Scanning tunneling microscopy study of pinning-induced vortex lattice distortion in ion-irradiated NbSe2

We observe vortex pinning in 2.2 GeV Au-ion irradiated NbSe₂ by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at 3K. The ion irradiation generates columnar defects which act as pinning sites. At various external magnetic fields the vortex arrangement is clearly resolved but shows strong distortion. The location of individual defects is extracted from STM data and compared to the vortex arrangement.     

Microstructure and flux distribution in both pure and carbon-nanotube-embedded Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ superconductors

In order to improve pinning properties of bulk Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ (Bi-2212) materials, samples of both pure Bi-2212 and Bi-2212 with carbon nanotubes embedded (CNTE Bi-2212) have been prepared by partial-melting processing. The preparation conditions are chosen so that a significant fraction of carbon nanotubes can be successfully embedded in the material, as indicated by thermogravimetric analysis. The microstructure and composition of non-superconducting second phases are found to be different in these two types of samples. By means of magneto-optical (MO) imaging, flux distributions in both types of samples are investigated up to T=77 K. The MO investigation reveals the propagation of a flux front in both pure and CNTE Bi-2212, showing that there is a strong coupling between grains (clusters) which enables the flow of inter-granular currents. This grain coupling persists in our field range of ±180 mT. In bulk non-textured ceramic high-T_c superconductors, the flux fronts caused by currents flowing through the entire sample are observed for the first time. Intra-granular current densities are obtained from the images as a function of grain size. The MO investigations have revealed the differences in the current densities caused by the presence of carbon nanotubes, showing that the carbon nanotubes are indeed functioning like columnar defects produced by heavy-ion irradiation. The increase of the flux penetration field is also a manifestation of the increase of the transport current density in the CNTE Bi-2212. The superconducting properties in our samples are very well reproducible.     

Mechanism of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox crystallization and superconducting properties for Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox/Ag tapes prepared using isothermal partial melting method

The mechanism of Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_x (Bi-2212) crystallization from a partially molten state has been studied by means of thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement, and microstructural observation in Bi-2212/Ag tapes. Tapes have been prepared using the isothermal partial melting (IPM) method, under which partial melting and solidification are carried out at the same temperature in an nitrogen atmosphere and 20% oxygen partial pressure (p(O₂)), respectively. The Bi-2212 phase crystallizes by peritectic reaction between (Sr, Ca)CuO₂ (1:1 phase) and the liquid phase at processing temperatures (T_p)≥855°C. At the beginning of Bi-2212 crystallization, only the 1:1 and the liquid phases are present in tapes. The Bi-2212 nucleation occurs in the vicinity of 1:1 grains (homogeneous nucleation). This peritectic reaction progresses by recovery of oxygen in the liquid phase. In contrast, the nucleation of the Bi-2212 phase occurs heterogeneously at T_p≤850°C. The Bi-2212 phase co-exists with four Bi-free phases ((Sr, Ca)₁₄Cu₂₄O₄₁ (14:24 phase), (Sr, Ca)₂CuO₃ (2:1 phase), (Sr, Ca)O (1:0 phase), and the 1:1 phase) and the liquid phase in the early stage of the Bi-2212 crystallization step. Since the precipitation temperature of the Bi-2212 phase is higher than 850°C, the Bi-2212 crystallization progresses by direct precipitation. The crystallization paths affect microstructure and transport critical current density (J_c) of Bi-2212 tapes.     

Orientation-induced crossover in pinning force density and peak effect in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x single crystal

Magnetization–hysteresis measurements on single crystal of Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+x (Bi-2212) at various temperatures (20–40 K) are reported for different applied field orientations (θ) relative to the unit cell's c-axes. An orientation-induced crossover in the magnitude of the volume pinning force density F_p around θ≥20° is observed which does not conform with predictions of the existing 2D-pancake model. The results further indicate that the `peak-effect' in Bi-2212 is associated with the crossover in the vortex matter from a quasi-lattice to a disordered vortex solid.     

