Influence of shock-wave pressure up to 65 GPa on the crystal structure and superconducting properties of MgB2

The influence of shock-wave pressure treatment up to 65 GPa on the crystal structure and the superconducting transition temperature of a polycrystalline MgB₂ sample has been investigated. X-ray diffraction measurements have revealed that the shock-wave pressure does not result in any irreversible structural phase transitions in the MgB₂, except for microdistortions formed in the crystal structure of the shock-wave pressure-treated MgB₂ sample. This conclusion is in agreement with the results of superconducting transition temperature measurements of a MgB₂ sample performed before and after its shock-wave pressure treatment.     

Analysis of Mg-B compounds by means of Auger electron microprobe

For the development of a low-cost MgB₂ superconductor the “powder-in-tube” (PIT) technique is investigated. Mechanically alloyed MgB₂ powder provides a favorable microstructure and phase composition for the low temperature preparation of MgB₂ tapes with superconducting properties. The composition of sintered bulk samples and Fe-clad MgB₂ tapes made of mechanically alloyed MgB₂ has been investigated by Auger micro-analysis. Due to the process the samples contain about 15% oxygen. Pure MgB₂ crystallites were investigated as standard for stoichiometry and peak shape analysis.     

High-density MgB2 superconducting bulk samples prepared at ambient pressure

High-density MgB₂ (HD-MgB₂) superconducting samples (D ⩾ 2.2 g/cm³), using different sources of magnesium powder as raw material, were synthesized in ambient pressure in a rich Mg environment. The magnesium powders used in the fabrication process include nanometer-sized magnesium particles, powders from Alfa Aesar, ordinary off-the-shelf powder, and magnesium chip. The fabrication procedure involved a double-sintering process in a rich-Mg environment. A transition temperature T _c of 39 K was observed. Samples with the equally high density and matching superconducting properties were obtained as well by a triple sintering process of the MgB₂ powder directly from Alfa Aesar.      

Preparation of MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Fe superconductor wire by electrical self-heating

MgB₂/Fe wires were prepared by electrical self-heating of in situ powder-in-tube wires for the first time at ambient conditions. Characterization of the wires processed at 750 °C, 800 °C and 850 °C for 15 min by XRD, SEM, ϱ–T, susceptibility and J_C measurements shows that the MgB₂ formed is of high quality particularly with respect to phase purity and transport J_C. The method considerably reduces the overall energy consumption vis-à-vis the production cost, simplifies the complexity of the fabrication procedure and is promising for manufacture of high-quality MgB₂ superconducting wires. PACS 74.70.Ad; 74.62.Bf; 74.25.Fy; 74.25.Ha; 81.20.Hy     

Superconducting MgB2 films on MgO substrates

We report the preparation of homogeneous, polycrystalline MgB₂ films on single-crystalline MgO substrates by screen printing and airbrush methods. The superconducting material was obtained by the reaction of Mg vapor with boron precursor layers in special steel casings under argon/hydrogen atmosphere at 800 °C and ambient pressure. After polishing of the surface, films with a thickness of about 2 m were obtained. Electrolytic polishing improved the surface smoothness of the samples. Transition temperatures of about 33 K were measured with irreversibility fields of up to 6 T at 20 K. Transport critical current densities of 2×10⁹ Am^-2 were obtained at 4.2 K in self-field for a MgB₂ film on single-crystalline MgO. PACS 74.72.Yg; 74.76.Db; 74.60.Jg     

纳米C和SiC掺杂对MgB2带材超导性能的影响

采用X射线衍射仪，扫描电镜，超导量子干涉仪等仪器对纳米C和SiC掺杂的MgB₂带材进行了表征，并采用标准四引线法对样品的临界电流进行了测试. 实验表明，C和SiC掺杂在提高MgB₂带材高场下的临界电流密度方面具有显著效果. 在温度为4.2 K、磁场大于9 T条件下，C和SiC掺杂样品的临界电流密度与未掺杂样品相比均提高一个数量级以上. 掺杂样品高磁场下良好的临界电流性能主要归因于C对B的替代所产生的晶格畸变、位错等缺陷和局部成分变化而导致的有效晶内钉扎作用. 实验结果表明，SiC掺杂的MgB2带材之所以具有非常好的高场电流特性，和C掺杂的样品一样， C对B的替代起到十分关键的作用. 关键词： 2带材')" href="#">MgB₂带材 C掺杂 SiC掺杂 临界电流性能     

