Vortex-slip transitions in superconducting a-NbGe mesoscopic channels

Science.gov (United States)

Kokubo, N.; Sorop, T. G.; Besseling, R.; Kes, P. H.

2006-06-01

Intriguing and novel physical aspects related to the vortex flow dynamics have been recently observed in mesoscopic channel devices of a-NbGe with NbN channel edges. In this work we have systematically studied the flow properties of vortices confined in such mesoscopic channels as a function of the magnetic field history, using dc-transport and mode-locking (ML) measurements. As opposed to the field-down situation, in the field-up case a kink anomaly in the dc I-V curves is detected. The mode-locking measurements reveal that this anomaly is, in fact, a flow induced vortex slip transition: by increasing the external drive (either dc or ac) a sudden change occurs from n to n+2 moving vortex rows in the channel. The observed features can be explained in terms of an interplay between field focusing due to screening currents and a change in the predominant pinning mechanism.

Synthesis of metastable A-15 ''Nb3Si'' by ion implantation and on its superconducting transition temperature

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Clapp, M.T.; Rose, R.M.

1980-01-01

The authors have found a new technique for the synthesis of metastable compounds of well-defined composition: namely, ion implantation of a selected element into the desired crystal structure. [M.T. Clapp and R.M. Rose, Appl. Phys. Lett. 33, 205 (1978)]. Starting with a substrate material of A-15 Nb 3 Al/sub 0.9/Si/sub 0.1/, two basic approaches were tried towards the formation of A-15 Nb 3 Si by Si implantation: (1) direct replacement of the Al by Si and (2) implantation into a surface layer depleted of Al. This latter approach proved to be the most successful. It consisted of removing the Al by a diffusion anneal and replacing the Al deficiency by sequential Si implantations. Upon subsequent heat treatment a surface layer of A-15 Nb 3 Al/sub 0.2/Si/sub 0.8/ was produced. Details of the experimental procedure and a discussion of the superconducting transition temperature measurements of the implanted surfaces are presented

Superconductivity and magnet technology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lubell, M.S.

1975-01-01

The background theory of superconducting behavior is reviewed. Three parameters that characterize superconducting materials with values of commercial materials as examples are discussed. More than 1000 compounds and alloy systems and 26 elements are known to exhibit superconducting properties under normal conditions at very low temperatures. A wide variety of crystal structures are represented among the known superconductors. The most important ones do seem to have cubic symmetry such as the body-centered cubic (NbZr and NbTi), face-centered cubic (NbN), and the A15 or β-tungsten structures (Nb 3 Sn), V 3 Ga, Nb 3 Ge, Nb 3 Al, and V 3 Si). Attempts to understand some of the particular phenomena associated with superconductors as a necessary prelude to constructing superconducting magnets are discussed by the author. The origin of degradation is briefly discussed and methods to stabilize magnets are illustrated. The results of Oak Ridge National Laboratory design studies of toroidal magnet systems for fusion reactors are described

High-energy neutron irradiation of superconducting compounds

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sweedler, A.R.; Snead, C.L.; Newkirk, L.; Valencia, F.; Geballe, T.H.; Schwall, R.H.; Matthias, B.T.; Corenswit, E.

1975-01-01

The effect of high-energy neutron irradiation (E greater than 1 MeV) at ambient reactor temperatures on the superconducting properties of a variety of superconducting compounds is reported. The materials studied include the A-15 compounds Nb 3 Sn, Nb 3 Al, Nb 3 Ga, Nb 3 Ge and V 3 Si, the C-15 Laves phase HfV 2 , the ternary molybdenum sulfide Mo 3 Pb 0 . 5 S 4 and the layered dichalcogenide NbSe 2 . The superconducting transition temperature has been measured for all of the above materials for neutron fluences up to 5 x 10 19 n/cm 2 . The critical current for multifilamentary Nb 3 Sn has also been determined for fields up to 16 T and fluences between 3 x 10 17 n/cm 2 and 1.1 x 10 19 n/cm 2

Heat capacity of amorphous and disordered Nb3Ge thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rao, N.A.H.K.

1979-06-01

Heat capacity measurements on 1000 to 1500A thick amorphous Nb 3 Ge and granular Al films have been carried out using an ac technique. The major goal of the experiment was to study the effect of thermal fluctuations, both above and below the superconducting transition temperature T/sub c/, in dirty, short meanfree path materials

A study on the superconducting properties of YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 9-x}Nb{sub x}O{sup y} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Srinivas, S.; Bhatnagar, A.K. [Univ. of Hyderabad (India); Pinto, R. [Solid State Electronics Group, Bombay (India)] [and others

1994-12-31

Effect of niobium substitution at the copper site in YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 9}O{sub 7-x} was studied in thin film form. The films were deposited by laser ablation technique using the targets of the YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3-x}Nb{sub x}O{sub y} where x = 0.0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.0 under identical deposition conditions on SrTiO{sub 9} <100> substrates. Films were characterized by XRD, resistivity, I-V and J{sub c} measurements. Films made from x = 0.025 and 0.05 concentrations of Nb substituted targets showed relatively improved superconducting properties compared to that of undoped films. The best 7 realized for x = 0.025 Nb concentration was 1.8 x 10{sup {sigma}} A/cm{sup 2} and for 0.05 Nb concentration it was 3.2x10{sup {sigma}} A/cm{sup 2} at 77K. However, degradation of the superconducting properties, with the increase of x {ge} 0.1 Nb concentration and drastic suppression and complete loss of superconductivity was noticed for x {ge} 0.4. The growth of impurity phase YBa{sub 2}NbO{sub 6} for x = 0.1 and above of Nb concentration was noticed from XRD patterns. However, the site occupancy of Nb could not be confirmed from these studies.

Terahertz Mixing Characteristics of NbN Superconducting Tunnel Junctions and Related Astronomical Observations

Science.gov (United States)

Li, J.

2010-01-01

High-sensitivity superconducting SIS (superconductor-insulator-superconductor) mixers are playing an increasingly important role in the terahertz (THz) astronomical observation, which is an emerging research frontier in modern astrophysics. Superconducting SIS mixers with niobium (Nb) tunnel junctions have reached a sensitivity close to the quantum limit, but have a frequency limit about 0.7 THz (i.e., gap frequency of Nb tunnel junctions). Beyond this frequency Nb superconducting films will absorb energetic photons (i.e., energy loss) to break Cooper pairs, thereby resulting in significant degradation of the mixer performance. Therefore, it is of particular interest to develop THz superconducting SIS mixers incorporating tunnel junctions with a larger energy gap. Niobium-nitride (NbN) superconducting tunnel junctions have been long known for their large energy gap, almost double that of Nb ones. With the introduction of epitaxially grown NbN films, the fabrication technology of NbN superconducting tunnel junctions has been considerably improved in the recent years. Nevertheless, their performances are still not as good as Nb ones, and furthermore they are not yet demonstrated in real astronomical applications. Given the facts mentioned above, in this paper we systematically study the quantum mixing behaviors of NbN superconducting tunnel junctions in the THz regime and demonstrate an astronomical testing observation with a 0.5 THz superconducting SIS mixer developed with NbN tunnel junctions. The main results of this study include: (1) successful design and fabrication of a 0.4˜0.6 THz waveguide mixing circuit with the high-dielectric-constant MgO substrate; (2) successful fabrication of NbN superconducting tunnel junctions with the gap voltage reaching 5.6 mV and the quality factor as high as 15; (3) demonstration of a 0.5 THz waveguide NbN superconducting SIS mixer with a measured receiver noise temperature (no correction) as low as five times the quantum limit

Effect of lattice disorder and strain on T/sub c/ in sputtered Nb3Ge thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Roy, R.; Rogoski, D.A.

1976-01-01

Disorder and strain introduced into sputtered ''Nb 3 Ge'' films by mechanical polishing slightly lowers the onset temperature and/or very markedly broadens the width of the superconducting transition. The structural damage is reversible and annealing restores the superconducting behavior of the film very nearly to its initial state

Effect of cold rolling on the superconducting and electronic properties of two amorphous alloys; Nb50Zr35Si15 and Nb70Zr15Si15

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Inoue, A.; Masumoto, T.

1984-01-01

The effect of cold rolling on the superconducting properties was examined for amorphous Nb 50 Zr 35 Si 15 and Nb 70 Zr 15 Si 15 superconductors. Cold rolling to 10 to 20% reduction in thickness results in a rise of superconducting transition temperature (Tsub(c)) and a decrease in transition width (ΔTsub(c)), upper critical field gradient near Tsub(c) [dHsub(c2)/dT)sub(Tsub(c)], critical current density [Jsub(c)(H)] and normal electrical resistivity (rhosub(n)). Changes of about 7% for Tsub(c), 33% for ΔTsub(c), 12% for -(dHsub(c2)/dT)sub(Tsub(c) and 70% for Jsub(c)(H) are found. The rise of Tsub(c) upon cold rolling was considered to originate from the increase in the electron-phonon coupling constant (lambda) due to an increase in the electronic density of states at the Fermi level [N(Esub(f))] and a decrease in the phonon frequency (ω), while the decreases in ΔTsub(c), Jsub(c)(H) and rhosub(n) were attributed to the decrease in fluxoid pinning force due to an increase in homogeneity in the amorphous structure. From the results described above, the following two conclusions were derived: (a) cold rolling causes changes in electronic and phonon-states in the quenched amorphous phase, and (b) deformation upon cold rolling occurs not only in the coarse deformation bands observable by optical microscopy, but also on a much finer scale comparable to the coherence length (approx. = 7.7 nm). (author)

Degradation of superconducting Nb/NbN films by atmospheric oxidation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Henry, Michael David; Wolfley, Steven L.; Young, Travis Ryan; Monson, Todd; Pearce, Charles Joseph; Lewis, Rupert M.; Clark, Blythe; Brunke, Lyle Brent; Missert, Nancy A.

2017-03-01

Niobium and niobium nitride thin films are transitioning from fundamental research toward wafer scale manufacturing with technology drivers that include superconducting circuits and electronics, optical single photon detectors, logic, and memory. Successful microfabrication requires precise control over the properties of sputtered superconducting films, including oxidation. Previous work has demonstrated the mechanism in oxidation of Nb and how film structure could have deleterious effects upon the superconducting properties. This study provides an examination of atmospheric oxidation of NbN films. By examination of the room temperature sheet resistance of NbN bulk oxidation was identified and confirmed by secondary ion mass spectrometry. As a result, Meissner magnetic measurements confirmed the bulk oxidation not observed with simple cryogenic resistivity measurements.

Electronic structure, superconductivity, and spin fluctuations in the A15 compounds A3B: A = V, Nb; B = Ir,Pt,Au

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jarlborg, T.; Junod, A.; Peter, M.

1983-01-01

The electronic structure of six A15 compounds V 3 Ir, V 3 Pt, V 3 Au, Nb 3 Ir, Nb 3 Pt, and Nb 3 Au has been determined by means of self-consistent semirelativistic linear muffin-tin orbital band calculations. Parameters related to superconductivity such as electron-phonon coupling, transition temperature, electronic specific heat, and magnetic exchange enhancement are derived from the electronic-structure results. Generally the results obtained agree well with experimental values, with the exception of Nb 3 Pt and V 3 Au. In the former compound the density of states (DOS) has a sharp increase at E/sub F/ making the exact DOS value uncertain. In V 3 Au the high calculated T/sub c/ and the Stoner factor indicate that spin fluctuations may be limiting the T/sub c/. .AE

Degradation of superconductivity in A15 V3Si by explosive compression

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stewart, G.; Olinger, B.; Newkirk, L.R.

1985-01-01

We have found that explosive compression similar to that used to create A15 Nb 3 Si seriously degrades superconductivity in A15 V 3 Si which, before compression, was typical of well-ordered material. Specifically, the midpoint of the bulk superconducting transition is depressed by 1.8 K, the bulk transition width is increased by a factor of 3, and the specific heat γ is decreased by more than 20% compared to the starting material. Implications of these results for the ultimate achievable transition temperature in A15 Nb 3 Si are discussed

Disorder and the upper critical field of Nb3Ge

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Habermeier, H.U.

1981-01-01

The upper critical field, H/sub c2/, as determined from experimental values of T/sub c/ and (dH/sub c2//dT)/sub Tc/, has been investigated in Nb 3 Ge superconducting thin films with different degree of structural disorder. An increase of H/sub c2/(O) up to 36.9 T was found for samples with resistivities ranging from 40 to 60 /mu/sub/ OMEGA/cm and a decrease of H/sub c2/(O) to 5.7 T for /rho/.150 /mu/sub/ OMEGA/cm. Based on the Ginsburg-Landau solution for H/sub c2/(O) and the change of the coherence length with the electron mean free path a model is presented which describes the change of H/sub c2/(O) with resistivity, qualitatively. 15 refs

Preparation of high T/sup c/ Nb3Ge superconductors by chemical vapor deposition

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Newkirk, L.R.; Valencia, F.A.; Wallace, T.C.

1975-01-01

Bulk layers of Nb 3 Ge were deposited on copper substrates at 900 0 C by the hydrogen reduction of the chlorides of niobium and germanium with resistive T/sub c/'s as high as 22.5 0 K and current densities up to 1.8 x 10 6 amp cm -2 at 13.8 0 K. A detailed description of the coating process as well as empirical correlations between deposition parameters and T/sub c/ is given. Quantitative chlorination of Nb was found to be possible at T approximately equal to 250 0 C and for T greater than 900 0 C extending the range of delivery rates below those obtainable by powder feeding of NbCl 5 . Coatings in the range of 10 to 60 μm thick have been produced with a typical deposition efficiency of 50 to 65 percent for mass flow rates of the order of 1 g of salt per minute. The superconducting transition temperature has been correlated with a parameter of the form mole ratio x dilution x Reynolds number 0.22, where mole ratio is defined by moles Nb:moles (Ge + O) in the gas stream, and dilution by moles gas:moles salt. In addition, the relationship between mole ratio and dilution which determines the phase produced (Nb 3 Ge or Nb 5 Ge 3 ) is defined over the region of major interest. Lattice spacings are presented over a range of T/sub c/'s, and microstructure and substrate adherence are discussed. (U.S.)

Superconductivity in Ti3P-type compounds

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wills, J.O.; Hein, R.A.; Waterstrat, R.M.

1978-01-01

A study of 12 intermetallic A 3 B compounds which crsytallize in the tetragonal Ti 3 P-type structure has revealed five new superconductors with transition temperatures below 1 K: Zr 3 Si, Zr 3 Ge, Zr 3 P, V 3 P, and Nb 3 Ge (extrapolated from the alloy series Nb-Ge-As). In addition, two compounds, Zr 3 Sb and Ta 3 Ge, having the Ni 3 P structure type are found to be superconducting below 1 K. Within the Ti 3 P-type compounds, those with the lighter ''B'' elements in a given column of the Periodic Table have the higher transition temperatures. Critical-magnetic-field and electrical-resistivity data are reported for the superconducting Ti 2 P-type compound Nb 3 P, which permit one to estimate the Ginzburg-Landau kappa parameter and the electronic-specific-heat coefficient γ. The kappa value of 8.4 indicates that this material is type II, and the γ value of 1.3 mJ/mole K 2 for Nb 3 P is probably related to its low transition temperature relative to many A15 compounds

THz spectroscopy on superconducting NbN thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Daschke, Lena; Pracht, Uwe S.; Dressel, Martin; Scheffler, Marc [1. Physikalisches Institut, Universitaet Stuttgart (Germany); Ilin, Konstantin S.; Siegel, Michael [Institut fuer Mikro- und Nanoelektronische Systeme, Karlsruher Institut fuer Technologie (Germany)

2015-07-01

Epitaxial thin-film niobium nitride (NbN) is a conventional BCS superconductor. In presence of strong disorder, however, electronic inhomogeneities appear, which is not fully understood yet. To obtain a better insight into the physics of such disordered materials, studies on model systems such as structurally tailored films might be useful. Furthermore, disordered NbN films are used for single-photon detection devices, whose proper performance depends on a profound understanding of the superconducting properties. The studied NbN films have a T{sub c} ranging from 10 to 15 K and the superconducting energy gap is easily accessible with THz spectroscopy (0.4 - 5.6 meV). We investigate thin films of NbN sputtered on a sapphire substrate. With a Mach-Zehnder interferometer we measure the amplitude and phase shift of radiation transmitted through the thin-film sample. From there we can determine the real and imaginary parts of the optical conductivity. These results give information about the energy gap, Cooper pair density, and quasiparticle dynamics, including the temperature evolution of these quantities. We found that a film with 10 nm thickness roughly follows the BCS behavior, as expected. We will present results of our measurements on several different NbN samples.

Fabrication of Nb3Al superconducting wires by utilizing the mechanically alloyed Nb(Al)ss supersaturated solid-solution with low-temperature annealing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pan, X.F.; Yan, G.; Qi, M.; Cui, L.J.; Chen, Y.L.; Zhao, Y.; Li, C.S.; Liu, X.H.; Feng, Y.; Zhang, P.X.; Liu, H.J.

2014-01-01

Highlights: • This paper reported superconducting properties of the powder-in-tube Nb 3 Al wires. • The Nb 3 Al wires were made by using Nb(Al) ss supersaturated solid solution powders. • The Cu-matrix Nb 3 Al superconducting wires have been successfully fabricated. • The transport J c of Nb 3 Al wires at 4.2 K, 10 T is up to 12,700 A/cm 2 . - Abstract: High-performance Nb 3 Al superconducting wire is a promising candidate to the application of high-field magnets. However, due to the production problem of km-grade wires that are free from low magnetic field instability, the Nb 3 Al wires made by rapid heating, quenching and transformation (RHQT) are still not available to the large-scale engineering application. In this paper, we reported the properties of the in situ powder-in-tube (PIT) Nb 3 Al superconducting wires, which were made by using the mechanically alloyed Nb(Al) ss supersaturated solid solution, as well as the low temperature heat-treatment at 800 °C for 10 h. The results show that Nb 3 Al superconductors in this method possess very fine grains and well superconducting properties, though a little of Nb 2 Al and Nb impurities still keep being existence at present work. At the Nb 3 Al with a nominal 26 at.% Al content, the onset T c reaches 15.8 K. Furthermore, a series of Nb 3 Al wires and tapes with various sizes have been fabricated; for the 1.0 mm-diameter wire, the J c at 4.2 K, 10 T and 14 T have achieved 12,700 and 6900 A/cm 2 , respectively. This work suggests it is possible to develop high-performance Cu-matrix Nb 3 Al superconducting wires by directly using the Nb(Al) ss supersaturated solid-solution without the complex RHQT heat-treatment process

Magnetic Parameters Of A NB3SN Superconducting Magnet For A 56 HGz ECR Ion Source

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ferracin, P.; Caspi, S.; Felice, H.; Leitner, D.; Lyneis, C.M.; Prestemon, S.; Sabbi, G.L.; Todd, D.S.

2009-01-01

Third generation Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) ion sources operate at microwave frequencies between 20 and 30 GHz and employ NbTi superconducting magnets with a conductor peak field of 6-7 T. A significant gain in performance can be achieved by replacing NbTi with Nb 3 Sn, allowing solenoids and sextupole coils to reach a field of 15 T in the windings. In this paper we describe the design of a Nb 3 Sn superconducting magnet for a fourth generation ECR source operating at a microwave frequency of 56 GHz. The magnet design features a configuration with an internal sextupole magnet surrounded by three solenoids. A finite element magnetic model has been used to investigate conductor peak fields and the operational margins. Results of the numerical analysis are presented and discussed.

MAGNETIC PARAMETERS OF A NB3SN SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNET FOR A 56 HGz ECR ION SOURCE

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ferracin, P.; Caspi, S.; Felice, H.; Leitner, D.; Lyneis, C. M.; Prestemon, S.; Sabbi, G. L.; Todd, D. S.

2009-05-04

Third generation Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) ion sources operate at microwave frequencies between 20 and 30 GHz and employ NbTi superconducting magnets with a conductor peak field of 6-7 T. A significant gain in performance can be achieved by replacing NbTi with Nb{sub 3}Sn, allowing solenoids and sextupole coils to reach a field of 15 T in the windings. In this paper we describe the design of a Nb{sub 3}Sn superconducting magnet for a fourth generation ECR source operating at a microwave frequency of 56 GHz. The magnet design features a configuration with an internal sextupole magnet surrounded by three solenoids. A finite element magnetic model has been used to investigate conductor peak fields and the operational margins. Results of the numerical analysis are presented and discussed.

Experimental investigation of densification of powdered A15 phase in the system Nb--Al--Ge

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Modi, D.P.

1976-02-01

An investigation of the densification of precompounded powder of the A15 phase Nb 3 (Al,Ge) was made. The influence of various parameters such as additives, temperature, pressure and time in sintering of this material was studied. Since cold pressing followed by sintering did not produce sufficient density, the hot pressing technique was used. By hot pressing at 1450 0 C for 1 / 2 hour under 6 ksi pressure, about 95 percent densification was achieved. Results provide information that could lead to the development of a viable process for producing superconductors based on this compound. 14 figures, 17 references

Kinetic study of the formation of the superconducting A15 phase in the Nb-Al-Si system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Binh-Phung.

1978-12-01

So far, aluminum-containing superconductors showed excellent critical fields and temperatures. Powder Metallurgy shows the most promise in producing these particular kinds of superconductors in the near future. The scope of this research is to apply a kinetic study to observe the behavior of the Nb(Al,Si) system at elevated temperatures. From such observations, an optimized method of obtaining the A15 superconducting phase can be achieved. This study has resulted in a two step heat treatment to obtain the A15 phase. For the primary heat treatment of infiltrated rods, 600 0 C for 11 hours or 650 0 C for 1 hour was found suitable to form a barrier of intermetallic compound around the pores. For the secondary heat treatment, 1700 0 C for 15 seconds resulted in the formation of the A15 superconducting phase with a critical temperature of 18.25 0 K. A15 formation for wires is similar to infiltrated rods. The only difference is the diffusion path which is now much shorter. 600 0 C for 1 hour was found suitable for the primary heat treatment and 1700 0 C for 15 seconds was the most suitable for the secondary heat treatment. The highest critical temperature found thus far was 18.78 0 K

Production of superconducting Nb3Sn wire using Nb or Nb(Ti) and Sn(Ga) solid solution powders

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Thieme, C.L.H.; Foner, S.

1991-01-01

This paper reports on superconducting Nb 3 Sn wire produced by the powder metallurgy method using Nb or Nb-2.9 at% Ti powder in combination with Sn-x at% Ga powders (x = 3, 4.2, 6.2 and 9.0). Ga additions to the Sn caused considerable solid solution hardening which improved its workability. It made the Nb-Sn(Ga) powder combinations convenient for swaging and extensive wire drawing. Anneals at 950 degrees C produced wires with an overall J c of 10 4 A/cm 2 at 21.9 T for wires with both Ti in the Nb and 6.2 at% Ga in the Sn. Comparison of this wire with the best Nb(Ti)-Cu-internal Sn(Ti) shows a higher J c per A15 areas, especially in fields of 22T and above

The optimization of NbTi-Nb/sub 3/Sn high field superconducting magnet used for physics experiments

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Han, B.; Han, S.; Feng, Z.X.

1989-01-01

The approach to the optimum cost design of multigraded NbTi-Nb/sub 3/Sn high field superconducting magnet is proposed. Investigation shows that by reasonably choosing the contribution of NbTi and Nb/sub 3/Sn coils to the central field required and properly increasing the parameters β of both NbTi and Nb/sub 2/Sn coils, the optimum cost design of the NbTi-Nb/sub 3/Sn solenoid magnet can be obtained. This is the base on which the minimum cost design of multi-graded NbTi-Nb/sub 3/Sn high field superconducting magnet is reached. As an example, a calculation of a 14T three graded NbT-Nb/sub 3/Sn superconducting magnet with a bore of 31mm in diameter is given

Suppression of superconductivity in Nb by IrMn in IrMn/Nb bilayers

KAUST Repository

Wu, B. L.

2013-10-10

Effect of antiferromagnet on superconductivity has been investigated in IrMn/Nb bilayers. Significant suppression of both transition temperature (Tc) and lower critical field (Hc1) of Nb is found in IrMn/Nb bilayers as compared to a single layer Nb of same thickness; the suppression effect is even stronger than that of a ferromagnet in NiFe/Nb bilayers. The addition of an insulating MgO layer at the IrMn-Nb interface nearly restores Tc to that of the single layer Nb, but Hc1 still remains suppressed. These results suggest that, in addition to proximity effect and magnetic impurity scattering, magnetostatic interaction also plays a role in suppressing superconductivity of Nb in IrMn/Nb bilayers. In addition to reduced Tc and Hc1, the IrMn layer also induces broadening in the transition temperature of Nb, which can be accounted for by a finite distribution of stray field from IrMn.

Analysis of A-15 phase in the system Nb-Au

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Silveira, M.F. da.

1982-01-01

The Nb-Au system contains a A-15 structure with a superconducting critical temperature of the order of 11 K. According to the actually available phase diagrams there is some incertainty, whether the stoichiometric composition Nb 3 Au (75% at. Nb and 25% at. Au) occurs within the limits of stability. In the present work the samples (alloys of Nb and Au) are produced using a technique of melting by condenser discharge. The advantage of this technique consists in the possibility to obtain samples with compositions exceeding the limits of stability, as shown by lattice parameter analyses of the phase A-2 (Nb - solid solution) samples. The A-15 phase is obtained by heat treatments of samples crystallized originally in the A-2 structure. The inductively determined critical temperatures are close to the highest reported in the literature for this compound (11,5 K). Further we show by lattice parameter analyses that we are able to obtain the A-15 phase also with metastable compositions, very probably inclusively with the stoichiometric composition. (author) [pt

Local tunneling spectroscopy of a Nb/InAs/Nb superconducting proximity system with a scanning tunneling microscope

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Inoue, K.; Takayanagi, H.

1991-01-01

Local tunneling spectroscopy for a Nb/In/As/Nb superconducting proximity system was demonstrated with a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope. It is found that the local electron density of states in the InAs region is spatially modulated by the neighboring superconductor Nb

Suppression of superconductivity in Nb by IrMn in IrMn/Nb bilayers

KAUST Repository

Wu, B. L.; Yang, Y. M.; Guo, Z. B.; Wu, Y. H.; Qiu, J. J.

2013-01-01

Effect of antiferromagnet on superconductivity has been investigated in IrMn/Nb bilayers. Significant suppression of both transition temperature (Tc) and lower critical field (Hc1) of Nb is found in IrMn/Nb bilayers as compared to a single layer Nb

Fabrication of Nb{sub 3}Al superconducting wires by utilizing the mechanically alloyed Nb(Al){sub ss} supersaturated solid-solution with low-temperature annealing

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pan, X.F. [National Engineering Laboratory for Superconducting Material, Western Superconducting Technologies (WST) Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710018 (China); Superconducting Materials Center, Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research, Xi’an 710016 (China); Yan, G., E-mail: gyan@c-nin.com [National Engineering Laboratory for Superconducting Material, Western Superconducting Technologies (WST) Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710018 (China); Superconducting Materials Center, Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research, Xi’an 710016 (China); Qi, M. [Superconducting Materials Center, Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research, Xi’an 710016 (China); Cui, L.J. [National Engineering Laboratory for Superconducting Material, Western Superconducting Technologies (WST) Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710018 (China); Chen, Y.L.; Zhao, Y. [Key Laboratory of Magnetic Levitation Technologies and Maglev Trains (Ministry of Education of China), Superconductivity and New Energy R and D Center, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031 (China); Li, C.S. [Superconducting Materials Center, Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research, Xi’an 710016 (China); Liu, X.H. [National Engineering Laboratory for Superconducting Material, Western Superconducting Technologies (WST) Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710018 (China); Feng, Y.; Zhang, P.X. [National Engineering Laboratory for Superconducting Material, Western Superconducting Technologies (WST) Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710018 (China); Key Laboratory of Magnetic Levitation Technologies and Maglev Trains (Ministry of Education of China), Superconductivity and New Energy R and D Center, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031 (China); Liu, H.J. [Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Hefei 230031 (China); and others

2014-07-15

Highlights: • This paper reported superconducting properties of the powder-in-tube Nb{sub 3}Al wires. • The Nb{sub 3}Al wires were made by using Nb(Al){sub ss} supersaturated solid solution powders. • The Cu-matrix Nb{sub 3}Al superconducting wires have been successfully fabricated. • The transport J{sub c} of Nb{sub 3}Al wires at 4.2 K, 10 T is up to 12,700 A/cm{sup 2}. - Abstract: High-performance Nb{sub 3}Al superconducting wire is a promising candidate to the application of high-field magnets. However, due to the production problem of km-grade wires that are free from low magnetic field instability, the Nb{sub 3}Al wires made by rapid heating, quenching and transformation (RHQT) are still not available to the large-scale engineering application. In this paper, we reported the properties of the in situ powder-in-tube (PIT) Nb{sub 3}Al superconducting wires, which were made by using the mechanically alloyed Nb(Al){sub ss} supersaturated solid solution, as well as the low temperature heat-treatment at 800 °C for 10 h. The results show that Nb{sub 3}Al superconductors in this method possess very fine grains and well superconducting properties, though a little of Nb{sub 2}Al and Nb impurities still keep being existence at present work. At the Nb{sub 3}Al with a nominal 26 at.% Al content, the onset T{sub c} reaches 15.8 K. Furthermore, a series of Nb{sub 3}Al wires and tapes with various sizes have been fabricated; for the 1.0 mm-diameter wire, the J{sub c} at 4.2 K, 10 T and 14 T have achieved 12,700 and 6900 A/cm{sup 2}, respectively. This work suggests it is possible to develop high-performance Cu-matrix Nb{sub 3}Al superconducting wires by directly using the Nb(Al){sub ss} supersaturated solid-solution without the complex RHQT heat-treatment process.

Ceramic/metal and A15/metal superconducting composite materials exploiting the superconducting proximity effect and method of making the same

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Holcomb, M.J.

1999-01-01

A composite superconducting material made of coated particles of ceramic superconducting material and a metal matrix material is disclosed. The metal matrix material fills the regions between the coated particles. The coating material is a material that is chemically nonreactive with the ceramic. Preferably, it is silver. The coating serves to chemically insulate the ceramic from the metal matrix material. The metal matrix material is a metal that is susceptible to the superconducting proximity effect. Preferably, it is a NbTi alloy. The metal matrix material is induced to become superconducting by the superconducting proximity effect when the temperature of the material goes below the critical temperature of the ceramic. The material has the improved mechanical properties of the metal matrix material. Preferably, the material consists of approximately 10% NbTi, 90% coated ceramic particles (by volume). Certain aspects of the material and method will depend upon the particular ceramic superconductor employed. An alternative embodiment of the invention utilizes A15 compound superconducting particles in a metal matrix material which is preferably a NbTi alloy

Ceramic/metal and A15/metal superconducting composite materials exploiting the superconducting proximity effect and method of making the same

Science.gov (United States)

Holcomb, Matthew J.