A comparative study of magnetic relaxation in YBa2Cu3−x Fe x O7−y single crystals

The zero-field-cooled magnetization relaxation has been studied over wide temperature and field ranges on iron-doped YBa₂Cu₃O_7–y single crystals. The relationship between the twin boundary density, which depends on the iron composition, and the pinning strength of the flux lines is determined systematically. For magnetic fields up to 1 T the inductive critical current density decreases as the iron composition increases. The Bean critical state model and the Anderson-Kim thermally activated flux-creep model are utilized to analyze and interpret the experimental results.     

Absence of correlated flux pinning by columnar defects in irradiated epitaxial Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 thin films

Using heavy-ion irradiation, we produced columnar defects of different density and orientation in epitaxial Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ thin films. Although this increases the normal state resistivity and the critical temperature is reduced proportionally to the volume fraction of damaged material, pinning-related quantities like critical current density, activation energy and depinning field are enhanced in external magnetic fields. Transport measurements in dependence of the magnetic field and its orientation consistently indicate two-dimensional pinning of pancake vortices at the columnar defects. We observe the absence of correlated flux pinning by columnar defects and compare to heavy-ion-irradiated single crystals and tapes, where line-like correlations have been observed.     

Dissipative flux motion in YBa2Cu3O7−δ films — Investigation by means of transport I-V curves

The nature of dissipative flux motion in epitaxial YBa₂Cu₃O_7– thin films has been investigated by means of resistivity (T, B) and transport current-voltage characteristicsE(j, T, B) covering up to 5 orders of magnitude in voltage for a wide range of temperatures (4.2–85 K) and magnetic fields (0.5–7.0 T). Activation energiesU(T, B, j) have been determined in the framework of the collective flux creep theory. It is shown thatU(T, B, j) decreases with increasing temperature, magnetic field and current density. In order to study the influence of a well-defined defect structure, columnar defects have been generated by irradiation with 340 MeV Xe-ions. From a scaling law relating theI–V curves after irradiation with the curves before irradiation it is found that vortices pinned by the columnar defects do not contribute to dissipation. Due to irradiation the irreversibility line is shifted to higher magnetic fields, indicating its connection to the pinning mechanisms present in the samples.     

Stability of supercurrents in a BiSrCaCuO (Bi-2212) high- Tcsuperconductor with artificially created defects

Recent results in a systematic study of the stability of supercurrents in Bi-2212 tapes with randomly oriented, highly splayed columnar defects are presented as a function of defect density. The defects were artificially created by fission fragments of bismuth nuclei, fissioned by irradiation with energetic protons (∼0.8 GeV). Significant enhancements in the persistent current density J_pare observed at all temperatures and fields. Also, a marked shift of the irreversibility line towards higher fields and temperatures improves considerably the capacity of the material for practical applications. Moreover, a significant decrease in the logarithmic decay rate S = dln (J_p) /dln(t) indicates a strong stabilization of the persistent currents. All features point to high effectiveness of this artificial pinning mechanism. However, the optimal proton fluence needs yet to be established.     

Flux pinning in columnar-structured and single crystalline MgB2 films

We have investigated the flux pinning effect of columnar grain boundary in columnar-structured and single crystalline MgB₂ films. The MgB₂ films with columnar structure showed much higher J_c than that of single crystalline thin film, and sample having smaller grain size had a higher J_c in high magnetic fields. At 5 K, the MgB₂ film with grain size of 460 nm showed an abnormal double-peak behavior in pining force density, F_p(B), caused by competition of different types of pinning sites, such as planar defects and point defects. Field dependences of F_p in columnar-structured films suggest that the columnar grain boundary is a strong pinning source in the MgB₂ film and it plays a crucial role in enhancing J_c over a wide range of magnetic fields and temperatures.     

The non-linear dynamics of vortices subjected to correlated and random pinning disorders in a quasi-2D superconductor

Understanding the dynamics of vortex matter subjected to random and correlated pinning disorders in layered superconductors remains a topic of considerable interest. The dynamical behavior of vortices in these systems shows a rich variety of effects due to many competing interactions. Here, we study the ac response of as-grown as well as heavy-ion-irradiated Tl₂Ba₂CaCu₂O₈ (Tl-2212) thin films by using a micro Hall-probe susceptometer. We find that the dynamics of vortices in the high-temperature, low-field regime of the H-T phase diagram investigated here depends on the nature of pinning defects. While the decay of screening currents J(t) indicates a glassy behavior in both types of samples, the nature of the glassy phase is different in the two cases. Samples with columnar defects show distinct signature of a Bose glass in the measurement of J(t) and the angular dependence of the irreversibility field (B irr).     

