Strongly linked current flow in polycrystalline forms of the superconductor MgB2

Chemical bonding dictates drastic critical temperature difference in two seemingly identical superconductors

Though YB6 and LaB6 share the same crystal structure, atomic valence electron configuration, and phonon modes, they exhibit drastically different phonon-mediated superconductivity. YB6 superconducts below 8.4 K, giving it the second-highest critical temperature of known borides, second only to MgB2. LaB6 does not superconduct until near-absolute zero temperatures (below 0.45 K), however. Though previous studies have quantified the canonical superconductivity descriptors of YB6's greater Fermi-level (Ef) density of states and higher electron-phonon coupling (EPC), the root of this difference has not been assessed with full detail of the electronic structure. Through chemical bonding, we determine low-lying, unoccupied 4f atomic orbitals in lanthanum to be the key difference between these superconductors. These orbitals, which are not accessible in YB6, hybridize with π B-B bonds and bring this π-system lower in energy than the σ B-B bonds otherwise at Ef. This inversion of bands is crucial: the optical phonon modes we show responsible for superconductivity cause the σ-orbitals of YB6 to change drastically in overlap, but couple weakly to the π-orbitals of LaB6. These phonons in YB6 even access a crossing of electronic states, indicating strong EPC. No such crossing in LaB6 is observed. Finally, a supercell (the M k-point) is shown to undergo Peierls-like effects in YB6, introducing additional EPC from both softened acoustic phonons and the same electron-coupled optical modes as in the unit cell. Overall, we find that LaB6 and YB6 have fundamentally different mechanisms of superconductivity, despite their otherwise near-identity.

Enhancement in High-Field J c Properties and the Flux Pinning Mechanism of ZnO-Buffered MgB2 Films

We investigated the flux pinning properties in terms of the critical current density (J _c) and pinning force density (F _p) of MgB₂ films with ZnO buffer layers of various thicknesses. At higher thicknesses of the buffer layer, significantly larger J _c values are observed in the high-field region, whereas J _c values in the low- and intermediate-field regions remain largely unaffected. A secondary point-pinning mechanism other than primary grain boundary pinning is observed in the F _p analysis, which depends on the thickness of the ZnO buffer layer. Moreover, a close relationship between the Mg and B bond ordering and the fitting parameter of secondary pinning is obtained, indicating that the local structural distortion of MgB₂ induced by ZnO buffer layers with different thicknesses may contribute to flux-pinning enhancement in the high-field region. Discovering further advantages of ZnO as a buffer layer other than the delamination resistance it provides will help to develop a MgB₂ superconducting cable with a high J _c for power applications.

Chemical and Microstructural Nanoscale Homogeneity in Superconducting YBa2Cu3O7-x Films Derived from Metal-Propionate Fluorine-free Solutions

Research involved in developing alternative energy sources has become a necessity to face global warming. In this context, superconductivity is an appealing solution to enhance clean electrical energy provided that lower production costs can be attained. By implementation of chemical solution deposition techniques and high-throughput growth methods, low-cost nanostructured epitaxial cuprate superconductors are timely candidates. Here, we present a versatile and tunable solution method suitable for the preparation of high-performance epitaxial cuprate superconducting films. Disregarding the renowned trifluoroacetate route, we center our focus on the transient liquid-assisted growth (TLAG) that meets the requirement of being a greener chemical process together with ultrafast growth rates beyond 100 nm/s. We developed a facile, fast, and cost-effective method, starting from the synthesis of metal-propionate powders of Y, Ba, and Cu of high purity and high yields, being the precursors of the fluorine-free solutions, which enable the chemical and microstructural nanoscale homogeneity of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x (YBCO) precursor films. These solutions present endured stability and enable precise tunability of the composition, concentration, porosity, and film thickness. Homogeneous precursor films up to thicknesses of 2.7 μm through eight layer multidepositions are demonstrated, thus establishing the correct basis for epitaxial growth using the fast kinetics of the TLAG process. YBCO films of 500 nm thickness with a critical current density of 2.6 MA/cm² at 77 K were obtained, showing the correlation of precursor film homogeneity to the final YBCO physical properties.