1999-01-01

A composite superconducting material made of coated particles of ceramic superconducting material and a metal matrix material. The metal matrix material fills the regions between the coated particles. The coating material is a material that is chemically nonreactive with the ceramic. Preferably, it is silver. The coating serves to chemically insulate the ceramic from the metal matrix material. The metal matrix material is a metal that is susceptible to the superconducting proximity effect. Preferably, it is a NbTi alloy. The metal matrix material is induced to become superconducting by the superconducting proximity effect when the temperature of the material goes below the critical temperature of the ceramic. The material has the improved mechanical properties of the metal matrix material. Preferably, the material consists of approximately 10% NbTi, 90% coated ceramic particles (by volume). Certain aspects of the material and method will depend upon the particular ceramic superconductor employed. An alternative embodiment of the invention utilizes A15 compound superconducting particles in a metal matrix material which is preferably a NbTi alloy.

Studies of design parameters in the fabrication of Nb--Al--Ge superconductors by the powder metallurgy infiltration method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Granda, J.J.

1976-12-01

Experimental studies have been carried out in which the A15 phase of the Nb-Al-Ge system has been synthesized in the form of thin filaments contained in form rolled wires. A powder metallurgy approach has been used to achieve controlled porosity in compacts of sintered niobium powder. Infiltration with an aluminum-germanium eutectic alloy followed by mechanical deformation has produced small interconnected filaments embedded in the Nb matrix. Diffusion heat treatment for a short time transforms them into the A15 superconducting compound with a size range of 1-5 microns at 1300 0 C and 1-9 microns at 1750 0 C. The superconducting properties T/sub c/ and J/sub c/ were evaluated for samples subjected to different condition of time and temperature. The influence of certain parameters involved in the process has been investigated. The microstructure and microhardness of the Al-Ge eutectic alloy cooled at high and low cooling rates from temperatures between 900-400 0 C have been evaluated. Optical and electron beam metallographic results are presented for the analysis of the different phases and relative compositions. The critical temperature measured inductively is between 16.4 0 K and 18.1 0 K depending on the heat treatment. The critical current density as a function of the applied magnetic field is reported. These data were obtained using a pulsed magnetic field technique that measured J/sub c/ at 4.2 0 K in fields up to 100 kG. J/sub c/ was 8.8 x 10 4 amp/cm 2 at 20 kG and 3.6 x 10 4 amp/cm 2 at 60 kG for specimens containing approximately 20% A15 phase

Thermo-magnetic instabilities in Nb3Sn Superconducting Accelerator Magnets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bordini, Bernardo; Pisa U.

2006-01-01

The advance of High Energy Physics research using circulating accelerators strongly depends on increasing the magnetic bending field which accelerator magnets provide. To achieve high fields, the most powerful present-day accelerator magnets employ NbTi superconducting technology; however, with the start up of Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2007, NbTi magnets will have reached the maximum field allowed by the intrinsic properties of this superconductor. A further increase of the field strength necessarily requires a change in superconductor material; the best candidate is Nb 3 Sn. Several laboratories in the US and Europe are currently working on developing Nb 3 Sn accelerator magnets, and although these magnets have great potential, it is suspected that their performance may be fundamentally limited by conductor thermo-magnetic instabilities: an idea first proposed by the Fermilab High Field Magnet group early in 2003. This thesis presents a study of thermo-magnetic instability in high field Nb 3 Sn accelerator magnets. In this chapter the following topics are described: the role of superconducting magnets in High Energy Physics; the main characteristics of superconductors for accelerator magnets; typical measurements of current capability in superconducting strands; the properties of Nb 3 Sn; a description of the manufacturing process of Nb 3 Sn strands; superconducting cables; a typical layout of superconducting accelerator magnets; the current state of the art of Nb 3 Sn accelerator magnets; the High Field Magnet program at Fermilab; and the scope of the thesis

A multiple-field coupled resistive transition model for superconducting Nb3Sn

Science.gov (United States)

Yang, Lin; Ding, He; Zhang, Xin; Qiao, Li

2016-12-01

A study on the superconducting transition width as functions of the applied magnetic field and strain is performed in superconducting Nb3Sn. A quantitative, yet universal phenomenological resistivity model is proposed. The numerical simulation by the proposed model shows predicted resistive transition characteristics under variable magnetic fields and strain, which in good agreement with the experimental observations. Furthermore, a temperature-modulated magnetoresistance transition behavior in filamentary Nb3Sn conductors can also be well described by the given model. The multiple-field coupled resistive transition model is helpful for making objective determinations of the high-dimensional critical surface of Nb3Sn in the multi-parameter space, offering some preliminary information about the basic vortex-pinning mechanisms, and guiding the design of the quench protection system of Nb3Sn superconducting magnets.

Studying superconducting Nb3Sn wire

CERN Multimedia

AUTHOR|(CDS)2099575

2015-01-01

Studying superconducting Nb3Sn wire. From the current experience from LHC and HL-LHC we know that the performance requirements for Nb3Sn conductor for future circular collider are challenging and should exceed that of present state-of-the-art materials.

Studying superconducting Nb$_{3}$Sn wire

CERN Multimedia

AUTHOR|(CDS)2099575

2015-01-01

Studying superconducting Nb$_{3}$Sn wire. From the current experience from LHC and HL-LHC we know that the performance requirements for Nb$_{3}$Sn conductor for future circular collider are challenging and should exceed that of present state-of-the-art materials.

A multiple-field coupled resistive transition model for superconducting Nb3Sn

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lin Yang

2016-12-01

Full Text Available A study on the superconducting transition width as functions of the applied magnetic field and strain is performed in superconducting Nb3Sn. A quantitative, yet universal phenomenological resistivity model is proposed. The numerical simulation by the proposed model shows predicted resistive transition characteristics under variable magnetic fields and strain, which in good agreement with the experimental observations. Furthermore, a temperature-modulated magnetoresistance transition behavior in filamentary Nb3Sn conductors can also be well described by the given model. The multiple-field coupled resistive transition model is helpful for making objective determinations of the high-dimensional critical surface of Nb3Sn in the multi-parameter space, offering some preliminary information about the basic vortex-pinning mechanisms, and guiding the design of the quench protection system of Nb3Sn superconducting magnets.

Method of manufacturing a niobium-aluminum-germanium superconductive material

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, J.L.F.; Pickus, M.R.; Douglas, K.E.

A method for manufacturing flexible Nb/sub 3/ (Al,Ge) multifilamentary superconductive material in which a sintered porous Nb compact is infiltrated with an Al-Ge alloy. It is deformed and heat treated in a series of steps at successively higher temperatures preferably below 1000/sup 0/C during the heat treatment, cladding material such as copper can be applied to facilitate a deformation step preceding the heat treatment and can remain in place through the heat treatment to serve as a temperature stabilizer for the superconductive material produced. These lower heat treatment temperatures favor formation of filaments with reduced grain size and with more grain boundaries which in turn increase the current-carrying capacity of the superconductive material.

Nb3Sn superconducting magnets for electron cyclotron resonance ion sources.

Science.gov (United States)

Ferracin, P; Caspi, S; Felice, H; Leitner, D; Lyneis, C M; Prestemon, S; Sabbi, G L; Todd, D S

2010-02-01

Electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion sources are an essential component of heavy-ion accelerators. Over the past few decades advances in magnet technology and an improved understanding of the ECR ion source plasma physics have led to remarkable performance improvements of ECR ion sources. Currently third generation high field superconducting ECR ion sources operating at frequencies around 28 GHz are the state of the art ion injectors and several devices are either under commissioning or under design around the world. At the same time, the demand for increased intensities of highly charged heavy ions continues to grow, which makes the development of even higher performance ECR ion sources a necessity. To extend ECR ion sources to frequencies well above 28 GHz, new magnet technology will be needed in order to operate at higher field and force levels. The superconducting magnet program at LBNL has been developing high field superconducting magnets for particle accelerators based on Nb(3)Sn superconducting technology for several years. At the moment, Nb(3)Sn is the only practical conductor capable of operating at the 15 T field level in the relevant configurations. Recent design studies have been focused on the possibility of using Nb(3)Sn in the next generation of ECR ion sources. In the past, LBNL has worked on the VENUS ECR, a 28 GHz source with solenoids and a sextupole made with NbTi operating at fields of 6-7 T. VENUS has now been operating since 2004. We present in this paper the design of a Nb(3)Sn ECR ion source optimized to operate at an rf frequency of 56 GHz with conductor peak fields of 13-15 T. Because of the brittleness and strain sensitivity of Nb(3)Sn, particular care is required in the design of the magnet support structure, which must be capable of providing support to the coils without overstressing the conductor. In this paper, we present the main features of the support structure, featuring an external aluminum shell pretensioned with water

Technology development of fabrication NbTi and Nb3 Sn superconducting wires

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rodrigues Junior, D.; Bormio, C.; Baldan, C.A.; Ramos, M.J.; Pinatti, D.G.

1988-01-01

The technology development of NbTi and Nb 3 Sn superconducting wires are studied, mentioning the use of fluxes capture theory in the sizing of wires fabrication. The fabrication process, the thermal treatment and the experimental datas of critical temperature and current of Nb 3 Sn wires are described. (C.G.C.) [pt

Effect of increasing disorder on superconductivity of Mo/Nb superlattices

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pereiro, Juan; Saerbeck, Thomas; Schuller, Ivan K

2015-01-01

We investigated the superconducting properties of Nb/Mo superlattices (SLs). The structural changes as a function of Nb and Mo layer thickness allow us to investigate the effect of disorder on the superconducting properties in a controlled fashion. Systematic structural studies provide quantitative measures of disorder parameters, such as roughness, interdiffusion, and strain, which allow separating their effect on the individual superconducting layers. The Mo critical temperature does not change as the layer thickness decreases below its coherence length. Thus, the SL critical temperatures in the presence of disorder and proximity effects can be modeled by considering only the effects of the Nb mean free path and coherence length. With increasing layer thickness, the SL critical temperatures approach Nb bulk values. Contrary to expectations the T c of Mo remains below the Nb T c . We discuss the results using existing theories based on Coulomb repulsion or changes in the density of states at the Fermi surface as a function of disorder. Questions about current understanding of the effect of disorder on superconductivity arise from the results. (paper)

Effect of increasing disorder on superconductivity of Mo/Nb superlattices

Science.gov (United States)

Pereiro, Juan; Saerbeck, Thomas; Schuller, Ivan K.

2015-08-01

We investigated the superconducting properties of Nb/Mo superlattices (SLs). The structural changes as a function of Nb and Mo layer thickness allow us to investigate the effect of disorder on the superconducting properties in a controlled fashion. Systematic structural studies provide quantitative measures of disorder parameters, such as roughness, interdiffusion, and strain, which allow separating their effect on the individual superconducting layers. The Mo critical temperature does not change as the layer thickness decreases below its coherence length. Thus, the SL critical temperatures in the presence of disorder and proximity effects can be modeled by considering only the effects of the Nb mean free path and coherence length. With increasing layer thickness, the SL critical temperatures approach Nb bulk values. Contrary to expectations the Tc of Mo remains below the Nb Tc. We discuss the results using existing theories based on Coulomb repulsion or changes in the density of states at the Fermi surface as a function of disorder. Questions about current understanding of the effect of disorder on superconductivity arise from the results.

Advantage and Challenges of $Nb_3Sn$ Superconducting Undulators

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zlobin, A. V. [Fermilab; Barzi, E. [Fermilab; Turrinoni, D. [Fermilab; Ivanyushenkov, Yu. [Argonne; Kesgin, I. [Argonne

2018-04-01

Utilization of Nb3Sn superconducting wires offers the possibility to increase undulators’ nominal operation field and temperature margin, but requires overcoming chal-lenges that are described in this paper. The achievable field levels for a Nb3Sn version of superconducting undulators being developed at APS-ANL and the conductor choice are also presented and discussed.

Development of Nb3Sn AC superconducting wire. Pt. 2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kasahara, Hobun; Torii, Shinji; Akita, Shirabe; Ueda, Kiyotaka; Kubota, Yoji; Yasohama, Kazuhiko; Kobayashi, Hisayasu; Ogasawara, Takeshi.

1993-01-01

For the realization of superconducting power apparatus, it is important that the development of highly stable superconducting cables. Nb 3 Sn wire has higher critical temperature than NbTi wire. Therefore, it is possible to make highly stable superconducting wires. In this report, we examine a manufacturing process of Ac Nb 3 Sn wire. This manufacturing process has four times higher critical current density than conventional processes. We have made a 400 kVA class AC coil with React and Wind method. The loss density of this coil was 20MW/m 3 at just before the quench. In this case, the temperature of cable increased about 3.8 K. This means that the Nb 3 Sn coil has a very high stability. (author)

Study of superconducting Nb3Sn coils

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vivet, B.

1963-01-01

Composite superconducting Nb 3 Sn wires with a diameter of 0.5 mm and a length of about 100 m were made, and Hc-Ic diagrams were plotted up to fields of 80 kgauss for short lengths. Two solenoids producing fields of about 20 kgauss were studied. Nb 3 Sn solenoids, as opposed to those of Nb-Zr or Nb-Ti, appear to have a predictable behavior. Solenoids with less insulation produced stronger fields than heavily insulated solenoids. (author) [fr

Effect of impurities in niobium on the growth of superconducting Nb/sub 3//Sn. [Al, Cu, Ge, Si, Sn, Zr impurities

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sekizawa, T

1974-01-01

In order to examine the possibility of reducing the heat treatment temperature in the manufacturing process of the superconducting intermetallic compounds wire or ribbon by the metallurgical bond method, tin cored specimens of niobium including a small amount of impurity (Al, Cu, Ge, Si, Sn and Zr) have been prepared, and the critical currents measured as a function of the heat treatment temperature and time. Experimental results are summarized as follows. (1) The effect of the impurity added into niobium is to stabilize the dislocation network cell structure in niobium, caused by the cold working, up to the forming temperature of Nb/sub 3/Sn. The stabilized dislocation network structure is considered to serve as diffusion pipes of the tin atom. As this diffusion (microscopic) is predominant over bulk diffusion (macroscopic), the cored specimen made of niobium including impurities has lower forming temperature of Nb/sub 3/Sn compared with the specimen made of pure niobium. (2) The critical current vs. heat treatment temperature characteristics show that the critical current peaks at 900/sup 0/C in the case of niobium including Si, while at 950/sup 0/C in the case of pure niobium. 6 references.

Synthesis and superconducting properties of niobium germanium

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kihlstrom, K.E.

1982-01-01

By carefully controlling temperature homogeneity during preparation of the Nb 3 Ge samples, homogeneous films have been prepared of high-T/sub c/Nb 3 Ge. Homogeneity is demonstrated by a sharp transition width (ΔT/sub c/ 6 amps/cm 2 which are the highest ever reported for any material at this temperature. The successful film synthesis has made it possible to study the superconducting properties of Nb 3 Ge. High quality A15 NbGe/(SiO/sub x/)/Pb tunnel juctions on electron beam codeposited oxygen-doped Nb 3 Ge have been fabricated. 2Δ/(k/sub B/T/sub c/ rises from the BCS limit in Ge-poor samples to become strong coupled (2Δk/sub B/T/sub c/ approx. 4.35) as stoichiometry is approached. The electron-phonon spectral function α 2 F(ω) and related microscopic parameters were obtained. As the T/sub c/ and gap increase, a movement of the lowest phonon branch to lower energies is observed with a resultant decrease in (ω 2 ). Thus lambda increases with T/sub c/ while (ω 2 ) decreases in agreement with the idea that mode softening is a major factor in the increase of T/sub c/ with approach to stoichiometry as previously found in Nb 3 Al by Kwo and Geballe

Radiation effects on superconductivity in A15 materials

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Faehnle, M.

1981-01-01

At present the A15 superconductor Nb 3 Sn is one of the most attractive materials for the design of magnet systems for fusion reactors. There the materials are exposed to a high flux of neutrons up to 10 18 to 10 19 n/cm 2 during a continuous fusion reactor operation within ten years. As a result the critical parameters of the superconducting materials are changed which must be taken into account when designing reliable magnet systems. The neutron radiation damage in A15 materials thereby is characterized by small highly disordered regions within a less disordered matrix. The highly disordered regions are responsible for the increase of the critical current density after low-dose neutron irradiation of non-optimized materials and have an influence on the superconducting transition width. In contrast, the change of the superconducting parameters after high-dose irradiation may be understood essentially by considering the properties of the matrix alone. 23 refs

Superconductivity optimization and phase formation kinetics study of internal-Sn Nb3Sn superconducting wires

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang, Chaowu

2007-07-01

Superconductors Nb 3 Sn wires are one of the most applicable cryogenic superconducting materials and the best choice for high-field magnets exceeding 10 T. One of the most significant utilization is the ITER project which is regarded as the hope of future energy source. The high-Cu composite designs with smaller number of sub-element and non-reactive diffusion barrier, and the RRP (Restacked Rod Process) internal-Sn technology are usually applied for the wire manufacturing. Such designed and processed wires were supplied by MSA/Alstom and WST/NIN in this research. The systematic investigation on internal-Sn superconducting wires includes the optimization of heat treatment (HT) conditions, phase formation and its relation with superconductivity, microstructure analysis, and the phase formation kinetics. Because of the anfractuosity of the configuration design and metallurgical processing, the MF wires are not sufficient for studying a sole factor effect on superconductivity. Therefore, four sets of mono-element (ME) wires with different Sn ratios and different third-element addition were designed and fabricated in order to explore the relationship between phase formation and superconducting performances, particularly the A15 layer growth kinetics. Different characterization technic have been used (magnetization measurements, neutron diffraction and SEM/TEM/EDX analysis). The A15 layer thicknesses of various ME samples were measured and carried out linear and non-linear fits by means of two model equations. The results have clearly demonstrated that the phase formation kinetics of Nb 3 Sn solid-state reaction is in accordance with an n power relation and the n value is increased with the increase of HT temperature and the Sn ratio in the wire composite. (author)

Characterization of high-T/sub c/ Nb--Ge thin films by ion scattering, ion-induced x-rays, and ion resonance techniques

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Miller, J.W.; Appleton, E.R.; Murphree, Q.C.; Gavaler, J.R.

1976-01-01

Thin films of high-T/sub c/ (21-22 0 K) Nb--Ge were analyzed using three ion bombardment techniques. The depth dependence of stoichiometry in these superconducting thin films is determined by the deconvolution of a series of Rutherford backscattering spectra using 2.0-3.2 MeV 4 He ions at several incidence and scattering angles. Confirmation of these results is provided by studying the yields of Nb and Ge characteristic X-rays as a function of the angle of beam incidence. The depth dependence of oxygen, or oxides of Nb and Ge, is of particular interest, but more difficult to determine. A very sharp ion scattering resonance 16 O (α,α) at 3.045 MeV was utilized to enhance the backscattered yield and depth sensitivity of oxygen determination. The combined use of these three techniques now provides a nearly complete and nondestructive means for the characterization of such films

Studies of the transition temperature and normal state resistivity of Nb3Ge and Nb films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lutz, H.; Weismann, H.; Gurvitch, M.; Goland, A.N.; Kammerer, O.F.; Strongin, M.

1976-01-01

Correlations between T/sub c/ and specific features of the normal state resistance vs temperature curves are discussed for both Nb 3 Ge and ion damaged Nb films. Of particular interest is the correlation between T/sub c/ and rho 0 in Nb 3 Ge films

NbN thin films for superconducting radio frequency cavities

Science.gov (United States)

Roach, W. M.; Skuza, J. R.; Beringer, D. B.; Li, Z.; Clavero, C.; Lukaszew, R. A.

2012-12-01

NbN thin films have the potential to be incorporated into radio frequency cavities in a multilayer coating to overcome the fundamental field gradient limit of 50 MV m-1 for the bulk niobium based technology that is currently implemented in particle accelerators. In addition to having a larger critical field value than bulk niobium, NbN films develop smoother surfaces which are optimal for cavity performance and lead to fewer losses. Here, we present a study on the correlation of film deposition parameters, surface morphology, microstructure, transport properties and superconducting properties of NbN thin films. We have achieved films with bulk-like lattice parameters and superconducting transition temperatures. These NbN films have a lower surface roughness than similarly grown niobium films of comparable thickness. The potential application of NbN thin films in accelerator cavities is discussed.

NbN thin films for superconducting radio frequency cavities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Roach, W M; Clavero, C; Lukaszew, R A; Skuza, J R; Beringer, D B; Li, Z

2012-01-01

NbN thin films have the potential to be incorporated into radio frequency cavities in a multilayer coating to overcome the fundamental field gradient limit of 50 MV m −1 for the bulk niobium based technology that is currently implemented in particle accelerators. In addition to having a larger critical field value than bulk niobium, NbN films develop smoother surfaces which are optimal for cavity performance and lead to fewer losses. Here, we present a study on the correlation of film deposition parameters, surface morphology, microstructure, transport properties and superconducting properties of NbN thin films. We have achieved films with bulk-like lattice parameters and superconducting transition temperatures. These NbN films have a lower surface roughness than similarly grown niobium films of comparable thickness. The potential application of NbN thin films in accelerator cavities is discussed. (paper)

Comment on the paper 'EXAFS measurements on Nb3Ge thin films' by G.S. Brown et al

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pande, C.S.; Viswanathan, R.

1978-01-01

Brown et al. (Solid State Commun.; 23:875(1977)) have reported that Nb 3 Ge specimens showing superconducting transition temperatures less than the maximum possible value contain a 'quasi-amorphous phase'. The possibility is discussed that the lower values of Tsub(c) of these specimens may be accounted for by the proximity effect due to these quasi-amorphous regions. (author)

Optimization of superconducting bending magnets for a 1.0 to 1.5 GeV compact light source

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Green, M.A.; Garren, A.A.

1995-06-01

Compact light sources are being proposed for protein crystallography, medical imaging, nano-machining and other areas of study that require intense sources of x rays at energies up to 35 keV. In order for a synchrotron light source to be attractive, its capital cost must, be kept low. The proposed compact light source has superconducting bending elements to bend the stored beam and produce the x rays. Additional focusing for the machine is provided by conventional quadrupoles. An important part of the cost optimization of a compact light source is the cost of the bending magnets. In the case of a machine with superconducting bending elements, the bending magnet system can represent close to half of the storage ring cost. The compact light source storage rings studied here have a range of stored electron energies from 1.0 to 1.5 GeV. For a number of reasons, it is desirable to keep the storage ring circumference below 30 meters. Cost optimization parameters include: (1) the number of superconducting bending elements in the ring, and (2) the central induction of the dipole. A machine design that features two superconducting dipoles in a single cryostat vacuum vessel is also discussed

Structural and superconducting properties of as-cast Nb3Al

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mondal, Puspen; Manekar, Meghmalhar; Roy, S.B.; Kumar, Ravi; Ganguli, Tapas

2007-01-01

We present the results of x-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements on the as-cast compound Nb 3 Al. X-ray diffraction shows the presence of the Al 5 Nb 3 Al phase along with a bcc Nb-Al solid solution. The average grain size of Nb 3 Al estimated from the line broadening is about 35 nm. Magnetization measurements show a superconducting transition temperature of about 16.8 K which is amongst the highest known T c for the as-cast sample. In the superconducting state, the sample shows interesting thermo-magnetic history effects in the temperature and field variation of magnetization. (author)

Superconductivity optimization and phase formation kinetics study of internal-Sn Nb{sub 3}Sn superconducting wires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Chaowu

2007-07-15

Superconductors Nb{sub 3}Sn wires are one of the most applicable cryogenic superconducting materials and the best choice for high-field magnets exceeding 10 T. One of the most significant utilization is the ITER project which is regarded as the hope of future energy source. The high-Cu composite designs with smaller number of sub-element and non-reactive diffusion barrier, and the RRP (Restacked Rod Process) internal-Sn technology are usually applied for the wire manufacturing. Such designed and processed wires were supplied by MSA/Alstom and WST/NIN in this research. The systematic investigation on internal-Sn superconducting wires includes the optimization of heat treatment (HT) conditions, phase formation and its relation with superconductivity, microstructure analysis, and the phase formation kinetics. Because of the anfractuosity of the configuration design and metallurgical processing, the MF wires are not sufficient for studying a sole factor effect on superconductivity. Therefore, four sets of mono-element (ME) wires with different Sn ratios and different third-element addition were designed and fabricated in order to explore the relationship between phase formation and superconducting performances, particularly the A15 layer growth kinetics. Different characterization technic have been used (magnetization measurements, neutron diffraction and SEM/TEM/EDX analysis). The A15 layer thicknesses of various ME samples were measured and carried out linear and non-linear fits by means of two model equations. The results have clearly demonstrated that the phase formation kinetics of Nb{sub 3}Sn solid-state reaction is in accordance with an n power relation and the n value is increased with the increase of HT temperature and the Sn ratio in the wire composite. (author)

Superconducting magnet wire

Science.gov (United States)

Schuller, Ivan K.; Ketterson, John B.; Banerjee, Indrajit

1986-01-01

A superconducting tape or wire with an improved critical field is formed of alternating layers of a niobium-containing superconductor such as Nb, NbTi, Nb.sub.3 Sn or Nb.sub.3 Ge with a thickness in the range of about 0.5-1.5 times its coherence length, supported and separated by layers of copper with each copper layer having a thickness in the range of about 170-600 .ANG..

Liquid helium-free 15 T superconducting magnet at 4 K

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sakuraba, J.; Mikami, Y.; Watazawa, K.; Watanabe, K.; Awaji, S.

2000-01-01

We have successfully demonstrated a 15.1 T liquid helium-free superconducting magnet with a room-temperature bore of 52 mm using a Nb 3 Sn/NbTi hybrid coil, Bi2223 current leads and two Gifford-McMahon cryocoolers. The magnet has 830 mm outside diameter, 1221 mm height and 720 kg weight. The magnet was cooled to 3.6 K in 114 h. A central magnetic field of 15.1 T was achieved in 38 min. The temperature of the coil increased to 5.7 K due to ac losses during the excitation, but it decreased to 4.0 K before reaching 15.1 T. The temperature of the coil remained at a constant value of 3.8 K over the 24 h of operation. The demonstration indicated the usefulness of a liquid helium-free superconducting magnet to generate high magnetic fields up to 15 T. (author)

Metallurgy, fabrication, and superconducting properties of multifilamentary Nb3Al composites

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hafstrom, J.W.

1976-01-01

The control of metallurgical structure during fabrication that will improve the superconducting properties of multifilamentary, aluminium-stabilized, Nb 3 Al composites is described. Composites are fabricated by placing niobium rods in an aluminum matrix, and then drawing to wire. Nb 3 Al is formed at temperatures exceeding 1800 0 C for about 5 s and ordered at 750 0 C for 48 h. A critical current, J/sub c/(H), in excess of 10 5 A/cm 2 (F/sub p/ approximately equal to 7 x 10 8 dynes/cm 3 ) at 7 T and a T/sub c/ to 18.2 K are obtained. Attempts to improve J/sub c/(H) by controlling the grain size in the Nb 3 Al diffused layer are discussed. Precipitates, arising from the addition of carbon during Nb 3 Al layer growth, do not appear to be effective as grain-boundary or flux pinners. When 1 percent Zr is added to the Nb, the growth of the Nb 3 Al layer is accelerated, T/sub c/ is lowered and J/sub c/(H) is not significantly improved. J/sub c/(H) rapidly decreases with an increase in Nb 3 Al or (Nb-Zr) 3 Al layer thickness, d. J/sub c/(H) is independent of d in composites with d greater than or approximately equal to 1.5 μm. In general, the Nb 3 Al grain size appears comparable to d for d less than or equal to 1 μm. Significant improvement of J/sub c/(H) for Nb 3 Al superconducting composites reacted at temperatures above 1800 0 C (to achieve T/sub c/ greater than 17 K) is achieved only by maintaining the layer thickness well below d approximately equal to 1.0 μm

Superconductivity and specific heat of titanium base A15 alloys

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Junod, A.; Flukiger, R.; Muller, J.

1976-01-01

Experimental data on the superconducting transition temperature, and low temperature specific heat, together with X-ray investigations, are reported for binary and pseudo-binary compounds of Ti with the A15-type structure. A 'true' relative maximum of the coefficient of the electronic specific heat, γ, as well as the superconducting transition temperature, Tsub(c), occurs in the Tisub(3)Irsub(1-x)Ptsub(x) system near x = 0.2. Tisub(3)Irsub(0.8)Ptsub(0.2) shows the lowest Debye temperature, theta 0 , of all A15-type compounds known to date. The anomalous temperature dependence of the lattice specific heat may be reproduced by a model phonon spectrum similar to that of Nb 3 Sn. (author)

Method of treating Ti--Nb--Zr--Ta superconducting alloys

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Horiuchi, T.; Monju, Y.; Tatara, I.; Nagai, N.; Hisata, M.; Matsumoto, K.

1975-01-01

A superconducting alloy is formulated from 10 to 50 at. percent Ti, 20 to 50 at. percent Nb, 10 to 40 at. percent Zr, and 5 to 12 at. percent Ta. A Ti--Nb--Zr--Ta superconducting alloy with a fine, non-homogeneous structure is obtained by forming a β solid solution of Ti--Nb--Zr--Ta alloy by heating to a temperature within the β solid solution range, cooling, and then cold working the heated alloy. The cold worked alloy is heated to a temperature within the (β' + β'') alloy to maintain the peritectoid structure, cold worked, then heated to a temperature within the eutectoid range to form a multiphase alloy structure and then cooled and finally cold worked. (U.S.)

Method for preparing high transition temperature Nb.sub.3 Ge superconductors

Science.gov (United States)

Newkirk, Lawrence R.; Valencia, Flavio A.

1977-01-01

Bulk coatings of Nb.sub.3 Ge superconductors having transition temperatures in excess of 20 K are readily formed by a chemical vapor deposition technique involving the coreduction of NbCl.sub.5 and GeCl.sub.4 in the presence of hydrogen. The NbCl.sub.5 vapor may advantageously be formed quantitatively in the temperature range of about 250.degree. to 260.degree. C by the chlorination of Nb metal provided the partial pressure of the product NbCl.sub.5 vapor is maintained at or below about 0.1 atm.

Magnetic and superconducting phase diagram of Nb/Gd/Nb trilayers

Science.gov (United States)

Khaydukov, Yu. N.; Vasenko, A. S.; Kravtsov, E. A.; Progliado, V. V.; Zhaketov, V. D.; Csik, A.; Nikitenko, Yu. V.; Petrenko, A. V.; Keller, T.; Golubov, A. A.; Kupriyanov, M. Yu.; Ustinov, V. V.; Aksenov, V. L.; Keimer, B.

