im(-1/ɛ)=βω2 for small ω, and this law is conjectured to be universal for all layered cuprate superconductors. It is again not Drude-like; it may be compatible with the layered electron-gas model. The latter implies existence of a broad band of acoustic plasmon branches.

Electronic Phase Separation in the Slightly Underdoped Iron Pnictide Superconductor Ba{sub 1-x}K{sub x}Fe{sub 2}As{sub 2}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Park, J. T.; Inosov, D. S.; Sun, G. L.

2009-03-20

Here we present a combined study of the slightly underdoped novel pnictide superconductor Ba{sub 1-x}K{sub x}Fe{sub 2}As{sub 2} by means of x-ray powder diffraction, neutron scattering, muon-spin rotation ({mu}SR), and magnetic force microscopy (MFM). Static antiferromagnetic order sets in below T{sub m}{approx_equal}70 K as inferred from the neutron scattering and zero-field-{mu}SR data. Transverse-field {mu}SR below T{sub c} shows a coexistence of magnetically ordered and nonmagnetic states, which is also confirmed by MFM imaging. We explain such coexistence by electronic phase separation into antiferromagnetic and superconducting- or normal-state regions on a lateral scale of several tens of nanometers. Our findings indicatemore » that such mesoscopic phase separation can be considered an intrinsic property of some iron pnictide superconductors.« less

4π-periodic Josephson supercurrent in HgTe-based topological Josephson junctions

PubMed Central

Wiedenmann, J.; Bocquillon, E.; Deacon, R. S.; Hartinger, S.; Herrmann, O.; Klapwijk, T. M.; Maier, L.; Ames, C.; Brüne, C.; Gould, C.; Oiwa, A.; Ishibashi, K.; Tarucha, S.; Buhmann, H.; Molenkamp, L. W.

2016-01-01

The Josephson effect describes the generic appearance of a supercurrent in a weak link between two superconductors. Its exact physical nature deeply influences the properties of the supercurrent. In recent years, considerable efforts have focused on the coupling of superconductors to the surface states of a three-dimensional topological insulator. In such a material, an unconventional induced p-wave superconductivity should occur, with a doublet of topologically protected gapless Andreev bound states, whose energies vary 4π-periodically with the superconducting phase difference across the junction. In this article, we report the observation of an anomalous response to rf irradiation in a Josephson junction made of a HgTe weak link. The response is understood as due to a 4π-periodic contribution to the supercurrent, and its amplitude is compatible with the expected contribution of a gapless Andreev doublet. Our work opens the way to more elaborate experiments to investigate the induced superconductivity in a three-dimensional insulator. PMID:26792013

Improvement in trapped fields by stacking bulk superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, A.; Wongsatanawarid, A.; Seki, H.; Murakami, M.

2009-10-01

We studied the effects of stacking several bulk superconductor blocks on the field trapping properties. In order to avoid the detrimental effects of the bottom deteriorated parts, bulk Dy-Ba-Cu-O superconductors 45 mm in diameter and 10 mm in thickness were cut from the top parts of as-grown bulk blocks of 25 mm diameter. We stacked the superconductors and measured the field distribution as a function of the gap. The trapped field measurements were performed by field-cooling the samples inserted in between two permanent magnets with liquid nitrogen. It was found that the trapped field values are almost doubled when the number of stacked bulk superconductors increased from two to three. The present results clearly show that one can expect beneficial effects of increasing the ratio of the height to the diameter even in bulk high temperature superconductors.

Polaron formation in normal state optical conductivity of iron-based superconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choudhary, K. K.; Lodhi, Pavitra Devi; Kaurav, Netram

2018-05-01

Normal state Optical conductivity σ(ω) of Iron-Based superconductor LaFeAsO have been investigated using polaron formation mechanism. The coherent Drude free carrier excitations as well as the incoherent motion of carriers leading to a polaron formation, originated from inter and intra layer transitions of charge carriers are incorporated in the present model. Coherent motion of Drude carriers obtained from an effective interaction potential leads to a peak at zero frequency regime which is an indication of metallic conduction in superconducting materials and also produces a long tail at higher frequencies infrared region. Whereas, the incoherent motion i.e. hopping of carriers from Fe to Fe in the FeAs layer and from FeAs layer to LaO layer produces two different peaks at around 100 cm-1 and 430 cm-1 respectively. Two contributions, Drude and hopping carriers successfully explain the anomalies observed in the optical conductivity of metallic state of the iron-based superconductors.

In-situ integrated processing and characterization of thin films of high temperature superconductors, dielectrics and semiconductors by MOCVD

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, R.; Sinha, S.; Hsu, N. J.; Thakur, R. P. S.; Chou, P.; Kumar, A.; Narayan, J.

1990-01-01

In this strategy of depositing the basic building blocks of superconductors, semiconductors, and dielectric having common elements, researchers deposited superconducting films of Y-Ba-Cu-O, semiconductor films of Cu2O, and dielectric films of BaF2 and Y2O3 by metal oxide chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). By switching source materials entering the chamber, and by using direct writting capability, complex device structures like three-terminal hybrid semiconductors/superconductors transistors can be fabricated. The Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting thin films on BaF2/YSZ substrates show a T(sub c) of 80 K and are textured with most of the grains having their c-axis or a-axis perpendicular to the substrate. Electrical characteristics as well as structural characteristics of superconductors and related materials obtained by x-ray defraction, electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray analysis are discussed.

In-situ integrated processing and characterization of thin films of high temperature superconductors, dielectrics and semiconductors by MOCVD

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, R.; Sinha, S.; Hsu, N. J.; Thakur, R. P. S.; Chou, P.; Kumar, A.; Narayan, J.

1991-01-01

In this strategy of depositing the basic building blocks of superconductors, semiconductors, and dielectrics having common elements, researchers deposited superconducting films of Y-Ba-Cu-O, semiconductor films of Cu2O, and dielectric films of BaF2 and Y2O3 by metal oxide chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). By switching source materials entering the chamber, and by using direct writing capability, complex device structures like three terminal hybrid semiconductor/superconductor transistors can be fabricated. The Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting thin films on BaF2/YSZ substrates show a T(sub c) of 80 K and are textured with most of the grains having their c-axis or a-axis perpendicular to the substrate. Electrical characteristics as well as structural characteristics of superconductors and related materials obtained by x-ray deffraction, electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray analysis are discussed.

Domain-wall superconductivity in superconductor-ferromagnet hybrids.

PubMed

Yang, Zhaorong; Lange, Martin; Volodin, Alexander; Szymczak, Ritta; Moshchalkov, Victor V

2004-11-01

Superconductivity and magnetism are two antagonistic cooperative phenomena, and the intriguing problem of their coexistence has been studied for several decades. Recently, artificial hybrid superconductor-ferromagnet systems have been commonly used as model systems to reveal the interplay between competing superconducting and magnetic order parameters, and to verify the existence of new physical phenomena, including the predicted domain-wall superconductivity (DWS). Here we report the experimental observation of DWS in superconductor-ferromagnet hybrids using a niobium film on a BaFe(12)O(19) single crystal. We found that the critical temperature T(c) of the superconductivity nucleation in niobium increases with increasing field until it reaches the saturation field of BaFe(12)O(19). In accordance with the field-shift of the maximum value of T(c), pronounced hysteresis effects have been found in resistive transitions. We argue that the compensation of the applied field by the stray fields of the magnetic domains as well as the change in the domain structure is responsible for the appearance of the DWS and the coexistence of superconductivity and magnetism in the superconductor-ferromagnet hybrids.

Superconductivity in gallium-substituted Ba8Si46 clathrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yang; Zhang, Ruihong; Liu, Yang; Chen, Ning; Luo, Z. P.; Ma, Xingqiao; Cao, Guohui; Feng, Z. S.; Hu, Chia-Ren; Ross, Joseph H., Jr.

2007-02-01

We report a joint experimental and theoretical investigation of superconductivity in Ga-substituted type-I silicon clathrates. We prepared samples of the general formula Ba8Si46-xGax , with different values of x . We show that Ba8Si40Ga6 is a bulk superconductor, with an onset at TC≈3.3K . For x=10 and higher, no superconductivity was observed down to T=1.8K . This represents a strong suppression of superconductivity with increasing Ga content, compared to Ba8Si46 with TC≈8K . Suppression of superconductivity can be attributed primarily to a decrease in the density of states at the Fermi level, caused by a reduced integrity of the sp3 -hybridized networks as well as the lowering of carrier concentration. These results are corroborated by first-principles calculations, which show that Ga substitution results in a large decrease of the electronic density of states at the Fermi level, which explains the decreased superconducting critical temperature within the BCS framework. To further characterize the superconducting state, we carried out magnetic measurements showing Ba8Si40Ga6 to be a type-II superconductor. The critical magnetic fields were measured to be HC1≈35Oe and HC2≈8.5kOe . We deduce the London penetration depth λ≈3700Å and the coherence length ξc≈200Å . Our estimate of the electron-phonon coupling reveals that Ba8Si40Ga6 is a moderate phonon-mediated BCS superconductor.

X-ray photoemission studies of Zn doped Cu 1- xTl xBa 2Ca 2Cu 3- yZn yO 10- δ ( y = 0, 2.65) superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Nawazish A.; Mumtaz, M.; Ahadian, M. M.; Iraji-zad, Azam

2007-03-01

The X-ray photoemission (XPS) measurements of Cu 1- xTl xBa 2Ca 2Cu 3- yZn yO 10- δ ( y = 0, 2.65) superconductors have been performed and compared. These studies revealed that the charge state of thallium in the Cu 0.5Tl 0.5Ba 2O 4- δ charge reservoir layer in Zn doped samples is Tl 1+, while it is a mix of Tl 1+ and Tl 2+ in Zn free samples. The binding energy of Ba atoms in the Zn doped samples is shifted to higher energy, which when considered along with the presence of Tl 1+ suggested that it more efficiently directed the carriers to ZnO 2 and CuO 2 planes. The evidence of improved inter-plane coupling witnessed in X-ray diffraction is also confirmed by XPS measurements of Ca atoms in the Zn doped samples. The shift of the valance band spectrum in these Zn doped samples to higher energies suggested that the electrons at the top edge of the valance band were tied to a higher binding energy (relative to samples without Zn doping), which most likely resulted in a much lower energy state of the system in the superconducting state. The stronger superconducting state arising out of these effects is witnessed in the form of increased Tc( R = 0), Jc and the extent of diamagnetism in the final compound.

Spatially-resolved study of the Meissner effect in superconductors using NV-centers-in-diamond optical magnetometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nusran, N. M.; Joshi, K. R.; Cho, K.; Tanatar, M. A.; Meier, W. R.; Bud’ko, S. L.; Canfield, P. C.; Liu, Y.; Lograsso, T. A.; Prozorov, R.

2018-04-01

Non-invasive magnetic field sensing using optically-detected magnetic resonance of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond was used to study spatial distribution of the magnetic induction upon penetration and expulsion of weak magnetic fields in several representative superconductors. Vector magnetic fields were measured on the surface of conventional, elemental Pb and Nb, and compound LuNi2B2C and unconventional iron-based superconductors Ba1‑x K x Fe2As2 (x = 0.34 optimal hole doping), Ba(Fe1‑x Co x )2As2 (x = 0.07 optimal electron doping), and stoichiometric CaKFe4As4, using variable-temperature confocal system with diffraction-limited spatial resolution. Magnetic induction profiles across the crystal edges were measured in zero-field-cooled and field-cooled conditions. While all superconductors show nearly perfect screening of magnetic fields applied after cooling to temperatures well below the superconducting transition, T c, a range of very different behaviors was observed for Meissner expulsion upon cooling in static magnetic field from above T c. Substantial conventional Meissner expulsion is found in LuNi2B2C, paramagnetic Meissner effect is found in Nb, and virtually no expulsion is observed in iron-based superconductors. In all cases, good correlation with macroscopic measurements of total magnetic moment is found.

Spatially-resolved study of the Meissner effect in superconductors using NV-centers-in-diamond optical magnetometry

DOE PAGES

Nusran, N. M.; Joshi, K. R.; Cho, K.; ...

2018-04-12

Non-invasive magnetic field sensing using optically-detected magnetic resonance of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond was used to study spatial distribution of the magnetic induction upon penetration and expulsion of weak magnetic fields in several representative superconductors. Vector magnetic fields were measured on the surface of conventional, elemental Pb and Nb, and compound LuNi 2B 2C and unconventional iron-based superconductors Ba 1-xK xFe 2As 2 (x = 0.34 optimal hole doping), Ba(Fe 1-xCo x)2As2 (x = 0.07 optimal electron doping), and stoichiometric CaKFe 4As 4, using variable-temperature confocal system with diffraction-limited spatial resolution. Magnetic induction profiles across the crystal edges were measuredmore » in zero-field-cooled and field-cooled conditions. While all superconductors show nearly perfect screening of magnetic fields applied after cooling to temperatures well below the superconducting transition, T c, a range of very different behaviors was observed for Meissner expulsion upon cooling in static magnetic field from above T c. Substantial conventional Meissner expulsion is found in LuNi 2B 2C, paramagnetic Meissner effect is found in Nb, and virtually no expulsion is observed in iron-based superconductors. In all cases, good correlation with macroscopic measurements of total magnetic moment is found.« less

Spatially-resolved study of the Meissner effect in superconductors using NV-centers-in-diamond optical magnetometry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nusran, N. M.; Joshi, K. R.; Cho, K.

Non-invasive magnetic field sensing using optically-detected magnetic resonance of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond was used to study spatial distribution of the magnetic induction upon penetration and expulsion of weak magnetic fields in several representative superconductors. Vector magnetic fields were measured on the surface of conventional, elemental Pb and Nb, and compound LuNi 2B 2C and unconventional iron-based superconductors Ba 1-xK xFe 2As 2 (x = 0.34 optimal hole doping), Ba(Fe 1-xCo x)2As2 (x = 0.07 optimal electron doping), and stoichiometric CaKFe 4As 4, using variable-temperature confocal system with diffraction-limited spatial resolution. Magnetic induction profiles across the crystal edges were measuredmore » in zero-field-cooled and field-cooled conditions. While all superconductors show nearly perfect screening of magnetic fields applied after cooling to temperatures well below the superconducting transition, T c, a range of very different behaviors was observed for Meissner expulsion upon cooling in static magnetic field from above T c. Substantial conventional Meissner expulsion is found in LuNi 2B 2C, paramagnetic Meissner effect is found in Nb, and virtually no expulsion is observed in iron-based superconductors. In all cases, good correlation with macroscopic measurements of total magnetic moment is found.« less

EDITORIAL: The electromagnetic properties of iron-based superconductors The electromagnetic properties of iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prozorov, Ruslan; Gurevich, Alex; Luke, Graeme

2010-05-01

Iron-based superconductors, discovered just a few years ago, are members of a diverse family of pnictides and chalcogenides which may potentially contain hundreds of superconducting compounds. The unconventional, multiband superconductivity in these materials most likely emerges from the quintessential magnetic Fe ions. Along with many similarities to the high-Tc cuprates, the proximity of antiferromagnetism to superconductivity in these semi-metallic materials has attracted much attention. The massive effort aimed at understanding superconductivity in the high-Tc cuprates has stimulated the development of numerous state-of-the-art experimental techniques, improved crystal growth methods and a variety of new theoretical insights. These tools and models were already available and readily applied to the new iron-based superconductors for which lots of high quality new results are being reported literally every day. The current special section represents only a snapshot of these extensive studies performed in the second half of 2009, less than two years after the discovery of 26 K superconductivity in the LaFeAsO compound. The range of various experiments is impressive and this issue is mostly focused on the electromagnetic properties of these iron-based materials. The electromagnetic response is sensitive to the microscopic electronic behavior and therefore can be used to probe the mechanism of superconductivity. On the other hand, it is the electromagnetic response that determines many possible applications of these superconductors, particularly given their extremely high upper critical fields. At this point it is already quite clear that the iron-based superconductors cannot unambiguously fit into any known type of superconductor class and have been placed in one of their own. The metallic ground state of the parent compounds is different from the insulating state of the cuprates and generally exhibits a lower electromagnetic anisotropy. However, similar to the

Universal lower limit on vortex creep in superconductors

DOE PAGES

Eley, Serena Merteen; Miura, Masashi; Maiorov, Boris Alfredo; ...

2017-02-13

Superconductors are excellent testbeds for studying vortices, topological excitations that also appear in superfluids, liquid crystals and Bose–Einstein condensates. Vortex motion can be disruptive; it can cause phase transitions, glitches in pulsars, and losses in superconducting microwave circuits, and it limits the current-carrying capacity of superconductors4. Understanding vortex dynamics is fundamentally and technologically important, and the competition between thermal energy and energy barriers defined by material disorder is not completely understood. Specifically, early measurements of thermally activated vortex motion (creep) in iron-based superconductors unveiled fast rates (S) comparable to measurements of YBa 2Cu 3O 7–δ. This was puzzling because Smore » is thought to somehow correlate with the Ginzburg number (Gi), and Gi is significantly lower in most iron-based superconductors than in YBa 2Cu 3O 7–δ. Here, we report very slow creep in BaFe 2(As 0.67P 0.33) 2 films, and propose the existence of a universal minimum realizable S ~ Gi 1/2(T/T c) (T c is the superconducting transition temperature) that has been achieved in our films and few other materials, and is violated by none. Furthermore, this limitation provides new clues about designing materials with slow creep and the interplay between material parameters and vortex dynamics.« less

Ultra-sensitive and selective detection of mercury ion (Hg2+) using free-standing silicon nanowire sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Yan; Gao, Anran; Jin, Qinghui; Li, Tie; Wang, Yuelin; Zhao, Jianlong

2018-04-01

In this paper, ultra-sensitive and highly selective Hg2+ detection in aqueous solutions was studied by free-standing silicon nanowire (SiNW) sensors. The all-around surface of SiNW arrays was functionalized with (3-Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane serving as Hg2+ sensitive layer. Due to effective electrostatic control provided by the free-standing structure, a detection limit as low as 1 ppt was obtained. A linear relationship (R 2 = 0.9838) between log(CHg2+ ) and a device current change from 1 ppt to 5 ppm was observed. Furthermore, the developed SiNW sensor exhibited great selectivity for Hg2+ over other heavy metal ions, including Cd2+. Given the extraordinary ability for real-time Hg2+ detection, the small size and low cost of the SiNW device, it is expected to be a potential candidate in field detection of environmentally toxic mercury.

High-pressure electrical resistivity studies for Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawashima, C.; Soeda, H.; Takahashi, H.; Hawai, T.; Nambu, Y.; Sato, T. J.; Hirata, Y.; Ohgushi, K.

2017-10-01

High-pressure electrical resistance measurements were performed for iron-based ladder material Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3 (x = 0.25 and 0.65) using a diamond anvil cell (DAC). Recent high-pressure study revealed that iron-based ladder material BaFe2S3 exhibits an insulator-metal transition and superconductivity, and this discovery would provide important insight for understanding the mechanism of iron-based superconductors. Therefore, it is intriguing to investigate the high-pressure properties for the iron-based ladder material Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3 system. The parent compounds BaFe2Se3 and CsFe2Se3 show insulating and magnetic ordering features. For Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3 system, no magnetic ordering is observed for x = 0.25 and minimum charge gap was estimated for x = 0.65. The insulator-metal transitions are observed in both materials.

High-pressure electrical resistivity studies for Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawashima, C.; Soeda, H.; Takahashi, H.; Hawai, T.; Nambu, Y.; Sato, T. J.; Hirata, Y.; Ohgushi, K.

2017-10-01

High-pressure electrical resistance measurements were performed for iron-based ladder material Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3 (x = 0.25 and 0.65) using a diamond anvil cell (DAC). Recent high-pressure study revealed that iron-based ladder material BaFe2S3 exhibits an insulator- metal transition and superconductivity, and this discovery would provide important insight for understanding the mechanism of iron-based superconductors. Therefore, it is intriguing to investigate the high-pressure properties for the iron-based ladder material Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3 system. The parent compounds BaFe2Se3 and CsFe2Se3 show insulating and magnetic ordering features. For Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3 system, no magnetic ordering is observed for x = 0.25 and minimum charge gap was estimated for x = 0.65. The insulator-metal transitions are observed in both materials.

Macroscopic shape change of melt-processed YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x-}Y{sub 2}BaCuO{sub 5} bulk superconductors.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Diko, P.; Goretta, K. C.; Energy Technology

A macroscopic change in the shape of five-domain melt-processed YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x}/Y{sub 2}BaCuO{sub 5} bulk superconductors is reported and explained. The change, a distortion from circular cross-section, is attributed to liquid transport from a slower growth front in an a-axis direction to a faster growth front in a c-axis direction at the edge between the a- and c-growth fronts, a phenomenon that we call the edge melt distribution (EMD) effect. Formation of bands of higher Y{sub 2}BaCuO{sub 5} particle density along the a/c growth boundaries, which nearly coincide with {l_brace}110{r_brace}-type planes, is explained by the EMD effect.

Expansion of the tetragonal magnetic phase with pressure in the iron arsenide superconductor Ba 1 - x K x Fe 2 As 2

DOE PAGES

Hassinger, Elena; Gredat, G.; Valade, F.; ...

2016-04-01

In the temperature-concentration phase diagram of most iron-based superconductors, antiferromagnetic order is gradually suppressed to zero at a critical point, and a dome of superconductivity forms around that point. The nature of the magnetic phase and its fluctuations is of fundamental importance for elucidating the pairing mechanism. In Ba 1–xK xFe 2As 2 and Ba 1–xNa xFe 2As 2, it has recently become clear that the usual stripelike magnetic phase, of orthorhombic symmetry, gives way to a second magnetic phase, of tetragonal symmetry, near the critical point, in the range from x = 0.24 to x = 0.28 for Bamore » 1–xK xFe 2As 2. In a prior study, an unidentified phase was discovered for x < 0.24 but under applied pressure, whose onset was detected as a sharp anomaly in the resistivity. Here we report measurements of the electrical resistivity of Ba 1–xK xFe 2As 2 under applied hydrostatic pressures up to 2.75 GPa, for x = 0.22, 0.24, and 0.28. The critical pressure above which the unidentified phase appears is seen to decrease with increasing x and vanish at x = 0.24, thereby linking the pressure-induced phase to the tetragonal magnetic phase observed at ambient pressure. In the temperature-concentration phase diagram of Ba 1–xK xFe 2As 2, we find that pressure greatly expands the tetragonal magnetic phase, while the stripelike phase shrinks. As a result, this reveals that pressure may be a powerful tuning parameter with which to explore the interplay between magnetism and superconductivity in this material.« less

Superconductivity of Ba8Si46-xGax clathrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yang; Zhang, Ruihong; Chen, Ning; Ma, Xingqiao; Cao, Guohui; Luo, Z. P.; Hu, C. R.; Ross, Joseph H., Jr.

2007-03-01

We have presented a combined experimental and theoretical study of the effect of Gallium substitution on the superconductivity of the type I clathrate Ba8Si46-xGax. In Ga-doped clathrates, the Ga state is found to be strongly hybridized with the cage conduction-band state. Ga substitution results in a shift toward to a lower energy, a decrease of density of states at Fermi level, a lowering of the carrier concentration and a breakage of integrity of the sp3 hybridized networks. These play key roles in the suppression of superconductivity. For Ba8Si40Ga6, the onset of the superconducting transition occurs at Tc=3.3 K. The investigation of the magnetic superconducting state shows that Ba8Si40Ga6 is a type II superconductor. The critical magnetic fields were measured to be Hc1=35 Oe and Hc2=8.5 kOe. Our estimate of the lectron-phonon coupling reveals that Ba8Si40Ga6 is a moderate phonon-mediated BCS superconductor.

New Fe-based superconductors: properties relevant for applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Putti, M; Pallecchi, I; Bellingeri, E

2009-01-01

Less than two years after the discovery of high temperature superconductivity in oxypnictide LaFeAs(O, F) several families of superconductors based on Fe layers (1111, 122, 11, 111) are available. They share several characteristics with cuprate superconductors that compromise easy applications, such as the layered structure, the small coherence length and unconventional pairing. On the other hand, the Fe-based superconductors have metallic parent compounds and their electronic anisotropy is generally smaller and does not strongly depend on the level of doping, and the supposed order parameter symmetry is s-wave, thus in principle not so detrimental to current transmission across grain boundaries.more » From the application point of view, the main efforts are still devoted to investigate the superconducting properties, to distinguish intrinsic from extrinsic behaviors and to compare the different families in order to identify which one is the fittest for the quest for better and more practical superconductors. The 1111 family shows the highest T{sub c}, huge but also the most anisotropic upper critical field and in-field, fan-shaped resistive transitions reminiscent of those of cuprates. On the other hand, the 122 family is much less anisotropic with sharper resistive transitions as in low temperature superconductors, but with about half the T{sub c} of the 1111 compounds. An overview of the main superconducting properties relevant to applications will be presented. Upper critical field, electronic anisotropy parameter, and intragranular and intergranular critical current density will be discussed and compared, where possible, across the Fe-based superconductor families.« less

Superconductor disks and cylinders in an axial magnetic field: II. Nonlinear and linear ac susceptibilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandt, Ernst Helmut

1998-09-01

The ac susceptibility χ=χ'-iχ'' of superconductor cylinders of finite length in a magnetic field applied along the cylinder axis is calculated using the method developed in the preceding paper, part I. This method does not require any approximation of the infinitely extended magnetic field outside the cylinder or disk but directly computes the current density J inside the superconductor. The material is characterized by a general current-voltage law E(J), e.g., E(J)=Ec[J/Jc(B)]n(B), where E is the electric field, B=μ0H the magnetic induction, Ec a prefactor, Jc the critical current density, and n>=1 the creep exponent. For n>1, the nonlinear ac susceptibility is calculated from the hysteresis loops of the magnetic moment of the cylinder, which is obtained by time integration of the equation for J(r,t). For n>>1 these results go over into the Bean critical state model. For n=1, and for any linear complex resistivity ρac(ω)=E/J, the linear ac susceptibility is calculated from an eigenvalue problem which depends on the aspect ratio b/a of the cylinder or disk. In the limits b/a<<1 and b/a>>1, the known results for thin disks in a perpendicular field and long cylinders in a parallel field are reproduced. For thin disks in a perpendicular field, at large frequencies χ(ω) crosses over to the behavior of slabs in parallel geometry since the magnetic field lines are expelled and have to flow around the disk. The results presented may be used to obtain the nonlinear or linear resistivity from contact-free magnetic measurements on superconductors of realistic shape.

High Tc superconductors as thermal radiation shields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeller, A. F.

1990-06-01

The feasibility of using high-Tc superconductor films as IR-radiation shields for liquid-helium-temperature dewars is investigated. Calculations show that a Ba-Ca-Sr-Cu-O superconductor with Tc of 110 K, combined with a liquid-nitrogen temperature shield with an emissivity of 0.03 should produce an upper limit to the radiative heat transfer of 15 mW/sq m. The reduction of reflectivity depends on the field level and the extent of field penetration into the superconductor film, whose surface also would provide magnetic shielding for low magnetic fields. Such shields, providing both magnetic and thermal radiation shielding would be useful for spaceborne applications where exposure to the degrading effects of moist air would not be a problem.

Unusual nodal behaviors of the superconducting gap in the iron-based superconductor Ba ( F e 0.65 R u 0.35 ) 2 A s 2 : Effects of spin-orbit coupling

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, L.; Okazaki, K.; Yoshida, T.

Here we have investigated the superconducting (SC) gap on hole Fermi surfaces (FSs) of optimally substituted Ba (Fe 0.65 Ru 0.35) 2 As 2 by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (APRES) using bulk-sensitive 7 eV laser and synchrotron radiation. It was found that, whereas the gap is isotropic in the k x - k y plane, the gap magnitudes of two resolved hole FSs show similar k z dependences and decrease as k z approaches ~ 2 π/c (i.e., around the Z point), unlike the other Fe-based superconductors reported so far, where the SC gap of only one hole FS shows amore » strong k z dependence. This unique gap structure can be understood in the scenario that the d z₂ orbital character is mixed into both hole FSs due to finite spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and is reproduced by calculation within the random phase approximation including the SOC.« less

Unusual nodal behaviors of the superconducting gap in the iron-based superconductor Ba ( F e 0.65 R u 0.35 ) 2 A s 2 : Effects of spin-orbit coupling

DOE PAGES

Liu, L.; Okazaki, K.; Yoshida, T.; ...

2017-03-06

Here we have investigated the superconducting (SC) gap on hole Fermi surfaces (FSs) of optimally substituted Ba (Fe 0.65 Ru 0.35) 2 As 2 by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (APRES) using bulk-sensitive 7 eV laser and synchrotron radiation. It was found that, whereas the gap is isotropic in the k x - k y plane, the gap magnitudes of two resolved hole FSs show similar k z dependences and decrease as k z approaches ~ 2 π/c (i.e., around the Z point), unlike the other Fe-based superconductors reported so far, where the SC gap of only one hole FS shows amore » strong k z dependence. This unique gap structure can be understood in the scenario that the d z₂ orbital character is mixed into both hole FSs due to finite spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and is reproduced by calculation within the random phase approximation including the SOC.« less

London penetration depth measurements in Ba (Fe 1-xT x) 2As 2(T=Co,Ni,Ru,Rh,Pd,Pt,Co+Cu) superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gordon, Ryan T.

2011-01-01

The London penetration depth has been measured in various doping levels of single crystals of Ba(Fe 1-xT x) 2As 2 (T=Co,Ni,Ru,Rh,Pd,Pt,Co+Cu) superconductors by utilizing a tunnel diode resonator (TDR) apparatus. All in-plane penetration depth measurements exhibit a power law temperature dependence of the form Δλ ab(T) = CT n, indicating the existence of low-temperature, normal state quasiparticles all the way down to the lowest measured temperature, which was typically 500 mK. Several different doping concentrations from the Ba(Fe 1-xT x) 2As 2 (T=Co,Ni) systems have been measured and the doping dependence of the power law exponent, n, is compared tomore » results from measurements of thermal conductivity and specific heat. In addition, a novel method has been developed to allow for the measurement of the zero temperature value of the in-plane penetration depth, λ ab(0), by using TDR frequency shifts. By using this technique, the doping dependence of λ ab(0) has been measured in the Ba(Fe 1-xCo x) 2As 2 series, which has allowed also for the construction of the doping-dependent superfluid phase stiffness, ρ s(T) = [λ(0)/λ(T)] 2. By studying the effects of disorder on these superconductors using heavy ion irradiation, it has been determined that the observed power law temperature dependence likely arises from pair-breaking impurity scattering contributions, which is consistent with the proposed s±-wave symmetry of the superconducting gap in the dirty scattering limit. This hypothesis is supported by the measurement of an exponential temperature dependence of the penetration depth in the intrinsically clean LiFeAs, indicative of a nodeless superconducting gap.« less

CDW order and unconventional s-wave superconductivity in Ba1-xNaxTi2Sb2O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamusella, Sirko; Doan, Phuong; Goltz, Til; Luetkens, Hubertus; Sarkar, Rajib; Guloy, Arnold; Klauss, Hans-Henning

2014-12-01

Due to its anticuprate Ti2O layer and its fascinating phase diagram with a large coexistence area of superconductivity and a density wave phase, the new class of titanium based superconductors attracts great scientific interest. In this paper we report μSR investigation on powder samples of Ba1-xNaxTi2Sb2O (x = 0, 0.15, 0.25). Our results exhibit both the presence of a charge density wave and superconductivity in Ba1-xNaxTi2Sb2O. The superconducting order parameter, extracted from a vortex state analysis using the numeric Ginzburg-Landau model, is compatible with a s-wave symmetry. In the universal Uemura classification of superconductors this compound is at the verge of unconventional superconductivity.

Annealing temperature and O2 partial pressure dependence of T(sub c) in HgBa2CuO(4+delta)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Xiong, Q.; Cao, Y.; Chen, F.; Xue, Y. Y.; Chu, C. W.

1994-01-01

Samples of HgBa2CuO(4+delta) (Hg-1201) were annealed under various conditions. After carefully controlling annealing time, annealing temperature (T(sub a)) and O2 partial pressure (P(sub 0)), we were able to find the reversible annealing conditions for Hg-1201. Under 1 atm O2 at 260 C less than or equal to T(sub a) less than or equal to 400 C, the obtained T(sub c) is nearly the same (approximately 97 K). However, it decreases quickly with T(sub a) greater than 300 C in high vacuum (P(sub 0) approximately 10(exp -8) atm), and reaches zero at T(sub a) = 400 C. On the other hand, T(sub c) decreases with the decrease of T(sub a) in high-pressure O2 (approximately 500 atm) and reaches approximately 20 K at about 240 C. In the entire annealing region, the oxygen surplus varies significantly from 0.03 to 0.4, and a wide range of T(sub c) variation (0 goes to 97 K goes to 20 K) was obtained with anion doping alone.

Investigation of Sm substitution on structural and superconducting properties of Y1Ba2-xSmxCu3O7-δ superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharifzadegan, L.; Sedghi, H.

2018-07-01

In this work, samples of a nominal composition Y1 Ba2 - x Smx Cu3O7 - δ With Sm substitution (X = 0.00, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05) were prepared by the solid state reaction method. And the effect of substituting Sm instead of Ba was investigated on the structural and superconducting properties of the samples. Measurement of electrical resistance and critical temperature was done using 4-Probe connection method. Results indicate that Sm substitution affects the YBSCO superconducting samples, decrease the transition temperature of the superconductor and increases the special electrical resistance and the transition width. Also, XRD studies show that in all samples of the Y-123 phase, the formation and structure is orthorhombic. SEM images showed that the porosity in the samples increased with increasing Sm due to disruption in grain growth and instead, increase Sm in the samples cause decreasing the size of the grain.

Preparation of Y-Ba-Cu oxide superconductor thin films using pulsed laser evaporation from high T/sub c/ bulk material

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dijkkamp, D.; Venkatesan, T.; Wu, X.D.

We report the first successful preparation of thin films of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors using pulsed excimer laser evaporation of a single bulk material target in vacuum. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry showed the composition of these films to be close to that of the bulk material. Growth rates were typically 0.1 nm per laser shot. After an annealing treatment in oxygen the films exhibited superconductivity with an onset at 95 K and zero resistance at 85 and 75 K on SrTiO/sub 3/ and Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ substrates, respectively. This new deposition method is relatively simple, very versatile, and does not require the usemore » of ultrahigh vacuum techniques.« less

Advantages of barium peroxide in the powder synthesis of perovskite superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hepp, A. F.; Gaier, J. R.; Philipp, W. H.; Warner, J. D.; Garlick, R. G.; Pouch, J. J.

1988-01-01

This paper compares reaction chemistry, material processing, and material characteristics for the solid state reaction using BaCO3 or BaO2 in the synthesis of perovskite superconductors. Results are presented for weight loss and X-ray diffraction, sample morphology and homogeneity as monitored by SEM and EDS, and the superconductivity critical temperature and ac susceptibility. Greater mass density, increased sample homogeneity, lower resistance, and improved reproducibility for material are found when BaO32 is used.

High-temperature superconductor bulk magnets that can trap magnetic fields of over 17 tesla at 29 K.

PubMed

Tomita, Masaru; Murakami, Masato

2003-01-30

Large-grain high-temperature superconductors of the form RE-Ba-Cu-O (where RE is a rare-earth element) can trap magnetic fields of several tesla at low temperatures, and so can be used for permanent magnet applications. The magnitude of the trapped field is proportional to the critical current density and the volume of the superconductor. Various potential engineering applications for such magnets have emerged, and some have already been commercialized. However, the range of applications is limited by poor mechanical stability and low thermal conductivity of the bulk superconductors; RE-Ba-Cu-O magnets have been found to fracture during high-field activation, owing to magnetic pressure. Here we present a post-fabrication treatment that improves the mechanical properties as well as thermal conductivity of a bulk Y-Ba-Cu-O magnet, thereby increasing its field-trapping capacity. First, resin impregnation and wrapping the materials in carbon fibre improves the mechanical properties. Second, a small hole drilled into the centre of the magnet allows impregnation of Bi-Pb-Sn-Cd alloy into the superconductor and inclusion of an aluminium wire support, which results in a significant enhancement of thermal stability and internal mechanical strength. As a result, 17.24 T could be trapped, without fracturing, in a bulk Y-Ba-Cu-O sample of 2.65 cm diameter at 29 K.

High-field transport properties of a P-doped BaFe2As2 film on technical substrate

PubMed Central

Iida, Kazumasa; Sato, Hikaru; Tarantini, Chiara; Hänisch, Jens; Jaroszynski, Jan; Hiramatsu, Hidenori; Holzapfel, Bernhard; Hosono, Hideo

2017-01-01

High temperature (high-Tc) superconductors like cuprates have superior critical current properties in magnetic fields over other superconductors. However, superconducting wires for high-field-magnet applications are still dominated by low-Tc Nb3Sn due probably to cost and processing issues. The recent discovery of a second class of high-Tc materials, Fe-based superconductors, may provide another option for high-field-magnet wires. In particular, AEFe2As2 (AE: Alkali earth elements, AE-122) is one of the best candidates for high-field-magnet applications because of its high upper critical field, Hc2, moderate Hc2 anisotropy, and intermediate Tc. Here we report on in-field transport properties of P-doped BaFe2As2 (Ba-122) thin films grown on technical substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The P-doped Ba-122 coated conductor exceeds a transport Jc of 105 A/cm2 at 15 T for main crystallographic directions of the applied field, which is favourable for practical applications. Our P-doped Ba-122 coated conductors show a superior in-field Jc over MgB2 and NbTi, and a comparable level to Nb3Sn above 20 T. By analysing the E − J curves for determining Jc, a non-Ohmic linear differential signature is observed at low field due to flux flow along the grain boundaries. However, grain boundaries work as flux pinning centres as demonstrated by the pinning force analysis. PMID:28079117

High-field transport properties of a P-doped BaFe2As2 film on technical substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iida, Kazumasa; Sato, Hikaru; Tarantini, Chiara; Hänisch, Jens; Jaroszynski, Jan; Hiramatsu, Hidenori; Holzapfel, Bernhard; Hosono, Hideo

2017-01-01

High temperature (high-Tc) superconductors like cuprates have superior critical current properties in magnetic fields over other superconductors. However, superconducting wires for high-field-magnet applications are still dominated by low-Tc Nb3Sn due probably to cost and processing issues. The recent discovery of a second class of high-Tc materials, Fe-based superconductors, may provide another option for high-field-magnet wires. In particular, AEFe2As2 (AE: Alkali earth elements, AE-122) is one of the best candidates for high-field-magnet applications because of its high upper critical field, Hc2, moderate Hc2 anisotropy, and intermediate Tc. Here we report on in-field transport properties of P-doped BaFe2As2 (Ba-122) thin films grown on technical substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The P-doped Ba-122 coated conductor exceeds a transport Jc of 105 A/cm2 at 15 T for main crystallographic directions of the applied field, which is favourable for practical applications. Our P-doped Ba-122 coated conductors show a superior in-field Jc over MgB2 and NbTi, and a comparable level to Nb3Sn above 20 T. By analysing the E - J curves for determining Jc, a non-Ohmic linear differential signature is observed at low field due to flux flow along the grain boundaries. However, grain boundaries work as flux pinning centres as demonstrated by the pinning force analysis.

Fe-vacancy and superconductivity in FeSe-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, C. H.; Chen, T. K.; Chang, C. C.; Lee, Y. C.; Wang, M. J.; Huang, K. C.; Wu, P. M.; Wu, M. K.

2018-06-01

This review summarizes recent advancements in FeSe and related systems. The FeSe and related superconductors are currently receiving considerable attention for the high Tcs observed and for many similar features to the high Tc cuprate superconductors. These similarities suggest that understanding the FeSe based compounds could potentially help our understanding of the cuprates. We shall first review the common features observed in the FeSe-based system. It was found that with a careful control of material synthesizing processes, numerous rich phases have been observed in the FeSe-based system. Detailed studies show that the Fe-vacancy ordered phases found in the FeSe based compounds, which are non-superconducting Mott insulators, are the parent compounds of the superconductors. Superconductivity emerges from the parent phases by disordering the Fe vacancy order, often by a simple annealing treatment. Recent high temperature X-ray diffraction experiments show that the degree of structural distortion associated with the disorder of Fe-vacancy is closely related to volume fraction of the superconductivity observed. These results suggest the strong lattice to spin coupling are important for the occurrence of superconductivity in FeSe based superconductors.

Studies of High Critical Transition Temperature Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Xue Zhi

1990-01-01

In early 1987 the high-T_{ rm c} superconductor, YBa_2 Cu_3O_{7 -delta}, with T_{ rm c} ~eq 90K was successfully made in our laboratory by a standard ceramic technique. Later Tl_2Ca _2Ba_2Cu_3 O_{10} with T _{rm c} ~eq 120K was produced by a special procedure. Structural analysis by x-ray diffraction showed that YBa_2 Cu_3O_{7 -delta} was responsible for the high -T_{rm c}, the so called 123 phase. It is an oxygen deficient perovskite with the orthorhombic structure, space group Pmmm, lattice constant a = 3.8243, b = 3.8862 and c = 11.667 A. Oxygen vacancies are very important to the superconducting properties. An impurity, Y_2BaCuO_5 , with a green colour, was identified as a semiconducting phase. A technique to grow single crystals of YBa _2Cu_3O_ {7-delta} is described. The crystals are rectangular up to 2 x 2 x 0.2 mm^3 in size. Two phases, Tl_2CaBa _2Cu_2O_8 (the 2122 phase) and Tl_2Ca _2Ba_2Cu _3O_{10} (the 2223 phase), are responsible for the high-T _{rm c} in the Tl-system; they have a tetragonal or pseudotetragonal structure with space group I4/mmm. Resistivity and magnetic ac susceptibility results show that high-T_{rm c} materials have a sharp superconducting transition and many properties in common with conventional superconductors. The shielding effect is closely related to the properties of grain boundaries. Magnetic ordering at low temperature (below 10K) of high-T_{rm c} materials was discovered by Mossbauer experiments with ^{57}Fe doped samples. Substitution of Fe for Cu reduced the superconducting transition temperature and the shielding effect. Theories of superconductivity for conventional and the new superconductors are reviewed and related to the experimental results.

A label-free fluorescent probe for Hg2+ and biothiols based on graphene oxide and Ru-complex

PubMed Central

Wang, Linlin; Yao, Tianming; Shi, Shuo; Cao, Yanlin; Sun, Wenliang

2014-01-01

A novel, selective and sensitive switch-on fluorescent sensor for Hg2+ and switch-off fluorescent probe for biothiols was developed by using [Ru(bpy)2(pip)]2+ as the signal reporter and graphene oxide (GO) as the quencher. Due to the affinity of GO towards single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) and [Ru(bpy)2(pip)]2+, the three components assembled, resulting in fluorescence quenching. Upon addition of Hg2+, a double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) via T–Hg2+–T base pairs was formed, and [Ru(bpy)2(pip)]2+ intercalated into the newly formed ds-DNA. Then, [Ru(bpy)2(pip)]2+ and ds-DNA were removed from the surface of GO, resulting in the restoration of fluorescence. Subsequently, upon addition of biothiols, Hg2+ was released from ds-DNA, due to the higher affinity of Hg2+ to the sulfur atoms of biothiols, which could induce ds-DNA unwinding to form ss-DNA. Then ss-DNA and [Ru(bpy)2(pip)]2+ were adsorbed on the surface of GO, the fluorescence of [Ru(bpy)2(pip)]2+ was quenched again. Therefore, the changes in emission intensity of [Ru(bpy)2(pip)]2+ directly correlated to the amount of detection target (Hg2+ or biothiols) in solution. The assay exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity, with the limits of detection for Hg2+, cysteine (Cys) and glutathione (GSH) to be 2.34 nM, 6.20 nM and 4.60 nM, respectively. PMID:24936798

A new series of oxycarbonate superconductors (Cu(0.5)C(0.5))(m)Ba(m+1)Ca(n-1)Cu(n)O2(m+n)+1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Takayama-Muromachi, E.; Kawashima, T.; Matsui, Y.