Synthesis and superconductivity of MgB2/Fe–Se–Te composites

MgB₂/FeSe_0.75Te_0.25 composites were synthesized to see the effect of the co-existence of superconducting phases on the superconductivity. MgB₂ powders were mixed with pre-alloyed FeSe_0.75Te_0.25 or elemental powder mixture, followed by sintering at 400 °C. The resulting materials were superconducting MgB₂/FeSe_0.75Te_0.25 composites without impurity phase when using pre-alloyed FeSe_0.75Te_0.25 as a starting powder. When FeSe_0.75Te_0.25 was prepared by in situ reaction from the elemental powder mixture of Fe–Se–Te, on the other hand, non-superconducting impurity phases partly formed after sintering. No double superconducting transition was observed in MgB₂/FeSe_0.75Te_0.25 composites in spite of coexistence of two superconducting phases.     

Non-resonant microwave absorption studies of superconducting MgB2 and MgB2 + MgO

Non-resonant microwave absorption (NRMA) studies of superconducting MgB₂ and a sample containing ∼10% by weight of MgO in MgB₂ are reported. The NRMA results indicate near absence of intergranular weak links in the pure MgB₂ sample. A linear temperature dependence of the lower critical field H _c1 is observed indicating a non-s wave superconductivity. However, the phase reversal of the NRMA signal which could suggest d wave symmetry is also not observed. In the MgB₂ + MgO sample, much larger low field dependent absorption is observed indicating the presence of intergranular weak links. The hysteretic behavior of NRMA is compared and contrasted in the two samples. In the pure MgB₂ sample, a large hysteresis is observed between the forward and the reverse scans of the magnetic field indicating strong pinning of flux lines. This hysteresis saturates a few degrees below T _c while in the MgB₂ + MgO sample, a much slower increase of hysteresis with decreasing temperature is observed, a signature of weaker pinning.     

MgB2 coated conductors directly grown on flexible metallic Hastelloy tapes by hybrid physical–chemical vapor deposition

MgB₂ coated conductors (CCs), which can avoid the low packing density problem of powder-in-tube (PIT) processed wires, can be a realistic solution for practical engineering applications. Here we report on the superior superconducting properties of MgB₂ CCs grown directly on the flexible metallic Hastelloy tapes without any buffer layer at various deposition temperatures from 520 to 600 °C by using hybrid physical–chemical vapor deposition (HPCVD) technique. The superconducting transition temperatures (T_c) are in the range of 38.5–39.4 K, comparable to bulk samples and high quality thin films. Clear (101) and (002) reflection peaks of MgB₂ are observed in the X-ray diffraction patterns without any indication of chemical reaction between MgB₂ and Hastelloy tapes. From scanning electron microscopy, it was found that connection between MgB₂ grains and voids strongly depend on the growth temperature. A systematic increase in the flux pinning force density and thereby the critical current density with decreasing growth temperature was observed for the MgB₂ CCs. The critical current density (J_c) of J_c(5 K, 0 T) ～10⁷ A/cm² and J_c(5 K, 2.5 T) ～10⁵ A/cm² has been obtained for the sample fabricated at a low growth temperature of 520 °C. The enhanced J_c (H) behavior can be understood on the basis of the variation in the microstructure of MgB₂ CCs with growth temperature.     

Influence of Ni addition on the process of phase formation in MgB2 bulk

Nickel is an important sheath material for the fabrication of MgB₂ wires. However, the effects of Ni doping on the phase formation and superconducting properties of MgB₂ remain controversial. In this work, Ni powder is selected for doping in MgB₂ bulk in order to examine the corresponding changes. Combining with the DSC analysis and in-situ XRD results, we find indications that the Ni powder reacted with Mg and B, forming MgNi_2.5B₂ at 600°C. The ternary compound began to decompose at a temperature above 800°C. The reactive phase, MgNi_2.5B₂, acted as an obstacle to the supercurrent flow, creating weak links among the MgB₂ grain boundaries. However, it is found that the added Ni formed a eutectic liquid phase with Mg at 506°C. The liquid phase helps the formation of MgB₂ at low temperature, which not only increases the density of the sample, but also improves the grain connectivity. Consequently, the presence of Ni in the MgB₂ sample is not necessarily a disadvantage; it depends on the desired application.     