Superconducting materials: Challenges and opportunities for large-scale applications

Superconducting materials hold great potential to bring radical changes for electric power and high-field magnet technology, enabling high-efficiency electric power generation, high-capacity loss-less electric power transmission, small lightweight electrical equipment, high-speed maglev transportation, ultra-strong magnetic field generation for high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) systems, future advanced high energy particle accelerators, nuclear fusion reactors, and so on. The performance, economy, and operating parameters (temperatures and magnetic fields) of these applications strongly depend on the electromagnetic and mechanical properties, as well as the manufacturing and material cost of superconductors. This perspective examines the basic properties relevant to practical applications and key issues of wire fabrication for practical superconducting materials, and describes their challenges and current state in practical applications. Finally, future perspectives for their opportunities and development in the applications of superconducting power and magnetic technologies are considered.

Uniform Dispersion and Exfoliation of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in CNT-MgB2 Superconductor Composites Using Surfactants

We developed a novel yet commercially viable strategy of synthesizing superior high-T_C superconducting composites by dispersing fully exfoliated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) uniformly throughout the grain of CNT-MgB₂ composites. First, we optimized the amount of the surfactant required to produce a highly stable and homogeneous colloidal suspension of CNTs. This amount was found to be 1/8th of the amount of CNTs. Second, we prepared a homogeneous CNT-B mixture by adding amorphous nano-boron (B) to the colloidal CNT suspension. Next, two different MgB₂ synthesis routes were explored. In one case, we mixed an appropriate amount of Mg in the CNT-B mixture and carried out sintering. In the second case, the CNT-B mixture was heat treated at 500 °C, prior to mixing with Mg and sintering to form CNT-MgB₂. Both kinds of samples were rigorously characterized to obtain an insight into their properties. The direct synthesis route shows a clear exfoliation and uniform dispersion of CNTs with a critical current density (J_C) of 10⁴ A/cm² at 3.5 T and 20 K, which is useful for the application in magnetic resonance imaging MRI magnet operating with a cryogen free cooler. Our J_C(H) result is 10 times higher than that of the pure sample. By contrast, the performance of the sample subjected to heat processing before sintering was severely compromised given the formation of MgO. Despite its simplicity, the direct synthesis route can be used for the cost-effective fabrication of CNT–MgB₂ superconducting composites.

High Trapped Fields in C-doped MgB2 Bulk Superconductors Fabricated by Infiltration and Growth Process

The grain boundaries in superconducting MgB₂ are known to form effective magnetic flux pinning sites and, consequently, bulk MgB₂ containing a fine-grain microstructure fabricated from nanoscale Mg and B precursor powders exhibits good magnetic field-trapping performance below 20 K. We report here that the trapped field of MgB₂ bulk superconductors fabricated by an infiltration and growth process to yield a dense, pore-free microstructure, can be enhanced significantly by carbon-doping, which increases intra-band scattering within the superconducting grains. A maximum trapped field of 4.15 T has been measured at 7.5 K at the centre of a five-sample stack of Mg(B_1−xiC_xi)₂ bulk superconductors processed by infiltration and growth, which not only represents a ~40% increase in trapped field observed compared to undoped bulk MgB₂, but also is the highest trapped field reported to date in MgB₂ samples processed under ambient pressure. The trapped field is observed to decay at a rate of <2%/day at 10 K, which suggests that bulk MgB₂ superconductors fabricated using the infiltration and growth technique can be used potentially to generate stable, high magnetic fields for a variety of engineering applications.

Pressure induced evolution of structures and properties of iron tetraboride

Iron tetraboride (FeB₄) is attracting increasing attention due to its attractive electronic and mechanical properties (e.g., superconductivity and superhard).