1995-01-01

We found a new series of oxycarbonate superconductors in the Ba-CaCu-C-O system under high pressure of 5 GPa. Their ideal formula is (Cu(0.5)C(0.5)(m)Ba(m+1)Ca(n-1)Cu(n)O2)((m+n)+1) ((Cu,C)-m(m+1)(n-1)n). Thus far, n = 3, 4 members of the m = 1 series, (Cu,C)-1223 and (Cu,C)-1234, have been prepared in bulk while n = 4, 5 members, (Cu,C)-2334 and (Cu,C)-2345, have been prepared for the m = 2 series. (Cu,C)-1223 shows superconductivity below 67 K while T(sub c)'s of other compounds are above 110 K. In particular, (Cu,C)-1234 has the highest T(sub c) of 117 K.

Superconductivity-localization interplay and fluctuation magnetoresistance in epitaxial BaPb1 -xBixO3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harris, D. T.; Campbell, N.; Uecker, R.; Brützam, M.; Schlom, D. G.; Levchenko, A.; Rzchowski, M. S.; Eom, C.-B.

2018-04-01

BaPb1 -xBixO3 is a superconductor, with transition temperature Tc=11 K, whose parent compound BaBiO3 possesses a charge ordering phase and perovskite crystal structure reminiscent of the cuprates. The lack of magnetism simplifies the BaPb1 -xBixO3 phase diagram, making this system an ideal platform for contrasting high-Tc systems with isotropic superconductors. Here we use high-quality epitaxial thin films and magnetotransport to demonstrate superconducting fluctuations that extend well beyond Tc. For the thickest films (thickness above ˜100 nm ) this region extends to ˜27 K , well above the bulk Tc and remarkably close to the higher Tc of Ba1 -xKxBiO3 (Tc=31 K). We drive the system through a superconductor-insulator transition by decreasing thickness and find the observed Tc correlates strongly with disorder. This material manifests strong fluctuations across a wide range of thicknesses, temperatures, and disorder presenting new opportunities for understanding the precursor of superconductivity near the 2D-3D dimensionality crossover.

Effect of proton irradiation on the normal-state low-energy excitations of Ba(Fe 1-xRh x) 2As 2 superconductors

DOE PAGES

Moroni, M.; Gozzelino, L.; Ghigo, G.; ...

2017-09-19

Here, we present a 75As nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and resistivity study of the effect of 5.5 MeV proton irradiation on the optimal electron doped (x = 0.068) and overdoped (x = 0.107) Ba(Fe 1–xRh x) 2As 2 iron based superconductors. While the proton induced defects only mildly suppress the critical temperature and increase residual resistivity in both compositions, sizable broadening of the NMR spectra was observed in all the irradiated samples at low temperature. The effect is significantly stronger in the optimally doped sample where the Curie Weiss temperature dependence of the line width suggests the onset of ferromagneticmore » correlations coexisting with superconductivity at the nanoscale. 1/T 2 measurements revealed that the energy barrier characterizing the low energy spin fluctuations of these compounds is enhanced upon proton irradiation, suggesting that the defects are likely slowing down the fluctuations between (0,π) and (π,0) nematic ground states.« less

Effect of proton irradiation on the normal-state low-energy excitations of Ba(Fe 1-xRh x) 2As 2 superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moroni, M.; Gozzelino, L.; Ghigo, G.

Here, we present a 75As nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and resistivity study of the effect of 5.5 MeV proton irradiation on the optimal electron doped (x = 0.068) and overdoped (x = 0.107) Ba(Fe 1–xRh x) 2As 2 iron based superconductors. While the proton induced defects only mildly suppress the critical temperature and increase residual resistivity in both compositions, sizable broadening of the NMR spectra was observed in all the irradiated samples at low temperature. The effect is significantly stronger in the optimally doped sample where the Curie Weiss temperature dependence of the line width suggests the onset of ferromagneticmore » correlations coexisting with superconductivity at the nanoscale. 1/T 2 measurements revealed that the energy barrier characterizing the low energy spin fluctuations of these compounds is enhanced upon proton irradiation, suggesting that the defects are likely slowing down the fluctuations between (0,π) and (π,0) nematic ground states.« less

New method for introducing nanometer flux pinning centers into single domain YBCO bulk superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, W. M.; Wang, Miao

2013-10-01

Single domain YBCO superconductors with different additions of Bi2O3 have been fabricated by top seeded infiltration and growth process (TSIG). The effect of Bi2O3 additions on the growth morphology, microstructure and levitation force of the YBCO bulk superconductor has been investigated. The results indicate that single domain YBCO superconductors can be fabricated with the additions of Bi2O3 less than 2 wt%; Bi2O3 can be reacted with Y2BaCuO5 and liquid phase and finally form Y2Ba4CuBiOx(YBi2411) nanoscale particles; the size of the YBi2411 particles is about 100 nm, which can act as effective flux pinning centers. It is also found that the levitation force of single domain YBCO bulks is increasing from 13 N to 34 N and decreasing to 11 N with the increasing of Bi2O3 addition from 0.1 wt% to 0.7 wt% and 2 wt%. This result is helpful for us to improve the physical properties of REBCO bulk superconductors.

Theoretical study of cathode surfaces and high-temperature superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mueller, Wolfgang

1995-01-01

Calculations are presented for the work functions of BaO on W, Os, Pt, and alloys of Re-W, Os-W, and Ir-W that are in excellent agreement with experiment. The observed emission enhancement for alloy relative to tungsten dispenser cathodes is attributed to properties of the substrate crystal structure and explained by the smaller depolarization of the surface dipole on hexagonal as compared to cubic substrates. For Ba and BaO on W(100), the geometry of the adsorbates has been determined by a comparison of inverse photoemission spectra with calculated densities of unoccupied states based on the fully relativistic embedded cluster approach. Results are also discussed for models of scandate cathodes and the electronic structure of oxygen on W(100) at room and elevated temperatures. A detailed comparison is made for the surface electronic structure of the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7 as obtained with non-, quasi-, and fully relativistic cluster calculations.

Investigation of magnetic properties of superconductors Y0.98 - x Cax Co0.02 Ba2 Cu3O7 - δ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pourasad, Sepideh; Shakeripour, Hamideh; Hosseini, SeyedSajad; Salamati, Hadi

2018-06-01

The effect of Co2+, 3+ and Ca2+ substitution in Y3+ site in YBa2Cu3O7-δ superconductor has been studied. The series of high temperature superconducting samples of Y1-y-xCoyCaxBa2Cu3O7-δ with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.015 and y = 0.020 were prepared by solid-state reaction method. The samples were characterized for phase purity and lattice parameter variations by X-ray diffraction. The AC susceptibility curves, χ'(T), show that in reserving cobalt fixed sample with the optimum Tc, by substitution of divalent Ca2+ at the trivalent Y3+ site no sensitive increasing happen in the superconducting transition temperature.

Antiphase Fermi-surface modulations accompanying displacement excitation in a parent compound of iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okazaki, Kozo; Suzuki, Hakuto; Suzuki, Takeshi; Yamamoto, Takashi; Someya, Takashi; Ogawa, Yu; Okada, Masaru; Fujisawa, Masami; Kanai, Teruto; Ishii, Nobuhisa; Itatani, Jiro; Nakajima, Masamichi; Eisaki, Hiroshi; Fujimori, Atsushi; Shin, Shik

2018-03-01

We investigate the transient electronic structure of BaFe2As2 , a parent compound of iron-based superconductors, by time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. In order to probe the entire Brillouin zone, we utilize extreme ultraviolet photons and observe photoemission intensity oscillation with the frequency of the A1 g phonon which is antiphase between the zone-centered hole Fermi surfaces (FSs) and zone-cornered electron FSs. We attribute the antiphase behavior to the warping in one of the zone-centered hole FSs accompanying the displacement of the pnictogen height and find that this displacement is the same direction as that induced by substitution of P for As, where superconductivity is induced by a structural modification without carrier doping in this system.

High-field transport properties of a P-doped BaFe2As2 film on technical substrate.

PubMed

Iida, Kazumasa; Sato, Hikaru; Tarantini, Chiara; Hänisch, Jens; Jaroszynski, Jan; Hiramatsu, Hidenori; Holzapfel, Bernhard; Hosono, Hideo

2017-01-12

High temperature (high-T c ) superconductors like cuprates have superior critical current properties in magnetic fields over other superconductors. However, superconducting wires for high-field-magnet applications are still dominated by low-T c Nb 3 Sn due probably to cost and processing issues. The recent discovery of a second class of high-T c materials, Fe-based superconductors, may provide another option for high-field-magnet wires. In particular, AEFe 2 As 2 (AE: Alkali earth elements, AE-122) is one of the best candidates for high-field-magnet applications because of its high upper critical field, H c2 , moderate H c2 anisotropy, and intermediate T c . Here we report on in-field transport properties of P-doped BaFe 2 As 2 (Ba-122) thin films grown on technical substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The P-doped Ba-122 coated conductor exceeds a transport J c of 10 5  A/cm 2 at 15 T for main crystallographic directions of the applied field, which is favourable for practical applications. Our P-doped Ba-122 coated conductors show a superior in-field J c over MgB 2 and NbTi, and a comparable level to Nb 3 Sn above 20 T. By analysing the E - J curves for determining J c , a non-Ohmic linear differential signature is observed at low field due to flux flow along the grain boundaries. However, grain boundaries work as flux pinning centres as demonstrated by the pinning force analysis.

A novel label-free fluorescence assay for one-step sensitive detection of Hg2+ in environmental drinking water samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ya; Liu, Nan; Liu, Hui; Wang, Yu; Hao, Yuwei; Ma, Xinhua; Li, Xiaoli; Huo, Yapeng; Lu, Jiahai; Tang, Shuge; Wang, Caiqin; Zhang, Yinhong; Gao, Zhixian

2017-04-01

A novel label-free fluorescence assay for detection of Hg2+ was developed based on the Hg2+-binding single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and SYBR Green I (SG I). Differences from other assays, the designed rich-thymine (T) ssDNA probe without fluorescent labelling can be rapidly formed a T-Hg2+-T complex and folded into a stable hairpin structure in the presence of Hg2+ in environmental drinking water samples by facilitating fluorescence increase through intercalating with SG I in one-step. In the assay, the fluorescence signal can be directly obtained without additional incubation within 1 min. The dynamic quantitative working ranges was 5-1000 nM, the determination coefficients were satisfied by optimization of the reaction conditions. The lowest detection limit of Hg2+ was 3 nM which is well below the standard of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This method was highly specific for detecting of Hg2+ without being affected by other possible interfering ions from different background compositions of water samples. The recoveries of Hg2+ spiked in these samples were 95.05-103.51%. The proposed method is more viable, low-costing and simple for operation in field detection than the other methods with great potentials, such as emergency disposal, environmental monitoring, surveillance and supporting of ecological risk assessment and management.

The partial substitution of copper with nickel oxide on the Structural and electrical properties of HgBa2 Ca2 Cu3xNix O8+δ superconducting compound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jasim, K. A.; Mohammed, L. A.

2018-05-01

The present study the partial substitution of copper with nickel on of HgBa2Ca2Cu3xNix O8+δ superconducting compound where x=002040608. Samples were prepared by solid state reaction method with sintering temperature 850C0 for 24h. By using x-ray powder diffraction the structure of the samples were studied. The XRD analyses showed the structures of polycrystalline with tetragonal diagram with majority 1223 phase and the change of the nickel concentrations produce a change in lattice parameters of the lattice a b and c axis c/a density of mass ρm and volume fraction Vphase. Four probe apparatus was used to test the electrical resistivity to defined the critical temperature at zero resistivity Tc offset Optimum Tc offset was found from HgBa2Ca2Cu24Ni06O8+δ sample with transition temperature its equal to 137K.

Theoretical study of cathode surfaces and high-temperature superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mueller, Wolfgang

1994-01-01

The surface-dipole properties of model cathode surfaces have been investigated with relativistic scattered-wave cluster calculations. Work-function/coverage curves have been derived from these data by employing the depolarization model of interacting surface dipoles. Accurate values have been obtained for the minimum work functions of several low-work-function surfaces. In the series BaO on bcc W, hcp Os, and fcc Pt, BaO/Os shows a lower and BaO/Pt a higher work function than BaO/W, which is attributed to the different substrate crystal structures involved. Results are also presented on the electronic structure of the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7, which has been investigated with fully relativistic calculations for the first time.

Relaxation and anomalous T- and H-dependence of the μ coefficient in (K,Ba)BiO3 superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klein, T.; Harneit, W.; Joumard, I.; Marcus, J.; Escribe-Filippini, C.; Feinberg, D.

1998-04-01

Ac shielding and classical dc relaxation experiments have been used to study the flux creep phenomena in the cubic (K,Ba)BiO3 superconductor (Tc ~ 30 K). The relaxation rate is found to be constant (S ~ 1.5%) at low temperature and magnetic field and increases sharply as the vortex-glass transition line is approached. This behavior can be attributed to an anomalous decrease of the μ exponent (U(J) = U0(J0/J)μ) close to Tg(H). In this regime, the temperature dependence of the apparent critical current J is then directly related to μ(T) as J(T) = J0/[kT/U0·ln (1/ωτ)]μ(T). A similar analysis can be made on the J(B) data recently published by Abulafia et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett., 77 (1996) 1597) on YBaCuO single crystals.

Fluctuation-induced conductivity in melt-textured Pr-doped YBa2Cu3O7-δ composite superconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Opata, Yuri Aparecido; Monteiro, João Frederico Haas Leandro; Siqueira, Ezequiel Costa; Rodrigues, Pedro Júnior; Jurelo, Alcione Roberto

2018-04-01

In this study, the effects of thermal fluctuations on the electrical conductivity in melt-textured YBa2Cu3O7-δ, Y0.95Pr0.05Ba2Cu3O7-δ and (YBa2Cu3O7-δ)0.95-(PrBa2Cu3O7-δ)0.05 composite superconductor were considered. The composite superconductor samples were prepared through the top seeding method using melt-textured NdBa2Cu3O7-d seeds. The resistivity measurements were performed with a low-frequency, low-current AC technique in order to extract the temperature derivative and analyze the influence of the praseodymium ion on the normal superconductor transition and consequently on the fluctuation regimes. The results show that the resistive transition is a two-step process. In the normal phase, above the critical temperature, Gaussian and critical fluctuation regimes were identified, while below the critical temperature, in the regime near the approach to the zero-resistance state, the fluctuation conductivity diverges as expected in a paracoherent-coherent transition.

Orbital loop currents in iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klug, Markus; Kang, Jian; Fernandes, Rafael M.; Schmalian, Jörg

2018-04-01

We show that the antiferromagnetic state commonly observed in the phase diagrams of the iron-based superconductors necessarily triggers loop currents characterized by charge transfer between different Fe 3 d orbitals. This effect is rooted on the glide-plane symmetry of these materials and on the existence of an atomic spin-orbit coupling that couples states at the X and Y points of the 1-Fe Brillouin zone. In the particular case in which the magnetic moments are aligned parallel to the magnetic ordering vector direction, which is the moment configuration most commonly found in the iron-based superconductors, these loop currents involve the dx y orbital and either the dy z orbital (if the moments point along the y axis) or the dx z orbitals (if the moments point along the x axis). We show that the two main manifestations of the orbital loop currents are the emergence of magnetic moments in the pnictide/chalcogen site and an orbital-selective band splitting in the magnetically ordered state, both of which could be detected experimentally. Our results highlight the unique intertwining between orbital and spin degrees of freedom in the iron-based superconductors, and reveal the emergence of an unusual correlated phase that may impact the normal state and superconducting properties of these materials.

Novel configuration of processing bulk textured YB 2Cu 3O 7-x superconductor by seeded infiltration growth method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Haitao; Moutalbi, Nahed; Harnois, Christelle; Hu, Rui; Li, Jinshan; Zhou, Lian; Noudem, Jacques G.

2010-01-01

Mono-domain YBa 2Cu 3O 7-x (Y123) bulk superconductors have been processed using seeded infiltration growth technique (SIG). The combination of melt infiltrated liquid source (Ba 3Cu 5O 8) into the Y 2BaCuO 5 (Y211) pre-form and the nucleation of Y123 domain from SmBa 2Cu 3O 7 crystal seed has been investigated. The different configurations of SIG process were compared in this study. In addition, the effect of the starting Y211 particles size has been studied. The results reveal that, the Y211 particle size and different configurations strongly influence the properties of the final bulk superconductor sample.

Memory characteristics of ring-shaped ceramic superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Takeoka, A.; Hasunuma, M.; Sakaiya, S.

1989-03-01

For the practical application of ceramic superconductors, the authors investigated the residual magnetic field characteristics of ring-shaped ceramic superconductors in a Y-Ba-Cu-O system with high Tc. The residual magnetic field of a ring with asymmetric current paths, supplied by external currents, appeared when one of the branch currents was above the critical current. The residual magnetic field saturated when both brach currents exceeded the critical current of the ring and showed hysteresis-like characteristics. The saturated magnetic field is subject to the critical current of the ring. A superconducting ring with asymmetric current paths suggests a simple and quite new persistent-currentmore » type memory device.« less

Lead-free 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 nanowires for energy harvesting.

PubMed

Zhou, Zhi; Bowland, Christopher C; Malakooti, Mohammad H; Tang, Haixiong; Sodano, Henry A

2016-03-07

Lead-free piezoelectric nanowires (NWs) show strong potential in sensing and energy harvesting applications due to their flexibility and ability to convert mechanical energy to electric energy. Currently, most lead-free piezoelectric NWs are produced through low yield synthesis methods and result in low electromechanical coupling, which limit their efficiency as energy harvesters. In order to alleviate these issues, a scalable method is developed to synthesize perovskite type 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BZT-BCT) NWs with high piezoelectric coupling coefficient. The piezoelectric coupling coefficient of the BZT-BCT NWs is measured by a refined piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) testing method and shows the highest reported coupling coefficient for lead-free piezoelectric nanowires of 90 ± 5 pm V(-1). Flexible nanocomposites utilizing dispersed BZT-BCT NWs are fabricated to demonstrate an energy harvesting application with an open circuit voltage of up to 6.25 V and a power density of up to 2.25 μW cm(-3). The high electromechanical coupling coefficient and high power density demonstrated with these lead-free NWs produced via a scalable synthesis method shows the potential for high performance NW-based devices.

Advantageous grain boundaries in iron pnictide superconductors

PubMed Central

Katase, Takayoshi; Ishimaru, Yoshihiro; Tsukamoto, Akira; Hiramatsu, Hidenori; Kamiya, Toshio; Tanabe, Keiichi; Hosono, Hideo

2011-01-01

High critical temperature superconductors have zero power consumption and could be used to produce ideal electric power lines. The principal obstacle in fabricating superconducting wires and tapes is grain boundaries—the misalignment of crystalline orientations at grain boundaries, which is unavoidable for polycrystals, largely deteriorates critical current density. Here we report that high critical temperature iron pnictide superconductors have advantages over cuprates with respect to these grain boundary issues. The transport properties through well-defined bicrystal grain boundary junctions with various misorientation angles (θGB) were systematically investigated for cobalt-doped BaFe2As2 (BaFe2As2:Co) epitaxial films fabricated on bicrystal substrates. The critical current density through bicrystal grain boundary (JcBGB) remained high (>1 MA cm−2) and nearly constant up to a critical angle θc of ∼9°, which is substantially larger than the θc of ∼5° for YBa2Cu3O7–δ. Even at θGB>θc, the decay of JcBGB was much slower than that of YBa2Cu3O7–δ. PMID:21811238

Grain orientation in high Tc superconductors by molten salt powder synthesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gopalakrishnan, Sudhakar; Schulze, Walter A.

1991-01-01

The molten salt or the flux method is used to fabricate a grain oriented YBa2Cu3O(7-x) (123) superconductor. Here we suggest a two-stage approach in using the 'green phase', Y2BaCuO5 (211), as seed crystals in the formation of YBa2Cu3O(7-x). The process uses Y2BaCuO5 formed by molten salt synthesis. The Y2BaCuO5 phase was observed to be stable in water and in most of the salt systems. Salt processing can form a small quantity of anisotropic particles of Y2BaCuO5. This material can form the 123 phase when tape cast and sintered in the presence of the required levels of Ba and Cu.

Fracture analysis of a central crack in a long cylindrical superconductor with exponential model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Yu Feng; Xu, Chi

2018-05-01

The fracture behavior of a long cylindrical superconductor is investigated by modeling a central crack that is induced by electromagnetic force. Based on the exponential model, the stress intensity factors (SIFs) with the dimensionless parameter p and the length of the crack a/R for the zero-field cooling (ZFC) and field-cooling (FC) processes are numerically simulated using the finite element method (FEM) and assuming a persistent current flow. As the applied field Ba decreases, the dependence of p and a/R on the SIFs in the ZFC process is exactly opposite to that observed in the FC process. Numerical results indicate that the exponential model exhibits different characteristics for the trend of the SIFs from the results obtained using the Bean and Kim models. This implies that the crack length and the trapped field have significant effects on the fracture behavior of bulk superconductors. The obtained results are useful for understanding the critical-state model of high-temperature superconductors in crack problem.

Electronic origin of structural transition in 122 Fe based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghosh, Haranath; Sen, Smritijit; Ghosh, Abyay

2017-03-01

Direct quantitative correlations between the orbital order and orthorhombicity is achieved in a number of Fe-based superconductors of 122 family. The former (orbital order) is calculated from first principles simulations using experimentally determined doping and temperature dependent structural parameters while the latter (the orthorhombicity) is taken from already established experimental studies; when normalized, both the above quantities quantitatively corresponds to each other in terms of their doping as well as temperature variations. This proves that the structural transition in Fe-based materials is electronic in nature due to orbital ordering. An universal correlations among various structural parameters and electronic structure are also obtained. Most remarkable among them is the mapping of two Fe-Fe distances in the low temperature orthorhombic phase, with the band energies Edxz, Edyz of Fe at the high symmetry points of the Brillouin zone. The fractional co-ordinate zAs of As which essentially determines anion height is inversely (directly) proportional to Fe-As bond distances (with exceptions of K doped BaFe2As2) for hole (electron) doped materials as a function of doping. On the other hand, Fe-As bond-distance is found to be inversely (directly) proportional to the density of states at the Fermi level for hole (electron) doped systems. Implications of these results to current issues of Fe based superconductivity are discussed.

Topological Superconductivity on the Surface of Fe-Based Superconductors.

PubMed

Xu, Gang; Lian, Biao; Tang, Peizhe; Qi, Xiao-Liang; Zhang, Shou-Cheng

2016-07-22

As one of the simplest systems for realizing Majorana fermions, the topological superconductor plays an important role in both condensed matter physics and quantum computations. Based on ab initio calculations and the analysis of an effective 8-band model with superconducting pairing, we demonstrate that the three-dimensional extended s-wave Fe-based superconductors such as Fe_{1+y}Se_{0.5}Te_{0.5} have a metallic topologically nontrivial band structure, and exhibit a normal-topological-normal superconductivity phase transition on the (001) surface by tuning the bulk carrier doping level. In the topological superconductivity (TSC) phase, a Majorana zero mode is trapped at the end of a magnetic vortex line. We further show that the surface TSC phase only exists up to a certain bulk pairing gap, and there is a normal-topological phase transition driven by the temperature, which has not been discussed before. These results pave an effective way to realize the TSC and Majorana fermions in a large class of superconductors.

Practical and regenerable electrochemical aptasensor based on nanoporous gold and thymine-Hg2+-thymine base pairs for Hg2+ detection.

PubMed

Zeng, Guangming; Zhang, Chen; Huang, Danlian; Lai, Cui; Tang, Lin; Zhou, Yaoyu; Xu, Piao; Wang, Hou; Qin, Lei; Cheng, Min

2017-04-15

A simple, practical and reusable electrochemical aptasensor, based on thymine-Hg 2+ -thymine (T-Hg 2+ -T) coordination chemistry and nanoporous gold (NPG) for signal amplification, was designed for sensitive and selective detection of mercury ions (Hg 2+ ). The thiol modified T-rich hairpin capture probe was self-assembled onto the surface of the NPG modified electrode for hybridizing with ferrocene-labeled T-rich probe in the presence of Hg 2+ via T-Hg 2+ -T coordination chemistry. As a result, the hairpin capture probe was opened, and the ferrocene tags were close to the NPG modified electrode. Taking advantage of the amplification effect of NPG electrode for increasing the reaction sites of thiol modified capture probe, the proposed electrochemical aptasensor could detect Hg 2+ quantitatively in the range of 0.01-5000nM, with a detection limit as low as 0.0036nM which is much lower than the maximum contamination level for Hg 2+ in drinking water defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Moreover, the proposed electrochemical aptasensor can be regenerated by adding cysteine and Mg 2+ . The aptasensor was also used to detect Hg 2+ from real water samples, and the results showed excellent agreement with the values determined by atomic fluorescence spectrometer. This aptasensor showed a promising potential for on-site detecting Hg 2+ in drinking water. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural investigation of Y1-xNixBa2Cu3O7-δ superconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hadi-Sichani, Behnaz; Shakeripour, Hamideh; Salamati, Hadi

2018-07-01

Y1-xNixBa2Cu3O7-δ superconducting samples with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.02 were synthesized by standard solid-state reaction and characterized by the X-ray powder diffraction technique. The Rietveld fitted XRD refinements show that all samples are crystallized in single phase, having orthorhombic structure with Pmmm space group. We investigated the effect of adding a magnetic element on the structure of this superconductor. The c cell parameter increases by doping of Ni until to an optimal value of Ni content, x ∼ 0.004, and then starts to decrease by higher value of Ni substitution. Moreover, it is seen that Cu(2)sbnd O(2) bond length decreases with increasing Ni up to the optimal concentration of Ni, too. The CuO2 planes become more distorted and hence charge carriers may have better chances of transportation to the CuO2 planes. By further increasing of Ni content than the optimal value, the Cu(2)sbnd O(2) bond lengths start to increase, and cause CuO2 planes to be flatten. We suggest, besides affecting the magnetic characteristic of Ni impurity, the Ni substitution leads to interesting crystallographic changes.

Upper critical and irreversibility fields in Ni- and Co-doped pnictide bulk superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikolo, Martin; Singleton, John; Solenov, Dmitry; Jiang, Jianyi; Weiss, Jeremy; Hellstrom, Eric

2018-05-01

A comprehensive study of upper critical and irreversibility magnetic fields in Ba(Fe0.95Ni0.05)2As2 (large grain and small grain samples), Ba(Fe0.94Ni0.06)2As2, Ba(Fe0.92Co0.08)2As2, and Ba(Fe0.92Co0.09)2As2 polycrystalline bulk pnictide superconductors was made in pulsed fields of up to 65 T. The full magnetic field-temperature (H-T) phase diagrams, starting at 1.5 K, were measured. The higher temperature, upper critical field Hc2 data are well described by the one-band Werthamer, Helfand, and Hohenberg (WHH) model. At low temperatures, the experimental data depart from the fitted WHH curves, suggesting an emergence of a new phase that could be attributed to the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state. The large values of the Maki fitting parameter α indicate that the Zeeman pair breaking dominates over the orbital pair breaking and spin-paramagnetic pair-breaking effect is significant in these materials. Possible multi-band structure of these materials is lumped into effective parameters of the single-band model. Table of measured physical parameters allows us to compare these pnictide superconductors for different Co- and Ni- doping levels and granularity.

A portable magnetic field of >3 T generated by the flux jump assisted, pulsed field magnetization of bulk superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Difan; Ainslie, Mark D.; Shi, Yunhua; Dennis, Anthony R.; Huang, Kaiyuan; Hull, John R.; Cardwell, David A.; Durrell, John H.

2017-02-01

A trapped magnetic field of greater than 3 T has been achieved in a single grain GdBa2Cu3O7-δ (GdBaCuO) bulk superconductor of diameter 30 mm by employing pulsed field magnetization. The magnet system is portable and operates at temperatures between 50 K and 60 K. Flux jump behaviour was observed consistently during magnetization when the applied pulsed field, Ba, exceeded a critical value (e.g., 3.78 T at 60 K). A sharp dBa/dt is essential to this phenomenon. This flux jump behaviour enables the magnetic flux to penetrate fully to the centre of the bulk superconductor, resulting in full magnetization of the sample without requiring an applied field as large as that predicted by the Bean model. We show that this flux jump behaviour can occur over a wide range of fields and temperatures, and that it can be exploited in a practical quasi-permanent magnet system.

(Cu 0.5Tl 0.5)Ba 2Ca n-1 Cu n- yGe yO 2 n+4- δ ( n = 3, 4 and y = 0.5, 0.75, 1.0); superconductors with GeO 2 planes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Nawazish A.; Irfan, M.

2008-12-01

We have successfully synthesized germanium doped (Cu 0.5Tl 0.5)Ba 2Ca n-1 Cu n- yGe yO 2 n+4- δ ( n = 3, 4 and y = 0, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0) superconductors and investigated the effect of Ge doping on the superconducting properties of these compounds. The solubility of Ge till y = 1 in the CuO 2 planes of (Cu 0.5Tl 0.5)Ba 2Ca 2Cu 3- yGe yO 10- δ, have been found to give superconductivity above 77 K. To our surprise an enhanced superconductivity is observed with the doping of semiconductor germanium in some samples. The enhanced superconductivity associated with mixed CuO 2/GeO 2 planes can be extremely useful for the understanding of mechanism of superconductivity; since we very well know the properties of germanium based semiconductors.

A novel BA complex network model on color template matching.

PubMed

Han, Risheng; Shen, Shigen; Yue, Guangxue; Ding, Hui

2014-01-01

A novel BA complex network model of color space is proposed based on two fundamental rules of BA scale-free network model: growth and preferential attachment. The scale-free characteristic of color space is discovered by analyzing evolving process of template's color distribution. And then the template's BA complex network model can be used to select important color pixels which have much larger effects than other color pixels in matching process. The proposed BA complex network model of color space can be easily integrated into many traditional template matching algorithms, such as SSD based matching and SAD based matching. Experiments show the performance of color template matching results can be improved based on the proposed algorithm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study about how to model the color space of images using a proper complex network model and apply the complex network model to template matching.

Superconductivity in Al-substituted Ba8Si46 clathrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yang; Garcia, Jose; Chen, Ning; Liu, Lihua; Li, Feng; Wei, Yuping; Bi, Shanli; Cao, Guohui; Feng, Z. S.

2013-05-01

There is a great deal of interest vested in the superconductivity of Si clathrate compounds with sp3 network, in which the structure is dominated by strong covalent bonds among silicon atoms, rather than the metallic bonding that is more typical of traditional superconductors. A joint experimental and theoretical investigation of superconductivity in Al-substituted type-I silicon clathrates is reported. Samples of the general formula Ba8Si46-xAlx, with different values of x were prepared. With an increase in the Al composition, the superconducting transition temperature TC was observed to decrease systematically. The resistivity measurement revealed that Ba8Si42Al4 is superconductive with transition temperature at TC = 5.5 K. The magnetic measurements showed that the bulk superconducting Ba8Si42Al4 is a type II superconductor. For x = 6 sample Ba8Si40Al6, the superconducting transition was observed down to TC = 4.7 K which pointed to a strong suppression of superconductivity with increasing Al content as compared with TC = 8 K for Ba8Si46. Suppression of superconductivity can be attributed primarily to a decrease in the density of states at the Fermi level, caused by reduced integrity of the sp3 hybridized networks as well as the lowering of carrier concentration. These results corroborated by first-principles calculations showed that Al substitution results in a large decrease of the electronic density of states at the Fermi level, which also explains the decreased superconducting critical temperature within the BCS framework. The work provided a comprehensive understanding of the doping effect on superconductivity of clathrates.

Characterization of the insulator barrier and the superconducting transition temperature in GdBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ}/BaTiO{sub 3} bilayers for application in tunnel junctions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Navarro, H., E-mail: henrynavarro@cab.cnea.gov.ar; Sirena, M.; Haberkorn, N.

2015-07-28

The optimization of the superconducting properties in a bottom electrode and the quality of an insulator barrier are the first steps in the development of superconductor/insulator/superconductor tunnel junctions. Here, we study the quality of a BaTiO{sub 3} tunnel barrier deposited on a 16 nm thick GdBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ} thin film by using conductive atomic force microscopy. We find that the tunnel current is systematically reduced (for equal applied voltage) by increasing the BaTiO{sub 3} barrier thickness between 1.6 and 4 nm. The BaTiO{sub 3} layers present an energy barrier of ≈1.2 eV and an attenuation length of 0.35–0.5 nm (depending on the appliedmore » voltage). The GdBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ} electrode is totally covered by a BaTiO{sub 3} thickness above 3 nm. The presence of ferroelectricity was verified by piezoresponse force microscopy for a 4 nm thick BaTiO{sub 3} top layer. The superconducting transition temperature of the bilayers is systematically suppressed by increasing the BaTiO{sub 3} thickness. This fact can be associated with stress at the interface and a reduction of the orthorhombicity of the GdBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ}. The reduction in the orthorhombicity is expected by considering the interface mismatch and it can also be affected by reduced oxygen stoichiometry (poor oxygen diffusion across the BaTiO{sub 3} barrier)« less

High T(sub c) superconductors fabricated by plasma aerosol mist deposition technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, X. W.; Vuong, K. D.; Leone, A.; Shen, C. Q.; Williams, J.; Coy, M.

1995-01-01

We report new results on high T(sub c) superconductors fabricated by a plasma aerosol mist deposition technique, in atmospheric environment. Materials fabricated are YBaCuO, BiPbSrCaCuO, BaCaCuO precursor films for TlBaCaCuO, and other buffers such as YSZ. Depending on processing conditions, sizes of crystallites and/or particles are between dozens of nano-meters and several micrometers. Superconductive properties and other material characteristics can also be tailored.

Ultrafast dynamics of quasiparticles and coherent acoustic phonons in slightly underdoped (BaK)Fe2As2

PubMed Central

Lin, Kung-Hsuan; Wang, Kuan-Jen; Chang, Chung-Chieh; Wen, Yu-Chieh; Lv, Bing; Chu, Ching-Wu; Wu, Maw-Kuen

2016-01-01

We have utilized ultrafast optical spectroscopy to study carrier dynamics in slightly underdoped (BaK)Fe2As2 crystals without magnetic transition. The photoelastic signals due to coherent acoustic phonons have been quantitatively investigated. According to our temperature-dependent results, we found that the relaxation component of superconducting quasiparticles persisted from the superconducting state up to at least 70 K in the normal state. Our findings suggest that the pseudogaplike feature in the normal state is possibly the precursor of superconductivity. We also highlight that the pseudogap feature of K-doped BaFe2As2 is different from that of other iron-based superconductors, including Co-doped or P-doped BaFe2As2. PMID:27180873

Chiral superconductors.

PubMed

Kallin, Catherine; Berlinsky, John

2016-05-01

Chiral superconductivity is a striking quantum phenomenon in which an unconventional superconductor spontaneously develops an angular momentum and lowers its free energy by eliminating nodes in the gap. It is a topologically non-trivial state and, as such, exhibits distinctive topological modes at surfaces and defects. In this paper we discuss the current theory and experimental results on chiral superconductors, focusing on two of the best-studied systems, Sr2RuO4, which is thought to be a chiral triplet p-wave superconductor, and UPt3, which has two low-temperature superconducting phases (in zero magnetic field), the lower of which is believed to be chiral triplet f-wave. Other systems that may exhibit chiral superconductivity are also discussed. Key signatures of chiral superconductivity are surface currents and chiral Majorana modes, Majorana states in vortex cores, and the possibility of half-flux quantum vortices in the case of triplet pairing. Experimental evidence for chiral superconductivity from μSR, NMR, strain, polar Kerr effect and Josephson tunneling experiments are discussed.

Passivation of high temperature superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vasquez, Richard P. (Inventor)

1991-01-01

The surface of high temperature superconductors such as YBa2Cu3O(7-x) are passivated by reacting the native Y, Ba and Cu metal ions with an anion such as sulfate or oxalate to form a surface film that is impervious to water and has a solubility in water of no more than 10(exp -3) M. The passivating treatment is preferably conducted by immersing the surface in dilute aqueous acid solution since more soluble species dissolve into the solution. The treatment does not degrade the superconducting properties of the bulk material.

Unified Phase Diagram for Iron-Based Superconductors.

PubMed

Gu, Yanhong; Liu, Zhaoyu; Xie, Tao; Zhang, Wenliang; Gong, Dongliang; Hu, Ding; Ma, Xiaoyan; Li, Chunhong; Zhao, Lingxiao; Lin, Lifang; Xu, Zhuang; Tan, Guotai; Chen, Genfu; Meng, Zi Yang; Yang, Yi-Feng; Luo, Huiqian; Li, Shiliang

2017-10-13

High-temperature superconductivity is closely adjacent to a long-range antiferromagnet, which is called a parent compound. In cuprates, all parent compounds are alike and carrier doping leads to superconductivity, so a unified phase diagram can be drawn. However, the properties of parent compounds for iron-based superconductors show significant diversity and both carrier and isovalent dopings can cause superconductivity, which casts doubt on the idea that there exists a unified phase diagram for them. Here we show that the ordered moments in a variety of iron pnictides are inversely proportional to the effective Curie constants of their nematic susceptibility. This unexpected scaling behavior suggests that the magnetic ground states of iron pnictides can be achieved by tuning the strength of nematic fluctuations. Therefore, a unified phase diagram can be established where superconductivity emerges from a hypothetical parent compound with a large ordered moment but weak nematic fluctuations, which suggests that iron-based superconductors are strongly correlated electron systems.

Interdependence of spin structure, anion height and electronic structure of BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sen, Smritijit, E-mail: smritijit.sen@gmail.com; Ghosh, Haranath, E-mail: hng@rrcat.gov.in; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094

2016-05-06

Superconducting as well as other electronic properties of Fe-based superconductors are quite sensitive to the structural parameters specially, on anion height which is intimately related to z{sub As}, the fractional z co-ordinate of As atom. Due to presence of strong magnetic fluctuation in these Fe-based superconductors, optimized structural parameters (lattice parameters a, b, c) including z{sub As} using density functional theory (DFT) under generalized gradient approximation (GGA) does not match experimental values accurately. In this work, we show that the optimized value of z{sub As} is strongly influenced by the spin structures in the orthorhombic phase of BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2}more » system. We take all possible spin structures for the orthorhombic BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2} system and then optimize z{sub As}. Using these optimized structures we calculate electronic structures like density of states, band structures etc., for each spin configurations. From these studies we show that the electronic structure, orbital order which is responsible for structural as well as related to nematic transition, are significantly influenced by the spin structures.« less

Magnetic properties and pairing tendencies of the iron-based superconducting ladder BaFe 2 S 3 : Combined ab initio and density matrix renormalization group study

DOE PAGES

Patel, Niravkumar D.; Nocera, Alberto; Alvarez, Gonzalo; ...

2016-08-10

The recent discovery of superconductivity under high pressure in the two-leg ladder compound BaFe 2S 3 [H. Takahashi et al., Nat. Mater. 14, 1008 (2015)] opens a broad avenue of research, because it represents the first report of pairing tendencies in a quasi-one-dimensional iron-based high-critical-temperature superconductor. Similarly, as in the case of the cuprates, ladders and chains can be far more accurately studied using many-body techniques and model Hamiltonians than their layered counterparts, particularly if several orbitals are active. In this publication, we derive a two-orbital Hubbard model from first principles that describes individual ladders of BaFe 2S 3. Themore » model is studied with the density matrix renormalization group. These first reported results are exciting for two reasons: (i) at half-filling, ferromagnetic order emerges as the dominant magnetic pattern along the rungs of the ladder, and antiferromagnetic order along the legs, in excellent agreement with neutron experiments; and (ii) with hole doping, pairs form in the strong coupling regime, as found by studying the binding energy of two holes doped on the half-filled system. In addition, orbital selective Mott phase characteristics develop with doping, with only oneWannier orbital receiving the hole carriers while the other remains half-filled. Lastly, these results suggest that the analysis of models for iron-based two-leg ladders could clarify the origin of pairing tendencies and other exotic properties of iron-based high-critical-temperature superconductors in general.« less

Dielectric properties of (SWCNTs)x GdBa2CuO7-δ superconductor nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anas, M.; Ebrahim, S.; Eldeen, I. G.; Awad, R.; Abou-Aly, A. I.

2017-11-01

Gd-123 superconducting phase was prepared by solid-state reaction technique. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were added in Gd-123 superconducting matrix with different concentrations during the final sintering process to obtain (SWCNTs)x GdBa2Cu3O7-δ (x = 0.0-0.1 wt.%) nanoparticles-superconductor composite. The influence of SWCNTs addition on the phase formation, structural, morphological, superconducting and dielectric properties of Gd-123 phase was investigated. It was found that SWCNTs addition enhance the phase formation and does not change the crystal structure of the host Gd-123 superconducting phase. The superconducting properties of Gd-123 samples were improved after the addition of SWCNTs up to x = 0.06 wt.% due to the enhancement in intergrain connectivity by healing up of micro-cracks and reduction of defects, while these properties were retarded with further increase in x. The dielectric response of (SWCNTs)x Gd-123 superconducting phase with x = 0.0, 0.01, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06 and 0.1 wt.% was measured from 100 KHz to 5 MHz at 77 K. The results reveal that for both real (𝜀‧) and imaginary (𝜀″) parts of dielectric constant, the frequency of dispersion increased by increasing SWCNTs amount up to 0.06 wt.%, then this frequency shifted to lower values for x > 0.06 wt.%. The results were discussed according to the presence and interference of both interfacial and dipolar polarizations.

Recent Advances in Layered Metal Chalcogenides as Superconductors and Thermoelectric Materials: Fe-Based and Bi-Based Chalcogenides.

PubMed

Mizuguchi, Yoshikazu

2016-04-01

Recent advances in layered (Fe-based and Bi-based) chalcogenides as superconductors or functional materials are reviewed. The Fe-chalcogenide (FeCh) family are the simplest Fe-based high-Tc superconductors. The superconductivity in the FeCh family is sensitive to external or chemical pressure, and high Tc is attained when the local structure (anion height) is optimized. The Bi-chalcogenide (BiCh2) family are a new group of layered superconductors with a wide variety of stacking structures. Their physical properties are also sensitive to external or chemical pressure. Recently, we revealed that the emergence of superconductivity and the Tc in this family correlate with the in-plane chemical pressure. Since the flexibility of crystal structure and electronic states are an advantage of the BiCh2 family for designing functionalities, I briefly review recent developments in this family as not only superconductors but also other functional materials. © 2016 The Chemical Society of Japan & Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A Novel BA Complex Network Model on Color Template Matching

PubMed Central

Han, Risheng; Yue, Guangxue; Ding, Hui

2014-01-01

A novel BA complex network model of color space is proposed based on two fundamental rules of BA scale-free network model: growth and preferential attachment. The scale-free characteristic of color space is discovered by analyzing evolving process of template's color distribution. And then the template's BA complex network model can be used to select important color pixels which have much larger effects than other color pixels in matching process. The proposed BA complex network model of color space can be easily integrated into many traditional template matching algorithms, such as SSD based matching and SAD based matching. Experiments show the performance of color template matching results can be improved based on the proposed algorithm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study about how to model the color space of images using a proper complex network model and apply the complex network model to template matching. PMID:25243235

Method for preparation of textured YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x superconductor

DOEpatents

Selvamanickam, Venkat; Goyal, Amit; Kroeger, Donald M.

1998-01-01

The present invention relate to textured YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x (Y-123) superconductors and a process of preparing them by directional recrystallization of compacts fabricated from quenched YBCO powders at temperatures about 100.degree. C. below the peritectic temperature to provide a superconductor where more than 75% of the YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x phase is obtained without any Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 .

