Growth and characterization of infinite-layer films deposited by pulsed-laser deposition

Summary The increasing interest for infinite-layer materials is due essentially to the possibility of studying the simplest high-T _c superconductors parent structure. The usual method to produce this material is high-pressure synthesis. In this paper we report on this new material deposited by pulsed laser deposition and on the possibility to create infinite-layer superconducting films. Paper presented at the ?VII Congresso SATT?, Torino, 4–7 October 1994.     

Structural investigation of YBCO films and bicrystal grain boundary junctions

Summary We present a structural analysis of YBCO superconducting thin films fabricatedin situ by Inverted Cylindrical Magnetron (ICM) sputtering on commercial SrTiO₃ single-crystal and bicrystal substrates. A detailed structural characterization of the superconductor films was performed by using single-crystal X-ray diffractometry confirming that YBCO films have a strongc-axis orientation of the grains with a small mosaic spread. In the films grown on bicrystal substrates we observed a strong correlation with the lattice structure of the substrate. In addition, a surface analysis of the region across the grain boundary edge has been performed by using scanning electron microscopy. Paper presented at the ?VII Congresso SATT?, Torino, 4–7 October 1994.     

Structural and morphological properties of ultrathin YBCO films grown on single-crystal substrates

Summary Epitaxial (001)-oriented ultrathin YBCO films of different thicknesses are deposited by Inverted Cylindrical Magnetron Sputtering (ICMS) on (100) MgO single-crystal substrates. The mean films stoichiometry is determined by Rutherford Backscattering (RBS). Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) are employed in order to analyse film growth, and identify spurious phases present in the samples. Paper presented at the ?VII Congresso SATT?, Torino, 4–7 October 1994.     

Raman microprobe technique diagnostic of YBCO films produced by laser ablation

Summary We have used a Raman microprobe technique for the characterisation and the diagnostic of YBCO superconducting thin films deposited by Pulsed-Laser Ablation (PLA) on MgO insulating substrates. Using polarisation analysis associated with sample rotations we developed a method for films orientation determination without any request for absolute calibration of the Raman spectra. The use of a bidimensional multichannel detector (OMA 4) allowed an overall detection time of 40 minutes. Each spectrum (shift range from 100 cm⁻¹ to 700 cm⁻¹) takes about 600 seconds. The results of this detection were used to determine the oxygen content, from the position of the Raman mode at 500 cm⁻¹ Homogeneity was checked with the spatial resolution allowed by the dimension of the focused laser beam (10 μm). Paper presented at the ?VII Congresso SATT?, Torino, 4–7 October 1994.     

Tuning the absorption band in the THz range of YBCO films patterned by means of HEHI lithography

High energy heavy ion lithography was used for modulating through implanted nanostructures the local structural and electrical properties of high temperature superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O₇ films. The controlled reduction of the critical temperature of irradiated films results in a localization into heavy ion patterned micro-regions of the electrical dissipation, viable in a given temperature range and driven by ion fluence, bias current and applied magnetic field. The measurement of the response of such nanostructured YBCO films to electromagnetic radiation in the infrared band (MIR–FIR region) is presented. It turns out that the ion induced structural modification of both superconducting film and substrate is actually enabling the infrared optical absorption of YBCO, so that the viability of low noise THz detection above the liquid nitrogen temperature is shown.     

Superconducting BSCCO thin films obtained by MBE

Summary We realized BSCCO thin films withT _c(R=0)=88 K using the Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) technique. The stoichiometric control is reached by a multilayer deposition technique in which Ca−Cu−Sr−Bi are sequentially deposited using the two effusive cells and the two e-guns present in the system. EDS and X-ray analyses are used to cross-check the obtained results, after theex situ in air annealing. The recent acquisition of an atomic oxygen source will allow in the close future the completelyin situ realization of BSCCO thin films. Paper presented at the ?VII Congresso SATT?, Torino, 4–7 October 1994.     

Commensurability effects in magnetic properties of superconducting Nb thin films with periodic submicrometric pores

Pinning properties in 100 nm thick continuous and porous superconducting Nb films are examined by ac susceptibility and dc magnetization measurements. The Nb film was deposited on a smooth Si substrate, while the porous film, Nb_P, was deposited on an anodized Al oxide substrate. Pores or “antidots” 40 nm in diameter, 100 nm apart, form a triangular array. The porous film presents commensurate or matching field effects for applied magnetic fields where the magnetic flux threading each unit cell is an integer number of the flux quantum, where ac shielding capability and dc diamagnetic magnetization show an abrupt increase. The response to ac fields as a function of temperature and dc field provided a way to determine that Nb_P sample has higher pinning than the continuous one, and that T_C suppression due to fluxoid quantization is not relevant for the investigated temperature range.     