Discovery of High-Temperature Superconductivity (Tc = 55 K) in B-Doped Q-Carbon

We have achieved a superconducting transition temperature (T_c) of 55 K in 27 at% B-doped Q-carbon. This value represents a significant improvement over previously reported T_c of 36 K in B-doped Q-carbon and is the highest T_c for conventional BCS (Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer) superconductivity in bulk carbon-based materials. The B-doped Q-carbon exhibits type-II superconducting characteristics with H_c2(0) ∼ 10.4 T, consistent with the BCS formalism. The B-doped Q-carbon is formed by nanosecond laser melting of B/C multilayered films in a super undercooled state and subsequent quenching. It is determined that ∼67% of the total boron exists with carbon in a sp³ hybridized state, which is responsible for the substantially enhanced T_c. Through the study of the vibrational modes, we deduce that higher density of states near the Fermi level and moderate to strong electron-phonon coupling lead to a high T_c of 55 K. With these results, we establish that heavy B doping in Q-carbon is the pathway for achieving high-temperature superconductivity.

From Two- to Three-Dimensional Structures of a Supertetrahedral Boran Using Density Functional Calculations

With help of the DFT calculations and imposing of periodic boundary conditions the geometrical and electronic structures were investigated of two- and three-dimensional boron systems designed on the basis of graphane and diamond lattices in which carbons were replaced with boron tetrahedrons. The consequent studies of two- and three-layer systems resulted in the construction of a three-dimensional supertetrahedral borane crystal structure. The two-dimensional supertetrahedral borane structures with less than seven layers are dynamically unstable. At the same time the three-dimensional superborane systems were found to be dynamically stable. Lack of the forbidden electronic zone for the studied boron systems testifies that these structures can behave as good conductors. The low density of the supertetrahedral borane crystal structures (0.9 g cm-3 ) is close to that of water, which offers the perspective for their application as aerospace and cosmic materials.

High-Temperature Superconductivity in Boron-Doped Q-Carbon

We report high-temperature superconductivity in B-doped amorphous quenched carbon (Q-carbon). This phase is formed after nanosecond laser melting of B-doped amorphous carbon films in a super-undercooled state and followed by rapid quenching. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show the characteristics of type-II Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer superconductivity with a superconducting transition temperature (T_c) of 36.0 ± 0.5 K for 17.0 ± 1.0 atom % boron concentration. This value is significantly higher than the best experimentally reported T_c of 11 K for crystalline B-doped diamond. We argue that the quenching from metallic carbon liquid leads to a stronger electron-phonon coupling due to close packing of carbon atoms with higher density of states at the Fermi level. With these results, we propose that the non-equilibrium undercooling-assisted synthesis method can be used to fabricate highly doped materials that provide greatly enhanced superconducting properties.

Computational materials discovery: the case of the W–B system

By means of variable-compositional evolutionary algorithms, in combination with first-principles calculations, the compositions, structures and mechanical properties of the W–B system have been theoretically investigated. As well as confirming the experimental observations (including their crystal structures) for the four known compounds W2B, WB, WB2and WB3, the new stable compound W8B7and two nearly stable compounds, W2B3and WB4, have also been predicted in the ground state. The elastic properties and estimated Vickers hardnesses of all these borides have been systematically derived. The results show that, among these borides,hP6-WB2exhibits the largest ultra-incompressibility along thecaxis, with the highestC33value (953 GPa, comparable with that of the most incompressible diamond).hP16-WB3exhibits the highest hardness of 36.9 GPa, in good agreement with the experimentally measured data from 28.1 to 43.3 GPa, close to the superhard threshold, andoC8-WB shows the highest bulk modulus of about 350 GPa. The new stable compound W8B7crystallizes in the monoclinicmP15 phase, with infinite zigzag B chains running parallel to the W-atom layers, resulting in a relatively high estimated hardness of 19.6 GPa. The anisotropic Young's modulusEand torsion shear modulusGthave been derived for bothoC8-WB andhP16-WB3. The current state of research and the historic inconsistency of the W–B system are briefly summarized, in particular clarifying the fact that the previous experimentally attributedhP20-WB4is in fact the defect-containinghP16-WB3.