Winding numbers of nodal points in Fe-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chichinadze, Dmitry V.; Chubukov, Andrey V.

2018-03-01

We analyze the nodal points in multiorbital Fe-based superconductors from a topological perspective. We consider the s+- gap structure with accidental nodes, and the d -wave gap with nodes along the symmetry directions. In both cases, the nodal points can be moved by varying an external parameter, e.g., a degree of interpocket pairing. Eventually, the nodes merge and annihilate via a Lifshitz-type transition. We discuss the Lifshitz transition in Fe-based superconductors from a topological point of view. We show, both analytically and numerically, that the merging nodal points have winding numbers of opposite sign. This is consistent with the general reasoning that the total winding number is a conserved quantity in the Lifshitz transition.

Quasipermanent magnets of high temperature superconductor - Temperature dependence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, In-Gann; Liu, Jianxiong; Ren, Yanru; Weinstein, Roy; Kozlowski, Gregory; Oberly, Charles E.

1993-01-01

We report on persistent field in quasi-permanent magnets of high temperature superconductors. Magnets composed of irradiated Y(1+)Ba2Cu3O7 trapped field Bt = 1.52 T at 77 K and 1.9 T at lower temperature. However, the activation magnet limited Bt at lower temperature. We present data on Jc(H,T) for unirradiated materials, and calculate Bt at various T. Based upon data at 65 K, we calculate Bt in unirradiated single grains at 20 K and find that 5.2 T will be trapped for grain diameter d about 1.2 cm, and 7.9 T for d = 2.3 cm. Irradiated grains will trap four times these values.

Tunable (δπ, δπ)-Type Antiferromagnetic Order in α-Fe(Te,Se) Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bao, Wei; Qiu, Y.; Huang, Q.; Green, M. A.; Zajdel, P.; Fitzsimmons, M. R.; Zhernenkov, M.; Chang, S.; Fang, Minghu; Qian, B.; Vehstedt, E. K.; Yang, Jinhu; Pham, H. M.; Spinu, L.; Mao, Z. Q.

2009-06-01

The new α-Fe(Te,Se) superconductors share the common iron building block and ferminology with the LaFeAsO and BaFe2As2 families of superconductors. In contrast with the predicted commensurate spin-density-wave order at the nesting wave vector (π, 0), a completely different magnetic order with a composition tunable propagation vector (δπ, δπ) was determined for the parent compound Fe1+yTe in this powder and single-crystal neutron diffraction study. The new antiferromagnetic order survives as a short-range one even in the highest TC sample. An alternative to the prevailing nesting Fermi surface mechanism is required to understand the latest family of ferrous superconductors.

The second peak effect and vortex pinning mechanisms in Ba(Fe,Ni)2As2 superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghorbani, S. R.; Arabi, H.; Wang, X. L.

2017-09-01

Vortex pinning mechanisms have been studied systematically in BaFe1.9Ni0.1As2 single crystal as a function of temperature and magnetic field. The obtained shielding current density, Js, showed a second peak in the intermediate magnetic field range at high temperatures. The temperature dependence of the shielding current density, Js(T), was analysed within the collective pinning model at different magnetic fields. It was found that the second peak reflects the coexistence of both δl pinning, reflecting spatial variation in the mean free path (l), and δTc pinning, reflecting spatial variation in the superconducting critical temperature (Tc) at low temperature and low magnetic fields in BaFe1.9Ni0.1As2 single crystal. The results clearly show that pinning mechanism effects are strongly temperature and magnetic field dependent, and the second peak effect is more powerful at higher temperatures and magnetic fields. It was also found that the magnetic field mainly controls the pinning mechanism effect.

Label-free DNA hybridization detection and single base-mismatch discrimination using CE-ICP-MS assay.

PubMed

Li, Yan; Sun, Shao-kai; Yang, Jia-lin; Jiang, Yan

2011-12-07

Detecting a specific DNA sequence and discriminating single base-mismatch is critical to clinical diagnosis, paternity testing, forensic sciences, food and drug industry, pathology, genetics, environmental monitoring, and anti-bioterrorism. To this end, capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method is developed using the displacing interaction between the target ssDNA and the competitor Hg(2+) for the first time. The thymine-rich capture ssDNA 1 is interacted with the competitor Hg(2+), forming an assembled complex in a hairpin-structure between the thymine bases arrangement at both sides of the capture ssDNA 1. In the presence of a target ssDNA with stronger affinity than that of the competitor Hg(2+), the energetically favorable hybridization between capture ssDNA 1 and the target ssDNA destroys the hairpin-structure and releases the competitor as free Hg(2+), which was then read out and accurately quantified by CE-ICP-MS assay. Under the optimal CE separation conditions, free Hg(2+) ions and its capture ssDNA 1 adduct were baseline separated and detected on-line by ICP-MS; the increased peak intensity of free Hg(2+) against the concentration of perfectly complementary target ssDNA was linear over the concentration range of 30-600 nmol L(-1) with a limit of detection of 8 nmol L(-1) (3s, n = 11) in the pre-incubated mixture containing 1 μmol L(-1) Hg(2+) and 0.2 μmol L(-1) capture ssDNA 1. This new assay method is simple in design since any target ssDNA binding can in principle result in free Hg(2+) release by 6-fold Hg(2+) signal amplification, avoiding oligonucleotide labeling or assistance by excess signal transducer and signal reporter to read out the target. Due to element-specific detection of ICP-MS in our assay procedure, the interference from the autofluorescence of substrata was eliminated.

Robust antiferromagnetism preventing superconductivity in pressurized (Ba 0.61K 0.39)Mn 2Bi 2

DOE PAGES

Gu, Dachun; Dai, Xia; Le, Congcong; ...

2014-12-05

BaMn 2Bi 2 possesses an iso-structure of iron pnictide superconductors and similar antiferromagnetic (AFM) ground state to that of cuprates, therefore, it receives much more attention on its properties and is expected to be the parent compound of a new family of superconductors. When doped with potassium (K), BaMn 2Bi 2 undergoes a transition from an AFM insulator to an AFM metal. Consequently, it is of great interest to suppress the AFM order in the K-doped BaMn 2Bi 2 with the aim of exploring the potential superconductivity. Here, we report that external pressure up to 35.6 GPa cannot suppress themore » AFM order in the K-doped BaMn 2Bi 2 to develop superconductivity in the temperature range of 300 K–1.5 K, but induces a tetragonal (T) to an orthorhombic (OR) phase transition at ~20 GPa. Theoretical calculations for the T and OR phases, on basis of our high-pressure XRD data, indicate that the AFM order is robust in the pressurized Ba 0.61K 0.39Mn 2Bi 2. Utlimately, both of our experimental and theoretical results suggest that the robust AFM order essentially prevents the emergence of superconductivity.« less

Metamaterial superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smolyaninov, Igor I.; Smolyaninova, Vera N.

2018-05-01

Searching for natural materials exhibiting larger electron-electron interactions constitutes a traditional approach to high-temperature superconductivity research. Very recently, we pointed out that the newly developed field of electromagnetic metamaterials deals with the somewhat related task of dielectric response engineering on a sub-100-nm scale. Considerable enhancement of the electron-electron interaction may be expected in such metamaterial scenarios as in epsilon near-zero (ENZ) and hyperbolic metamaterials. In both cases, dielectric function may become small and negative in substantial portions of the relevant four-momentum space, leading to enhancement of the electron pairing interaction. This approach has been verified in experiments with aluminum-based metamaterials. Metamaterial superconductor with Tc=3.9 K have been fabricated, which is three times that of pure aluminum (Tc=1.2 K), which opens up new possibilities to improve the Tc of other simple superconductors considerably. Taking advantage of the demonstrated success of this approach, the critical temperature of hypothetical niobium, MgB2- and H2S-based metamaterial superconductors is evaluated. The MgB2-based metamaterial superconductors are projected to reach the liquid nitrogen temperature range. In the case of an H2S-based metamaterial, the projected Tc appears to reach 250 K.

Carrier doping into a superconducting BaPb0.7Bi0.3O3‑δ epitaxial film using an electric double-layer transistor structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komori, S.; Kakeya, I.

2018-06-01

Doping evolution of the unconventional superconducting properties in BaBiO3-based compounds has yet to be clarified in detail due to the significant change of the oxygen concentration accompanied by the chemical substitution. We suggest that the carrier concentration of an unconventional superconductor, BaPb0.7Bi0.3O3‑δ , is controllable without inducing chemical or structural changes using an electric double-layer transistor structure. The critical temperature is found to decrease systematically with increasing carrier concentration.

"Naked-eye" colorimetric and "turn-on" fluorometric chemosensors for reversible Hg2+ detection.

PubMed

Wanichacheva, Nantanit; Praikaew, Panida; Suwanich, Thanapat; Sukrat, Kanjarat

2014-01-24

Two new Hg(2+)-colorimetric and fluorescent sensors based on 2-[3-(2-aminoethylsulfanyl) propylsulfanyl]ethanamine covalently bound to one and two units of rhodamine-6G moieties, 1 and 2, were synthesised, and their sensing behaviors toward metal ions were investigated by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Upon the addition of Hg(2+), the sensors exhibited highly sensitive "turn-on" fluorescence enhancement as well as a color change from colorless to pink, which was readily noticeable for naked eye detection. Especially, 1 exhibited the reversible behavior and revealed a very high selectivity in the presence of competitive ions, particularly Cu(2+), Ag(+), Pb(2+), Ca(2+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Fe(2+), Mn(2+), Na(+), Ni(2+), K(+), Ba(2+), Li(+) and Zn(2+), with a low detection limit of 1.7 ppb toward Hg(2+). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Research On Bi-Based High-Temperature Superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Banks, Curtis; Doane, George B., III; Golben, John

1993-01-01

Brief report describes effects of melt sintering on Bi-based high-temperature superconductor system, as well as use of vibrating-sample magnetometer to determine hysteresis curves at 77 K for partially melt-sintered samples. Also discussed is production of high-temperature superconducting thin films by laser ablation: such films potentially useful in detection of signals of very low power.

Angle-resolved photoemission observation of Mn-pnictide hybridization and negligible band structure renormalization in BaMn 2 As 2 and BaMn 2 Sb 2

DOE PAGES

Zhang, W. -L.; Richard, P.; van Roekeghem, A.; ...

2016-10-31

We performed an angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of BaMn 2As 2 and BaMn 2Sb 2, which are isostructural to the parent compound BaFe 2As 2 of the 122 family of ferropnictide superconductors. We show the existence of a strongly k z-dependent band gap with a minimum at the Brillouin zone center, in agreement with their semiconducting properties. Despite the half filling of the electronic 3d shell, we show that the band structure in these materials is almost not renormalized from the Kohn-Sham bands of density functional theory. Finally, our photon-energy-dependent study provides evidence for Mn-pnictide hybridization, which may play amore » role in tuning the electronic correlations in these compounds.« less

A new RE + 011 TSIG method for the fabrication of high quality and large size single domain YBCO bulk superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, W. M.; Chen, L. P.; Wang, X. J.

2016-02-01

High quality single domain YBCO bulk superconductors, 20 mm in diameter, have been fabricated using a new top seeded infiltration and growth method (called the RE + 011 TSIG method), with a new solid phase (Y2O3 + xBaCuO2) instead of the conventional Y2BaCuO5 solid phase, x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0. The effects of different BaCuO2 contents x on the growth morphology, microstructure, and levitation force have been investigated. The results show that the levitation force of the YBCO bulks first increases and then decreases with increasing x, and reaches maximum levitation forces of about 49.2 N (77 K, 0.5 T, with the traditional liquid phase of YBa2Cu3O y + 3 BaCuO2 + 2 CuO) and 47 N (77.3 K, 0.5 T, with the new liquid phase of Y2O3 + 10 BaCuO2 + 6 CuO) when x = 1.2, which is much higher than that of the samples fabricated with the conventional solid phases (23 N). The average Y2BaCuO5 particle size is about 1 μm, which is much smaller than the 3.4 μm in the samples prepared with the conventional Y2BaCuO5 solid phase; this means that the flux pinning force of the sample can be improved by using the new solid phase. Based on this method, single domain YBCO bulks 40 mm, 59 mm, and 93 mm in diameter have also been fabricated using the TSIG process with the new solid phases (Y2O3 + 1.2BaCuO2). These results indicate that the new TSIG process developed by our lab is a very important and practical method for the fabrication of low cost, large size, and high quality single domain REBCO bulk superconductors.

Design principles for HgTe based topological insulator devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sengupta, Parijat; Kubis, Tillmann; Tan, Yaohua; Povolotskyi, Michael; Klimeck, Gerhard

2013-07-01

The topological insulator properties of CdTe/HgTe/CdTe quantum wells are theoretically studied. The CdTe/HgTe/CdTe quantum well behaves as a topological insulator beyond a critical well width dimension. It is shown that if the barrier (CdTe) and well-region (HgTe) are altered by replacing them with the alloy CdxHg1-xTe of various stoichiometries, the critical width can be changed. The critical quantum well width is shown to depend on temperature, applied stress, growth directions, and external electric fields. Based on these results, a novel device concept is proposed that allows to switch between a normal semiconducting and topological insulator state through application of moderate external electric fields.

Label-free turn-on fluorescent detection of melamine based on the anti-quenching ability of Hg 2+ to gold nanoclusters.

PubMed

Dai, Haichao; Shi, Yan; Wang, Yilin; Sun, Yujing; Hu, Jingting; Ni, Pengjuan; Li, Zhuang

2014-03-15

In this work, we proposed a facile, environmentally friendly and cost-effective assay for melamine with BSA-stabilized gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) as a fluorescence reader. Melamine, which has a multi-nitrogen heterocyclic ring, is prone to coordinate with Hg(2+). This property causes the anti-quenching ability of Hg(2+) to AuNCs through decreasing the metallophilic interaction between Hg(2+) and Au(+). By this method, detection limit down to 0.15 µM is obtained, which is approximately 130 times lower than that of the US food and Drug Administration estimated melamine safety limit of 20 µM. Furthermore, several real samples spiked with melamine, including raw milk and milk powder, are analyzed using the sensing system with excellent recoveries. This gold-nanocluster-based fluorescent method could find applications in highly sensitive detection of melamine in real samples. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Method of fabricating a (1223) Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O superconductor

DOEpatents

Tkaczyk, John Eric; Lay, Kenneth Wilbur; He, Qing

1997-01-01

A method is disclosed for fabricating a polycrystalline <223> thallium-containing superconductor having high critical current at elevated temperatures and in the presence of a magnetic field. A powder precursor containing compounds other than thallium is compressed on a substrate. Thallium is incorporated in the densified powder precursor at a high temperature in the presence of a partial pressure of a thallium-containing vapor.

Method of fabricating a (1223) Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O superconductor

DOEpatents

Tkaczyk, J.E.; Lay, K.W.; He, Q.

1997-07-08

A method is disclosed for fabricating a polycrystalline <223> thallium-containing superconductor having high critical current at elevated temperatures and in the presence of a magnetic field. A powder precursor containing compounds other than thallium is compressed on a substrate. Thallium is incorporated in the densified powder precursor at a high temperature in the presence of a partial pressure of a thallium-containing vapor. 2 figs.

Admittance Investigation of MIS Structures with HgTe-Based Single Quantum Wells.

PubMed

Izhnin, Ihor I; Nesmelov, Sergey N; Dzyadukh, Stanislav M; Voitsekhovskii, Alexander V; Gorn, Dmitry I; Dvoretsky, Sergey A; Mikhailov, Nikolaj N

2016-12-01

This work presents results of the investigation of admittance of metal-insulator-semiconductor structure based on Hg1 - x Cd x Te grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The structure contains a single quantum well Hg0.35Cd0.65Te/HgTe/Hg0.35Cd0.65Te with thickness of 5.6 nm in the sub-surface layer of the semiconductor. Both the conductance-voltage and capacitance-voltage characteristics show strong oscillations when the metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structure with a single quantum well based on HgTe is biased into the strong inversion mode. Also, oscillations on the voltage dependencies of differential resistance of the space charge region were observed. These oscillations were related to the recharging of quantum levels in HgTe.

Designer Diamonds: Applications in Iron-based Superconductors and Lanthanides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vohra, Yogesh

2013-06-01

This talk will focus on the recent progress in the fabrication of designer diamond anvils as well as scientific applications of these diamonds in static high pressure research. The two critical parameters that have emerged in the microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition of designer diamond anvils are (1) the precise [100] alignment of the starting diamond substrate and (2) balancing the competing roles of parts per million levels of nitrogen and oxygen in the diamond growth plasma. The control of these parameters results in the fabrication of high quality designer diamonds with culet size in excess of 300 microns in diameter. The three different applications of designer diamond anvils will be discussed (1) simultaneous electrical resistance and crystal structure measurements using a synchrotron source on Iron-based superconductors with data on both electron and hole doped BaFe2As2 materials and other novel superconducting materials (2) high-pressure high-temperature melting studies on metals using eight-probe Ohmic heating designer diamonds and (3) high pressure low temperature studies on magnetic behavior of 4f-lanthanide metals using four-probe electrical resistance measurements and complementary neutron diffraction studies on a spallation neutron source. Future opportunities in boron-doped conducting designer diamond anvils as well as fabrication of two-stage designer diamonds for ultra high pressure experiments will also be presented. This work was supported by the Department of Energy (DOE) - National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) under Grant No. DE-FG52-10NA29660.

Phase stability and large in-plane resistivity anisotropy in the 112-type iron-based superconductor Ca 1 - x La x FeAs 2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kang, Chang-Jong; Birol, Turan; Kotliar, Gabriel

The recently discovered high-T c superconductor Ca 1-xLa xFeAs 2 is a unique compound not just because of its low-symmetry crystal structure but also because of its electronic structure, which hosts Dirac-like metallic bands resulting from (spacer) zigzag As chains. We present a comprehensive first-principles theoretical study of the electronic and crystal structures of Ca 1-xLa xFeAs 2. After discussing the connection between the crystal structure of the 112 family, which Ca 1-xLa xFeAs 2 is a member of, with the other known structures of Fe pnictide superconductors, we check the thermodynamic phase stability of CaFeAs 2, and similar hyphotheticalmore » compounds SrFeAs 2 and BaFeAs 2 which, we find, are slightly higher in energy. We calculate the optical conductivity of Ca 1-xLa xFeAs 2 using the DFT+DMFT method and predict a large in-plane resistivity anisotropy in the normal phase, which does not originate from electronic nematicity, but is enhanced by the electronic correlations. In particular, we predict a 0.34 eV peak in the yy component of the optical conductivity of the 30% La-doped compound, which corresponds to coherent interband transitions within a fast-dispersing band arising from the zigzag As chains, which are unique to this compound. We also study the Landau free energy for Ca 1-xLa xFeAs 2 including the order parameter relevant for the nematic transition and find that the free energy does not have any extra terms that could induce ferro-orbital order. This explains why the presence of As chains does not broaden the nematic transition in Ca 1-xLa xFeAs 2.« less

Phase stability and large in-plane resistivity anisotropy in the 112-type iron-based superconductor Ca 1 - x La x FeAs 2

DOE PAGES

Kang, Chang-Jong; Birol, Turan; Kotliar, Gabriel

2017-01-17

The recently discovered high-T c superconductor Ca 1-xLa xFeAs 2 is a unique compound not just because of its low-symmetry crystal structure but also because of its electronic structure, which hosts Dirac-like metallic bands resulting from (spacer) zigzag As chains. We present a comprehensive first-principles theoretical study of the electronic and crystal structures of Ca 1-xLa xFeAs 2. After discussing the connection between the crystal structure of the 112 family, which Ca 1-xLa xFeAs 2 is a member of, with the other known structures of Fe pnictide superconductors, we check the thermodynamic phase stability of CaFeAs 2, and similar hyphotheticalmore » compounds SrFeAs 2 and BaFeAs 2 which, we find, are slightly higher in energy. We calculate the optical conductivity of Ca 1-xLa xFeAs 2 using the DFT+DMFT method and predict a large in-plane resistivity anisotropy in the normal phase, which does not originate from electronic nematicity, but is enhanced by the electronic correlations. In particular, we predict a 0.34 eV peak in the yy component of the optical conductivity of the 30% La-doped compound, which corresponds to coherent interband transitions within a fast-dispersing band arising from the zigzag As chains, which are unique to this compound. We also study the Landau free energy for Ca 1-xLa xFeAs 2 including the order parameter relevant for the nematic transition and find that the free energy does not have any extra terms that could induce ferro-orbital order. This explains why the presence of As chains does not broaden the nematic transition in Ca 1-xLa xFeAs 2.« less

Fabrication of Optimized Superconducting Phase Inverters Based on Superconductor-Ferromagnet-Superconductor pi π -Junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolginov, V. V.; Rossolenko, A. N.; Shkarin, A. B.; Oboznov, V. A.; Ryazanov, V. V.

2018-03-01

We have implemented a trilayer technological approach to fabricate Nb-Cu_{0.47} Ni_{0.53}-Nb superconducting phase inverters (π -junctions) with enhanced critical current. Within this technique, all three layers of the superconductor-ferromagnet-superconductor junction deposited in a single vacuum cycle that have allowed us to obtain π -junctions with critical current density up to 20 kA/cm^2. The value achieved is a factor of 10 higher than for the step-by-step method used in earlier works. Our additional experiments have shown that this difference is related to a bilayered CuNi/Cu barrier used in the case of the step-by-step technique and interlayer diffusion at the CuNi/Cu interface. We show that the interlayer diffusion can be utilized for fine tuning of the 0{-}π transition temperature of already fabricated junctions. The results obtained open new opportunities for the CuNi-based phase inverters in digital and quantum Josephson electronics.

“Naked-eye” colorimetric and “turn-on” fluorometric chemosensors for reversible Hg2+ detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wanichacheva, Nantanit; Praikaew, Panida; Suwanich, Thanapat; Sukrat, Kanjarat

2014-01-01

Two new Hg2+-colorimetric and fluorescent sensors based on 2-[3-(2-aminoethylsulfanyl) propylsulfanyl]ethanamine covalently bound to one and two units of rhodamine-6G moieties, 1 and 2, were synthesised, and their sensing behaviors toward metal ions were investigated by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Upon the addition of Hg2+, the sensors exhibited highly sensitive “turn-on” fluorescence enhancement as well as a color change from colorless to pink, which was readily noticeable for naked eye detection. Especially, 1 exhibited the reversible behavior and revealed a very high selectivity in the presence of competitive ions, particularly Cu2+, Ag+, Pb2+, Ca2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, Na+, Ni2+, K+, Ba2+, Li+ and Zn2+, with a low detection limit of 1.7 ppb toward Hg2+.

Multilayered cuprate superconductor Ba2Ca5Cu6O12(O1-x,Fx) 2 studied by temperature-dependent scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugimoto, Akira; Ekino, Toshikazu; Gabovich, Alexander M.; Sekine, Ryotaro; Tanabe, Kenji; Tokiwa, Kazuyasu

2017-05-01

Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) measurements were carried out on a multilayered cuprate superconductor Ba2Ca5Cu6O12 (O1 -x,Fx )2. STM topography revealed random spot structures with the characteristic length ≤0.5 nm. The conductance spectra d I /d V (V ) show the coexistence of smaller gaps ΔS and large gaps (pseudogaps) ΔL. The pseudogap-related features in the superconducting state were traced with the spatial resolution of ˜0.07 nm. Here, I and V are the tunnel current and bias voltage, respectively. The temperature, T , dependence of ΔS follows the reduced Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) dependence. The hallmark ratio 2 ΔS(T =0 ) /kBTc equals to 4.9, which is smaller than those of other cuprate superconductors. Here, Tc is the superconducting critical temperature and kB is the Boltzmann constant. The larger gap ΔL survives in the normal state and even increases with T above Tc. The T dependencies of the spatial distributions for both relevant gaps (Δ map), as well as for each gap separately (ΔS and ΔL), were obtained. From the histogram of Δ map, the averaged gap values were found to be Δ¯S=˜24 meV and Δ¯L=˜79 meV. The smaller gap ΔS shows a spatially homogeneous distribution while the larger gap ΔL is quite inhomogeneous, indicating that rather homogeneous superconductivity coexists with the patchy distributed pseudogap. The spatial variation length ξΔ L of ΔL correlates with the scale of the topography spot structures, being approximately 0.4 nm. This value is considerably smaller than the coherence length of this class of superconductors, suggesting that ΔL is strongly affected by the disorder of the apical O/F.

A novel cobalt-free layered GdBaFe 2O 5+ δ cathode for proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Hanping; Xue, Xingjian

While cobalt-containing perovskite-type cathode materials facilitate the activation of oxygen reduction, they also suffer from problems like poor chemical stability in CO 2 and high thermal expansion coefficients. In this research, a cobalt-free layered GdBaFe 2O 5+ δ (GBF) perovskite was developed as a cathode material for protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells (PCMFCs) based on proton conducting electrolyte of stable BaZr 0.1Ce 0.7Y 0.2O 3- δ (BZCY7). The button cells of Ni-BZCY7|BZCY7|GBF were fabricated and characterized using complex impedance technique from 600 to 700 °C. An open-circuit potential of 1.007 V, maximum power density of 417 mW cm -2, and a low electrode polarization resistance of 0.18 Ω cm 2 were achieved at 700 °C. The results indicate that layered GBF perovskite is a good candidate for cobalt-free cathode material, while the developed Ni-BZCY7|BZCY7|GBF cell is a promising functional material system for solid oxide fuel cells.

A new series of oxycarbonate superconductors (Cu{sub 0.5}C{sub 0.5}){sub m}Ba{sub m+1}Ca{sub n-1}Cu{sub n}O{sub 2}({sub m+n})+1

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Takayama-Muromachi, E.; Kawashima, T.; Matsui, Y.

1994-12-31

We found a new series of oxycarbonate superconductors in the Ba-Ca-Cu-C-O system under high pressure of 5 GPa. Their ideal formula is (Cu{sub 0.5}C{sub 0.5}){sub m}Ba{sub m+1}Ca{sub n-1}Cu{sub n}O{sub 2}({sub m+n})+1 ((Cu,C)-m(m+1)(n-1)n). Thus far, n=3, 4 members of the m=1 series, (Cu,C)-1223 and (Cu,C)-1234, have been prepared in bulk while n=4, 5 members, (Cu,C)-2334 and (Cu,C)-2345, have been prepared for the m=2 series. (Cu,C)-1223 shows superconductivity below 67 K while T{sub c}`s of other compounds are above 110 K. In particular, (Cu,C)=1234 has the highest T{sub c} of 117 K.

XES studies of density of states of high temperature superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jasiolek, Gabriel

1990-01-01

X-ray emission spectroscopic studies concerning the superconducting crystals, thin films and ceramics of the Y-Ba-Cu-O, Tm-Ba-Cu-O, Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O, Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O and T1-Ba-Ca-Cu-O types are presented. The contributions of the 13d(9)L, 13d(10)L, 13d(10)LL and 13d(10)L(2) configurations, where L denotes a ligand hole at the oxygen orbitals in the spectroscopic pattern of these superconductors are discussed. An attempt to connect the x-ray 'as registered' Cu L emission spectra with the density of states close to the Fermi level, considering an influence of the CuL3 absorption edge, is presented. The corrected intensity distributions below the Fermi level are found to correspond to the theoretical density of states. Furthermore, an approach to the average valence of copper based on the account of the self-absorption and fluorescence effects and on the configurations listed above is shown. The average valence of copper in the materials investigated is estimated to lie in the range of +2.10 to 2.32 when the formal trivalent copper is considered as that characterized by the 13d(9)L configuration. The density of states at the Fermi level was estimated to be 2.4 states/eV-cell for a Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O crystal and 3.6 states/eV-cell for a Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O ceramic.

XES studies of density of states of high temperature superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jasiolek, Gabriel

1991-01-01

X-ray emission spectroscopic studies concerning the superconducting crystals, thin films, and ceramics of the Y-Ba-Cu-O, Tm-Ba-Cu-O, Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O, Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O, and Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O types are presented. The contributions of the 13d(9)L, 13d(10)L, 13d(10)LL, and 13d(10)L(2) configurations, where L denotes a ligand hole at the oxygen orbitals in the spectroscopic pattern of these superconductors are discussed. An attempt to connect the x-ray 'as registered' Cu L(alpha) emission spectra with the density of states close to the Fermi level, considering an influence of the CuL3 absorption edge, is presented. The corrected intensity distributions below the Fermi level are found to correspond to the theoretical density of states. Furthermore, an approach to the average valence of copper basing on the account of the self-absorption and fluorescence effects and on the configurations listed above is shown. The average valence of copper in the materials investigated is estimated to lie in the range of +2.10 to 2.32 when the formal trivalent copper is considered as that characterized by the 13d(9)L configuration. The density of states at the Fermi level was estimated to be 2.4 states/eV-cell for a Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O crystal and 3.6 states/eV-cell for a Tl-Ba-Ca-CU-O ceramic.

A measurement of correlation parameters in the decay of polarized free neutrons: The abBA experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barrón-Palos, L.; Chávez, E.; Crawford, C.; Curiel-García, Q.; Huerta, A.; Juárez-Rosete, M. A.; Marín-Lámbarri, D. J.; Martin, E.; Ortiz, M. E.; Penttilä, S. I.; Rodríguez-Zamora, P.; Salas, A.; Tang, Z.; Wilburn, W. S.

2010-07-01

The abBA experiment will measure, in the same apparatus, four correlation parameters in the free neutron β-decay: the electron-antineutrino angular correlation (a), the Fierz interference term (6), and the asymmetries, with respect to the neutron spin direction, of the electron (A)and antineutrino (B).The precise determination of these parameters, together with the neutron lifetime, will provide important information about the Standard Model (SM) and will establish constraints for new physics. In this paper we describe the experimental methodology of abBA as well as some of the advances that have been done so far.

Development of HgCdTe large format MBE arrays and noise-free high speed MOVPE EAPD arrays for ground based NIR astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finger, G.; Baker, I.; Downing, M.; Alvarez, D.; Ives, D.; Mehrgan, L.; Meyer, M.; Stegmeier, J.; Weller, H. J.

2017-11-01

Large format near infrared HgCdTe 2Kx2K and 4Kx4K MBE arrays have reached a level of maturity which meets most of the specifications required for near infrared (NIR) astronomy. The only remaining problem is the persistence effect which is device specific and not yet fully under control. For ground based multi-object spectroscopy on 40 meter class telescopes larger pixels would be advantageous. For high speed near infrared fringe tracking and wavefront sensing the only way to overcome the CMOS noise barrier is the amplification of the photoelectron signal inside the infrared pixel by means of the avalanche gain. A readout chip for a 320x256 pixel HgCdTe eAPD array will be presented which has 32 parallel video outputs being arranged in such a way that the full multiplex advantage is also available for small sub-windows. In combination with the high APD gain this allows reducing the readout noise to the subelectron level by applying nondestructive readout schemes with subpixel sampling. Arrays grown by MOVPE achieve subelectron readout noise and operate with superb cosmetic quality at high APD gain. Efforts are made to reduce the dark current of those arrays to make this technology also available for large format focal planes of NIR instruments offering noise free detectors for deep exposures. The dark current of the latest MOVPE eAPD arrays is already at a level adequate for noiseless broad and narrow band imaging in scientific instruments.

Magnetic-field-induced vortex-lattice transition in HgBa 2 CuO 4 + δ

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Jeongseop A.; Xin, Yizhou; Stolt, I.

Measurements of the 17O nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) quadrupolar spectrum of apical oxygen in HgBa 2CuO 4+δ were performed over a range of magnetic fields from 6.4–30 T in the superconducting state. Oxygen-isotope-exchanged single crystals were investigated with doping corresponding to superconducting transition temperatures from 74 K underdoped, to 78 K overdoped. The apical oxygen site was chosen since its NMR spectrum has narrow quadrupolar satellites that are well separated from any other resonance. Nonvortex contributions to the spectra can be deconvolved in the time domain to determine the local magnetic field distribution from the vortices. Numerical analysis using Brandt'smore » Ginzburg-Landau theory was used to find structural parameters of the vortex lattice, penetration depth, and coherence length as a function of magnetic field in the vortex solid phase. From this analysis we report a vortex structural transition near 15 T from an oblique lattice with an opening angle of 73° at low magnetic fields to a triangular lattice with 60° stabilized at high field. The temperature for onset of vortex dynamics has been identified from spin-spin relaxation. This is independent of the magnetic field at sufficiently high magnetic field similar to that reported for YBa 2Cu 3O 7 and Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O 8+δ and is correlated with mass anisotropy of the material. Here, this behavior is accounted for theoretically only in the limit of very high anisotropy.« less

Electronic Structure of TlBa2CaCu2O(7-Delta)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vasquez, R. P.; Novikov, D. L.; Freeman, A. J.; Siegal, M. P.

1997-01-01

The core levels of TlBa2CaCu2O(7-delta) (Tl-1212) epitaxial films have been measured with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The valence electronic structure has been determined using the full-potential linear muffin-tin-orbital band-structure method and measured with XPS. The calculations show that a van Hove singularity (VHS) lies above the Fermi level (E(sub F)) for the stoichiometric compound (delta = 0.5), while for 50% oxygen vacancies in the Tl-O layer (delta = 0.5) E(sub F) is in close proximity to the VHS. Samples annealed in nitrogen (to reduce the hole overdoping by the removal of oxygen) exhibit higher core-level binding energies and a higher T(sub c), consistent with a shift of E(sub F) closer to the VHS. Comparisons are made to the core levels and valence bands of Tl2Ba2CaCu2O(8 + delta)(Tl-2212) and HgBa2CaCu2O)6 + delta) (Hg- 1212). The similarity of the Cu 2p(sub 3/2) spectra for Tl-1212 and Tl-2212 indicates that the number of Tl-O layers has little effect on the Cu-O bonding. However, the Tl-1212 and Hg-1212 Cu 2p(sub 3/2) signals exhibit differences which suggest that the replacement of T(sup 3+) with Hg(sup 2+) results in a decrease in the O 2p right arrow Cu 3d charge-transfer energy and differences in the probabilities of planar vs apical oxygen charge transfer and/or Zhang-Rice singlet-state formation. Differences between the Tl-1212 and the Tl-2212 and Hg-1212 measured valence bands are consistent with the calculated Cu 3d and (Tl,Hg) 6s/5d partial densities of states.

Double-stage nematic bond ordering above double stripe magnetism: Application to BaTi 2 Sb 2 O

DOE PAGES

Zhang, G.; Glasbrenner, J. K.; Flint, R.; ...

2017-05-01

Spin-driven nemore » maticity, or the breaking of the point-group symmetry of the lattice without long-range magnetic order, is clearly quite important in iron-based superconductors. From a symmetry point of view, nematic order can be described as a coherent locking of spin fluctuations in two interpenetrating Néel sublattices with ensuing nearest-neighbor bond order and an absence of static magnetism. In this paper, we argue that the low-temperature state of the recently discovered superconductor BaTi 2 Sb 2 O is a strong candidate for a more exotic form of spin-driven nematic order, in which fluctuations occurring in four Néel sublattices promote both nearest- and next-nearest-neighbor bond order. We develop a low-energy field theory of this state and show that it can have, as a function of temperature, up to two separate bond-order phase transitions, namely, one that breaks rotation symmetry and one that breaks reflection and translation symmetries of the lattice. The resulting state has an orthorhombic lattice distortion, an intra-unit-cell charge density wave, and no long-range magnetic order, all consistent with reported measurements of the low-temperature phase of BaTi 2 Sb 2 O . Finally, we then use density functional theory calculations to extract exchange parameters to confirm that the model is applicable to BaTi 2 Sb 2 O .« less

Double-stage nematic bond ordering above double stripe magnetism: Application to BaTi 2 Sb 2 O

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, G.; Glasbrenner, J. K.; Flint, R.

Spin-driven nemore » maticity, or the breaking of the point-group symmetry of the lattice without long-range magnetic order, is clearly quite important in iron-based superconductors. From a symmetry point of view, nematic order can be described as a coherent locking of spin fluctuations in two interpenetrating Néel sublattices with ensuing nearest-neighbor bond order and an absence of static magnetism. In this paper, we argue that the low-temperature state of the recently discovered superconductor BaTi 2 Sb 2 O is a strong candidate for a more exotic form of spin-driven nematic order, in which fluctuations occurring in four Néel sublattices promote both nearest- and next-nearest-neighbor bond order. We develop a low-energy field theory of this state and show that it can have, as a function of temperature, up to two separate bond-order phase transitions, namely, one that breaks rotation symmetry and one that breaks reflection and translation symmetries of the lattice. The resulting state has an orthorhombic lattice distortion, an intra-unit-cell charge density wave, and no long-range magnetic order, all consistent with reported measurements of the low-temperature phase of BaTi 2 Sb 2 O . Finally, we then use density functional theory calculations to extract exchange parameters to confirm that the model is applicable to BaTi 2 Sb 2 O .« less

Electrochemical DNA probe for Hg(2+) detection based on a triple-helix DNA and Multistage Signal Amplification Strategy.

PubMed

Wang, Huan; Zhang, Yihe; Ma, Hongmin; Ren, Xiang; Wang, Yaoguang; Zhang, Yong; Wei, Qin

2016-12-15

In this work, an ultrasensitive electrochemical sensor was developed for detection of Hg(2+). Gold nanoparticles decorated bovine serum albumin reduction of graphene oxide (AuNP-BSA-rGO) were used as subsurface material for the immobilization of triple-helix DNA. The triple-helix DNA containing a thiol labelled single-stranded DNA (sDNA) and a thymine-rich DNA (T-rich DNA), which could be unwinded in the present of Hg(2+) to form more stable thymine-Hg(2+)-thymine (T-Hg(2+)-T) complex. T-Hg(2+)-T complex was then removed and the sDNA was left on the electrode. At this time, gold nanoparticle carrying thiol labelled cytosine-rich complementary DNA (cDNA-AuNP) could bind with the free sDNA. Meanwhile, the other free cDNA on AuNP could bind with each other in the present of Ag(+) to form the stable cytosine-Ag(+)-cytosine (C-Ag(+)-C) complex and circle amplification. Plenty of C-Ag(+)-C could form silver nanoclusters by electrochemical reduction and the striping signal of Ag could be measured for purpose of the final electrochemical detection of Hg(2+). This sensor could detect Hg(2+) over a wide concentration range from 0.1 to 130nM with a detection limit of 0.03nM. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Orbital selective pairing and gap structures of iron-based superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kreisel, Andreas; Andersen, Brian M.; Sprau, P. O.

We discuss the in uence on spin-fluctuation pairing theory of orbital selective strong correlation effects in Fe-based superconductors, particularly Fe chalcogenide systems. We propose that a key ingredient for an improved itinerant pairing theory is orbital selectivity, i.e., incorporating the reduced coherence of quasiparticles occupying specific orbital states. This modifies the usual spin-fluctuation via suppression of pair scattering processes involving those less coherent states and results in orbital selective Cooper pairing of electrons in the remaining states. We show that this paradigm yields remarkably good agreement with the experimentally observed anisotropic gap structures in both bulk and monolayer FeSe, asmore » well as LiFeAs, indicating that orbital selective Cooper pairing plays a key role in the more strongly correlated iron-based superconductors.« less

Orbital selective pairing and gap structures of iron-based superconductors

DOE PAGES

Kreisel, Andreas; Andersen, Brian M.; Sprau, P. O.; ...

2017-05-08

We discuss the in uence on spin-fluctuation pairing theory of orbital selective strong correlation effects in Fe-based superconductors, particularly Fe chalcogenide systems. We propose that a key ingredient for an improved itinerant pairing theory is orbital selectivity, i.e., incorporating the reduced coherence of quasiparticles occupying specific orbital states. This modifies the usual spin-fluctuation via suppression of pair scattering processes involving those less coherent states and results in orbital selective Cooper pairing of electrons in the remaining states. We show that this paradigm yields remarkably good agreement with the experimentally observed anisotropic gap structures in both bulk and monolayer FeSe, asmore » well as LiFeAs, indicating that orbital selective Cooper pairing plays a key role in the more strongly correlated iron-based superconductors.« less

A Semimetal Model of the Normal State Susceptibility and Transport Properties of Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2 Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sales, Brian; Sefat, Athena; McGuire, Michael; Mandrus, David

2010-03-01

A simple two-band 3D model of a semimetal is constructed to see which normal state features of the Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2 superconductors can be qualitatively understood within this framework. The model is able to account in a semiquantitative fashion for the measured magnetic susceptibility, Hall, and Seebeck data, and the low temperature Sommerfeld coefficient for 0

Visualizing spatial correlation: structural and electronic orders in iron-based superconductors on atomic scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maksov, Artem; Ziatdinov, Maxim; Li, Li; Sefat, Athena; Maksymovych, Petro; Kalinin, Sergei

Crystalline matter on the nanoscale level often exhibits strongly inhomogeneous structural and electronic orders, which have a profound effect on macroscopic properties. This may be caused by subtle interplay between chemical disorder, strain, magnetic, and structural order parameters. We present a novel approach based on combination of high resolution scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S) and deep data style analysis for automatic separation, extraction, and correlation of structural and electronic behavior which might lead us to uncovering the underlying sources of inhomogeneity in in iron-based family of superconductors (FeSe, BaFe2As2) . We identify STS spectral features using physically robust Bayesian linear unmixing, and show their direct relevance to the fundamental physical properties of the system, including electronic states associated with individual defects and impurities. We collect structural data from individual unit cells on the crystalline lattice, and calculate both global and local indicators of spatial correlation with electronic features, demonstrating, for the first time, a direct quantifiable connection between observed structural order parameters extracted from the STM data and electronic order parameters identified within the STS data. This research was sponsored by the Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, US DOE.

Superconductivity in SnO: a nonmagnetic analog to Fe-based superconductors?

PubMed

Forthaus, M K; Sengupta, K; Heyer, O; Christensen, N E; Svane, A; Syassen, K; Khomskii, D I; Lorenz, T; Abd-Elmeguid, M M

2010-10-08

We discovered that under pressure SnO with α-PbO structure, the same structure as in many Fe-based superconductors, e.g., β-FeSe, undergoes a transition to a superconducting state for p≳6 GPa with a maximum Tc of 1.4 K at p=9.3 GPa. The pressure dependence of Tc reveals a domelike shape and superconductivity disappears for p≳16 GPa. It is further shown from band structure calculations that SnO under pressure exhibits a Fermi surface topology similar to that reported for some Fe-based superconductors and that the nesting between the hole and electron pockets correlates with the change of Tc as a function of pressure.

Large Energy Density, Excellent Thermal Stability, and High Cycling Endurance of Lead-Free BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3 Film Capacitors.

PubMed

Sun, Zixiong; Ma, Chunrui; Wang, Xi; Liu, Ming; Lu, Lu; Wu, Ming; Lou, Xiaojie; Wang, Hong; Jia, Chun-Lin

2017-05-24

A large energy storage density (ESD) of 30.4 J/cm 3 and high energy efficiency of 81.7% under an electrical field of 3 MV/cm was achieved at room temperature by the fabrication of environmentally friendly lead-free BaZr 0.2 Ti 0.8 O 3 epitaxial thin films on Nb-doped SrTiO 3 (001) substrates by using a radio-frequency magnetron sputtering system. Moreover, the BZT film capacitors exhibit great thermal stability of the ESD from 16.8 J/cm 3 to 14.0 J/cm 3 with efficiency of beyond 67.4% and high fatigue endurance (up to 10 6 cycles) in a wide temperature range from room temperature to 125 °C. Compared to other BaTiO 3 -based energy storage capacitor materials and even Pb-based systems, BaZr 0.2 Ti 0.8 O 3 thin film capacitors show either high ESD or great energy efficiency. All of these excellent results revealed that the BaZr 0.2 Ti 0.8 O 3 film capacitors have huge potential in the application of modern electronics, such as locomotive and pulse power, in harsh working environments.

