Excess Conductivity Analysis of an YBCO Foam Strut and Its Microstructure

Struts of a superconducting YBa2Cu3Oy (YBCO) foam prepared by the infiltration growth method on the base of commercial polyurethane foams were extracted from the bulk, and thoroughly characterized concerning the microstructure and the magnetoresistance, measured by the four-point technique. Optical microscopy, electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction and atomic force microscopy observations indicate a unique microstructure of the foam struts which shows a large amount of tiny Y2BaCuO5 (Y-211) particles (with diameters between 50 and 100 nm) being enclosed in channel-like grain boundaries between the YBCO grains and a one-of-a-kind surface of the struts covered with Ba3Cu5Oy-particles. The resistance data obtained at temperatures in the range 4.2 K ≤T≤ 150 K (applied magnetic fields ranging from 0 to 7 T) were analyzed in the framework of the fluctuation-induced conductivity (FIC) approach using the models of Aslamazov-Larkin (AL) and Lawrence-Doniach (LD). The resulting FIC curves reveal the presence of five distinct fluctuation regimes, namely, the short-wave (SWF), one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D), and critical (CR) fluctuation domains. The analysis of the FIC data enable the coherence length in the direction of the c-axis at zero-temperature (ξc(0)), the irreversibility field (Birr), the upper critical magnetic field (Bc2), the critical current density at T= 0 K (Jc(0)) and several other parameters describing the the material's superconducting properties to be determined. The present data reveal that the minuscule Y-211 particles found along the YBCO grain boundaries alter the excess conductivity and the fluctuation behavior as compared to conventional YBCO samples, leading to a quite high value for Jc(0) for a sample with a non-optimized pinning landscape.

Bosonic excitation spectra of superconductingBi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δandYBa2Cu3O6+xextracted from scanning tunneling spectra

A detailed interpretation of scanning tunneling spectra obtained on unconventional superconductors enables one to gain information on the pairing boson. Decisive for this approach are inelastic tunneling events. Due to the lack of momentum conservation in tunneling from or to the sharp tip, those are enhanced in the geometry of a scanning tunneling microscope compared to planar tunnel junctions. This work extends the method of obtaining the bosonic excitation spectrum by deconvolution from tunneling spectra to nodald-wave superconductors. In particular, scanning tunneling spectra of slightly underdopedBi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δwith aTcof 82 K and optimally dopedYBa2Cu3O6+xwith aTcof 92 K reveal a resonance mode in their bosonic excitation spectrum atΩres≈63 meVandΩres≈61 meVrespectively. In both cases, the overall shape of the bosonic excitation spectrum is indicative of predominant spin scattering with a resonant mode atΩres<2Δand overdamped spin fluctuations for energies larger than 2Δ. To perform the deconvolution of the experimental data, we implemented an efficient iterative algorithm that significantly enhances the reliability of our analysis.

Defining optimal thickness for maximal self-fieldJcin YBCO/CeO2multilayers grown on buffered metal

The effect of multilayering YBa2Cu3O6+x(YBCO) thin films with sequentially deposited CeO2layers between YBCO layers grown on buffered metallic template is investigated to optimize the self-field critical current densityJc(0). We have obtained that the improvement inJc(0)clearly depends on the YBCO layer thickness and temperature, where at high temperatureJc(0)can be increased even 50% when compared with the single layer YBCO films. Based on our experimental results and theoretical approach to the growth mechanism during multilayer deposition, we have defined a critical thickness for the YBCO layer, where the maximal self-fieldJc(0)is strongly related to the competing issues between the uniform and nonuniform strain relaxation and the formation of dislocations and other defects during the film growth. Our results can be directly utilized in the future coated conductor technology, when maximizing the overall in-fieldJc(B)by combining both the optimal crystalline quality and flux pinning properties typically in bilayer film structures.