2018-04-01

We report on a study of the structural, magnetic, and superconducting properties of Nb (25 nm ) /Gd (df) /Nb (25 nm ) hybrid structures of a superconductor/ ferromagnet (S/F) type. The structural characterization of the samples, including careful determination of the layer thickness, was performed using neutron and x-ray scattering with the aid of depth-sensitive mass spectrometry. The magnetization of the samples was determined by superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry and polarized neutron reflectometry, and the presence of magnetic ordering for all samples down to the thinnest Gd(0.8 nm) layer was shown. The analysis of the neutron spin asymmetry allowed us to prove the absence of magnetically dead layers in junctions with Gd interlayer thickness larger than one monolayer. The measured dependence of the superconducting transition temperature Tc(df) has a damped oscillatory behavior with well-defined positions of the minimum at df=3 nm and the following maximum at df=4 nm, in qualitative agreement with prior work [J. S. Jiang et al., Phys. Rev. B 54, 6119 (1996), 10.1103/PhysRevB.54.6119]. We use a theoretical approach based on the Usadel equations to analyze the experimental Tc(df) dependence. The analysis shows that the observed minimum at df=3 nm can be described by the so-called zero to π phase transitions of highly transparent S/F interfaces with a superconducting correlation length ξf≈4 nm in Gd. This penetration length is several times higher than for strong ferromagnets like Fe, Co, and Ni, thus simplifying the preparation of S/F structures with df˜ξf which are of topical interest in superconducting spintronics.

Studies on advanced superconductors for fusion device. Pt. 2. Metallic superconductors other than Nb{sub 3}Sn

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tachikawa, K.; Yamamoto, J.; Mito, T. [eds.

1997-03-01

A comprehensive report on the present status of the development of Nb{sub 3}Sn superconductors was published as the NIFS-MEMO-20 in March, 1996 (Part 1 of this report series). The second report of this study covers various progress so far achieved in the research and development on advanced metallic superconductors other than Nb{sub 3}Sn. Among different A15 crystal-type compounds, Nb{sub 3}Al has been fabricated into cables with large current-carrying capacity for fusion device referring its smaller sensitivity to mechanical strain than Nb{sub 3}Sn. Other high-field A15 superconductors, e.g. V{sub 3}Ga, Nb{sub 3}Ge and Nb{sub 3}(Al,Ge), have been also fabricated through different novel processes as promising alternatives to Nb{sub 3}Sn conductors. Meanwhile, B1 crystal-type NbN and C15 crystal-type V{sub 2}(Hf,Zr) high-field superconductors are characterized by their excellent tolerance to mechanical strain and neutron irradiation. Chevrel-type PbMo{sub 6}S{sub 8} compound has gained much interests due to its extremely high upper critical field. In addition, this report includes the recent progress in ultra-fine filamentary NbTi wires for AC use, and that in NbTi/Cu magnetic shields necessary in the application of high magnetic field. The data on the decay of radioactivity in a variety of metals relating to fusion superconducting magnet are also attached as appendices. We hope that this report might contribute substantially as a useful reference for the planning of fusion apparatus of next generation as well as that of other future superconducting devices. (author)

Evolution of superconducting properties with disorder in epitaxial NbN films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chockalingam, S P; Chand, Madhavi; Jesudasan, John; Raychaudhuri, Pratap; Tripathi, Vikram

2009-01-01

NbN is a conventional BCS superconductor in which disorder can be tuned from moderately clean limit to dirty limit without affecting its epitaxial nature. We studied the superconducting properties of epitaxial NbN films of different disorder characterized by k F l ranging from 8.77 to 2.56 through the transport measurements. Using reactive magnetron sputtering NbN films of different disorder are deposited by varying the sputtering power and amount of N 2 in Ar:N 2 mixture of sputtering gas. The disorder parameter k F l is obtained from the carrier density (n) and the resistivity (ρ) of the films. NbN films with higher disorder have lower transition temperature (T c ) and larger resistivity which decreases with decreasing disorder. The carrier density determined from Hall measurements show that highly disordered films have lower carrier density and vice versa. Our studies show that NbN is a good system to investigate the effects of disorder on superconductivity where the superconducting properties evolve with the disorder in thin films.

Pressure-induced antiferromagnetic superconductivity in CeNiGe3: A Ge73-NQR study under pressure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Harada, A.; Kawasaki, S.; Mukuda, H.; Kitaoka, Y.; Thamizhavel, A.; Okuda, Y.; Settai, R.; Onuki, Y.; Itoh, K.M.; Haller, E.E.; Harima, H.

2007-01-01

We report on antiferromagnetic (AF) properties of pressure-induced superconductivity in CeNiGe 3 via the Ge73 nuclear-quadrupole-resonance (NQR) measurements under pressure (P). The NQR-spectrum measurements have revealed that the incommensurate antiferromagnetic ordering is robust against increasing P with the increase of ordered moment and ordering temperature. Nevertheless the measurements of nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T 1 ) have pointed to the onset of superconductivity as a consequence of Ce-4f electrons delocalized by applying P. The emergence of superconductivity under the development of AF order suggests that a novel type of superconducting mechanism works in this compound

Observation of superconductivity in BaNb2S5

Science.gov (United States)

Smith, M. G.; Neumeier, J. J.

2018-06-01

Bulk superconductivity is reported in BaNb2S5 at the transition temperature Tc = 0.85(1) K. The electrical resistivity ρ versus T is metallic with ρ(2 K) = 42.4 μΩ cm. The magnetic susceptibility is paramagnetic, with temperature-independent contributions due to diamagnetism, Pauli paramagnetism, and Van Vleck paramagnetism; a Curie-Weiss contribution appears to be impurity related. Hall effect measurements show that the majority charge carriers are electrons with charge-carrier concentration n(3 K) = 2.40(2) × 1021 cm-3. Specific heat measurements reveal an electronic specific heat coefficient γ = 11.2(1) mJ/mol K2, a Debye temperature ΘD = 126.4(8) K, and an energy gap associated with the superconducting state of Eg = 0.184(4) meV. Measurements of ρ(T) in magnetic field provide the upper critical magnetic field of about 3055(74) Oe as T → 0 K, which was used to estimate the coherence length ξ = 6.21(15) nm. The results allow classification of BaNb2S5 as a Type II, BCS superconductor in the dirty limit.

Unsynchronized resonance of covalent bonds in the superconducting state

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Costa, Marconi B.S.; Bastos, Cristiano C.; Pavao, Antonio C.

2012-01-01

Daft calculations performed on different cluster models of cuprates (LaBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.7 , La 1.85 Sr 0.15 CuO 4 , YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 , TlBa 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 8.78 , HgBa 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 8.27 ), metallic systems (Nb 3 Ge, MgB 2 ) and the pnictide LaO 0.92 F 0.08 FeAs made evident the occurrence of un synchronized resonance of covalent bonds in the superconducting state, as predicted by Paling's resonating valence bond Rb) theory. For cuprates, the un synchronized resonance involves electron transfer between Cu atoms accompanied by a decrease in the charge of the La, Sr, Y and Ca atoms. For MgB 2 , electron transfer occurs in the Mg layer, while the B layer behaves as charge reservoir. For Nb 3 Ge, unsynchronized resonance occurs among the Ge atoms, which should be responsible for charge transfer. For LaO 0.92 F 0.08 FeAs, the results suggest that both La-O and Fe-As layers are involved in the mechanism of superconductivity. The identification of unsynchronized resonances in these systems provides evidence which supports RVB as a suitable theory for high-temperature superconductivity (high-TC). (author)

Investigation into the production of metastable Nb3Ge powder via the rotating electrode process

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

McCormick, J.P.

1977-12-01

The production of metastable Nb 3 Ge powder via the rotating electrode process (REP) employing ''splat cooling'' was investigated. An electrode capable of withstanding the thermal shock of the electric arc used in REP was produced through powder metallurgy techniques. The effect of various parameters involved in the rotating electrode process was studied in correlation with process control and crystal structure, microstructure and compositional analyses of the powder produced. Superconducting transition temperature measurements were made on the powder both as-produced and after annealing experiments

A study of the Nb3Ge system by Ge K-edge extended x-ray absorption fine structure and x-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Saini, N L; Filippi, M; Wu Ziyu; Oyanagi, H; Ihara, H; Iyo, A; Agrestini, S; Bianconi, A

2002-01-01

The local structure of Nb 3 Ge intermetallic superconductor has been studied by Ge K-edge absorption spectroscopy. Extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) experiments show two Ge-Nb distances. In addition to the crystallographic distance of ∼2.87 A, there exists a second Ge-Nb distance, shorter than the first by ∼0.2 A, assigned to a phase with short-range symmetry related to local displacements in the Nb-Nb chains. The x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectrum has been simulated by full multiple-scattering calculations considering the local displacements determined by the EXAFS analysis. The XANES spectrum has been well reproduced by considering a cluster of 99 atoms within a radius of about 7 A from the central Ge atom and introducing determined local displacements

Infrared hot-electron NbN superconducting photodetectors for imaging applications

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Il'in, K.S.; Gol'tsman, G.N.; Verevkin, A.A.; Sobolewski, Roman

1999-01-01

We report an effective quantum efficiency of 340, responsivity >200 A W -1 (>10 4 V W -1 ) and response time of 27±5 ps at temperatures close to the superconducting transition for NbN superconducting hot-electron photodetectors (HEPs) in the near-infrared and optical ranges. Our studies were performed on a few nm thick NbN films deposited on sapphire substrates and patterned into μm-size multibridge detector structures, incorporated into a coplanar transmission line. The time-resolved photoresponse was studied by means of subpicosecond electro-optic sampling with 100 fs wide laser pulses. The quantum efficiency and responsivity studies of our photodetectors were conducted using an amplitude-modulated infrared beam, fibre-optically coupled to the device. The observed picosecond response time and the very high efficiency and sensitivity of the NbN HEPs make them an excellent choice for infrared imaging photodetectors and input optical-to-electrical transducers for superconducting digital circuits. (author)

Diatomic substitutionals in superconducting Nb(1-x)B2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Farrell, H.H.; LaViolette, Randall A.; Lillo, T.M.

2006-01-01

Using first-principles, density functional theory calculations, we have shown that the increase in superconducting critical temperature to above 9 K experimentally observed for B-rich, off-stoichiometry NbB 2 material is associated with the formation of B-dimers on Nb sites rather than with the formation of Nb vacancies, as previously proposed. Our calculations show that certain of these B-dimer configurations have lower binding energies than do the vacancy structures. This result is pressure independent in the range between 0 and 10 GPa, and above. Further, the dimer-containing materials have a higher electronic density of states at the Fermi level than do the vacancy structures. Finally, the presence of B-dimers results in the splitting off of phonon normal modes. These last two factors are relevant to the improved superconducting properties

A review of the properties of Nb3Sn and their variation with A15 composition, morphology and strain state

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Godeke, A

2006-01-01

Significant efforts can be found throughout the literature to optimize the current-carrying capacity of Nb 3 Sn superconducting wires. The achievable transport current density in wires depends on the A15 composition, morphology and strain state. The A15 sections in wires contain, due to compositional inhomogeneities resulting from solid-state diffusion A15 formation reactions, a distribution of superconducting properties. The A15 grain size can be different from wire to wire, and is also not necessarily homogeneous across the A15 regions. Strain is always present in composite wires, and the strain state changes as a result of thermal contraction differences and Lorentz forces in magnet systems. To optimize the transport properties, it is thus required to identify how composition, grain size and strain state influence the superconducting properties. This is not possible accurately in inhomogeneous and spatially complex systems such as wires. This article therefore gives an overview of the available literature on simplified, well-defined (quasi-)homogeneous laboratory samples. After more than 50 years of research on superconductivity in Nb 3 Sn, a significant amount of results are available, but these are scattered over a multitude of publications. Two reviews exist on the basic properties of A15 materials in general, but no specific review for Nb 3 Sn is available. This article is intended to provide such an overview. It starts with a basic description of the niobium-tin intermetallic. After that, it maps the influence of Sn content on the electron-phonon interaction strength and on the field-temperature phase boundary. The literature on the influence of Cu, Ti and Ta additions will then be summarized briefly. This is followed by a review of the effects of grain size and strain. The article concludes with a summary of the main results. (topical review)

Peak Fields of Nb$_{3}$Sn Superconducting Undulators and a Scaling Law

CERN Document Server

Kim, S H

2005-01-01

The peak fields on the beam axis and the maximum fields in the conductor of Nb$_{3}$Sn superconducting undulators (SCUs) were calculated for an undulator period length of 16 mm. Using a simple scaling law for SCUs [1], the peak fields, as well as the conductor maximum fields and the current densities, were calculated for a period range of 8 to 32 mm. The critical current densities of commercially available Nb$_{3}$Sn superconducting strands were used for the calculations. The achievable peak fields are limited mainly by the flux-jump instabilities at low fields. The possible or feasible peak field will also be compared with that achieved in prototype development of SCUs.

Superconductivity at high pressure in NbSe3

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nunez Regueiro, M.; Castello, D.; Mignot, J.M.

1992-01-01

We have measured the electrical resistivity of NbSe 3 between 2 K and room temperature up to a pressure of 7.2 GPa. At P 1 = 3.5 GPa we observe the extinction of the high-temperature charge density wave (T 1 -CDW) and the enhancement of the superconducting critical temperature T c to ≅ 5 K. The logarithmic pressure slopes of T 1 (P 1 ) and T c (P > P 1 ) are found to be practically equal. A similar behaviour had been reported previously at lower pressures for T 2 (P 2 ) and T c (P 2 1 ) in the distorted state. We discuss these results in terms of an anisotropic superconducting state in NbSe 3 , with different gaps associated with different types of chains. 10 refs., 2 figs

Phase analysis of superconducting Nb-Sn materials by Moessbauer spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sitek, J.; Tomasich, M.; Cirak, J.; Prejsa, M.; Kruzliak, J.

1978-01-01

Moessbauer spectroscopy is used for the optimalization of superconducting Nb-Sn samples preparation in the form of foils. Pure phases of Nb 3 Sn, Nb 6 Sn 5 , and NbSn 2 are determined. Two series of samples are studied at 750 and 900 0 C tinning temperature respectively, and at 750, 860, 900, and 960 0 C heating temperatures. In the samples the phases Nb 3 Sn, Nb 6 Sn 5 , NbSn 2 , and the solid solution Nb-Sn phase are observed. The results from the phase analysis lead to the assumption that the percentage amount of the phases is preferentially dependent on the tinning temperature. (author)

Improved superconducting magnet wire

Science.gov (United States)

Schuller, I.K.; Ketterson, J.B.

1983-08-16

This invention is directed to a superconducting tape or wire composed of alternating layers of copper and a niobium-containing superconductor such as niobium of NbTi, Nb/sub 3/Sn or Nb/sub 3/Ge. In general, each layer of the niobium-containing superconductor has a thickness in the range of about 0.05 to 1.5 times its coherence length (which for Nb/sub 3/Si is 41 A) with each copper layer having a thickness in the range of about 170 to 600 A. With the use of very thin layers of the niobium composition having a thickness within the desired range, the critical field (H/sub c/) may be increased by factors of 2 to 4. Also, the thin layers of the superconductor permit the resulting tape or wire to exhibit suitable ductility for winding on a magnet core. These compositions are also characterized by relatively high values of critical temperature and therefore will exhibit a combination of useful properties as superconductors.

Superconductivity in Nb1-xTaxSe3 (0.14≤x≤0.16)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Akimitsu, J.; Ekino, T.; Saito, T.; Noma, S.; Sueno, S.

1994-01-01

We report on resistivity and susceptibility measurements of the superconducting Nb 1-x Ta x Se 3 single crystals with 0.14≤x≤0.16. Its crystal structure is the same as that of NbSe 3 and the highest T c is 6 K at x = 0.15. The measurements of the upper critical field H c2 revealed the quasi two-dimensional nature and the angular dependence of H c2 is consistent with the anisotropic effective mass model. (orig.)

A15 superconductors through direct solid-state precipitation: V/sub 3/Ga and Nb/sub 3/Al

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hong, M.

1980-09-01

A solid-state precipitation process was used to prepare superconducting tapes containing an A15 phase, V/sub 3/Ga or Nb/sub 3/Al, in a ductile niobium or vanadium containing BCC matrix. Ingots weighing as large as 30 to 50 gms of V-(14 approx. 19 at. %) Ga and Nb-(13 approx. 22 at. %) Al were prepared by arc-melting, homogenized, quenched, warm-rolled over 99% into tape, and aged at temperatures in the range 600/sup 0/C to 1000/sup 0/C to precipitate the superconducting A15 phase. The features demonstrated by the process are very attractive for practical applications. In the V-Ga system, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies revealed the A15 precipitates in an elongated form. However, for the Nb-Al samples, deformed and aged at 750/sup 0/C, TEM studies revealed A15 precipitation in fine equi-axed particles which formed as a semi-continuous network over sub-grain boundaries formed by the recovery of deformation-induced dislocations. In the V-Ga system, the maximum critical transition temperature (approx. 15 K) was found in materials aged at temperatures of 750/sup 0/C or below. At these aging temperatures the T/sub c/ initially increased with aging time and passed through a distinct maximum. The source of the exceptionally high T/sub c/ is discussed. In the Nb-Al system, the aging response of the T/sub c/ of the tested samples was somewhat different; the T/sub c/ increased with aging time to a plateau, and then increased again to a second plateau. The maximum T/sub c/ measured was approx. 17 K. Promising high-field overall critical currents were obtained in the Nb-Al system (overall J/sub c/ approx. 10/sup 4/ A/cm/sup 2/ in a magnetic field of 140 KG at 4.2 K).

Comparison of the costs of superconducting accelerator dipoles using NbTi, Nb3Sn and NbTiTa

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hassenzahl, W.

1981-03-01

The present study, which is based on the assumption that future, high-energy accelerators will use superconductors, is a comparison of the costs of 5 to 12 Tesla NbTi, Nb 3 S/sub n/, and NbTiTa accelerator magnets operating at 4.2 K or 1.8 K. The object of this evaluation is not to determine the actual cost of future accelerators, rather, its purpose is to provide some rationale for research on the next generation of superconducting accelerator magnets. Thus, though the actual costs of accelerator magnets may be different from those given here, the comparisons are valid

PERSISTENT CURRENT EFFECT IN 15-16 T NB3SN ACCELERATOR DIPOLES AND ITS CORRECTION

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kashikhin, V. V. [Fermilab; Zlobin, A. V. [Fermilab

2016-11-08

Nb3Sn magnets with operating fields of 15-16 T are considered for the LHC Energy Doubler and a future Very High Energy pp Collider. Due to large coil volume, high critical current density and large superconducting (SC) filament size the persistent current effect is very large in Nb3Sn dipoles al low fields. This paper presents the results of analysis of the persistent current effect in the 15 T Nb3Sn dipole demonstrator being developed at FNAL, and describes different possibilities of its correction including passive SC wires, iron shims and coil geometry.

Superconducting Nb{sub 3}Sn intermetallics made by electrochemical reduction of Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5}-SnO{sub 2} oxides

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Glowacki, B A; Fray, D J; Yan, X-Y; Chen, G

2003-05-01

The article is focused on low temperature superconducting Nb{sub 3}Sn material manufactured by novel electrodeoxidizing method developed in Cambridge whereby the range of alloys and intermetallics are produced cheaply making potential superconducting wires more cost effective. The process of direct electrochemical reduction of Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5}-SnO{sub 2} mixtures and in situ formation of the Nb{sub 3}Sn is discussed in details.

Fabrication and superconducting properties of a simple-structured jelly-roll Nb{sub 3}Al wire with low-temperature heat-treatment

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cui, L.J. [National Engineering Laboratory for Superconducting Materials (NELSM), Western Superconducting Technologies (WST) Co. Ltd., Xi’an 710018 (China); Yan, G., E-mail: gyan@c-wst.com [National Engineering Laboratory for Superconducting Materials (NELSM), Western Superconducting Technologies (WST) Co. Ltd., Xi’an 710018 (China); Pan, X.F. [National Engineering Laboratory for Superconducting Materials (NELSM), Western Superconducting Technologies (WST) Co. Ltd., Xi’an 710018 (China); Zhang, P.X. [National Engineering Laboratory for Superconducting Materials (NELSM), Western Superconducting Technologies (WST) Co. Ltd., Xi’an 710018 (China); Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research (NIN), Xi’an 710016 (China); Qi, M. [Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research (NIN), Xi’an 710016 (China); Liu, X.H.; Feng, Y. [National Engineering Laboratory for Superconducting Materials (NELSM), Western Superconducting Technologies (WST) Co. Ltd., Xi’an 710018 (China); Chen, Y.L.; Zhao, Y. [Key Laboratory of Magnetic Levitation Technologies and Maglev Trains, Superconductivity and New Energy R& D Center, Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU), Chengdu 610031 (China)

2015-06-15

Highlights: • Nb{sub 3}Al superconducting wires with Cu-matrix and different filament numbers were prepared by the jelly-roll method. • The length of 18-cores Nb{sub 3}Al superconducting wire reaches 100 m without any breakage and intermediate anneal. • This wire has the uniform filament-shapes and fine long-wire homogeneity. • This Nb{sub 3}Al long wire has the T{sub c} of 13.4 K and J{sub c} of 4.7 × 10{sup 4} A/cm{sup 2} at 4.2 K and 12 T. - Abstract: With extremely high critical current density (J{sub c}) and excellent strain tolerance, Nb{sub 3}Al superconductor is considered as an alternative to Nb{sub 3}Sn for application of high-field magnets. However, owing to their complex structure, Nb{sub 3}Al superconducting wires can hardly meet the requirement of engineering application at present. In this work, a novel simple-structured Nb{sub 3}Al superconducting wires with Cu-matrix and different filament numbers were prepared by the conventional jelly-roll method, as well as a heat-treatment of 800–850 °C for 20–50 h. The results show that a 18-filament superconducting wire with length longer than 100 m can be successfully prepared by this method, and also this Nb{sub 3}Al long wire has the T{sub c} of 13.4 K and J{sub c} of 4.7 × 10{sup 4} A/cm{sup 2} at 4.2 K and 12 T. These suggest that with further optimization, the simple-structured Nb{sub 3}Al superconducting wires are very promising to fabricate the km-grade long wires to meet the requirement of engineering application.

The future machine with electrons of 15-30 GeV

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tkatchenko, A.

1992-01-01

This article presents the project of european linear accelerator with a continuous beam of high energy electrons for the Nuclear Physics researches. Based on a superconducting linear accelerator crossed several times, this machine will be able to produce beams of 15 GeV in a first time, then 30 GeV, by increasing of accelerator cavity field without modifying the beam circulation system

Radiation detection with Nb/Al-AlOx/Al/Nb superconducting tunnel junctions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matsumura, Atsuki; Takahashi, Toru; Kurakado, Masahiko

1992-01-01

Superconductor radiation detectors have the possibility of 20-30 times better energy resolution than that of a high resolution Si detector. We fabricated Nb/Al-AlOx/Al/Nb superconducting tunnel junctions with low leakage current. X rays were detected with large area junctions of 178x178 μm 2 . High energy resolution of 160 eV for 5.9 keV was obtained. We also fabricated series connected junctions which covers a rather large area of 4x4 mm 2 . α particles injected into the rear substrate were detected using nonthermal phonons induced by the radiations in the substrate. (author)

Ultrasensitive interplay between ferromagnetism and superconductivity in NbGd composite thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Bawa, Ambika; Gupta, Anurag; Singh, Sandeep; Awana, V. P. S.; Sahoo, Sangeeta

2016-01-01

A model binary hybrid system composed of a randomly distributed rare-earth ferromagnetic (Gd) part embedded in an s-wave superconducting (Nb) matrix is being manufactured to study the interplay between competing superconducting and ferromagnetic order parameters. The normal metallic to superconducting phase transition appears to be very sensitive to the magnetic counterpart and the modulation of the superconducing properties follow closely to the Abrikosov-Gor’kov (AG) theory of magnetic impurity induced pair breaking mechanism. A critical concentration of Gd is obtained for the studied NbGd based composite films (CFs) above which superconductivity disappears. Besides, a magnetic ordering resembling the paramagnetic Meissner effect (PME) appears in DC magnetization measurements at temperatures close to the superconducting transition temperature. The positive magnetization related to the PME emerges upon doping Nb with Gd. The temperature dependent resistance measurements evolve in a similar fashion with the concentration of Gd as that with an external magnetic field and in both the cases, the transition curves accompany several intermediate features indicating the traces of magnetism originated either from Gd or from the external field. Finally, the signatures of magnetism appear evidently in the magnetization and transport measurements for the CFs with very low (<1 at.%) doping of Gd.

Superconductivity in ThPd2Ge2

Science.gov (United States)

Domieracki, Krzysztof; Wiśniewski, Piotr; Wochowski, Konrad; Romanova, Tetiana; Hackemer, Alicja; Gorzelniak, Roman; Pikul, Adam; Kaczorowski, Dariusz

2018-05-01

Our on-going search for unconventional superconductors among the ThTE2Ge2 phases (TE is a d-electron transition metal) revealed that ThPd2Ge2, which crystallizes with a body-centered tetragonal ThCr2Si2-type structure, exhibits superconductivity at low temperatures. In this paper, we report on the electrical transport and thermodynamic properties of a polycrystalline sample of this new superconductor, extended down to 50 mK. The experimental data indicates weakly-coupled type-II superconductivity with Tc = 0.63(2) K and μ0Hc2(0) = 32(2) mT.

Analysis of Nb3Sn surface layers for superconducting radio frequency cavity applications

Science.gov (United States)

Becker, Chaoyue; Posen, Sam; Groll, Nickolas; Cook, Russell; Schlepütz, Christian M.; Hall, Daniel Leslie; Liepe, Matthias; Pellin, Michael; Zasadzinski, John; Proslier, Thomas

2015-02-01

We present an analysis of Nb3Sn surface layers grown on a bulk Niobium (Nb) coupon prepared at the same time and by the same vapor diffusion process used to make Nb3Sn coatings on 1.3 GHz Nb cavities. Tunneling spectroscopy reveals a well-developed, homogeneous superconducting density of states at the surface with a gap value distribution centered around 2.7 ± 0.4 meV and superconducting critical temperatures (Tc) up to 16.3 K. Scanning transmission electron microscopy performed on cross sections of the sample's surface region shows an ˜2 μm thick Nb3Sn surface layer. The elemental composition map exhibits a Nb:Sn ratio of 3:1 and reveals the presence of buried sub-stoichiometric regions that have a ratio of 5:1. Synchrotron x-ray diffraction experiments indicate a polycrystalline Nb3Sn film and confirm the presence of Nb rich regions that occupy about a third of the coating volume. These low Tc regions could play an important role in the dissipation mechanisms occurring during RF tests of Nb3Sn-coated Nb cavities and open the way for further improving a very promising alternative to pure Nb cavities for particle accelerators.

Analysis of Nb3Sn surface layers for superconducting radio frequency cavity applications

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Becker, Chaoyue; Posen, Sam; Hall, Daniel Leslie; Groll, Nickolas; Proslier, Thomas; Cook, Russell; Schlepütz, Christian M.; Liepe, Matthias; Pellin, Michael; Zasadzinski, John

2015-01-01

We present an analysis of Nb 3 Sn surface layers grown on a bulk Niobium (Nb) coupon prepared at the same time and by the same vapor diffusion process used to make Nb 3 Sn coatings on 1.3 GHz Nb cavities. Tunneling spectroscopy reveals a well-developed, homogeneous superconducting density of states at the surface with a gap value distribution centered around 2.7 ± 0.4 meV and superconducting critical temperatures (T c ) up to 16.3 K. Scanning transmission electron microscopy performed on cross sections of the sample's surface region shows an ∼2 μm thick Nb 3 Sn surface layer. The elemental composition map exhibits a Nb:Sn ratio of 3:1 and reveals the presence of buried sub-stoichiometric regions that have a ratio of 5:1. Synchrotron x-ray diffraction experiments indicate a polycrystalline Nb 3 Sn film and confirm the presence of Nb rich regions that occupy about a third of the coating volume. These low T c regions could play an important role in the dissipation mechanisms occurring during RF tests of Nb 3 Sn-coated Nb cavities and open the way for further improving a very promising alternative to pure Nb cavities for particle accelerators

Origin of Superconductivity and Latent Charge Density Wave in NbS2

Science.gov (United States)

Heil, Christoph; Poncé, Samuel; Lambert, Henry; Schlipf, Martin; Margine, Elena R.; Giustino, Feliciano

2017-08-01

We elucidate the origin of the phonon-mediated superconductivity in 2 H -NbS2 using the ab initio anisotropic Migdal-Eliashberg theory including Coulomb interactions. We demonstrate that superconductivity is associated with Fermi surface hot spots exhibiting an unusually strong electron-phonon interaction. The electron-lattice coupling is dominated by low-energy anharmonic phonons, which place the system on the verge of a charge density wave instability. We also provide definitive evidence for two-gap superconductivity in 2 H -NbS2 , and show that the low- and high-energy peaks observed in tunneling spectra correspond to the Γ - and K -centered Fermi surface pockets, respectively. The present findings call for further efforts to determine whether our proposed mechanism underpins superconductivity in the whole family of metallic transition metal dichalcogenides.

Interactions between superconductivity and quantum criticality in CeCoIn5, URhGe and UCoGe

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Howald, L.

2011-01-01

The subject of this thesis is the analyze of the superconducting upper critical field (Hc2) and the interaction between superconductivity and quantum critical points (QCP), for the compounds CeCoIn 5 , URhGe and UCoGe. In CeCoIn 5 , study by mean of resistivity of the Fermi liquid domain allows us to localize precisely the QCP at ambient pressure. This analyze rule out the previously suggested pinning of Hc2(0) at the QCP. In a second part, the evolution of Hc2 under pressure is analyzed. The superconducting dome is unconventional in this compound with two characteristic pressures: at 1.6 GPa, the superconducting transition temperature is maximum but it is at 0.4 GPa that physical properties (maximum of Hc2(0), maximum of the initial slope dHc2/dT, maximum of the specific heat jump DC/C,... ) suggest a QCP. We explain this antagonism with pair-breaking effects in the proximity of the QCP. With these two experiments, we suggest a new phase diagram for CeCoIn 5 . In a third part, measurements of thermal conductivity on URhGe and UCoGe are presented. We obtained the bulk superconducting phase transition and confirmed the unusual curvature of the slope dHc2/dT observed by resistivity. The temperatures and fields dependence of thermal conductivity allow us to identify a non-electronic contribution for heat transport down to the lowest temperature (50 mK) and probably associated with magnon or longitudinal fluctuations. We also identified two different domains in the superconducting region, These domains are compatible with a two bands model for superconductivity. Thermopower measurements on UCoGe reveal a strong anisotropy to current direction and several anomaly under field applied in the b direction. We suggest a Lifshitz transition to explain our observations in these two compounds. (author) [fr

Upper critical fields in multifilamentary NbTi alloy superconducting wires

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Watanabe, Kazuo; Muto, Yoshio; Noto, Koshichi.