Simulation study of the anomalous Hall effect in high-T c superconductors

Including influence of the thermal fluctuation on flux motion in the Wang-Ting model, we use the numerical simulation method to investigate the anomalous Hall effect in high-T _c superconductors. The negative Hall resistivity has still been found in a certain range of temperature at low magnetic fields, which is qualitatively consistent with the experimental observations. Our results support the view point that the negative Hall effect is caused, most probably, by the flux motion with the pinning.     

Critical current density, magnetic relaxation and pinning distribution in Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox superconductors

Critical current densities and magnetic relaxation have been measured for Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_x (Bi-2212) single crystals and melt-processed ceramic samples. Strongly nonlogarithmic decay of the magnetization is observed down to 10 K in Bi-2212 single crystals over a time range of more than 3 decades. Different decay behaviours are found in Bi-2212 single crystals, bulk ceramics and powdered ceramics. The experimental results are discussed within the pinning distribution model of Hagen and Griessen. A pinning distribution function yielding the power law decay of magnetization as an analytical solution is found. A careful analysis of the pinning energy distribution reveals high energy tails which can hardly be associated with single vortex pinning mechanisms. These high pinning energies can, however, be explained by reinterpreting the Hagen-Griessen model in terms of collective pinning theory.     

Pinning efficiency of splayed columnar defects in Bi-2212 single crystal: Evidence of a cage pinning effect

A three-directional configuration of columnar defects has been induced in a Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ single crystal by irradiation with heavy ions of high energy. Persistent current densities have been extracted, using the Bean model, from hysteresis loops recorded in the orientation H||c. We have shown that improvements in pinning properties are larger in this three-directional splayed configuration than in the one obtained with columnar defects parallel to the c-axis. This effect exists only for H larger than H_Φ, where H_Φ is the matching field, and disappears as temperature is increased and vortices become less stiff. This is the first time that such a beneficial effect is reported for a compound of such a high electronic anisotropy.     

A possible role of amorphous regions at grain-boundary vertex points as linear defects on flux pinning in MgB2 films with columnar grain structure

We measured the transport properties of MgB₂ films having columnar grain structure with their axis normal to the substrate. When an external magnetic field was applied parallel to the grain axis, an enhanced critical current density has been observed, and this result has been ascribed to flux pinning induced by grain boundaries. The shape of the angular dependence of critical current density and its magnetic field dependence showed a quite similar resemblance to those of YBa₂Cu₃O_x films containing columnar defects, implying a possible existence of linear defects in MgB₂ films of columnar structure. We propose that the amorphous regions at the vertex points of three or more grain boundaries observed in microstructural studies correspond to the linear defects and these linear defects anchor the end points of the flux line dislocations of Frank-Read sources, by which the shear in the flux line lattice is actuated. This assumed mechanism is found to reasonably explain the magnetic field dependence of the flux pinning force density of MgB₂ films with columnar grain structure.     

Calculation of local insulating structure of CaCuO2 with interplanar oxygen defects

The electronic band structures of CaCuO₂ with various planar structures have been computed with the spin polarized, full potential pseudofunction method. The perfect tetragonal structure has metallic bands. If the CuO plane is puckered as proposed on the basis of pulsed neutron experiments, a semi-metallic-like behavior is found. When some of the oxygen atoms are moved from the basal plane into interplanar sites that are coplanar with Ca, an insulating ground state is obtained with antiferromagnetic moments of 0.21 _B . Around this interplanar oxygen defect site, the charge and magnetic moment distributions resemble those of a CuO chain structure with strong coupling to Cu atoms from different basal planes. Small displacements of defect oxygens at interplanar sites along the CaO planar directions produces large changes in band shape near E _F , suggesting strong electron-lattice coupling. The coupling is much weaker for displacements of O atoms within the CuO basal plane. Such interplanar defects could occur in superconducting cuprates and thus create small insulating regions for the pinning of magnetic flux lines.     