Control of the vortex flow in microchannel arrays produced in YBCO films by heavy-ion lithography

High-energy heavy-ion lithography is a powerful tool for tuning both structural and electromagnetic properties of high temperature superconductors by inducing nanometer scale defects confined in micron scale patterns. We show how the vortex dynamics in YBCO thin films patterned by heavy-ion lithography can be controlled and potentially exploited for device applications. Both local critical temperature and local critical currents are effectively tailored by the imposed irradiation geometry. The direct visualization of the real-time dynamics of the magnetic pattern is achieved by the magneto-optical imaging technique, while confined vortex flow is revealed by the simultaneous measurement of the electrical resistance both along and perpendicular (Hall resistance) to the direction of the applied current. It is shown that, for microchannel arrays inclined with respect to the transport current flow, the direction of vortex motion is solely determined by the imposed irradiation pattern geometry, in a well-defined temperature range, for a given applied current.     

电子束蒸发制备YBCO超导薄膜研究

采用电子束沉积制备YBCO超导薄膜,研究了760℃—840℃的不同退火温度下高温热处理对YBCO薄膜双轴织构、表面形貌及超导性能的影响。超导临界电流密度测试、X射线衍射(XRD)和扫描电镜(SEM)的结果表明,退火温度在在800℃时,YBCO薄膜具有良好的织构和平整致密的表面形貌,在77K自场下的临界电流密度J可达4.2×106/cm2。     

平面靶直流溅射制备YBCO高温超导薄膜研究

开展了平面靶溅射法制备YBa2Cu3O7-δ(YBCO)高温超导薄膜工艺研究,以达到提高沉积速率的目的。通过增加工作气体总压(Pt),采用基片旋转达到离轴溅射模式,有效地克服了传统平面靶直流溅射法中高能粒子轰击和负离子反溅射现象。在两英寸LaA lO3(LAO)基片上成功外延生长得到了微观结构良好、电学性能优越(临界电流密度Jc=2.3/2.0mA/cm2)的双面YBCO高温超导薄膜。     

TlBaCaCuO superconducting thin films via metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) and thallium vapour diffusion

Summary Superconducting thin films of the TlBaCaCuO family have been prepared through a combined approach of MOCVD and thallium vapour diffusion. A three-step process has been adopted involving i) the synthesis of Ba−Ca−Cu−O films by MOCVD using ?second-generation? barium and calcium sources, ii) the hydrolysis of the fluoride phases by annealing in water vapour-saturated oxygen and iii) the annealing in the presence of a thallium source. Reproducible results, in terms of phase formation, are discussed depending on the different conditions of the preannealing process. The superconducting films consist predominantly of single-phase Tl₂Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O _x (2223). Preferential orientation of the crystallitec-axes perpendicular to the substrate surface has been observed. The films exhibit superconducting onset temperatures of 115–120 K with zero resistance higher than 100 K. Paper presented at the ?VII Congresso SATT?, Torino, 4–7 October 1994.     

Growth behavior and magnetic property of electroless NiCoFeP films

The electroless NiCoFeP films were deposited on a silicon substrate in a bath containing Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, and Fe²⁺ ions with a concentration ratio of 1:1.9:1.2. These films were characterized by using transmission electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, and alternating gradient magnetometer for their microstructure, crystal structure, and magnetic properties. The result showed that the film deposited at the initial stage (about 10 s) consists of only one phase with a crystal structure of FCC Ni and a composition about Ni (69 at%), Co (19 at%), Fe (4 at%), and P (7 at%); The film deposited at the latter stage (about 30 s) consists of two phase, one is similar to that of initial stage and the other has crystal structure of HCP Co with a composition about Ni (35 at%), Co (44 at%), Fe (19 at%), and P (2 at%). The saturation magnetization and coercivity of electroless NiCoFeP films vary from 525 to 1546 emu/cm³ [0.68–2.01 T] and from 51.44 to 88.5 Oe [4.09–7.04 kA/m], respectively.     