1991-01-01

In order to improve the high field performance of superconducting magnets, the upper critical field B c2 for practical multifilamentary alloy wires of NbTi, NbTiTa and NbTiHf were examined in respect with the usage of a pressurized superfluid cooling technique. The addition of Ta or Hf to NbTi enhanced by 0.5 T for B c2 at 1.8 K. Although the addition of a heavy element such as Ta or Hf has been regarded as suppressing Pauli-paramagnetism so far, it was found that the mechanism for B c2 enhancement by Hf addition is different from that by Ta addition. (author)

Diatomic substitutionals in superconducting Nb{sub (1-x)}B{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Farrell, H.H. [Idaho National Laboratory, Materials Science Department, 2525 N. Freemont Ave., MS-2211, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-2211 (United States)]. E-mail: Helen.Farrell@inl.gov; LaViolette, Randall A. [Idaho National Laboratory, Materials Science Department, 2525 N. Freemont Ave., MS-2211, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-2211 (United States); Lillo, T.M. [Idaho National Laboratory, Materials Science Department, 2525 N. Freemont Ave., MS-2211, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-2211 (United States)

2006-11-01

Using first-principles, density functional theory calculations, we have shown that the increase in superconducting critical temperature to above 9 K experimentally observed for B-rich, off-stoichiometry NbB{sub 2} material is associated with the formation of B-dimers on Nb sites rather than with the formation of Nb vacancies, as previously proposed. Our calculations show that certain of these B-dimer configurations have lower binding energies than do the vacancy structures. This result is pressure independent in the range between 0 and 10 GPa, and above. Further, the dimer-containing materials have a higher electronic density of states at the Fermi level than do the vacancy structures. Finally, the presence of B-dimers results in the splitting off of phonon normal modes. These last two factors are relevant to the improved superconducting properties.

A15 Nb-Sn tunnel junction fabrication and properties

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rudman, D.A.; Hellman, F.; Hammond, R.H.; Beasley, M.R.

1984-01-01

We have investigated the deposition conditions necessary to produce optimized films of A15 Nb-Sn (19--26 at. % Sn) by electron-beam codeposition. Reliable high-quality superconducting tunnel junctions can be made on this material by using an oxidized-amorphous silicon overlayer as the tunneling barrier and lead as the counter-electrode. These junctions have been used both as a tool for materials diagnosis and as a probe of the superconducting properties (critical temperature and gap) of the films. Careful control of the substrate temperature during the growth of the films has proved critical to obtain homogeneous samples. When the substrate temperature is properly stabilized, stoichiometric Nb 3 Sn is found to be relatively insensitive to the deposition temperature and conditions. In contrast, the properties of the off-stoichiometry (Sn-poor) material depend strongly on the deposition temperature. For this Sn-poor material the ratio 2Δ/kT/sub c/ at a given composition increases with increasing deposition temperature. This change appears to be due to an increase in the gap at the surface of the material (as measured by tunneling) relative to the critical temperature of the bulk. All the tunnel junctions exhibit some persistent nonidealities in their current-voltage characteristics that are qualitatively insensitive to composition or deposition conditions. In particular, the junctions show excess conduction below the sum of the energy gaps (with onset at the counter-electrode gap) and a broadened current rise at the sum gap. The detailed origins of these problems are not yet understood

A New Understanding of the Heat Treatment of Nb-Sn Superconducting Wires

Science.gov (United States)

Sanabria, Charlie

Enhancing the beam energy of particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), at CERN, can increase our probability of finding new fundamental particles of matter beyond those predicted by the standard model. Such discoveries could improve our understanding of the birth of universe, the universe itself, and/or many other mysteries of matter--that have been unresolved for decades--such as dark matter and dark energy. This is obviously a very exciting field of research, and therefore a worldwide collaboration (of universities, laboratories, and the industry) is attempting to increase the beam energy in the LHC. One of the most challenging requirements for an energy increase is the production of a magnetic field homogeneous enough and strong enough to bend the high energy particle beam to keep it inside the accelerating ring. In the current LHC design, these beam bending magnets are made of Nb Ti superconductors, reaching peak fields of 8 T. However, in order to move to higher fields, future magnets will have to use different and more advanced superconducting materials. Among the most viable superconductor wire technologies for future particle accelerator magnets is Nb3Sn, a technology that has been used in high field magnets for many decades. However, Nb3Sn magnet fabrication has an important challenge: the fact the wire fabrication and the coil assembly itself must be done using ductile metallic components (Nb, Sn, and Cu) before the superconducting compound (Nb3 Sn) is activated inside the wires through a heat treatment. The studies presented in this thesis work have found that the heat treatment schedule used on the most advanced Nb3Sn wire technology (the Restacked Rod Process wires, RRPRTM) can still undergo significant improvements. These improvements have already led to an increase of the figure of merit of these wires (critical current density) by 28%.

Anisotropy of critical current density in the superconducting Nb/sub 3/Sn tape wires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Glowacki, B A [Technical Univ., Wroclaw (Poland). Inst. of Fundamental Electrotechnics and Electrotechnology

1985-04-01

In this letter the results are presented of an investigation of Isub(c parallel) and Isub(c perpendicular) in Nb/sub 3/Sn layers obtained in the process diffusion of tin atoms from liquid bronze solution Cu-80% Sn to the Nb-1.5% Zr substrate. Measurements of critical current density in Nb/sub 3/Sn layers were carried out in a perpendicular magnetic field of the induction value 4.25 T for different sample surface orientations in relation to the magnetic field strength vector defined by the value of angle. The critical current density was measured at a temperature of 4.2 K. Phase identification and investigation of the microstructure of superconducting Nb-Sn layers were performed on the Moessbauer spectrometer and scanning electron microscope, respectively. Classification measurements of grains in Nb-Sn layers were carried out with TV automatic image analyser. The texture and lattice parameter in Nb/sub 3/Sn layers were investigated by means of an X-ray diffractometer. The surface zone of Nb/sub 3/Sn layer was removed with the use of an argon ion gun. Results are presented and discussed.

Structure and superconducting properties of Nb-Zr alloy films made by a high-rate sputtering

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sekine, Hisashi; Inoue, Kiyoshi; Tachikawa, Kyoji

1978-01-01

Superconducting Nb-Zr alloy films have been prepared by a continuous high-rate sputtering on tantalum substrates. A deposition rate of 330 nm/min has been attained. The compositional profile in the Nb-Zr film is quite uniform and the film has nearly the same composition as that of the target. The films deposited in a pure argon atmosphere show a columnar structure grown perpendicular to the substrate. The grain size strongly depends on the substrate temperature. The phase transformations in the Nb-Zr film become more apparent and the structure becomes closer to the equilibrium state as the film is deposited in higher atmosphere pressures and/or at lower target voltages. The superconducting transition temperature T sub(c) of the films is about the same as that of bulk samples. The dependence of T sub(c) on the substrate temperature is explainable on the phase transformations in the film. Critical current density J sub(c) and its anisotropy is closely related to the grain structure of the film. Grain boundaries seem to act as the most predominant flux pinning centers in the films. Effects of oxygen in the sputtering atmosphere on the structure and superconducting properties of the Nb-Zr films have been also investigated. Oxygen significantly decreases the grain size of the film. Oxygen increases J sub(c) but decreases T sub(c) of the film. (auth.)

Influence of stresses on superconducting properties of Nb3Sn conductors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Suenaga, M.; Luhman, T.S.; Sampson, W.B.; Onishi, T.; Klamut, C.J.

1978-01-01

This investigation of the degradation in the superconducting properties of Nb 3 Sn conductors when subjected to mechanical strain can be divided into the following areas: (I) monofilamentary Nb 3 Sn wires, (II) multifilamentary Nb 3 Sn conductors and wires, (III) effects of additives to Nb 3 Sn, (IV) mechanisms for degradation, and (V) construction of test facilities. Efforts to the present time have been concentrated in the investigation of T/sub c/, J/sub c/, and H/sub c2/ variations in monofilamentary wires. The most important finding in this study is that a Nb 3 Sn composite wire can sustain an effective mechanical strain well beyond ''1%'' if a proper ratio of the matrix to the Nb core has been chosen

Multifilamentary superconducting (NbTa)-Sn composite wire by solid-liquid reaction for possible application above 20 tesla

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hong, M.; Hull, G.W. Jr.; Fuchs, E.O.; Holthuis, J.T.

1983-01-01

Nb alloyed with Ta was employed in fabricating multifilamentary composite wires of (NbTa)-Sn using the liquid-infiltration process. The superconducting A15 phase was formed with subsequent heat treatments at 800-950 0 C by the solid-liquid reaction. High inductive Tsub(c)'s of 18.2 K with sharp transition width ( 4 A/cm 2 at 2O T and 4.2 K were obtained. It was found that 2 wt.% Ta in the Nb was sufficient in the enhancement of the overall Jsub(c) at the high fields and in increasing the Hsub(c2) (4.2 K) to 25 T. (Auth.)

Multifilamentary superconducting (NbTa)-Sn composite wire by solid-liquid reaction for possible application above 20 tesla

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hong, M.; Hull, G.W. Jr.; Fuchs, E.O.; Holthuis, J.T.

1983-01-01

Nb alloyed with Ta was employed in fabricating multifilamentary composite wires of (NbTa)-Sn using the liquid-infiltration process. The superconducting A15 phase was formed with subsequent heat treatments at 800-950 0 C by the solid-liquid reaction. High inductive Tsub(c)'s of 18.2 K with sharp transition width ( 4 A/cm 2 at 20 T and 4.2 K were obtained. It was found that 2 wt.% Ta in the Nb was sufficient in the enhancement of the overall Jsub(c) at the high fields and in increasing the Hsub(c2) (4.2 K) to 25 T. (orig.)

Ultrathin NbN Films for Superconducting Single-Photon Detectors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Slysz, W.; Guziewicz, M.; Borysiewicz, M.

2011-01-01

We present our research on fabrication and structural and transport characterization of ultrathin superconducting NbN layers deposited on both single-crystal Al 2 O 3 and Si wafers, and SiO 2 and Si 3 N 4 buffer layers grown directly on Si wafers. The thicknesses of our films varied from 6 nm to 50 nm and they were grown using reactive RF magnetron sputtering on substrates maintained at the temperature 850 o C. We have performed extensive morphology characterization of our films using the X-ray diffraction method and atomic force microscopy, and related the results to the type of the substrate used for the film deposition. Our transport measurements showed that even the thinnest, 6 nm thick NbN films had the superconducting critical temperature of 10-12 K, which was increased to 14 K for thicker films. (author)

Analysis of Nb{sub 3}Sn surface layers for superconducting radio frequency cavity applications

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Becker, Chaoyue [Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States); High Energy Physics Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States); Department of Physics, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois 60616 (United States); Posen, Sam; Hall, Daniel Leslie [Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Sciences and Education, Ithaca, New York 14853 (United States); Groll, Nickolas; Proslier, Thomas, E-mail: prolier@anl.gov [Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States); High Energy Physics Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States); Cook, Russell [Nanoscience and Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States); Schlepütz, Christian M. [X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States); Liepe, Matthias [Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Sciences and Education, Ithaca, New York 14853 (United States); Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 (United States); Pellin, Michael [Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States); Zasadzinski, John [Department of Physics, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois 60616 (United States)

2015-02-23

We present an analysis of Nb{sub 3}Sn surface layers grown on a bulk Niobium (Nb) coupon prepared at the same time and by the same vapor diffusion process used to make Nb{sub 3}Sn coatings on 1.3 GHz Nb cavities. Tunneling spectroscopy reveals a well-developed, homogeneous superconducting density of states at the surface with a gap value distribution centered around 2.7 ± 0.4 meV and superconducting critical temperatures (T{sub c}) up to 16.3 K. Scanning transmission electron microscopy performed on cross sections of the sample's surface region shows an ∼2 μm thick Nb{sub 3}Sn surface layer. The elemental composition map exhibits a Nb:Sn ratio of 3:1 and reveals the presence of buried sub-stoichiometric regions that have a ratio of 5:1. Synchrotron x-ray diffraction experiments indicate a polycrystalline Nb{sub 3}Sn film and confirm the presence of Nb rich regions that occupy about a third of the coating volume. These low T{sub c} regions could play an important role in the dissipation mechanisms occurring during RF tests of Nb{sub 3}Sn-coated Nb cavities and open the way for further improving a very promising alternative to pure Nb cavities for particle accelerators.

Superconductivity in the ferecrystals (PbSe){sub 1.14}(NbSe{sub 2}){sub n}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Grosse, Corinna; Chiatti, Olivio; Fischer, Saskia F. [Novel Materials Group, Humboldt-Universitaet Berlin (Germany); Alemayehu, Matti B.; Falmbigl, Matthias; Johnson, David C. [Department of Chemistry, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR (United States)

2016-07-01

The ferecrystals (PbSe){sub 1.14}(NbSe{sub 2}){sub n} are artificially layered materials consisting of n NbSe{sub 2} single-layers stacked alternately with atomic double layers of PbSe. NbSe{sub 2} is a transition metal dichalcogenide with interesting electrical properties such as superconductivity and charge density waves. The influence of turbostratic disorder, a random rotation between the NbSe{sub 2} and PbSe layers, on the superconducting transition temperature has been unknown so far. We investigate the structural and temperature-dependent electrical properties of the ferecrystals (PbSe){sub 1.14}(NbSe{sub 2}){sub n} by means of scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, in-plane resistivity and Hall measurements and compare them to those of analogous non-disordered misfit layer compound (MLC) polymorphs. We observe a superconducting transition in the resistivity of the ferecrystals. The transition temperatures are reduced by up to 55 % with respect to the analogous MLC polymorphs. This indicates that turbostratic disorder substantially weakens the electron-phonon coupling in (PbSe){sub 1.14}(NbSe{sub 2}){sub n}. We discuss the results of the structural and electrical properties of the ferecrystals with respect to their MLC analogues and also with respect to ultra-thin NbSe{sub 2} layers.

Fiber-coupled NbN superconducting single-photon detectors for quantum correlation measurements

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Slysz, W.; Wegrzecki, M.; Bar, J.; Grabiec, P.; Gorska, M.; Reiger, E.; Dorenbos, S.; Zwiller, V.; Milostnaya, I.; Minaeva, O.

2007-01-01

We have fabricated fiber-coupled superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs), designed for quantum-correlationtype experiments. The SSPDs are nanostructured (~100-nm wide and 4-nm thick) NbN superconducting meandering stripes, operated in the 2 to 4.2 K temperature range, and known for ultrafast

Studies on Nb3Sn field coils for superconducting machine

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fujino, H.; Nose, S.

1981-01-01

This paper describes experimental studies on several coils wound with multifilamentary (MF) Nb 3 Sn cables with reinforcing strip for superconducting rotating machine application. To use a Nb 3 Sn superconductor to field winding of a rotating machine, several coil performances of pre-reacted, bronze processed and stranded MF Nb 3 Sn cables were investigated, mainly in relation to stress effect. Bending strain up to 0.64% in strand and winding stress of 5 kg/mm 2 have resulted in nondegradation in coil performance. A pair of impregnated race-track coils designed for a 30 MVA synchronous condenser was energized successfully up to 80% of critical current without quench. 8 refs

Characterization and modification of the interface of superconducting Nb/Cu cavities by ion beams

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

El Bouanani, M.

1990-05-01

Radiofrequency superconducting Nb/Cu cavities for electron beam acceleration are studied in a collaboration between CEA and IN2P3 (CNRS). The quality of superconducting cavity is closely related to the purity of the surface material. In such an aim, carbon and oxygen contaminations at the surface and at the interface of the Nb/Cu device has been measured. Since the niobium film is deposited on copper by magnetron sputtering under argon atmosphere, argon analysis is performed using the resonance in the nuclear reaction Ar 40 (p,γ) 41 K at the proton energy of 1102 keV. In order to simulate the energy deposition occurring during particle acceleration, Nb/Cu samples have been irradiated with a 600 keV argon beam. The element distribution evolution is then followed by RBS and NBS. Ion beam mixing effect in the case of samples with oxygen interface contamination (Nb/Nb + Ox + Cu/Cu) is shown to be enhanced [fr

Sample of superconducting wiring (Niobium Titanium)

CERN Multimedia

About NbTi cable: The cable consists of 36 strands of superconducting wire, each strand has a diameter of 0.825 mm and houses 6300 superconducting filaments of niobium-titanium (Nb-Ti, a superconducting alloy). Each filament has a diameter of about 0.006 mm, i.e. 10 times smaller than a typical human hair. The filaments are embedded in a high-purity copper matrix. Copper is a normal conducting material. The filaments are in the superconductive state when the temperature is below about -263ºC (10.15 K). When the filaments leave the superconductive state, the copper acts as conductor transports the electrical current. Each strand of The NbTi cable (at superconducting state) has a current density of up to above 2000 A/mm2 at 9 T and -271ºC (2.15 K). A cable transport a current of about 13000 A at 10 T and -271ºC (2.15 K). About LHC superconducting wiring: The high magnetic fields needed for the LHC can only be reached using superconductors. At very low temperatures, superconductors have no electrical resistan...

Sample of superconducting wiring (Niobium Titanium)

CERN Multimedia

About NbTi cable: The cable consists of 36 strands of superconducting wire, each strand has a diameter of 0.825 mm and houses 6300 superconducting filaments of niobium-titanium (Nb-Ti, a superconducting alloy). Each filament has a diameter of about 0.006 mm, i.e. 10 times smaller than a typical human hair. The filaments are embedded in a high-purity copper matrix. Copper is a normal conducting material. The filaments are in the superconductive state when the temperature is below about -263ºC (10.15 K). When the filaments leave the superconductive state, the copper acts as conductor transports the electrical current. Each strand of The NbTi cable (at superconducting state) has a current density of up to above 2000 A/mm2 at 9 T and -271ºC (2.15 K). A cable transport a current of about 13000 A at 10 T and -271ºC (2.15 K). About LHC superconducting wiring: The high magnetic fields needed for the LHC can only be reached using superconductors. At very low temperatures, superconductors have no electrical resista...

Novel superconducting state in ferromagnetic superconductor UCoGe. Microscopic coexistence of ferromagnetism and superconductivity probed by 59Co-NQR measurements

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ishida, Kenji; Hattori, Taisuke; Ihara, Yoshihiko; Nakai, Yusuke; Sato, Noriaki K.; Deguchi, Kazuhiko; Tamura, Nobuyuki; Satoh, Isamu

2010-01-01

We have investigated the relationship between ferromagnetism and superconductivity in ferromagnetic superconductor UCoGe from 59 Co nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) measurements. Our experimental results indicate the microscopic coexistence of ferromagnetism and superconductivity in UCoGe, and suggest a 'self-induced vortex state' in its superconducting state. We also review NQR experiments, which play an important role in this study. (author)

Study of microstructure and superconducting properties of Nb3Al-tapes, obtained by heat treatment of three-layer and multilayer composites Nb/AlCu

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Korzhov, Valeriy P.

2012-01-01

The structure and superconductivity of three- and multilayer composite tapes of Nb/AlCu after high- temperature heating at 1750-1850 0 C for 1-3 seconds were investigated. Three-layer composites of Nb/AlCu/Nb with thickness of 50 microns were obtained by applying a vacuum rolling at 400-450 0 C and subsequent rolling at room temperature. Multilayer lengthy composites of Nb/AlCu obtained by extrusion with subsequent flattening by rolling of complex blank, collected in a special way. The effect of copper on the structure and properties of three-layer tapes was investigated. Copper increased the critical current of the superconductor. The critical current density in multilayered Nb 3 Al-tape reaches the value 8.10 4 A/cm 2 in magnetic field 14 T. The critical bending radius of the tape is 7 mm. Key words: multilayer composite tape, extrusion, rolling, superconducting Nb 3 Al-tape, high- temperature heat treatment, critical current density

A 1.5 GeV high brilliance synchrotron light source with combined function lattice

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Eriksson, M.; Lindgren, L.J.; Andersson, Aa.; Roejsel, P.; Werin, S.

1988-01-01

A 1.5 GeV synchrotron light source with a combined function lattice is studied. The light source will offer X-ray radiation with λc=1.0 angstrom from a superconducting wiggler and high brilliance VUV-radiation from undulators. The magnet lattice, magnet design and ring performance is discussed. (authors)

Specific heat of Nb3Sn and V2Zr compounds irradiated with high fluences fast neutrons

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kar'kin, A.E.; Mirmel'shtejn, A.V.; Arkhipov, V.E.; Goshchitskij, B.N.

1987-01-01

Specific heat of Nb 3 Sn (structure A15) and V 2 Zr (C15) specimens irradiated with high fluences of bast neutrons has been measured. It is shown that in these compounds the temperature reduction of superconducting transition T c under neutron irradiation is accompanied with high decrease of N(E F ). Phonon spectrum of the irradiated V 2 Zr (amorphous phase) on the whole is harder, than at an initial state, for irradiated Nb 3 Sn state (disordered crystalline structure) phonon spectrum is differ weakly from initial one. General regularities of parameter change of electron and phonon subsystems for A15 compounds investigated here and earlier (V 3 Si, Mo 3 Si, Mo 3 Ge) have been analysed

Anomalous superconducting spin-valve effect in NbN/FeN/Cu/FeN/FeMn multilayers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hwang, Tae Jong; Kim, Dong Ho [Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan (Korea, Republic of)

2017-09-15

We have studied magnetic and transport properties of NbN/FeN/Cu/FeN/FeMn spin-valve structure. In-plane magnetic moment exhibited typical hysteresis loops of spin valves in the normal state of NbN film at 20 K. On the other hand, the magnetic hysteresis loop in the superconducting state exhibited more complex behavior in which exchange bias provided by antiferrmagnetic FeMn layer to adjacent FeN layer was disturbed by superconductivity. Because of this, the ideal superconducting spin-valve effect was not detected. Instead the stray field originated from unsaturated magnetic states dominated the transport properties of NbN/FeN/Cu/FeN/FeMn multilayer.

Superconducting NbN single-photon detectors on GaAs with an AlN buffer layer

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Schmidt, Ekkehart; Merker, Michael; Ilin, Konstantin; Siegel, Michael [Institut fuer Mikro- und Nanoelektronische Systeme (IMS), Karlsruher Institut fuer Technologie, Hertzstrasse 16, 76187 Karlsruhe (Germany)

2015-07-01

GaAs is the material of choice for photonic integrated circuits. It allows the monolithic integration of single-photon sources like quantum dots, waveguide based optical circuits and detectors like superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) onto one chip. The growth of high quality NbN films on GaAs is challenging, due to natural occurring surface oxides and the large lattice mismatch of about 27%. In this work, we try to overcome these problems by the introduction of a 10 nm AlN buffer layer. Due to the buffer layer, the critical temperature of 6 nm thick NbN films was increased by about 1.5 K. Furthermore, the critical current density at 4.2 K of NbN flim deposited onto GaAs with AlN buffer is 50% higher than of NbN film deposited directly onto GaAs substrate. We successfully fabricated NbN SNSPDs on GaAs with a AlN buffer layer. SNSPDs were patterned using electron-beam lithography and reactive-ion etching techniques. Results on the study of detection efficiency and jitter of a NbN SNSPD on GaAs, with and without AlN buffer layer will be presented and discussed.

X-ray diffraction pattern and morphology of superconducting Nb/sub 3/Sn layer grown on a polycrystalline Nb substrate of (111) main texture

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Glowacki, B [Politechnika Wroclawska (Poland)

1983-01-16

A study is presented on structure and crystallographic orientation of Nb/sub 3/Sn layers formed in the process of interaction of polycrystalline Nb substrate with Cu/sub 0.2/Sn/sub 0.8/ solution at 980 /sup 0/C. Grain structure characterization of Nb/sub 3/Sn layers has been carried out with scanning electron microscopy and TV automatic image analysis. The superconducting layer is divided into a fine-grained FG and coarse-grained CG zone. The X-ray patterns of FG and CG zones did not differ from one another and were the same as in randomly oriented Nb/sub 3/Sn polycrystalline powder.

Preparation, tunneling, resistivity, and critical current measurements on homogeneous high-T/sub c/ A15 Nb3Ge thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kihlstrom, K.E.; Hammond, R.H.; Talvacchio, J.; Geballe, T.H.; Green, A.K.; Rehn, V.

1982-01-01

We have prepared homogeneous films of high T/sub c/ Nb 3 Ge as demonstrated by a total transition width of less than 1 K with a resistive T/sub c/ onset of 21.7 K, by paying particular attention to the constancy of substrate temperature. X-ray diffraction analysis done both at Stanford and at Westinghouse shows no evidence of a second phase to the limits of the instruments ( 6 A/cm 2 , which are the highest ever reported for any material at this temperature. In an applied magnetic field of 7.5 tesla, J/sub c/ was 2.5 x 10 6 A/cm 2 at 4.2 K. Tunneling as a function of thickness into Nb 3 Ge where the oxygen had been removed from the system after 1300 A had been deposited but the deposition continued up to 1 μm showed only limited degradation (in terms of gap width, excess conductance below the gap as well as magnitude of gap). This gives some indication that oxygen may only be needed initially during the deposition rather than throughout the entire deposition. T/sub c/ correlates well with composition, as does resistivity, thus we see the correlation between increasing T/sub c/ and decreasing resistivity

Thermally-activated internal friction peaks in amorphous films of Nb3Ge and Nb3Si

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Berry, B.S.; Pritchet, W.C.

1978-01-01

A large number of the thermally-activated internal friction peaks observed in crystalline solids are associated with the general mechanism of stress-induced directional short-range ordering. These peaks are an indirect but nevertheless valuable structural probe, and provide an important means of obtaining quantitative information on the kinetics of local atomic movements. This paper deals with what are thought to be the first-known examples of such peaks in the field of metallic glasses. The peaks have been observed in amorphous films of Nb 3 Ge and Nb 3 Si which are both superconductors with transition temperatures Tsub(c) near 3.6K. Although Tsub(c) is thus well below the record values of approximately equal to 23K reported for crystalline films of Nb 3 Ge, Tsuei has found the amorphous films to be much superior mechanically to their crystalline counterparts. Consequently, the amorphous films have technological interest as an easily-handled source from which the brittle high-Tsub(c) phase may be obtained by a final in-situ anneal. (author)

Tunneling spectroscopy on superconducting Nb3Sn with artioficial barriers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schneider, U.

1984-03-01

Tunneling diodes on Nb 3 Sn were prepared by magnetron sputtering. The superconducting transition temperatures of the Nb 3 Sn films were in the range of 5 to 18 K. An energetically low-lying structure in the tunneling density of states has been localized by detailed studies of the second derivative of the current-voltage characteristics of the diodes. This structure was found near 5.5 meV for stoichiometric Nb 3 Sn (Tsub(c) approx.= 18 K) and at 6.7 meV for understoichiometric Nb 3 Sn (Tsub(c) approx.= 5 K). The minimum in the conductance at zero energy found in the normal state could be identified to be mainly due to inelastic phonon processes of barrier phonons and Nb 3 Sn phonons. Deformations were found in the tunneling density of states of stoichiometric Nb 3 Sn diodes which lead to contradiction when explained by proximity effects. (orig./GSCH)

Reactive diffusion and superconductivity of Nb3Al multilayer films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vandenberg, J.M.; Hong, M.; Hamm, R.A.; Gurvitch, M.

1985-01-01

Thin films of A15 Nb 3 Al have been prepared by reactive diffusion of sputter-deposited Nb/Al multilayers. The diffusion reactions were studied by in situ annealing x-ray diffraction in the temperature range 50--950 0 C. Initially the Nb and Al sublayers react to form the phase NbAl 3 . This interface reaction prevents the formation of the sigma-phase Nb 2 Al, frequently found as a second phase in A15 Nb 3 Al materials; NbAl 3 reacts with the remaining Nb to form the A15 phase. The highest T/sub c/, 16.2 K measured resistively and 15.2 K inductively, was found in a Nb/Al multilayer with an A15 cell parameter a 0 = 5.195 A which corresponds to approx.20 at. % Al. From a comparison with previous investigations of the T/sub c/ dependence on Al concentration and A15 cell parameter, it is concluded that a small amount of the A15 phase has a higher composition of 22--23 at. % Al

Thermal propagation and stability in superconducting films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gray, K.E.; Kampwirth, R.T.; Zasadzinski, J.F.; Ducharme, S.P.

1983-01-01

Thermal propagation and stable hot spots (normal domains) are studied in various high Tsub(c) superconducting films (Nb 3 Sn, Nb, NbN and Nb 3 Ge). A new energy balance is shown to give reasonable quantitative agreement of the dependence of the propagation velocity on the length of short normal domains. The steady state (zero velocity) measurements indicate the existence of two distinct situations for films on high thermal conductivity (sapphire) substrates. For low power per unit area the film and substrate have the same temperature, and the thermal properties of the substrate dominate. However, for higher power densities in short hot spots, the coupling is relatively weak and the thermal properties of the film alone are important. Here a connection is made between the critical current stability of superconducting films and a critical hot spot size for thermal propagation. As a result efficient heat removal is shown to dominate the stabilisation of superconducting films. The strong and weak coupling situations also lead to modifications of the models for propagation velocities on sapphire substrates. Self-healing of hot spots and other phenomena in superconducting film are explained. The potential use of the thermal propagation model in applications of superconductors, especially switches is discussed. (author)

Oxidation-resistant Ge-doped silicide coating on Cr-Cr2Nb alloys by pack cementation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

He Yirong

1997-01-01

The halide-activated pack cementation process was modified to produce a Ge-doped silicide diffusion coating on Cr-Cr 2 Nb alloys in a single processing step. The morphology and composition of the coating depended both on the pack composition and processing schedule and also on the composition and microstructure of the substrate. Higher Ge content in the pack suppressed the formation of CrSi 2 and reduced the growth kinetics of the coating. Ge was not homogeneously distributed in the coatings. Under cyclic and isothermal oxidation conditions, the Ge-doped silicide coating protected the Cr-Nb alloys from significant oxidation and from pesting by the formation of a Ge-doped silica film. (orig.)

Plasma-assisted MOCVD growth of superconducting NbN thin films using Nb dialkylamide and Nb alkylimide precursors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Liu Xiang; Ott, A.W.; Chang, R.P.H.; Babcok, J.R.; Belot, J.A.; Metz, M.V.; Marks, T.J.; Lane, M.A.; Kannewurf, C.R.

2001-01-01

The first example of the use of metal-organic precursors for depositing NbN superconducting thin films is described. The study, which employed niobium(IV) and niobium(V) pulsed source precursors and hydrazine plasma as the nitrogen source, indicates that T c is highly dependent on the lattice parameters and level of oxygen impurities, which are in turn governed by growth and post-deposition annealing temperatures. (orig.)

Microscopic superconducting parameters from tunneling in A15 Nb-Sn

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rudman, D.A.; Beasley, M.R.

