Superconducting tunneling on Chevrel phase thin films

Electron tunneling spectroscopy has been applied for the investigation of Cu_1.8Mo₆S₈, PbMo_6.35S₈ and LaMo₆S₈ d.c. getter-sputtered thin films. Cryogenically deposited Al₂O₃ as the artificial barrier with Al counter-electrode formed the tunnel junctions. The energy gap Δ₀ and the ratio 2Δ₀/k_BT_c were determined from the differential conductance dJ/dV vs. voltage V. Preliminary measurements showed phonon structure in LaMo₆S₈ films.     

Superconducting thin films of MxMo6S8 type

Thin films of M_xMo₆S₈, where M=Pb, Sn, Sn-Al and Cu, known as the Chevrel phases have been prepared by d.c. getter sputtering method and the optimal conditions of their preparation have been determined. The transition temperatures reached: 10.16, 13.66, 11.74 and 12.86 K for thin films with M=Cu, Sn, Sn-Al and Pb respectively. The highest critical fields H_c²(0) of 428 kG were obtained for Pb compounds.     

Paramagnetic limiting in superconducting LiTiO ternary system

Measurements of upper critical fields H_c2 vs temperature are presented for several LiTiO compounds which have a nearly constant T_c = 11.2 ± 0.3 K and widely varying values of H_c2. Stable compounds have small spin-orbit scattering and show paramagnetic limiting effects, with the highest H_c2(4.2K) = 162 kG. Several compounds with large scattering showed a decrease in H_c2 over a period of about one year.     

Phase transition in the superconducting state in Gd-rich pseudoternary compounds (La1-xGdx)1.0Mo6Se8

A pronounced lambda-type specific heat anomaly in the superconducting state is reported for Gd-rich pseudoternary compounds (La_1-xGd_x)_1.0Mo₆Se₈. The anomaly is very similar to that previously reported for the compound Gd_1.2Mo₆Se₈. Both the temperature of the lambda anomaly (≈ 3.5 K) and the Curie-Weiss temperature were found to be nearly independent of x. In addition, evidence for the occurence of magnetic ordering at 0.8 K in Gd_1.2Mo₆Se₈ is presented. These observations support our earlier conjecture that the lambda anomaly at 3.5 K does not arise from magnetic ordering of the Gd³⁺ ions. The anomaly appears instead to be due to a different type of phase transition which is associated with the presence of the localized 4f electrons of the Gd³⁺ ions, but the exact nature of the transition remains to be established.     

A specific heat and magnetization study of highT c ceramic superconductors

From the temperature dependence of the specific heat of the semiconductor La₂CuO₄ and the high temperature superconductors La_1.8Sr_0.2CuO₄ (T _c =37.2 K) and YBa_1.9K_0.1Cu₃O_6.9 (T _c =91.5 K) in the range 1.5–30 K, a strong similarity of the lowfrequency part of their phonon density of states with a peak around 10 meV could be inferred. In the case of La_1.8Sr_0.2CuO₄ the thermodynamical critical field belowT _c has been determined and using the Rutger's formula and the BCS model, a Sommerfeld coefficient γ=9 mJ·mol^?1 K^?1 was obtained, which, taking into account recent results of band structure calculations leads to an electron-phonon enhancement factor γ=1.3, value compatible withT _c =36 K when using McMillan's formula forT _c . A systematic study of the magnetization offered evidence for strong flux trapping effects at higher fields and for Meissner shielding by superconducting Josephson currents in fields below 6 mT at 4.2 K.     

Critical currents of LaMo6S8 thin films

The thin films of LaMo₆S₈ were prepared by d.c. getter sputtering method. Critical current have been measured vs applied magnetic field B_⊥ up to 8 T at the temperature ranged from 1.7 to 4.2 K. The highest critical current density reached was J_c = 1.7 × 10⁷ Am^?2 at B = 0 and T = 1.7 K. Based on the measurements performed, it was possible to indicate that depending on the heat treatment applied, the pinning forces created in the LaMo₆S₈ thin films obey the scaling law.     

