Alternating-current losses in two-layer superconducting cables consisting of second-generation superconductors coated by U-shaped ferromagnetic materials

Alternating-current losses in a two-layer superconducting cable, each layer being composed of 15 closely-spaced rectangular wires made up of second-generation superconductors when the ends of wires are coated by either a non-magnetic or strong ferromagnetic material having a U profile is numerically investigated. Computations are carried out through the finite-element method. The alternating-current losses do not increase significantly if the relative permeability of the coating is increased three orders of magnitude, provided that the current amplitude is less than half of the critical current in a superconducting wire. However, the losses are much higher for ferromagnetic coating if the amplitude of the applied current oscillating at 50 Hz is close to the critical current. The ferromagnetic coating is seen to accumulate the magnetic field lines normally on its surfaces, while the field lines are parallel to the long axes of the wires, leading to more significant flux penetration in the coated regions. This facilitates a uniform low-loss current flow in the uncoated regions of the wires. In contrast, coating with a non-magnetic material gives rise to a considerably smaller current flow in the uncoated regions, whereas the low-loss flow is maintained in the coated regions. Moreover, the current flows in opposite directions in the coated and uncoated regions, where the direction in each region is converse for the two materials.     

X-ray study of the reentrant modulated phase of Bis-Propylammonium Tetrachlorocuprate(II) at high temperature

The modulated phase of (C₃H₇NH₃)CuCl₄ stable between 386 and 412 K has been analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure was solved in the frame of the superspace group approach. The modulation is characterized by a wavelike displacement of the CuCl₄ layer.     

Low-temperature growth of high-Tc superconducting films by plasma-enhanced metal-organic chemical vapor deposition

Plasma-enhanced MOCVD in which metal-organic compounds are sublimated directly into the growth chamber is studied for the first time as a new low-temperature process for growing superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O-_-x thin films. Y(THD)₃, Ba(THD)₂, Cu(THD)₂ and oxygen are used as metal sources and oxydizing agent. Emission spectroscopy reveals that activated metal-organic compounds and activated oxygen species are present during film growth. Superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x films whose zero-resistivity temperature are 50 K and 82 K are grown at 550°C and 600°C.     

Introducing voids around the interlayer of AlN by high temperature annealing

Introducing voids into AlN layer at a certain height using a simple method is meaningful but challenging. In this work, the AlN/sapphire template with AlN interlayer structure was designed and grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. Then, the AlN template was annealed at 1700 ℃ for an hour to introduce the voids. It was found that voids were formed in the AlN layer after high-temperature annealing and they were mainly distributed around the AlN interlayer. Meanwhile, the dislocation density of the AlN template decreased from 5.26×10⁹ cm^-2 to 5.10×10⁸ cm^-2. This work provides a possible method to introduce voids into AlN layer at a designated height, which will benefit the design of AlN-based devices.     

Zr掺杂对MgB2超导微观结构和超导电性的影响

将Mg粉、Zr粉和B粉按比例混合获得Mg1-xZrxB2(x=5%10%和20%),压制成型后,在流通氩气的条件下于800℃烧结2h.利用X射线衍射仪(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)分析烧结后样品的显微结构和化学组成,采用差热分析(DTA)观察Zr掺杂对MgB2分解温度的影响,并用物性测试仪(PPMS)测试样品的超...     

Study of nano-sized (ZnFe2O4)y particles/CuTl-1223 superconductor composites

Zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄)_y nanoparticles/Cu_0.5Tl_0.5Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O_10−δ (CuTl-1223) superconductor composites with y = 0–2 wt.% were prepared by adding ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles into CuTl-1223 superconductor matrix and characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and dc-resistivity (ρ) measurements. The bulk CuTl-1223 superconductor matrix was synthesized by solid-state reaction and Zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) nanoparticles were separately prepared by sol–gel method. XRD analysis revealed the tetragonal and spinel structure of CuTl-1223 superconductor and ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, respectively. The XRD analysis showed that increased concentration of ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles doesn't disturb the tetragonal structure of host CuTl-1223 superconductor matrix and has no appreciable effect on its lattice parameters. The SEM images confirm the granular structure of the host superconductor matrix. The presence of ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles in host superconductor matrix is confirmed by using FTIR study. Variation of zero resistivity critical temperature {T_c (0)} depends upon the concentration of the nanoparticles in the host superconductor matrix. The overall suppression of T_c (0) and diamagnetism with increasing nanoparticles concentration is most probably due to trapping of mobile free carriers and reflection of spin charge due to presence of paramagnetic ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. There is possibility for the incorporation of Fe and Zn in the lattice sites during the synthesis process, which may also cause the reduction of T_c (0) of the final composites.     

Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Chemical Bonding of a New Binary Lu-Sn Phase: Lu11Sn10

A new tetragonal phase of Lu11Sn10 is obtained from high temperature reaction of the pure elements in a welded tantalum tube. Its crystal structure was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Lu11Sn10 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4/mmm (No.139) with a=11.2953(18), c=16.424(4), V=2095.5(7)3 , Z=4, Mr=3111.57, Dc=9.863 g/cm3 , μ=62.897 mm-1, F(000)=5124, and the final R=0.0348 and wR=0.0894 for 706 observed reflections with I>2σ(I). The structure of Lu11Sn10 may be derived from the Ho11Ge10 structural type. It is isostructural with Dy11Sn10 , featuring a three-dimensional (3D) framework composed of [Sn4] squares and [Sn2] dimers interlinked via Sn-Sn bonds with two types of one-dimensional (1D) tunnels along the c-axis, which are occupied by isolated Sn atoms, [Sn2] dimers and all the Lu atoms. Band structure calculation based on density functional theory method indicates that Lu11Sn10 is metallic.     

Rb[Li5Si2O7] – A Latecomer in the Family of Alkali Lithosilicates Hiding a Green-Emitting Lithosilicate

In order to expand the field of alkali lithosilicates, a new representative of the substance class with a previously unknown structure type was found based on solid-state synthesis. The novel compound with the sum formula Rb[Li₅Si₂O₇] crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcm (no. 57) with a=7.6269(3), b=9.5415(4), and c=9.4095(3) Å by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure consists of a highly condensed lithosilicate framework, built up of corner- and edge-linked [LiO₄]-tetrahedra and [Si₂O₇]-units, and the rubidium ions aligned in channels. Suitable crystals of the material were obtained using sealed tantalum ampoules as reaction tube at a temperature of 750 °C. The new compound was further characterized via powder diffraction, Rietveld analysis, and EDX measurements. At first glance, Eu²⁺-doped Rb[Li₅Si₂O₇] reveals an intense green luminescence. In-depth crystal analysis shows that a core-shell formation is present even for apparently high quality single-crystals. As a minority phase, the known green phosphor RbLi[Li₃SiO₄]₂:Eu²⁺ is the origin of the luminescence, representing a tiny core inside of the particles surrounded by a large matrix of transparent Rb[Li₅Si₂O₇] dominating the single-crystal diffraction pattern.     

Charge redistribution and a shortening of the Fe—As bond at the quantum critical point of SmO1–xFxFeAs

Many researchers have pointed out that there is a quantum critical point (QCP) in the F‐doped SmOFeAs system. In this paper, the electronic structure and local structure of the superconductive FeAs layer in SmO_1–xF_xFeAs as a function of the F‐doping concentration have been investigated using Fe and As K‐edge X‐ray absorption spectroscopy. Experiments performed on the X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure showed that in the vicinity of the QCP the intensity of the pre‐edge feature at the Fe‐edge decreases continuously, while there is a striking rise of the shoulder‐peak at the As edge, suggesting the occurrence of charge redistribution near the QCP. Further analysis on the As K‐edge extended X‐ray absorption fine structure demonstrated that the charge redistribution originates mostly from a shortening of the Fe—As bond at the QCP. An evident relationship between the mysterious QCP and the fundamental Fe—As bond was established, providing new insights on the interplay between QCP, charge dynamics and the local structural Fe—As bond in Fe‐based superconductors.     

浅析电子型掺杂铜氧化物超导体的退火过程

铜氧化物高温超导体的发现, 打破了基于电声子相互作用BCS理论所预言的超导转变温度极限, 掀开了高温超导材料探索和高温超导机理研究的序幕. 根据掺杂类型的不同, 铜氧化物超导材料可以分为空穴型掺杂和电子型掺杂两类. 受限于样品, 对电子型掺杂铜氧化物的研究工作远少于空穴型掺杂体系. 本文简要回顾有关电子型掺杂铜氧化物超导体近期研究成果, 通过对比电子型掺杂和空穴型掺杂铜氧化物的相图来阐明电子型掺杂铜氧化物的研究对探索高温超导机理的必要性, 并特别针对电子型掺杂样品制备中的关键因素“退火过程”展开讨论. 结合课题组最新实验结果和相关实验报道我们发现电子型掺杂铜氧化物超导体在制备过程中除受到温度和氧分压的影响外, 退火效果还受到界面应力的强烈调制. 在综合考虑样品生长过程中温度、气氛及应力等多种因素的基础上, 探讨了“保护退火”方法导致电子型体系化学掺杂相图变化的起因.