1984-01-01

High-quality tunnel junctions have been fabricated on thin films of A15 Nb-Sn (20--25 at. %) using oxidized a-Si tunnel barriers and Pb counterelectrodes. These junctions have been used to measure changes in the gap, the transition temperature T/sub c/, and the tunneling density of states with composition in this important high-T/sub c/ superconductor. With the use of the proximity-effect-modified data reduction scheme developed by Arnold and Wolf, values for α 2 F(ω) and μ( are obtained. As the Sn content approaches stoichiometry, the lowest-energy phonon branch in α 2 F(ω) both increases in weight and shifts to lower energy. These two effects combine to produce the increases in lambda as stoichiometry is approached, and at the same time can account for the observed increase in 2Δ/k/sub B/T/sub c/. The values of μ( remain essentially constant as a function of composition, and hence show no evidence for an increased Coulomb interaction with increasing disorder as recently proposed by Anderson et al

Superconducting properties of single-crystal Nb sphere formed by large-undercooling solidification process

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Takeya, H.; Sung, Y.S.; Hirata, K.; Togano, K

2003-10-15

An electrostatic levitation (ESL) system has been used for investigating undercooling effects on superconducting materials. In this report, preliminary experiments on Nb (melting temperature: T{sub m}=2477 deg. C) have been performed by melting Nb in levitation using 150 and 250 W Nd-YAG lasers. Since molten Nb is solidified without any contact in a high vacuum condition, a significantly undercooled state up to 400 deg. C is maintained before recalescence followed by solidification. Spherical single crystals of Nb are formed by the ESL process due to the suppression of heterogeneous nucleation. The field dependence of magnetization of Nb shows a reversible behavior as an ideal type II superconductor, implying that it contains almost no flux-pinning centers.

Effect of β-phase decomposition on the superconducting properties of Ti-27 at percent Nb solid solution

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hariharan, Y.; Valsakumar, M.C.; Radhakrishnan, T.S.

1980-01-01

The effect of β-phase decomposition on the superconducting transition temperature (Tsub(c)) of a Ti-27 at % Nb solid solution has been studied by the resistive technique. The samples were β-quenched from 900deg C and cold rolled to 30%. Annealing at 400deg C for various times upto 15 hours causes Ti-rich phases to precipitate out of the matrix. This decomposition of the β-phase is seen to lead to a progressive enhancement in Tsub(c) from 7.7 K in the β-quenched state to 8.8 K in the sample annealed for 15 hours; further, the width Δ Tsub(c) of the superconducting transition (=90 mK in the β-quenched state) reaches a maximum value (360 mK) for a 10-hour anneal. The conjecture that the enhancement in Tsub(c) occurs as a result of precipitation and the consequent enrichment of the Nb content of the matrix is examined. It is estimated that to account for the large observed enhancement of Tsub(c), the Nb enrichment would have to be of the order of 5-6%; whereas a TEM study has revealed the enrichment to be of the order of 0.2% only. Analysis of the X-ray diffractograms is also not in favour of this hypothesis. Hence alternative mechanisms to account for the Tsub(c) enhancement are currently under investigation. Also discussed is the calculation of Tsub(c) using McMillan's formula for strongly coupled superconductors. (author)

Elastic stiffnesses of an Nb-Ti/Cu-composite superconductive wire

Science.gov (United States)

Kim, Sudook; Ledbetter, Hassel; Ogi, Hirotsugu

2000-09-01

Elastic-stiffness coefficients were determined on a 1.4-mm-diameter wire consisting of superconducting Nb-Ti fibers in a copper matrix, with a polyvinyl-resin coating. The matrix contained 324 Nb-Ti fibers. An electromagnetic-acoustic-resonance method was used to obtain five independent elastic-stiffness coefficients assuming transverse-isotropic symmetry. From these we calculated Young moduli, bulk modulus, and principal Poisson ratios. As a check, we used a mechanical-impulse-excitation method to directly measure the Young modulus in the fiber direction. The three-phase composite wire showed a 10% anisotropy in the Young modulus.

Fine filament NbTi superconductive composite

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hong, S.; Grabinsky, G.; Marancik, W.; Pattanayak, D.

1986-01-01

The large superconducting magnet for the high energy physics accelerator requires fine filament composite to minimize the field error due to the persistent current in the filaments. New concepts toward the fine filament composite and its cable fabrication are discussed. Two-stage cables of fine wire with intermediate number of filaments were introduced. The first stage was six wires cables around one and in the second stage this was used to produce a Rutherford cable. The advantage of this process is in the ease of billet fabrication since the number of filaments in a single wire is within the range of easy billet fabrication. The disadvantage is in the cable fabrication. One of the major concerns in the fabrication of fine NbTi filaments composite in a copper matrix is the intermetallic compound formation during the extrusion and heat treatment steps. The hard intermetallic particles degrade the uniformity of the filaments and reduce the critical current density. The process of using Nb barrier between the filaments and copper matrix in order to prevent this CuTi intermetallic particle formation is described

Method of stabilizing Nb3Sn superconducting foils

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kruzliak, J.; Lences, P.; Allarova, H.

1982-01-01

The stabilization of niobium-tin Nb 3 Sn superconducting foils with copper is carried out by deposition or by diffusion in pure copper or in a tin bath containing different copper levels, with the surface etched or unetched. The foils are covered with a copper film at a temperature of 300 to 5O0 degC using a tin solder, spread on a copper, silver or nickel layer deposited on the foil surface from solutions for electroless plating. The bond between the surface of the superconducting foil and the electroless plated metal layer is annealed in a controlled atmosphere or in a vacuum at a temperature of 200 to 500 degC for over 20 to 60 minutes. The copper stabilization layer can also be produced electrolytically. (J.B.)

Multifilamentar superconductor wires of Cu-Nb-Al and Cu-Nb3Sn obtained by a new method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lima, O.F. de

1985-01-01

A new method to prepare multifilamentar wires of Cu-Nb 3 Sn which is based on power metallurgy is developed. Wires of Cu+xw%Nb++2wt%Al (x =10,30) were tinned and heat treated for Sn diffusion and reaction (T = 700 0 C), leading to the Nb 3 Sn A 15 phase. Final wires showed microfilament density around 8 x 10 4 mm -2 . The superconducting properties (T sup(c), J sup(c) x H), mechanical properties (tau x epsilon) and eletrical resistivity for Cu-Nb-Al wires were as normally expected. The Cu-Nb 3 Sn wires showed high T sub(c) approx. 17.9 K, very near that for the pure A 15 phase. J sub(c) x H curves were approx. 4 times lower than typical published results for wires prepared by other methods. The experimental evidence shows that J sub(c) increases when decreases the initial Nb particle size. (Author) [pt

Nonmonotonic behaviour of superconducting critical temperature of Nb/CuNi bilayers with a nanometer range of layer thickness

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Morari, R.; Antropov, E.; Socrovisciuc, A.; Prepelitsa, A.; Zdravkov, V.I.; Tagirov, L.R.; Kupriyanov, M.Yu.; Sidorenko, A.S.

2009-01-01

Present work reports the result of the proximity effect investigation for superconducting Nb/CuNi-bilayers with the thickness of the ferromagnetic layer (Cu x Ni 1-x ) being in the sub-nanometer range. It was found a non-monotonic behavior of the critical temperature T c , i.e. its growth with the increasing of the ferromagnetic layer thickness dF, for the series of the samples with constant thickness of Nb layer, (d Nb = const). (authors)

Atomic ordering, phase stability and superconductivity in bulk and filamentary A15 type compounds

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fluekiger, R.

1987-05-01

The influence of atomic ordering effects and ordering kinetics on the superconducting and metallurgical properties of A15 type compounds are critically discussed based on own and literature data. First, the techniques for determining the order parameter are reviewed. The dependence of T c vs. S in various A15 type compounds as a function of the quenching temperature and of the high energy particle irradiation fluence is discussed. A model for the disordering mechanism in A15 compounds is established, based on the new concept of the virtual lattice site. It is shown that the disordering mechanism is the same in both cases, high temperature heat treatment and high energy particle irradiation. The very complete representation of ordering effects also contains the variation of other properties, e.g. γ, θ D , ρ o and B c2 (0). Furthermore, it allows to draw empirical correlations between atomic ordering and A15 phase stability. Finally, it is shown on selected examples that the optimization of the critical current density at high fields in Nb 3 Sn wires by alloying is nothing else than a consequence of the occurrence of perfect atomic ordering in binary Nb 3 Sn. (orig.)

Study of superconducting Nb{sub 3}Sn coils; Etude de bobinages supraconducteurs en Nb{sub 3}Sn

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vivet, B

1963-07-01

Composite superconducting Nb{sub 3}Sn wires with a diameter of 0.5 mm and a length of about 100 m were made, and Hc-Ic diagrams were plotted up to fields of 80 kgauss for short lengths. Two solenoids producing fields of about 20 kgauss were studied. Nb{sub 3}Sn solenoids, as opposed to those of Nb-Zr or Nb-Ti, appear to have a predictable behavior. Solenoids with less insulation produced stronger fields than heavily insulated solenoids. (author) [French] Une etude des fils composites supraconducteurs de Nb{sub 3}Sn a ete entreprise au C.E.N. Saclay, en collaboration avec la Societe S.O.D.E.R.X. Des fils de 0,5 mm de diametre et d'une centaine de metres de longueur ont ete produits de facon experimentale. Des diagrammes Hc-Ic ont pu etre traces, jusqu'en des champs de 80 kG, sur des echantillons de petite longueur. Deux solenoides ont ete etudies produisant les champs de l'ordre de 20 kg. Il semble que, contrairement aux alliages Nb-Zr ou Nb-Ti, les solenoides en Nb{sub 3}Sn aient un comportement previsible d'apres les tests sur des echantillons courts. On montrera d'autre part qu'un bobinage a faible isolement peut produire un champ notablement plus eleve qu'un bobinage isole. Une production plus extensive permettra, dans les semaines a venir, la fabrication de solenoides de plus grosse dimension et produisant des champs plus eleves. (auteur)

Cu-Ti Formation in Nb-Ti/Cu Superconducting Strand Monitored by in situ Techniques

CERN Document Server

Pong, I; Pong, Ian; Gerardin, Alexandre; Scheuerlein, Christian; Bottura, Luca

2010-01-01

In order to investigate the high temperature exposure effect on Nb-Ti/Cu superconducting strands, as might be encountered in joining by soldering and in cabling annealing, X-ray diffraction and resistometry measurements were performed in situ during heat treatment, and complemented by conventional metallography, mechanical tests and superconducting properties measurements. Changes of the Nb-Ti nanostructure at temperatures above 300 degrees C are manifested in the degradation of critical current in an applied external magnetic field, although degradation at self field was insignificant up to 400 degrees C for several minutes. Above 500 degrees C, the formation of various Cu-Ti intermetallic compounds, due to Ti diffusion from Nb-Ti into Cu, is detected by in situ XRD albeit not resolvable by SEM-EDS. There is a ductile to brittle transition near 600 degrees C, and liquid formation is observed below 900 degrees C. The formation of Cu-Ti causes a delayed reduction of the residual resistivity ratio (RRR) and adv...

Electric field gradient at the Nb3M(M = Al, In, Si, Ge, Sn) and T3Al (T = Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta) alloys by perturbed angular correlation method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Junqueira, Astrogildo de Carvalho

1999-01-01

The electric field gradient (efg) at the Nb site in the intermetallic compounds Nb 3 M (M = Al, Si, Ge, Sn) and at the T site in the intermetallic compounds T 3 Al (T = Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta) was measured by Perturbed Angular Correlation (PAC) method using the well known gamma-gamma cascade of 133-482 keV in 181 Ta from the β - decay of 181 Hf. The compounds were prepared by arc melting the constituent elements under argon atmosphere along with radioactive 181 Hf substituting approximately 0.1 atomic percent of Nb and T elements. The PAC measurements were carried out at 295 K for all compounds and the efg was obtained for each alloy. The results for the efg in the T 3 Al compounds showed a strong correlation with the number of conduction electrons, while for the Nbs M compounds the efg behavior is influenced mainly by the p electrons of the M elements. The so-called universal correlation between the electronic and lattice contribution for the efg in metals was not verified in this work for all studied compounds. Measurements of the quadrupole frequency in the range of 100 to 1210 K for the Nb 3 Al compound showed a linear behaviour with the temperature. Superconducting properties of this alloys may probably be related with this observed behaviour. The efg results are compared to those reported for other binary alloys and discussed with the help of ab-initio methods. (author)

Thermal expansion of the superconducting ferromagnet UCoGe

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Gasparini, A.; Huang, Y.K.; Hartbaum, J.; v. Löhneysen, H.; de Visser, A.

2010-01-01

We report measurements of the coefficient of linear thermal expansion, α(T), of the superconducting ferromagnet UCoGe. The data taken on a single-crystalline sample along the orthorhombic crystal axes reveal a pronounced anisotropy with the largest length changes along the b axis. The large values

Prediction of superconducting ternary hydride MgGeH6: from divergent high-pressure formation routes.

Science.gov (United States)

Ma, Yanbin; Duan, Defang; Shao, Ziji; Li, Da; Wang, Liyuan; Yu, Hongyu; Tian, Fubo; Xie, Hui; Liu, Bingbing; Cui, Tian

2017-10-18

Invigorated by the high temperature superconductivity in some binary hydrogen-dominated compounds, we systematically explored high-pressure phase diagrams and superconductivity of a ternary Mg-Ge-H system using ab initio methods. Stoichiometric MgGeH 6 with high hydrogen content exhibiting Pm3[combining macron] symmetry was predicted from a series of high-pressure synthesis paths. We performed an in-depth study on three distinct formation routes to MgGeH 6 , i.e., Mg + Ge + 3H 2 → MgGeH 6 , MgGe + 3H 2 → MgGeH 6 and MgH 2 + GeH 4 → MgGeH 6 at high pressures. By directly squeezing three elemental solids Mg + Ge + 3H 2 , we obtained ternary MgGeH 6 at 200 GPa. By adding a little bit of the MgGe alloy into hydrogen, we found that MgGeH 6 can form and stabilize at about 200 GPa. More intriguingly, upon compressing MgH 2 and GeH 4 to 250 GPa, we also predicted the same MgGeH 6 . Electron structure calculations reveal that the cubic MgGeH 6 is a good metal and takes on ionic character. Electron-phonon coupling calculation reveals a large λ = 1.16 for MgGeH 6 at 200 GPa. In particular, we found that ternary MgGeH 6 could be a potential high temperature superconductor with a superconducting transition temperature T c of ∼67 K at 200 GPa.

Vortex pinning in superconducting Nb thin films deposited on nanoporous alumina templates

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Vinckx, W.; Vanacken, J.; Moshchalkov, V.V.

2006-01-01

We present a study of magnetization and transport properties of superconducting Nb thin films deposited on nanoporous aluminium oxide templates. Periodic oscillations in the critical temperature vs. field, matching effects in fields up to 700 mT and strongly enhanced critical currents were observed...

Dimensionality Driven Enhancement of Ferromagnetic Superconductivity in URhGe

Science.gov (United States)

Braithwaite, Daniel; Aoki, Dai; Brison, Jean-Pascal; Flouquet, Jacques; Knebel, Georg; Nakamura, Ai; Pourret, Alexandre

2018-01-01

In most unconventional superconductors, like the high-Tc cuprates, iron pnictides, or heavy-fermion systems, superconductivity emerges in the proximity of an electronic instability. Identifying unambiguously the pairing mechanism remains nevertheless an enormous challenge. Among these systems, the orthorhombic uranium ferromagnetic superconductors have a unique position, notably because magnetic fields couple directly to ferromagnetic order, leading to the fascinating discovery of the reemergence of superconductivity in URhGe at a high field. Here we show that uniaxial stress is a remarkable tool allowing the fine-tuning of the pairing strength. With a relatively small stress, the superconducting phase diagram is spectacularly modified, with a merging of the low- and high-field superconducting states and a significant enhancement of the superconductivity. The superconducting critical temperature increases both at zero field and under a field, reaching 1 K, more than twice higher than at ambient pressure. This enhancement of superconductivity is shown to be directly related to a change of the magnetic dimensionality detected from an increase of the transverse magnetic susceptibility: In addition to the Ising-type longitudinal ferromagnetic fluctuations, transverse magnetic fluctuations also play an important role in the superconducting pairing.

Unexpected nonlinear effects and critical coupling in NbN superconducting microwave resonators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Abdo, B.; Buks, E.

2004-01-01

Full Text:In this work, we have designed and fabricated several NbN superconducting stripline microwave resonators sputtered on sapphire substrates. The low temperature response exhibits strong and unexpected nonlinear effects, including sharp jumps as the frequency or poser are varied, frequency hysteresis loops changing direction as the input power is varied, and others. Contrary to some other superconducting resonators, a simple model of a one-dimensional Duffing resonator cannot account for the experimental results. Whereas the physical origin of the unusual nonlinear response of our samples remains an open question, our intensive experimental study of these effects under varying conditions provides some important insight. We consider a hypothesis according to which Josephson junctions forming weak links between the grains of the NbN are responsible for the observed behavior. We show that most of the experimental results are qualitatively consistent with such hypothesis. While revealing the underlying physics remains an outstanding challenge for future research, the utilization of the unusual nonlinear response for some novel applications is already demonstrated in the present work. In particular an operate the resonator as an inter modulation amplifier and find that the gain can be as high as 15 dB. To the best of our knowledge, inter modulation gain greater than unity has not been reported before in the scientific literature. In another application we demonstrate for the first time that the coupling between the resonator and its feed line can be made amplitude dependent. This novel mechanism allows us to tune the resonator into critical coupling conditions

Enhancement of superconducting state in the system 2H-NbSe2 - hydrogen

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Obolenskij, M.A.; Beletskij, V.I.; Chashka, Kh.B.; Basteev, A.V.

1984-01-01

The enhancement of the upper critical field and superconducting temperature of Hsub(x)NbSesub(2) system (x<=0.01) was experimentally observed. This phenomenon is observed after cycling influence by the external magnetic field at temperatures lower than the critical temperature of superconducting transition Tsub(c). The authors think that this effect is connected with hydrogen ordering in the field of moving vortex lattice in dynamically mixed state

Magnetization of in situ multifilamentary superconducting Nb3Sn-Cu composites

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shen, S.S.; Verhoeven, J.D.

1980-01-01

Magnetic properties are reported for in situ superconducting Nb 3 Sn composites that have exhibited attractive electrical properties and superior mechanical characteristics. Magnetization measurements were conducted up to 4 T at 4.2 K on a variety of samples of different sizes and twist pitches, and the results are presented in absolute M-H curves and losses per cycle. It is observed that the magnetization of such composites is generally proportional to the size of the wire (approx. 0.25 to 0.51 mm) rather than the fiber size (approx. 10 -7 m), which indicates a strong coupling effect among Nb 3 Sn fibers

Eliashberg theory applied to the study of an Nb-Ge series

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Baquero, R.; Gutierrez-Ibarra, J.; Kihlstrom, K.E.

1991-07-01

We use strong coupling theory of superconductivity to perform a detailed analysis of the Eliashberg functions α 2 F(ω), for thirteen samples of Nb-Ge with critical temperatures ranging from 7.0 K to 21.1K. As critical temperature increases, we analyze the general trends of the electron-phonon coupling parameter λ, of the integral of α 2 F(ω)''A'', and of other characteristics of α 2 F(ω) on the basis of qualitative or empirical criteria. While we find that the samples have in general the behavior expected, a closer analysis points to an overall attenuation in α 2 F(ω) of unclear origin. Though the gap edge, Δ 0 , appears to be well described by the α 2 F(ω) obtained, the thermodynamic critical field agrees poorly with that reproduced by α 2 F(ω) in the only case where the necessary (tunneling α 2 F(ω), critical field measurements) data are available. Our analysis suggests there is a gross uncertainty in the measured H c (0). The overall analysis shows that the samples obtained are of enough quality to already give meaningful results upon inversion of the tunneling data. (author). 23 refs, 14 figs, 6 tabs

Superconductivity and specific heat measurements in V--Nb--Ta ternary alloys

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang, R.Y.P.

1977-01-01

The correlation between the superconducting transition temperature T/sub c/ with electronic specific heat coefficient γ and Debye temperature theta/sub D/ in some isoelectronic ternary V--Nb--Ta alloys is investigated. It has been known that the variation of theta/sub D/ with concentration in both V--Nb and V--Ta systems is clearly of the same curvature as that of T/sub c/ and γ. In Ta--Nb alloys, however, over most of the concentration range theta/sub D/ seems to have a slight negative curvature while T/sub c/ and γ curve upwards. (But beyond approx. 80 at. % Nb theta/sub D/ rises rapidly to the pure Nb value.) By choosing alloys along a line connecting Ta and V 25 --Nb 75 which is close to the Nb--Ta side of the Gibb's triangle the extent to which the Nb--Ta type of behavior persists in this ternary system can be estimated. A model proposed by Miedema that takes into account the variation of properties caused by possible charge transfer among constituent atoms in an alloy has been found to apply almost quantitatively for nearly all binary alloy systems whose experimental data are available, including those for which Hopfield's method fails. A previous test of the extension of Miedema's empirical model into ternary alloys shows qualitatively correct behavior for intra-row Zr/sub x/Nb/sub 1-2x/Mo/sub x/ alloys. The good agreement between the predicted values of γ and T/sub c/ and the experimental values in the inter-row ternary V--Nb--Ta system studied here gives another and better test of the application of Miedema's model

Superconductor (Nb)-charge density wave (NbSe sub 3) point-contact spectroscopy

CERN Document Server

Sinchenko, A A

2003-01-01

Measurements of differential current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of point contacts between Nb and the charge density wave (CDW) conductor NbSe sub 3 formed along the conducting chain direction are reported. Below the superconducting transition of Nb, we have clearly observed Andreev reflection of the gapless electrons of NbSe sub 3. Analysis of the spectra obtained indicates that when the energy of injected particles exceeds the superconducting energy gap, the superconductivity near the S-CDW interface is suppressed because of non-equilibrium effects.

Superconductivity and NMR investigations of amorphous Be-Nb-Zr and Be-Mo-Zr alloys

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Goebbels, J.; Lueders, K.; Freyhardt, H.C.; Reichelt, J.

1981-01-01

9 Be NMR investigations and measurements of the superconducting properties and the resistivity are reported for amorphous Besub(32.5)Nbsub(x)Zrsub(67.5-x) and Besub(32.5)Mosub(x)Zrsub(67.5-x) alloys (x = 2.5; 5; 7). Line width analysis suggests an enlarged Nb concentration around the Be sites for the Be-Nb-Zr alloys. Comparing the two types of alloys the Knight shifts are of the same order of magnitude whereas the Tsub(c) and Bsub(c) 2 (0) values are slightly smaller than for the Nb alloys. For Be-Nb-Zr Tsub(c) and K increases with the Nb content. The results are discussed in connection with the density of states N(Esub(F)). (orig.)

Development of Ge/NbSi detectors for EDELWEISS-II with identification of near-surface events

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Juillard, A.; Marnieros, S.; Dolgorouky, Y.; Berge, L.; Collin, S.; Fiorucci, S.; Lalu, F.; Dumoulin, L.

2006-01-01

The actual limitation of Ge ionization heat cryogenic detectors for direct WIMP detection such as EDELWEISS arises from incomplete charge collection for near-surface events. We present results on Ge/NbSi detectors that are fitted with segmented electrodes and two NbSi Anderson insulator thermometric layers. Three such bolometers were studied in the low-background cryostat of the EDELWEISS collaboration in the LSM: analysis of the athermal signals allows us to identify and reject events occurring in the first millimeter under the electrodes

Development of Ge/NbSi detectors for EDELWEISS-II with identification of near-surface events

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Juillard, A. [Centre de Spectrometrie Nucleaire et de Spectrometrie de Masse (CSNSM), IN2P3/CNRS, Bat 108, Orsay Campus 91405 (France)]. E-mail: juillard@csnsm.in2p3.fr; Marnieros, S. [Centre de Spectrometrie Nucleaire et de Spectrometrie de Masse (CSNSM), IN2P3/CNRS, Bat 108, Orsay Campus 91405 (France); Dolgorouky, Y. [Centre de Spectrometrie Nucleaire et de Spectrometrie de Masse (CSNSM), IN2P3/CNRS, Bat 108, Orsay Campus 91405 (France); Berge, L. [Centre de Spectrometrie Nucleaire et de Spectrometrie de Masse (CSNSM), IN2P3/CNRS, Bat 108, Orsay Campus 91405 (France); Collin, S. [Centre de Spectrometrie Nucleaire et de Spectrometrie de Masse (CSNSM), IN2P3/CNRS, Bat 108, Orsay Campus 91405 (France); Fiorucci, S. [C.E.A, Centre d' etudes Nucleaires de Saclay, DSM/DAPNIA, Gif. Yvette, Cedex 91191n (France); Lalu, F. [Centre de Spectrometrie Nucleaire et de Spectrometrie de Masse (CSNSM), IN2P3/CNRS, Bat 108, Orsay Campus 91405 (France); Dumoulin, L. [Centre de Spectrometrie Nucleaire et de Spectrometrie de Masse (CSNSM), IN2P3/CNRS, Bat 108, Orsay Campus 91405 (France)

2006-04-15

The actual limitation of Ge ionization heat cryogenic detectors for direct WIMP detection such as EDELWEISS arises from incomplete charge collection for near-surface events. We present results on Ge/NbSi detectors that are fitted with segmented electrodes and two NbSi Anderson insulator thermometric layers. Three such bolometers were studied in the low-background cryostat of the EDELWEISS collaboration in the LSM: analysis of the athermal signals allows us to identify and reject events occurring in the first millimeter under the electrodes.

Superconducting wires and methods of making thereof

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xu, Xingchen; Sumption, Michael D.; Peng, Xuan

2018-03-13

Disclosed herein are superconducting wires. The superconducting wires can comprise a metallic matrix and at least one continuous subelement embedded in the matrix. Each subelement can comprise a non-superconducting core, a superconducting layer coaxially disposed around the non-superconducting core, and a barrier layer coaxially disposed around the superconducting layer. The superconducting layer can comprise a plurality of Nb.sub.3Sn grains stabilized by metal oxide particulates disposed therein. The Nb.sub.3Sn grains can have an average grain size of from 5 nm to 90 nm (for example, from 15 nm to 30 nm). The superconducting wire can have a high-field critical current density (J.sub.c) of at least 5,000 A/mm.sup.2 at a temperature of 4.2 K in a magnetic field of 12 T. Also described are superconducting wire precursors that can be heat treated to prepare superconducting wires, as well as methods of making superconducting wires.

Multifilamentary Cu-Nb3Sn superconductor wires

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rodrigues, D.; Pinatti, D.G.

1990-01-01

This paper reports on one of the main technological problems concerning Nb 3 Sn superconducting wires production which is the optimization of heat treatments for the formation of the A-15 intermetallic compound. At the present work, Nb 3 Sn superconducting wire is produced by solid-liquid diffusion method which increases considerably the critical current values of the superconductor. Through this method, niobium, copper and Sn 7% wt Cu alloy are kept in the pure state. Thus, the method dispenses intermediate heat treatments of recrystallization during the manufacturing process of the wire. After the wire was ready, optimization work of heat treatments was accomplished aiming to obtain its best superconducting characteristics, Measurement of critical temperature, critical current versus magnetic field, normal and at room temperature resistivity were performed, as well as scanning electron microscopy for determination of Nb 3 Sn layers and transmission electron microscopy measurements of redetermining the grain sizes in Nb 3 Sn formed in each treatment. It was obtained critical current densities of 1.8 x 10 6 A/cm 2 in the Nb 3 Sn layer, at 10 Teslas and 4.2 K. The samples were analyzed by employing the superconducting collective flux pinning theories and a satisfactory agreement between the experimental and theoretical data was attained. The production process and the small size of the filaments used made a successful optimization of the wire possible

Ultrathin NbN film superconducting single-photon detector array

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Smirnov, K; Korneev, A; Minaeva, O; Divochiy, A; Tarkhov, M; Ryabchun, S; Seleznev, V; Kaurova, N; Voronov, B; Gol'tsman, G; Polonsky, S

2007-01-01

We report on the fabrication process of the 2 x 2 superconducting single-photon detector (SSPD) array. The SSPD array is made from ultrathin NbN film and is operated at liquid helium temperatures. Each detector is a nanowire-based structure patterned by electron beam lithography process. The advances in fabrication technology allowed us to produce highly uniform strips and preserve superconducting properties of the unpatterned film. SSPD exhibit up to 30% quantum efficiency in near infrared and up to 1% at 5-μm wavelength. Due to 120 MHz counting rate and 18 ps jitter, the time-domain multiplexing read-out is proposed for large scale SSPD arrays. Single-pixel SSPD has already found a practical application in non-invasive testing of semiconductor very-large scale integrated circuits. The SSPD significantly outperformed traditional single-photon counting avalanche diodes

Advances in development of Nb3Sn superconducting radio-frequency cavities

Science.gov (United States)

Posen, Sam; Liepe, Matthias

2014-11-01

A 1.3 GHz Nb3Sn superconducting radio-frequency cavity prepared with a modified annealing step reached Bp k>50 mT , well above Bc 1=25 ±7 mT , without the strong Q -slope observed in previous Nb3Sn cavities. At 4.2 K, it has a Q0 of approximately 1 ×1 010 at >10 MV /m , far outperforming Nb at useable gradients. At 2 K, quench occurred at ˜55 mT , apparently due to a defect, so additional treatment may increase the maximum gradient. Material parameters of the coating were extracted from Q vs T data, including a Tc of 18.0 ±0.1 K , close to the maximum literature value. High power pulses were used to reach fields far higher than in CW measurements, and near Tc, quench fields close to the superheating field were observed. Based on a review of previous experience with Nb3Sn cavities, a speculative mechanism involving weak link grain boundaries is presented to explain how the modified annealing step could be the cause of the absence of strong Q -slope. Finally, an analysis of the progress to date provides hints that the path forward for Nb3Sn cavities should focus on minimizing defects.

Resistivity changes in superconducting-cavity-grade Nb following high-energy proton irradiation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Snead, C.L. Jr.; Hanson, A.; Greene, G.A.