Active Protection of an MgB(2) Test Coil

This paper presents results of a study, experimental and computational, of a detect-and-activate-the-heater protection technique applied to a magnesium diboride (MgB(2)) test coil operated in semi-persistent mode. The test coil with a winding ID of 25 cm and wound with ~500-m long reacted MgB(2) wire was operated at 4.2 K immersed in a bath of liquid helium. In this active technique, upon the initiation of a "hot spot" of a length ~10 cm, induced by a "quench heater," a "protection heater" (PH) of ~600-cm long planted within the test coil is activated. The normal zone created by the PH is large enough to absorb the test coil's entire initial stored energy and still keeps the peak temperature within the winding below ~260 K.

Current percolation and anisotropy in polycrystalline MgB(2)

The influence of anisotropy on the transport current in MgB(2) polycrystalline bulk samples and wires is discussed. A model for the critical current density is proposed, which is based on anisotropic London theory, grain boundary pinning, and percolation theory. The calculated currents agree convincingly with experimental data, and the fit parameters, especially the anisotropy, obtained from percolation theory agree with experiment or theoretical predictions.

High-Tc superconducting materials for electric power applications

Large-scale superconducting electric devices for power industry depend critically on wires with high critical current densities at temperatures where cryogenic losses are tolerable. This restricts choice to two high-temperature cuprate superconductors, (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox and YBa2Cu3Ox, and possibly to MgB2, recently discovered to superconduct at 39 K. Crystal structure and material anisotropy place fundamental restrictions on their properties, especially in polycrystalline form. So far, power applications have followed a largely empirical, twin-track approach of conductor development and construction of prototype devices. The feasibility of superconducting power cables, magnetic energy-storage devices, transformers, fault current limiters and motors, largely using (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox conductor, is proven. Widespread applications now depend significantly on cost-effective resolution of fundamental materials and fabrication issues, which control the production of low-cost, high-performance conductors of these remarkable compounds.

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.

Anisotropic superconducting properties of aligned MgB(2) crystallites

Samples of aligned MgB(2) crystallites have been prepared, allowing for the first time the direct identification of an upper critical field anisotropy H(ab)(c2)/H(c)(c2) = xi(ab)/xi(c) approximately 1.7, with xi(o,ab) approximately 70 A, xi(o,c) approximately 40 A, and a mass anisotropy ratio m(ab)/m(c) approximately 0.3. A ferromagnetic background signal was identified, possibly related to the raw materials purity.

High critical current density and enhanced irreversibility field in superconducting MgB2 thin films

The discovery of superconductivity at 39 K in magnesium diboride offers the possibility of a new class of low-cost, high-performance superconducting materials for magnets and electronic applications. This compound has twice the transition temperature of Nb3Sn and four times that of Nb-Ti alloy, and the vital prerequisite of strongly linked current flow has already been demonstrated. One possible drawback, however, is that the magnetic field at which superconductivity is destroyed is modest. Furthermore, the field which limits the range of practical applications-the irreversibility field H*(T)-is approximately 7 T at liquid helium temperature (4.2 K), significantly lower than about 10 T for Nb-Ti (ref. 6) and approximately 20 T for Nb3Sn (ref. 7). Here we show that MgB2 thin films that are alloyed with oxygen can exhibit a much steeper temperature dependence of H*(T) than is observed in bulk materials, yielding an H* value at 4.2 K greater than 14 T. In addition, very high critical current densities at 4.2 K are achieved: 1 MA cm-2 at 1 T and 105 A cm-2 at 10 T. These results demonstrate that MgB2 has potential for high-field superconducting applications.

High critical currents in iron-clad superconducting MgB2 wires

Technically useful bulk superconductors must have high transport critical current densities, Jc, at operating temperatures. They also require a normal metal cladding to provide parallel electrical conduction, thermal stabilization, and mechanical protection of the generally brittle superconductor cores. The recent discovery of superconductivity at 39 K in magnesium diboride (MgB2) presents a new possibility for significant bulk applications, but many critical issues relevant for practical wires remain unresolved. In particular, MgB2 is mechanically hard and brittle and therefore not amenable to drawing into the desired fine-wire geometry. Even the synthesis of moderately dense, bulk MgB2 attaining 39 K superconductivity is a challenge because of the volatility and reactivity of magnesium. Here we report the successful fabrication of dense, metal-clad superconducting MgB2 wires, and demonstrate a transport Jc in excess of 85,000 A cm-2 at 4.2 K. Our iron-clad fabrication technique takes place at ambient pressure, yet produces dense MgB2 with little loss of stoichiometry. While searching for a suitable cladding material, we found that other materials dramatically reduced the critical current, showing that although MgB2 itself does not show the 'weak-link' effect characteristic of the high-Tc superconductors, contamination does result in weak-link-like behaviour.