Superconducting Properties of YBa2Cu3O7-δ with a Multiferroic Addition Synthesized by a Capping Agent-Aided Thermal Treatment Method

A bulk YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ (Y-123) superconductor synthesized by a thermal treatment method was added with different weight percentages (x = 0.0, 0.2, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt.%) of BiFeO₃ (BFO) nanoparticle. X-ray diffraction (XRD), alternating current susceptibility (ACS), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to determine the properties of the samples. From the XRD results, all samples showed an orthorhombic crystal structure with a Pmmm space group. The sample x = 1.0 wt.% gave the highest value of Y-123. The high amounts of BFO degraded the crystallite size of the sample, showing that the addition did not promote the grain growth of Y-123. From ACS results, the T_c-onset value was shown to be enhanced by the addition of the BFO nanoparticle, where x = 1.5 wt.% gave the highest T_c value (91.91 K). The sample with 1.5 wt.% showed a high value of T_p (89.15 K). The FESEM analysis showed that the average grain size of the samples decreased as BFO was introduced. However, the small grain size was expected to fill in the boundary, which would help in enhancing the grain connectivity. Overall, the addition of the BFO nanoparticles in Y-123 helped to improve the superconducting properties, mainly for x = 1.5 wt.%.

Measurement of Electrical Properties of Superconducting YBCO Thin Films in the VHF Range

A new measurement technique of electrical parameters of superconducting thin films at the Very High Frequency (VHF) range is described, based on resonators with microstrip (MS) structures. The design of an optimal resonator was achieved, based on a thorough theoretical analysis, which is required for derivation of the exact configuration of the MS. A theoretical model is presented, from which an expression for the attenuation of a MS line can be derived. Accordingly, simulations were performed, and an optimal resonator for the VHF range was designed and implemented. Production constraints of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (YBCO) limited the diameter of the sapphire substrate to 3″. Therefore, a meander configuration was formed to fit the long λ/4 MS line on the wafer. By measuring the complex input reflection coefficients of a λ/4 resonator, we extracted the quality factor, which is mainly affected by the dielectric and conductor attenuations. The experimental results are well fitted by the theoretical model. The dielectric attenuation was calculated using the quasi-static analysis of the MS line. An identical copper resonator was produced and measured to compare the properties of the YBCO resonator in reference to the copper one. A quality factor of ~6·105 was calculated for the YBCO resonator, three orders of magnitude larger than that of the copper resonator. The attenuation per unit length of the YBCO layer was smaller by more than five orders of magnitude than that of the copper.

Direct Visualization of Current-Stimulated Oxygen Migration in YBa2Cu3O7-δ Thin Films

The past years have witnessed major advancements in all-electrical doping control on cuprates. In the vast majority of cases, the tuning of charge carrier density has been achieved via electric field effect by means of either a ferroelectric polarization or using a dielectric or electrolyte gating. Unfortunately, these approaches are constrained to rather thin superconducting layers and require large electric fields in order to ensure sizable carrier modulations. In this work, we focus on the investigation of oxygen doping in an extended region through current-stimulated oxygen migration in YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ superconducting bridges. The underlying methodology is rather simple and avoids sophisticated nanofabrication process steps and complex electronics. A patterned multiterminal transport bridge configuration allows us to electrically assess the directional counterflow of oxygen atoms and vacancies. Importantly, the emerging propagating front of current-dependent doping δ is probed in situ by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The resulting imaging techniques, together with photoinduced conductivity and Raman scattering investigations, reveal an inhomogeneous oxygen vacancy distribution with a controllable propagation speed permitting us to estimate the oxygen diffusivity. These findings provide direct evidence that the microscopic mechanism at play in electrical doping of cuprates involves diffusion of oxygen atoms with the applied current. The resulting fine control of the oxygen content would permit a systematic study of complex phase diagrams and the design of electrically addressable devices.

Nanosized Pinning Centers in the Rare Earth-Barium-Copper-Oxide Thin-Film Superconductors

Since the discovery of high-temperature superconductivity, significant progress in the fabrication of REBCO-based (Rare Earth Barium Copper mixed Oxides) thin-films superconductors has been achieved. In our review, we described the approaches and possibilities of the improvement of superconducting properties by the introduction of nanosized pinning centers. We focused on the synthesis and viability of the material for artificial pinning centers and methods used for the introduction of the pinning centers into superconducting REBCO-based thin-films. This article summarizes available materials and procedures regardless of the financial cost of the individual method. According to available literature, the most significant superconducting REBCO tapes can be obtained when a combination of 1D and 0D nanoparticles are used for nanoscale pinning.