Transport critical-current and voltage-current characteristics of Bi(2223) silver-clamped thick films

The transport critical current properties of Bi(2223) silver-clamped thick films are studied by the measurement of its dependence on magnetic field and temperature close to T _c. It is found that the transport critical current follows a power law J _c(1–T/T _c)^3/2 for the sample with J _c>2.0×10⁴ A/cm² (77K, zero field) and that J _c(H) is basically reversible for increasing and decreasing magnetic field. After the transport current exceeds the critical current, the voltage-current (V-I) characteristics show a flux-creep-like behaviour until they smoothly join the flux-flow state. From the measurement of V-I curves, the pinning property of the sample may be estimated using the flux-creep mode. The flux-flow resistance is found to have a nonlinear magnetic field dependence.     

Hall effect and pinning regimes in thin films doped with nanoparticles

Hall effect and flux pinning in YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x (YBCO) thin films doped with BaZrO₃ (BZO) nanoparticles is investigated. The results show that sign reversal of the Hall coefficient from positive hole-like to negative electron-like occurs in vortex-liquid regime of undoped and BZO-doped YBCO films. With increasing BZO concentration the amplitude of the negative Hall effect is suppressed while the temperature position of the anomalous Hall effect does not depend significantly on doping level. In addition, it is shown that Hall conductivity increases non-monotonically with increasing BZO doping. These results support a model where BZO at low doping concentration induces point pinning centres turning to strong columnar pinning defects in films doped with 4% BZO.     

Superconductivity of thin films of lead,indium, and tin prepared in the presence of oxygen

We have studied the influence of oxygen on the superconducting properties of thin films of lead, indium and tin deposited on glass or sapphire substrates. In addition, the morphological microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The film thickness was 1.0 μm, and the partial pressure of O₂ during the film deposition was raised up to 1×10⁻⁴ Torr. In all three materials the development of a granular structure and a strong increase in the residual electric resistivity was observed due to the O₂-treatment. Whereas in the Pb films no change of the critical temperature was found, the In films deposited on glass substrates showed a slight increase ofT _c due to the oxygen. The strongest increase ofT _c (up to 8%) was observed in the O₂-treated Sn films. These results are discussed in terms of the McMillan theory. From our measurements of the critical current densityj _c we conclude that edge pinning is dominant in the undoped films. All three materials showed a strong increase ofj _c due to the O₂-treatment which must be interpreted in terms of bulk pinning.     

Why pinning by surface irregularities can explain the peak effect in transport properties and neutron diffraction results in NbSe2 and Bi- 2212 crystals?

The existence of a peak effect in transport properties (a maximum of the critical current as function of magnetic field) is a well-known but still intriguing feature of Type II superconductors such as NbSe₂ and Bi-2212. Using a model of pinning by surface irregularities in anisotropic superconductors, we have developed a calculation of the critical current which allows estimating quantitatively the critical current in both the high critical current phase and the low critical current phase. The only adjustable parameter of this model is the angle of the vortices at the surface. The agreement between the measurements and the model is really very impressive. In this framework, the anomalous dynamical properties close to the peak effect is due to coexistence of two different vortex states with different critical currents. Recent neutron diffraction data in NbSe₂ crystals in the presence of transport current support this point of view.     

Critical current density of a YBa2Cu3O7 film: Comparison between experiment and collective pinning theory

With the vibrating reed technique we have measured the critical current densityJ _c of a Y 123 200 nm thin film as a function of magnetic field perpendicular to the CuO₂ planes (O T<B8 T) and temperature (20KT60 K). At fieldsB<0.1 TJ _c is magnetic field independent and decreases at higher fields. A comparison with theory indicates that a crossover from a single pinning to a small bundle collective pinning regime may explain the observed behaviour. According to our estimate the main pinning centers are weak point pins due to oxygen vacancies. From the temperature dependence ofJ _c atB0 we obtain a temperature dependence of the thermodynamical critical fieldB _c (1–T/T _c )² forT20 K which agrees with the anomalous temperature dependence ofB _c2 observed recently in highly anisotropic high temperature superconductors.