Enhancement of the high-magnetic-field critical current density of superconducting MgB2 by proton irradiation

Magnesium diboride, MgB2, has a relatively high superconducting transition temperature, placing it between the families of low- and high-temperature (copper oxide based) superconductors. Supercurrent flow in MgB2 is unhindered by grain boundaries, making it potentially attractive for technological applications in the temperature range 20-30 K. But in the bulk material, the critical current density (Jc) drops rapidly with increasing magnetic field strength. The magnitude and field dependence of the critical current are related to the presence of structural defects that can 'pin' the quantized magnetic vortices that permeate the material, and a lack of natural defects in MgB2 may be responsible for the rapid decline of Jc with increasing field strength. Here we show that modest levels of atomic disorder induced by proton irradiation enhance the pinning of vortices, thereby significantly increasing Jc at high field strengths. We anticipate that either chemical doping or mechanical processing should generate similar levels of disorder, and so achieve performance that is technologically attractive in an economically viable way.

MgB2 superconducting thin films with a transition temperature of 39 kelvin

We fabricated high-quality c axis-oriented epitaxial MgB2 thin films using a pulsed laser deposition technique. The thin films grown on (1 i 0 2) Al2O3 substrates have a transition temperature of 39 kelvin. The critical current density in zero field is approximately 6 x 10(6) amperes per cubic centimeter at 5 kelvin and approximately 3 x 10(5) amperes per cubic centimeter at 35 kelvin, which suggests that this compound has potential for electronic device applications, such as microwave devices and superconducting quantum interference devices. For the films deposited on Al2O3, x-ray diffraction patterns indicate a highly c axis-oriented crystal structure perpendicular to the substrate surface.

Scanning tunneling spectroscopy in MgB2

We present scanning tunneling microscopy measurements of the surface of superconducting MgB2 with a critical temperature of 39 K. In zero magnetic field the conductance spectra can be analyzed in terms of the standard BCS theory with a smearing parameter gamma. The value of the superconducting gap is 5 meV at 4.2 K, with no experimentally significant variation across the surface of the sample. The temperature dependence of the gap follows the BCS form, fully consistent with phonon-mediated superconductivity in this novel superconductor. The application of a magnetic field induces strong pair breaking as seen in the conductance spectra in fields up to 6 T.

Vortex dynamics in superconducting MgB2 and prospects for applications

The recently discovered superconductor magnesium diboride, MgB2, has a transition temperature, Tc, approaching 40 K, placing it intermediate between the families of low- and high-temperature superconductors. In practical applications, superconductors are permeated by quantized vortices of magnetic flux. When a supercurrent flows, there is dissipation of energy unless these vortices are 'pinned' in some way, and so inhibited from moving under the influence of the Lorentz force. Such vortex motion ultimately determines the critical current density, Jc, which the superconductor can support. Vortex behaviour has proved to be more complicated in high-temperature superconductors than in low-temperature superconductors and, although this has stimulated extensive theoretical and experimental research, it has also impeded applications. Here we describe the vortex behaviour in MgB2, as reflected in Jc and in the vortex creep rate, S, the latter being a measure of how fast the 'persistent' supercurrents decay. Our results show that naturally occurring grain boundaries are highly transparent to supercurrents, a desirable property which contrasts with the behaviour of the high-temperature superconductors. On the other hand, we observe a steep, practically deleterious decline in Jc with increasing magnetic field, which is likely to reflect the high degree of crystalline perfection in our samples, and hence a low vortex pinning energy.