Synthesis, structure, and bonding of BaTl4. Size effects on encapsulation of cations in electron-poor metal networks.

PubMed

Dai, Jing-Cao; Gupta, Shalabh; Corbett, John D

2011-01-03

The synthesis, structure, and bonding of BaTl(4) are described [C2/m, Z = 4, a = 12.408(3), b = 5.351(1), c = 10.383(2) Å, β = 116.00(3)°]. Pairs of edge-sharing Tl pentagons are condensed to generate a network of pentagonal biprisms along b that encapsulate Ba atoms. Alternating levels of prisms along c afford six more bifunctional Tl atoms about the waists of the biprisms, giving Ba a coordination number of 16. Each Tl atom is bonded to five to seven other Tl atoms and to three to five Ba atoms. There is also strong evidence that Hg substitutes preferentially in the shared edges of the Tl biprisms in BaHg(0.80)Tl(3.20) to generate more strongly bound Hg(2) dimers. Cations that are too small relative to the dimensions of the surrounding polyanionic network make this BaTl(4) structure (and for SrIn(4) and perhaps EuIn(4) as well) one stable alternative to tetragonal BaAl(4)-type structures in which cations are bound in larger hexagon-faced nets, as for BaIn(4) and SrGa(4). Characteristic condensation and augmentation of cation-centered prismatic units is common among many relatively cation- and electron-poor, polar derivatives of Zintl phases gain stability. At the other extreme, the large family of Frank-Kasper phases in which the elements exhibit larger numbers of bonded neighbors are sometimes referred to as orbitally rich.

Holographic superconductor vortices.

PubMed

Montull, Marc; Pomarol, Alex; Silva, Pedro J

2009-08-28

A gravity dual of a superconductor at finite temperature has been recently proposed. We present the vortex configuration of this model and study its properties. In particular, we calculate the free energy as a function of an external magnetic field, the magnetization, and the superconducting density. We also find the two critical magnetic fields that define the region in which the vortex configurations are energetically favorable.

Pressure-driven phase transition from antiferromagnetic semiconductor to nonmagnetic metal in the two-leg ladders A Fe 2 X 3 ( A = Ba , K ; X = S , Se )

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Yang; Lin, Lingfang; Zhang, Jun -Jie; ...

2017-03-15

The recent discovery of superconductivity in BaFe 2S 3 has stimulated considerable interest in 123-type iron chalcogenides. This material is the first reported iron-based two-leg ladder superconductor, as opposed to the prevailing two-dimensional layered structures of the iron superconductor family. Once the hydrostatic pressure exceeds 11 GPa, BaFe 2S 3 changes from a semiconductor to a superconductor below 24 K. Although previous calculations correctly explained its ground-state magnetic state and electronic structure, the pressure-induced phase transition was not successfully reproduced. In this work, our first-principles calculations show that with increasing pressure the lattice constants as well as local magnetic momentsmore » are gradually suppressed, followed by a first-order magnetic transition at a critical pressure, with local magnetic moments dropping to zero suddenly. Our calculations suggest that the self-doping caused by electrons transferred from S to Fe may play a key role in this transition. The development of a nonmagnetic metallic phase at high pressure may pave the way to superconductivity. As extensions of this effort, two other 123-type iron chalcogenides, KFe 2S 3 and KFe 2Se 3, have also been investigated. KFe 2S 3 also displays a first-order transition with increasing pressure, but KFe 2Se 3 shows instead a second-order or weakly first-order transition. Here, the required pressures for KFe 2S 3 and KFe 2Se 3 to quench the magnetism are higher than for BaFe 2S 3. Further experiments could confirm the predicted first-order nature of the transition in BaFe 2S 3 and KFe 2S 3, as well as the possible metallic/superconductivity state in other 123-type iron chalcogenides under high pressure.« less

Hall effect in high- Tc Y 1Ba 2Cu 3O 7-δ superconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vezzoli, G. C.; Burke, T.; Moon, B. M.; Lalevic, B.; Safari, A.; Sundar, H. G. K.; Bonometti, R.; Alexander, C.; Rau, C.; Waters, K.

1989-04-01

We have performed point-by-point and continuous Hall effect experiments as a function of temperature in polycrystalline Y 1Ba 2Cu 3O 7-δ. We have shown that the positive Hall constant shows an abrupt increase upon decreasing temperature at a value just above Tc. This temperature corresponds to where the resistance versus temperature data deviates from linearity. At very high fields of 6.8 and 15 T we observe a subsequent decrease in RH. We interpret these data as supportive of a contribution toward the superconductivity mechanism arising from internal excitions or change transfer excitations such that the bound exciton concentration increases near Tc at the expense of positive carries which are reflected in both bound and free holes.

Observation of topological superconductivity on the surface of an iron-based superconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Peng; Yaji, Koichiro; Hashimoto, Takahiro; Ota, Yuichi; Kondo, Takeshi; Okazaki, Kozo; Wang, Zhijun; Wen, Jinsheng; Gu, G. D.; Ding, Hong; Shin, Shik

2018-04-01

Topological superconductors are predicted to host exotic Majorana states that obey non-Abelian statistics and can be used to implement a topological quantum computer. Most of the proposed topological superconductors are realized in difficult-to-fabricate heterostructures at very low temperatures. By using high-resolution spin-resolved and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, we find that the iron-based superconductor FeTe1–xSex (x = 0.45; superconducting transition temperature Tc = 14.5 kelvin) hosts Dirac-cone–type spin-helical surface states at the Fermi level; the surface states exhibit an s-wave superconducting gap below Tc. Our study shows that the surface states of FeTe0.55Se0.45 are topologically superconducting, providing a simple and possibly high-temperature platform for realizing Majorana states.

Ubiquitous signatures of nematic quantum criticality in optimally doped Fe-based superconductors

DOE PAGES

Kuo, H. -H.; Chu, J. -H.; Palmstrom, J. C.; ...

2016-05-19

A key actor in the conventional theory of superconductivity is the induced interaction between electrons mediated by the exchange of virtual collective fluctuations (phonons in the case of conventional s-wave superconductors). Other collective modes that can play the same role, especially spin fluctuations, have been widely discussed in the context of high-temperature and heavy Fermion superconductors. The strength of such collective fluctuations is measured by the associated susceptibility. Here we use differential elastoresistance measurements from five optimally doped iron-based superconductors to show that divergent nematic susceptibility appears to be a generic feature in the optimal doping regime of these materials.more » This observation motivates consideration of the effects of nematic fluctuations on the superconducting pairing interaction in this family of compounds and possibly beyond.« less

The Effects of Gd-Free Impurity Phase on the Aging Behavior for the Microwave Surface Resistance of Ag-coated GdBa2Cu3O7-δ at Cryogenic Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Sungho; Yang, Woo Il; Jung, Ho Sang; Oh, Won-Jae; Jang, Jiyeong; Lee, Jae-Hun; Kang, Kihyeok; Moon, Seung-Hyun; Yoo, Sang-Im; Lee, Sang Young

2018-05-01

High-T C GdBa2Cu3O7-δ (GdBCO) superconductor has been popular for making superconductive tapes that have much potential for various fields of large-scale applications. We investigated aging effects on the microwave surface resistance (R S) of Ag-coated GdBCO layer on Hastelloy substrate, so called GdBCO coated conductors (CCs), and Ag-coated GdBCO films on LaAlO3 (LAO) single-crystal substrates at cryogenic temperatures and compared them with each other. Unlike the R S of Ag-coated GdBCO films showing significant degradation in 4 weeks, no significant aging effects were found in our Ag-coated GdBCO CCs aged 85 weeks. The reactive co-evaporation deposition and reaction (RCE-DR) method was used for preparing the Ag-coated GdBCO CCs. Such durability of the Ag-coated GdBCO CCs in terms of the R S could be explained by existence of a protective impurity phase, i.e., Gd-free Ba-Cu-O phase as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy study combined with the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements. Although the scope of this study is limited to the Ag-coated GdBCO CCs prepared by using the RCE-DR method, our results suggest that a solution for preventing the aging effects on transport properties of other kinds of Ag-coated GdBCO CCs could be realized by means of an artificially-grown protective impurity layer.

Strain induced superconductivity in the parent compound BaFe2As2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Engelmann, J.; Grinenko, V.; Chekhonin, P.; Skrotzki, W.; Efremov, D. V.; Oswald, S.; Iida, K.; Hühne, R.; Hänisch, J.; Hoffmann, M.; Kurth, F.; Schultz, L.; Holzapfel, B.

2013-12-01

The discovery of superconductivity with a transition temperature, Tc, up to 65 K in single-layer FeSe (bulk Tc=8 K) films grown on SrTiO3 substrates has attracted special attention to Fe-based thin films. The high Tc is a consequence of the combined effect of electron transfer from the oxygen-vacant substrate to the FeSe thin film and lattice tensile strain. Here we demonstrate the realization of superconductivity in the parent compound BaFe2As2 (no bulk Tc) just by tensile lattice strain without charge doping. We investigate the interplay between strain and superconductivity in epitaxial BaFe2As2 thin films on Fe-buffered MgAl2O4 single crystalline substrates. The strong interfacial bonding between Fe and the FeAs sublattice increases the Fe-Fe distance due to the lattice misfit, which leads to a suppression of the antiferromagnetic spin density wave and induces superconductivity with bulk Tc≈10 K. These results highlight the role of structural changes in controlling the phase diagram of Fe-based superconductors.

Electron Transport and Minority Carrier Lifetime in HgCdSe 2013 2-6 Workshop

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-11

FOR PUBLIC RELEASE Alternative IR Material 0.54 0.56 0.58 0.60 0.62 0.64 -0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 HgSe HgTe MgS ZnS MgTe CdS...CdSe ZnSe ZnTe CdTe AlP GaP AlSb InP Ge Si GaSb InSbInAs AlAs GaAs MgSe Ba nd ga p En er gy (e V) Lattice Constant (nm) • HgCdSe is being

Reduced anti-ferromagnetism promoted by Zn 3d 10 substitution at CuO 2 planar sites of Cu 0.5Tl 0.5Ba 2Ca 3Cu 4O 12-δ superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mumtaz, M.; Khan, Nawazish A.

2009-11-01

The role of charge carriers in ZnO 2/CuO 2 planes of Cu 0.5Tl 0.5Ba 2Ca 3Cu 4-yZn yO 12-δ material in bringing about superconductivity has been explained. Due to suppression of anti-ferromagnetic order with Zn 3d 10 ( S=0) substitution at Cu 3d 9(S={1}/{2}) sites in the inner CuO 2 planes of Cu 0.5Tl 0.5Ba 2Ca 3Cu 4O 12-δ superconductor, the distribution of charge carriers becomes homogeneous and optimum, which is evident from the enhanced superconductivity parameters. The decreased c-axis length with the increase of Zn doping improves interlayer coupling and hence the three dimensional (3D) conductivity in the unit cell is enhanced. Also the softening of phonon modes with the increased Zn doping indicates that the electron-phonon interaction has an essential role in the mechanism of high- Tc superconductivity in these compounds.

Dielectric properties of (CuO, CaO2, and BaO)y/CuTl-1223 composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mumtaz, M.; Kamran, M.; Nadeem, K.; Jabbar, Abdul; Khan, Nawazish A.; Saleem, Abida; Tajammul Hussain, S.; Kamran, M.

2013-07-01

We synthesized (CuO, CaO2, and BaO)y/Cu0.5Tl0.5Ba2Ca2Cu3O10-δ (y = 0, 5%, 10%, 15%) composites by solid-state reaction and characterized them by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, dc-resistivity, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Frequency and temperature dependent dielectric properties, such as real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and ac-conductivity of these composites were studied by capacitance and conductance measurements as a function of frequency (10 kHz to 10 MHz) and temperature (78 to 300 K). X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the characteristic behavior of the superconductor phase and the structure of Cu0.5Tl0.5Ba2Ca2Cu3O10-δ are nearly undisturbed by doping with nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy images show the improvement in the intergranular linking between the superconducting grains occurring with increasing nanoparticle concentration. Microcracks are healed up with these nanoparticles, and superconducting volume fraction is also increased. Dielectric properties of these composites strongly depend on the frequency and temperature. Zero resistivity critical temperature and dielectric properties show opposite trends with the addition of nanoparticles to the Cu0.5Tl0.5Ba2Ca2Cu3O10-δ superconductor matrix.

A study of enhancing critical current densities (J(sub c)) and critical temperature (T(sub c)) of high-temperature superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vlasse, Marcus

1992-01-01

The development of pure phase 123 and Bi-based 2223 superconductors has been optimized. The pre-heat processing appears to be a very important parameter in achieving optimal physical properties. The synthesis of pure phases in the Bi-based system involves effects due to oxygen partial pressure, time, and temperature. Orientation/melt-sintering effects include the extreme c-axis orientation of Yttrium 123 and Bismuth 2223, 2212, and 2201 phases. This orientation is conductive to increasing critical currents. A procedure was established to substitute Sr for Ba in Y-123 single crystals.

Transport properties of layered Ba(Pb,Bi)O3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hassink, G. W. J.; Munakata, K.; Hammond, R. H.; Beasley, M. R.

2012-02-01

Doped BaBiO3 is a 3D oxide superconductor with a maximum Tc of 30 K for Ba0.6K0.4BiO3. There has been a lot of discussion on whether this high Tc can be explained purely by electron-phonon coupling with a high coupling constant λ. In addition, the presence of real-space paired 6s^2 electrons in the parent compound raise intriguing questions about whether there is an electron-electron coupling interaction as well. This possible negative-U interaction might be used to implement the suggestion by Berg, Orgad and Kivelson [Phys.Rev.B 78, 094509] that for a two-layer system where one layer provides electron pairing interaction and the other layer is conducting, the whole can be superconducting with a high Tc. Here we discuss the transport properties of BaPbO3/BaBiO3 bilayers, where the BaBiO3 layer is thought to act as the pairing layer, while the BaPbO3 acts as the conducting layer. The transport behavior changes to insulating upon decreasing the metallic BaPbO3 layer thickness at values that single films are expected to still be metallic.

Low temperature London penetration depth and superfluid density in Fe-based superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, Hyunsoo

2013-01-01

The superconducting gap symmetry of the Fe-based superconductors was studied by measurements and analysis of London penetration depth and super uid density. Tunnel diode resonator technique for these measurements was implemented in a dilution refrigerator allowing for the temperatures down to 50 mK. For the analysis of the super uid density, we used both experimental studies of Al-coated samples and original thermodynamic approach based on Rutgers relation. In three systems studied, we found that the superconducting gap at the optimal doping is best described in multi-gap full gap scenario. By performing experiments on samples with arti cially introduced disorder withmore » heavy ion irradiation, we show that evolution of the superconducting transition temperature and of the super uid density are consistent with full-gap sign changing s superconducting state. The superconducting gap develops strong modulation both in the under-doped and the over-doped regimes. In the terminal hole-doped KFe{sub 2}As{sub 2}, both temperature dependence of the super uid density and its evolution with increase of the scattering rate are consistent with symmetry imposed vertical line nodes in the superconducting gap. By comparative studies of hole-doped (Ba,K)Fe{sub 2}As{sub 2} and electron-doped Ca10-3-8, we show that the superconducting gap modulation in the under-doped regime is intrinsic and is not induced by the coexisting static magnetic order.« less

Impact of Disorder on the Superconducting Phase Diagram in BaFe2(As1-xPx)2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mizukami, Yuta; Konczykowski, Marcin; Matsuura, Kohei; Watashige, Tatsuya; Kasahara, Shigeru; Matsuda, Yuji; Shibauchi, Takasada

2017-08-01

In many classes of unconventional superconductors, the question of whether the superconductivity is enhanced by the quantum-critical fluctuations on the verge of an ordered phase remains elusive. One of the most direct ways of addressing this issue is to investigate how the superconducting dome traces a shift of the ordered phase. Here, we study how the phase diagram of the iron-based superconductor BaFe2(As1-xPx)2 changes with disorder via electron irradiation, which keeps the carrier concentrations intact. With increasing disorder, we find that the magneto-structural transition is suppressed, indicating that the critical concentration is shifted to the lower side. Although the superconducting transition temperature Tc is depressed at high concentrations (x ≳ 0.28), it shows an initial increase at lower x. This implies that the superconducting dome tracks the shift of the antiferromagnetic phase, supporting the view of the crucial role played by quantum-critical fluctuations in enhancing superconductivity in this iron-based high-Tc family.

Low-temperature rapid synthesis and superconductivity of Fe-based oxypnictide superconductors.

PubMed

Fang, Ai-Hua; Huang, Fu-Qiang; Xie, Xiao-Ming; Jiang, Mian-Heng

2010-03-17

Fe-based oxypnictide superconductors were successfully synthesized at lower reaction temperatures and with shorter reaction times made possible by starting with less stable compounds, which provide a larger driving force for reactions. Using ball-milled powders of intermediate compounds, phase-pure superconductors with T(c) above 50 K were synthesized at 1173 K in 20 min. This method is particularly advantageous for retaining F, a volatile dopant that enhances superconductivity. Bulk superconductivity and high upper critical fields up to 392 T in Sm(0.85)Nd(0.15)FeAsO(0.85)F(0.15) were demonstrated.

Pt-Bi Antibonding Interaction: The Key Factor for Superconductivity in Monoclinic BaPt2Bi2.

PubMed

Gui, Xin; Xing, Lingyi; Wang, Xiaoxiong; Bian, Guang; Jin, Rongying; Xie, Weiwei

2018-02-19

In the search for superconductivity in a BaAu 2 Sb 2 -type monoclinic structure, we have successfully synthesized the new compound BaPt 2 Bi 2 , which crystallizes in the space group P2 1 /m (No. 11; Pearson symbol mP10) according to a combination of powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. A sharp electrical resistivity drop and large diamagnetic magnetization below 2.0 K indicates it owns superconducting ground state. This makes BaPt 2 Bi 2 the first reported superconductor in a monoclinic BaAu 2 Sb 2 -type structure, a previously unappreciated structure for superconductivity. First-principles calculations considering spin-orbit coupling indicate that Pt-Bi antibonding interaction plays a critical role in inducing superconductivity.

Heat capacity jump at T c and pressure derivatives of superconducting transition temperature in the Ba 1 - x Na x Fe 2 As 2 ( 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.9 ) series

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bud'ko, Sergey L.; Chung, Duck Young; Bugaris, Daniel

2014-01-16

We present the evolution of the initial (up to ~ 10 kbar) hydrostatic pressure dependencies of T c and of the ambient pressure, and the jump in the heat capacity associated with the superconducting transition as a function of Na doping in the Ba1-xNaxFe2As2 family of iron-based superconductors. For Na concentrations 0.15 ≤ x ≤ 0.9, the jump in specific heat at T c, ΔC p| Tmore » $$_c$$, follows the ΔC p ∝ to T 3 (the so-called BNC scaling) found for most BaFe 2As 2 based superconductors. This finding suggests that, unlike the related Ba 1-xK xFe 2As 2 series, there is no significant modification of the superconducting state (e. g., change in superconducting gap symmetry) in the Ba 1-xNa xFe 2As 2 series over the whole studied Na concentration range. Pressure dependencies are nonmonotonic for x = 0.2 and 0.24. For other Na concentrations, T c decreases under pressure in an almost linear fashion. The anomalous behavior of the x = 0.2 and 0.24 samples under pressure is possibly due to the crossing of the phase boundaries of the narrow antiferromagnetic tetragonal phase, unique for the Ba 1-xNa xFe 2As 2 series, with the application of pressure. The negative sign of the pressure derivatives of T c across the whole superconducting dome (except for x = 0.2) is a clear indication of the nonequivalence of substitution and pressure for the Ba 1-xNa xFe 2As 2 series.« less

Biotransformation of Hg(II) by cyanobacteria.

PubMed

Lefebvre, Daniel D; Kelly, David; Budd, Kenneth

2007-01-01

The biotransformation of Hg(II) by cyanobacteria was investigated under aerobic and pH-controlled culture conditions. Mercury was supplied as HgCl(2) in amounts emulating those found under heavily impacted environmental conditions where bioremediation would be appropriate. The analytical procedures used to measure mercury within the culture solution, including that in the cyanobacterial cells, used reduction under both acid and alkaline conditions in the presence of SnCl(2). Acid reduction detected free Hg(II) ions and its complexes, whereas alkaline reduction revealed that meta-cinnabar (beta-HgS) constituted the major biotransformed and cellularly associated mercury pool. This was true for all investigated species of cyanobacteria: Limnothrix planctonica (Lemm.), Synechococcus leopoldiensis (Racib.) Komarek, and Phormidium limnetica (Lemm.). From the outset of mercury exposure, there was rapid synthesis of beta-HgS and Hg(0); however, the production rate for the latter decreased quickly. Inhibitory studies using dimethylfumarate and iodoacetamide to modify intra- and extracellular thiols, respectively, revealed that the former thiol pool was required for the conversion of Hg(II) into beta-HgS. In addition, increasing the temperature enhanced the amount of beta-HgS produced, with a concomitant decrease in Hg(0) volatilization. These findings suggest that in the environment, cyanobacteria at the air-water interface could act to convert substantial amounts of Hg(II) into beta-HgS. Furthermore, the efficiency of conversion into beta-HgS by cyanobacteria may lead to the development of applications in the bioremediation of mercury.

Effect of Eu substitution on superconductivity in Ba{sub 8−x}Eu{sub x}Al{sub 6}Si{sub 40} clathrates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Lihua; Bi, Shanli; Peng, Bailu

2015-05-07

The silicon clathrate superconductor is uncommon as its structure is dominated by strong Si-Si covalent bonds, rather than the metallic bond, that are more typical of traditional superconductors. To understand the influence of large magnetic moment of Eu on superconductivity for type-I clathrates, a series of samples with the chemical formula Ba{sub 8−x}Eu{sub x}Al{sub 6}Si{sub 40} (x = 0, 0.5, 1, and 2) were synthesised in which Eu occupied Ba sites in cage center. With the increase of Eu content, the cubic lattice parameter decreases monotonically signifying continuous shrinkage of the constituting (Ba/Eu)@Si{sub 20} and (Ba/Eu)@Si{sub 24} cages. The temperature dependence ofmore » magnetization at low temperature revealed that Ba{sub 8}Al{sub 6}Si{sub 40} is superconductive with transition temperature at T{sub C} = 5.6 K. The substitution of Eu for Ba results in a strong superconductivity suppression; Eu-doping largely decreases the superconducting volume and transition temperature T{sub C}. Eu atoms enter the clathrate lattice and their magnetic moments break paired electrons. The Curie-Weiss temperatures were observed at 3.9, 6.6, and 10.9 K, respectively, for samples with x = 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0. Such ferromagnetic interaction of Eu can destroy superconductivity.« less

Observation of topological superconductivity on the surface of an iron-based superconductor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Peng; Yaji, Koichiro; Hashimoto, Takahiro

Topological superconductors are predicted to host exotic Majorana states that obey non-Abelian statistics and can be used to implement a topological quantum computer. Most of the proposed topological superconductors are realized in difficult-to-fabricate heterostructures at very low temperatures. By using high-resolution spin-resolved and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, we find that the iron-based superconductor FeTe 1–xSe x (x = 0.45; superconducting transition temperature T c = 14.5 kelvin) hosts Dirac-cone–type spin-helical surface states at the Fermi level; the surface states exhibit an s-wave superconducting gap below T c. Thus, our study shows that the surface states of FeTe 0.55Se 0.45 are topologicallymore » superconducting, providing a simple and possibly high-temperature platform for realizing Majorana states.« less

Observation of topological superconductivity on the surface of an iron-based superconductor

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Peng; Yaji, Koichiro; Hashimoto, Takahiro; ...

2018-03-08

Topological superconductors are predicted to host exotic Majorana states that obey non-Abelian statistics and can be used to implement a topological quantum computer. Most of the proposed topological superconductors are realized in difficult-to-fabricate heterostructures at very low temperatures. By using high-resolution spin-resolved and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, we find that the iron-based superconductor FeTe 1–xSe x (x = 0.45; superconducting transition temperature T c = 14.5 kelvin) hosts Dirac-cone–type spin-helical surface states at the Fermi level; the surface states exhibit an s-wave superconducting gap below T c. Thus, our study shows that the surface states of FeTe 0.55Se 0.45 are topologicallymore » superconducting, providing a simple and possibly high-temperature platform for realizing Majorana states.« less

Theory of nodal s ±-wave pairing symmetry in the Pu-based 115 superconductor family

DOE PAGES

Das, Tanmoy; Zhu, Jian -Xin; Graf, Matthias J.

2015-02-27

The spin-fluctuation mechanism of superconductivity usually results in the presence of gapless or nodal quasiparticle states in the excitation spectrum. Nodal quasiparticle states are well established in copper-oxide, and heavy-fermion superconductors, but not in iron-based superconductors. Here, we study the pairing symmetry and mechanism of a new class of plutonium-based high-T c superconductors and predict the presence of a nodal s⁺⁻ wave pairing symmetry in this family. Starting from a density-functional theory (DFT) based electronic structure calculation we predict several three-dimensional (3D) Fermi surfaces in this 115 superconductor family. We identify the dominant Fermi surface “hot-spots” in the inter-band scatteringmore » channel, which are aligned along the wavevector Q = (π, π, π), where degeneracy could induce sign-reversal of the pairing symmetry. Our calculation demonstrates that the s⁺⁻ wave pairing strength is stronger than the previously thought d-wave pairing; and more importantly, this pairing state allows for the existence of nodal quasiparticles. Finally, we predict the shape of the momentum- and energy-dependent magnetic resonance spectrum for the identification of this pairing symmetry.« less

Spectroscopic scanning tunneling microscopy insights into Fe-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoffman, Jennifer E.

2011-12-01

In the first three years since the discovery of Fe-based high Tc superconductors, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy have shed light on three important questions. First, STM has demonstrated the complexity of the pairing symmetry in Fe-based materials. Phase-sensitive quasiparticle interference (QPI) imaging and low temperature spectroscopy have shown that the pairing order parameter varies from nodal to nodeless s± within a single family, FeTe1-xSex. Second, STM has imaged C4 → C2 symmetry breaking in the electronic states of both parent and superconducting materials. As a local probe, STM is in a strong position to understand the interactions between these broken symmetry states and superconductivity. Finally, STM has been used to image the vortex state, giving insights into the technical problem of vortex pinning, and the fundamental problem of the competing states introduced when superconductivity is locally quenched by a magnetic field. Here we give a pedagogical introduction to STM and QPI imaging, discuss the specific challenges associated with extracting bulk properties from the study of surfaces, and report on progress made in understanding Fe-based superconductors using STM techniques.

Phytoremediation of Hg and Cd from industrial effluents using an aquatic free floating macrophyte Azolla pinnata.

PubMed

Rai, Prabhat Kumar

2008-01-01

The level of heavy metal pollution in Singrauli, an industrial region in India, was assessed and the phytoremediation capacity of a small water fern, Azolla pinnata R.BR (Azollaceae), was observed to purify waters polluted by two heavy metals, i.e., mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) under a microcosm condition. Azolla pinnata is endemic to India and is an abundant and easy-growing free-floating water fern usually found in the rice fields, polluted ponds, and reservoirs of India. The fern was grown in 24 40-L aquariums containing Hg2+ and Cd2+ ions each in concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 mgL(-1) during the course of this study. The study revealed an inhibition of Azolla pinnata growth by 27.0-33.9% with the highest in the presence of Hg (II) ions at 0.5 mgL(-1) in comparison to the control After 13 days of the experiment, metal contents in the solution were decreased up to 70-94%. In the tissues of Azolla pinnata, the concentration of selected heavy metals during investigation was recorded between 310 and 740 mgKg(-1) dry mass, with the highest levelfoundfor Cd (II) treatment at 3.0 mgL(-1) containing a metal solution.

Domain structures and local switching in lead-free piezoceramics Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.90Zr0.10O3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turygin, A. P.; Neradovskiy, M. M.; Naumova, N. A.; Zayats, D. V.; Coondoo, I.; Kholkin, A. L.; Shur, V. Ya.

2015-08-01

Lead-free piezoelectrics are becoming increasingly important in view of environmental problems of currently used lead-based perovskites such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT). One of the recent candidates for PZT replacement, solid solutions of BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3 and Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3, are investigated in this work by piezoresponse force microscopy. Coexistence of the tetragonal and rhombohedral phases in this material is observed, which probably gives rise to easy polarization switching due to multiple domain states. The period of observed domain lamella scales with the grain size obeying well-known square root dependence characteristic of BaTiO3 ceramics. Domain switching and relaxation are investigated at the nanoscale as a function of the applied voltage and duration of the applied voltage pulses. The observed distortion of piezoresponse hysteresis loops near grain boundaries is attested to the increased concentration of defects. Nanoscale piezoelectric properties of these materials are discussed.

New Fluoride-arsenide Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor (Ba,K)F(Zn,Mn)As with Independent Spin and Charge Doping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Bijuan; Deng, Zheng; Li, Wenmin; Gao, Moran; Liu, Qingqing; Gu, C. Z.; Hu, F. X.; Shen, B. G.; Frandsen, Benjamin; Cheung, Sky; Lian, Liu; Uemura, Yasutomo J.; Ding, Cui; Guo, Shengli; Ning, Fanlong; Munsie, Timothy J. S.; Wilson, Murray Neff; Cai, Yipeng; Luke, Graeme; Guguchia, Zurab; Yonezawa, Shingo; Li, Zhi; Jin, Changqing

2016-11-01

We report the discovery of a new fluoride-arsenide bulk diluted magnetic semiconductor (Ba,K)F(Zn,Mn)As with the tetragonal ZrCuSiAs-type structure which is identical to that of the “1111” iron-based superconductors. The joint hole doping via (Ba,K) substitution & spin doping via (Zn,Mn) substitution results in ferromagnetic order with Curie temperature up to 30 K and demonstrates that the ferromagnetic interactions between the localized spins are mediated by the carriers. Muon spin relaxation measurements confirm the intrinsic nature of the long range magnetic order in the entire volume in the ferromagnetic phase. This is the first time that a diluted magnetic semiconductor with decoupled spin and charge doping is achieved in a fluoride compound. Comparing to the isostructure oxide counterpart of LaOZnSb, the fluoride DMS (Ba,K)F(Zn,Mn)As shows much improved semiconductive behavior that would be benefit for further application developments.

Phase-incoherent superconducting pairs in the normal state of Ba(Fe(1-x)Co(x))₂As₂.

PubMed

Sheet, Goutam; Mehta, Manan; Dikin, D A; Lee, S; Bark, C W; Jiang, J; Weiss, J D; Hellstrom, E E; Rzchowski, M S; Eom, C B; Chandrasekhar, V

2010-10-15

The normal state properties of the recently discovered ferropnictide superconductors might hold the key to understanding their exotic superconductivity. Using point-contact spectroscopy we show that Andreev reflection between an epitaxial thin film of Ba(Fe(0.92)Co(0.08))₂As₂ and a silver tip can be seen in the normal state of the film up to temperature T∼1.3T(c), where T(c) is the critical temperature of the superconductor. Andreev reflection far above T(c) can be understood only when superconducting pairs arising from strong fluctuation of the phase of the complex superconducting order parameter exist in the normal state. Our results provide spectroscopic evidence of phase-incoherent superconducting pairs in the normal state of the ferropnictide superconductors.

Structure, stoichiometry and spectroscopy of oxide superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rao, C. N. R.

In the new oxide superconductors, structure and oxygen stoichiometry play the most crucial role. Thus, all the high-temperature oxide superconductors are orthorhombic perovskites with low-dimensional features. Oxygen stoichiometry in YBa2Cu3O7-δ has an important bearing on the structure as well as superconductivity. This is equally true in the La3-xBa3+xCu 6O14+δ system of which only the 123 oxide (x = 1) with the orthorhombic structure shows high Tc. Orthorhombicity though not essential, is generally found ; it is necessary for the formation of twins. The nature of oxygen and copper in the cuprates has been examined by electron spectroscopy. Copper in these cuprates is only in 1 + and 2 + states. It seems likely that oxygen holes are responsible for superconductivity of the cuprates as well as Ba(Bi, Pb)O3. High Tc superconductivity is also found in oxides of the Bi-(Ca, Sr)-Cu-O and related oxides possessing Cu-O sheets. Dans les nouveaux oxydes supraconducteurs, la structure et la stoechiométrie de l'oxygène jouent un rôle absolument crucial. Ainsi, tous les oxydes supraconducteurs à haute température critique sont des pérovskites orthorhombiques possédant des propriétés de basse dimensionnalité. La stoechiométrie de l'oxygène dans YBa2Cu3O7- δ a une influence importante tant sur la structure que sur la supraconductibilité. Ceci est également valable pour les composés du type La3 -xBa3 + xCu 6O14 + δ parmi lesquels seul l'oxyde 123 (x = 1) à structure orthorhombique présente un grand T. Bien que ce ne soit pas essentiel, cette orthorhombicité est fréquente ; elle est nécessaire à la formation de macles. La nature de l'oxygène et du cuivre a été observée par spectroscopie électronique... Dans ces cuprates, le cuivre est dans les seuls états de valence + 1 et + 2. Vraisemblablement, les trous logés sur l'oxygène sont responsables de la supraconductibilité des cuprates comme de Ba(Bi, Pb)O3. La supraconductibilité existe aussi

Universal inverse deuterium isotope effect on the Tc of BEDT-TTF-based molecular superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlueter, J. A.; Kini, A. M.; Ward, B. H.; Geiser, U.; Wang, H. H.; Mohtasham, J.; Winter, R. W.; Gard, G. L.

2001-04-01

Deuterium substitution of the ethylene end groups of the ET [ET: BEDT-TTF or bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene] electron-donor molecule results in a 0.25 K increase in the superconducting transition temperature of three molecular superconductors derived from this molecule. Simplistically speaking, this change in Tc is in contradiction to that predicted by the electron-phonon coupling mechanism of the BCS theory. We suggest that the slight shortening of the C-D bond relative to the C-H bond, coupled with the recent findings of a large, negative uniaxial pressure derivative of Tc in κ-(ET) 2Cu(SCN) 2 and β ‧‧-(ET) 2SF 5CH 2CF 2SO 3, can explain this unique effect. Herein we report the first study of the effect of deuterium substitution on the superconducting transition temperature in a molecular-based superconductor in which the electron-donor molecules are packed in a β ‧‧ motif, viz., β ‧‧-(ET) 2SF 5CH 2CF 2SO 3. This compound is ideally suited for this study because it contains discrete (non-polymeric) anions, has a completely ordered structure, is indefinitely stable in air at room temperature, and is free from possible magnetic impurities. Substitution of the eight hydrogen atoms of the ET molecule by deuterium causes the Tc of β ‧‧-(ET) 2SF 5CH 2CF 2SO 3 to increase from 4.34±0.05 to 4.61±0.03 K. These values were determined by measuring several representative crystals from various parallel electrocrystallization experiments containing h 8- or d 8-ET that was prepared in parallel syntheses. This is the first example which demonstrates that the inverse (positive) isotope effect previously observed in κ-phase salts is also present in a β ‧‧-phase superconductor.

HgZnTe-based detectors for LWIR NASA applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patten, Elizabeth A.; Kalisher, Murray H.

1990-01-01

The initial goal was to grow and characterize HgZnTe and determine if it indeed had the advantageous properties that were predicted. Researchers grew both bulk and liquid phase epitaxial HgZnTe. It was determined that HgZnTe had the following properties: (1) microhardness at least 50 percent greater than HgCdTe of equivalent bandgap; (2) Hg annealing rates of at least 2 to 4 times longer than HgCdTe; and (3) higher Hg vacancy formation energies. This early work did not focus on one specific composition (x-value) of HgZnTe since NASA was interested in HgZnTe's potential for a variety of applications. Since the beginning of 1989, researchers have been concentrating, however, on the liquid phase growth of very long wavelength infrared (VLWIR) HgZnTe (cutoff approx. equals 17 microns at 65K) to address the requirements of the Earth Observing System (EOS). Since there are no device models to predict the advantages in reliability one can gain with increased microhardness, surface stability, etc., one must fabricate HgZnTe detectors and assess their relative bake stability (accelerated life test behavior) compared with HgCdTe devices fabricated in the same manner. Researchers chose to fabricate HIT detectors as a development vehicle for this program because high performance in the VLWIR has been demonstrated with HgCdTe HIT detectors and the HgCdTe HIT process should be applicable to HgZnTe. HIT detectors have a significant advantage for satellite applications since these devices dissipate much less power than conventional photoconductors to achieve the same responsivity.

Strong anisotropy effect in an iron-based superconductor CaFe0.882Co0.118AsF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Yonghui; Ji, Qiucheng; Hu, Kangkang; Gao, Bo; Li, Wei; Mu, Gang; Xie, Xiaoming

2017-07-01

The anisotropy of iron-based superconductors is much smaller than that of the cuprates and that predicted by theoretical calculations. A credible understanding for this experimental fact is still lacking up to now. Here we experimentally study the magnetic-field-angle dependence of electronic resistivity in the superconducting phase of an iron-based superconductor CaFe{}0.882Co{}0.118AsF, and find the strongest anisotropy effect of the upper critical field among the iron-based superconductors based on the framework of Ginzburg-Landau theory. The evidence of the energy band structure and charge density distribution from electronic structure calculations demonstrates that the observed strong anisotropic effect mainly comes from the strong ionic bonding in between the ions of Ca2+ and F-, which weakens the interlayer coupling between the layers of FeAs and CaF. This finding provides a significant insight into the nature of the experimentally-observed strong anisotropic effect of electronic resistivity, and also paves the way for designing exotic two-dimensional artificial unconventional superconductors in the future.

Elastic, dynamical, and electronic properties of LiHg and Li3Hg: First-principles study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yan; Hao, Chun-Mei; Huang, Hong-Mei; Li, Yan-Ling

2018-04-01

The elastic, dynamical, and electronic properties of cubic LiHg and Li3Hg were investigated based on first-principles methods. The elastic constants and phonon spectral calculations confirmed the mechanical and dynamical stability of the materials at ambient conditions. The obtained elastic moduli of LiHg are slightly larger than those of Li3Hg. Both LiHg and Li3Hg are ductile materials with strong shear anisotropy as metals with mixed ionic, covalent, and metallic interactions. The calculated Debye temperatures are 223.5 K and 230.6 K for LiHg and Li3Hg, respectively. The calculated phonon frequency of the T2 g mode in Li3Hg is 326.8 cm-1. The p states from the Hg and Li atoms dominate the electronic structure near the Fermi level. These findings may inspire further experimental and theoretical study on the potential technical and engineering applications of similar alkali metal-based intermetallic compounds.

High transport current superconductivity in powder-in-tube Ba0.6K0.4Fe2As2 tapes at 27 T

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, He; Yao, Chao; Dong, Chiheng; Zhang, Xianping; Wang, Dongliang; Cheng, Zhe; Li, Jianqi; Awaji, Satoshi; Wen, Haihu; Ma, Yanwei

2018-01-01

The high upper critical field and low anisotropy of iron-based superconductors (IBS) make them particularly attractive for high-field applications, especially for the construction of next-generation nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, particle accelerators and high-field magnets. However, for practical use it is essential to make IBS materials into wire and tape conductors with sufficient current carrying capability, which is limited by misaligned grains inside the conductors. Here, based on a simple and low-cost powder-in-tube (PIT) method, we demonstrate a high transport critical current density (J c) reaching 1.5 × 105 A cm-2 (I c = 437 A) at 4.2 K and 10 T in Ba0.6K0.4Fe2As2 (Ba-122) tapes by texturing the grain orientation with optimized hot-press technique. The transport J c measured at 4.2 K under high magnetic fields of 27 T is still on the level of 5.5 × 104 A cm-2. Moreover, at 20 K and 5 T the transport J c is also as high as 5.4 × 104 A cm-2, showing a promising application potential in moderate temperature range which can be reached by liquid hydrogen or cryogenic cooling. All these J c values are the highest ever reported for IBS wires and tapes. The high-performance PIT Ba-122 tapes in this work suggest IBS to be a strong potential competitor of cuprate superconductors for the race of high-field applications in the future.

Observation of a remarkable reduction of correlation effects in BaCr2As2 by ARPES.

PubMed

Nayak, Jayita; Filsinger, Kai; Fecher, Gerhard H; Chadov, Stanislav; Minár, Ján; Rienks, Emile D L; Büchner, Bernd; Parkin, Stuart P; Fink, Jörg; Felser, Claudia

2017-11-21

The superconducting phase in iron-based high-[Formula: see text] superconductors (FeSC), as in other unconventional superconductors such as the cuprates, neighbors a magnetically ordered one in the phase diagram. This proximity hints at the importance of electron correlation effects in these materials, and Hund's exchange interaction has been suggested to be the dominant correlation effect in FeSCs because of their multiband nature. By this reasoning, correlation should be strongest for materials closest to a half-filled [Formula: see text] electron shell (Mn compounds, hole-doped FeSCs) and decrease for systems with both higher (electron-doped FeSCs) and lower (Cr-pnictides) [Formula: see text] counts. Here we address the strength of correlation effects in nonsuperconducting antiferromagnetic BaCr 2 As 2 by means of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and first-principles calculations. This combination provides us with two handles on the strength of correlation: First, a comparison of the experimental and calculated effective masses yields the correlation-induced mass renormalization. In addition, the lifetime broadening of the experimentally observed dispersions provides another measure of the correlation strength. Both approaches reveal a reduction of electron correlation in BaCr 2 As 2 with respect to systems with a [Formula: see text] count closer to five. Our results thereby support the theoretical predictions that Hund's exchange interaction is important in these materials.

Preparation of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductors from oxide-glass precursors

DOEpatents

Hinks, David G.; Capone, II, Donald W.

1992-01-01

A superconductor and precursor therefor from oxide mixtures of Ca, Sr, Bi and Cu. Glass precursors quenched to elevated temperatures result in glass free of crystalline precipitates having enhanced mechanical properties. Superconductors are formed from the glass precursors by heating in the presence of oxygen to a temperature below the melting point of the glass.

Observation of topological superconductivity on the surface of an iron-based superconductor.

PubMed

Zhang, Peng; Yaji, Koichiro; Hashimoto, Takahiro; Ota, Yuichi; Kondo, Takeshi; Okazaki, Kozo; Wang, Zhijun; Wen, Jinsheng; Gu, G D; Ding, Hong; Shin, Shik

2018-04-13

Topological superconductors are predicted to host exotic Majorana states that obey non-Abelian statistics and can be used to implement a topological quantum computer. Most of the proposed topological superconductors are realized in difficult-to-fabricate heterostructures at very low temperatures. By using high-resolution spin-resolved and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, we find that the iron-based superconductor FeTe 1- x Se x ( x = 0.45; superconducting transition temperature T c = 14.5 kelvin) hosts Dirac-cone-type spin-helical surface states at the Fermi level; the surface states exhibit an s-wave superconducting gap below T c Our study shows that the surface states of FeTe 0.55 Se 0.45 are topologically superconducting, providing a simple and possibly high-temperature platform for realizing Majorana states. Copyright © 2018 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

Close correlation between magnetic properties and the soft phonon mode of the structural transition in BaFe 2 As 2 and SrFe 2 As 2

DOE PAGES

Parshall, D.; Pintschovius, L.; Niedziela, Jennifer L.; ...

2015-04-27

Pmore » arent compounds of Fe-based superconductors undergo a structural phase transition from a tetragonal to an orthorhombic structure. We investigated the temperature dependence of the frequencies of TA phonons that extrapolate to the shear vibrational mode at the zone center, which corresponds to the orthorhombic deformation of the crystal structure at low temperatures in BaFe 2 As 2 and SrFe 2 As 2 . We found that acoustic phonons at small wave vectors soften gradually towards the transition from high temperatures, tracking the increase of the size of slowly fluctuating magnetic domains. On cooling below the transition to base temperature the phonons harden, following the square of the magnetic moment (which we find is proportional to the anisotropy gap). Finally, our results provide evidence for close correlation between magnetic and phonon properties in Fe-based superconductors.« less

Electrocaloric effects in the lead-free Ba (Zr ,Ti )O3 relaxor ferroelectric from atomistic simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Zhijun; Prokhorenko, Sergei; Prosandeev, Sergey; Nahas, Y.; Wang, D.; Íñiguez, Jorge; Defay, E.; Bellaiche, L.