Microwave characterization of YBa2Cu3O7−x thin films grownin situ by Off-axis magnetron sputtering

Summary Superconducting films of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x were depositedin situ on LaAlO₃ substrates using single-target 90° off-axis sputtering. The obtained films have tipicalT _c values of 91K. Surface resistance measurements on as-grown films reach 1.1 mΩ at 77K and 10GHz; whilst on ion-etched patterned resonant linesR _s (77K, 10GHz) it is about 10mΩ. Paper presented at the ?VII Congresso SATT?, Torino, 4–7 October 1994.     

Substrate dependent growth studies of MgB2 films by electrocrystallization

The comparative study of MgB₂ film growth on Al₂O₃ and glass substrate by electrocrystallization technique is discussed. The precursor magnesium films were deposited by vacuum evaporation method. These magnesium films were then used as electrode for the growth of MgB₂ films by electrocrystallization. The structural, morphological and superconducting properties of the electrocrystallized MgB₂ films on Al₂O₃ substrate were examined by using XRD, SEM and electrical resistivity measurement techniques and compared with that of MgB₂ films grown on glass substrate. The films deposited on Al₂O₃ substrates showed enhanced crystallinity and relatively higher T_c value compared to films deposited on glass substrates.     

Fabrication of YBCO／YSZ and YBCO／MgO thick films using electrophoretic deposition with top-seeded melt growth process

Superconducting thick films were grown on single crystals MgO and YSZ by electrophoretic deposition with Y_2BaCuO_5(Y211) addition. YBCO thick films were then accomplished by sintering the precursor films above the peritectic temperature. Single crystals of MgO (3×3×0.5 mm^3) were used as top-seed to control crystal structure of the thick films. As shown by scanning electron microscopy, the morphologies of YBCO/YSZ and YBCO/MgO thick films are spherulitic texture and platelet type. The critical temperature is ～89 K for the YBCO/YSZ thick film; the onset transition temperature is 86.4 K and the transition width is ～3 K for YBCO/MgO thick film. The critical current densities (as determined by Bean model) are, in A/cm^2, 3870 (77 K) for YBCO/YSZ thick films and 2399 (77 K) for YBCO/MgO thick films, which are comparable to the best J_c reported of the thick films prepared by the same method.     

Microwave magnetic properties of soft magnetic thin films

We review our works that focus on the microwave magnetic properties of metallic,ferrite and granular thin films.Soft magnetic material with large permeability and low energy loss in the GHz range is a challenge for the inforcom technologies.GHz magnetic properties of the soft magnetic thin films with in-plane anisotropy were investigated.It is found that several hundreds of permeability at the GHz frequency was achieved for Co100-xZrx and Co90Nb10 metallic thin films because of their high saturation magneti...     

Measurement of the impedance of very thin superconducting YBaCuO films at 10 GHz with a cavity perturbation method between 4 and 300 K

We have measured the complex film impedance 1/σd (σ conductivity, d film thickness) of three YBaCuO thin films with d = 44, 115, and 168 nm on MgO substrates at 10.2 GHz in the temperature range between 300 and 4 K. Below T_c, the experimental results are discussed in terms of the two-fluid model and the BCS theory. The residual resistance decreases with the film thickness. The thinnest film has a residual surface resistance of 3 · 10^?4 Ω. For this film, the complex microwave conductivity is calculated and compared with the models. Apart from the residual resistance, the measured conductivity is in agreement with the peak caused by the energy gap of the BCS theory. All measurements were performed with a cavity perturbation method which we have to our knowledge applied for the first time to superconducting thin films. The method allows to determine the complex impedance of films with arbitrary thickness. In particular, films with thicknesses small compared to the skin depth δ or the London penetration depth λ can be measured. Therefore, we are able to measure the impedance both in the normal and superconducting state.     