Preparation,stoichiometry and magnetic properties of Cu y Cr2Se4−z Br x spinels with 0.5≲x≲2

The chemical composition of Cu _y Cr₂Se_4?z Br _x spinels depends strongly on the preparation parameters. Spinels with 0.8?y?1.2, 0.5?x?2, and 0?z?x?0.2 have been prepared. Whereas the lattice constanta _o of these spinels differs only by less than approximately 0.6%, their Curie temperatureT _c depends sensitively on the spinel composition. For Cu_1.1Cr₂Se_3.4Br_o.46,a _o=1.0410 nm andT _c=310 K were found to compared witha ₀=1.0447 nm andT _c=84 K of CuCr₂Se₂Br₂.     

Effect of pressure on the superconducting transition in Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system

Abstract

The effect of pressure on T_c was studied on 110 K class Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (1:1:1:2) compounds. T_c was varied with current in I^3/2 , and defined at the value extrapolated to zero current. dT_c /dP = + 0.18 K/kbar was obtained up to 10.9 kbars.     

Dynamic phenomena in layer superconducting cuprate and organic metals

Dynamic electron spin resonance (ESR) and extended x-ray absorption edge fine structure (XAFS) measurements suggest that layered organic metals and cuprate superconductors behave similarly. The response to microwave radiation in a modulated external magnetic field indicates that: (i) triplet state, T * ESR is observed below T_c for both; (ii) the condensation of free spin doublet D to T* occurs above the transition temperature to superconductivity T_c (10 ± 1 K for the organic metal (BEDT-TTF)₃Ta₂F₁₁ and 92 to 12 K for YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ and its rare earth derivatives); (iii) antiferomagnetic (AF) resonance is detected above T_c for the organic metal. Here the exchange field between the aligned AF domains: J_AF(150 K) = 130.7 mT (153 mK) is greater than the exchange term J(150 K) ≈ 15 mT (20 mK) between free spins (S = 1/2) leading to T* states; the lifetime of AF domains τ_AF decreases below 150 K and resonance is not detected below 44 K (i.e. τ_AF < 10^-10 s) allowing a superconducting transition to appear below 10 K; (iv) the relaxation time τ₁ for the half field, triplet state ESR absorption increases fourfold near 10 K for the organic metal and, (v) the onset of superconductivity is detected in all superconductors by the appearance of an energy loss at exactly H=0 and, magnetization oscillations observed versus H below T_c when the samples are cooled in a non-zero field H. The spin-lattice relaxation time for the organic metal triplet state, half field ESR near 10 K is interpreted using the Gorter phenomenological relation τ₁ = C_H /α_H, C_H and α_H are respectively the heat capacity and the thermal contact coefficient to the lattice by the spin system, at constant field H . Complementary changes in x-ray edge widths near T_c are correlated to electron-phonon interactions.     

The upper critical magnetic field Bc2(T) of amorphous molybdenum films

Molybdenum films are obtained by quenched condensation of the metal vapour onto a He-cooled substrate. During annealing the electrical resistance decreases over a small temperature range; this is the typical behaviour of amorphous metals. The films, about 300 Å thick and with a high resistivity, have a positive Hall effect. The transition temperature T_c = 8.0 K is strongly enhanced compared to crystalline Mo. The upper critical field strongly enhanced compared to crystalline Mo. The upper critical field B_c2(T) has been measured. In the examined field range up to 80 kG, B_c2 is a linear function of temperature; the slope has the large value dB_c2/dT = -45 kG/K.     

Low temperature normal state resistance of ternary molybdenum sulfides

The resistance varies as T² over the range of T from T_c to nearly 40 K, in sintered, sputtered and evaporated thin film Cu_xMo₆S₈, and in sputtered PbMo₆S₈ films. In sintered PbMo₆S₈ the resistance varies as T. These results can neither be explained by existing theory for PbMo₆S₈, nor by a Mo₂S₃ phase argument.     