2017-07-01

Atomistic effective Hamiltonian simulations are used to investigate electrocaloric (EC) effects in the lead-free Ba (Zr0.5Ti0.5)O3 (BZT) relaxor ferroelectric. We find that the EC coefficient varies nonmonotonically with the field at any temperature, presenting a maximum that can be traced back to the behavior of BZT's polar nanoregions. We also introduce a simple Landau-based model that reproduces the EC behavior of BZT as a function of field and temperature, and which is directly applicable to other compounds. Finally, we confirm that, for low temperatures (i.e., in nonergodic conditions), the usual indirect approach to measure the EC response provides an estimate that differs quantitatively from a direct evaluation of the field-induced temperature change.

Probing transport mechanisms of BaFe₂As₂ superconducting films and grain boundary junctions by noise spectroscopy.

PubMed

Barone, C; Romeo, F; Pagano, S; Adamo, M; Nappi, C; Sarnelli, E; Kurth, F; Iida, K

2014-08-22

An important step forward for the understanding of high-temperature superconductivity has been the discovery of iron-based superconductors. Among these compounds, iron pnictides could be used for high-field magnet applications, resulting more advantageous over conventional superconductors, due to a high upper critical field as well as its low anisotropy at low temperatures. However, the principal obstacle in fabricating high quality superconducting wires and tapes is given by grain boundaries. In order to study these effects, the dc transport and voltage-noise properties of Co-doped BaFe₂As₂ superconducting films with artificial grain boundary junctions have been investigated. A specific procedure allows the separation of the film noise from that of the junction. While the former shows a standard 1/f behaviour, the latter is characterized by an unconventional temperature-dependent multi-Lorentzian voltage-spectral density. Moreover, below the film superconducting critical temperature, a peculiar noise spectrum is found for the grain boundary junction. Possible theoretical interpretation of these phenomena is proposed.

Universal doping evolution of the superconducting gap anisotropy in single crystals of electron-doped Ba(Fe1‑x Rh x )2As2 from London penetration depth measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Hyunsoo; Tanatar, M. A.; Martin, C.; Blomberg, E. C.; Ni, Ni; Bud’ko, S. L.; Canfield, P. C.; Prozorov, R.

2018-06-01

Doping evolution of the superconducting gap anisotropy was studied in single crystals of 4d-electron doped Ba(Fe1‑x Rh x )2As2 using tunnel diode resonator measurements of the temperature variation of the London penetration depth . Single crystals with doping levels representative of an underdoped regime x  =  0.039 ( K), close to optimal doping x  =  0.057 ( K) and overdoped x  =  0.079 ( K) and x  =  0.131( K) were studied. Superconducting energy gap anisotropy was characterized by the exponent, n, by fitting the data to the power-law, . The exponent n varies non-monotonically with x, increasing to a maximum n  =  2.5 for x  =  0.079 and rapidly decreasing towards overdoped compositions to 1.6 for x  =  0.131. This behavior is qualitatively similar to the doping evolution of the superconducting gap anisotropy in other iron pnictides, including hole-doped (Ba,K)Fe2As2 and 3d-electron-doped Ba(Fe,Co)2As2 superconductors, finding a full gap near optimal doping and strong anisotropy toward the ends of the superconducting dome in the T-x phase diagram. The normalized superfluid density in an optimally Rh-doped sample is almost identical to the temperature-dependence in the optimally doped Ba(Fe,Co)2As2 samples. Our study supports the universal superconducting gap variation with doping and pairing at least in iron based superconductors of the BaFe2As2 family.

SCDFT Study of High Tc Nitride Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arita, R.

Based on the density functional theory for superconductors (SCDFT), we study the pairing mechanism of the layered nitride superconductors, β-LixMNCl (M=Zr, Hf). Recently, it has been shown that SCDFT reproduces experimental superconducting transition temperatures (Tc) of conventional superconductors very accurately. Here we use SCDFT as a "litmus paper" to determine whether the system is a conventional or unconventional superconductor. We show that Tc estimated by SCDFT is less than half of the experimental Tc and its doping dependence is opposite to that observed in the experiments. The present result suggests that β- LixMNCl is not a Migdal-Eliashberg type superconductor.

Method for determining transport critical current densities and flux penetration depth in bulk superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Israelsson, Ulf E. (Inventor); Strayer, Donald M. (Inventor)

1992-01-01

A contact-less method for determining transport critical current density and flux penetration depth in bulk superconductor material. A compressor having a hollow interior and a plunger for selectively reducing the free space area for distribution of the magnetic flux therein are formed of superconductor material. Analytical relationships, based upon the critical state model, Maxwell's equations and geometrical relationships define transport critical current density and flux penetration depth in terms of the initial trapped magnetic flux density and the ratio between initial and final magnetic flux densities whereby data may be reliably determined by means of the simple test apparatus for evaluating the current density and flux penetration depth.

A 0.2-0.5 THz single-band heterodyne receiver based on a photonic local oscillator and a superconductor-insulator-superconductor mixer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohjiro, Satoshi; Kikuchi, Kenichi; Maezawa, Masaaki; Furuta, Tomofumi; Wakatsuki, Atsushi; Ito, Hiroshi; Shimizu, Naofumi; Nagatsuma, Tadao; Kado, Yuichi

2008-09-01

We have demonstrated that a superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) mixer pumped by a photonic local oscillator (LO) covers the whole frequency range of 0.2-0.5THz. In the bandwidth of 74% of the center frequency, this single-band receiver exhibits noise temperature of TRX⩽20hf/kB, where h is Planck's constant, f is the frequency, and kB is Boltzmann's constant. Resultant TRX is almost equal to TRX of the identical SIS mixer pumped by three conventional frequency-multiplier-based LOs which share the 0.2-0.5THz band. This technique will contribute to simple, wide-band, and low-noise heterodyne receivers in the terahertz region.

Epitaxy of mercury-based high temperature superconducting films on oxide and metal substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Yi-Yuan

High-Tc superconducting (HTS) cuprates are highly anisotropic thus epitaxy along certain crystalline directions is essential to realize high-current-carrying capability at temperatures above 77 K. Hg-based HTS (Hg-HTS) cuprates have the record-high Tc up to 135 K, therefore are of great interest for fundamental research and practical applications. However, growth Of epitaxial Hg-HTS films is extremely difficult in conventional thermal-reaction process since Hg is highly volatile. Motivated by this, we first developed a cation-exchange process for growing epitaxial Hg-HTS films, which involves two steps: selection of precursor matrices with predesigned structure and composition followed by cation-exchange processing. New materials are formed via "atomic surgery" on an existing structure rather than thermal reaction among amorphous oxides in conventional process, thus the structural features of the precursor are inherited by the new material. Using epitaxial Tl-based HTS films as precursor and annealing them in Hg-vapor, epitaxial Hg-HTS films with superior quality have been obtained. This success encouraged us to develop epitaxy on metal tapes for coated conductors and On large-area wafers for electronic devices. For coated conductors, we addressed three critical issues: epitaxy on metal substrates, enhancement of in-field Jcs and scale-up in thickness and length. First, using a fabrication scheme that combines two processes: cation-exchange and fast-temperature-ramping-annealing, epitaxial HgBa2CaCu2O6+delta films were grown on rolling-assisted-biaxially-textured Ni substrates buffered with CeO 2/YSZ/CeO2 for the first time. We fabricated HgBa2CaCu 2O6+delta coated conductors with Tc = 122--124 K and self-field Jc > 1 x 106A/cm2 at 92 K which are record-high for HTS coated conductors. Second, we demonstrated improved in-field J cs via overdoping HgBa2CaCu 2O6+delta films (by means Of charge "overdoped"), heavy-ion-irradiation and substrate engineering. Finally

A route for a strong increase of critical current in nanostrained iron-based superconductors

DOE PAGES

Ozaki, Toshinori; Li, Qiang; Wu, Lijun; ...

2016-10-06

The critical temperature T c and the critical current density J c determine the limits to large-scale superconductor applications. Superconductivity emerges at T c. The practical current-carrying capability, measured by J c, is the ability of defects in superconductors to pin the magnetic vortices, and that may reduce T c. Simultaneous increase of T c and J c in superconductors is desirable but very difficult to realize. Here we demonstrate a route to raise both T c and J c together in iron-based superconductors. By using low-energy proton irradiation, we create cascade defects in FeSe 0.5Te 0.5 films. Tc ismore » enhanced due to the nanoscale compressive strain and proximity effect, whereas J c is doubled under zero field at 4.2 K through strong vortex pinning by the cascade defects and surrounding nanoscale strain. At 12 K and above 15 T, one order of magnitude of J c enhancement is achieved in both parallel and perpendicular magnetic fields to the film surface.« less

Thermomagnetic phenomena in the mixed state of high temperature superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meilikhov, E. Z.

1995-01-01

Galvano- and thermomagnetic-phenomena in high temperature superconductors, based on kinetic coefficients, are discussed, along with a connection between the electric field and the heat flow in superconductor mixed state. The relationship that determines the transport coefficients of high temperature superconductors in the mixed state based on Seebeck and Nernst effects is developed. It is shown that this relationship is true for a whole transition region of the resistive mixed state of a superconductor. Peltier, Ettingshausen and Righi-Leduc effects associated with heat conductivity as related to high temperature superconductors are also addressed.

Thermoelectric power of high-pressure synthesized CuBa{sub 2}Ca{sub 3}Cu{sub 4}O{sub 11{minus}{delta}}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, C.; Jin, C.; Yamauchi, H.

We report measurements of thermoelectric power (TEP) for high-pressure synthesized CuBa{sub 2}Ca{sub 3}Cu{sub 4}O{sub 11{minus}{delta}} superconductors. The magnitude of TEP for the sample with {ital T}{sub {ital c},zero}=115.9 K is very small and shows a sign crossover at {approximately}160 K. The TEP shows a peak behavior and displays an approximately linear temperature dependence with a negative slope {minus}0.033 {mu}V/K{sup 2} for 120{le}{ital T}{le}240 K. These features resemble those for other known high-{ital T}{sub {ital c}} cuprate superconductors, in particular {ital S}{sub {ital a}} in the {ital a} direction for an untwinned YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}{delta}} single crystal and polycrystalline Tl-2201more » samples. A brief discussion is given on the TEP behavior in comparison with CuBa{sub 2}YCu{sub 2}O{sub 7{minus}{delta}} cuprate superconductors by considering their similar structure of building blocks and type of charge reservoir. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}« less

Crystal structure of metallo DNA duplex containing consecutive Watson-Crick-like T-Hg(II)-T base pairs.

PubMed

Kondo, Jiro; Yamada, Tom; Hirose, Chika; Okamoto, Itaru; Tanaka, Yoshiyuki; Ono, Akira

2014-02-24

The metallo DNA duplex containing mercury-mediated T-T base pairs is an attractive biomacromolecular nanomaterial which can be applied to nanodevices such as ion sensors. Reported herein is the first crystal structure of a B-form DNA duplex containing two consecutive T-Hg(II)-T base pairs. The Hg(II) ion occupies the center between two T residues. The N3-Hg(II) bond distance is 2.0 Å. The relatively short Hg(II)-Hg(II) distance (3.3 Å) observed in consecutive T-Hg(II)-T base pairs suggests that the metallophilic attraction could exist between them and may stabilize the B-form double helix. To support this, the DNA duplex is largely distorted and adopts an unusual nonhelical conformation in the absence of Hg(II). The structure of the metallo DNA duplex itself and the Hg(II)-induced structural switching from the nonhelical form to the B-form provide the basis for structure-based design of metal-conjugated nucleic acid nanomaterials. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Role of the orbital degree of freedom in iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yi, Ming; Zhang, Yan; Shen, Zhi-Xun; Lu, Donghui

2017-10-01

Almost a decade has passed since the serendipitous discovery of the iron-based high temperature superconductors (FeSCs) in 2008. The fact that, as in the copper oxide high temperature superconductors, long-range antiferromagnetism in the FeSCs arises in proximity to superconductivity immediately raised the question of the degree of similarity between the two. Despite the great resemblance in their phase diagrams, there exist important differences between the FeSCs and the cuprates that need to be considered in order to paint a full picture of these two families of high temperature superconductors. One of the key differences is the multi-orbital multi-band nature of the FeSCs, which contrasts with the effective single-band nature of the cuprates. Systematic studies of orbital related phenomena in FeSCs have been largely lacking. In this review, we summarize angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements across various FeSC families that have been reported in literature, focusing on the systematic trends of orbital dependent electron correlations and the role of different Fe 3d orbitals in driving the nematic transition, the spin-density-wave transition, and superconductivity.

A DFT based analysis of adsorption of Hg2+ ion on chitosan monomer and its citralidene and salicylidene derivatives: Prior to the removal of Hg toxicity.

PubMed

Hassan, Basila; Rajan, Vijisha K; Mujeeb, V M Abdul; K, Muraleedharan

2017-06-01

A Density functional theory based study of adsorption of the toxic metal Hg (II) ion by chitosan monomer and two of its derivatives; citralidene and salicylidene chitosan, has been performed. The effect of structural features on the stability of studied complexes has been analyzed by using Gaussian03 software package. All the possible conformations of these adsorbents were studied using the global minimum geometries. All the adsorbing sites were studied by placing the metal ion on the centroid of the atoms and the stable conformer of the adsorbent-metal ion complex was identified. Interaction between Hg (II) and the adsorbents is found to be electrostatic. Metal ion binding with nitrogen atom is stronger than that with oxygen atoms in all the cases as the charge density of nitrogen is enhanced on Schiff base formation. The advantage of derivatives over chitosan monomer is their stability in acidic media. ΔE value of the complexes are in the order SC-Hg (II)>chitosan-Hg (II)>CC-Hg (II) which indicates that the stability of complexes increases with increase in energy gap. The study reveals that aromatic Schiff base derivatives of chitosan is better for Hg(II) intake than aliphatic derivatives. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Çataltepe, Ö. Aslan, E-mail: ozdenaslan@yahoo.com, E-mail: ozden.aslan@gedik.edu.tr; Özdemir, Z. Güven, E-mail: zguvenozdemir@yahoo.com; Onbaşlı, Ü., E-mail: phonon@doruk.net.tr

In this work, the effect of oxygen doping on the critical parameters of the mercury based superconducting sample such as critical transition temperature, T{sub c}, critical magnetic field, H{sub c}, critical current density, J{sub c}, has been investigated by the magnetic susceptibility versus temperature (χ-T) and magnetization versus applied magnetic field (M-H) measurements and, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) patterns. It has been observed that regardless of the oxygen doping concentration, the mercury cuprate system possesses two intrinsic superconducting phases together, HgBa{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 8+x} and HgBa{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 6+x}. However, the highest T{sub c} has been determined for the optimummore » oxygen doped sample. Moreover, it has been revealed that superconducting properties, crystal lattice parameters, coherent lengths, ξ{sub ab}, ξ{sub c} and the anisotropy factor γ etc. are very sensitive to oxygen doping procedures. Hence, the results presented this work enables one to obtain the mercury based superconductor with the most desirable criticals and other parameters for theoretical and technological applications by arranging the oxygen doping concentration.« less

Observation of the Gap Distribution on Multi-layered Cuprate Superconductor Ba2Ca4Cu5O10(O1-x, Fx)2 by STM/STS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugimoto, Akira; Ekino, Toshikazu; Tanaka, Katsuhiro; Mineta, Kyohei; Tanabe, Kenji; Tokiwa, Kazuyasu

The nano-scale spatial gap distributions on apical-fluorine multi-layered cuprate superconductors Ba2Ca4Cu5O10(O1-x, Fx) (F0245, Tc = 70 K) are investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS). The STM image shows randomly-distributed bright spot structures, which are assigned to the non-replaced apical oxygen. The dI/dV tunnel spectra show the coexistence of two kinds of the gap structures. The magnitudes of these gaps at 4.9 K are about ΔS ∼25 meV and ΔL ∼78 meV, respectively. The ΔL map shows the inhomogeneous distribution with the characteristic length of ∼1 nm. The smaller ΔL gap regions tend to locate at the bright-spot positions, indicating that the apical oxygen causes reduction of ΔL. These results are consistent with the well known relation between the carrier doping level and macroscopically observed gap size.

Unconventional Superconductivity in the BiS_{2}-Based Layered Superconductor NdO_{0.71}F_{0.29}BiS_{2}.

PubMed

Ota, Yuichi; Okazaki, Kozo; Yamamoto, Haruyoshi Q; Yamamoto, Takashi; Watanabe, Shuntaro; Chen, Chuangtian; Nagao, Masanori; Watauchi, Satoshi; Tanaka, Isao; Takano, Yoshihiko; Shin, Shik

2017-04-21

We investigate the superconducting-gap anisotropy in one of the recently discovered BiS_{2}-based superconductors, NdO_{0.71}F_{0.29}BiS_{2} (T_{c}∼5  K), using laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Whereas the previously discovered high-T_{c} superconductors such as copper oxides and iron-based superconductors, which are believed to have unconventional superconducting mechanisms, have 3d electrons in their conduction bands, the conduction band of BiS_{2}-based superconductors mainly consists of Bi 6p electrons, and, hence, the conventional superconducting mechanism might be expected. Contrary to this expectation, we observe a strongly anisotropic superconducting gap. This result strongly suggests that the pairing mechanism for NdO_{0.71}F_{0.29}BiS_{2} is an unconventional one and we attribute the observed anisotropy to competitive or cooperative multiple paring interactions.

Orbital occupancy and charge doping in iron-based superconductors.

PubMed

Cantoni, Claudia; Mitchell, Jonathan E; May, Andrew F; McGuire, Michael A; Idrobo, Juan-Carlos; Berlijn, Tom; Dagotto, Elbio; Chisholm, Matthew F; Zhou, Wu; Pennycook, Stephen J; Sefat, Athena S; Sales, Brian C

2014-09-17

The intrinsic Fe local magnetic moment and Fe orbital occupations of iron-based superconductors are unveiled through the local, real-space capability of aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy/electron energy loss spectroscopy (STEM/EELS). Although the ordering of Fe moments needs to be suppressed for superconductivity to arise, the local, fluctuating Fe magnetic moment is enhanced near optimal superconductivity. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Quasiparticle Coherence, Collective Modes, and Competing Order in Cuprate Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hinton, James Patrick

In recent years, the study of cuprate superconductors has been dominated by the investigation of normal state properties. Of particular interest is the nature of interactions between superconductivity and other incipient orders which emerge above the superconducting transition temperature, Tc. The discovery of charge density wave (CDW) correlations in YBa2Cu3O6+x (YBCO) and HgBa2CuO 4+d (Hg-1201) has established that some form of charge order is ubiquitous in the cuprates. In this work, we explore the non-equilibrium dynamics of systems which sit near the boundary between superconductivity and competing orders. Ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy is ideally suited to the study of competing order. Exciting the sample with an optical pulse perturbs the system from equilibrium, altering the balance between the co-existing orders. The return to equilibrium is then monitored by a time-delayed probe pulse, revealing multiple decay processes as well as collective excitations. We first apply this technique to Hg-1201, conducting a detailed study of the phase diagram. At temperatures near Tc, the pump pulse induces a non-equilibrium quasiparticle population. At Tc we observe a doping-dependent peak in the relaxation time of these quasiparticles which we associate with a divergence in the coherence time of the fluctuating CDW. Using heterodyne probing in the transient grating geometry, we are able to disentangle the transient reflectivity components associated with superconductivity and the pseudogap, domonstrating competition across the phase diagram. We also discuss the observation of a sharp transition in the nature of the pseudogap signal at ˜ 11% doping. In YBCO, we explore the temperature and doping dependence of coherent oscillations excited by the pump pulse. We associate these oscillations with the excitation of the CDW amplitude mode, and model their temperature dependence within the framework of a Landau model of competing orders. We conclude with an investigation

Theoretical study of impurity effects in iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navarro Gastiasoro, Maria; Hirschfeld, Peter; Andersen, Brian

2013-03-01

Several open questions remain unanswered for the iron-based superconductors (FeSC), including the importance of electronic correlations and the symmetry of the superconducting order parameter. Motivated by recent STM experiments which show a fascinating variety of resonant defect states in FeSC, we adopt a realistic five-band model including electronic Coulomb correlations to study local effects of disorder in the FeSC. In order to minimize the number of free parameters, we use the pairing interactions obtained from spin-fluctuation exchange to determine the homogeneous superconducting state. The ability of local impurity potentials to induce resonant states depends on their scattering strength Vimp; in addition, for appropriate Vimp, such states are associated with local orbital- and magnetic order. We investigate the density of states near such impurities and show how tunneling experiments may be used to probe local induced order. In the SDW phase, we show how C2 symmetry-breaking dimers are naturally formed around impurities which also form cigar-like (pi,pi) structures embedded in the (pi,0) magnetic bulk phase. Such electronic dimers have been shown to be candidates for explaining the so-called nematogens observed previously by QPI in Co-doped CaFe2As2.

Processing of large grain Y-123 superconductors with pre-defined porous structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sudhakar Reddy, E.; Babu, N. Hari; Shi, Y.; Cardwell, D. A.; Schmitz, G. J.

2005-02-01

Porous superconductors have inherent cooling advantages over their bulk counterparts and, as a result, are emerging as an important class of materials for practical applications. Single-domain Y-Ba-Cu-O (YBCO) foams processed with a pre-defined, open porous structure, for example, have significant potential for use as elements in resistive superconducting fault current limiters. In this case, the interconnected porosity is ideal for producing reinforced composites with improved mechanical and heat conducting properties. In this paper we describe a few simple methods for fabricating large grain YBCO superconductors with various predefined porous structures via an infiltration process from tailored, porous Y2BaCuO5 (Y-211) pre-forms manufactured by a variety of techniques, including slurry-coating of standard polyurethane foams to replicate their structure. Foams produced by this method typically have a strut thickness of a few hundred µm and pore sizes ranging from 10 to 100 pores per inch (PPI). Foams with increased strut thickness of up to millimetre dimensions can be produced by embedding organic ball spacers within the Y-211 pre-form followed by a burn-out and sintering process. Single-domain YBCO bulk materials with cellular and pre-defined 3D interconnected porosity may be produced by a similar process using tailored wax structures in Y-211 castings.

Magnetic Fluctuations in Pair-Density-Wave Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christensen, Morten H.; Jacobsen, Henrik; Maier, Thomas A.; Andersen, Brian M.

2016-04-01

Pair-density-wave superconductivity constitutes a novel electronic condensate proposed to be realized in certain unconventional superconductors. Establishing its potential existence is important for our fundamental understanding of superconductivity in correlated materials. Here we compute the dynamical magnetic susceptibility in the presence of a pair-density-wave ordered state and study its fingerprints on the spin-wave spectrum including the neutron resonance. In contrast to the standard case of d -wave superconductivity, we show that the pair-density-wave phase exhibits neither a spin gap nor a magnetic resonance peak, in agreement with a recent neutron scattering experiment on underdoped La1.905 Ba0.095 CuO4 [Z. Xu et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 177002 (2014)].

Vortex flux dynamics and harmonic ac magnetic response of Ba(Fe 0.94Ni 0.06) 2As 2 bulk superconductor

DOE PAGES

Nikolo, Martin; Zapf, Vivien S.; Singleton, John; ...

2016-07-22

Vortex dynamics and nonlinear ac response are studied in a Ba(Fe 0.94Ni 0.06) 2As 2( T c= 18.5 K) bulk superconductor in magnetic fields up to 12 T via ac susceptibility measurements of the first ten harmonics. A comprehensive study of the ac magnetic susceptibility and its first ten harmonics finds shifts to higher temperatures with increasing ac measurement frequencies (10 to 10,000 Hz) for a wide range of ac (1, 5, and 10 Oe) and dc fields (0 to 12 T). The characteristic measurement time constant t1 is extracted from the exponential fit of the data and linked tomore » vortex relaxation. The Anderson-Kim Arrhenius law is applied to determine flux activation energy E a/k as a function dc magnetic field. The de-pinning, or irreversibility lines, were determined by a variety of methods and extensively mapped. The ac response shows surprisingly weak higher harmonic components, suggesting weak nonlinear behavior. Lastly, our data does not support the Fisher model; we do not see an abrupt vortex glass to vortex liquid transition and the resistivity does not drop to zero, although it appears to approach zero exponentially.« less

Competing magnetic fluctuations in iron pnictide superconductors: Role of ferromagnetic spin correlations revealed by NMR

DOE PAGES

Wiecki, P.; Roy, B.; Johnston, D. C.; ...

2015-09-22

In the iron pnictide superconductors, theoretical calculations have consistently shown enhancements of the static magnetic susceptibility at both the stripe-type antiferromagnetic and in-plane ferromagnetic (FM) wave vectors. However, the possible existence of FM fluctuations has not yet been examined from a microscopic point of view. Here, using 75As NMR data, we provide clear evidence for the existence of FM spin correlations in both the hole- and electron-doped BaFe 2As 2 families of iron-pnictide superconductors. Furthermore, these FM fluctuations appear to compete with superconductivity and are thus a crucial ingredient to understanding the variability of T c and the shape ofmore » the superconducting dome in these and other iron-pnictide families.« less

Towards the design of novel cuprate-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yee, Chuck-Hou

The rapid maturation of materials databases combined with recent development of theories seeking to quantitatively link chemical properties to superconductivity in the cuprates provide the context to design novel superconductors. In this talk, we describe a framework designed to search for new superconductors, which combines chemical rules-of-thumb, insights of transition temperatures from dynamical mean-field theory, first-principles electronic structure tools, materials databases and structure prediction via evolutionary algorithms. We apply the framework to design a family of copper oxysulfides and evaluate the prospects of superconductivity.

Hourglass Dispersion and Resonance of Magnetic Excitations in the Superconducting State of the Single-Layer Cuprate HgBa 2 CuO 4 + δ Near Optimal Doping

DOE PAGES

Chan, M. K.; Tang, Y.; Dorow, C. J.; ...

2016-12-29

Here, we use neutron scattering to study magnetic excitations near the antiferromagnetic wave vector in the underdoped single-layer cuprate HgBa 2 CuO 4 + δ (superconducting transition temperature T c ≈ 88 K , pseudogap temperature T* ≈ 220 K ). The response is distinctly enhanced below T* and exhibits a Y -shaped dispersion in the pseudogap state, whereas the superconducting state features an X -shaped (hourglass) dispersion and a further resonancelike enhancement. We also observe a large spin gap of about 40 meV in both states. This phenomenology is reminiscent of that exhibited by bilayer cuprates. The resonance spectralmore » weight, irrespective of doping and compound, scales linearly with the putative binding energy of a spin exciton described by an itinerant-spin formalism.« less

Diffuse Phase Transitions and Giant Electrostrictive Coefficients in Lead-Free Fe3+-Doped 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 Ferroelectric Ceramics.

PubMed

Jin, Li; Huo, Renjie; Guo, Runping; Li, Fei; Wang, Dawei; Tian, Ye; Hu, Qingyuan; Wei, Xiaoyong; He, Zhanbing; Yan, Yan; Liu, Gang

2016-11-16

The electrostrictive effect has some advantages over the piezoelectric effect, including temperature stability and hysteresis-free character. In the present work, we report the diffuse phase transitions and electrostrictive properties in lead-free Fe 3+ -doped 0.5Ba(Zr 0.2 Ti 0.8 )O 3 -0.5(Ba 0.7 Ca 0.3 )TiO 3 (BZT-0.5BCT) ferroelectric ceramics. The doping concentration was set from 0.25 to 2 mol %. It is found that by introducing Fe 3+ ion into BZT-0.5BCT, the temperature corresponding to permittivity maximum T m was shifted toward lower temperature monotonically by 37 °C per mol % Fe 3+ ion. Simultaneously, the phase transitions gradually changed from classical ferroelectric-to-paraelectric phase transitions into diffuse phase transitions with a weak relaxor characteristic. Purely electrostrictive responses with giant electrostrictive coefficient Q 33 between 0.04 and 0.05 m 4 /C 2 are observed from 25 to 100 °C for the compositions doped with 1-2 mol % Fe 3+ ion. The Q 33 of Fe 3+ -doped BZT-0.5BCT ceramics is almost twice the Q 33 of other ferroelectric ceramics. These observations suggest that the present system can be considered as a potential lead-free material for the applications in electrostrictive area and that BT-based ferroelectric ceramics would have giant electrostrictive coefficient over other ferroelectric systems.

Switching Magnetism and Superconductivity with Spin-Polarized Current in Iron-Based Superconductor.

PubMed

Choi, Seokhwan; Choi, Hyoung Joon; Ok, Jong Mok; Lee, Yeonghoon; Jang, Won-Jun; Lee, Alex Taekyung; Kuk, Young; Lee, SungBin; Heinrich, Andreas J; Cheong, Sang-Wook; Bang, Yunkyu; Johnston, Steven; Kim, Jun Sung; Lee, Jhinhwan

2017-12-01

We explore a new mechanism for switching magnetism and superconductivity in a magnetically frustrated iron-based superconductor using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SPSTM). Our SPSTM study on single-crystal Sr_{2}VO_{3}FeAs shows that a spin-polarized tunneling current can switch the Fe-layer magnetism into a nontrivial C_{4} (2×2) order, which cannot be achieved by thermal excitation with an unpolarized current. Our tunneling spectroscopy study shows that the induced C_{4} (2×2) order has characteristics of plaquette antiferromagnetic order in the Fe layer and strongly suppresses superconductivity. Also, thermal agitation beyond the bulk Fe spin ordering temperature erases the C_{4} state. These results suggest a new possibility of switching local superconductivity by changing the symmetry of magnetic order with spin-polarized and unpolarized tunneling currents in iron-based superconductors.

Switching Magnetism and Superconductivity with Spin-Polarized Current in Iron-Based Superconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Seokhwan; Choi, Hyoung Joon; Ok, Jong Mok; Lee, Yeonghoon; Jang, Won-Jun; Lee, Alex Taekyung; Kuk, Young; Lee, SungBin; Heinrich, Andreas J.; Cheong, Sang-Wook; Bang, Yunkyu; Johnston, Steven; Kim, Jun Sung; Lee, Jhinhwan

2017-12-01

We explore a new mechanism for switching magnetism and superconductivity in a magnetically frustrated iron-based superconductor using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SPSTM). Our SPSTM study on single-crystal Sr2VO3FeAs shows that a spin-polarized tunneling current can switch the Fe-layer magnetism into a nontrivial C4 (2 ×2 ) order, which cannot be achieved by thermal excitation with an unpolarized current. Our tunneling spectroscopy study shows that the induced C4 (2 ×2 ) order has characteristics of plaquette antiferromagnetic order in the Fe layer and strongly suppresses superconductivity. Also, thermal agitation beyond the bulk Fe spin ordering temperature erases the C4 state. These results suggest a new possibility of switching local superconductivity by changing the symmetry of magnetic order with spin-polarized and unpolarized tunneling currents in iron-based superconductors.

Nonrigid band shift and nonmonotonic electronic structure changes upon doping in the normal state of the pnictide high-temperature superconductor Ba ( F e 1 - x C o x ) 2 A s 2

DOE PAGES

Vilmercati, Paolo; Mo, Sung -Kwan; Fedorov, Alexei; ...

2016-11-28

Here, we report systematic angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) experiments using different photon polarizations and experimental geometries and find that the doping evolution of the normal state of Ba(Fe 1–xCo x) 2As 2 deviates significantly from the predictions of a rigid band model. The data reveal a nonmonotonic dependence upon doping of key quantities such as band filling, bandwidth of the electron pocket, and quasiparticle coherence. Our analysis suggests that the observed phenomenology and the inapplicability of the rigid band model in Co-doped Ba122 are due to electronic correlations, and not to the either the strength of the impurity potential, or self-energymore » effects due to impurity scattering. Our findings indicate that the effects of doping in pnictides are much more complicated than currently believed. More generally, they indicate that a deep understanding of the evolution of the electronic properties of the normal state, which requires an understanding of the doping process, remains elusive even for the 122 iron-pnictides, which are viewed as the least correlated of the high-T C unconventional superconductors.« less

Number of holes contained within the Fermi surface volume in underdoped high-temperature superconductors

DOE PAGES

Harrison, Neil

2016-08-16

Here, we provide a potential solution to the longstanding problem relating Fermi surface reconstruction to the number of holes contained within the Fermi surface volume in underdoped high T c superconductors. On considering uniaxial and biaxial charge-density wave order, we show that there exists a relationship between the ordering wave vector, the hole doping, and the cross-sectional area of the reconstructed Fermi surface whose precise form depends on the volume of the starting Fermi surface. We consider a “large” starting Fermi surface comprising 1+p hole carriers, as predicted by band structure calculations, and a “small” starting Fermi surface comprising pmore » hole carriers, as proposed in models in which the Coulomb repulsion remains the dominant energy. Using the reconstructed Fermi surface cross-sectional area obtained in quantum oscillation experiments in YBa 2Cu 3O 6+x and HgBa 2CuO 4+x and the established methods for estimating the chemical hole doping, we find the ordering vectors obtained from x-ray scattering measurements to show a close correspondence with those expected for the small starting Fermi surface. We therefore show the quantum oscillation frequency and charge-density wave vectors provide accurate estimates for the number of holes contributing to the Fermi surface volume in the pseudogap regime.« less

Number of holes contained within the Fermi surface volume in underdoped high-temperature superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Harrison, Neil

Here, we provide a potential solution to the longstanding problem relating Fermi surface reconstruction to the number of holes contained within the Fermi surface volume in underdoped high T c superconductors. On considering uniaxial and biaxial charge-density wave order, we show that there exists a relationship between the ordering wave vector, the hole doping, and the cross-sectional area of the reconstructed Fermi surface whose precise form depends on the volume of the starting Fermi surface. We consider a “large” starting Fermi surface comprising 1+p hole carriers, as predicted by band structure calculations, and a “small” starting Fermi surface comprising pmore » hole carriers, as proposed in models in which the Coulomb repulsion remains the dominant energy. Using the reconstructed Fermi surface cross-sectional area obtained in quantum oscillation experiments in YBa 2Cu 3O 6+x and HgBa 2CuO 4+x and the established methods for estimating the chemical hole doping, we find the ordering vectors obtained from x-ray scattering measurements to show a close correspondence with those expected for the small starting Fermi surface. We therefore show the quantum oscillation frequency and charge-density wave vectors provide accurate estimates for the number of holes contributing to the Fermi surface volume in the pseudogap regime.« less

Turn-On Fluorescent Chemosensor for Hg2+ Based on Multivalent Rhodamine Ligands

PubMed Central

Wang, Xuemei; Iqbal, Mudassir; Huskens, Jurriaan; Verboom, Willem

2012-01-01

Rhodamine-based fluorescent chemosensors 1 and 2 exhibit selective fluorescence enhancement to Fe3+ and Hg2+ over other metal ions at 580 nm in CH3CN/H2O (3/1, v/v) solution. Bis(rhodamine) chemosensor 1, under optimized conditions (CH3CN/HEPES buffer (0.02 M, pH = 7.0) (95/5, v/v)), shows a high selectivity and sensitivity to Hg2+, with a linear working range of 0–50 μM, a wide pH span of 4–10, and a detection limit of 0.4 μM Hg2+. PMID:23222686

Simple and rapid chemiluminescence aptasensor for Hg2+ in contaminated samples: A new signal amplification mechanism.

PubMed

Qi, Yingying; Xiu, Fu-Rong; Yu, Gending; Huang, Lili; Li, Baoxin

2017-01-15

Detection of ultralow concentration of heavy metal ion Hg 2+ is important for human health protection and environment monitoring because of the gradual accumulation in environmental and biological fields. Herein, we report a convenient chemiluminescence (CL) biosensing platform for ultrasensitive Hg 2+ detection by signal amplification mechanism from positively charged gold nanoparticles ((+)AuNPs). It is based on (+)AuNPs charge effect and aptamer conformation change induced by target to stimulate the generation of CL in the presence of H 2 O 2 and luminol without high salt medium. Notably particularly, the typical problem of the high salt medium from (-) AuNPs system, like influencing aptamers' bind with target and hindering CL reaction can be effectively addressed through the direct introduction of (+)AuNPs. Therefore, the proposed biosensing exhibits a high sensitivity toward target Hg 2+ with a detection limit of 16 pM, which is far below the limit (10nM) defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in drinkable water, and is about 10-fold lower than the previously reported aptamer-based assays for Hg 2+ . This sensing platform provides a simple, rapid, and cost-effective approach for label-free sensitive detection of Hg 2+ . Moreover, it is universal for the detection of other targets. Undoubtedly, such a direct utilizing of (+)AuNPs' charge effect will provide a new signal amplification way for label-free aptamer-based CL analysis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Using electron irradiation to probe iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, Kyuil; Kończykowski, M.; Teknowijoyo, S.; Tanatar, M. A.; Prozorov, R.

2018-06-01

High-energy electron irradiation at low temperatures is an efficient and controlled way to create vacancy–interstitial Frenkel pairs in a crystal lattice, thereby inducing nonmagnetic point-like scattering centers. In combination with London penetration depth and resistivity measurements, the electron irradiation was used as a phase-sensitive probe to study the superconducting order parameter in iron-based superconductors (FeSCs), lending strong support to sign-changing s ± pairing. Here, we review the key results of the effect of electron irradiation in FeSCs.

Sealed glass coating of high temperature ceramic superconductors

DOEpatents

Wu, Weite; Chu, Cha Y.; Goretta, Kenneth C.; Routbort, Jules L.

1995-01-01

A method and article of manufacture of a lead oxide based glass coating on a high temperature superconductor. The method includes preparing a dispersion of glass powders in a solution, applying the dispersion to the superconductor, drying the dispersion before applying another coating and heating the glass powder dispersion at temperatures below oxygen diffusion onset and above the glass melting point to form a continuous glass coating on the superconductor to establish compressive stresses which enhance the fracture strength of the superconductor.

Universal doping evolution of the superconducting gap anisotropy in single crystals of electron-doped Ba(Fe 1–xRh x) 2As 2 from London penetration depth measurements

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, Hyunsoo; Tanatar, M. A.; Martin, C.

Doping evolution of the superconducting gap anisotropy was studied in single crystals of 4d-electron doped Ba(Fe 1–xRh x) 2As 2 using tunnel diode resonator measurements of the temperature variation of the London penetration depth Δλ( T). Single crystals with doping levels representative of an underdoped regime x = 0.039 ( T c = 15.5 K), close to optimal doping x = 0.057 ( T c = 24.4 K) and overdoped x = 0.079 ( T c = 21.5 K) and x = 0.131( T c = 4.9 K) were studied. Superconducting energy gap anisotropy was characterized by the exponent, n,more » by fitting the data to the power-law, Δλ = AT n. The exponent n varies non-monotonically with x, increasing to a maximum n = 2.5 for x = 0.079 and rapidly decreasing towards overdoped compositions to 1.6 for x = 0.131. This behavior is qualitatively similar to the doping evolution of the superconducting gap anisotropy in other iron pnictides, including hole-doped (Ba,K)Fe 2As 2 and 3d-electron-doped Ba(Fe,Co) 2As 2 superconductors, finding a full gap near optimal doping and strong anisotropy toward the ends of the superconducting dome in the T-x phase diagram. The normalized superfluid density in an optimally Rh-doped sample is almost identical to the temperature-dependence in the optimally doped Ba(Fe,Co) 2As 2 samples. In conclusion, our study supports the universal superconducting gap variation with doping and pairing at least in iron based superconductors of the BaFe 2As 2 family.« less

Universal doping evolution of the superconducting gap anisotropy in single crystals of electron-doped Ba(Fe 1–xRh x) 2As 2 from London penetration depth measurements

DOE PAGES

Kim, Hyunsoo; Tanatar, M. A.; Martin, C.; ...

2018-05-08

Doping evolution of the superconducting gap anisotropy was studied in single crystals of 4d-electron doped Ba(Fe 1–xRh x) 2As 2 using tunnel diode resonator measurements of the temperature variation of the London penetration depth Δλ( T). Single crystals with doping levels representative of an underdoped regime x = 0.039 ( T c = 15.5 K), close to optimal doping x = 0.057 ( T c = 24.4 K) and overdoped x = 0.079 ( T c = 21.5 K) and x = 0.131( T c = 4.9 K) were studied. Superconducting energy gap anisotropy was characterized by the exponent, n,more » by fitting the data to the power-law, Δλ = AT n. The exponent n varies non-monotonically with x, increasing to a maximum n = 2.5 for x = 0.079 and rapidly decreasing towards overdoped compositions to 1.6 for x = 0.131. This behavior is qualitatively similar to the doping evolution of the superconducting gap anisotropy in other iron pnictides, including hole-doped (Ba,K)Fe 2As 2 and 3d-electron-doped Ba(Fe,Co) 2As 2 superconductors, finding a full gap near optimal doping and strong anisotropy toward the ends of the superconducting dome in the T-x phase diagram. The normalized superfluid density in an optimally Rh-doped sample is almost identical to the temperature-dependence in the optimally doped Ba(Fe,Co) 2As 2 samples. In conclusion, our study supports the universal superconducting gap variation with doping and pairing at least in iron based superconductors of the BaFe 2As 2 family.« less

High field superconducting properties of Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hänisch, Jens; Iida, Kazumasa; Kurth, Fritz; Reich, Elke; Tarantini, Chiara; Jaroszynski, Jan; Förster, Tobias; Fuchs, Günther; Hühne, Ruben; Grinenko, Vadim; Schultz, Ludwig; Holzapfel, Bernhard

2015-11-01

In general, the critical current density, Jc, of type II superconductors and its anisotropy with respect to magnetic field orientation is determined by intrinsic and extrinsic properties. The Fe-based superconductors of the ‘122’ family with their moderate electronic anisotropies and high yet accessible critical fields (Hc2 and Hirr) are a good model system to study this interplay. In this paper, we explore the vortex matter of optimally Co-doped BaFe2As2 thin films with extended planar and c-axis correlated defects. The temperature and angular dependence of the upper critical field is well explained by a two-band model in the clean limit. The dirty band scenario, however, cannot be ruled out completely. Above the irreversibility field, the flux motion is thermally activated, where the activation energy U0 is going to zero at the extrapolated zero-kelvin Hirr value. The anisotropy of the critical current density Jc is both influenced by the Hc2 anisotropy (and therefore by multi-band effects) as well as the extended planar and columnar defects present in the sample.

Critical magnetic fields of superconducting aluminum-substituted Ba{sub 8}Si{sub 42}Al{sub 4} clathrate

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Yang, E-mail: yang.li@upr.edu; Garcia, Jose; Lu, Kejie

2015-06-07

In recent years, efforts have been made to explore the superconductivity of clathrates containing crystalline frameworks of group-IV elements. The superconducting silicon clathrate is unusual in that the structure is dominated by strong sp{sup 3} covalent bonds between silicon atoms, rather than the metallic bonding that is more typical of traditional superconductors. This paper reports on critical magnetic fields of superconducting Al-substituted silicon clathrates, which were investigated by transport, ac susceptibility, and dc magnetization measurements in magnetic fields up to 90 kOe. For the sample Ba{sub 8}Si{sub 42}Al{sub 4}, the critical magnetic fields were measured to be H{sub C1} = 40.2 Oe andmore » H{sub C2} = 66.4 kOe. The London penetration depth of 4360 Å and the coherence length 70 Å were obtained, whereas the estimated Ginzburg–Landau parameter of κ = 62 revealed that Ba{sub 8}Si{sub 42}Al{sub 4} is a strong type-II superconductor.« less

Bulk YBa2Cu3O(x) superconductors through pressurized partial melt growth processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hu, S.; Hojaji, H.; Barkatt, A.; Boroomand, M.; Hung, M.; Buechele, A. C.; Thorpe, A. N.; Davis, D. D.; Alterescu, S.