Thermodynamic Properties of Stoichiometric Non-Superconducting Phase Y2BaCuO5

Y₂BaCuO₅ often occurs as an accompanying phase of the well-known high-temperature superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (also known as YBCO). Y₂BaCuO₅, easily identifiable due to its characteristic green coloration, is often referred to as ‘green phase’ or ‘Y-211’. In this contribution, Y₂BaCuO₅ phase was studied in detail with a focus on its thermal and thermodynamic properties. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed in the study of sample’s morphology and chemical composition. XRD data were further analyzed and lattice parameters refined by Rietveld analysis. Simultaneous thermal analysis was employed to study thermal stability. Particle size distribution was analyzed by laser diffraction. Finally, thermodynamic properties, namely heat capacity and relative enthalpy, were measured by drop calorimetry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and physical properties measurement system (PPMS). Enthalpy of formation was assessed from ab-initio DFT calculations.

Superconducting YBCO Foams as Trapped Field Magnets

Superconducting foams of YBa₂Cu₃O_y (YBCO) are proposed as trapped field magnets or supermagnets. The foams with an open-porous structure are light-weight, mechanically strong and can be prepared in large sample sizes. The trapped field distributions were measured using a scanning Hall probe on various sides of an YBCO foam sample after field-cooling in a magnetic field of 0.5 T produced by a square Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet. The maximum trapped field (TF) measured is about 400 G (77 K) at the bottom of the sample. Several details of the TF distribution, the current flow and possible applicatons of such superconducting foam samples in space applications, e.g., as active elements in flux-pinning docking interfaces (FPDI) or as portable strong magnets to collect debris in space, are outlined.

Grooved Dayem Nanobridges as Building Blocks of High-Performance YBa2Cu3O7-δ SQUID Magnetometers

We present noise measurements performed on a YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ nanoscale weak-link-based magnetometer consisting of a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) galvanically coupled to a 3.5 × 3.5 mm² pick-up loop, reaching white flux noise levels and magnetic noise levels as low as [Formula: see text] and 100 fT/[Formula: see text] at T = 77 K, respectively. The low noise is achieved by introducing grooved Dayem bridges (GDBs), a new concept of a weak link. A fabrication technique has been developed for the realization of nanoscale grooved bridges, which substitutes standard Dayem bridge weak links. The introduction of these novel key blocks reduces the parasitic inductance of the weak links and increases the differential resistance of the SQUIDs. This greatly improves the device performance, thus resulting in a reduction of the white noise.

A Superconducting Dual-Channel Photonic Switch

The mechanism of Cooper pair formation and its underlying physics has long occupied the investigation into high temperature (high-Tc ) cuprate superconductors. One of the ways to unravel this is to observe the ultrafast response present in the charge carrier dynamics of a photoexcited specimen. This results in an interesting approach to exploit the dissipation-less dynamic features of superconductors to be utilized for designing high-performance active subwavelength photonic devices with extremely low-loss operation. Here, dual-channel, ultrafast, all-optical switching and modulation between the resistive and the superconducting quantum mechanical phase is experimentally demonstrated. The ultrafast phase switching is demonstrated via modulation of sharp Fano resonance of a high-Tc yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) superconducting metamaterial device. Upon photoexcitation by femtosecond light pulses, the ultrasensitive cuprate superconductor undergoes dual dissociation-relaxation dynamics, with restoration of superconductivity within a cycle, and thereby establishes the existence of dual switching windows within a timescale of 80 ps. Pathways are explored to engineer the secondary dissociation channel which provides unprecedented control over the switching speed. Most importantly, the results envision new ways to accomplish low-loss, ultrafast, and ultrasensitive dual-channel switching applications that are inaccessible through conventional metallic and dielectric based metamaterials.

Nanoscale Stoichiometric Analysis of a High-Temperature Superconductor by Atom Probe Tomography

The functional properties of the high-temperature superconductor Y1Ba2Cu3O7-δ (Y-123) are closely correlated to the exact stoichiometry and oxygen content. Exceeding the critical value of 1 oxygen vacancy for every five unit cells (δ>0.2, which translates to a 1.5 at% deviation from the nominal oxygen stoichiometry of Y7.7Ba15.3Cu23O54-δ ) is sufficient to alter the superconducting properties. Stoichiometry at the nanometer scale, particularly of oxygen and other lighter elements, is extremely difficult to quantify in complex functional ceramics by most currently available analytical techniques. The present study is an analysis and optimization of the experimental conditions required to quantify the local nanoscale stoichiometry of single crystal yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) samples in three dimensions by atom probe tomography (APT). APT analysis required systematic exploration of a wide range of data acquisition and processing conditions to calibrate the measurements. Laser pulse energy, ion identification, and the choice of range widths were all found to influence composition measurements. The final composition obtained from melt-grown crystals with optimized superconducting properties was Y7.9Ba10.4Cu24.4O57.2.