Superconductivity in the neptunium Chevrel phase Np1+xMo6Se8

The neptunium based Chevrel phases Np_1.0Mo₆Se₈ have been synthesized and their magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity have been measured from 3 K to room temperature. These compounds are superconductors with a critical temperature T_c = 5.6 (0.1) K. The magnetic susceptibility shows large crystal field effects with probably an important non-cubic component.     

Magnetic interactions in119Sn substituted for Cu in antiferromagnetic and superconducting lamellar cuprates

Mössbauer Spectroscopy (MS) studies of¹¹⁹Sn were carried out in antiferromagnetic La₂(Cu_0.99Sn_0.01)O₄ (214) and in superconducting GdBa₂(Cu_0.99Sn_0.01)₃O₇(123). Non-magnetic Sn⁴⁺ substitutes for Cu if the right procedure for diffusing¹¹⁹SnO₂ in CuO is carried out. Studies performed in 214 show a large quadrupole splitting (QS) down to 120 K followed by an onset of a magnetic interaction reaching a saturation internal field ofH _eff=8.7(5) kOe atT=30K. From the combined magnetic-quadrupole interaction the angle θ formed byq _zz andH _eff, the η-parameter, and the sign ofQS were deduced and information on the local spin structure is derived. Studies conducted with the 123 material (T _c=90 K) reveal a broad unsplit line at temperatures down to 60 K followed by an abrupt onset of a magnetic interaction corresponding toH _eff (Sn)=8.3(1) kOe. The hyperfine fielddecreases with decreasing temperature reaching 6.0(1) kOe at 16 K. The onset of the magnetic interaction at the¹¹⁹Sn nucleus is explained as due to a local depletion of holes following the Sn⁴⁺ doping and a consequent quenching of the magnetic fluctuations in its vicinity.     

Effect of pressure and magnetic field on bilayer La1.25Sr1.75Mn2O7 single crystal

We report the temperature dependence of susceptibility for various pressures, magnetic fields and constant magnetic field of 5 T with various pressures on La_2−2xSr_1+2xMn₂O₇ single crystal to understand the effectiveness of pressure and magnetic field in altering the magnetic properties. We find that the Curie temperature, T_c, increases under pressure (dT_c/dP=10.9 K/GPa) and it indicates the enhancement of ferromagnetic phase under pressure up to 2 GPa. The magnetic field dependence of T_c is about 26 K for 3 T. The combined effect of pressure and constant magnetic field (5 T) shows dT_c/dP=11.3 K/GPa and the peak structure is suppressed and broadened. The application of magnetic field of 5 T realizes 3D spin ordered state below T_c at atmospheric pressure. Both peak structure in χ_c and 3D spin ordered state are suppressed, and changes to 2D-like spin ordered state by increase of pressure. These results reveal that the pressure and the magnetic field are more competitive in altering the magnetic properties of bilayer manganite La_1.25Sr_1.75Mn₂O₇ single crystal.     

Electron-phonon scattering in potassium at high magnetic fields

We have measured the temperature dependence of both the zero-field resistivity and the transverse magnetoresistance of polycrystalline potassium wires (?(300 K)/?(4.2 K)=140 to 6000) in fieldsH?35 kG and at temperaturesT?4.2 K. Our principal findings are: 1) The presence of a large magnetic fieldH=35 kG does not alter the temperature dependence of ? from that observed atH=0; below 4.2 K theT-dependent part of the resistivities,_?T (H=0) and_?T (H=35 kG), fit well to the function exp (?Θ*/T) with the same Θ*=23K. 2) Deviations from Matthiessen's rule are significantly reduced in a strong field so that the magnitude of_?T (H=0) approaches that of_?T (H=35 kG) as sample purity decreases. 3) The slope of the high-field linear magnetoresistance increases slightly (?8%) from 1.5 K to 4.2 K. We attribute the exponential temperature dependence of_?T (H) to the freezing out of electron-phonon umklapp processes as has been shown for the zero-field resistivity. The reduction in deviations from Matthiessen's rule at high fields can be understood within semiclassical theory, but the latter cannot explain the failure of_?T (H) to saturate at high fields. A proposal by Young that electron-phonon umklapp scattering may contribute aT-dependent high-field linear magnetoresistance in potassium is considered.     

