Evidence for two superconducting energy gaps in MgB(2) by point-contact spectroscopy

Experimental support is found for the multiband model of the superconductivity in the recently discovered system MgB(2) with the transition temperature T(c) = 39 K. By means of Andreev reflection, evidence is obtained for two distinct superconducting energy gaps. The sizes of the two gaps ( Delta(S) = 2.8 meV and Delta(L) = 7 meV) are, respectively, smaller and larger than the expected weak coupling value. Because of the temperature smearing of the spectra the two gaps are hardly distinguishable at elevated temperatures, but when a magnetic field is applied the presence of two gaps can be demonstrated close to the bulk T(c) in the raw data.     

Evidence for two superconducting gaps in the unconventional superconductor PrPt4Ge12

We report the results of magnetization measurements on the unconventional superconductor PrPt₄Ge₁₂ in its superconducting state. A distinct positive curvature is observed in the temperature dependence of the lower critical field H _C1(T) and the upper critical field H _C2(T) around 5.5?K. The zero field critical current density J _C(T, H?=?0) is found to vary nearly linearly with temperature. We argue that these observed features are due to the existence of two superconducting gaps in the material. The normalized superfluid density is estimated from the temperature dependence of H _C1. Our detailed analysis of the normalized superfluid density using a two-gap model indicates the presence of line nodes in the larger gap. The H _C2(T) line can be fitted with the Usadel equations, and the positive curvature in H _C2(T) is shown to be consistent with the two-gap picture of superconductivity.     

Fluctuation conductivity in superconducting MgB2

According to the crystal structure of MgB₂ and band structure calculations, quasi-two-dimensional (2D) boron planes are responsible for the superconductivity. We report on critical-field and resistance measurements of 5.6-μm-thick MgB₂ films grown on a sapphire single-crystal substrate. Resistivity measurements yield a temperature dependence of the fluctuation conductivity above the critical temperature, which agrees with the Aslamazov-Larkin and Maki-Thompson theory of fluctuations in layered superconductors, indicating a quasi-two-dimensional nucleation of superconductivity in MgB₂.     

Boron isotope effect in superconducting MgB2

We report the preparation method of and boron isotope effect for MgB2, a new binary intermetallic superconductor with a remarkably high superconducting transition temperature T(c)(10B) = 40.2 K. Measurements of both temperature dependent magnetization and specific heat reveal a 1.0 K shift in T(c) between Mg11B2 and Mg10B2. Whereas such a high transition temperature might imply exotic coupling mechanisms, the boron isotope effect in MgB2 is consistent with the material being a phonon-mediated BCS superconductor.     

Determination of the electron-phonon coupling constants from the experimental temperature dependences of superconducting gaps in MgB2

Experimental temperature dependences Δ_{σ, π}(T) of the energy of superconducting gaps for MgB₂ samples with the critical temperatures 22 K < T _c < 41 K have been fitted by selecting the renormalized electron-phonon coupling constants λ _ij with the use of the Moskalenko-Shul system of equations, the expression for the frequency of collective plasma oscillations obtained by Leggett for two-gap superconductors, and two fitting parameters. We previously obtained the dependences Δ_{σ, π}(T) by the multiple Andreev reflection spectroscopy of superconductor-constriction-superconductor junctions based on MgB₂ with various degree of disorder of the crystal structure. It has been shown that the intraband pairing constants are decisive for the superconductivity mechanism in MgB₂; in this case, √V _σσ V _ππ/V _σπ = 8–22 and the ratio of the interband constants α can range from 3 to 11. The set of the Eliashberg coupling constants λ _ij ⁰ has been qualitatively determined for relatively pure MgB₂ with maximum values T _c ≈ 40 K. The leading constant is 0.7 < λ _σσ ⁰ ≈ λ _eff ⁰ < 0.9 and depends on the choice of the upper integration limit in the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) model and the effective Coulomb repulsion μ _iff ^* . The characteristic ratio for the gap in the σ band is 2Δ_σ/k _B T _c = 5.0–6.5.     

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.     

Optical measurements of the superconducting gap in MgB 2

Far-infrared reflectivity studies on the polycrystalline intermetallic compound MgB₂ with a superconducting transition temperature T _c = 39 K were performed at temperatures 20 K to 300 K. We observe a significant raise of the superconducting-to-normal state reflectivity ratio below 70 cm ^-1 , with a maximum at about 25-30 cm ^-1 , which gives a lower estimate of the superconducting gap of 2Δ(0) ≈ 3-4 meV. Received 7 March 2001 and Received in final form 18 April 2001     

关于MgB2超导多层膜间临界厚度的研究

利用多级的阶梯状势垒近似方法,应用于MgB<,2>作为超导体的SSeS结,对其临界厚度从基本原理入手并进行理论推导,获得超导多层膜的临界厚度公式,并对该公式展开讨论,取得一系列较有价值的结论.     