A flux pumping method applied to the magnetization of YBCO superconducting coils: frequency, amplitude and waveform characteristics

This letter presents a flux pumping method and the results gained when it was used to magnetize a range of different YBCO coils. The pumping device consists of an iron magnetic circuit with eight copper coils which apply a traveling magnetic field to the superconductor. The copper poles are arranged vertically with an air gap length of 1 mm and the iron cores are made of laminated electric steel plates to minimize eddy-current losses. We have used this arrangement to investigate the best possible pumping result when parameters such as frequency, amplitude and waveform are varied. We have successfully pumped current into the superconducting coil up to a value of 90% of I _c and achieved a resultant magnetic field of 1.5 T.

90-mm/18.8-T All-HTS Insert Magnet for 1.3 GHz LTS/HTS NMR Application: Magnet Design and Double-Pancake Coil Fabrication

This paper deals with the latest design of an all High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) insert for our 1.3 GHz NMR program. Due to a loss of our original 600 MHz HTS insert, the entire program was revised, and upon further examination of the options available for the HTS insert, which included not only conductor material properties, but also new winding technologies recently developed here at the FBML, it has finally been decided to build an 800 MHz (H800) insert purely based in SuperPower YBCO conductor. The new H800 will still be comprised of nested stacks of double-pancake coils and will run in the background of a 500 MHz LTS NMR magnet already available at FBML. We present here electromagnetic and mechanical details of the H800 design, winding technique employed, and testing of individual coils.

A New High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) 700-MHz Insert Magnet for a 1.3-GHz LTS/HTS NMR Magnet

Upon the totally unexpected theft of the original 600 MHz HTS insert that occurred in December 2011, we were forced to examine our entire 1.3 GHz NMR Magnet program anew and determined that a combination of a 600 MHz LTS magnet and a 700 MHz HTS insert (H700) would yield a 1.3 GHz LTS/HTS magnet that meets the technical specifications consistent with economic constraints. Although this new 700 MHz HTS insert still comprises, as H600, a YBCO inner coil and a Bi2223 outer coil, it incorporates innovative design features. In addition to presenting the major design parameters of the new H700, we discuss here its key electromagnetic and mechanical issues.

High velocity vortex channeling in vicinal YBCO thin films

We report on electrical transport measurements at high current densities on optimally doped YBa2Cu3O7-δ thin films grown on vicinal SrTiO3 substrates. Data were collected by using a pulsed-current technique in a four-probe arrangement, allowing to extend the current-voltage characteristics to high supercritical current densities (up to 24 MA cm-2) and high electric fields (more than 20 V/cm), in the superconducting state at temperatures between 30 and 80 K. The electric measurements were performed on tracks perpendicular to the vicinal step direction, such that the current crossed between ab planes, under magnetic field rotated in the plane defined by the crystallographic c axis and the current density. At magnetic field orientation parallel to the cuprate layers, evidence for the sliding motion along the ab planes (vortex channeling) was found. The signature of vortex channeling appeared to get enhanced with increasing electric field, due to the peculiar depinning features in the kinked vortex range. They give rise to a current-voltage characteristics steeper than in the more off-plane rectilinear vortex orientations, in the electric field range below approximately 1 V/cm. Roughly above this value, the high vortex channeling velocities (up to 8.6 km/s) could be ascribed to the flux flow, although the signature of ohmic transport appeared to be altered by unavoidable macroscopic self-heating and hot-electron-like effects.

Two HTS options for a 600 MHz insert of a 1.3 GHz LTS/HTS NMR magnet: YBCO and BSCCO

In 2008, the Phase 3 program to complete a 1.3 GHz (30.5 T) NMR magnet started at the Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It comprises two sub-phases, 3A and 3B. In Phase 3A, a 600 MHz high temperature superconductor (HTS) insert magnet (H600) will be designed, constructed, and operated in the bore of a 500 MHz low temperature superconductor (LTS) background magnet. This will be followed by Phase 3B, in which the H600 will be combined with a 700 MHz LTS background magnet to complete a 1.3 GHz NMR LTS/HTS magnet. This paper presents and discusses design issues for two conductor options for H600: BiSCCO-2223 (Bi2223) and coated-YBCO or its variants, here designated as YBCO. For each conductor option, we focused on the following issues: 1) elastic and thermal properties; 2) critical current vs. field performance; 3) splice and index heat dissipations; 4) mechanical and thermal stresses; and 5) protection.