Multistable current states in high-temperature superconducting composites

Conditions for current instabilities that arise in high-temperature superconducting composites with essentially nonlinear dependences of the critical current densities and resistivity on the temperature and magnetic induction have been studied. The analysis has been conducted in terms of zero-dimensional models, which has made it possible to formulate general physical mechanisms behind the formation of currents states in superconducting composites according to the external magnetic field induction, cooling conditions, and the properties of the superconductor and cladding. The possible existence of current and temperature stable steps, as well as stable steps of the electric field strength, in the absence of the superconducting–normal transition, has been demonstrated. Reasons for instabilities under multistable current states have been discussed.     

Multiple current states of two phase-coupled superconducting rings

The states of two phase-coupled superconducting rings have been investigated. Multiple current states have been revealed in the dependence of the critical current on the magnetic field. The performed calculations of the critical currents and energy states in a magnetic field have made it possible to interpret the experiment as the measurement of energy states into which the system comes with different probabilities because of the equilibrium and nonequilibrium noises upon the transition from the resistive state to the superconducting state.     

Andreev probe of persistent current states in superconducting quantum circuits

Using the extraordinary sensitivity of Andreev interferometers to the superconducting phase difference associated with currents, we measure the persistent current quantum states in superconducting loops interrupted by Josephson junctions. Straightforward electrical resistance measurements of the interferometers give a continuous readout of the states, allowing us to construct the energy spectrum of the quantum circuit. The probe is estimated to be more precise and faster than previous methods, and can measure the local phase difference in a wide range of superconducting circuits.     

Thermal stabilization of the resistive states of superconducting composites: Quasilinear approximation

The conditions of the occurrence and development of thermal instabilities in the composite superconductor with a continuously increasing current-voltage characteristic, which is described by the power equation, have been studied. The conditions for thermal stabilization have been analyzed in the general form using dimensionless variables that keep their invariance when varying. For the local temperature disturbance, the critical energies and velocities of its irreversible propagation have been calculated. It has been proved that composites superconductors can have stable states, when the ultimate currents can be higher or lower of the conventionally preset critical current of the composite. Furthermore, superconductivity destruction at supercritical currents takes place not in the form of a stepwise transition from the superconducting to normal state, but due to the formation of thermal and electric switching waves that propagate along the composite superconductor with a constant speed. The condition for full thermal stabilization has been formulated for the superconducting composites with a power current–voltage characteristic. The results of the numerical experiments have proved that the existing theory of thermal stabilization, which assumes a stepwise superconducting–normal transition, leads to the considerable limitation of the range of the stable currents, at which a superconducting state can be kept.     

Anisotropy and scale effect in the microhardness of crystals of Bi-based superconducting phases

Microhardness studies are carried out on the (001) plane of faceted crystals of the Bi₂Sr₂CuO₆ (2201) and Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ (2212) phases with the help of a Knoop indenter. Peculiarities in the effect produced on the microhardness by the indenter orientation relative to crystal faces, the presence of lead in the structure, and the force applied to the indenter (scale effect) are detected. It is found that crystals of the 2212 phase exhibit the strongest dependence of the microhardness on the above factors.     

Generation of coherent electromagnetic radiation by superconducting films at liquid-nitrogen temperatures

Generation of coherent electromagnetic radiation by GdBa₂Cu₃O_7?x superconducting films is observed in the frequency range 1–10 MHz at the temperature of boiling liquid nitrogen. The generation is caused by the feedback synchronization of the jumps of Abrikosov vortices produced by a low-frequency external magnetic field. This offers new possibilities for the application of high-T _c superconductors in superconducting electronics.     

On the use of STM superconducting tips at very low temperatures

We report on high quality local tunnel spectroscopy measurements in superconductors using in-situ fabricated superconducting tips as counterelectrode. The experiments were made at very low temperatures using a dilution refrigerator and a ³He cryostat. Spectra obtained with superconducting tip and sample of Al show that the spectroscopic resolution of our set-up is of 15 eV. Following the observation of Josephson current in tunnelling regime (with tips of Pb and of Al), we discuss the feasibility of Scanning Josephson Spectroscopy with atomic size resolution. Experiments showing new applications of these superconducting tips under applied external magnetic fields are also reported.Received: 12 May 2004, Published online: 7 September 2004PACS: 73.63.Rt Nanoscale contacts - 74.25.Fy Transport properties (electric and thermal conductivity, thermoelectric effects, etc.) - 74.25.Ha Magnetic properties - 74.50. + r Tunnelling phenomena; point contacts, weak links, Josephson effects - 74.78.Na Mesoscopic and nanoscale systems - 74.80.Fp Point contacts; SN and SNS junctions     

The flux-tube phase transition and bound states at high temperatures

We consider the phase transition in the dual Yang-Mills theory at finite temperature T. The phase transition is associated with a change (breaking) of symmetry. The effective mass of the dual gauge field is derived as a function of the T-dependent gauge coupling constant. We investigate the analytical criterion constraining the existence of a quark-antiquark bound state at temperatures higher than the temperature of deconfinement. The text was submitted by the author in English.     