1997-01-01

Niobium superconducting rf cavities are proposed for use in the proton LINAC accelerators for spallation-neutron applications. Because of accidental beam loss and continual halo losses along the accelerator path, concern for the degradation of the superconducting properties of the cavities with accumulating damage arises. Residual-resistivity-ratio (RRR) specimens of Nb, with a range of initial RRR's were irradiated at room temperature with protons at energies from 200 to 2000 MeV. Four-probe resistance measurements were made at room temperature and at 4.2 K both prior to and after irradiation. Nonlinear increases in resistivity simulate expected behavior in cavity material after extended irradiation, followed by periodic anneals to room temperature: For RRR = 316 material, irradiations to (2 - 3) x 10 15 p/cm 2 produce degradations up to the 10% level, a change that is deemed operationally acceptable. Without. periodic warming to room temperature, the accumulated damage energy would be up to a factor of ten greater, resulting in unacceptable degradations. Likewise, should higher-RRR material be used, for the same damage energy imparted, relatively larger percentage changes in the RRR will result

Superconducting technology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2010-01-01

Superconductivity has a long history of about 100 years. Over the past 50 years, progress in superconducting materials has been mainly in metallic superconductors, such as Nb, Nb-Ti and Nb 3 Sn, resulting in the creation of various application fields based on the superconducting technologies. High-T c superconductors, the first of which was discovered in 1986, have been changing the future vision of superconducting technology through the development of new application fields such as power cables. On basis of these trends, future prospects of superconductor technology up to 2040 are discussed. In this article from the viewpoints of material development and the applications of superconducting wires and electronic devices. (author)

Advances in development of Nb_{3}Sn superconducting radio-frequency cavities

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sam Posen

2014-11-01

Full Text Available A 1.3 GHz Nb_{3}Sn superconducting radio-frequency cavity prepared with a modified annealing step reached B_{pk}>50  mT, well above B_{c1}=25±7  mT, without the strong Q-slope observed in previous Nb_{3}Sn cavities. At 4.2 K, it has a Q_{0} of approximately 1×10^{10} at >10  MV/m, far outperforming Nb at useable gradients. At 2 K, quench occurred at ∼55  mT, apparently due to a defect, so additional treatment may increase the maximum gradient. Material parameters of the coating were extracted from Q vs T data, including a T_{c} of 18.0±0.1  K, close to the maximum literature value. High power pulses were used to reach fields far higher than in CW measurements, and near T_{c}, quench fields close to the superheating field were observed. Based on a review of previous experience with Nb_{3}Sn cavities, a speculative mechanism involving weak link grain boundaries is presented to explain how the modified annealing step could be the cause of the absence of strong Q-slope. Finally, an analysis of the progress to date provides hints that the path forward for Nb_{3}Sn cavities should focus on minimizing defects.

Measuring the microwave response of superconducting Nb:STO and Ti at mK temperatures using superconducting resonators

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Thiemann, Markus; Beutel, Manfred; Dressel, Martin; Scheffler, Marc [1. Physikalisches Institut, Universitaet Stuttgart (Germany); Fillis-Tsirakis, Evangelos; Boschker, Hans; Mannhart, Jochen [Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart (Germany)

2016-07-01

Niobium doped SrTiO{sub 3} is a superconductor, with the lowest charge carrier density among all superconductors. It shows a dome in the transition temperature as a function of doping concentration with a maximum T{sub c} ∼ 0.3 K. The superconducting dome may originate from the different bands being occupied depending on the doping level. The low energy scales of the system, as indicated by the low T{sub c} are within the GHz-regime. Therefore microwave measurements are a powerful technique to reveal the electronic properties of these superconductors. We preformed microwave measurements on Nb:STO of different doping levels in a dilution refrigerator, using superconducting stripline resonators. Measurements were done in a temperature and frequency range from 40-400 mK and 1-20 GHz, covering the normal and superconducting states. For comparison we also measured the temperature dependence of the surface impedance of superconducting titanium (T{sub c} ∼ 0.5 K), which can be well described by the Mattis-Bardeen equations with a ratio (2Δ)/(k{sub B}T{sub c}) = 3.56. Therefore titanium is an ideal reference sample representing a conventional BCS-superconductor.

Interplay between magnetic quantum criticality, Fermi surface and unconventional superconductivity in UCoGe, URhGe and URu2Si2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bastien, Gael

2017-01-01

This thesis is concentrated on the ferromagnetic superconductors UCoGe and URhGe and on the hidden order state in URu 2 Si 2 . In the first part the pressure temperature phase diagram of UCoGe was studied up to 10.5 GPa. Ferromagnetism vanishes at the critical pressure pc≅1 GPa. Unconventional superconductivity and non Fermi liquid behavior can be observed in a broad pressure range around pc. The superconducting upper critical field properties were explained by the suppression of the magnetic fluctuations under field. In the second part the Fermi surfaces of UCoGe and URhGe were investigated by quantum oscillations. In UCoGe four Fermi surface pockets were observed. Under magnetic field successive Lifshitz transitions of the Fermi surface have been detected. The observed Fermi surface pockets in UCoGe evolve smoothly with pressure up to 2.5 GPa and do not show any Fermi surface reconstruction at the critical pressure pc. In URhGe, three heavy Fermi surface pockets were detected by quantum oscillations. In the last part the quantum oscillation study in the hidden order state of URu 2 Si 2 shows a strong g factor anisotropy for two Fermi surface pockets, which is compared to the macroscopic g factor anisotropy extracted from the upper critical field study. (author) [fr

Recent status of studies on the neutron irradiation effect focusing on Nb3Sn and Nb3Al strands

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nishimura, Arata

2011-01-01

A fusion reactor generates a lot of 14 MeV neutrons, some of which penetrate shielding blankets, stream out of ports and reach superconducting magnets. Some important studies were performed in the 1970s and a basic understanding of the mechanisms of neutron irradiation effect was established. Advances in the design concept of nuclear fusion reactors led to the need for consistent studies on the neutron irradiation effect of A-15 strands such as Nb 3 Sn and Nb 3 Al, which are strong candidates for fusion reactors. In the early 2000s, a progressive attempt to organize the collaborative research of universities and national institutes was started using a 14 MeV neutron source at Japan Atomic Energy Agency. This paper outlines the neutron irradiation issues related to superconducting magnets for fusion, and a brief history of research on the neutron irradiation effect is provided. In addition, experimental results regarding changes in the superconducting properties of Nb 3 Sn and Nb 3 Al strands by neutron irradiation obtained in the newly established collaborative framework are presented, and general mechanisms for the property changes are introduced. (author)

Laboratory report on RF superconductivity at Peking University

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kui, Zhao; Baocheng, Zhang; Lifang, Wang; Jin, Yu; Rongli, Geng; Genfa, Wu; Tong, Wang; Jinhu, Song; Chia-erh, Chen

1996-01-01

The activities on RF superconductivity at Peking University in the past two years are reported. Two 1.5 GHz Nb cavities were successfully fabricated using Chinese Nb sheets in 1994. One of the cavities has been measured, and the results are given. A laser driven DC electron gun has been designed and constructed which is the pre-testing device of photo-electron gun using superconducting cavity. A series of experiments on the cathode and cavity will be performed in the near future. Two superconducting accelerating devices are being considered for two projects in China. (R.P.)

Superconducting racetrack booster for the ion complex of MEIC

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Filatov, Yu [Joint Inst. for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna (Russian Federation); Moscow Inst. of Physics and Technology (MIPT), Moscow (Russian Federation); Kondratenko, A. M. [Science and Technique Laboratory ' Zaryad' , 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia; Kondratenko, M. A. [Science and Technique Laboratory ' Zaryad' , 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia; Kovalenko, A. [Joint Inst. for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna (Russian Federation); Derbenev, Yaroslav S. [Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF), Newport News, VA (United States); Lin, Fanglei [Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF), Newport News, VA (United States); Morozov, Vasiliy S. [Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF), Newport News, VA (United States); Zhang, Yuhong [Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF), Newport News, VA (United States)

2016-02-01

The current design of the Medium-energy Electron-Ion Collider (MEIC) project at Jefferson lab features a single 8 GeV/c figure-8 booster based on super-ferric magnets. Reducing the circumference of the booster by switching to a racetrack design may improve its performance by limiting the space charge effect and lower its cost. We consider problems of preserving proton and deuteron polarizations in a superconducting racetrack booster. We show that using magnets based on hollow high-current NbTi composite superconducting cable similar to those designed at JINR for the Nuclotron guarantees preservation of the ion polarization in a racetrack booster up to 8 GeV/c. The booster operation cycle would be a few seconds that would improve the operating efficiency of the MEIC ion complex.

Radiation damage in A-15 materials: EXAFS studies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Knapp, G.S.; Kampwirth, R.T.; Georgopoulos, P.; Brown, B.S.

1980-01-01

EXAFS measurements are useful in determining the local atomic environment of a particular element in a solid. Since there has been some controversy about the nature of the defects produced in A-15 materials by radiation damage, such studies were carried out on some A-15 compounds, V 3 Ga which was damaged by neutrons, as well as Nb 3 Ge damaged by 2.5 MeV a particles. In the V 3 Ga sample, site exchange disorder seems to be the most important result of the neutron damage with less than 20% of the vanadium atoms on wrong sites. However, in the Nb 3 Ge samples in addition to site exchange disorder, an unusual splitting of the first near-neighbor distance between the Ge and Nb is found. This splitting, approximately 0.2 A, may explain the large Debye Waller factors observed by Burbank et al

Analysis of voltage spikes in superconducting Nb3Sn magnets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rahimzadeh-Kalaleh, S.; Ambrosio, G.; Chlachidze, G.; Donnelly, C.

2008-01-01

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory has been developing a new generation of superconducting accelerator magnets based on Niobium Tin (Nb 3 Sn). The performance of these magnets is influenced by thermo-magnetic instabilities, known as flux jumps, which can lead to premature trips of the quench detection system due to large voltage transients or quenches at low current. In an effort to better characterize and understand these instabilities, a system for capturing fast voltage transients was developed and used in recent tests of R and D model magnets. A new automated voltage spike analysis program was developed for the analysis of large amount of voltage-spike data. We report results from the analysis of large statistics data samples for short model magnets that were constructed using MJR and RRP strands having different sub-element size and structure. We then assess the implications for quench protection of Nb 3 Sn magnets

Minimum Quench Energy and Early Quench Development in NbTi Superconducting Strands

CERN Document Server

Breschi, M; Boselli, M; Bottura, Luca; Devred, Arnaud; Ribani, P L; Trillaud, F

2007-01-01

The stability of superconducting wires is a crucial task in the design of safe and reliable superconducting magnets. These magnets are prone to premature quenches due to local releases of energy. In order to simulate these energy disturbances, various heater technologies have been developed, such as coated tips, graphite pastes, and inductive coils. The experiments studied in the present work have been performed using a single-mode diode laser with an optical fiber to illuminate the superconducting strand surface. Minimum quench energies and voltage traces at different magnetic flux densities and transport currents have been measured on an LHC-type, Cu/NbTi wire bathed in pool boiling helium I. This paper deals with the numerical analysis of the experimental data. In particular, a coupled electromagnetic and thermal model has been developed to study quench development and propagation, focusing on the influence of heat exchange with liquid helium.

Microscopic coexistence of ferromagnetism and superconductivity in single-crystal UCoGe

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ohta, Tetsuya; Hattori, Taisuke; Ishida, Kenji; Nakai, Yusuke; Osaki, Eisuke; Deguchi, Kazuhiko; Sato, Noriaki K.; Satoh, Isamu

2010-01-01

Unambiguous evidence for the microscopic coexistence of ferromagnetism and superconductivity in UCoGe (T Curie -2.5 K and T SC -0.6 K) is reported from 59 Co nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR). The 59 Co-NQR signal below 1 K indicates ferromagnetism throughout the sample volume, while the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T 1 in the ferromagnetic (FM) phase decreases below T SC due to the opening of the superconducting (SC) gap. The SC state is found to be inhomogeneous, suggestive of a self-induced vortex state, potentially realizable in a FM superconductor. In addition, the 59 Co-NQR spectrum around T Curie shows that the FM transition in UCoGe possesses a first-order character, which is consistent with the theoretical prediction that the low-temperature FM transition in itinerant magnets is generically of first-order. (author)

High temperature resistive phase transition in A15 high temperature superconductors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chu, C.W.; Huang, C.Y.; Schmidt, P.H.; Sugawara, K.

1976-01-01

Resistive measurements were made on A15 high temperature superconductors. Anomalies indicative of a phase transition were observed at 433 0 K in a single crystal Nb 3 Sn and at 485 0 K in an unbacked Nb 3 Ge sputtered thin film. Results are compared with the high temperature transmission electron diffraction studies of Nb 3 Ge films by Schmidt et al. A possible instability in the electron energy spectrum is discussed

Structural, elastic, and electronic properties of new 211 MAX phase Nb{sub 2}GeC from first-principles calculations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shein, I.R. [Institute of Solid State Chemistry, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg 620990 (Russian Federation); Ivanovskii, A.L., E-mail: ivanovskii@ihim.uran.ru [Institute of Solid State Chemistry, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg 620990 (Russian Federation)

2013-02-01

Very recently (2012, Phys. Rev Lett., 109, 035502) a new hexagonal (s.g. P63/mmc, Music-Sharp-Sign 194) ternary phase Nb{sub 2}GeC, which belongs to so-called 211-like MAX phases, was discovered. In order to get a systematic insight into the structural, elastic, and electronic properties of Nb{sub 2}GeC, we used two complementary DFT-based first-principles approaches (as implemented in the VASP and Wien2k packages) to calculate the optimized structural parameters, band structure, densities of state, Fermi surface, and a set of elastic parameters: elastic constants (C{sub ij}), bulk modulus (B), compressibility ({beta}), shear modulus (G), Young's modulus (Y), and elastic anisotropy indexes, which were discussed in comparison with available data. Besides, the inter-atomic bonding picture for Nb{sub 2}GeC was discussed using electron density maps and Bader's charge analysis.

Effect of strain on the martensitic phase transition in superconducting Nb3Sn

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hoard, R.W.; Scanlan, R.M.; Smith, G.S.; Farrell, C.L.

1980-01-01

The connection between the cubic-to-tetragonal martensitic phase transformation and the phenomenon of superconductivity in A15 compounds is being investigated. The degradation of the critical parameters, such as T/sub c/, H/sub c2/, and J/sub c/, with mechanical straining is of particular interest. Low-temperature x-ray diffraction experiments are performed on Nb 3 Sn ribbons (with the bronze layers etched off) mounted on copper and indium sample stages. The cryostat used is unique in that it has a vacuum mechanical insert which allows the superconductor to be placed under both compressive and tensile strains while at low temperatures. Preliminary results indicate that the martensitic phase transition temperature, T/sub m/, increases with compressive strains. Other effects of strain on tetragonal phase production are also discussed

Magnet field design considerations for a high energy superconducting cyclotron

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Botman, J.I.M.; Craddock, M.K.; Kost, C.J.; Richardson, J.R.

1983-08-01

This paper reports the pole shape designs for a two stage superconducting isochronous cyclotron combination (CANUCK) to accelerate 100 μA proton beams to 15 GeV. The pole shape of the 15 sectors of the first stage 3.5 GeV proton cyclotron provides isochronism over the full energy range and a constant axial tune over all but the lowest energies. Progress on the pole design of the 42 sector 15 GeV second stage is also reported. The magnetic fields are computed from the current distribution of the superconducting coils and the infinitely thin current sheets simulating the fully saturated poles. A least squares method is used to minimize deviations from isochronism by adjusting the size of various elemental shim coils placed around the main coil. The method to obtain the desired axial tune is described

Superconducting properties of amorphous Zr-Ge binary alloys

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Inoue, A.; Takahashi, Y.; Toyota, N.; Fukase, T.; Masumoto, T.

1982-01-01

A new type of refractory metal-metalloid amorphous alloys exhibiting superconductivity has been found in a binary Zr-Ge system by a modified melt-spinning technique. Specimens are in the form of continuous ribbons 1 to 2 mm wide and 0.02 to 0.03 mm thick. The germanium content in the amorphous alloys is limited to the range of 13 to 21 at%. These amorphous alloys are so ductile that no cracks are observed even after closely contacted bending test. Data are reported for various alloy compositions for the Vickers hardness and crystallization temperature, the tensile fracture strength, superconducting transition temperature Tsub(c), upper critical magnetic field, critical current density in the absence of an applied field, upper critical field gradient at Tsub(c) and the electrical resistivity at 4.2 K. The Ginzburg-Landau (GL) parameter and the GL coherence length were estimated to be 72 to 111 and about 7.9 nm, respectively, from these experimental values by using the Ginzburg-Landau-Abrikosov-Gorkov theory and hence it is concluded that the Zr-Ge amorphous alloys are extremely 'soft' type-II superconductor with high degree of dirtiness which possesses the Tsub(c) values higher than zirconium metal, in addition to high strength combined with good ductility. (author)

Characterization of superconducting multilayers samples

CERN Document Server

Antoine, C Z; Berry, S; Bouat, S; Jacquot, J F; Villegier, J C; Lamura, G; Gurevich, A

2009-01-01

Best RF bulk niobium accelerating cavities have nearly reached their ultimate limits at rf equatorial magnetic field H  200 mT close to the thermodynamic critical field Hc. In 2006 Gurevich proposed to use nanoscale layers of superconducting materials with high values of Hc > HcNb for magnetic shielding of bulk niobium to increase the breakdown magnetic field inside SC RF cavities [1]. Depositing good quality layers inside a whole cavity is rather difficult but we have sputtered high quality samples by applying the technique used for the preparation of superconducting electronics circuits and characterized these samples by X-ray reflectivity, dc resistivity (PPMS) and dc magnetization (SQUID). Dc magnetization curves of a 250 nm thick Nb film have been measured, with and without a magnetron sputtered coating of a single or multiple stack of 15 nm MgO and 25 nm NbN layers. The Nb samples with/without the coating clearly exhibit different behaviors. Because SQUID measurements are influenced by edge an...

Nb46, 5wt% Ti Eb-melting for AC and DC superconducting applications

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bormio, C.; Ramos, M.J.; Pinatti, D.G.

1990-01-01

This paper reports on the superconductor alloy Nb46, 5wt % Ti which presents the best superconducting and mechanical properties for the systems Nb-Ti. The greatest difficulty in obtaining this alloy is related to the difference between the raw materials melting temperatures, which is about 700 degrees C. As a result the alloy homogeneity as well as Ti desired content, turn to be hard to control. The authors choose an electrode sandwich type, where Nb and Ti sheets are interposed. The electrode dimensions calculation is based on the Ti evaporation rate, energy balance and superficial tension of liquid titanium between Nb sheets. The ingots were electron beam melted. Herein, we present the following ingot results: Ti, intersticial and trace contents compared to international manufactures as well as its mechanical workability. This alloy will be used in NbTi wire production for AC and DC applications. The AC and DC wires are produced by coswaging and codrawing of NbTi bars and C u Ni-tubes for AC wires and Cu-tubes for DC wires. High area reductions of about 2 x 10 8 are reached without intermediate heat treatment, and they are essential since they are precursors of collective pinning centers, responsible for high critical current densities

Surface characterization of Nb samples electropolished with real superconducting rf accelerator cavities

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Xin Zhao

2010-12-01

Full Text Available We report the results of surface characterizations of niobium (Nb samples electropolished together with a single cell superconducting radio-frequency accelerator cavity. These witness samples were located in three regions of the cavity, namely at the equator, the iris, and the beam pipe. Auger electron spectroscopy was utilized to probe the chemical composition of the topmost four atomic layers. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x ray for elemental analysis was used to observe the surface topography and chemical composition at the micrometer scale. A few atomic layers of sulfur (S were found covering the samples nonuniformly. Niobium oxide granules with a sharp geometry were observed on every sample. Some Nb-O granules appeared to also contain sulfur.

Comparing Thermal Stability of NbTi and Nb$_3$Sn Wires

CERN Document Server

Breschi, M; Bottura, L; Devred, A; Trillaud, F

2009-01-01

The investigation of quenching in low temperature superconducting wires is of great relevance for a proper design of superconductive cables and magnets. This paper reports the experimental results of a vast measurement campaign of quench induced by laser pulses on NbTi and Nb$_{3}$Sn wires in pool boiling Helium I. A comparison of the quench behavior of two typical NbTi and Nb$_{3}$Sn wires is shown from different standpoints. Different qualitative behaviors of the voltage traces recorded during quenches and recoveries on NbTi and Nb$_{3}$Sn wires are reported and analyzed. It is shown that the Nb$_{3}$Sn wire exhibits a quench or no-quench behavior, whereas quenches and recoveries are exhibited by the NbTi wire. The two wires are also compared considering the behaviors of the two main parameters describing quench, i.e. quench energies and quench velocities, with respect to operation current and pulse duration and magnetic field. It is shown that the Nb$_{3}$Sn wire exhibits a ‘kink’ of the quench energy ...

Superconducting wire for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in U.S.A

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Inoue, Itaru; Ikeda, Masaru; Tanaka, Yasuzo; Meguro, Shinichiro

1985-01-01

In Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in USA, the development of a mirror type nuclear fusion reactor is carried out, and for plasma confinement, superconducting magnets are used. For the axicell coil generating a 12 T magnetic field in one of these magnets, Nb 3 Sn superconducting wires are to be used, and after the completion, it will be the largest magnet in the world as high magnetic field superconducting magnets. Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. has completed the delivery of Nb 3 Sn superconducting wires used for this purpose. Since the Nb 3 Sn superconducting wires are very brittle, attention was paid to the manufacture to satisfy the required characteristics, and it was able to obtain the good reputation that the product was highly homogeneous as the superconducting wires of this type. In this paper, the design, manufacture and various characteristics of these superconducting wires are reported. The Nb 3 Sn superconducting wires were manufactured on industrial scale of 8 tons. The features of these Nb 3 Sn wires are the compound structure with semi-hard copper for low temperature stability and strengthening. (Kako, I.)

Far infrared studies of superconducting V3Si, Nb3Ge and Nb. Final report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Perkowitz, S.

1985-01-01

Far infrared spectroscopy between 10 and 250 cm -1 is an effective probe of superconductivity because typical gap and phonon energies lie in this region. Between 1979 and 1985, this DOE contract supported far infrared research in homogeneous high-T/sub c/ superconductors and in granular superconductors. Results in both areas are summarized in this report

Potential applications of NbN composites in fusion reactor magnets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Capone, D.W. II; Gray, K.E.; Kampwirth, R.T.; Ho, H.L.

1986-02-01

Recent projected requirements for large scale fusion reactor magnets call for the development of advanced superconducting materials capable of producing peak magnetic fields in excess of 15 T with current densities in the windings in excess of 2 x 10 3 A/cm 2 . These materials will be exposed to large stresses (up to 500 MPa) and neutron fluences as high as 10 22 n/cm 2 over the lifetime of the conductor. The demonstrated strain and radiation tolerance of NbN together with excellent superconducting properties make it a promising candidate to be used in a superconducting composite capable of satisfying these requirements. Our program at Argonne is directed towards demonstrating a method of fabrication which is capable of achieving these goals. Tests will be conducted on moderate lengths of NbN superconducting composites to verify the ability to achieve large overall current densities in magnetic fields up to 20 T. High field applications of NbN are also being investigated by groups in Japan and Germany

Superconducting properties of (Nb,Ta)3Sn wires fabricated by the bronze process

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Suenaga, M.; Aihara, K.; Kaiho, K.; Luhman, T.S.

1979-01-01

Measurements of the superconducting critical temperature T/sub c/, critical current density, J/sub c/ (8 3 Sn monofilamentary wires. Ta content in the Nb 3 Sn compound was varied by alloying the Nb core prior to a reaction heat treatment. Core compositions were 0, 3, 7, 10, and 20 wt% Ta and heat treatments for the reaction were 16, 64, and 120 h at 725 0 C. For the 120 h heat treatment T/sub c/ decreased monotonically with Ta content from 17.5 to 15.7K while H/sub c2/ increased from 19.8 to 24.6 T. With increasing Ta content J/sub c/ (16 T) increased from 0.7 x 10 5 A/cm 2 to a maximum value of 1.3 x 10 5 at 7 wt% Ta. Further increases in the Ta content produced a decrease in J/sub c/(16 T). At 10 T J/sub c/ decreased with increasing Ta content. An important aspect of this work is the observation that alloying with Ta did not hinder wire ductility during drawing. It appears therefore that the improvements in J/sub c/(16 T) can be incorporated into commercially manufactured conductors

Superconductivity and anomalous normal state in the CePd2Si2/CeNi2Ge2 system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Grosche, F.M.; Lister, S.J.S.; Carter, F.V.; Saxena, S.S.; Haselwimmer, R.K.W.; Mathur, N.D.; Julian, S.R.; Lonzarich, G.G.

1997-01-01

The unconventional nonmagnetic metal CeNi 2 Ge 2 is characterised at ambient pressure by temperature dependences of the specific heat and of the resistivity which deviate strongly from standard Fermi-liquid predictions and are reminiscent of the behaviour observed in its sibling system CePd 2 Si 2 above the critical pressure at which magnetic order is suppressed. We have explored the CePd 2 Si 2 /CeNi 2 Ge 2 phase diagram in a series of resistivity measurements under high hydrostatic pressure, p. At p>15 kbar, a new superconducting transition appears below 220 mK in CeNi 2 Ge 2 and shifts to higher temperatures with increasing pressure, reaching ∝400 mK at p∝26 kbar. (orig.)

High transition temperature superconducting integrated circuit

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

DiIorio, M.S.

1985-01-01

This thesis describes the design and fabrication of the first superconducting integrated circuit capable of operating at over 10K. The primary component of the circuit is a dc SQUID (Superconducting QUantum Interference Device) which is extremely sensitive to magnetic fields. The dc SQUID consists of two superconductor-normal metal-superconductor (SNS) Josephson microbridges that are fabricated using a novel step-edge process which permits the use of high transition temperature superconductors. By utilizing electron-beam lithography in conjunction with ion-beam etching, very small microbridges can be produced. Such microbridges lead to high performance dc SQUIDs with products of the critical current and normal resistance reaching 1 mV at 4.2 K. These SQUIDs have been extensively characterized, and exhibit excellent electrical characteristics over a wide temperature range. In order to couple electrical signals into the SQUID in a practical fashion, a planar input coil was integrated for efficient coupling. A process was developed to incorporate the technologically important high transition temperature superconducting materials, Nb-Sn and Nb-Ge, using integrated circuit techniques. The primary obstacles were presented by the metallurgical idiosyncrasies of the various materials, such as the need to deposit the superconductors at elevated temperatures, 800-900 0 C, in order to achieve a high transition temperature

Effect of point disorder on superconducting properties of ultrathin epitaxial NbN films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jesudasan, John; Bagwe, Vivas; Mondal, Mintu; Chand, Madhavi; Kamlapure, Anand; Pai, S.P.; Raychaudhuri, Pratap; Mishra, Archana

2009-01-01

We synthesized homogeneously disordered epitaxial NbN films on MgO(100) substrates using reactive dc magnetron sputtering. The disorder of the films is characterized by the Loffe-Regel parameter k F I. The superconducting properties are studied through transport, ac-susceptibility measurements and electron tunneling. The superconducting transition temperature is studied as a function of thickness for films of different disorder. In the case of the less disordered film, there is a smooth decrease in T c with decreasing thickness but for the more disordered film, the T c shows a sharp decrease to zero at a threshold thickness. The superconducting energy gap is studied via planar tunnel junctions. It is found that for the less disordered films, the temperature dependence of the gap follows the BCS variation but for the more disordered ones, there is a significant deviation from the BCS curve, and the gap remains finite at T c indicating that the superconducting transition is either governed by phase fluctuations or a first order phase transition. (author)

Metallographic investigation of fracture behavior in ITER-style Nb$_{3}$Sn superconducting strands

CERN Document Server

Jewell, M C; Larbalestier, D C; Nijhuis, A

2009-01-01

In this work we specify the extent to which fracture in two ITER-style Nb$_{3}$Sn composite strands occurs in a collective or individual manner, under mechanical tension and bending from the TARSIS apparatus at the University of Twente. A bronze-route strand from European Advanced Superconductors (EAS), which has very uniform, well-spaced filaments, has a widely distributed (200 μm) fracture field and exhibits a composite of individual and collective cracks. An internal tin strand from Oxford Instruments – Superconducting Technology (OST) demonstrates much more localized, collective fracture behavior. The filaments in this strand are about four times larger (in area) than the filaments in the EAS strand, and also agglomerate significantly during heat treatment upon conversion of the Nb to Nb$_{3}$Sn. These results demonstrate that the architecture of the strand can play a significant role in determining the mechanical toughness of the composite, and that strand design should incorporate mechanical consider...

Fabrication of Nb_3Al superconductor by the optimized mechanical alloying method with low temperature

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang, Y.; Lin, W.J.; Xu, L.Y.; Yang, D.W.; Chen, Y.L.; Li, P.Y.; Pan, X.F.; Yan, G.; Zhao, Y.

2016-01-01

Highlights: • Due to a much better strain tolerance than Nb_3Sn, Nb_3Al has been considered as an excellent candidate for making high field magnets. At present, the Nb_3Al superconducting wires were prepared mainly by the Jelly-roll method combined with a rapid heating and quenching (RHQ) heat treatment at around 2000 °C. In this study, Nb_3Al superconductor with T_c of 15.6 K is directly prepared with a mechanical alloying method followed by a low temperature annealing at 800 to 900 °C. Our results hint the possibility that Nb_3Al superconducting wire with high performance can be prepared below the melting point of Cu (1080 °C) by a conventional powder in tube (PIT) method, thus effectively avoiding high temperature heat treatment and RHQ device. - Abstract: Mechanical alloying was used to synthesize Nb_3Al superconductor successfully, and the process was optimization under various preparation conditions. In the current study, Nb_3Al superconductor with T_c of 15.6 K was directly prepared from high quality Nb (Al) solid solution by mechanical alloying method and heat treatment at a low temperature of 800 to 900 °C. The results showed that Nb_3Al superconducting wire with high performance could be prepared after heat treatment below the melting point of Cu (1080°C) and using Nb (Al) solid solution and conventional powder in tube (PIT) method, thus effectively avoiding ultra-high temperature heat treatment and special rapid heating and quenching(RHQ) device.

Direct measurement of elastic modulus of Nb 3Sn using extracted filaments from superconducting composite wire and resin impregnation method

Science.gov (United States)

Hojo, M.; Matsuoka, T.; Hashimoto, M.; Tanaka, M.; Sugano, M.; Ochiai, S.; Miyashita, K.

2006-10-01

Young's modulus of Nb3Sn filaments in Nb3Sn/Cu superconducting composite wire was investigated in detail. Nb3Sn filaments were first extracted from composite wire. Nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid were used to remove copper stabilizer, Nb3Sn/Nb barrier and bronze. Then, Nb3Sn filaments were impregnated with epoxy resin to form simple filament bundle composite rods. A large difference in Young's moduli of filaments and epoxy resin enhance the accuracy of the measurement of Nb3Sn filament modulus. The ratio of Nb3Sn to Nb in filaments and the number of filaments in the fiber bundle composite rods were used in the final calculation of the Young's modulus of Nb3Sn. The obtained modulus of 127 GPa was the lower bound of the already reported values.

Direct measurement of elastic modulus of Nb3Sn using extracted filaments from superconducting composite wire and resin impregnation method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hojo, M.; Matsuoka, T.; Hashimoto, M.; Tanaka, M.; Sugano, M.; Ochiai, S.; Miyashita, K.