1992-01-01

A novel pressurized partial melt growth process has been developed for producing large pieces of bulk Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors. During long-time partial melt growth stage, an additional driving force for solidification is obtained by using pressurized oxygen gas. The microstructure and superconducting properties of the resulting samples were investigated. It was found that this new technique can eliminate porosity and inhomogeneity, promote large-scale grain-texturing, and improve interdomain coupling as well.

Fabrication and Characterization of (100),(001)-Oriented Reduction-Resistant Lead-Free Piezoelectric (Ba,Ca)TiO3 Ceramics Using Platelike Seed Crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ichikawa, Hiroki; Sakamoto, Wataru; Akiyama, Yoshikazu; Maiwa, Hiroshi; Moriya, Makoto; Yogo, Toshinobu

2013-09-01

The preparation of reduction-resistant (Ba,Ca)TiO3 ceramics as lead-free piezoelectric materials was studied. To improve their electrical properties, (100),(001)-oriented (Ba0.85Ca0.15)TiO3 ceramics were fabricated by the reactive templated grain growth method using a mixture of platelike CaTiO3 and BaTiO3 particles. The platelike CaTiO3 and BaTiO3 particles were prepared through a topochemical microcrystal conversion process using CaBi4Ti4O15 and BaBi4Ti4O15 plate-like precursor crystals. The 100 orientation degree of the grain-oriented (Ba0.85Ca0.15)TiO3 ceramics was 92%, as estimated by Lotgering's equation. In addition, 1 mol % Ba excess and 1 mol % Mn-doped (Ba0.85Ca0.15)TiO3 sintered bodies, which were sintered at 1350 °C in an Ar flow containing H2 (0.3%), had sufficient resistivity to allow the characterization of electrical properties. The ferroelectric and field-induced strain properties of the (Ba0.85Ca0.15)TiO3 ceramics, sintered in the reducing atmosphere, were markedly improved as a result of fabricating grain-oriented samples. The field-induced strain coefficient (estimated from the slope of the unipolar strain loop) of the nonreducible (100),(001)-oriented (Ba0.85Ca0.15)TiO3 ceramics reached 570 pm/V, which was higher than that of polycrystals (260 pm/V) with no preferential orientation.

Sequential structural and antiferromagnetic transitions in BaFe2Se3 under pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yang; Lin, Ling-Fang; Zhang, Jun-Jie; Dagotto, Elbio; Dong, Shuai

2018-01-01

The discovery of superconductivity in the two-leg ladder compound BaFe2S3 has established the 123-type iron chalcogenides as a novel and interesting subgroup of the iron-based superconductor family. However, in this 123 series, BaFe2Se3 is an exceptional member, with a magnetic order and crystalline structure different from all others. Recently, an exciting experiment reported the emergence of superconductivity in BaFe2Se3 at high pressure [J. Ying et al., Phys. Rev. B 95, 241109(R) (2017), 10.1103/PhysRevB.95.241109]. In this paper, we report a first-principles study of BaFe2Se3 . Our analysis unveils a variety of qualitative differences between BaFe2S3 and BaFe2Se3 , including in the latter an unexpected chain of transitions with increasing pressure. First, by gradually reducing the tilting angle of iron ladders, the crystalline structure smoothly transforms from P n m a to C m c m at ˜6 GPa. Second, the system becomes metallic at 10.4 GPa. Third, its unique ambient-pressure Block antiferromagnetic ground state is replaced by the more common stripe (so-called CX-type) antiferromagnetic order at ˜12 GPa, the same magnetic state as the 123-S ladder. This transition is found at a pressure very similar to the experimental superconducting transition. Finally, all magnetic moments vanish at 30 GPa. This reported theoretical diagram of the complete phase evolution is important because of the technical challenges to capture many physical properties in high-pressure experiments. The information obtained in our calculations suggests different characteristics for superconductivity in BaFe2Se3 and BaFe2S3 : in 123-S pairing occurs when magnetic moments vanish, while in 123-Se the transition region from Block- to CX-type magnetism appears to catalyze superconductivity. Finally, an additional superconducting dome above ˜30 GPa is expected to occur.

Barium coordination polymers based on fluorinated and fluorine-free benzene-dicarboxylates: Mechanochemical synthesis and spectroscopic characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Terkawi, Abdal-Azim; Scholz, Gudrun; Emmerling, Franziska; Kemnitz, Erhard

2018-05-01

A series of new Ba-based coordination polymers (CPs) were mechanochemically synthesized by milling Ba-hydroxide samples with perfluorinated and fluorine-free benzene-dicarboxylic acids, including tetrafluoroisophthalic acid (H2mBDC-F4), tetrafluorophthalic acid (H2oBDC-F4), isophthalic acid (H2mBDC) and phthalic acid (H2oBDC). The new fluorinated CPs: [Ba(mBDC-F4)·0.5H2O] (1) and [Ba(oBDC-F4)·1.5H2O] (2) are compared to their nonfluorinated counterparts: [Ba(mBDC)·2.5H2O] (3), and [Ba(oBDC)·1H2O] (4). These materials are thoroughly characterized using powder X-ray diffraction. The products obtained by milling are all hydrated but vary in their water contents. Compositions and local structures are investigated by elemental analysis, thermal analysis, MAS NMR and attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy. These materials exhibit high thermal stabilities but small surface areas that remain unchanged even after thermal treatments.

Electronic properties of high-temperature superconductors and novel carbon-based conductors and superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuhrer, Michael Sears

This thesis is divided into three sections. The first section discusses the electrical transport properties of a highly anisotropic high temperature superconductor, Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8, in magnetic fields. High temperature superconductivity has greatly expanded the study of vortex matter: the state of the quantized magnetic field excitations, or vortices, in a superconductor. The effects of tilted fields and fields parallel to the planes are studied: striking deviations from the expectations of a simple anisotropic superconductivity model are found, indicating that the layered structure of high temperature superconductors plays a significant role in determining the dynamics and phases of vortex matter. For the case of parallel magnetic fields, the Josephson vortex state, a new phase transition is identified, the melting of the Josephson vortex lattice. A mechanism for Josephson vortex lattice melting is proposed to explain the differences in the phase diagrams from the usual case of Abrikosov vortex lattice melting. The second section discusses experiments on C60-containing solids. A method for growing high quality single crystals of C60 is described. Isotopically pure single crystal samples of the fulleride superconductor Rb3C60 were synthesized in order to measure the carbon isotope effect on superconductivity. By measuring the superconducting transitions in the resistance of single crystals of Rb3C60, the carbon isotope effect was determined with unprecedented accuracy. Measurement of the isotope effect gives essential information for determination of the superconducting parameters, necessary for a complete theoretical picture of superconductivity in this material. New intercalated graphite compounds containing C60, and their electronic properties, are also discussed. The third section discusses the electrical transport and magnetotransport properties of mats of single-walled carbon nanotubes. Single-walled nanotubes are an intriguing new physical system: nanowires of

Sealed glass coating of high temperature ceramic superconductors

DOEpatents

Wu, W.; Chu, C.Y.; Goretta, K.C.; Routbort, J.L.

1995-05-02

A method and article of manufacture of a lead oxide based glass coating on a high temperature superconductor is disclosed. The method includes preparing a dispersion of glass powders in a solution, applying the dispersion to the superconductor, drying the dispersion before applying another coating and heating the glass powder dispersion at temperatures below oxygen diffusion onset and above the glass melting point to form a continuous glass coating on the superconductor to establish compressive stresses which enhance the fracture strength of the superconductor. 8 figs.

Sensitivity of gap symmetry to an incipient band: Application to iron based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, Vivek; Scalapino, Douglas; Maier, Thomas

Observation of high temperature superconductivity in iron-based superconductors with a submerged hole band has attracted wide interest. A spin fluctuation mediated pairing mechanism has been proposed as a possible explanation for the high transition temperatures observed in these systems. Here we discuss the importance of the submerged band in the context of the gap symmetry. We show that the incipient band can lead to an attractive pairing interaction and thus have significant effects on the pairing symmetry. We propose a framework to include the effect of the incipient band in the standard multi-orbital spin-fluctuation theories which are widely used for studying various iron-based superconductors. Research sponsored by the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by UT-Battelle, LLC, for the U. S. Department of Energy.

Formation of Y(x)Nd(1-x) Ba2Cu3O(7-delta) (0 = or < x < or = 0.7) Superconductors from an Undercooled Melt Via Aero-Acoustic Levitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gustafson, D. E.; Hofmeister, W. H.; Bayuzick, R. J.

2001-01-01

Melt processing of RE123 superconductors has gained importance in recent years. While the first high temperature superconductors (HTSCs) were made using traditional ceramic press and sinter technology, recent fabrication efforts have employed alternate processing techniques including laser ablation and ion beam assisted deposition for thin film fabrication of tapes and wires and melt growth for bulk materials. To optimize these techniques and identify other potential processing strategies, phase relation studies on HTSCs have been conducted on a wide variety of superconducting compounds using numerous processing strategies. This data has enhanced the understanding of these complex systems and allowed more accurate modeling of phase interactions. All of this research has proved useful in identifying processing capabilities for HTSCs but has failed to achieve a breakthrough for wide spread application of these materials. This study examines the role of full to partial substitution of Nd in the Y123 structure under rapid solidification conditions. Aero-acoustic levitation (AAL) was used to levitate and undercool RE123 in pure oxygen binary alloys with RE = Nd an Y along a range of compositions corresponding to Y(x)Nd(1-x) Ba2Cu3O(7-delta) (0 = or < x < or = 0.7) which were melted by a CO2 laser. Higher Y content spheres could not be melted in the AAL and were excluded from this report. Solidification structures were examined using scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive spectroscopy, and powder x-ray diffraction to characterize microstructures and identify phases.

Influences of alkaline earth metal substitution on the crystal structure and physical properties of magnetic RuSr1.9A0.1GdCu2O8 (A = Ca, Sr, and Ba) superconductors.

PubMed

Hur, Su Gil; Park, Dae Hoon; Hwang, Seong-Ju; Kim, Seung Joo; Lee, J H; Lee, Sang Young

2005-11-24

We have investigated the effect of alkaline earth metal substitution on the crystal structure and physical properties of magnetic superconductors RuSr(1.9)A(0.1)GdCu(2)O(8) (A = Ca, Sr, and Ba) in order to probe an interaction between the magnetic coupling of the RuO(2) layer and the superconductivity of the CuO(2) layer. X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopic analyses demonstrate that the isovalent substitution of Sr ions with Ca or Ba ions makes it possible to tune the interlayer distance between the CuO(2) and the RuO(2) layers. From the measurements of electrical resistance and magnetic susceptibility, it was found that, in contrast to negligible change of magnetization, both of the alkaline earth metal substitutions lead to a notable depression of zero-resistance temperature T(c) (DeltaT(c) approximately 17-19 K). On the basis of the absence of a systematic correlation between the T(c) and the interlayer distance/magnetization, we have concluded that the internal magnetic field of the RuO(2) layer has insignificant influence on the superconducting property of the CuO(2) layer in the ruthenocuprate.

The High Temperature Resistivity of Ba2YCu3O7-x

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xingkui, Zhang; Shining, Zhu; Hao, Wang; Shiyuan, Zhang; Su, Ye; Ningshen, Zhou; Ziran, Xu

The high temperature resistivity (ρ), thermogravimetry (TG) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) have been used to characterize superconductor Ba2YCu3O7-x (BYCO) in O2, air and N2. The resistivity is linear from room temperature to 350°C and then deviate from linearity with oxygen evolution, the derivative of resistivity dρ/dT increases abruptly near orthorhombic to tetragonal phase transition. These phenomena can give good explanations for a two-band Drude model.

Emergent loop-nodal s(±)-wave superconductivity in CeCu(2)Si(2): similarities to the iron-based superconductors.

PubMed

Ikeda, Hiroaki; Suzuki, Michi-To; Arita, Ryotaro

2015-04-10

Heavy-fermion superconductors are prime candidates for novel electron-pairing states due to the spin-orbital coupled degrees of freedom and electron correlations. Superconductivity in CeCu_{2}Si_{2} discovered in 1979, which is a prototype of unconventional (non-BCS) superconductors in strongly correlated electron systems, still remains unsolved. Here we provide the first report of superconductivity based on the advanced first-principles theoretical approach. We find that the promising candidate is an s_{±}-wave state with loop-shaped nodes on the Fermi surface, different from the widely expected line-nodal d-wave state. The dominant pairing glue is magnetic but high-rank octupole fluctuations. This system shares the importance of multiorbital degrees of freedom with the iron-based superconductors. Our findings reveal not only the long-standing puzzle in this material, but also urge us to reconsider the pairing states and mechanisms in all heavy-fermion superconductors.

Controlled finite momentum pairing and spatially varying order parameter in proximitized HgTe quantum wells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hart, Sean; Ren, Hechen; Kosowsky, Michael; Ben-Shach, Gilad; Leubner, Philipp; Bruene, Christoph; Buhmann, Hartmut; Molenkamp, Laurens; Halperin, Bertrand; Yacoby, Amir

Conventional s-wave superconductivity arises from singlet pairing of electrons with opposite Fermi momenta, forming Cooper pairs with zero net momentum. Recent studies have focused on coupling s-wave superconductors to systems with an unusual configuration of electronic spin and momentum at the Fermi surface, where the nature of the paired state can be modified and the system may even undergo a topological phase transition. Here we present measurements on Josephson junctions based on HgTe quantum wells coupled to aluminum or niobium superconductors, and subject to a magnetic field in the plane of the quantum well. We observe that the in-plane magnetic field modulates the Fraunhofer interference pattern, and that this modulation depends both on electron density and on the direction of the in-plane field with respect to the junction. However, the orientation of the junction with respect to the underlying crystal lattice does not impact the measurements. These findings suggest that spin-orbit coupling plays a role in the observed behavior, and that measurements of Josephson junctions in the presence of an in-plane field can elucidate the Fermi surface properties of the weak link material. NSF DMR-1206016; STC Center for Integrated Quantum Materials under NSF Grant No. DMR-1231319; NSF GRFP under Grant DGE1144152, Microsoft Corporation Project Q.

Crystal growth and characterization of Hg-based chalcogenide compounds (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Yihui; Lin, Wenwen; Syrigos, Jonathan C.; Wang, Peng Li; Islam, Saiful M.; McCall, Kyle M.; Kostina, Svetlana S.; Liu, Zhifu; Wessels, Bruce W.; Kanatzidis, Mercouri G.

2016-09-01

In this work, two Hg-based chalcogenides were investigated in detail to reveal their potential capability of radiation detection at room temperature (RT). Cs2Hg6S7, with a bandgap of 1.63 eV, which is designed by the dimensional reduction theory proposed by our group, were prepared and characterized. α-HgS, with a bandgap of 2.10 eV, as a precursor used for the ternary compound synthesis, was also proposed and further investigated. For Cs2Hg6S7, the crystals tended to crystallize into needle form with small grains. Here, the conditions of Bridgman melt growth were optimized to obtain relatively large single crystals. The slight excess of Cs2S as a fluxing agent during growth was found to facilitate better crystallization and large grains. Interestingly, no inclusion or secondary phase was found in the as-grown single crystals. The improvement of bulk resistivity from 10^6 Ωcm to 10^8 Ωcm was also achieved through the control of stoichiometry during crystal growth. For α-HgS crystals, both physical vapor transport and chemical vapor transport methods have been applied. By modifying the transport temperature and transport agent, single crystal with size about 3x1.5 mm^2 was grown with resistivity higher than 10^11 Ωcm. Photoluminescence (PL) revealed that multiple peaks observed in the 1.6-2.3 eV range and excitonic peak from for α-HgS single crystals were observed indicating good crystalline quality. Finally, the planar detectors for both crystals were tested under Co57 gamma ray source. Both of the crystals showed reasonable gamma ray response, while α-HgS crystals could respond at a relatively higher counting rate.

Iron-based superconductors: Unity or diversity?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kivelson, S. A.

2010-02-24

Superconductivity is among the most fascinating properties that a material can show. On the fundamental level, it represents a direct, macroscopic manifestation of coherent quantum mechanical behaviour, and its potential practical importance is almost unlimited, especially if new superconductors can be synthesized or discovered with still higher transition temperatures, Tc.

A label-free electrochemical sensor for detection of mercury(II) ions based on the direct growth of guanine nanowire.

PubMed

Huang, Yan Li; Gao, Zhong Feng; Jia, Jing; Luo, Hong Qun; Li, Nian Bing

2016-05-05

A simple, sensitive and label-free electrochemical sensor is developed for detection of Hg(2+) based on the strong and stable T-Hg(2+)-T mismatches. In the presence of Mg(2+), the parallel G-quadruplex structures could be specifically recognized and precipitated in parallel conformation. Therefore, the guanine nanowire was generated on the electrode surface, triggering the electrochemical H2O2-mediated oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). In this research, a new method of signal amplification for the quantitative detection of Hg(2+) was described based on the direct growth of guanine nanowire via guanine nanowire. Under optimum conditions, Hg(2+) was detected in the range of 100 pM-100 nM, and the detection limit is 33 pM. Compared to the traditional single G-quadruplex label unit, this electrochemical sensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity for detecting Hg(2+). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Theoretical modeling of critical temperature increase in metamaterial superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smolyaninov, Igor I.; Smolyaninova, Vera N.

2016-05-01

Recent experiments have demonstrated that the metamaterial approach is capable of a drastic increase of the critical temperature Tc of epsilon near zero (ENZ) metamaterial superconductors. For example, tripling of the critical temperature has been observed in Al -A l2O3 ENZ core-shell metamaterials. Here, we perform theoretical modeling of Tc increase in metamaterial superconductors based on the Maxwell-Garnett approximation of their dielectric response function. Good agreement is demonstrated between theoretical modeling and experimental results in both aluminum- and tin-based metamaterials. Taking advantage of the demonstrated success of this model, the critical temperature of hypothetic niobium-, Mg B2- , and H2S -based metamaterial superconductors is evaluated. The Mg B2 -based metamaterial superconductors are projected to reach the liquid nitrogen temperature range. In the case of a H2S -based metamaterial Tc appears to reach ˜250 K.

Cytidine-stabilized gold nanocluster as a fluorescence turn-on and turn-off probe for dual functional detection of Ag(+) and Hg(2+).

PubMed

Zhang, Yuanyuan; Jiang, Hui; Wang, Xuemei

2015-04-22

In this study, we have developed a label-free, dual functional detection strategy for highly selective and sensitive determination of aqueous Ag(+) and Hg(2+) by using cytidine stabilized Au NCs and AuAg NCs as fluorescent turn-on and turn off probes, respectively. The Au NCs and AuAg NCs showed a remarkably rapid response and high selectivity for Ag(+) and Hg(2+) over other metal ions, and relevant detection limit of Ag(+) and Hg(2+) is ca. 10 nM and 30 nM, respectively. Importantly, the fluorescence enhanced Au NCs by doping Ag(+) can be conveniently reusable for the detection of Hg(2+) based on the corresponding fluorescence quenching. The sensing mechanism was based on the high-affinity metallophilic Hg(2+)-Ag(+) interaction, which effectively quenched the fluorescence of AuAg NCs. Furthermore, these fluorescent nanoprobes could be readily applied to Ag(+) and Hg(2+) detection in environmental water samples, indicating their possibility to be utilized as a convenient, dual functional, rapid response, and label-free fluorescence sensor for related environmental and health monitoring. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High Pressure Properties of a Ba-Cu-Zn-P Clathrate-I

DOE PAGES

Dolyniuk, Juli -Anna; Kovnir, Kirill

2016-08-12

Here, the high pressure properties of the novel tetrel-free clathrate, Ba 8Cu 13.1Zn 3.3P 29.6, were investigated using synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. The pressure was applied using a diamond anvil cell. No structural transitions or decomposition were detected in the studied pressure range of 0.1–7 GPa. The calculated bulk modulus for Ba 8Cu 13.1Zn 3.3P 29.6 using a third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state is 65(6) GPa at 300 K. This bulk modulus is comparable to the bulk moduli of Ge- and Sn-based clathrates, like A 8Ga 16Ge 30 (A = Sr, Ba) and Sn 19.3Cu 4.7P 22I 8, but lowermore » than those for the transition metal-containing silicon-based clathrates, Ba 8 T xSi46–x, T = Ni, Cu; 3 ≤ x ≤ 5.« less

Chemical durability of high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O(7-x) in aqueous environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bansal, Narottam P.; Sandkuhl, Ann L.

1988-01-01

The stability of YBa2Cu3O(7-x) in water and 100-percent humidity has been investigated at three temperatures, using pH measurements, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The oxide-ceramic superconductor is highly unstable; it reacts rapidly with water and degrades in moisture. Dissolution of the oxide perovskite in water is highly incongruent. The corrosion products are found to be BaCO3, CuO, O2, etc. Barium hydroxide is first formed and further reacts with atmospheric CO2 to form needle-shaped crystals of BaCO3. For any practical applications, devices made from these materials would have to be protected with an impermeable coating to prevent deterioration from atmosphere.

ESR, SIMS and TEMF of an Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kirschner, I.; Giber, J.; Halasz, I.

1995-01-01

Superconducting transition comes into being between 92 K and 82 K in the samples having a Meissner's state value of 68 vol. percent. The main material content has an orthorhombic unit cell of Y1Ba2Cu408 accompanied by low quantity CuO and a sporadic phase. A proof of anisotropic superconductivity, an unusually high Cu ion concentration and a temperature dependent transition of charge carriers have been observed.

Control of Y-211 content in bulk YBCO superconductors fabricated by a buffer-aided, top seeded infiltration and growth melt process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Namburi, Devendra K.; Shi, Yunhua; Palmer, Kysen G.; Dennis, Anthony R.; Durrell, John H.; Cardwell, David A.

2016-03-01

Bulk (RE)-Ba-Cu-O ((RE)BCO, where RE stands for rare-earth), single grain superconductors can trap magnetic fields of several tesla at low temperatures and therefore can function potentially as high field magnets. Although top seeded melt growth (TSMG) is an established process for fabricating relatively high quality single grains of (RE)BCO for high field applications, this technique suffers from inherent problems such as sample shrinkage, a large intrinsic porosity and the presence of (RE)2BaCuO5 (RE-211)-free regions in the single grain microstructure. Seeded infiltration and growth (SIG), therefore, has emerged as a practical alternative to TSMG that overcomes many of these problems. Until now, however, the superconducting properties of bulk materials processed by SIG have been inferior to those fabricated using the TSMG technique. In this study, we identify that the inferior properties of SIG processed bulk superconductors are related to the presence of a relatively large Y-211 content (˜41.8%) in the single grain microstructure. Controlling the RE-211 content in SIG bulk samples is particularly challenging because it is difficult to regulate the entry of the liquid phase into the solid RE-211 preform during the infiltration process. In an attempt to solve this issue, we have investigated the effect of careful control of both the infiltration temperature and the quantity of liquid phase powder present in the sample preforms prior to processing. We conclude that careful control of the infiltration temperature is the most promising of these two process variables. Using this knowledge, we have fabricated successfully a YBCO bulk single grain using the SIG process of diameter 25 mm that exhibits a trapped field of 0.69 T at 77 K, which is the largest value reported to date for a sample fabricated by the SIG technique.

PREFACE: Celebrating 100 years of superconductivity: special issue on the iron-based superconductors Celebrating 100 years of superconductivity: special issue on the iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crabtree, George; Greene, Laura; Johnson, Peter

2011-12-01

In honor of this year's 100th anniversary of the discovery of superconductivity, this special issue of Reports on Progress in Physics is a dedicated issue to the 'iron-based superconductors'—a new class of high-temperature superconductors that were discovered in 2008. This is the first time the journal has generated a 'theme issue', and we provide this to the community to provide a 'snapshot' of the present status, both for researchers working in this fast-paced field, and for the general physics community. Reports on Progress in Physics publishes three classes of articles—comprehensive full Review Articles, Key Issues Reviews and, most recently, Reports on Progress articles that recount the current status of a rapidly evolving field, befitting of the articles in this special issue. It has been an exciting year for superconductivity—there have been numerous celebrations for this centenary recounting the fascinating history of this field, from seven Nobel prizes to life-saving discoveries that brought us medically useful magnetic resonance imaging. The discovery of a completely new class of high-temperature superconductors, whose mechanism remains as elusive as the cuprates discovered in 1986, has injected a new vitality into this field, and this year those new to the field were provided with the opportunity of interacting with those who have enjoyed a long history in superconductivity. Furthermore, as high-density current carriers with little or no power loss, high-temperature superconductors offer unique solutions to fundamental grid challenges of the 21st century and hold great promise in addressing our global energy challenges. The complexity and promise of these materials has caused our community to more freely share our ideas and results than ever before, and it is gratifying to see how we have grown into an enthusiastic global network to advance the field. This invited collection is true to this agenda and we are delighted to have received contributions

Anisotropic Magnus Force in Type-II Superconductors with Planar Defects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monroy, Ricardo Vega; Gomez, Eliceo Cortés

2015-02-01

The effect of planar defects on the Magnus force in type-II superconductors is studied. It is shown that the deformation of the vortex due to the presence of a planar defect leads to a local decrease in the mean free path of electrons in the vortex. This effect reduces the effective Magnus coefficient in normal direction to the planar defect, leading to an anisotropic regime of the Hall effect. The presented developments here can qualitatively explain experimental observations of the anisotropic Hall effect in high- T c superconductors in the mixed state.

Universal doping evolution of the superconducting gap anisotropy in single crystals of electron-doped Ba(Fe1-x Rh x )2As2 from London penetration depth measurements.

PubMed

Kim, Hyunsoo; Tanatar, M A; Martin, C; Blomberg, E C; Ni, Ni; Bud'ko, S L; Canfield, P C; Prozorov, R

2018-06-06

Doping evolution of the superconducting gap anisotropy was studied in single crystals of 4d-electron doped Ba(Fe 1-x Rh x ) 2 As 2 using tunnel diode resonator measurements of the temperature variation of the London penetration depth [Formula: see text]. Single crystals with doping levels representative of an underdoped regime x  =  0.039 ([Formula: see text] K), close to optimal doping x  =  0.057 ([Formula: see text] K) and overdoped x  =  0.079 ([Formula: see text] K) and x  =  0.131([Formula: see text] K) were studied. Superconducting energy gap anisotropy was characterized by the exponent, n, by fitting the data to the power-law, [Formula: see text]. The exponent n varies non-monotonically with x, increasing to a maximum n  =  2.5 for x  =  0.079 and rapidly decreasing towards overdoped compositions to 1.6 for x  =  0.131. This behavior is qualitatively similar to the doping evolution of the superconducting gap anisotropy in other iron pnictides, including hole-doped (Ba,K)Fe 2 As 2 and 3d-electron-doped Ba(Fe,Co) 2 As 2 superconductors, finding a full gap near optimal doping and strong anisotropy toward the ends of the superconducting dome in the T-x phase diagram. The normalized superfluid density in an optimally Rh-doped sample is almost identical to the temperature-dependence in the optimally doped Ba(Fe,Co) 2 As 2 samples. Our study supports the universal superconducting gap variation with doping and [Formula: see text] pairing at least in iron based superconductors of the BaFe 2 As 2 family.

James C. McGroddy Prize Lecutre: Iron-Based Superconductors: Discovery and Progress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosono, Hideo

2015-03-01

The largest breakthrough in the history is the discovery of high Tc Cuprates by G.Bednorz and A.Muller in 1986 and the maximum Tc exceeded 77K, boiling temperature of liquid nitrogen in 1987. However, no new superconductors with high Tc had been reported since then except MgB2 (Tc =39K) discovered by J.Akimitsu in 2001.We found LaFePO superconductor with Tc =3K in 2006 and LaFeAsO1-xFx with Tc =26K (42K at under high pressure of 5GPa) in early 2008. The latter discovery rekindled the extensive superconductivity research globally, and more than 10,000 papers have been published to now. This excitement originates from disprovement of a widely accepted belief that iron with a large magnetic moment is harmful for emergence of superconductivity and relatively high Tc. Extensive research on iron-based superconductors pushed up the maximal Tc to 56K, which is next to high Tc cuprates and has led to the discovery of more than 50 new iron-based superconducting materials to date. Seen are so many advances in elucidation of superconducting properties and pairing mechanism. In this talk, I introduce a tale to the discovery and show the current status by reviewing progresses in materials, properties, mechanism and the application covering the recent hot topics. Emphases are placed on the unique characteristics arising from multi-orbital nature which totally differs from high Tc cuprates.

Photoluminescence of Molecular Beam Epitaxy-Grown Mercury Cadmium Telluride: Comparison of HgCdTe/GaAs and HgCdTe/Si Technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mynbaev, K. D.; Bazhenov, N. L.; Dvoretsky, S. A.; Mikhailov, N. N.; Varavin, V. S.; Marin, D. V.; Yakushev, M. V.

2018-05-01

Properties of HgCdTe films grown by molecular beam epitaxy on GaAs and Si substrates have been studied by performing variable-temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurements. A substantial difference in defect structure between films grown on GaAs (013) and Si (013) substrates was revealed. HgCdTe/GaAs films were mostly free of defect-related energy levels within the bandgap, which was confirmed by PL and carrier lifetime measurements. By contrast, the properties of HgCdTe/Si films are affected by uncontrolled point defects. These could not be always associated with typical "intrinsic" HgCdTe defects, such as mercury vacancies, so consideration of other defects, possibly inherent in HgCdTe/Si structures, was required. The post-growth annealing was found to have a positive effect on the defect structure by reducing the full-widths at half-maximum of excitonic PL lines for both types of films and lowering the concentration of defects specific to HgCdTe/Si.

Simultaneous control of Hg0, SO2, and NOx by novel oxidized calcium-based sorbents.

PubMed

Ghorishi, S Behrooz; Singer, Carl F; Jozewicz, Wojciech S; Sedman, Charles B; Srivastava, Ravi K

2002-03-01

Efforts to develop multipollutant control strategies have demonstrated that adding certain oxidants to different classes of Ca-based sorbents leads to a significant improvement in elemental Hg vapor (Hg0), SO2, and NOx removal from simulated flue gases. In the study presented here, two classes of Ca-based sorbents (hydrated limes and silicate compounds) were investigated. A number of oxidizing additives at different concentrations were used in the Ca-based sorbent production process. The Hg0, SO2, and NOx capture capacities of these oxidant-enriched sorbents were evaluated and compared to those of a commercially available activated carbon in bench-scale, fixed-bed, and fluid-bed systems. Calcium-based sorbents prepared with two oxidants, designated C and M, exhibited Hg0 sorption capacities (approximately 100 microg/g) comparable to that of the activated carbon; they showed far superior SO2 and NOx sorption capacities. Preliminary cost estimates for the process utilizing these novel sorbents indicate potential for substantial lowering of control costs, as compared with other processes currently used or considered for control of Hg0, SO2, and NOx emissions from coal-fired boilers. The implications of these findings toward development of multipollutant control technologies and planned pilot and field evaluations of more promising multipollutant sorbents are summarily discussed.

Synthesis of Ba 0.6K 0.4BiO 3 and BaPb 0.75Bi 0.25O 3 superconductors by sol-gel process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rao, G. V. Rama; Varadaraju, U. V.; Mannan, S. L.

1994-12-01

We have synthesised Ba 0.6K 0.4BiO 3 (BKB) and BaPb 1-xBi xO 3-y compounds by sol-gel process. IR spectra of gels indicated the bridging type of bonding between metal carboxylates leading to the formation of homogeneous gels. BKB and BaPb 0.75Bi 0.25O 3 compounds exhibited sharp superconducting transitions from R-T and χ-T measurements indicating excellent homogeneity of the samples

A fluorescence turn-on sensor for iodide based on a thymine-Hg(II)-thymine complex.

PubMed

Ma, Boling; Zeng, Fang; Zheng, Fangyuan; Wu, Shuizhu

2011-12-23

Iodide plays a vital role in many biological processes, including neurological activity and thyroid function. Due to its physiological relevance, a method for the rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of iodide in food, pharmaceutical products, and biological samples such as urine is of great importance. Herein, we demonstrate a novel and facile strategy for constructing a fluorescence turn-on sensor for iodide based on a T-Hg(II)-T complex (T=thymine). A fluorescent anthracene-thymine dyad (An-T) was synthesized, the binding of which to a mercury(II) ion lead to the formation of a An-T-Hg(II)-T-An complex, thereby quenching the fluorescent emission of this dyad. In this respect, the dyad An-T constituted a fluorescence turn-off sensor for mercury(II) ions in aqueous media. More importantly, it was found that upon addition of iodide, the mercury(II) ion was extracted from the complex due to the even stronger binding between mercury(II) ions and iodide, leading to the release of the free dyad and restoration of the fluorescence. By virtue of this fluorescence quenching and recovery process, the An-T-Hg(II)-T-An complex constitutes a fluorescence turn-on sensor for iodide with a detection limit of 126 nM. Moreover, this sensor is highly selective for iodide over other common anions, and can be used in the determination of iodide in drinking water and biological samples such as urine. This strategy may provide a new approach for sensing some other anions. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Theoretical modeling of critical temperature increase in metamaterial superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smolyaninov, Igor; Smolyaninova, Vera

Recent experiments have demonstrated that the metamaterial approach is capable of drastic increase of the critical temperature Tc of epsilon near zero (ENZ) metamaterial superconductors. For example, tripling of the critical temperature has been observed in Al-Al2O3 ENZ core-shell metamaterials. Here, we perform theoretical modelling of Tc increase in metamaterial superconductors based on the Maxwell-Garnett approximation of their dielectric response function. Good agreement is demonstrated between theoretical modelling and experimental results in both aluminum and tin-based metamaterials. Taking advantage of the demonstrated success of this model, the critical temperature of hypothetic niobium, MgB2 and H2S-based metamaterial superconductors is evaluated. The MgB2-based metamaterial superconductors are projected to reach the liquid nitrogen temperature range. In the case of an H2S-based metamaterial Tc appears to reach 250 K. This work was supported in part by NSF Grant DMR-1104676 and the School of Emerging Technologies at Towson University.

Features of Superconducting Gaps Revealed by STM/STS in Iron Based Superconductors With and Without Hole Pockets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Hai-Hu; Hai-Hu Wen Team

The pairing mechanism and gap structure in iron based superconductors (IBS) remains unresolved. We have conducted extensive STM/STS study on the Na(Fe1-xTx) As (T =Co, Cu, Mn), Ba1-xKxFe2As2KFe2As2, and Li1-xFexOHFeSe single crystals. We found the clear evidence of the in-gap quasi-particle states induced by the non-magnetic Cu impurities in Na(Fe0.97- x Co0.03Cux) As, giving strong evidence of the S+/- pairing. Furthermore, we show the presence of the bosonic mode with the energy identical to that of the neutron resonance and a simple linear relation Ω/kBTc ~ 4.3, being explained a consequence of the S+/-pairing. The STS spectrum in Li1-x FexOHFeSe clearly indicates the presence of double superconducting gaps with Δ1 ~ 14.3 meV and Δ2 ~ 8.6 meV. Further analysis based on QPI allows us to assign the larger (smaller) gap to the outer (inner) hybridized electron pockets. The huge value 2Δ1/kBTc = 8.7 discovered here undoubtedly proves the strong coupling mechanism. This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Non-trivial role of interlayer cation states in iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valenti, Roser; Guterding, Daniel; Jeschke, Harald O.; Glasbrenner, J. K.; Bascones, E.; Mazin, I. I.

Unconventional superconductivity in iron pnictides and chalcogenides has been suggested to be controlled by the interplay of low-energy antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations and the particular topology of the Fermi surface in these materials. Under this assumption, one would expect the large class of isostructural and isoelectronic iron germanide compounds to be good superconductors, but they aren't. In this talk we will argue that superconductivity in iron germanides is suppressed by strong ferromagnetic tendencies, which surprisingly do not originate from changes in bond-angles or bond-distances with respect to iron pnictides, but are due to changes in the electronic structure in a wide range of energies happening upon substitution of atom species (As by Ge and the corresponding spacer cations). We will discuss the implications of these results in the general context of Fe-based superconductors. Funding by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft is acknowledged.

Masking agent-free and channel-switch-mode simultaneous sensing of Fe(3+) and Hg(2+) using dual-excitation graphene quantum dots.

PubMed

Xu, Fengzhou; Shi, Hui; He, Xiaoxiao; Wang, Kemin; He, Dinggeng; Yan, Lv'an; Ye, Xiaosheng; Tang, Jinlu; Shangguan, Jingfang; Luo, Lan

2015-06-21

A novel channel-switch-mode strategy for simultaneous sensing of Fe(3+) and Hg(2+) is developed with dual-excitation single-emission graphene quantum dots (GQDs). By utilizing the dual-channel fluorescence response performance of GQDs, this strategy achieved a facile, low-cost, masking agent-free, quantitative and selective dual-ion assay even in mixed ion samples and practical water samples.

Accumulation of Hg and other heavy metals in the Javan mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) captured on Amamioshima Island, Japan.

PubMed

Horai, Sawako; Minagawa, Mikiko; Ozaki, Hirokazu; Watanabe, Izumi; Takeda, Yasuo; Yamada, Katsushi; Ando, Tetsuo; Akiba, Suminori; Abe, Shintaro; Kuno, Katsuji

2006-10-01

Concentrations of 22 elements (Mg, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Tl, total Hg (T-Hg), Pb) and organic Hg (O-Hg) were examined in the liver, kidney and brain of the Javan mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) and in liver of the Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) from Amamioshima Island in Japan. Relatively high levels of T-Hg levels (from 1.75 to 55.5 microg g-1 wet wt.) were found in the Javan mongoose. As for a comparison of hepatic T-Hg concentrations between the two areas, there was no significant difference between the Javan mongoose in Amamioshima and those in the Okinawa islands. In addition, T-Hg levels in the livers of the Amami rabbit were the same as in the livers of other herbivorous mammals. Taken together, it suggested that T-Hg accumulation in the livers of the Javan mongoose was not affected by the environment but by a specific physiological mechanism. The comparison of Hg and other heavy metal accumulations between terrestrial mammals (13 species, 61 individuals) including the Javan mongoose and marine mammals (18 species, 508 individuals) were also discussed.

Large quasiparticle thermal Hall conductivity in the superconductor Ba1-xKxFe2As2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Checkelsky, Joseph; Li, Lu; Chen, G. F.; Luo, J. L.; Wang, N. L.; Ong, N. P.

2009-03-01

We have measured the thermal conductivity κxx and thermal Hall conductivity κxy in single-crystal Ba1-xKxFe2As2. Below the superconducting transition temperature Tc (˜ 30 K), we observe a large peak in the weak-field κxy . A corresponding peak in the zero-field thermal conductivity κxx is also observed. Together, these imply the existence of a large population of hole-like quasiparticles below Tc . In magnetic fields H approaching 35 T, the peaks in κxx are strongly suppressed. A fit of the κxx vs. H curves shows that the data are consistent with the scattering of long-lived quasiparticles by vortices. Using these fits, we have extracted estimates of the quasiparticle mean-free-path, and separated the zero-field electronic and phononic terms κe and κph, respectively. We discuss the origin of the large quasiparticle population in terms a strongly anisotropic gap parameter or a gap with nodes.

Improved synthesis of ceramic superconductors with alkaline earth peroxides - Synthesis and processing of Ba2YCu3O(7-x)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hepp, A. F.; Gaier, J. R.; Philipp, W. H.; Warner, J. D.; Aron, P. R.; Pouch, J. J.

1988-01-01

Synthesis processes for the preparation of ceramic conductors Ba2YCu3O(7-x) from BaO2 or BaCO3 in flowing O2 or N2 are described, and the characteristics of the materials produced in these processes are compared. Results of EDAX, XRD, SEM, and dc resistivity analyses demonstrated that superconducting materials made from BaO2 were more homogeneous, denser, and more metallic than materials produced from BaCO3, because of the higher reactivity of BaO2. Potential applications of this processes are discussed.

Fabrication of high temperature superconductors

DOEpatents

Balachandran, Uthamalingam; Dorris, Stephen E.; Ma, Beihai; Li, Meiya

2003-06-17

A method of forming a biaxially aligned superconductor on a non-biaxially aligned substrate substantially chemically inert to the biaxially aligned superconductor comprising is disclosed. A non-biaxially aligned substrate chemically inert to the superconductor is provided and a biaxially aligned superconductor material is deposited directly on the non-biaxially aligned substrate. A method forming a plume of superconductor material and contacting the plume and the non-biaxially aligned substrate at an angle greater than 0.degree. and less than 90.degree. to deposit a biaxially aligned superconductor on the non-biaxially aligned substrate is also disclosed. Various superconductors and substrates are illustrated.

BaTiO3-based piezoelectrics: Fundamentals, current status, and perspectives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acosta, M.; Novak, N.; Rojas, V.; Patel, S.; Vaish, R.; Koruza, J.; Rossetti, G. A.; Rödel, J.

2017-12-01

We present a critical review that encompasses the fundamentals and state-of-the-art knowledge of barium titanate-based piezoelectrics. First, the essential crystallography, thermodynamic relations, and concepts necessary to understand piezoelectricity and ferroelectricity in barium titanate are discussed. Strategies to optimize piezoelectric properties through microstructure control and chemical modification are also introduced. Thereafter, we systematically review the synthesis, microstructure, and phase diagrams of barium titanate-based piezoelectrics and provide a detailed compilation of their functional and mechanical properties. The most salient materials treated include the (Ba,Ca)(Zr,Ti)O3, (Ba,Ca)(Sn,Ti)O3, and (Ba,Ca)(Hf,Ti)O3 solid solution systems. The technological relevance of barium titanate-based piezoelectrics is also discussed and some potential market indicators are outlined. Finally, perspectives on productive lines of future research and promising areas for the applications of these materials are presented.

Hg-Based Epitaxial Materials for Topological Insulators

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-01

Research Laboratory for investigation of properties. 15. SUBJECT TERMS EOARD, topological insulator , diluted magnetic ...topological superconductors and spintronics to quantum computation (e.g. see C.L.Kane and J.E.Moore "Topological Insulators " Physics World (2011) 24...tetradymite semiconductors Bi2Te3, Bi2Se3, and Sb2Te3 which form magnetically ordered insulators when doped with transition metal elements Cr or Fe (Rui Yu et

Investigation of structural, ferroelectric, piezoelectric and dielectric properties of Ba0.92Ca0.08TiO3-BaTi0.96Zr0.04O3 lead-free electroceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keswani, Bhavna C.; Patil, S. I.; Kolekar, Y. D.

2018-04-01

Lead free ferroelectric with composition 0.55Ba0.92Ca0.08TiO3-0.45BaTi0.96Zr0.04O3 (BCT8-BZT4) was synthesized by solid state reaction method and investigated their structural, ferroelectric, piezoelectric and dielectric properties. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that BCT8-BZT4 ceramic possess both tetragonal (space group P4mm) and orthorhombic (space group Amm2) crystal structure which was further confirmed from Raman spectra spectroscopy. The micronized grains were observed from scanning electron micrographs while the presence of polarization-electric field hysteresis loop confirms ferroelectric nature of BCT8-BZT4 ceramic. Higher values of maximum polarization (Pmax = 22.27 μC/cm2), remnant polarization (Pr = 11.61 μC/cm2), coercive electric field (Ec = 4.77 kV/cm) and direct piezoelectric coefficient (d33) approximately 185 pC/N were observed. The real part of dielectric constant with frequency shows the usual dielectric dispersion behaviour at RT. The observed properties show that the lead free BCT8-BZT4 ceramic is suitable for ferroelectric memory device, piezoelectric sensor, capacitor, etc. applications.