MgB2超导体能隙与比热的关系

基于双带模型,通过引入非电子—声子相互作用并利用自洽近似方法在BCS理论框架内讨论了硼化镁超导体的能隙及电子比热。     

High current-carrying capability in c-axis-oriented superconducting MgB2 thin films

In high-quality c-axis-oriented MgB2 thin films, we observed high critical current densities ( J(c)) of approximately 16 MA/cm(2) at 15 K under self-fields comparable to those of cuprate high-temperature superconductors. The extrapolated value of J(c) at 5 K was estimated to be approximately 40 MA/cm(2). For a magnetic field of 5 T, a J(c) of approximately 0.1 MA/cm(2) was detected at 15 K, suggesting that this compound would be a very promising candidate for practical applications at high temperature and lower power consumption. The vortex-glass phase is considered to be a possible explanation for the observed high current-carrying capability.     

MgB2超导多层膜的制备方案

简要叙述了MgB2的发展和制备历史,通过对不同衬底材料上MgB2的反应情况的总结概括以及对不同衬底材料和MgB2的晶体结构和晶格常量的比较,提出一种MgB2超导多层膜的制备方案.     

超导体MgB2弹性常数的第一原理计算

利用全势线性muffin-tin轨道(FP-LMTO)方法, 结合在密度泛函理论框架下的广义梯度近似, 研究了六角密堆积结构超导体MgB2的晶格参数, 弹性常数, 以及体积模量及其对压强的微分. 计算结果显示当晶格参数c和a的比率c/a大约为1.138时, MgB2的结构最稳定.本文所得到的计算结果与实验值及其他作者利用不同方法得到的计算值相符合.     

Phase analysis of superconducting polycrystalline MgB(2)

Superconducting MgB(2) ceramics were prepared and yield superconducting transition temperatures of about 39 K. For covering the various length scales on which inhomogeneities appear in MgB(2), electron-probe micro-analysis (EPMA) and analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied for a phase analysis. Particularly useful were the preliminary electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI) results in the TEM. It could be shown by EPMA that the microstructure consists of a Mg-B-O matrix and boron-rich secondary phases of composition close to MgB(12). It was unclear in which form oxygen was present in the superconducting matrix. By combining the acquisition of B-K and O-K edge jump ratio images and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in the TEM, we could prove that the matrix consists of superconducting MgB(2) and MgO. Most of the MgO precipitates and grains appear with diameters between 20 and 300 nm. The size distribution of MgO was inhomogeneous and oxygen-rich areas of dimensions >1 microm were also observed. Edge jump ratio images obtained by ESI were analysed for determining the signal values and effects of multiple inelastic scattering.     

MgB2超导薄膜正常态电阻特性研究

研究了MgB2超导薄膜正常态电阻的影响因素,探讨了与之相应的超导电性机制。MgB2超导薄膜样品采用两步异位退火的Mg扩散方法制备,通过电阻~温度曲线测量、扫描电子显微镜形貌观测和光学金相显微镜观察等方法研究了所制备薄膜的基本特性。实验结果表明,先驱硼薄膜的纯度严重影响着所生成的MgB2超导薄膜的转变温度,退火温度越高,影响越大;退火温度高的样品,正常态电阻大;退火时间长的样品正常态电阻大。     

Tunneling spectroscopy in small grains of superconducting MgB(2).

We report on tunneling spectroscopy experiments in small grains of the new binary intermetallic superconductor MgB(2). Experiments have been performed at 2.5 K using a low temperature scanning tunneling microscope. Good fit to the BCS model is obtained, with a gap value of 2 meV. In the framework of this model, this value should correspond to a surface critical temperature of 13.2 K. No evidence of gap anisotropy has been found.     

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.      

在二带京兹堡朗道理论下MgB2的超导参量的研究

文中通过G-L理论二带模型来研究相干长度ξ(T)、伦敦穿透深度λ(T)以及京兹堡朗道参量κ(T)=λ(T)/ξ(T)在Tc附近对温度T的依赖关系。理论计算结果与MgB2样品的实验数据符合的很好。同时与单带模型算出的结果做了对比,发现G-L理论二带模型能更精确描述MgB2的超导特性。     

Time-resolved photoexcitation of the superconducting two-gap state in MgB2 thin films

Femtosecond pump-probe studies show that carrier dynamics in MgB2 films is governed by the sub-ps electron-phonon (e-ph) relaxation present at all temperatures, the few-ps e-ph process well pronounced below 70 K, and the sub-ns superconducting relaxation below T(c). The amplitude of the superconducting component versus temperature follows the superposition of the isotropic dirty gap and the three-dimensional pi gap dependences, closing at two different T(c) values. The time constant of the few-ps relaxation exhibits a double divergence at temperatures corresponding to the T(c)'s of the two gaps.     

Evidence for two-band superconductivity from break-junction tunneling on MgB2

Superconductor-insulator-superconductor tunnel junctions have been fabricated on MgB2 that display Josephson and quasiparticle currents. These junctions exhibit a gap magnitude, Delta approximately 2.5 meV, that is considerably smaller than the BCS value, but which clearly and reproducibly closes near the bulk T(c). In conjunction with fits of the conductance spectra, these results are interpreted as direct evidence of two-band superconductivity.     

退火时间对MgB_2超导薄膜的影响

在多晶A l2O3衬底上,以B2H6作为硼源,化学气相沉积先驱B薄膜,采用Mg扩散方法,在不同退火时间条件下制备了MgB2超导薄膜。通过电阻-温度曲线测量、X射线衍射分析和扫描电子显微镜形貌观测方法,研究了退火时间对MgB2薄膜的超导特性、晶体结构、表面形貌的影响。