Magnetic correlations and 139La NQR relaxation in La2−x Sr x CuO4−y

Summary ¹³⁹La NQR spin-spin and spin-lattice relaxation measurements in La_2−x Sr _x CuO_4−y are presented, forx ranging from zero to 0.3 and for variable oxygen content, in the temperature range (1.6÷450) K. The data are analysed in terms of the different possible relaxation mechanisms. The dominant relaxation mechanism over most of thex andT range is associated with the Cu⁺⁺−Cu⁺⁺ magnetic correlations and spin dynamics. To explain the data we introduce a heuristic model whereby the degree of magnetic correlations, that would result from the strength of the Cu−Cu exchange coupling, is reduced by mobile charge defects (solitons or holons) causing a liquidlike thermal bath of magnetic excitations described by a concentration-dependent and thermally activated correlation time τ_d. The activation energy for τ_d is inversely proportional to the concentration of mobile defects. It is shown that theT ₁ data yield thex andT dependence of the correlation length, with quantitative estimate in agreement with neutron scattering results. Some implications of the model on other quantities, like magnetic susceptibility,x dependence of the Neel temperature and electric conductivity, are briefly discussed.

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Riassunto Sono presentate misure di rilassamento NQR spin-spin e spin-reticolo per¹³⁹La in La_2−x Sr _x CuO_4−y , perx compreso tra 0 e 0.3 e a contenuto variabile di ossigeno, nell'intervallo di temperaturaT tra 1.6 e 450 K. I risultati delle misure vengono dapprima analizzati alla luce dei possibili meccanismi di rilassamento e si mostra come in un ampio intervallo di valori dix e diT il meccanismo dominante è costituito dalla dinamica e dalle correlazioni degli spin di Cu⁺⁺. Allo scopo di spiegare i risultati ottenuti, viene introdotto un modello euristico in cui il grado di correlazione magnetica che conseguirebbe dall'interazione di superscambio Cu−Cu viene ridotto da difetti mobili (solitoni o holoni) che insediano un bagno termico di eccitazioni magnetiche simile a un liquido, descritto da un tempo di correlazione τ_d che dipende dalla concentrazione di tali difetti ed è termicamente attivato. L'energia di attivazione per τ_d risulta inversamente proporzionale alla concentrazione di difetti mobili. Oltre a giustificare compiutamente le risultanze sperimentali, tale modello consente di ricavare quantitativamente la dipendenza dax e daT della lunghezza di correlazione, che risulta in accordo con quella nota aT=77K dallo scattering di neutroni. Sono anche brevemente discusse le implicazioni del modello su altre grandezze come la suscettività magnetica, la dipendenza della temperatura di Neel dax e la conducibilità elettrica.

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Резюме Приводятся результаты измерений¹³⁹La NQR спин-спиновой и спинрешеточной релаксации в La_2−x Sr _x CuO_4−y дляx в области от 0 доx=0.3 и для различного содержания кислорода, в области температур (1.6÷450)K. Полученные данные анализируются в терминах различных механизмов релаксации. Доминиркющий механизм релаксации для большенства значенийx и в рассматриваемой области температур связан с магнитными корреляциями Cu⁺⁺−Cu⁺⁺ и спиновой динамикой. Для объяснения полученных данных мы вводим эвристическую модель, с помощью которой степень магнитных корреляций, которые зависят от силы Cu−Cu обменной связи, сводится к подвижным заряженным дефектам (солитовы или голоны), обусловленным термостатом магнитных возбужений, описываемых зависящим от концентрации и термически активированным временем корреляции τ_d. Энергия активации для τ_d обратно пропорциональна концентрации подвижных дефектов. Показывается, что данные дляT ₁ определяют зависимость корреляции отx и отT, причем количественная оценка согласуется с данными по рассеянию нейтронов. Вкратце обсуждаются возможные применения предложенной модели к другим величинам: магнитной восприимчивости, зависимости температуры Нееля (точки Кюри) отx и электропроводности.

     

用电泳技术制备YBCO高温超导厚膜

介绍了电泳技术制备YBCO高温超导厚膜的实验方法和YBCO高温超导厚膜的电学性质测量 ,讨论了在学生小型科研实验或设计实验中开展此实验的学时安排、注意事项和实验内容的扩展 .     

Artificial pinning in thick YBCO films: Pinning potential and c-axis correlation

We have introduced artificial pinning centres in thick (>1 μm) YBCO films grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition using substrate decoration, quasi-multilayers, and target doping approaches. We have found that the frequency dependence of critical current density is consistent with a logarithmic dependence of pinning potential on current density. For most of materials used as nano-dots, artificially-induced pinning centres have a larger potential than natural ones. From angle-dependent in-field transport measurements and from Transmission Electron Microscopy we have found evidence of c-axis correlated pinning centres.