Flexible tensile strain sensor based on lead-free 0.5Ba (Ti0.8Zr0.2) O3-0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3) TiO3 piezoelectric nanofibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xing, Lindong; Zhu, Ruijian; Wang, Zengmei; Wang, Fengxia; Kimura, Hideo

2017-09-01

Here, we report our study results of a flexible piezoelectric tensile strain sensor which is fabricated by synthesizing 0.5Ba (Zr0.2Ti0.8) O3-0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3) TiO3 (0.5BZT-0.5BCT) nanofibers via an electrospinning process. Our nanofibers show an ultrahigh d33 of 275 pm V-1. 0.5BZT-0.5BCT nanofibers and MW-CNTs are dispersed in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to fabricate a highly stretchable and flexible tensile sensor, and the multiple roles of the MW-CNTs are probed and demonstrated. This nanofiber-based piezoelectric tensile strain sensor shows great resolution and sensitivity under external mechanical deformation. It is suitable for applications in complex environments.

Cyclotron resonance in HgTe/CdTe-based heterostructures in high magnetic fields

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Cyclotron resonance study of HgTe/CdTe-based quantum wells with both inverted and normal band structures in quantizing magnetic fields was performed. In semimetallic HgTe quantum wells with inverted band structure, a hole cyclotron resonance line was observed for the first time. In the samples with normal band structure, interband transitions were observed with wide line width due to quantum well width fluctuations. In all samples, impurity-related magnetoabsorption lines were revealed. The obtained results were interpreted within the Kane 8·8 model, the valence band offset of CdTe and HgTe, and the Kane parameter EP being adjusted. PMID:23013642

Continuous lengths of oxide superconductors

DOEpatents

Kroeger, Donald M.; List, III, Frederick A.

2000-01-01

A layered oxide superconductor prepared by depositing a superconductor precursor powder on a continuous length of a first substrate ribbon. A continuous length of a second substrate ribbon is overlaid on the first substrate ribbon. Sufficient pressure is applied to form a bound layered superconductor precursor powder between the first substrate ribbon and the second substrate ribbon. The layered superconductor precursor is then heat treated to establish the oxide superconducting phase. The layered oxide superconductor has a smooth interface between the substrate and the oxide superconductor.

BaZr 0.1Ce 0.7Y 0.1Yb 0.1O 3- δ electrolyte-based solid oxide fuel cells with cobalt-free PrBaFe 2O 5+ δ layered perovskite cathode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Hanping; Xue, Xingjian

A new anode-supported SOFC material system Ni-BZCYYb|BZCYYb|PBFO is investigated, in which a cobalt-free layered perovskite oxide, PrBaFe 2O 5+ δ (PBFO), is synthesized and employed as a novel cathode while the synthesized BZCYYb is used as an electrolyte. The cell is fabricated by a simple dry-pressing/co-sintering process. The cell is tested and characterized under intermediate temperature range from 600 to 700 °C with humified H 2 (∼3% H 2O) as fuel, ambient air as oxidant. The results show that the open-circuit potential of 1.006 V and maximal power density of 452 mW cm -2 are achieved at 700 °C. The polarization resistance of the electrodes is 0.18 Ω cm 2 at 700 °C. Compared to BaZr 0.1Ce 0.7Y 0.1O 3- δ, the conductivity of co-doped barium zirconate-cerate BZCYYb is significantly improved. The ohmic resistance of single cell is 0.37 Ω cm 2 at 700 °C. The results indicate that the developed Ni-BZCYYb|BZCYYb|PBFO cell is a promising functional material system for SOFCs.

Processing of Superconductor-Normal-Superconductor Josephson Edge Junctions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kleinsasser, A. W.; Barner, J. B.

1997-01-01

The electrical behavior of epitaxial superconductor-normal-superconductor (SNS) Josephson edge junctions is strongly affected by processing conditions. Ex-situ processes, utilizing photoresist and polyimide/photoresist mask layers, are employed for ion milling edges for junctions with Yttrium-Barium-Copper-Oxide (YBCO) electrodes and primarily Co-doped YBCO interlayers.

Ferroelectric, elastic, piezoelectric, and dielectric properties of Ba(Ti0.7Zr0.3)O3-x(Ba0.82Ca0.18)TiO3 Pb-free ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Ruihao; Xue, Deqing; Zhou, Yumei; Ding, Xiangdong; Sun, Jun; Xue, Dezhen

2017-07-01

We designed and synthesized a pseudo-binary Pb-free system, Ba(Ti0.7Zr0.3)O3-x(Ba0.82Ca0.18)TiO3, by combining a rhombohedral end (with only cubic to rhombohedral ferroelectric phase transition) and a tetragonal end (with only cubic to tetragonal ferroelectric phase transition). The established composition-temperature phase diagram is characterized by a tricritical point type morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), and the MPB composition has better ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and dielectric properties than the compositions deviating from MPB. Moreover, a full set of material constants (including elastic stiffness constants, elastic compliance constants, piezoelectric constants, dielectric constants, and electromechanical coupling factors) of the MPB composition are determined using a resonance method. The good piezoelectric performance of the MPB composition can be ascribed to the high dielectric constants, elastic softening, and large electromechanical coupling factor.

Electronic structure and superconductivity of FeSe-related superconductors.

PubMed

Liu, Xu; Zhao, Lin; He, Shaolong; He, Junfeng; Liu, Defa; Mou, Daixiang; Shen, Bing; Hu, Yong; Huang, Jianwei; Zhou, X J

2015-05-13

FeSe superconductors and their related systems have attracted much attention in the study of iron-based superconductors owing to their simple crystal structure and peculiar electronic and physical properties. The bulk FeSe superconductor has a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of ~8 K and it can be dramatically enhanced to 37 K at high pressure. On the other hand, its cousin system, FeTe, possesses a unique antiferromagnetic ground state but is non-superconducting. Substitution of Se with Te in the FeSe superconductor results in an enhancement of Tc up to 14.5 K and superconductivity can persist over a large composition range in the Fe(Se,Te) system. Intercalation of the FeSe superconductor leads to the discovery of the AxFe2-ySe2 (A = K, Cs and Tl) system that exhibits a Tc higher than 30 K and a unique electronic structure of the superconducting phase. A recent report of possible high temperature superconductivity in single-layer FeSe/SrTiO3 films with a Tc above 65 K has generated much excitement in the community. This pioneering work opens a door for interface superconductivity to explore for high Tc superconductors. The distinct electronic structure and superconducting gap, layer-dependent behavior and insulator-superconductor transition of the FeSe/SrTiO3 films provide critical information in understanding the superconductivity mechanism of iron-based superconductors. In this paper, we present a brief review of the investigation of the electronic structure and superconductivity of the FeSe superconductor and related systems, with a particular focus on the FeSe films.

A moving target: responding to magnetic and structural disorder in lanthanide- and actinide-based superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bauer, Eric D; Mitchell, Jeremy N; Booth, C H

2009-01-01

The effects of various chemical substitutions and induced lattice disorder in the Ce- and Pu-based 115 superconductors are reviewed, with particular emphasis on results from x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements. The competition between spin, charge, and lattice interactions is at the heart of many of the strongly-correlated ground states in materials of current interest, such as in colossal magnetoresistors and high-temperature superconductors. This relationship is particularly strong in the CeTIn{sub 5} and PuTGa{sub 5} series (T = Co, Rh, Ir) of heavy-fermion superconductors. In these systems (figure 1), competition between bulk magnetic and non-magnetic ground states, as well asmore » between superconducting and normal states, are directly related to local properties around the lanthanide or actinide ion, such as the nearest-neighbor bond lengths and the local density of states at the Fermi level. Tiny changes in the latter values can easily tip the balance from one ground state to another. This paper reviews recent work by the authors exploring the relationship between local crystal and electronic structure and ground state magnetic and conducting properties in the Ce- and Pu-based 115 materials.« less

Hg and Pt-metals in meteorite carbon-rich residues - Suggestions for possible host phase for Hg

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jovanovic, S.; Reed, G. W., Jr.

1980-01-01

Carbon-rich and oxide residual phases have been isolated from Allende and Murchison by acid demineralization for the determination of their Hg, Pt-metal, Cr, Sc, Co, and Fe contents. Experimental procedures used eliminated the possibility of exogenous and endogenous contaminant trace elements from coprecipitating with the residues. Large enrichments of Hg and Pt-metals were found in Allende but not in Murchison residues. Hg-release profiles from stepwise heating experiments suggest a sulfide as the host for Hg. Diffusion calculations for Hg based on these experiments indicate an activation energy of 7-8 kcal/mol, the same as that for Hg in troilite from an iron meteorite. This is further support for a sulfide host phase for Hg. Equilibration of Hg with this phase at approximately 900 K is indicated. Reasons for the presence of Pt-metals in noncosmic relative abundances are explored.

Thermal Expansion of Ferromagnetic Superconductors:. Possible Application to UGe2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatayama, Nobukuni; Konno, Rikio

2011-03-01

We investigate the temperature dependence of thermal expansion of the ferromagnetic triplet superconductors and their thermal expansion coefficients below the superconducting transition temperature of a majority spin conduction band. The free energy of the ferromagnetic superconductors derived by Linder et al. is used. The superconducting gaps in the A2 phase of 3He and with a node in UGe2 are considered. By applying Takahashi's method to the free energy, i.e. by taking into account the volume dependence of the free energy explicitly, the temperature dependence of the thermal expansion and the thermal expansion coefficients is studied below the superconducting transition temperature of the majority spin conduction band. We find that we have anomalies of the thermal expansion in the vicinity of the superconducting transition temperatures and that we have divergence of the thermal expansion coefficients are divergent at the superconducting transition temperatures. The Grüneisen's relation between the temperature dependence of the thermal expansion coefficients and the temperature dependence of the specific heat at low temperatures is satisfied.

Thermal Expansion of Ferromagnetic Superconductors:. Possible Application to UGe2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatayama, Nobukuni; Konno, Rikio

We investigate the temperature dependence of thermal expansion of the ferromagnetic triplet superconductors and their thermal expansion coefficients below the superconducting transition temperature of a majority spin conduction band. The free energy of the ferromagnetic superconductors derived by Linder et al. is used. The superconducting gaps in the A2 phase of 3He and with a node in UGe2 are considered. By applying Takahashi's method to the free energy, i.e. by taking into account the volume dependence of the free energy explicitly, the temperature dependence of the thermal expansion and the thermal expansion coefficients is studied below the superconducting transition temperature of the majority spin conduction band. We find that we have anomalies of the thermal expansion in the vicinity of the superconducting transition temperatures and that we have divergence of the thermal expansion coefficients are divergent at the superconducting transition temperatures. The Grüneisen's relation between the temperature dependence of the thermal expansion coefficients and the temperature dependence of the specific heat at low temperatures is satisfied.

A comparison of ASTROMAG coils made with aluminum and copper based superconductor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, M. A.

1991-01-01

The use of an aluminum matrix superconductor in the coils for the ASTROMAG magnet will increase the integrated field for conducting particle astrophysics experiments in space as compared to equal mass coils made with a copper matrix superconductor. The increased ability to detect charged particles can be achieved without decreasing the current margin of the superconductor in the coils. The use of a low-resistivity aluminum matrix conductor increases the energy needed to initiate a quench by two orders or magnitude. The current decay time constant during a quench is substantially increased. As a result, the quench energy dumped into the helium tank is reduced (the ASTROMAG coils are thermally decoupled from the helium tank), and the forces on the shield and shells due to eddy currents will be lower. A description is also given of the problems associated with the use of an aluminum matrix superconductor in the coils.

Present status of PIT round wires of 122-type iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamegai, T.; Suwa, T.; Pyon, S.; Kajitani, H.; Takano, K.; Koizumi, N.; Awaji, S.; Watanabe, K.

2017-12-01

Outstanding characteristics with high T c and H c2 and small anisotropy in iron-based superconductors (IBSs) have triggered the development of superconducting wires and tapes using these novel superconductors. In this short article, developments and present status of round wires of 122-type IBSs are reviewed. By introducing hot-isostatic pressing (HIP) technique, J c in round wires of 122-type IBSs has been improved significantly. Further improvements have been realized by refining the fabrication process of the core material and introducing partial texturing of the wire core. The largest transport J c for round wires at 4.2 K at self-field and 100 kOe are 2.0x105 A/cm2 and 3.8x104 A/cm2, respectively. We also compare the J c characteristics of wires and tapes processed by HIP.

HR 8844: A New Transition Object between the Am Stars and the HgMn Stars?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monier, R.; Gebran, M.; Royer, F.; Kilicoglu, T.; Frémat, Y.

2018-02-01

While monitoring a sample of apparently slowly rotating superficially normal early-A stars, we have discovered that HR 8844 (A0 V) is actually a new chemically peculiar star. We first compared the high-resolution spectrum of HR 8844 with that of four slow rotators near A0V (ν Cap, ν Cnc, Sirius A, and HD 72660) to highlight similarities and differences. The lines of Ti II, Cr II, Sr II, and Ba II are conspicuous features in the high-resolution high signal-to-noise SOPHIE spectra of HR 8844 and much stronger than in the spectra of the normal star ν Cap. The Hg II line at 3983.93 Å is also present in a 3.5% blend. Selected unblended lines of 31 chemical elements from He up to Hg have been synthesized using model atmospheres computed with ATLAS9 and the spectrum synthesis code SYNSPEC48 including hyperfine structure of various isotopes when relevant. These synthetic spectra have been adjusted to the mean SOPHIE spectrum of HR 8844, and high-resolution spectra of the comparison stars. Chi-squares were minimized to derive abundances or upper limits to the abundances of these elements for HR 8844 and the comparison stars. HR 8844 is found to have underabundances of He, C, O, Mg, Ca, and Sc, mild enhancements of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, and distinct enhancements of the heavy elements Sr, Y, Zr, Ba, La, Pr, Sm, Eu, and Hg, the overabundances increasing steadily with atomic number. This chemical pattern suggests that HR 8844 may actually be a new transition object between the coolest HgMn stars and the Am stars.

A highly sensitive turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for recognition of Zn2 + and Hg2 + and applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Xu; Han, Juan; Wang, Yun; Bao, Xu; Ni, Liang; Wang, Lei; Li, Longhua

2017-09-01

A fluorescence probe has been designed and synthesized, and applied with a combined theoretical and experimental study. Research suggests that the probe can be used to sense Zn2 + and Hg2 + through selective turn-on fluorescence responses in the aqueous HEPES buffer (0.05M, pH = 7.4). The limit of detection (LOD) were determined as 1.46 × 10- 7 M (Zn2 +) and 2.50 × 10- 7 M (Hg2 +). Moreover, based on DFT, the geometry optimizations of probe 1, [1-Hg2 +] complex and [1-Zn2 +] complex were carried out using the Gaussian 09 program, in which the B3LYP function was used. The electronic properties of free probe 1 and the metal complexes were studied based on the Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analyses. The probe 1 has also been successfully applied to detection of Zn2 + and Hg2 + in living cells.

Vortex pinning in artificially layered Ba(Fe,Co)2As2 film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, M. J.; Lee, Jongmin; Seo, Sehun; Yoon, Sejun; Seo, M. S.; Park, S. Y.; Kim, Ho-Sup; Ha, Dong-Woo; Lee, Sanghan; Jo, Youn Jung

2018-06-01

Static high critical current densities (Jc) > 1 MA/cm2 with magnetic field parallel or perpendicular to c-axis were realized in Co-doped/undoped multilayerd BaFe2As2 films. We made a current bridge by FIB to allow precise measurements, and confirmed that the boundary quality using FIB was considerably better than the quality achieved using a laser. The presence of a high in-plane Jc suggested the existence of c-axis correlated vortex pinning centers. To clarify the relationship between the Jc performance and superstructures, we investigated the magnetic flux pinning mechanism using scaling theory of the volume pinning force Fp(H). The Jc(H) curves, Fp/Fp,max vs. h = H/Hirr curves, and parameters p and q depended on the characteristics of the flux pinning mechanism. It was found that the dominant pinning mechanism of Co-doped/undoped multilayerd BaFe2As2 films was Δl-pinning and the inserted undoped BaFe2As2 layers remained non-superconducting. The dominant pin geometry varied when the magnetic field direction changed. It was concluded that the artificially layered BaFe2As2 film is a 3-D superconductor due to its long correlation length compared to the thickness of the non-superconducting layer.

Hedgehog spin-vortex crystal stabilized in a hole-doped iron-based superconductor

DOE PAGES

Meier, William R.; Ding, Qing-Ping; Kreyssig, Andreas; ...

2018-02-09

Magnetism is widely considered to be a key ingredient of unconventional superconductivity. In contrast to cuprate high-temperature superconductors, antiferromagnetism in most Fe-based superconductors (FeSCs) is characterized by a pair of magnetic propagation vectors, (π,0) and (0,π). Consequently, three different types of magnetic order are possible. Of these, only stripe-type spin-density wave (SSDW) and spin-charge-density wave (SCDW) orders have been observed. A realization of the proposed spin-vortex crystal (SVC) order is noticeably absent. We report a magnetic phase consistent with the hedgehog variation of SVC order in Ni-doped and Co-doped CaKFe 4As 4 based on thermodynamic, transport, structural and local magneticmore » probes combined with symmetry analysis. The exotic SVC phase is stabilized by the reduced symmetry of the CaKFe 4As 4 structure. Thus, our results suggest that the possible magnetic ground states in FeSCs have very similar energies, providing an enlarged configuration space for magnetic fluctuations to promote high-temperature superconductivity.« less

Hedgehog spin-vortex crystal stabilized in a hole-doped iron-based superconductor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meier, William R.; Ding, Qing-Ping; Kreyssig, Andreas

Magnetism is widely considered to be a key ingredient of unconventional superconductivity. In contrast to cuprate high-temperature superconductors, antiferromagnetism in most Fe-based superconductors (FeSCs) is characterized by a pair of magnetic propagation vectors, (π,0) and (0,π). Consequently, three different types of magnetic order are possible. Of these, only stripe-type spin-density wave (SSDW) and spin-charge-density wave (SCDW) orders have been observed. A realization of the proposed spin-vortex crystal (SVC) order is noticeably absent. We report a magnetic phase consistent with the hedgehog variation of SVC order in Ni-doped and Co-doped CaKFe 4As 4 based on thermodynamic, transport, structural and local magneticmore » probes combined with symmetry analysis. The exotic SVC phase is stabilized by the reduced symmetry of the CaKFe 4As 4 structure. Thus, our results suggest that the possible magnetic ground states in FeSCs have very similar energies, providing an enlarged configuration space for magnetic fluctuations to promote high-temperature superconductivity.« less

Stress analysis in high-temperature superconductors under pulsed field magnetization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Haowei; Yong, Huadong; Zhou, Youhe

2018-04-01

Bulk high-temperature superconductors (HTSs) have a high critical current density and can trap a large magnetic field. When bulk superconductors are magnetized by the pulsed field magnetization (PFM) technique, they are also subjected to a large electromagnetic stress, and the resulting thermal stress may cause cracking of the superconductor due to the brittle nature of the sample. In this paper, based on the H-formulation and the law of heat transfer, we can obtain the distributions of electromagnetic field and temperature, which are in qualitative agreement with experiment. After that, based on the dynamic equilibrium equations, the mechanical response of the bulk superconductor is determined. During the PFM process, the change in temperature has a dramatic effect on the radial and hoop stresses, and the maximum radial and hoop stress are 24.2 {{MPa}} and 22.6 {{MPa}}, respectively. The mechanical responses of a superconductor for different cases are also studied, such as the peak value of the applied field and the size of bulk superconductors. Finally, the stresses are also presented for different magnetization methods.

System and method for quench and over-current protection of superconductor

DOEpatents

Huang, Xianrui; Laskaris, Evangelos Trifon; Sivasubramaniam, Kiruba Haran; Bray, James William; Ryan, David Thomas; Fogarty, James Michael; Steinbach, Albert Eugene

2005-05-31

A system and method for protecting a superconductor. The system may comprise a current sensor operable to detect a current flowing through the superconductor. The system may comprise a coolant temperature sensor operable to detect the temperature of a cryogenic coolant used to cool the superconductor to a superconductive state. The control circuit is operable to estimate the superconductor temperature based on the current flow and the coolant temperature. The system may also be operable to compare the estimated superconductor temperature to at least one threshold temperature and to initiate a corrective action when the superconductor temperature exceeds the at least one threshold temperature.

Probing transport mechanisms of BaFe2As2 superconducting films and grain boundary junctions by noise spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Barone, C.; Romeo, F.; Pagano, S.; Adamo, M.; Nappi, C.; Sarnelli, E.; Kurth, F.; Iida, K.

2014-01-01

An important step forward for the understanding of high-temperature superconductivity has been the discovery of iron-based superconductors. Among these compounds, iron pnictides could be used for high-field magnet applications, resulting more advantageous over conventional superconductors, due to a high upper critical field as well as its low anisotropy at low temperatures. However, the principal obstacle in fabricating high quality superconducting wires and tapes is given by grain boundaries. In order to study these effects, the dc transport and voltage-noise properties of Co-doped BaFe2As2 superconducting films with artificial grain boundary junctions have been investigated. A specific procedure allows the separation of the film noise from that of the junction. While the former shows a standard 1/f behaviour, the latter is characterized by an unconventional temperature-dependent multi-Lorentzian voltage-spectral density. Moreover, below the film superconducting critical temperature, a peculiar noise spectrum is found for the grain boundary junction. Possible theoretical interpretation of these phenomena is proposed. PMID:25145385

Glass precursor approach to high-temperature superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bansal, Narottam P.

1992-01-01

The available studies on the synthesis of high T sub c superconductors (HTS) via the glass precursor approach were reviewed. Melts of the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system as well as those doped with oxides of some other elements (Pb, Al, V, Te, Nb, etc.) could be quenched into glasses which, on further heat treatments under appropriate conditions, crystallized into the superconducting phase(s). The nature of the HTS phase(s) formed depends on the annealing temperature, time, atmosphere, and the cooling rate and also on the glass composition. Long term annealing was needed to obtain a large fraction of the 110 K phase. The high T sub c phase did not crystallize out directly from the glass matrix, but was preceded by the precipitation of other phases. The 110 K HTS was produced at high temperatures by reaction between the phases formed at lower temperatures resulting in multiphase material. The presence of a glass former such as B2O3 was necessary for the Y-Ba-Cu-O melt to form a glass on fast cooling. A discontinuous YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) HTS phase crystallized out on heat treatment of this glass. Attempts to prepare Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O system in the glassy state were not successful.

Accelerated Discovery of Large Electrostrains in BaTiO3 -Based Piezoelectrics Using Active Learning.

PubMed

Yuan, Ruihao; Liu, Zhen; Balachandran, Prasanna V; Xue, Deqing; Zhou, Yumei; Ding, Xiangdong; Sun, Jun; Xue, Dezhen; Lookman, Turab

2018-02-01

A key challenge in guiding experiments toward materials with desired properties is to effectively navigate the vast search space comprising the chemistry and structure of allowed compounds. Here, it is shown how the use of machine learning coupled to optimization methods can accelerate the discovery of new Pb-free BaTiO 3 (BTO-) based piezoelectrics with large electrostrains. By experimentally comparing several design strategies, it is shown that the approach balancing the trade-off between exploration (using uncertainties) and exploitation (using only model predictions) gives the optimal criterion leading to the synthesis of the piezoelectric (Ba 0.84 Ca 0.16 )(Ti 0.90 Zr 0.07 Sn 0.03 )O 3 with the largest electrostrain of 0.23% in the BTO family. Using Landau theory and insights from density functional theory, it is uncovered that the observed large electrostrain is due to the presence of Sn, which allows for the ease of switching of tetragonal domains under an electric field. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

System and method for quench protection of a superconductor

DOEpatents

Huang, Xianrui; Sivasubramaniam, Kiruba Haran; Bray, James William; Ryan, David Thomas

2008-03-11

A system and method for protecting a superconductor from a quench condition. A quench protection system is provided to protect the superconductor from damage due to a quench condition. The quench protection system comprises a voltage detector operable to detect voltage across the superconductor. The system also comprises a frequency filter coupled to the voltage detector. The frequency filter is operable to couple voltage signals to a control circuit that are representative of a rise in superconductor voltage caused by a quench condition and to block voltage signals that are not. The system is operable to detect whether a quench condition exists in the superconductor based on the voltage signal received via the frequency filter and to initiate a protective action in response.

Magnetism, superconductivity, and spontaneous orbital order in iron-based superconductors: Which comes first and why?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chubukov, Andrey V.; Khodas, M.; Fernandes, Rafael M.

Magnetism and nematic order are the two nonsuperconducting orders observed in iron-based superconductors. To elucidate the interplay between them and ultimately unveil the pairing mechanism, several models have been investigated. In models with quenched orbital degrees of freedom, magnetic fluctuations promote stripe magnetism, which induces orbital order. In models with quenched spin degrees of freedom, charge fluctuations promote spontaneous orbital order, which induces stripe magnetism. Here, we develop an unbiased approach, in which we treat magnetic and orbital fluctuations on equal footing. Key to our approach is the inclusion of the orbital character of the low-energy electronic states into renormalizationmore » group (RG) analysis. We analyze the RG flow of the couplings and argue that the same magnetic fluctuations, which are known to promote s ± superconductivity, also promote an attraction in the orbital channel, even if the bare orbital interaction is repulsive. We next analyze the RG flow of the susceptibilities and show that, if all Fermi pockets are small, the system first develops a spontaneous orbital order, then s ± superconductivity, and magnetic order does not develop down to T=0. We argue that this scenario applies to FeSe. In systems with larger pockets, such as BaFe 2As 2 and LaFeAsO, we find that the leading instability is either towards a spin-density wave or superconductivity. We argue that in this situation nematic order is caused by composite spin fluctuations and is vestigial to stripe magnetism. Finally, our results provide a unifying description of different iron-based materials.« less

Magnetism, superconductivity, and spontaneous orbital order in iron-based superconductors: Which comes first and why?

DOE PAGES

Chubukov, Andrey V.; Khodas, M.; Fernandes, Rafael M.

2016-12-02

Magnetism and nematic order are the two nonsuperconducting orders observed in iron-based superconductors. To elucidate the interplay between them and ultimately unveil the pairing mechanism, several models have been investigated. In models with quenched orbital degrees of freedom, magnetic fluctuations promote stripe magnetism, which induces orbital order. In models with quenched spin degrees of freedom, charge fluctuations promote spontaneous orbital order, which induces stripe magnetism. Here, we develop an unbiased approach, in which we treat magnetic and orbital fluctuations on equal footing. Key to our approach is the inclusion of the orbital character of the low-energy electronic states into renormalizationmore » group (RG) analysis. We analyze the RG flow of the couplings and argue that the same magnetic fluctuations, which are known to promote s ± superconductivity, also promote an attraction in the orbital channel, even if the bare orbital interaction is repulsive. We next analyze the RG flow of the susceptibilities and show that, if all Fermi pockets are small, the system first develops a spontaneous orbital order, then s ± superconductivity, and magnetic order does not develop down to T=0. We argue that this scenario applies to FeSe. In systems with larger pockets, such as BaFe 2As 2 and LaFeAsO, we find that the leading instability is either towards a spin-density wave or superconductivity. We argue that in this situation nematic order is caused by composite spin fluctuations and is vestigial to stripe magnetism. Finally, our results provide a unifying description of different iron-based materials.« less

Quencher-Free Fluorescence Method for the Detection of Mercury(II) Based on Polymerase-Aided Photoinduced Electron Transfer Strategy.

PubMed

Liu, Haisheng; Ma, Linbin; Ma, Changbei; Du, Junyan; Wang, Meilan; Wang, Kemin

2016-11-18

A new quencher-free Hg 2+ ion assay method was developed based on polymerase-assisted photoinduced electron transfer (PIET). In this approach, a probe is designed with a mercury ion recognition sequence (MRS) that is composed of two T-rich functional areas separated by a spacer of random bases at the 3'-end, and a sequence of stacked cytosines at the 5'-end, to which a fluorescein (FAM) is attached. Upon addition of Hg 2+ ions into this sensing system, the MRS folds into a hairpin structure at the 3'-end with Hg 2+ -mediated base pairs. In the presence of DNA polymerase, it will catalyze the extension reaction, resulting in the formation of stacked guanines, which will instantly quench the fluorescence of FAM through PIET. Under optimal conditions, the limit of detection for Hg 2+ ions was estimated to be 5 nM which is higher than the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard limit. In addition, no labeling with a quencher was requiring, and the present method is fairly simple, fast and low cost. It is expected that this cost-effective fluorescence method might hold considerable potential in the detection of Hg 2+ ions in real biological and environmental samples.

Magnetic excitations in iron chalcogenide superconductors.

PubMed

Kotegawa, Hisashi; Fujita, Masaki

2012-10-01

Nuclear magnetic resonance and neutron scattering experiments in iron chalcogenide superconductors are reviewed to make a survey of the magnetic excitations in FeSe, FeSe 1- x Te x and alkali-metal-doped A x Fe 2- y Se 2 ( A = K, Rb, Cs, etc). In FeSe, the intimate relationship between the spin fluctuations and superconductivity can be seen universally for the variations in the off-stoichiometry, the Co-substitution and applied pressure. The isovalent compound FeTe has a magnetic ordering with different wave vector from that of other Fe-based magnetic materials. The transition temperature T c of FeSe increases with Te substitution in FeSe 1- x Te x with small x , and decreases in the vicinity of the end member FeTe. The spin fluctuations are drastically modified by the Te substitution. In the vicinity of the end member FeTe, the low-energy part of the spin fluctuation is dominated by the wave vector of the ordered phase of FeTe; however, the reduction of T c shows that it does not support superconductivity. The presence of same wave vector as that of other Fe-based superconductors in FeSe 1- x Te x and the observation of the resonance mode demonstrate that FeSe 1- x Te x belongs to the same group as most of other Fe-based superconductors in the entire range of x , where superconductivity is mediated by the spin fluctuations whose wave vector is the same as the nesting vector between the hole pockets and the electron pockets. On the other hand, the spin fluctuations differ for alkali-metal-doped A x Fe 2- y Se 2 and FeSe or other Fe-based superconductors in their wave vector and strength in the low-energy part, most likely because of the different Fermi surfaces. The resonance mode with different wave vector suggests that A x Fe 2- y Se 2 has an exceptional superconducting symmetry among Fe-based superconductors.

Ground state, collective mode, phase soliton and vortex in multiband superconductors.

PubMed

Lin, Shi-Zeng

2014-12-10

This article reviews theoretical and experimental work on the novel physics in multiband superconductors. Multiband superconductors are characterized by multiple superconducting energy gaps in different bands with interaction between Cooper pairs in these bands. The discovery of prominent multiband superconductors MgB2 and later iron-based superconductors, has triggered enormous interest in multiband superconductors. The most recently discovered superconductors exhibit multiband features. The multiband superconductors possess novel properties that are not shared with their single-band counterpart. Examples include: the time-reversal symmetry broken state in multiband superconductors with frustrated interband couplings; the collective oscillation of number of Cooper pairs between different bands, known as the Leggett mode; and the phase soliton and fractional vortex, which are the main focus of this review. This review presents a survey of a wide range of theoretical exploratory and experimental investigations of novel physics in multiband superconductors. A vast amount of information derived from these studies is shown to highlight unusual and unique properties of multiband superconductors and to reveal the challenges and opportunities in the research on the multiband superconductivity.

Effects of electron irradiation on resistivity and London penetration depth of Ba1-xKxFe2As2 (x <= 0.34) iron-pnictide superconductor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cho, K; Konczykowski, M; Murphy, Jason

2014-09-01

Irradiation with 2.5 MeV electrons at doses up to 5.2×1019 electrons/cm2 was used to introduce pointlike defects in single crystals of Ba1-xKxFe2As2 with x=0.19 (Tc=14K),0.26 (Tc=32K), 0.32 (Tc=37K), and 0.34 (Tc=39K) to study the superconducting gap structure by probing the effect of nonmagnetic scattering on electrical resistivity ρ(T) and London penetration depth λ(T). For all compositions, the irradiation suppressed the superconducting transition temperature Tc and increased resistivity. The low-temperature behavior of λ(T) is best described by the power-law function, Δλ(T)=A(T/Tc)n. While substantial suppression of Tc supports s± pairing, in samples close to the optimal doping, x=0.26, 0.32, and 0.34, themore » exponent n remained high (n≥3), indicating almost exponential attenuation and thus a robust full superconducting gap. For the x=0.19 composition, which exhibits coexistence of superconductivity and long-range magnetism, the suppression of Tc was much more rapid, and the exponent n decreased toward the s± dirty limit of n=2. In this sample, the irradiation also suppressed the temperature of structural/magnetic transition Tsm from 103 to 98 K, consistent with the itinerant nature of the long-range magnetic order. Our results suggest that underdoped compositions, especially in the coexisting regime, are most susceptible to nonmagnetic scattering and imply that in multiband Ba1-xKxFe2As2 superconductors, the ratio of the interband to intraband pairing strength, as well as the related gap anisotropy, increases upon the departure from the optimal doping.« less

Microwave Properties of Superconductors Close to the Superconductor-Insulator Transition.

PubMed

Feigel'man, M V; Ioffe, L B

2018-01-19

Strongly disordered pseudogapped superconductors are expected to display arbitrarily high values of kinetic inductance close to the superconductor-insulator transition (SIT), which make them attractive for the implementation of large dissipationless inductance. We develop the theory of the collective modes in these superconductors and discuss associated dissipation at microwave frequencies. We obtain the collective mode spectra dependence on the disorder level and conclude that collective modes become a relevant source of dissipation and noise in the outer proximity of the SIT.

Microwave Properties of Superconductors Close to the Superconductor-Insulator Transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feigel'man, M. V.; Ioffe, L. B.

2018-01-01

Strongly disordered pseudogapped superconductors are expected to display arbitrarily high values of kinetic inductance close to the superconductor-insulator transition (SIT), which make them attractive for the implementation of large dissipationless inductance. We develop the theory of the collective modes in these superconductors and discuss associated dissipation at microwave frequencies. We obtain the collective mode spectra dependence on the disorder level and conclude that collective modes become a relevant source of dissipation and noise in the outer proximity of the SIT.

Identifying the genes of unconventional high temperature superconductors.

PubMed

Hu, Jiangping

We elucidate a recently emergent framework in unifying the two families of high temperature (high [Formula: see text]) superconductors, cuprates and iron-based superconductors. The unification suggests that the latter is simply the counterpart of the former to realize robust extended s-wave pairing symmetries in a square lattice. The unification identifies that the key ingredients (gene) of high [Formula: see text] superconductors is a quasi two dimensional electronic environment in which the d -orbitals of cations that participate in strong in-plane couplings to the p -orbitals of anions are isolated near Fermi energy. With this gene, the superexchange magnetic interactions mediated by anions could maximize their contributions to superconductivity. Creating the gene requires special arrangements between local electronic structures and crystal lattice structures. The speciality explains why high [Formula: see text] superconductors are so rare. An explicit prediction is made to realize high [Formula: see text] superconductivity in Co/Ni-based materials with a quasi two dimensional hexagonal lattice structure formed by trigonal bipyramidal complexes.

History of HgTe-based photodetectors in Poland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogalski, A.

2010-09-01

In Poland, the HgCdTe studies began in 1960 at the Institute of Physics, Warsaw University. The material processing laboratory was created by Giriat and later by Dziuba, Gałązka, and others. Bridgman technique with sealed thick wall quartz ampoules was used to grow material suitable for research and experimental devices. Among the first papers published in 1961 and 1963 there were the Polish works devoted to preparation, doping, and electrical properties of HgCdTe. Infrared detector's research and development efforts in Poland were concentrated mostly on uncooled market niche. At the beginning, a modified isothermal vapour phase epitaxy has been used for research and commercial fabrication of photoconductive, photoelectromagnetic and other HgCdTe devices. Bulk growth and liquid phase epitaxy were also used. Recently, the fabrication of infrared devices relies on low temperature epitaxial technique, namely metalorganic vapour phase deposition. At present stage of development, the photoconductive and photoelectromagnetic (PEM) detectors are gradually replaced with photovoltaic devices which offer inherent advantages of no electric or magnetic bias, no heat load and no flicker noise. Potentially, photodiodes offer high performance and very fast response. However, conventional photovoltaic uncooled detectors suffer from low quantum efficiency and very low junction resistance. The problems have been solved with advanced band gap engineered architecture, multiple cell heterojunction devices connected in series, and monolithic integration of the detectors with microoptics. In final part of the paper, the Polish achievements in technology and performance of HgMnTe and HgZnTe photodetectors are presented.

Synthesis of high-oxidation Y-Ba-Cu-O phases in superoxygenated thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, H.; Gauquelin, N.; McMahon, C.; Hawthorn, D. G.; Botton, G. A.; Wei, J. Y. T.

2018-03-01

It is known that solid-state reaction in high-pressure oxygen can stabilize high-oxidation phases of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors in powder form. We extend this superoxygenation concept of synthesis to thin films which, due to their large surface-to-volume ratio, are more reactive thermodynamically. Epitaxial thin films of YBa2Cu3O7 -δ grown by pulsed laser deposition are annealed at up to 700 atm O2 and 900 ∘C , in conjunction with Cu enrichment by solid-state diffusion. The films show the clear formation of Y2Ba4Cu7O15 -δ and Y2Ba4Cu8O16 as well as regions of YBa2Cu5O9 -δ and YBa2Cu6O10 -δ phases, according to scanning transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Similarly annealed YBa2Cu3O7 -δ powders show no phase conversion. Our results demonstrate a route of synthesis towards discovering more complex phases of cuprates and other superconducting oxides.

Unusually high critical current of clean P-doped BaFe2As2 single crystalline thin film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurth, F.; Tarantini, C.; Grinenko, V.; Hänisch, J.; Jaroszynski, J.; Reich, E.; Mori, Y.; Sakagami, A.; Kawaguchi, T.; Engelmann, J.; Schultz, L.; Holzapfel, B.; Ikuta, H.; Hühne, R.; Iida, K.

2015-02-01

Microstructurally clean, isovalently P-doped BaFe2As2 (Ba-122) single crystalline thin films have been prepared on MgO (001) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. These films show a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of over 30 K although P content is around 0.22, which is lower than the optimal one for single crystals (i.e., 0.33). The enhanced Tc at this doping level is attributed to the in-plane tensile strain. The strained film shows high transport self-field critical current densities (Jc) of over 6 MA/cm2 at 4.2 K, which are among the highest for Fe based superconductors (FeSCs). In-field Jc exceeds 0.1 MA/cm2 at μ 0 H = 35 T for H ‖ a b and μ 0 H = 18 T for H ‖ c at 4.2 K, respectively, in spite of moderate upper critical fields compared to other FeSCs with similar Tc. Structural investigations reveal no defects or misoriented grains pointing to strong pinning centers. We relate this unexpected high Jc to a strong enhancement of the vortex core energy at optimal Tc, driven by in-plane strain and doping. These unusually high Jc make P-doped Ba-122 very favorable for high-field magnet applications.

GaN/NbN epitaxial semiconductor/superconductor heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Rusen; Khalsa, Guru; Vishwanath, Suresh; Han, Yimo; Wright, John; Rouvimov, Sergei; Katzer, D. Scott; Nepal, Neeraj; Downey, Brian P.; Muller, David A.; Xing, Huili G.; Meyer, David J.; Jena, Debdeep

2018-03-01

Epitaxy is a process by which a thin layer of one crystal is deposited in an ordered fashion onto a substrate crystal. The direct epitaxial growth of semiconductor heterostructures on top of crystalline superconductors has proved challenging. Here, however, we report the successful use of molecular beam epitaxy to grow and integrate niobium nitride (NbN)-based superconductors with the wide-bandgap family of semiconductors—silicon carbide, gallium nitride (GaN) and aluminium gallium nitride (AlGaN). We apply molecular beam epitaxy to grow an AlGaN/GaN quantum-well heterostructure directly on top of an ultrathin crystalline NbN superconductor. The resulting high-mobility, two-dimensional electron gas in the semiconductor exhibits quantum oscillations, and thus enables a semiconductor transistor—an electronic gain element—to be grown and fabricated directly on a crystalline superconductor. Using the epitaxial superconductor as the source load of the transistor, we observe in the transistor output characteristics a negative differential resistance—a feature often used in amplifiers and oscillators. Our demonstration of the direct epitaxial growth of high-quality semiconductor heterostructures and devices on crystalline nitride superconductors opens up the possibility of combining the macroscopic quantum effects of superconductors with the electronic, photonic and piezoelectric properties of the group III/nitride semiconductor family.

GaN/NbN epitaxial semiconductor/superconductor heterostructures.

PubMed

Yan, Rusen; Khalsa, Guru; Vishwanath, Suresh; Han, Yimo; Wright, John; Rouvimov, Sergei; Katzer, D Scott; Nepal, Neeraj; Downey, Brian P; Muller, David A; Xing, Huili G; Meyer, David J; Jena, Debdeep

2018-03-07

Epitaxy is a process by which a thin layer of one crystal is deposited in an ordered fashion onto a substrate crystal. The direct epitaxial growth of semiconductor heterostructures on top of crystalline superconductors has proved challenging. Here, however, we report the successful use of molecular beam epitaxy to grow and integrate niobium nitride (NbN)-based superconductors with the wide-bandgap family of semiconductors-silicon carbide, gallium nitride (GaN) and aluminium gallium nitride (AlGaN). We apply molecular beam epitaxy to grow an AlGaN/GaN quantum-well heterostructure directly on top of an ultrathin crystalline NbN superconductor. The resulting high-mobility, two-dimensional electron gas in the semiconductor exhibits quantum oscillations, and thus enables a semiconductor transistor-an electronic gain element-to be grown and fabricated directly on a crystalline superconductor. Using the epitaxial superconductor as the source load of the transistor, we observe in the transistor output characteristics a negative differential resistance-a feature often used in amplifiers and oscillators. Our demonstration of the direct epitaxial growth of high-quality semiconductor heterostructures and devices on crystalline nitride superconductors opens up the possibility of combining the macroscopic quantum effects of superconductors with the electronic, photonic and piezoelectric properties of the group III/nitride semiconductor family.

Development of high Tc (greater than 110K) Bi, Tl and Y-based materials as superconducting circuit elements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haertling, Gene H.; Lee, Burtrand; Grabert, Gregory; Gilmour, Phillip

1991-01-01

This report is presented in two parts. Part 1 deals primarily with Bi-based materials and a small amount of work on a Y-based composition while Part 2 covers work on Tl-based materials. In Part 1, a reliable and reproducible process for producing bulk bismuth-based superconductors has been developed. It is noted however, that a percentage of the tapecast material experiences curling and fracturing after a 30 hour sintering period and is thus in need of further examination. The Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (BSCCO) material has been characterized by critical temperature data, X-ray diffraction data, and surface morphology. In the case of T sub c, it is not critical to anneal the material. It appears that the BSCCO material has the possibility of producing a better grounding strap than that of the 123 material. Attempts to reproduce near room temperature superconductors in the Y-Ba-Cu-O system were unsuccessful. In Part 2, several methods of processing the high temperature superconductor Tl2Ba2Ca2Cu3O10 were investigated; i.e., different precursor compositions were sintered at various sintering times and temperatures. The highest superconductig temperature was found to be 117.8K when fired at 900 C for three hours. Higher sintering temperatures produced a melted sample which was nonsuperconducting at liquid nitrogen temperature. Also, a preliminary study found Li2O substitutions for copper appeared to increase the transition temperature and create fluxing action upon sintering. It was suggested that lower sintering temperatures might be obtained with lithium additions to produce reliable Tl2Ba2Ca2Cu3O10 processing methods.