X-ray photoemission study of MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript> films synthesized from in-situ annealed MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Mg multilayers

Superconducting MgB₂ films were obtained by in-situ annealing of precursor multilayers deposited at low substrate temperature by sputtering from a MgB₂ stoichiometric target and by thermal evaporation of pure Mg. After an in-situ annealing at 500–600 °C, the films showed a zero resistance critical temperature up to 31 K. The as-obtained MgB₂ films were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray auger electron spectroscopy (XAES). The electronic structure was studied by monitoring the B 1s, Mg 2p, O 1s core-levels and the Mg KL₂L₃ Auger line. For comparison, the electronic structure of an MgB₂ commercial superconducting sputtering target, of a not-annealed precursor film and of a sample obtained by direct sputtering from the MgB₂ target have also been investigated. Electron spectroscopy showed that in the superconducting systems the Mg KL₂L₃ Auger line kinetic energy position is always higher by about 0.9 eV with respect to the energy position of the same Auger line measured in the non-superconducting samples. PACS 74.25Jb; 74.78.Bz; 74.70.Ad     

Phase transitions in a MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript> granular BCS superconductor in weak magnetic fields

The character of temperature dependences of the electric conductivity of MgB₂ granular BCS superconductors at temperatures of ~35–45 K in external magnetic fields H _ext of up to ~2 kOe is studied. An increase in the superconducting transition width ΔT _c with an increase in Hext is found. The presence of a system of weak links in MgB₂-based granular superconductors is established. On the basis of experimental data, MgB₂ granular superconductor is assigned to two-level superconducting systems and the H–T phase diagram is constructed.     

STRUCTURE AND SUPERCONDUCTIVITY OF Mg(B1-xCx)2 COMPOUNDS

In this paper, we report on the structural properties and superconductivity of Mg(B_1-xC_x)₂ compounds. Powder X-ray diffraction results indicate that the samples crystallize in a hexagonal AlB₂-type structure. Due to the chemical activity of Mg powders, a small amount of MgO impurity phase is detected by X-ray diffraction. The lattice parameters decrease slightly with the increasing carbon content. Magnetization measurements indicate that the non-stoichiometry of MgB₂ has no influence on the superconducting transition temperature and the transition temperature width. The addition of carbon results in a decrease of T_c and an increase of the superconducting transition width, implying the loss of superconductivity.     

Photoemission results of intermetallic superconductors: Nb3Al and MgB2

We study the superconducting electronic structures of Nb₃Al and MgB₂ using high-resolution spectroscopy. The obtained spectrum of Nb₃Al measured below T_c shows clear opening of the superconducting gap with a sharp pile up in the density of states and a shift of the leading edge. In addition, the spectrum shows a peak-dip-hump line shape expected from the strong-coupling theory. On the other hand, for MgB₂, the superconducting-state spectrum measured at 5.4 K shows a coherent peak with a shoulder structure, in sharp contrast to that expected from a single isotropic gap. The superconducting spectral shape of MgB₂ can be explained in terms of a multicomponent gap.     

Synthesis of MgB2 films by diffusion of magnesium into electrophoretically deposited boron films

The boron films were formed from the optimized stable suspension solution of boron particles using electrophoretic deposition technique. The magnesium film with optimized thickness was deposited onto boron films by vacuum evaporation technique. The heterogeneous structure was given heat treatment in ambient and vacuum atmosphere for diffusion of Mg into the boron films to form MgB₂ phase. XRD studies were carried out on both as deposited and heat treated heterostructure films to investigate their structure and phase. Surface morphological studies of these films were done by SEM.     