2006-01-01

Young's modulus of Nb 3 Sn filaments in Nb 3 Sn/Cu superconducting composite wire was investigated in detail. Nb 3 Sn filaments were first extracted from composite wire. Nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid were used to remove copper stabilizer, Nb 3 Sn/Nb barrier and bronze. Then, Nb 3 Sn filaments were impregnated with epoxy resin to form simple filament bundle composite rods. A large difference in Young's moduli of filaments and epoxy resin enhance the accuracy of the measurement of Nb 3 Sn filament modulus. The ratio of Nb 3 Sn to Nb in filaments and the number of filaments in the fiber bundle composite rods were used in the final calculation of the Young's modulus of Nb 3 Sn. The obtained modulus of 127 GPa was the lower bound of the already reported values

Detection of second harmonic of phase dependence of superconducting current in Nb/Au/YBCO heterojunctions

CERN Document Server

Komissinskij, F V; Ilichev, E V; Ivanov, Z G

2001-01-01

The results of the experimental study on the current phase dependence (CPD) of the heterotransitions, consisting of the niobium and the YBa sub 2 Cu sub 3 O sub x (YBCO) film with an additional interlayer from gold (Nb/Au/YBCO) are presented. The CPD measurement is carried out through the radiofrequency superconducting quantum interferometer. The CPD second harmonic is determined in the Nb/Au/YBCO heterotransitions. Possible causes of its appearance are discussed within the frames of the d +- s combined symmetry of the YBCO order parameter. One of the causes of the CPD second harmonic appearance is the twinning of the YBCO films (001). The second cause of existing the anomalously high critical current consists in the availability of the Nb/Au boundary with the transparence of approx 10 sup - sup 1 in the Nb/Au/YBCO

Finite Element Analysis of Transverse Compressive Loads on Superconducting Nb3Sn Wires Containing Voids

Science.gov (United States)

D'Hauthuille, Luc; Zhai, Yuhu; Princeton Plasma Physics Lab Collaboration; University of Geneva Collaboration

2015-11-01

High field superconductors play an important role in many large-scale physics experiments, particularly particle colliders and fusion devices such as the LHC and ITER. The two most common superconductors used are NbTi and Nb3Sn. Nb3Sn wires are favored because of their significantly higher Jc, allowing them to produce much higher magnetic fields. The main disadvantage is that the superconducting performance of Nb3Sn is highly strain-sensitive and it is very brittle. The strain-sensitivity is strongly influenced by two factors: plasticity and cracked filaments. Cracks are induced by large stress concentrators due to the presence of voids. We will attempt to understand the correlation between Nb3Sn's irreversible strain limit and the void-induced stress concentrations around the voids. We will develop accurate 2D and 3D finite element models containing detailed filaments and possible distributions of voids in a bronze-route Nb3Sn wire. We will apply a compressive transverse load for the various cases to simulate the stress response of a Nb3Sn wire from the Lorentz force. Doing this will further improve our understanding of the effect voids have on the wire's mechanical properties, and thus, the connection between the shape & distribution of voids and performance degradation.

Acute enhancement of the upper critical field for superconductivity approaching a quantum critical point in URhGe

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Levy, F; Huxley, A [CEA, SPSMS, DRFMC, F-38054 Grenoble, (France); Levy, F; Sheikin, I [CNRS, GHMFL, F-38042 Grenoble, (France); Huxley, A [Univ Edinburgh, Scottish Univ Phys Alliance, Sch Phys, Edinburgh EH9 3JZ, Midlothian, (United Kingdom)

2007-07-01

When a pure material is tuned to the point where a continuous phase-transition line is crossed at zero temperature, known as a quantum critical point (QCP), completely new correlated quantum ordered states can form. These phases include exotic forms of superconductivity. However, as superconductivity is generally suppressed by a magnetic field, the formation of superconductivity ought not to be possible at extremely high field. Here, we report that as we tune the ferromagnet, URhGe, towards a QCP by applying a component of magnetic field in the material's easy magnetic plane, superconductivity survives in progressively higher fields applied simultaneously along the material's magnetic hard axis. Thus, although superconductivity never occurs above a temperature of 0.5 K, we find that it can survive in extremely high magnetic fields, exceeding 28 T. (authors)

Conceptual design of a 15T-class pulsed conductor with fiber-reinforced Nb3Sn superconductor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tateishi, Hiroshi; Arai, Kazuaki; Agatsuma, Koh

1997-01-01

We have been developing a new type of Nb 3 Sn superconductor with high elastic modulus fibers for the application of high field pulsed superconducting magnets. We call this type of conductor FRS(Fiber-Reinforced Superconductor). This paper tries to show that FRS has great potential for the construction of a 15T-class pulsed magnet, with the size of which equals to that of the central solenoid of ITER(International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), because each monofilamentary FRS can support the part of hoop stress under operation of the magnet. Conceptual design of a basic strand with monofilamentary FRS, construction of the first- and second- level subcable, cooling condition of CICC(Cable in conduit conductor), stability and ac losses of the conductor are discussed. (author)

ASC 84: applied superconductivity conference. Final program and abstracts

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1984-01-01

Abstracts are given of presentations covering: superconducting device fabrication; applications of rf superconductivity; conductor stability and losses; detectors and signal processing; fusion magnets; A15 and Nb-Ti conductors; stability, losses, and various conductors; SQUID applications; new applications of superconductivity; advanced conductor materials; high energy physics applications of superconductivity; electronic materials and characterization; general superconducting electronics; ac machinery and new applications; digital devices; fusion and other large scale applications; in-situ and powder process conductors; ac applications; synthesis, properties, and characterization of conductors; superconducting microelectronics

ASC 84: applied superconductivity conference. Final program and abstracts

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

1984-01-01

Abstracts are given of presentations covering: superconducting device fabrication; applications of rf superconductivity; conductor stability and losses; detectors and signal processing; fusion magnets; A15 and Nb-Ti conductors; stability, losses, and various conductors; SQUID applications; new applications of superconductivity; advanced conductor materials; high energy physics applications of superconductivity; electronic materials and characterization; general superconducting electronics; ac machinery and new applications; digital devices; fusion and other large scale applications; in-situ and powder process conductors; ac applications; synthesis, properties, and characterization of conductors; superconducting microelectronics. (LEW)

Anisotropic behaviour of transmission through thin superconducting NbN film in parallel magnetic field

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Šindler, M., E-mail: sindler@fzu.cz [Institute of Physics ASCR, v. v. i., Cukrovarnická 10, CZ-162 53 Praha 6 (Czech Republic); Tesař, R. [Institute of Physics ASCR, v. v. i., Cukrovarnická 10, CZ-162 53 Praha 6 (Czech Republic); Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Ke Karlovu 3, CZ-121 16 Praha (Czech Republic); Koláček, J. [Institute of Physics ASCR, v. v. i., Cukrovarnická 10, CZ-162 53 Praha 6 (Czech Republic); Skrbek, L. [Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Ke Karlovu 3, CZ-121 16 Praha (Czech Republic)

2017-02-15

Highlights: • Transmission through thin NbN film in parallel magnetic field exhibits strong anisotropic behaviour in the terahertz range. • Response for a polarisation parallel with the applied field is given as weighted sum of superconducting and normal state contributions. • Effective medium approach fails to describe response for linear polarisation perpendicular to the applied magnetic field. - Abstract: Transmission of terahertz waves through a thin layer of the superconductor NbN deposited on an anisotropic R-cut sapphire substrate is studied as a function of temperature in a magnetic field oriented parallel with the sample. A significant difference is found between transmitted intensities of beams linearly polarised parallel with and perpendicular to the direction of applied magnetic field.

Non-equilibrium properties of Josephson critical current in Nb-based three terminal superconducting tunnel devices

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ammendola, G.; Parlato, L.; Peluso, G.; Pepe, G.

1998-01-01

Tunnel quasi-particle injection into a superconducting film provides useful information on the non-equilibrium state inside the perturbed superconductor as well as on the potential application to electronic devices. Three terminal injector-detector superconducting devices have a long history in non-equilibrium superconductivity. In the recent past non-equilibrium phenomena have attracted again considerable attention because of many superconducting based detectors involve processes substantially non-equilibrium in nature. The possibility of using a stacked double tunnel junction to study the influence of non-equilibrium superconductivity on the Josephson critical current is now considered. An experimental study of the effect of quasi-particle injection on the Josephson current both in steady-state and pulsed experiments down to T=1.2 K is presented using 3 terminal Nb-based stacked double tunnel devices. The feasibility of a new class of particle detectors based on the direct measurement of the change in the Josephson current following the absorption of a X-ray quantum is also discussed in terms of non-equilibrium theories. (orig.)

Feasibility study of a 2 GeV superconducting $H^{-}$ linac as injector for the CERN PS

CERN Document Server

Garoby, R; Hill, C E; Lombardi, A M; Ostroumov, P N; Tessier, J M; Vretenar, Maurizio

1998-01-01

This preliminary feasibility study is based on the availability of the CERN LEP2 superconducting RF system after LEP de-commissioning. The option that is explored is to use this system as part of a high energy H- linac injecting at 2 GeV into the CERN PS, with the aim of reliably providing at its output twice the presently foreseen transverse beam brightness at the ultimate intensity envisaged for LHC. This requires the linac to be pulsed at the PS repetition rate of 0.8 Hz with a mean beam current of 10 mA which is sufficient for filling the PS in 240 ms (i.e. about 100 turns) with the ultimate intensity foreseen for injection for the LHC. The linac is composed of two RFQs with a chopping section, a room temperature DTL, a superconducting section with reduced beta cavities up to 1 GeV, and a section of LEP2 cavities up to 2 GeV. This study deals, in particular, with the problems inherent in H- acceleration up to high energy and in the pulsed operation of SC cavities. Means for compensating microphonic vibrat...

RHQT Nb3Al 15-Tesla magnet design study

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yamada, R.; Ambrosio, G.; Barzi, E.; Kashikin, V.; Kikuchi, A.; Novitski, I.; Takeuchi, T.; Wake, M.; Zlobin, A.; /Fermilab /NIMC, Tsukuba /KEK, Tsukuba

2005-09-01

Feasibility study of 15-Tesla dipole magnets wound with a new copper stabilized RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al Rutherford cable is presented. A new practical long copper stabilized RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al strand is presented, which is being developed and manufactured at the National Institute of Material Science (NIMS) in Japan. It has achieved a non-copper J{sub c} of 1000A/mm{sup 2} at 15 Tesla at 4.2K, with a copper over non-copper ratio of 1.04, and a filament size less than 50 microns. For this design study a short Rutherford cable with 28 Nb{sub 3}Al strands of 1 mm diameter will be fabricated late this year. The cosine theta magnet cross section is designed using ROXIE, and the stress and strain in the coil is estimated and studied with the characteristics of the Nb{sub 3}Al strand. The advantages and disadvantages of the Nb{sub 3}Al cable are compared with the prevailing Nb{sub 3}Sn cable from the point of view of stress-strain, J{sub c}, and possible degradation of stabilizer due to cabling. The Nb{sub 3}Al coil of the magnet, which will be made by wind and react method, has to be heat treated at 800 degree C for 10 hours. As preparation for the 15 Tesla magnet, a series of tests on strand and Rutherford cables are considered.

Improved multifilamentary Nb3Sn conductors produced by the titanium-bronze process

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tachikawa, K.; Itoh, K.; Kamata, K.; Moriai, H.; Tada, N.

1985-01-01

The effects of a titanium addition to the bronze matrix of superconducting Nb 3 Sn wires have been investigated. The titanium addition to the matrix remarkably increases the Nb 3 Sn growth rate and the high-field, critical current density of the wire. An overall critical-current density of 3.8 . 10 4 A/cm 2 at 15 T has been obtained for the multifilamentary Nb/Cu-7.5 at.% Sn-0.4 at.% Ti wire with 4.7 μm-diameter 31 x 331 cores. The anisotropy in the critical current with respect to the field direction becomes larger with increasing aspect ratio of the rectangular-shaped multifilamentary wires. A 9.5 mm wide and 1.8mm thick Nb/Cu-7.5Sn-0.4Ti conductor with 5 μm-diameter 349 x 361=125 989 cores has been successfully fabricated on an industrial scale. This conductor carries a superconducting current of over 1300 A at 16.5 T. The newly developed Ti-bronze Nb 3 Sn conductor makes it feasible to generate a field of proportional 15 T in a large diameter bore. (orig.)

Mechanical Design of HD2, a 15 T Nb3Sn Dipole Magnet with a 35 mm Bore

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ferracin, P.; Bartlett, S.E.; Caspi, S.; Dietderich, D.R.; Gourlay, S.A.; Hafalia, A.R.; Hannaford, C.R.; Lietzke, A.F.; Mattafirri, S.; McInturff, A.D.; Sabbi, G.L.

2006-06-01

After the fabrication and test of HD1, a 16 T Nb{sub 3}Sn dipole magnet based on flat racetrack coil configuration, the Superconducting Magnet Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is developing the Nb{sub 3}Sn dipole HD2. With a dipole field above 15 T, a 35 mm clear bore, and nominal field harmonics within a fraction of one unit, HD2 represents a further step towards the application of block-type coils to high-field accelerator magnets. The design features tilted racetrack-type ends, to avoid obstructing the beam path, and a 4 mm thick stainless steel tube, to support the coil during the preloading operation. The mechanical structure, similar to the one used for HD1, is based on an external aluminum shell pretensioned with pressurized bladders. Axial rods and stainless steel plates provide longitudinal support to the coil ends during magnet excitation. A 3D finite element analysis has been performed to evaluate stresses and deformations from assembly to excitation, with particular emphasis on conductor displacements due to Lorentz forces. Numerical results are presented and discussed.

Effects of differential thermal contraction between the matrix and the filaments in mono- and multifilamentary Nb3Sn on the superconducting critical temperature

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Aihara, K.; Suenage, M.; Luhman, T.

1979-01-01

The strain on Nb 3 Sn due to the differential thermal contraction between the matrix (Cu, bronze) and the filaments (Nb, Nb 3 Sn, Ta) of a superconducting wire is known to decrease the superconducting critical temperature T/sub c/. In order to study the effects of heat treatment conditions and filament size on the degradation of T/sub c/ by the strain. T/sub c/ for monofilamentary wires [(Nb 3 Sn and bronze in Ta) in Cu matrix, and (bronze in Nb tubings) in Cu matrix] were measured for heat-treating periods in of 1 to 120 h at 725 0 C. Several observations were made regarding the effects on T/sub c/ of thermal contraction strains from various components of the conductors. The influence of a Cu matrix on T/sub c/ was small (approx. 0.2 K). When the bronze matrix was inside Nb tubing the degradation of T/sub c/ due to strains was substantially larger than when the Nb filaments were in a bronze. Wires with smaller filament diameters achieved a maximum T/sub c/ in shorter heat treatment times than those with larger filaments. These results are discussed in terms of the critical currents of these wires under applied tensile strains

ISABELLE: a 200 + 200 GeV colliding beam facility

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Courant, E.D.

1977-01-01

Plans are under way for the construction of a pair of intersecting storage rings providing for colliding beams of protons of energy at least 200 GeV. The rings (circumference 2.62 km) will contain superconducting magnets constructed with braided Nb--Ti filamentary wire, with a peak field of 4.0 T corresponding to an energy of 200 GeV. A current of 10 A of protons will be injected at 29 GeV from the existing AGS accelerator at Brookhaven, using the energy stacking technique similar to that employed at the CERN ISR; subsequently the stored beam will be accelerated gradually in the storage rings. Six intersection areas will be provided for experiments. They are designed to provide flexibility in beam characteristics for different experiments. The maximum luminosity at full energy is expected to be 1.0 x 10 33 cm -2 s -1 , at 29 GeV it will be approximately 10 32 cm -2 s -1 . Recent work with prototype magnets indicates that fields of 5.0 T can be produced. This has led to an alternative design of somewhat larger rings (circumference 3.77 km) that should be capable of providing colliding beams at 400 + 400 GeV

Residual Resistivity Ratio (RRR) Measurements of LHC Superconducting NbTi Cable Strands

CERN Document Server

Charifoulline, Z

2006-01-01

The Rutherford-type superconducting NbTi cables of the LHC accelerator are currently manufactured by six industrial companies. As a part of the acceptance tests, the Residual Resistivity Ratio (RRR) of superconducting strands is systematically measured on virgin strands to qualify the strands before cabling and on extracted strands to qualify the cables and to check the final heat treatment (controlled oxidation to control interstrand resistance). More than 12000 samples of virgin and extracted strands have been measured during last five years. Results show good correlation with the measurements done by the companies and reflect well the technological process of cable production (strand annealing, cabling, cable heat treatment). This paper presents a description of the RRR-test station and the measurement procedure, the summary of the results over all suppliers and finally the correlation between RRR-values of the cables and the magnets.

Electromagnetic Design Study for a Large Bore 15T Superconducting Dipole Magnet

CERN Document Server

Schwerg, N; Devred, Arnaud; Henke, H

2005-01-01

In the framework of research and development (R&D) activities at CERN the Next European Dipole (NED) program is one which is to the development of a high-field dipole magnet using Nb_3Sn superconductors. Part of the NED activities is a design study of different possible dipole configurations which is shared amongst the collaborating institutes. This thesis covers the electromagnetic design study of an 88 mm large bore superconducting 15 T dipole magnet with a coil cross section in cos-theta-layer design. Based on analytically describable geometries the sources of multipole errors are studied and elementary estimations of the magnet are carried out, e.g., the required amount of superconductors or the influence of the iron yoke thickness on the field quality. The magnet cross section for NED is optimized by means of the CERN field computation program ROXIE. The preliminary NED design serves as starting point for the coil cross section optimization with respect to field quality and a radial positioning of th...

Characterization of the Nb-B superlattice system

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Franco, D.G.; Sarmiento-Chavez, A.; Schenone, N.; Llacsahuanga Allcca, A.E.; Gómez Berisso, M.; Fasano, Y.; Guimpel, J., E-mail: jguimpel@cab.cnea.gov.ar

2016-12-15

Highlights: • In this manuscript we study the crystalline and superconducting properties of this system, as a possible material to be used in solid state neutron detector sensors. • The results show that this superlattice system can be grown even for very thin layers, in spite of the Nb-B binary system showing many possible compounds, which could enhance interdifussion at the interfaces. • Also, the superconducting properties are not degraded, and they are even enhanced with respect to those of single Nb films of the same thickness. • In conclusion, we find that this system is a good potential candidate for the design and construction of solid state neutron Transition Edge Sensors. - Abstract: We study the growth, stacking and superconducting properties of Nb and B thin films and superlattices. The interest in these resides in their possible use in transition edge neutron sensors. The samples were grown by magnetron sputtering over Si (1  0  0) substrates. The X-ray diffraction patterns for all Nb containing samples show a Nb (1  1  0) preferential orientation. From the low-angle X-ray reflectivity we obtain information on the superlattice structure. The superconducting transition temperatures of the superlattices, obtained from the temperature dependence of the magnetization, are higher than those of single Nb films of similar thickness. The temperature dependence of the perpendicular and parallel upper critical fields indicate that the superlattices behave as an array of decoupled superconducting Nb layers.

Characterization of the Nb-B superlattice system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Franco, D.G.; Sarmiento-Chavez, A.; Schenone, N.; Llacsahuanga Allcca, A.E.; Gómez Berisso, M.; Fasano, Y.; Guimpel, J.

2016-01-01

Highlights: • In this manuscript we study the crystalline and superconducting properties of this system, as a possible material to be used in solid state neutron detector sensors. • The results show that this superlattice system can be grown even for very thin layers, in spite of the Nb-B binary system showing many possible compounds, which could enhance interdifussion at the interfaces. • Also, the superconducting properties are not degraded, and they are even enhanced with respect to those of single Nb films of the same thickness. • In conclusion, we find that this system is a good potential candidate for the design and construction of solid state neutron Transition Edge Sensors. - Abstract: We study the growth, stacking and superconducting properties of Nb and B thin films and superlattices. The interest in these resides in their possible use in transition edge neutron sensors. The samples were grown by magnetron sputtering over Si (1  0  0) substrates. The X-ray diffraction patterns for all Nb containing samples show a Nb (1  1  0) preferential orientation. From the low-angle X-ray reflectivity we obtain information on the superlattice structure. The superconducting transition temperatures of the superlattices, obtained from the temperature dependence of the magnetization, are higher than those of single Nb films of similar thickness. The temperature dependence of the perpendicular and parallel upper critical fields indicate that the superlattices behave as an array of decoupled superconducting Nb layers.

Rise time of voltage pulses in NbN superconducting single photon detectors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Smirnov, K. V. [Moscow State Pedagogical University, 1 Malaya Pirogovskaya St., 119435 Moscow (Russian Federation); CJSC “Superconducting Nanotechnology” (Scontel), 5/22-1 Rossolimo St., 119021 Moscow (Russian Federation); National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics, 34 Tallinskaya St., 109028 Moscow (Russian Federation); Divochiy, A. V.; Karpova, U. V.; Morozov, P. V. [CJSC “Superconducting Nanotechnology” (Scontel), 5/22-1 Rossolimo St., 119021 Moscow (Russian Federation); Vakhtomin, Yu. B.; Seleznev, V. A. [Moscow State Pedagogical University, 1 Malaya Pirogovskaya St., 119435 Moscow (Russian Federation); CJSC “Superconducting Nanotechnology” (Scontel), 5/22-1 Rossolimo St., 119021 Moscow (Russian Federation); Sidorova, M. V. [Moscow State Pedagogical University, 1 Malaya Pirogovskaya St., 119435 Moscow (Russian Federation); Zotova, A. N.; Vodolazov, D. Yu. [Institute for Physics of Microstructure, Russian Academy of Sciences, GSP-105, 603950 Nizhny Novgorod (Russian Federation); Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Avenue, 603950 Nizhny Novgorod (Russian Federation)

2016-08-01

We have found experimentally that the rise time of voltage pulse in NbN superconducting single photon detectors increases nonlinearly with increasing the length of the detector L. The effect is connected with dependence of resistance of the detector R{sub n}, which appears after photon absorption, on its kinetic inductance L{sub k} and, hence, on the length of the detector. This conclusion is confirmed by our calculations in the framework of two temperature model.

Two concepts of introducing thin-film superconductivity in Ge and Si by use of Ga-ion implantation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Skrotzki, Richard [Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory (HLD) and Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden (Germany); Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, TU Dresden (Germany); Herrmannsdoerfer, Thomas; Fiedler, Jan; Heera, Viton; Voelskow, Matthias; Muecklich, Arndt; Schmidt, Bernd; Skorupa, Wolfgang; Helm, Manfred; Wosnitza, Joachim [Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory (HLD) and Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden (Germany)

2012-07-01

We report on two unconventional routes of embedding superconducting nanolayers in a semiconducting environment. Ion implantation and subsequent annealing have been used for preparation of superconducting thin-films of Ga-doped germanium (Ge:Ga) as well as 10 nm thin amorphous Ga-rich layers in silicon (Si:Ga). Structural investigations by means of XTEM, EDX, RBS/C, and SIMS have been performed in addition to low-temperature electrical transport and magnetization measurements. Regarding Ge:Ga, we unravel the evolution of T{sub c} with charge-carrier concentration while for Si:Ga recently implemented microstructuring renders critical-current densities or more than 50 kA/cm{sup 2}. Combined with a superconducting onset at around 10 K, this calls for on-chip application in novel heterostructured devices.

Non-destructive Residual Stress Analysis Around The Weld-Joint of Fuel Cladding Materials of ZrNbMoGe Alloys

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Parikin

2003-08-01

Full Text Available The residual stress measurements around weld-joint of ZrNbMoGe alloy have been carried out by using X-ray diffraction technique in PTBIN-BATAN. The research was performed to investigate the structure of a cladding material with high temperature corrosion resistance and good weldability. The equivalent composition of the specimens (in %wt. was 97.5%Zr1%Nb1%Mo½%Ge. Welding was carried out by using TIG (tungsten inert gas technique that completed butt-joint with a current 20 amperes. Three region tests were taken in specimen while diffraction scanning, While diffraction scanning, tests were performed on three regions, i.e., the weldcore, the heat-affected zone (HAZ and the base metal. The reference region was determined at the base metal to be compared with other regions of the specimen, in obtaining refinement structure parameters. Base metal, HAZ and weldcore were diffracted by X-ray, and lattice strain changes were calculated by using Rietveld analysis program. The results show that while the quantity of minor phases tend to increase in the direction from the base metal to the HAZ and to the weldcore, the quantity of the ZrGe phase in the HAZ is less than the quantity of the ZrMo2 phase due to tGe element evaporation. The residual stress behavior in the material shows that minor phases, i.e., Zr3Ge and ZrMo2, are more dominant than the Zr matrix. The Zr3Ge and ZrMo2 experienced sharp straining, while the Zr phase was weak-lined from HAZ to weldcore. The hydrostatic residual stress ( in around weld-joint of ZrNbMoGe alloy is compressive stress which has minimum value at about -2.73 GPa in weldcore region

Contribution to the design of superconducting Nb3Sn dipole windings for particle accelerator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Felice, H.

2006-10-01

Improvement of particle accelerators relies on complex technologies such as the design and fabrication of superconducting magnets. A key parameter in magnet design is the mechanical pre-stress, applied at room temperature to insure compression of the coil during excitation. In dipole magnets, high field and high mechanical stresses in windings combined with the Nb 3 Sn stress sensitivity ask the question of the limit of the mechanical stress that the Nb 3 Sn can undergo without degradation. This limit estimated around 150 MPa is still discussed and has to be investigated. Whatever its value, preliminary studies show that conventional cosine theta design induces mechanical stresses (> 200 MPa) in large aperture (> 130 mm) and high field configurations, which underscore the need of alternative coil arrangements. The first part of this thesis gives an introduction to the issues and challenges encountered by the designers of superconducting ma nets. The second part is devoted to the study of large aperture (88, 130 and 160 mm) and high field (13 T) dipoles based on intersecting ellipses. After a theoretical study, a 2D magnetic design is detailed for each aperture and a mechanical study is developed for the 130 mm aperture dipole. In the last part, an experimental device dedicated to the study of the influence of the pre-stress on the training of sub-scale Nb 3 Sn dipole and to the investigation of the mechanical stress limit is presented. The design of this magnet is detailed and the result of the first test carried out with the structure is reported. (author)

Fabrication of Nb{sub 3}Al superconductor by the optimized mechanical alloying method with low temperature

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Y., E-mail: yongzhang@swjtu.cn [Key Laboratory of Magnetic Levitation Technologies and Maglev Trains, Ministry of Education of China, and Superconductivity and New Energy R& D Center, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031 (China); Lin, W.J.; Xu, L.Y.; Yang, D.W.; Chen, Y.L. [Key Laboratory of Magnetic Levitation Technologies and Maglev Trains, Ministry of Education of China, and Superconductivity and New Energy R& D Center, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031 (China); Li, P.Y.; Pan, X.F.; Yan, G. [Western Superconducting Technoligies Co., Ltd., Xi' an 710018 (China); Zhao, Y., E-mail: yzhao@home.swjtu.edu.cn [Key Laboratory of Magnetic Levitation Technologies and Maglev Trains, Ministry of Education of China, and Superconductivity and New Energy R& D Center, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031 (China); School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052 NSW (Australia)

2016-11-15

Highlights: • Due to a much better strain tolerance than Nb{sub 3}Sn, Nb{sub 3}Al has been considered as an excellent candidate for making high field magnets. At present, the Nb{sub 3}Al superconducting wires were prepared mainly by the Jelly-roll method combined with a rapid heating and quenching (RHQ) heat treatment at around 2000 °C. In this study, Nb{sub 3}Al superconductor with T{sub c} of 15.6 K is directly prepared with a mechanical alloying method followed by a low temperature annealing at 800 to 900 °C. Our results hint the possibility that Nb{sub 3}Al superconducting wire with high performance can be prepared below the melting point of Cu (1080 °C) by a conventional powder in tube (PIT) method, thus effectively avoiding high temperature heat treatment and RHQ device. - Abstract: Mechanical alloying was used to synthesize Nb{sub 3}Al superconductor successfully, and the process was optimization under various preparation conditions. In the current study, Nb{sub 3}Al superconductor with T{sub c} of 15.6 K was directly prepared from high quality Nb (Al) solid solution by mechanical alloying method and heat treatment at a low temperature of 800 to 900 °C. The results showed that Nb{sub 3}Al superconducting wire with high performance could be prepared after heat treatment below the melting point of Cu (1080°C) and using Nb (Al) solid solution and conventional powder in tube (PIT) method, thus effectively avoiding ultra-high temperature heat treatment and special rapid heating and quenching(RHQ) device.

Volume dependence of T/sub c/ of Ternary A-15 Phases

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shamrai, V.

1984-01-01

Results are presented of measurements of the superconducting transition temperature T/sub c/, lattice constant a, magnetic susceptibility /sub chi/, and critical field H/sub c/ 2 for many Nb 3 Al and V 3 Si-based ternary phases and Nb 3 SnH/sub x/. For V 3 Si-based ternary systems and Nb 3 SnH/sub x/ the density of states at the Fermi level N(epsilon/sub F/) sharply decreases with the concentration of the alloying element. The variation of N(epsilon/sub F/) in these ternary systems cannot be explained by the variation of a. In ternary phases Nb 3 (Al/sub 1-x/dY/sub x/), where Y can be Ge, Ga, Sb, or Se, a quite clear correlation is revealed between T/sub c/ and a. The dependence of T/sub c/ on V in these systems is due to the variation of the matrix element of the electron-phonon interaction 2 >

The Future of Superconducting Technology for Particle Accelerators

CERN Document Server

Yamamoto, Akira

2015-01-01

Introduction: - Colliders constructed and operated - Future High Energy Colliders under Study - Superconducting Phases and Applications - Possible Choices among SC Materials Superconducting Magnets and the Future - Advances in SC Magnets for Accelerators - Nb$_{3}$Sn for realizing Higher Field - NbTi to Nb$_{3}$Sn for realizing High Field (> 10 T) - HL-LHC as a critical milestone for the Future of Acc. Magnet Technology - Nb$_{3}$Sn Superconducting Magnets (> 11 T)and MgB2 SC Links for HL-LHC - HL-LHC, 11T Dipole Magnet - Nb$_{3}$Sn Quadrupole (MQXF) at IR - Future Circular Collider Study - Conductor development (1998-2008) - Nb$_{3}$Sn conductor program - 16 T Dipole Options and R&D sharing - Design Study and Develoment for SppC in China - High-Field Superconductor and Magnets - HTS Block Coil R&D for 20 T - Canted Cosine Theta (CCT) Coil suitable with Brittle HTS Conductor - A topic at KEK: S-KEKB IRQs just integrated w/ BELLE-II ! Superconducting RF and the Future - Superconducting Phase...