Space Flyable Hg(sup +) Frequency Standards

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prestage, John D.; Maleki, Lute

1994-01-01

We discuss a design for a space based atomic frequency standard (AFS) based on Hg(sup +) ions confined in a linear ion trap. This newly developed AFS should be well suited for space borne applications because it can supply the ultra-high stability of a H-maser but its total mass is comparable to that of a NAVSTAR/GPS cesium clock, i.e., about 11kg. This paper will compare the proposed Hg(sup +) AFS to the present day GPS cesium standards to arrive at the 11 kg mass estimate. The proposed space borne Hg(sup +) standard is based upon the recently developed extended linear ion trap architecture which has reduced the size of existing trapped Hg(sup +) standards to a physics package which is comparable in size to a cesium beam tube. The demonstrated frequency stability to below 10(sup -15) of existing Hg(sup +) standards should be maintained or even improved upon in this new architecture. This clock would deliver far more frequency stability per kilogram than any current day space qualified standard.

Critical de Broglie wavelength in superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talantsev, E. F.

2018-03-01

There are growing numbers of experimental evidences that the self-field critical currents, Jc(sf,T), are a new instructive tool to investigate fundamental properties of superconductors ranging from atomically thin films [M. Liao et al., Nat. Phys. 6 (2018), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-017-0031-6; E. F. Talantsev et al., 2D Mater. 4 (2017) 025072; A. Fete et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 109 (2016) 192601] to millimeter-scale samples [E. F. Talantsev et al., Sci. Rep. 7 (2017) 10010]. The basic empirical equation which quantitatively accurately described experimental Jc(sf,T) was proposed by Talantsev and Tallon [Nat. Commun. 6 (2015) 7820] and it was the relevant critical field (i.e. thermodynamic field, Bc, for type-I and lower critical field, Bc1, for type-II superconductors) divided by the London penetration depth, λL. In this paper, we report new findings relating to this empirical equation. It is that the critical wavelength of the de Broglie wave, λdB,c, of the superconducting charge carrier which within a numerical pre-factor is equal to the largest of two characteristic lengths of Ginzburg-Landau theory, i.e. the coherence length, ξ, for type-I superconductors or the London penetration depth, λL, for type-II superconductors. We also formulate a microscopic criterion for the onset of dissipative transport current flow: ps ṡ 2ṡλL ln(1+2ṡ(λL ξ )) ≥ 1 2 ṡ ( h 2π), where ps is the charge carrier momentum, h is Planck’s constant and the inequality sign “ <” is reserved for the dissipation-free flow.

Improvements in the processing of large grain, bulk Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors via the use of additional liquid phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Congreve, Jasmin V. J.; Shi, Yunhua; Dennis, Anthony R.; Durrell, John H.; Cardwell, David A.

2017-01-01

A major limitation to the widespread application of Y-Ba-Cu-O (YBCO) bulk superconductors is the relative complexity and low yield of the top seeded melt growth (TSMG) process, by which these materials are commonly fabricated. It has been demonstrated in previous work on the recycling of samples in which the primary growth had failed, that the provision of an additional liquid-rich phase to replenish liquid lost during the failed growth process leads to the reliable growth of relatively high quality recycled samples. In this paper we describe the adaptation of the liquid phase enrichment technique to the primary TSMG fabrication process. We further describe the observed differences between the microstructure and superconducting properties of samples grown with additional liquid-rich phase and control samples grown using a conventional TSMG process. We observe that the introduction of the additional liquid-rich phase leads to the formation of a higher concentration of Y species at the growth front, which leads, in turn, to a more uniform composition at the growth front. Importantly, the increased uniformity at the growth front leads directly to an increased homogeneity in the distribution of the Y-211 inclusions in the superconducting Y-123 phase matrix and to a more uniform Y-123 phase itself. Overall, the provision of an additional liquid-rich phase improves significantly both the reliability of grain growth through the sample thickness and the magnitude and homogeneity of the superconducting properties of these samples compared to those fabricated by a conventional TSMG process.

Characterization of Electronic Materials HgZnSe and HgZnTe Using Innovative and Conventional Techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tanton, George; Kesmodel, Roy; Burden, Judy; Su, Ching-Hua; Cobb, Sharon D.; Lehoczky, S. L.

2000-01-01

HgZnSe and HgZnTe are electronic materials of interest for potential IR detector and focal plane array applications due to their improved strength and compositional stability over HgCdTe, but they are difficult to grow on Earth and to fully characterize. Conventional contact methods of characterization, such as Hall and van der Paw, although adequate for many situations are typically labor intensive and not entirely suitable where only very small samples are available. To adequately characterize and compare properties of electronic materials grown in low earth orbit with those grown on Earth, innovative techniques are needed that complement existing methods. This paper describes the implementation and test results of a unique non-contact method of characterizing uniformity, mobility, and carrier concentration together with results from conventional methods applied to HgZnSe and HgZnTe. The innovative method has advantages over conventional contact methods since it circumvents problems of possible contamination from alloying electrical contacts to a sample and also has the capability to map a sample. Non- destructive mapping, the determination of the carrier concentration and mobility at each place on a sample, provides a means to quantitatively compare, at high spatial resolution, effects of microgravity on electronic properties and uniformity of electronic materials grown in low-Earth orbit with Earth grown materials. The mapping technique described here uses a 1mm diameter polarized beam of radiation to probe the sample. Activation of a magnetic field, in which the sample is placed, causes the plane of polarization of the probe beam to rotate. This Faraday rotation is a function of the free carrier concentration and the band parameters of the material. Maps of carrier concentration, mobility, and transmission generated from measurements of the Faraday rotation angles over the temperature range from 300K to 77K will be presented. New information on band parameters

High field superconducting properties of Ba(Fe1−xCox)2As2 thin films

PubMed Central

Hänisch, Jens; Iida, Kazumasa; Kurth, Fritz; Reich, Elke; Tarantini, Chiara; Jaroszynski, Jan; Förster, Tobias; Fuchs, Günther; Hühne, Ruben; Grinenko, Vadim; Schultz, Ludwig; Holzapfel, Bernhard

2015-01-01

In general, the critical current density, Jc, of type II superconductors and its anisotropy with respect to magnetic field orientation is determined by intrinsic and extrinsic properties. The Fe-based superconductors of the ‘122’ family with their moderate electronic anisotropies and high yet accessible critical fields (Hc2 and Hirr) are a good model system to study this interplay. In this paper, we explore the vortex matter of optimally Co-doped BaFe2As2 thin films with extended planar and c-axis correlated defects. The temperature and angular dependence of the upper critical field is well explained by a two-band model in the clean limit. The dirty band scenario, however, cannot be ruled out completely. Above the irreversibility field, the flux motion is thermally activated, where the activation energy U0 is going to zero at the extrapolated zero-kelvin Hirr value. The anisotropy of the critical current density Jc is both influenced by the Hc2 anisotropy (and therefore by multi-band effects) as well as the extended planar and columnar defects present in the sample. PMID:26612567

Hg0 and HgCl2 Reference Gas Standards: ?NIST Traceability ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA and NIST have collaborated to establish the necessary procedures for establishing the required NIST traceability of commercially-provided Hg0 and HgCl2 reference generators. This presentation will discuss the approach of a joint EPA/NIST study to accurately quantify the true concentrations of Hg0 and HgCl2 reference gases produced from high quality, NIST-traceable, commercial Hg0 and HgCl2 generators. This presentation will also discuss the availability of HCl and Hg0 compressed reference gas standards as a result of EPA's recently approved Alternative Methods 114 and 118. Gaseous elemental mercury (Hg0) and oxidized mercury (HgCl2) reference standards are integral to the use of mercury continuous emissions monitoring systems (Hg CEMS) for regulatory compliance emissions monitoring. However, a quantitative disparity of approximately 7-10% has been observed between commercial Hg0 and HgCl2 reference gases which currently limits the use of (HgCl2) reference gas standards. Resolving this disparity would enable the expanded use of (HgCl2) reference gas standards for regulatory compliance purposes.

A novel, two-step top seeded infiltration and growth process for the fabrication of single grain, bulk (RE)BCO superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Namburi, Devendra K.; Shi, Yunhua; Palmer, Kysen G.; Dennis, Anthony R.; Durrell, John H.; Cardwell, David A.

2016-09-01

A fundamental requirement of the fabrication of high performing, (RE)-Ba-Cu-O bulk superconductors is achieving a single grain microstructure that exhibits good flux pinning properties. The top seeded melt growth (TSMG) process is a well-established technique for the fabrication of single grain (RE)BCO bulk samples and is now applied routinely by a number of research groups around the world. The introduction of a buffer layer to the TSMG process has been demonstrated recently to improve significantly the general reliability of the process. However, a number of growth-related defects, such as porosity and the formation of micro-cracks, remain inherent to the TSMG process, and are proving difficult to eliminate by varying the melt process parameters. The seeded infiltration and growth (SIG) process has been shown to yield single grain samples that exhibit significantly improved microstructures compared to the TSMG technique. Unfortunately, however, SIG leads to other processing challenges, such as the reliability of fabrication, optimisation of RE2BaCuO5 (RE-211) inclusions (size and content) in the sample microstructure, practical oxygenation of as processed samples and, hence, optimisation of the superconducting properties of the bulk single grain. In the present paper, we report the development of a near-net shaping technique based on a novel two-step, buffer-aided top seeded infiltration and growth (BA-TSIG) process, which has been demonstrated to improve greatly the reliability of the single grain growth process and has been used to fabricate successfully bulk, single grain (RE)BCO superconductors with improved microstructures and superconducting properties. A trapped field of ˜0.84 T and a zero field current density of 60 kA cm-2 have been measured at 77 K in a bulk, YBCO single grain sample of diameter 25 mm processed by this two-step BA-TSIG technique. To the best of our knowledge, this value of trapped field is the highest value ever reported for a sample

Methylation of Hg downstream from the Bonanza Hg mine, Oregon

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gray, John E.; Hines, Mark E.; Krabbenhoft, David P.; Thoms, Bryn

2012-01-01

Speciation of Hg and conversion to methyl-Hg were evaluated in stream sediment, stream water, and aquatic snails collected downstream from the Bonanza Hg mine, Oregon. Total production from the Bonanza mine was >1360t of Hg, during mining from the late 1800s to 1960, ranking it as an intermediate sized Hg mine on an international scale. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution, transport, and methylation of Hg downstream from a Hg mine in a coastal temperate climatic zone. Data shown here for methyl-Hg, a neurotoxin hazardous to humans, are the first reported for sediment and water from this area. Stream sediment collected from Foster Creek flowing downstream from the Bonanza mine contained elevated Hg concentrations that ranged from 590 to 71,000ng/g, all of which (except the most distal sample) exceeded the probable effect concentration (PEC) of 1060ng/g, the Hg concentration above which harmful effects are likely to be observed in sediment-dwelling organisms. Concentrations of methyl-Hg in stream sediment collected from Foster Creek varied from 11 to 62ng/g and were highly elevated compared to regional baseline concentrations (0.11-0.82ng/g) established in this study. Methyl-Hg concentrations in stream sediment collected in this study showed a significant correlation with total organic C (TOC, R2=0.62), generally indicating increased methyl-Hg formation with increasing TOC in sediment. Isotopic-tracer methods indicated that several samples of Foster Creek sediment exhibited high rates of Hg-methylation. Concentrations of Hg in water collected downstream from the mine varied from 17 to 270ng/L and were also elevated compared to baselines, but all were below the 770ng/L Hg standard recommended by the USEPA to protect against chronic effects to aquatic wildlife. Concentrations of methyl-Hg in the water collected from Foster Creek ranged from 0.17 to 1.8ng/L, which were elevated compared to regional baseline sites upstream and downstream

Role of valence changes and nanoscale atomic displacements in BiS2-based superconductors.

PubMed

Cheng, Jie; Zhai, Huifei; Wang, Yu; Xu, Wei; Liu, Shengli; Cao, Guanghan

2016-11-22

Superconductivity within layered crystal structures has attracted sustained interest among condensed matter community, primarily due to their exotic superconducting properties. EuBiS 2 F is a newly discovered member in the BiS 2 -based superconducting family, which shows superconductivity at 0.3 K without extrinsic doping. With 50 at.% Ce substitution for Eu, superconductivity is enhanced with Tc increased up to 2.2 K. However, the mechanisms for the T c enhancement have not yet been elucidated. In this study, the Ce-doping effect on the self-electron-doped superconductor EuBiS 2 F was investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). We have established a relationship between Ce-doping and the T c enhancement in terms of Eu valence changes and nanoscale atomic displacements. The new finding sheds light on the interplay among superconductivity, charge and local structure in BiS 2 -based superconductors.

Experimental and Computational Studies of the Superconducting Phase Transition of Quasi 1D Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, Chi Ho

In this PhD project, the feasibility of establishing a state with vanishing resistance in quasi-1D superconductors are studied. In the first stage, extrinsic quasi-1D superconductors based on composite materials made by metallic nanowire arrays embedded in mesoporous silica substrates, such as Pb-SBA-15 and NbN-SBA-15 (fabricated by a Chemical Vapor Deposition technique) are investigated. Two impressive outcomes in Pb-SBA-15 are found, including an enormous enhancement of the upper critical field from 0.08T to 14T and an increase of the superconducting transition temperature onset s from 7.2 to 11K. The second stage is to apply Monte Carlo simulations to model the quasi-1D superconductor, considering its penetration depth, coherence length, defects, electron mean free path, tunneling barrier and insulating width between the nanowires. The Monte Carlo results provide a clear picture to approach to stage 3, which represents a study of the intrinsic quasi-1D superconductor Sc3CoC4, which contains parallel arrays of 1D superconducting CoC4 ribbons with weak transverse Josephson or Proximity interaction, embedded in a Sc matrix. According to our previous work, a BKT transition in the lateral plane is believed to be the physics behind the vanishing resistance of quasi-1D superconductors, because it activates a dimensional crossover from a 1D fluctuating superconductivity at high temperature to a 3D bulk phase coherent state in the entire material at low temperatures. Moreover, we decided to study thin 1D Sn nanowires without substrate, which display very similar superconducting properties to Pb-SBA-15 with a strong critical field and Tc enhancement. Finally, a preliminary research on a novel quasi-2D superconductor formed by parallel 2D mercury sheets that are separated by organic molecules is presented. The latter material may represent a model system to study the effect of a layered structure, which is believed to be an effective ingredient to design high temperature

Valence States Modulation Strategy for Picomole Level Assay of Hg2+ in Drinking and Environmental Water by Directional Self-Assembly of Gold Nanorods.

PubMed

Chen, Lu; Lu, Linlin; Wang, Sufan; Xia, Yunsheng

2017-06-23

In this study, we present a valence states modulation strategy for picomole level assay of Hg 2+ using directional self-assembly of gold nanorods (AuNRs) as signal readout. Hg 2+ ions are first controllably reduced to Hg + ions by appropriate ascorbic acid, and the reduced Hg + ions react with the tips of the preadded AuNRs and form gold amalgam. Such Hg + decorated AuNRs then end-to-end self-assemble into one-dimensional architectures by the bridging effects of lysine based on the high affinity of NH 2 -Hg + interactions. Correspondingly, the AuNRs' longitudinal surface plasmon resonance is gradually reduced and a new broad band appears at 900-1100 nm region simultaneously. The resulting distinctly ratiometric signal output is not only favorable for Hg 2+ ions detection but competent for their quantification. Under optimal conditions, the linear range is 22.8 pM to 11.4 nM, and the detection limit is as low as 8.7 pM. Various transition/heavy metal ions, such as Pb 2+ , Ti 2+ , Co 2+ , Fe 3+ , Mn 2+ , Ba 2+ , Fe 2+ , Ni 2+ , Al 3+ , Cu 2+ , Ag + , and Au 3+ , do not interfere with the assay. Because of ultrahigh sensitivity and excellent selectivity, the proposed system can be employed for assaying ultratrace of Hg 2+ containing in drinking and commonly environmental water samples, which is difficult to be achieved by conventional colorimetric systems. These results indicate that the present platform possesses specific advantages and potential applications in the assay of ultratrace amounts of Hg 2+ ions.

Microscopic description of orbital-selective spin ordering in BaMn2As2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Craco, L.; Carara, S. S.

2018-05-01

Using generalized gradient approximation+dynamical mean-field theory, we provide a microscopic description of orbital-selective spin ordering in the tetragonal manganese pnictide BaMn2As2 . We demonstrate the coexistence of local moments and small band-gap electronic states in the parent compound. We also explore the role played by electron/hole doping, showing that the Mott insulating state is rather robust to small removal of electron charge carriers similar to cuprate oxide superconductors. Good qualitative accord between theory and angle-resolved photoemission as well as electrical transport provides support to our view of orbital-selective spin ordering in BaMn2As2 . Our proposal is expected to be an important step to understanding the emergent correlated electronic structure of materials with persisting ordered localized moments coexisting with Coulomb reconstructed nonmagnetic electronic states.

Phase transition behaviours near the triple point for Pb-free (1 - x)Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-x(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 piezoceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Jinghui; Dai, Ye; Hu, Xinghao; Ke, Xiaoqin; Zhong, Lisheng; Li, Shengtao; Zhang, Lixue; Wang, Yu; Wang, Dong; Wang, Yan; Liu, Yongbin; Xiao, Hu; Ren, Xiaobing

2016-08-01

The reason for the large electromechanical response in Pb-free piezoceramic Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BZT-BCT) still remains controversial, and a central issue is whether or not the multi-phase-coexisting point (triple point) in the phase diagram is a thermodynamic tricritical point. In this letter, we study the phase transition behaviour for the ferro-para transitions of BZT-BCT specimens in the vicinity of a triple point. Our results show that latent heat and thermal hysteresis approach zero, while the permittivity peak value is maximized close to the triple-point composition, which suggests that the triple point exhibits nearly tricritical transition behaviours in the BZT-BCT system. Further, the TEM result shows that the domain width is minimized with composition approaching the triple point, which indicates a reduction of the domain wall energy possibly relevant to the tricriticality of the triple point. A sixth-order Landau energy modeling shows that the triple tricritical point provides a free-energy state of near-vanishing polarization anisotropy and thus enhances the piezoelectric response for such a material system.

Importance of Dissolved Neutral Hg-Sulfides, Energy Rich Organic Matter and total Hg Concentrations for Methyl Mercury Production in Sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drott, A.; Skyllberg, U.

2007-12-01

, the relationship was not significant. For sub-sets of brackish waters (p<0.001, n=23), southern, high-productivity freshwaters (p<0.001, n=20) as well as northern, low-productivity freshwater (p=0.048, n=6), the sum of neutral Hg-sulfides [Hg(SH)20 (aq)] and [HgS0 (aq)] in the sediment pore water was significantly, positively correlated with both the potential methylation rate constant (Km) and total MeHg concentrations (2). This indicates that methylating sulphate reducing bacteria passively take up neutral Hg-sulfides, which are transformed to MeHg. Differences in slopes of the relationships were explained by differences in primary productivity and availability of energy-rich organic matter to methylating bacteria. High primary productivity at southern freshwater sites, reflected by a low C/N ratio (large contribution from free living algae and bacteria) in the sediment and a high annual temperature sum, resulted in high methylation rates. In conclusion, concentrations of neutral Hg-sulfides and availability of energy rich organic matter, but also total Hg concentrations in sediments are important factors behind net production and accumulation of MeHg . References: (1) Drott et. al. submitted, (2) Drott, A.; Lambertsson, L.; Björn, E.; Skyllberg, U. Importance of dissolved neutral mercury sulfides for methyl mercury production in contaminated sediments. Environmental Science & Technology 2007, 41, 2270-2276.

Isotope and multiband effects in layered superconductors.

PubMed

Bussmann-Holder, Annette; Keller, Hugo

2012-06-13

In this review we consider three classes of superconductors, namely cuprate superconductors, MgB(2) and the new Fe based superconductors. All of these three systems are layered materials and multiband compounds. Their pairing mechanisms are under discussion with the exception of MgB(2), which is widely accepted to be a 'conventional' electron-phonon interaction mediated superconductor, but extending the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory to account for multiband effects. Cuprates and Fe based superconductors have higher superconducting transition temperatures and more complex structures. Superconductivity is doping dependent in these material classes unlike in MgB(2) which, as a pure compound, has the highest values of T(c) and a rapid suppression of superconductivity with doping takes place. In all three material classes isotope effects have been observed, including exotic ones in the cuprates, and controversial ones in the Fe based materials. Before the area of high-temperature superconductivity, isotope effects on T(c) were the signature for phonon mediated superconductivity-even when deviations from the BCS value to smaller values were observed. Since the discovery of high T(c) materials this is no longer evident since competing mechanisms might exist and other mediating pairing interactions are discussed which are of purely electronic origin. In this work we will compare the three different material classes and especially discuss the experimentally observed isotope effects of all three systems and present a rather general analysis of them. Furthermore, we will concentrate on multiband signatures which are not generally accepted in cuprates even though they are manifest in various experiments, the evidence for those in MgB(2), and indications for them in the Fe based compounds. Mostly we will consider experimental data, but when possible also discuss theoretical models which are suited to explain the data.

Orbital-dependent electron correlation effects in iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yi, Ming

The iron chalcogenide superconductors constitute arguably one of the most intriguing families of the iron-based high temperature superconductors given their ability to superconduct at comparable temperatures as the iron pnictides, despite the lack of similarities in their magnetic structures and Fermi surface topologies. In particular, the lack of hole Fermi pockets at the Brillouin zone center posts a challenge to the previous proposal of spin fluctuation mediated pairing via Fermi surface nesting. In this talk, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements, I will present evidence that show that instead of Fermi surface topology, strong electron correlation observed in electron bandwidth is an important ingredient for superconductivity in the iron chalcogenides. Specifically, I will show i) there exists universal strong orbital-selective renormalization effects and proximity to an orbital-selective Mott phase in Fe1+yTe1-xSex, AxFe2-ySe2, and monolayer FeSe film on SrTiO3, and ii) in RbxFe2(Se1-zSz)2 , where sulfur substitution for selenium continuously suppresses superconductivity down to zero, little change occurs in the Fermi surface topology while a substantial reduction of electron correlation is observed in an expansion of the overall bandwidth, implying that electron correlation is one of the key tuning parameters for superconductivity in these materials.

Water-soluble mercury ion sensing based on the thymine-Hg2+-thymine base pair using retroreflective Janus particle as an optical signaling probe.

PubMed

Chun, Hyeong Jin; Kim, Saemi; Han, Yong Duk; Kim, Dong Woo; Kim, Ka Ram; Kim, Hyo-Sop; Kim, Jae-Ho; Yoon, Hyun C

2018-05-01

Herein, we report an optical sensing platform for mercury ions (Hg 2+ ) in water based on the integration of Hg 2+ -mediated thymine-thymine (T-T) stabilization, a biotinylated stem-loop DNA probe, and a streptavidin-modified retroreflective Janus particle (SA-RJP). Two oligonucleotide probes, including a stem-loop DNA probe and an assistant DNA probe, were utilized. In the absence of Hg 2+ , the assistant DNA probe does not hybridize with the stem-loop probe due to their T-T mismatch, so the surface-immobilized stem-loop DNA probe remains a closed hairpin structure. In the presence of Hg 2+ , the DNA forms a double-stranded structure with the loop region via Hg 2+ -mediated T-T stabilization. This DNA hybridization induces stretching of the stem-loop DNA probe, exposing biotin. To translate these Hg 2+ -mediated structural changes in DNA probe into measurable signal, SA-RJP, an optical signaling label, is applied to recognize the exposed biotin. The number of biospecifically bound SA-RJPs is proportional to the concentration of Hg 2+ , so that the concentration of Hg 2+ can be quantitatively analyzed by counting the number of RJPs. Using the system, a highly selective and sensitive measurement of Hg 2+ was accomplished with a limit of detection of 0.027nM. Considering the simplified optical instrumentation required for retroreflection-based RJP counting, RJP-assisted Hg 2+ measurement can be accomplished in a much easier and inexpensive manner. Moreover, the detection of Hg 2+ in real drinking water samples including tap and commercial bottled water was successfully carried out. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Superconductor rotor cooling system

DOEpatents

Gamble, Bruce B.; Sidi-Yekhlef, Ahmed; Schwall, Robert E.; Driscoll, David I.; Shoykhet, Boris A.

2004-11-02

A system for cooling a superconductor device includes a cryocooler located in a stationary reference frame and a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler. The closed circulation system interfaces the stationary reference frame with a rotating reference frame in which the superconductor device is located. A method of cooling a superconductor device includes locating a cryocooler in a stationary reference frame, and transferring heat from a superconductor device located in a rotating reference frame to the cryocooler through a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler. The closed circulation system interfaces the stationary reference frame with the rotating reference frame.

Superconductor rotor cooling system

DOEpatents

Gamble, Bruce B.; Sidi-Yekhlef, Ahmed; Schwall, Robert E.; Driscoll, David I.; Shoykhet, Boris A.

2002-01-01

A system for cooling a superconductor device includes a cryocooler located in a stationary reference frame and a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler. The closed circulation system interfaces the stationary reference frame with a rotating reference frame in which the superconductor device is located. A method of cooling a superconductor device includes locating a cryocooler in a stationary reference frame, and transferring heat from a superconductor device located in a rotating reference frame to the cryocooler through a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler. The closed circulation system interfaces the stationary reference frame with the rotating reference frame.

Combining Topological Hardware and Topological Software: Color-Code Quantum Computing with Topological Superconductor Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Litinski, Daniel; Kesselring, Markus S.; Eisert, Jens; von Oppen, Felix

2017-07-01

We present a scalable architecture for fault-tolerant topological quantum computation using networks of voltage-controlled Majorana Cooper pair boxes and topological color codes for error correction. Color codes have a set of transversal gates which coincides with the set of topologically protected gates in Majorana-based systems, namely, the Clifford gates. In this way, we establish color codes as providing a natural setting in which advantages offered by topological hardware can be combined with those arising from topological error-correcting software for full-fledged fault-tolerant quantum computing. We provide a complete description of our architecture, including the underlying physical ingredients. We start by showing that in topological superconductor networks, hexagonal cells can be employed to serve as physical qubits for universal quantum computation, and we present protocols for realizing topologically protected Clifford gates. These hexagonal-cell qubits allow for a direct implementation of open-boundary color codes with ancilla-free syndrome read-out and logical T gates via magic-state distillation. For concreteness, we describe how the necessary operations can be implemented using networks of Majorana Cooper pair boxes, and we give a feasibility estimate for error correction in this architecture. Our approach is motivated by nanowire-based networks of topological superconductors, but it could also be realized in alternative settings such as quantum-Hall-superconductor hybrids.

Nanoscale Stoichiometric Analysis of a High-Temperature Superconductor by Atom Probe Tomography.

PubMed

Pedrazzini, Stella; London, Andrew J; Gault, Baptiste; Saxey, David; Speller, Susannah; Grovenor, Chris R M; Danaie, Mohsen; Moody, Michael P; Edmondson, Philip D; Bagot, Paul A J

2017-04-01

The functional properties of the high-temperature superconductor Y1Ba2Cu3O7-δ (Y-123) are closely correlated to the exact stoichiometry and oxygen content. Exceeding the critical value of 1 oxygen vacancy for every five unit cells (δ>0.2, which translates to a 1.5 at% deviation from the nominal oxygen stoichiometry of Y7.7Ba15.3Cu23O54-δ ) is sufficient to alter the superconducting properties. Stoichiometry at the nanometer scale, particularly of oxygen and other lighter elements, is extremely difficult to quantify in complex functional ceramics by most currently available analytical techniques. The present study is an analysis and optimization of the experimental conditions required to quantify the local nanoscale stoichiometry of single crystal yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) samples in three dimensions by atom probe tomography (APT). APT analysis required systematic exploration of a wide range of data acquisition and processing conditions to calibrate the measurements. Laser pulse energy, ion identification, and the choice of range widths were all found to influence composition measurements. The final composition obtained from melt-grown crystals with optimized superconducting properties was Y7.9Ba10.4Cu24.4O57.2.

A new (Ba, Ca) (Ti, Zr)O3 based multiferroic composite with large magnetoelectric effect

PubMed Central

Naveed-Ul-Haq, M.; Shvartsman, Vladimir V.; Salamon, Soma; Wende, Heiko; Trivedi, Harsh; Mumtaz, Arif; Lupascu, Doru C.

2016-01-01

The lead-free ferroelectric 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 − 0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BCZT) is a promising component for multifunctional multiferroics due to its excellent room temperature piezoelectric properties. Having a composition close to the polymorphic phase boundary between the orthorhombic and tetragonal phases, it deserves a case study for analysis of its potential for modern electronics applications. To obtain magnetoelectric coupling, the piezoelectric phase needs to be combined with a suitable magnetostrictive phase. In the current article, we report on the synthesis, dielectric, magnetic, and magnetoelectric characterization of a new magnetoelectric multiferroic composite consisting of BCZT as a piezoelectric phase and CoFe2O4 (CFO) as the magnetostrictive phase. We found that this material is multiferroic at room temperature and manifests a magnetoelectric effect larger than that of BaTiO3 −CoFe2O4 bulk composites with similar content of the ferrite phase. PMID:27555563

A new (Ba, Ca) (Ti, Zr)O3 based multiferroic composite with large magnetoelectric effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naveed-Ul-Haq, M.; Shvartsman, Vladimir V.; Salamon, Soma; Wende, Heiko; Trivedi, Harsh; Mumtaz, Arif; Lupascu, Doru C.

2016-08-01

The lead-free ferroelectric 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 - 0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BCZT) is a promising component for multifunctional multiferroics due to its excellent room temperature piezoelectric properties. Having a composition close to the polymorphic phase boundary between the orthorhombic and tetragonal phases, it deserves a case study for analysis of its potential for modern electronics applications. To obtain magnetoelectric coupling, the piezoelectric phase needs to be combined with a suitable magnetostrictive phase. In the current article, we report on the synthesis, dielectric, magnetic, and magnetoelectric characterization of a new magnetoelectric multiferroic composite consisting of BCZT as a piezoelectric phase and CoFe2O4 (CFO) as the magnetostrictive phase. We found that this material is multiferroic at room temperature and manifests a magnetoelectric effect larger than that of BaTiO3 -CoFe2O4 bulk composites with similar content of the ferrite phase.

Test-beds for molecular electronics: metal-molecules-metal junctions based on Hg electrodes.

PubMed

Simeone, Felice Carlo; Rampi, Maria Anita

2010-01-01

Junctions based on mesoscopic Hg electrodes are used to characterize the electrical properties of the organic molecules organized in self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The junctions M-SAM//SAM-Hg are formed by one electrode based on metals (M) such as Hg, Ag, Au, covered by a SAM, and by a second electrode always formed by a Hg drop carrying also a SAM. The electrodes, brought together by using a micromanipulator, sandwich SAMs of different nature at the contact area (approximately = 0.7 microm2). The high versatility of the system allows a series of both electrical and electrochemical junctions to be assembled and characterized: (i) The compliant nature of the Hg electrodes allows incorporation into the junction and measurement of the electrical behavior of a large number of molecular systems and correlation of their electronic structure to the electrical behavior; (ii) by functionalizing both electrodes with SAMs exposing different functional groups, X and Y, it is possible to compare the rate of electron transfer through different X...Y molecular interactions; (iii) when the junction incorporates one of the electrode formed by a semitransparent film of Au, it allows electrical measurements under irradiation of the sandwiched SAMs. In this case the junction behaves as a photoswitch; iv) incorporation of redox centres with low lying, easily reachable energy levels, provides electron stations as indicated by the hopping mechanism dominating the current flow; (v) electrochemical junctions incorporating redox centres by both covalent and electrostatic interactions permit control of the potential of the electrodes with respect to that of the redox state by means of an external reference electrode. Both these junctions show an electrical behavior similar to that of conventional diodes, even though the mechanism generating the current flow is different. These systems, demonstrating high mechanical stability and reproducibility, easy assembly, and a wide variety of

Defect Chemistry of " BaCuO2" I. Oxygen Non -Stoichiometry, Cation Molecularity and X-ray Diffraction Determinations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spinolo, G.; Anselmi-Tamburini, U.; Arimondi, M.; Ghigna, P.; Flor, G.

1995-11-01

"BaCuO2" is the key intermediate in the synthesis of the Ba2YCu3O7-δ superconductor. Its very complex crystal structure is able to accommodate a large change in oxygen content. Oxygen non-stoichiometry of "BaCuO2" materials with 1:1 and 88:90 (Ba :Cu) molecularity has been investigated by polythermal X-ray powder diffraction coupled with isobaric-isothermal gravimetry determinations under different temperature and oxygen partial pressure conditions [300≤ T≤ 820 °C, 1 ≥ P(O2) ≥ 3 • 10-3 atm]. The 1:1 composition does not give well reproducible results, thus suggesting its polyphasic nature, at least in part of the investigated range. The results for the 88:90 ≅ 0.98 (Ba :Cu) composi­ tion are well reproducible and show that the material is single phase. Ba0.98CuO1.98 + δ is oxygen over-stoichiometric in the whole investigated [T, P(O2)] range, with a maximum value δ˜0.21. A Rietveld X-ray profile fitting is in agreement with previous single-crystal data. The trend of δ vs. P(O2) is consistent with the presence of oxygen interstitial defects on (possibly different) crystallographic sites.

Prototyping of MWIR MEMS-based optical filter combined with HgCdTe detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozak, Dmitry A.; Fernandez, Bautista; Velicu, Silviu; Kubby, Joel

2010-02-01

In the past decades, there have been several attempts to create a tunable optical detector with operation in the infrared. The drive for creating such a filter is its wide range of applications, from passive night vision to biological and chemical sensors. Such a device would combine a tunable optical filter with a wide-range detector. In this work, we propose using a Fabry-Perot interferometer centered in the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) spectrum with an HgCdTe detector. Using a MEMS-based interferometer with an integrated Bragg stack will allow in-plane operation over a wide range. Because such devices have a tendency to warp, creating less-than-perfect optical surfaces, the Fabry-Perot interferometer is prototyped using the SOI-MUMPS process to ensure desirable operation. The mechanical design is aimed at optimal optical flatness of the moving membranes and a low operating voltage. The prototype is tested for these requirements. An HgCdTe detector provides greater performance than a pyroelectic detector used in some previous work, allowing for lower noise, greater detection speed and higher sensitivity. Both a custom HgCdTe detector and commercially available pyroelectric detector are tested with commercial optical filter. In previous work, monolithic integration of HgCdTe detectors with optical filters proved to be problematic. Part of this work investigates the best approach to combining these two components, either monolithically in HgCdTe or using a hybrid packaging approach where a silicon MEMS Fabry-Perot filter is bonded at low temperature to a HgCdTe detector.

The development of the room temperature LWIR HgCdTe detectors for free space optics communication systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martyniuk, Piotr; Gawron, Waldemar; Mikołajczyk, Janusz

2017-10-01

There are many room temperature applications to include free space optics (FSO) communication system combining quantum cascade lasers sources where HgCdTe long-wave (8-12 micrometer) infrared radiation (LWIR) detector reaching ultrafast response time < 1 ns and nearly background limited infrared photodetection (BLIP) condition are implemented. Both nearly BLIP detectivity and ultra-response time stay in contradiction in detector's optimization process. That issue could be circumvented by implementation of the hyperhemispherical GaAs immersion lens into structure to increase optical to electrical area ratio giving flexibility in terms of response time optimization. The optimization approach depends on voltage condition. The generation - recombination (GR) mechanism within active layer was found to be important for forward and weak reverse conditions while photogenerated carrier transport is significant for higher reverse bias. Except of applied voltage, the drift time strongly depends on thickness of the absorption region. Reducing the thickness of the active region, the short drift times could be reached, but that solution significantly reduces quantum efficiency and lowers detectivity. Taking that into consideration a special multilayer heterostructure designs are developed. The p-type absorber is promising due to both high ambipolar mobility and low thermal GR driven by the Auger 7 mechanism. Theoretical simulations indicate that depending on bias condition and T = 300 K the multilayer barrier LWIR HgCdTe structure could reach response time below < 100 ps while biased and <= 1 ns while unbiased. Immersed detectivity reaches > 109 cmHz1/2/W. Since commercially available FSO could operate separately in SWIR, MWIR and LWIR range - the dual band detectors should be implemented into FSO. This paper shows theoretical performance of the dual band back-to-back MWIR and LWIR HgCdTe detector operating at 300 K pointing out the MWIR active layer influence on LWIR operating

Insecticidal peptides from the theraposid spider Brachypelma albiceps: an NMR-based model of Ba2.

PubMed

Corzo, Gerardo; Bernard, Cedric; Clement, Herlinda; Villegas, Elba; Bosmans, Frank; Tytgat, Jan; Possani, Lourival D; Darbon, Herve; Alagón, Alejandro

2009-08-01

Soluble venom and purified fractions of the theraposid spider Brachypelma albiceps were screened for insecticidal peptides based on toxicity to crickets. Two insecticidal peptides, named Ba1 and Ba2, were obtained after the soluble venom was separated by high performance liquid chromatography and cation exchange chromatography. The two insecticidal peptides contain 39 amino acid residues and three disulfide bonds, and based on their amino acid sequence, they are highly identical to the insecticidal peptides from the theraposid spiders Aphonopelma sp. from the USA and Haplopelma huwenum from China indicating a relationship among these genera. Although Ba1 and Ba2 were not able to modify currents in insect and vertebrate cloned voltage-gated sodium ion channels, they have noteworthy insecticidal activities compared to classical arachnid insecticidal toxins indicating that they might target unknown receptors in insect species. The most abundant insecticidal peptide Ba2 was submitted to NMR spectroscopy to determine its 3-D structure; a remarkable characteristic of Ba2 is a cluster of basic residues, which might be important for receptor recognition.

Ambient-pressure organic superconductor

DOEpatents

Williams, Jack M.; Wang, Hsien-Hau; Beno, Mark A.

1986-01-01

A new class of organic superconductors having the formula (ET).sub.2 MX.sub.2 wherein ET represents bis(ethylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene, M is a metal such as Au, Ag, In, Tl, Rb, Pd and the like and X is a halide. The superconductor (ET).sub.2 AuI.sub.2 exhibits a transition temperature of 5 K which is high for organic superconductors.

Intermediate orthorhombic phases in Ba-122 Iron Arsenides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruff, J. P. C.; Islam, Z.; Das, R. K.; Kuo, H.-H.; Fisher, I. R.

2013-03-01

Despite widespread interest, there are details of the tetragonal-orthorhombic structural phase transition in the iron arsenide superconductors that remain controversial. We have revisited the transition in three characteristic compositions of the canonical ``122'' family Ba(Fe/Co)2(As/P)2 using single crystal synchrotron x-ray diffraction. In the parent compound, we confirm previous observations of a sequence of structural transitions which are closely spaced in temperature, and uncover pronounced magnetoelastic effects in the intermediate orthorhombic phase. Modification of the structural transitions by doping is observed to differ significantly depending on whether the dopant is Co or P. Work performed at the Advanced Photon Source was supported by the DOE, under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357.

Impedance and AC conductivity studies of Sm3+ substituted 0.8Ba0.2(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3 lead free ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sastry, C. V. S. S.; Ramesh, M. N. V.; Ramesh, K. V.

2017-07-01

Samarium substituted 0.8Ba0.2(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3 (here after abbreviated as BTBKT-20) lead free ceramics with composition 0.8Ba0.2(Bi0.5(1-x)Sm0.5xK0.5)TiO3 (where x=0.01,0.03,0.05) lead free ceramics have been prepared by solid state reaction and followed by high energy ball milling process. The present paper focuses the impedance and ac conductivity studies of Sm substituted BTBKT-20 lead free ceramics. Impedance spectroscopic studies revealthat temperature dependent relaxation process. Single depressed semi circle was observed in Cole-Cole plots, indicates non-Debye kind of relaxation process. Maximum grain resistance was observed for x=0.03 Sm substituted BTBKT-20 sample. Frequency and temperature dependent AC conductivity was calculated and it found to obey the universal Jonscher's power law and the values of activation energies suggest that conduction is ionic in nature.

Thermoelectric anisotropy in the iron-based superconductor Ba (Fe1-xCox) 2As2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matusiak, Marcin; Rogacki, Krzysztof; Wolf, Thomas

2018-06-01

We report on the in-plane anisotropy of the Seebeck and Nernst coefficients as well as of the electrical resistivity determined for a series of strain-detwinned single crystals of Ba (Fe1-xC ox) 2A s2 . Two underdoped samples (x =0.024 , 0.045) exhibiting a transition from the tetragonal paramagnetic phase to the orthorhombic spin density wave (SDW) phase (at Ttr=100 and 60 K, respectively) show an onset of Nernst anisotropy at temperatures above 200 K, which is significantly higher than Ttr. In the optimally doped sample (x =0.06 ) the transport properties also appear to be in-plane anisotropic below T ≈120 K, despite the fact that this particular composition does not show any evidence of long-range magnetic order. However, the anisotropy observed in the optimally doped crystal is rather small, and for the Seebeck and Nernst coefficients the difference between values measured along and across the uniaxial strain has an opposite sign to those observed for underdoped crystals with x =0.024 and 0.045. For these two samples, the insensitivity of the Nernst anisotropy to the SDW transition suggests that the origin of nematicity might be something other than magnetic.

Synthesis, crystal and electronic structures and optical properties of (HIm) 2 Hg 3Cl 8 and (HIm)HgI 3 (HIm = imidazolium)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nhalil, Hariharan; Whiteside, Vincent R.; Sellers, Ian R.

Here, we report synthesis, crystal and electronic structures, and optical properties of two new Hg-based zero-dimensional hybrid organic-inorganic halides (HIm)2Hg3Cl8 and (HIm)HgI3 (HIm = imidazolium). (HIm) 2Hg 3Cl 8 crystallizes in the triclinic P-1 space group with a pseudo-layered structure made of organic imidazolium cation layers and anionic inorganic layers containing [Hg 2Cl 6] 2- units and linear [HgCl 2] 0 molecules. (HIm)HgI 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2 1/c space group featuring anionic [HgI 3]- units that are surrounded by imidazolium cations. Based on density functional theory calculations, (HIm) 2Hg 3Cl 8 has an indirect band gap, whereas (HIm)HgImore » 3 has a direct band gap with the measured onsets of optical absorption at 3.43 and 2.63 eV, respectively. (HIm) 2Hg 3Cl 8 and (HIm)HgI 3 are broadband light emitters with broad photoluminescence peaks centered at 548 nm (2.26 eV) and 582 nm (2.13 eV), respectively. In conclusion, following the crystal and electronic structure considerations, the PL peaks are assigned to self-trapped excitons.« less

Enhancement of output performance through post-poling technique on BaTiO3/PDMS-based triboelectric nanogenerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, Danish; Yu, Bin; Duan, Xiaochao; Yu, Hao; Zhu, Meifang

2017-02-01

In the modern era, the invention of new energy sources is important in order to make advances possible in electronic media. A triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is considered to be strong design that converts mechanical power into electrical power, using organic (polymer) or inorganic (lead, ceramic etc) materials to initiate the triboelectrification process, followed by charge separation. In this study, a lead-free BaTiO3/PDMS-Al-based TENG was fabricated by mixing tetragonal ferroelectric BaTiO3 nanocrystals in a PDMS matrix to make a composite for a working electrode film. It is worth noting that a new post- poling process has been introduced to align the dipole structures in the BaTiO3 nanocrystals, and to attain a high electron density on the surface of the working electrode film. The output was recorded up to 375 V and 6 μA of close circuit voltage and short circuit current, respectively, at a current density of 0.3 μA cm-2 and an effective power equal to 2.25 mW at a load resistance of 100 MΩ, and is four times higher than a PDMS-Al-based TENG. This study also reveals the hidden locks that will enable other inorganic materials with a dipole structure to enhance their output using the post-poling technique. The TENG has a vast field of applications due to its stability, the flexibility of its thin films and its biocompatibility. It is also an aid for exploring new TENG devices with enhanced output performance.

Magnetic field effect on the electrical resistivity of Y1-xNixBa2Cu3O7-δ superconductor