Enhanced superconducting properties of Eu2O3-doped MgB2

Bulk polycrystalline samples of Eu₂O₃-doped MgB₂ have been synthesized by a standard solid state reaction route and their structural and superconducting properties have been investigated. As a function of Eu₂O₃ content we have found a significant increase in the critical current density (J_c) and the irreversibility field (H_irr) in the magnetic field range 0–6 T. The XRD results reveal the presence of MgO and EuB₆ secondary phases along with the main hexagonal phase of MgB₂. The strain values and the lattice distortions have been found to increase almost linearly with the nominal Eu₂O₃ content. The observed significant improvement in J_c(H) and H_irr in the Eu₂O₃-doped MgB₂ samples, thus is mainly attributed to the lattice distortions introduced by Eu₂O₃ doping.     

Synthesis and characterization of excess magnesium MgB2 superconductor under inert carbon environment

The structural, transport and magnetic properties of MgB₂ superconductor heavily blended with Mg is studied. The samples are synthesized with a new approach in both, pressed carbon environment and in flowing argon. The excess magnesium used is observed to play dual role: one being the prevention of Mg losses during the synthesis process and hence maintaining the stoichiometry of MgB₂ phase, and second being the formation of Mg milieu probably all around the MgB₂ grains to give a dense structure. Excess Mg also improves the grain connectivity by going into the pores and there by minimizing the insulating junctions. The residual resistivity of the sample is observed to decrease from 57.02 μΩ cm to 10.042 μΩ cm as it is progressively filled with superconductor–normal–superconductor (SNS) type junctions amongst the grains by the virtue of increased magnesium content. The synthesized samples devoid of porosity show the superconducting transition, T_c in the range of 39–34 K as of clean MgB₂ samples, though overloaded with Mg. The excess Mg resulted in enhanced critical current density, J_c from 6.8 × 10³ A cm^?2 to 5.9 × 10⁴ A cm^?2 at 20 K and 10 kOe, with reasonable decrease in the superconducting transition. Thus our samples being overloaded with Mg impart mechanical strength and competitive superconducting properties, which forms a part of interest.     

Enhanced critical current density of MgB2 thin films deposited at low temperatures by ZnO seed impurity

We report a facile method to enhance the critical current density (J_c) of superconducting MgB₂ thin films. MgB₂ thin films were deposited on zinc acetate dehydrate (Zn(CH₃COO)₂2H₂O) spin-coated Al₂O₃ (000l) substrates by using a hybrid physical-chemical vapor deposition system at low temperatures. Synthesis of MgB₂ at low temperatures can reduce the substitution of Zn into the Mg site, hence avoiding the reduction of superconducting critical temperature. MgB₂ thin films grown on ZnO-buffered layers showed a significant enhancement of J_c in the magnetic field due to the creation of additional pinning sources, namely point defects and grain boundaries. Broad peaks were observed in the magnetic field dependence of the flux pinning force density, indicating competition of different pinning sources.     

Superconducting weak bonds at grain boundaries in MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The possibility of preparing bicrystalline Josephson junctions and bolometers based on superconducting MgB₂ on specially prepared bicrystalline MgO substrates is investigated. Microbridges 0.85–6.00 μm in width, intersecting the bicrystalline interface, are formed in epitaxial bicrystalline MgB₂ films grown on these substrates. It is found that annealing of bicrystalline samples in oxygen leads to a systematic decrease in the critical current, an increase in the temperature width of the superconducting transition region, and to an improvement of the current-voltage (IV) characteristic, which becomes close in shape to the IV characteristic of a Josephson junction. The response of such a junction to radiation at a frequency of 110 GHz with an amplitude attaining 0.5 mV is measured.     

利用电泳法在金属基底上制备MgB2超导厚膜

利用电泳技术在高熔点金属基底Ta，Mo和W上制备MgB₂超导厚膜.厚膜中的MgB2晶粒结合紧密，粒度小于1μm，呈随机取向生长.电阻测量表明沉积在Ta，Mo，W上的MgB₂厚膜的超导起始转变温度分别为36.5K，34.8K，33.4K，对应的转变宽度为0.3K，1.5K和2.0K.三种基底上制备的MgB₂厚膜的临界电流密度在不同温度下随外磁场的变化情况 基本相同，MgB₂/Mo厚膜的临界电流密 关键词： 2超导厚膜')" href="#">MgB₂超导厚膜 电泳 金属基底