Raman spectra of phase a at various pressures and temperatures

Variations of the Raman spectra of phase A (Mg₇Si₂O₁₄H₆) were investigated up to about 400 kbar at room temperature and in the range 80–853 K at atmospheric pressure. Phase A appears to undergo a reversible phase transition around 180 kbar at room temperature, and it becomes amorphous above 813 K at atmospheric pressure. The Raman frequencies of the two strong OH bands of phase A decrease linearly with increasing pressure, but increase non-linearly with increasing temperature. The frequencies of the other Raman bands of phase A increase non-linearly with increasing pressure but decrease both linearly and non-linearly with increasing temperature within the experimental uncertainties and the range investigated. The trends of the pressure and temperature effects on the Raman frequencies of phase A parallel those observed in the hydrous β-phase, but nonlinear behaviour was not observed in the latter.     

Neutron lifetime and density of states of fluoropolymers at low temperatures

Present status of the measurements of the neutron lifetime is shortly reviewed. We report the inelastic neutron scattering measurement of the density of vibrational states G(ω) of two fluoropolymers, which are promising coating materials for the storage of ultracold neutrons (UCNs) in closed volumes covered with polymer film. From determined G(ω), we calculate the expected UCN loss coefficients.     

Positron lifetime study of molybdenum neutron-irradiated at various temperatures

Positron Lifetime measurements reveal that neutron irradiation at 350 and 400°C can produce sub-electron microscopic voids in Mo. The results show that the lifetime in voids reaches a saturation value with increasing void size to a dimension less than 20 Å. It is suggested that the difference among known data for τ₂ ? 450 ps can be attributed to differences in the metal-void interface and gaseous conditions within the void.     

Excess properties of methanol-water binary system at various temperatures

Summary  In this study the viscosities of binary mixtures of methanol and water have been measured in the temperatures ranging from 15 to 45°C. The structural changes occurring as a consequence of molecular interactions in the solutions have been discussed in detail. Nevertheless, it would be of interest to see whether the information obtained from viscosity studies can be corroborated with that obtained from dielectric-constant data. With this aim, the present study on the dielectric behaviour of methanol-water binary solutions has been undertaken. The static dielectric constants, densities and refractive indices have been also measured on the methanol-water mixtures expressed by the mole fraction of methanol (0<x₂<1). Excess dielectric constants, excess volumes, excess viscosities and excess Gibbs energies of activation of the viscous flow and Kirkwood correlation factors have been evaluated using experimental results since these calculations may lead to conclusions concerning the deviation of the system from an ideal-mixture behaviour.     

Stability considerations of a high-temperature superconductor tape at different operating temperatures

Stability of a Bi-2223/Ag multifilamentary composite conductor against fast transport current ramps was studied by using a numerical model. The model was based on the two-dimensional magnetic diffusion and heat conduction equations. Calculations were carried out both in an adiabatic mode and pool boiling modes in liquid helium, hydrogen and nitrogen. When estimating the heat load (AC losses), real temperature dependent current density–electric field characteristics were used. The results computed by the finite element method are presented and discussed with special emphasis on differences of the stability considerations between high-temperature and low-temperature superconductors.     

温度和应变速率耦合作用下纳米晶Ni压缩行为研究

本文利用低温力学测试系统研究了电化学沉积纳米晶Ni在不同温度和宽应变速率条件下的压缩行为. 借助应变速率敏感指数、激活体积、扫描电子显微镜及高分辨透射电子显微镜方法, 对纳米晶Ni的压缩塑性变形机理进行了表征. 研究表明, 在较低温度条件下, 纳米晶Ni的塑性变形主要是由晶界位错协调变形主导, 晶界本征位错引出后无阻碍的在晶粒内无位错区运动, 直至在相对晶界发生类似切割林位错行为. 并且, 在协调塑性变形时引出位错的残留位错能够增加应变相容性和减小应力集中; 在室温条件下, 纳米晶Ni的塑性变形机理主要是晶界-位错协调变形与晶粒滑移/旋转共同主导. 利用晶界位错协调变形机理和残留位错运动与温度及缺陷的相关性揭示了纳米晶Ni在不同温度、不同应变速率条件下力学压缩性能差异的内在原因.     

Levitating states of superconducting rings in the field of a fixed ring with constant current

We consider the possibility of designing a plasma trap with a magnetic system formed by super-conducting rings and coils levitating in the field of a fixed coaxial coil carrying constant current. An analytic dependence of the potential energy of such a system with one or two levitating superconducting rings having trapped preset magnetic fluxes on their coordinates in the uniform gravitational field is obtained in the thin ring approximation. Calculations performed in the Mathcad system show that equilibrium states of such a system exist for certain values of parameters. Levitating states of a single superconducting ring and two superconducting rings in the field of the coil with constant current are observed experimentally in positions corresponding to calculated values.     

Coulomb structures of charged macroparticles in static magnetic traps at cryogenic temperatures

Electrically charged (up to 10⁷ e) macroscopic superconducting particles with sizes in the micrometer range confined in a static magnetic trap in liquid nitrogen and in nitrogen vapor at temperatures of 77–91 K are observed experimentally. The macroparticles with sizes up to 60 μm levitate in a nonuniform static magnetic field B ~ 2500 G. The formation of strongly correlated structures comprising as many as ~10³ particles is reported. The average particle distance in these structures amounts to 475 μm. The coupling parameter and the Lindemann parameter of these structures are estimated to be ~10⁷ and ~0.03, respectively, which is characteristic of strongly correlated crystalline or glasslike structures.