Upper critical fields of NbxGa1-x: A binary high temperature superconductor

The upper critical fields, H_C2, of several Nb_xGa_1-x alloys with values of T_c from 13.3 K to 20.2 K have been measured at temperatures from 4.2 to 20.4 K with dc and pulsed magnet fields. For the highest T_c material, H_C2(4.2 K) = 340 kG. The data are consistent with almost complete suppression of Pauli paramagnetic limiting. Comparisons with other high T_c materials, Nb₃Al and NbAlGe are presented.     

Upper critical fields of superconducting Gd and Tm doped LaSn3: Effects of crystalline electric fields

The temperature dependence of the upper critical fields, H_c²(T), are presented for (La_1-xGd_x)Sn₃ and (La_1-xTm_x)Sn₃. For samples with nearly the same T_c, H_c²(T) of the Tm-doped LaSn₃ samples are always larger than those for the Gd-doped samples. The results are interpreted in terms of crystalline electric field splitting of magnetic levels of the Tm³⁺. Pure LaSn₃ is found to be a Type I superconductor.     

Mössbauer effect study of SrEu2Fe2O7

The antiferromagnetic ferrite SrEu₂Fe₂O₇ was studied by Mössbauer effect of⁵⁷Fe in the range 77–650 K. Analysis of the data gives a Neel temperature of 544 K±2 K and an extrapolated effective magnetic fieldH(OK) of 545 kG. Good fit to the spectrum at 290 K is obtained withH _eff=475 kG, δ=0.37 mm/s, 1/2e ² qQ(1+η ²/3)=0.70mm/s, θ and ?=90°. The Brillouin function forS=5/2 poorly fits the experimental data of hyperfine magnetic fields. In the critical rangeH _eff can be described byH(T)=H(0)D(1?T/T _N )^β, where β nearly 0.29. The quadrupole interaction parameter is quite temperature independent, of the order of 0.69 mm/s in the paramagnetic state. Agreement with the value obtained by a point charge calculation is good. The largest axis of the EFG tensor,V _zz , lies in the plane (110), making an angle of 22.6° with thec axis. The direction of magnetization is nearly perpendicular toV _zz in [110] direction.     

Spin‐freezing in superconducting La2CuO4.03 single crystal

Electron spin‐freezing at T_f=8 K has been detected in superconducting (T_c=12\ K) single crystal La₂CuO_4+y (y\simeq0.03) by ZF‐μSR. According to diffraction data, the crystal is in Bmab phase without any traces of structural phase separation. TF‐μSR experiment has shown that no Abrikosov flux line lattice is formed below T_c. The data allow us to assume that the magnetic and superconducting regions in the crystal are space separated on the microscopic scales ~ 10² Å. The presence of large field induced broadening of the Knight shift distribution k_\sigma > 1000 ppm indicates that the crystal contains micro‐regions possessing enhanced magnetic susceptibility.     

Correlations between structure and the superconducting transition temperature in Chevrel phase molybdenum chalcogenides

The superconducting transition temperatures for Chevrel phase materials, M_xMo₆X₈(M=Pb, Sn, rare eart …, X = S, Se, Te) show wide variability even for a single phase, e.g. PbMo₆S₈ with reported T_c's of 9.8–14.7 K. The T_c is shown to be a linear function of the hexagonal crystallographic $\text{c}\text{a}$ ratio when materials are grouped according to the formal charge on the ternary element M. This correlation is discussed in terms of the electron-phonon coupling and electronic density of states.