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.     

Evidence for two superconducting gaps in MgB2

We have measured the Raman spectra of polycrystalline MgB2 from 25 to 1200 cm(-1). A superconductivity-induced redistribution in the electronic Raman continuum was observed. Two pair-breaking peaks appear in the spectra, suggesting the presence of two superconducting gaps. The measured spectra were analyzed using a quasi-two-dimensional model in which two s-wave superconducting gaps open on two sheets of Fermi surface. For the gap values we have obtained Delta(1) = 22 cm(-1) ( 2.7 meV) and Delta(2) = 50 cm(-1) ( 6.2 meV). Our results suggest that a conventional phonon-mediated pairing mechanism occurs in the planar boron sigma bands and is responsible for the superconductivity of MgB2.     

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.     

电子性作用对MgB2超导体同位素效应的影响

通过引入电子性作用V_c,在弱耦合条件下导出了两带模型的T_c公式和同位素效应指数公式,计算了超导体MgB_2的超导转变温度和同位素效应,得到了与实验相符的结果。结果表明,带内电子性作用比带间电子性作用对同位素效应指数的影响要大。     

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     

带间耦合相互作用对MgB2超导体同位素效应指数的影响

在弱耦合极限下考虑带间相互作用,得到了二带s-波超导体临界温度Tc的公式及同位素效应指数的公式。在此模型中,耦合相互作用在每一带中包括两部分:电子-声子相互作用和非电子-声子相互作用,当Tc≈40K时,在弱耦合机制中得到MgB2的同位素效应指数αB=0.3,并且带间的电子-声子相互作用比非电子-声子作用对同位素效应指数的影响大。     

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.     

Effect of interband interaction on isotope effect exponent of MgB2 superconductors

The exact formula of T_c’s equation and the isotope effect exponent of two-band s-wave superconductors in the weak-coupling limit are derived by considering the influence of interband interaction. In each band, our model consists of two pairing interactions: the electron-phonon interaction and non-electron-phonon interaction. We find that the isotope effect exponent of MgB₂, α = 0.3 with T_c ≈ 40 K can be found in the weak coupling regime and interband interaction of electron-phonon shows more effect on the isotope effect exponent than on the interband interaction of non-phonon.     

Calculations of the superconducting isotope effect

The strong-coupling theory of superconductivity is used, without simplification, to compute the isotope effect exponent β in T_c ∝ M^?β for several metals. A comparison is made with the values obtained using two approximate equations for T_c.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.      

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.     

Phonon density of states and phonon dispersion of superconducting MgB2

For the superconductor MgB2, we have calculated the phonon density of states （DOS）, phonon dispersion and Eliashberg function throughout the Brillouin zone （BZ）, using an empirical potential model. The calculated values are consistent with the theoretical and experimental values. The calculated results show our empiricalpotential model is available for MgB2.     

Phonon density of states and phonon dispersion of superconducting MgB2

For the superconductor MgB2, we have calculated the phonon density of states (DOS), phonon dispersion and Eliashberg function throughout the Brillouin zone (BZ), using an empirical potential model. The calculated values are consistent with the theoretical and experimental values. The calculated results show our empirical potential model is available for MgB2.