The Future of Superconducting Technology for Particle Accelerators

CERN Document Server

Yamamoto, Akira

2015-01-01

Introduction: - Colliders constructed and operated - Future High Energy Colliders under Study - Superconducting Phases and Applications - Possible Choices among SC Materials Superconducting Magnets and the Future - Advances in SC Magnets for Accelerators - Nb3Sn for realizing Higher Field - NbTi to Nb3Sn for realizing High Field (> 10 T) - HL-LHC as a critical milestone for the Future of Acc. Magnet Technology - Nb3Sn Superconducting Magnets (> 11 T)and MgB2 SC Links for HL-LHC - HL-LHC, 11T Dipole Magnet - Nb3Sn Quadrupole (MQXF) at IR - Future Circular Collider Study - Conductor development (1998-2008) - Nb3Sn conductor program - 16 T Dipole Options and R&D sharing - Design Study and Develoment for SppC in China - High-Field Superconductor and Magnets - HTS Block Coil R&D for 20 T - Canted Cosine Theta (CCT) Coil suitable with Brittle HTS Conductor - A topic at KEK: S-KEKB IRQs just integrated w/ BELLE-II ! Superconducting RF and the Future - Superconducting Phases and Applications - Poss...

Large-area NbN superconducting nanowire avalanche photon detectors with saturated detection efficiency

Science.gov (United States)

Murphy, Ryan P.; Grein, Matthew E.; Gudmundsen, Theodore J.; McCaughan, Adam; Najafi, Faraz; Berggren, Karl K.; Marsili, Francesco; Dauler, Eric A.

2015-05-01

Superconducting circuits comprising SNSPDs placed in parallel—superconducting nanowire avalanche photodetectors, or SNAPs—have previously been demonstrated to improve the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by increasing the critical current. In this work, we employ a 2-SNAP superconducting circuit with narrow (40 nm) niobium nitride (NbN) nanowires to improve the system detection efficiency to near-IR photons while maintaining high SNR. Additionally, while previous 2-SNAP demonstrations have added external choke inductance to stabilize the avalanching photocurrent, we show that the external inductance can be entirely folded into the active area by cascading 2-SNAP devices in series to produce a greatly increased active area. We fabricated series-2-SNAP (s2-SNAP) circuits with a nanowire length of 20 μm with cascades of 2-SNAPs providing the choke inductance necessary for SNAP operation. We observed that (1) the detection efficiency saturated at high bias currents, and (2) the 40 nm 2-SNAP circuit critical current was approximately twice that for a 40 nm non-SNAP configuration.

Niobium superconducting cavity

CERN Multimedia

CERN PhotoLab

1980-01-01

This 5-cell superconducting cavity, made from bulk-Nb, stems from the period of general studies, not all directed towards direct use at LEP. This one is dimensioned for 1.5 GHz, the frequency used at CEBAF and also studied at Saclay (LEP RF was 352.2 MHz). See also 7908227, 8007354, 8209255, 8210054, 8312339.

QUANTUM ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Superconducting Nb3Sn point contact in the submillimeter range of electromagnetic radiation

Science.gov (United States)

Belenov, É. M.; Danileĭko, M. V.; Derkach, V. E.; Romanenko, V. I.; Uskov, A. V.

1988-05-01

An investigation was made of the influence of submillimeter radiation emitted by an HCN laser operating at a frequency νl = 891 GHz on a superconducting point contact made of Nb3Sn. Three steps of the electric current were recorded. The experimental results indicated that such a contact could be used for frequency multiplication up to 3 THz.

Improvements in the critical current densities of Nb3Sn by solid solution additions of Sn in Nb

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Luhman, T.; Suenaga, M.

1975-01-01

The effectiveness of solid solution additions of Sn to Nb in improving the superconducting properties of diffusion processed Nb 3 Sn conductors was examined. It was found that an increase in the superconducting critical current density, Jc, as function of layer thickness (d) may be obtained for thick Nb 3 Sn layers by solid solution additions of Sn in Nb. A large increase in J/sub c/ (d) is also achieved by increasing the Sn content in the bronze matrix material. In addition to uses of this material in magnet fabrications a potential application of these improved J/sub c/(d) values may lie in the use of Nb 3 Sn in power transmission lines. Here, a high superconducting critical current density is necessary throughout the material to carry the increased current during fault conditions. The magnetic field dependence of J/sub c/ is a function of alloy content but the alloying changes studied here do not increase the high field critical current capability of Nb 3 Sn. (auth)

Design study of 15-Tesla RHQT Nb3Al block type dipole magnet

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yamada, R.; Ambrosio, G.; Barzi, E.; Kashikin, V.; Kikuchi, A.; Novitski, I.; Takeuchi, T.; Wake, M.; Zlobin, A.; /Fermilab /NIMC, Tsukuba /KEK, Tsukuba

2005-09-01

The design study of the block type 15-Tesla RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al dipole magnet, and its merits over Nb{sub 3}Sn magnets are presented. The copper stabilized RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al strand is now becoming commercially available for the application to the accelerator magnets. A 1 mm diameter RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al strand with filament size about 50 {mu}, non-copper Jc about 1000 A/mm{sup 2} at 15 Tesla at 4.2K, copper ratio of 50%, can now be produced over several hundred meters. The stress and strain characteristics of the Nb{sub 3}Al strand are superior to the Nb{sub 3}Sn strand. Another advantage is that it can tolerate a longitudinal strain up to 0.55%. The RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al Rutherford cable will have less chance of contamination of the stabilizer, compared to Nb{sub 3}Sn cable. These characteristics of the RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al will be beneficial for designing and producing 15-Tesla dipole magnets. An example 15-Tesla magnet cross section, utilizing the RHQT Nb{sub 3}Sn strand is presented. A systematic investigation on RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al strands, its Rutherford cables, and building a small racetrack magnet for cable testing are proposed.

Characterization of NbTi multifilamentary superconducting wires

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vellego, G.

1988-01-01

Pirelli is developing superconducting mulfilamentary NbTi wires, with current carrying capacities of up to 500 A, for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems and in small research magnets. Pirelli and IFUSP have developed a system for assessing wire performance, whose quality is comparable to the equivalent systems at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). In particular, a high sensitivity is required for critical current measurements, so that the modern criteria for definition of critical current can be used. These involve conductor resistivities of the order of 10 -12 ohm-cm. The methods of measurements of critical current in applied magnetic fields, of residual resistance ratio and of copper to superconductor ratio are described. The results of the first tests performed in Pirelli wires and in wires of other manufacturers are described. These include tests on a NBS standard reference material. These results are of the same quality as results obtained at BNL or NBS on the same wires. So this system can be very useful throughout the Pirelli program. (author) [pt

Research and development efforts relative to superconducting materials. Final report. [Nb/sub 3/Sn tapes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Adam, E; Beishcher, P; Marancik, W; Lucariello, R; Young, M

1976-04-01

Three processes for the production of low-loss superconducting tapes of Nb/sub 3/Sn were investigated. They are the rolled-bronze process, the electron beam (EB) bronze deposition process, and the high-rate sputtering process. Shortly after the start of the investigation, effort on the last two processes was suspended because the process-development time that would be needed to arrive at a suitable transmission-line tape appeared most likely to be the shortest with the rolled-bronze process. Long lengths of Nb/sub 3/Sn tapes were prepared by the rolled-bronze process from extruded and rolled bronze-clad niobium billets. Tapes were stabilized by removing the bronze layer after reaction and then coating the exposed Nb/sub 3/Sn with high-purity copper by EB evaporation. Several meters of high quality Nb/sub 3/Sn tapes were produced by the rolled-bronze process. Even when the tapes were stabilized with copper, the losses were as low as 1.8 ..mu..W/cm/sup 2/ at 4.2 K and a surface current density of 500 rms A/cm. Despite early curtailment of the effort on the EB bronze-deposition process, short samples of Nb/sub 3/Sn tapes were produced.

A prototype superconducting cavity for TRISTAN

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Furuya, T.; Hara, K.; Hosoyama, K.

1987-01-01

Following the feasibility study on the 3-cell superconducting cavity in the TRISTAN Accumulation Ring (TAR), a 5-cell 508 MHz Nb cavity was constructed and tested in the TAR. The cavity was equipped with a RF input coupler on a beam pipe, two HOM couplers on the other beam pipe and two additional HOM couplers on the equator of an end cell. The maximum accelerating field (Eaxx) was 4.5 MV/m with a Q value of about 1x10 9 at 4.2 deg K. The field was limited by the electron field emission and neither electron multipacting nor breakdown caused by couplers was observed. Damping of the HOM was sufficient and the input coupler was tested up to 82 KW in total reflection. A frequency tuning system consisted of two piezo electric and mechanical tuners. The piezo tuner was fast enough and the mechanical tuner covered wide range. In the beam test, the single bunch electron current of 29 mA was captured by the superconducting cavity alone and 13 mA was accelerated to 4.8 GeV. The maximum power transferred to the beam was 26 KW. The refrigeration system worked very stably

Comparing the thermal stability of NbTi and Nb3Sn wires

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Breschi, M; Trevisani, L; Bottura, L; Devred, A; Trillaud, F

2009-01-01

The investigation of quenching in low temperature superconducting wires is of great relevance for a proper design of superconductive cables and magnets. This paper reports the experimental results of a vast measurement campaign of quench induced by laser pulses on NbTi and Nb 3 Sn wires in pool boiling helium I. A comparison of the quench behavior of two typical NbTi and Nb 3 Sn wires is shown from different standpoints. Different qualitative behaviors of the voltage traces recorded during quenches and recoveries on NbTi and Nb 3 Sn wires are reported and analyzed. It is shown that the Nb 3 Sn wire exhibits a quench or no-quench behavior, whereas quenches and recoveries are exhibited by the NbTi wire. The two wires are also compared by considering the behaviors of the two main parameters describing quench, i.e. quench energies and quench velocities, with respect to operating current, pulse duration, and magnetic field. It is shown that the Nb 3 Sn wire exhibits a 'kink' of the quench energy versus current curve that makes the quench energy of Nb 3 Sn lower than that of NbTi at some intermediate current levels. Both the qualitative differences of the voltage traces and the different behaviors of quench energies and velocities are interpreted through a coupled electromagnetic-thermal model, with special emphasis on the detailed description of heat exchange with liquid helium.

Superconducting properties and uniaxial strain characteristics of Nb3Sn fiber-reinforced superconductors with tantalum reinforcement fibers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Arai, Kazuaki; Umeda, Masaichi; Agatsuma, Koh; Tateishi, Hiroshi

1998-01-01

We have been developing fiber-reinforced superconductors (FRS) for high-field and large-scale magnets. Tungsten fibers have been selected as the reinforcement fiber for FRS so far because tungsten has the highest elastic modulus of approximately 400 GPa which can minimize the strain from electromagnetic force. The preparation process of FRS consists of sputtering deposition and heat treatment because it may be difficult to apply drawing methods to materials of high-elastic modulus such as tungsten. Tantalum has high elastic modulus of 178 GPa and its thermal expansion coefficient that is closer to that of Nb 3 Sn than tungsten's, which means prestrain in Nb 3 Sn in FRS is reduced by adopting tantalum fibers. Tantalum has been used as barriers between bronze and copper in conventional Nb 3 Sn superconductors which are usually prepared with drawing process despite of the tantalum's high elastic modulus. That implies drawing process may be applied to prepare FRS with tantalum reinforcement fibers. In this paper, FRS using tantalum fibers prepared with sputtering process are described with making comparison with FRS of tungsten to clarify the basic properties of FRS using tantalum fibers. Depth profiles in Nb 3 Sn layer in FRS were measured to examine reaction between superconducting layers and reinforcement fibers. Superconducting properties including strain and stress characteristics were shown. Those data will contribute to design of FRS using tantalum reinforcement fibers with adopts the drawing processes. (author)

Tensile Strain Dependence of Critical Current for RHQ-Nb3Al Wires

OpenAIRE

Jin, Xinzhe; Oguro, Hidetoshi; Nakamoto, Tatsushi; Awaji, Satoshi; Ogitsu, Toru; Tsuchiya, Kiyosumi; Yamamoto, Akira; Kikuchi, Akihiro; Takeuchi, Takao

2011-01-01

KEK and NIMS have been jointly developing Nb3Al superconducting wire with a rapid heating and quenching (RHQ) method towards high field accelerator magnets in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) luminosity upgrade. A15-type superconductors such as Nb3Al and Nb3Sn exhibit strain dependence with respect to their critical currents. Therefore, a thorough understanding of strain behavior is necessary for high field accelerator magnet development, which will be critical for the luminosity upgrade of th...

Quantum and superconducting fluctuations effects in disordered Nb 1- xTa x thin films above Tc

Science.gov (United States)

Giannouri, M.; Papastaikoudis, C.

1999-05-01

Disordered Nb 1- xTa x thin films are prepared with e-gun coevaporation. The influence of the β-phase of tantalum in the critical temperature Tc is observed as a function of the substrate temperature. The measurements of transverse magnetoresistance at various isothermals are interpreted in terms of weak-localization and superconducting fluctuations. From the fitting procedure, the phase breaking rate τφ-1 and the Larkin parameter βL are estimated as a function of temperature. Conclusions about the dominant inelastic scattering mechanisms at various temperature regions as well as for the dominant mechanism of superconducting fluctuations near the transition temperature are extracted.

Surface Characterization of Nb Samples Electro-polished Together With Real Superconducting Radio-frequency Accelerator Cavities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhao, Xin; Geng, Rong-Li; Tyagi, P.V.; Hayano, Hitoshi; Kato, Shigeki; Nishiwaki, Michiru; Saeki, Takayuki; Sawabe, Motoaki

2010-01-01

We report the results of surface characterizations of niobium (Nb) samples electropolished together with a single cell superconducting radio-frequency accelerator cavity. These witness samples were located in three regions of the cavity, namely at the equator, the iris and the beam-pipe. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) was utilized to probe the chemical composition of the topmost four atomic layers. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray for elemental analysis (SEM/EDX) was used to observe the surface topography and chemical composition at the micrometer scale. A few atomic layers of sulfur (S) were found covering the samples non-uniformly. Niobium oxide granules with a sharp geometry were observed on every sample. Some Nb-O granules appeared to also contain sulfur.

Improvements in or relating to superconducting members and methods of manufacture thereof

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Madson, P.E.; Charlesworth, J.P.; Armstrong, D.

1975-01-01

Reference is made to superconducting materials having comparatively high critical temperatures and critical magnetic fields. Such materials include compounds of A15 crystal structure having the general formula A 3 B, where A is Nb or V and B is one or more of the elements Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge and Sn. A method for manufacturing such materials is described in BP 1 333 554. The present specification is concerned with 'stabilisation' of materials manufactured by the method described in the earlier specification. By 'stabilization' is here meant prrevention or reduction of the undesirable effects of sudden movement of magnetic flux, known as 'flux jumps'. Two methods of stabilization are combined in the same material, known respectively as 'filamentary stabilization', in which the superconducting material is present in the form of fine filaments in a normally conducting matrix, and 'dynamic stabilization', in which a proportion of the normally conducting matrix material takes the form of a material of high electrical conductivity, such as pure Cu. (G.B.)

Designing of superconducting magnet for clinical MRI

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kar, Soumen; Choudhury, A.; Sharma, R.G.; Datta, T.S.

2015-01-01

Superconducting technology of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner is closely guarded technology as it has huge commercial application for clinical diagnostics. This is a rapidly evolving technology which requires innovative design of magnetic and cryogenic system. A project on the indigenous development of 1.5 T (B_0) MRI scanner has been initiated by SAMEER, Mumbai funded by DeitY, Gov. of India. IUAC is the collaborating institute for designing and developing the superconducting magnets and the cryostat for 1.5 T MRI scanner. The superconducting magnet is heart of the present day MRI system. The performance of the magnet has the highest impact on the overall image quality of the scanner. The stringent requirement of the spatial homogeneity (few parts per million within 50 cm diametrical spherical volume), the temporal stability (0.1 ppm/hr.) of the superconducting magnet and the safety standard (5 G in 5 m x 3 m ellipsoidal space) makes the designing of the superconducting magnet more complex. MRI consists of set of main coils and shielding coils. The large ratio between the diameter and the winding length of each coil makes the B_p_e_a_k/B_0 ratio much higher, which makes complexity in selecting the load line of the magnet. Superconducting magnets will be made of NbTi wire-in-channel (WIC) conductor with high copper to superconducting (NbTi) ratio. Multi-coil configuration on multi-bobbin architecture is though is cost effective but poses complexity in the mechanical integration to achieve desired homogeneity. Some of the major sources of inhomogeneities, in a multi-bobbin configuration, are the imperfect axial positioning and angular shift. We have simulated several factors which causes the homogeneity in six (main) coils configuration for a 1.5 T MRI magnet. Differential thermal shrinkage between the bobbin and superconducting winding is also a major source of inhomogeneity in a MRI magnet. This paper briefly present the different designing aspects of the

Once upon a time, there was a brittle but superconducting niobium-tin…

CERN Multimedia

Stefania Pandolfi

2016-01-01

The production of the new niobium-tin cables for the high-performance superconducting magnets of the HL-LHC is now in full swing at CERN.   The Rutherford cabling machine is operating in the superconducting laboratory, in Building 163. (Photo: Max Brice/CERN) Extraordinary research needs extraordinary machines: the upgrade project of the LHC, the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC), has the goal of achieving instantaneous luminosities a factor of five larger than the LHC nominal value, and it relies on magnetic fields reaching the level of 12 Tesla. The superconducting niobium-titanium (Nb-Ti) used in the LHC magnets can only bear magnetic fields of up to 9-10 Tesla. Therefore, an alternative solution for the superconducting magnets materials was needed. The key innovative technology to develop superconducting magnets beyond 10 Tesla has been found in the niobium-tin (Nb3Sn)  compound. This compound was actually discovered in 1954, eight years before Nb-Ti, but when the LHC was built, ...

Superconductivity in dense Mg1–xMxB2 (M= Zr, Nb, Mo; x= 0⋅ 05 ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Home; Journals; Bulletin of Materials Science; Volume 28; Issue 3. Superconductivity in dense Mg1–MB2 (M = Zr, Nb, Mo; = 0.05) materials sintered under pressure. S Kalavathi C Divakar. Superconductors Volume 28 Issue 3 June 2005 pp 249-252 ...

Thermal properties of a large-bore cryocooled 10 T superconducting magnet for a hybrid magnet

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ishizuka, M.; Hamajima, T.; Itou, T.; Sakuraba, J.; Nishijima, G.; Awaji, S.; Watanabe, K.

2010-01-01

A cryocooled 10 T superconducting magnet with a 360 mm room temperature bore has been developed for a hybrid magnet. The superconducting magnet cooled by four Gifford-McMahon cryocoolers has been designed to generate a magnetic field of 10 T. Since superconducting wires composed of coils were subjected to large hoop stress over 150 MPa and Nb 3 Sn superconducting wires particularly showed a low mechanical strength due to those brittle property, Nb 3 Sn wires strengthened by NbTi-filaments were developed for the cryocooled superconducting magnet. We have already reported that the hybrid magnet could generate the resultant magnetic field of 27.5 T by adding 8.5 T from the superconducting magnet and 19 T from a water-cooled Bitter resistive magnet, after the water-cooled resistive magnet was inserted into the 360 mm room temperature bore of the cryocooled superconducting magnet. When the hybrid magnet generated the field of 27.5 T, it achieved the high magnetic-force field (B x ∂Bz/∂z) of 4500 T 2 /m, which was useful for magneto-science in high fields such as materials levitation research. In this paper, we particularly focus on the cause that the cryocooled superconducting magnet was limited to generate the designed magnetic field of 10 T in the hybrid magnet operation. As a result, it was found that there existed mainly two causes as the limitation of the magnetic field generation. One was a decrease of thermal conductive passes due to exfoliation from the coil bobbin of the cooling flange. The other was large AC loss due to both a thick Nb 3 Sn layer and its large diameter formed on Nb-barrier component in Nb 3 Sn wires.

Probability of ternary fission of 93Nb andnat Ag nuclei induced by 0.8-1.8 GeV photons

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lima, D.A. de; Milomen, W.C.C.; Tavares, O.A.P.

1989-01-01

The yields of ternary fission of 93 Nb and nat Ag nuclei induced by bremsstrahlung photons of 0.8, 1.0, 1.4 and 1.8 GeV end-point energies have been measured by using the 2 Π-forward geometry with thick target metal foils in contact with makrofol polycarbonate sheets as fission-track detectors. Absolute mean cross sections per photon in the range 0.8-1.8 GeV have been obtained as 0.3 ± 0.3 μb and 0.5 ± μb, respectively, for 93 Nb and nat Ag nuclei. These correspond to a probability of ternary fission of approx. 10 -5 for both nuclei. Results are discussed and compared with previous ternary fission data obtained for nuclei of A [pt

Pulse measurement of the hot spot current in a NbTiN superconducting filament

Science.gov (United States)

Harrabi, K.; Mekki, A.; Kunwar, S.; Maneval, J. P.

2018-02-01

We have studied the voltage response of superconducting NbTiN filaments to a step-pulse of over-critical current I > Ic. The current induces the destruction of the Cooper pairs and initiates different mechanisms of dissipation depending on the bath temperature T. For the sample investigated, and for T above a certain T*, not far from Tc, the resistance manifests itself in the form of a phase-slip center, which turns into a normal hot spot (HS) as the step-pulse is given larger amplitudes. However, at all temperatures below T*, the destruction of superconductivity still occurs at Ic(T), but leads directly to an ever-growing HS. By lowering the current amplitude during the pulse, one can produce a steady HS and thus define a threshold HS current Ih(T). That is achieved by combining two levels of current, the first and larger one to initiate an HS, the second one to search for constant voltage response. The double diagram of the functions Ic(T) and Ih(T) was plotted in the T-range Tc/2 < T < Tc, and their crossing found at T* = (8.07 ± 0.07) K.

Characterization of Nb Superconducting Radio Frequency Cavities Based On In-Situ STEM And EELS

Science.gov (United States)

Tao, Runzhe

Niobium, a 4d transition metal, has the highest superconducting transition temperature (Tc=9.2K) of any elemental superconductor as type II superconductor with coherent length, sigma approximately that of the penetration length, lambda. Pure niobium is grey in color and very soft, which makes this metal easily fabricable into different shapes for superconducting radio- frequency (SRF) cavities. Such cavities are used in some modern accelerators (SNS, CEBAF, XFEL), and are intended for usage in the next generation of particle accelerators, such as ILC. Since the crucial part of the cavities is top 100 nm of Nb near the inner cavity surface, considering the penetration depth is around 40 nm, it has attracted more and more attention in improving the surface process for optimizing the performance of the cavities. Nowadays, the main treatment of the Nb surface includes electro polishing (EP), buffered chemical polishing (BCP), high temperature baking (800 °C, 1000 °C and 1200 °C) and mild baking (120 °C). Firstly, the two half cells are welded together and the weld line is quite rough; there exists a lot of visible pits and defects on the inner shell of cavities. In this Ph.D. thesis, novel techniques in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) that can be used to analyze the atomic scale structure-property relationship, both at room tem- perature and high/LN 2 temperature, are explored. Specifically, by using correlated Z-contrast imaging and electron energy loss spectrum (EELS), the structure, composition and bonding can be characterized directly on the atomic scale, also, light atoms, like H, O and C, are visible in ABF images. For the examining the defect behavior on the cavity surface, heating and cold stages are involved to simulate the baking treatment and low-temperature environments. These studies will serve as an important reference for qualifying different surface treatments to further improve SRF cavities' performance. The experimental results

Magnetization, Low Field Instability and Quench of RHQT Nb(3)Al Strands

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yamada, R.; Wake, M.; Kikuchi, A.; Velev, V.; /Fermilab

2009-01-01

Since 2005, we made and tested three RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al strands, one with Nb matrix and two with Ta matrix, which are fully stabilized with Cu electroplating. We observed anomalously large magnetization curves extending beyond 1 to 1.5 Tesla with the F1 Nb matrix strand at 4.2 K, when we measured its magnetization with a balanced coil magnetometer. This problem was eliminated with the Ta matrix strands operating at 4.2 K. But with these strands a similar but smaller anomalous magnetization was observed at 1.9 K. We studied these phenomena with FEM. With the F1 Nb matrix strand, it is explained that at low external field, inter-filamentary coupling currents in the outer layers of sub-elements create a shielding effect. It reduces the inside field, keeps the inside Nb matrix superconductive, and stands against a higher outside field beyond the Hc of Nb. At an even higher external field, the superconductivity of the whole Nb matrix collapses and releases a large amount of energy, which may cause a big quench. Depending on the size of the energy in the strand or the cable, a magnet could quench, causing the low field instability. Some attempt to analyze the anomaly with FEM is presented.

Observing the Bose-condensation of Cooper's pairs in superconductors on the isotope 73(73Ge)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nemov, S.A.; Seregin, P.P.; Khujakulov, E.S.; Turaev, N.Yu.

2007-01-01

Using the emission Moessbauer spectroscopy method on the isotope 73 ( 73 Ge) it has been established that the superconducting transition in the solid solutions (Pb 1-x Sn x ) 1-z In z Te and superconductor Nb 3 Al leads to the change of the electron density in the metal sites, while in the anion sites no change in the electronic density has been observed. (author)

Characterization of the critical current and physical properties of superconducting epitaxial NbTiN sub-micron structures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Klimov, A., E-mail: aklimov@ite.waw.pl [Institute of Electron Technology, Al. Lotników 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw (Poland); Słysz, W.; Guziewicz, M. [Institute of Electron Technology, Al. Lotników 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw (Poland); Kolkovsky, V.; Zaytseva, I.; Malinowski, A. [Institute of Physics Polish Academy of Science, Al. Lotników 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw (Poland)

2017-05-15

Highlights: • This manuscript presents investigation of the critical current dependence of Nb(Ti)N nanostructured superconducting single photon detectors (SNSPD) in function of temperature and applied magnetic field. • Presented results are complimentary and compared with the same data received for submicron-wide single bridge Nb(Ti)N structures. • Our data demonstrate significant influence of local constrictions on physical properties of our SNSPD detectors. - Abstract: Measurements of critical current in NbTiN as a function of applied magnetic field and temperature are reported for two samples: 700-nm-wide bridge and 100-nm-wide meander. In 700-nm-wide NbTiN bridge we pinpointed the limiting factors for the critical current density to be current-driven vortex de-pinning at low temperatures and thermally activated flux flow closer to the transition temperature. In 100-nm-wide NbTiN meander we found phase slips activation, accompanied by hotspots formation at all measured temperatures. These two types of structures demonstrate different dependence of the critical current on the applied magnetic field. Although our NbTiN meander structures has high de-pairing critical current densities ∼10{sup 7} A/cm{sup 2} at low temperatures, the real critical currents are smaller due to the presence of the local constrictions.

Crystal growth of YFe{sub 2}Ge{sub 2} and the dependence of its superconducting properties on sample preparation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chen, Jiasheng; Semeniuk, Konstantin; Reiss, Pascal; Brown, Philip; Grosche, Malte [Cavendish Lab., Cambridge (United Kingdom); Feng, Zhuo [London Centre of Nanotechnology, UCL, London (United Kingdom); Lampronti, Giulio [Cambridge Univ., Dept. of Earth Sciences, Cambridge (United Kingdom)

2016-07-01

The d-electron system YFe{sub 2}Ge{sub 2} exhibits an unusually high Sommerfeld ratio of specific heat capacity of C/T ∝ 100 mJ/(molK{sup 2}), signaling strong electronic correlations. Evidence of superconductivity has been reported in polycrystals and in flux-grown single crystals with residual resistance ratios (RRR) of the order of 50, but these samples show no thermodynamic signatures of a bulk superconducting transition. We find that by combining (i) a prereaction of YFe{sub 2}, (ii) careful control of nominal composition, and (iii) subsequent annealing procedures, the polycrystalline YFe{sub 2}Ge{sub 2} samples grown using a radio-frequency (RF) induction furnace can reach RRR values ∝ 200 with resistive superconducting transitions temperatures of around 1.85 K. This new generation of sample displays clear heat capacity anomalies as well as nearly 100% diamagnetic screening, confirming the bulk nature of its superconductivity. We present details of the sample preparation and characterization and discuss the correlation between nominal composition and superconductivity.

Miniature scanning electron microscope for investigation of the interior surface of a superconducting Nb radiofrequency accelerating cavity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mathewson, A.G.; Grillot, A.

1982-01-01

A miniature scanning electron microscope with an electron beam diameter approx.1 μm has been constructed for high resolution examination at room temperature of the interior surface of a superconducting Nb radiofrequency accelerating cavity. Various objects and surface structures were observed, some of which could be correlated with lossy regions or ''hot spots'' detected previously on the outside surface during cavity operation at < or =4.2 K by a chain of carbon resistors. No internal surface features were observed which could conclusively be correlated with field emitting electron sources

Complete Fabrication of a Traversable 3 µm Thick NbN Film Superconducting Coil with Cu plated layer of 42m in Length in a Spiral Three-Storied Trench Engraved in a Si Wafer of 76.2 mm in Diameter Formed by MEMS Technology for a Compact SMES with High Energy Storage Volume Density

Science.gov (United States)

Suzuki, Yasuhiro; Iguchi, Nobuhiro; Adachi, Kazuhiro; Ichiki, Akihisa; Hioki, Tatsumi; Hsu, Che-Wei; Sato, Ryoto; Kumagai, Shinya; Sasaki, Minoru; Noh, Joo-Hyong; Sakurahara, Yuuske; Okabe, Kyohei; Takai, Osamu; Honma, Hideo; Watanabe, Hideo; Sakoda, Hitoshi; Sasagawa, Hiroaki; Doy, Hideyuki; Zhou, Shuliang; Hori, H.; Nishikawa, Shigeaki; Nozaki, Toshihiro; Sugimoto, Noriaki; Motohiro, Tomoyoshi

2017-09-01

Based on the concept of a novel approach to make a compact SMES unit composed of a stack of Si wafers using MEMS process proposed previously, a complete fabrication of a traversable 3 µam thick NbN film superconducting coil lined with Cu plated layer of 42m in length in a spiral three-storied trench engraved in and extended over a whole Si-wafer of 76.2 mm in diameter was attained for the first time. With decrease in temperature, the DC resistivity showed a metallic decrease indicating the current pass was in the Cu plated layer and then made a sudden fall to residual contact resistance indicating the shift of current pass from the Cu plated layer to the NbN film at the critical temperature Tc of 15.5K by superconducting transition. The temperature dependence of I-V curve showed the increase in the critical current with decrease in the temperature and the highest critical current measured was 220 mA at 4K which is five times as large as that obtained in the test fabrication as the experimental proof of concept presented in the previous report. This completion of a one wafer superconducting NbN coil is an indispensable step for the next proof of concept of fabrication of series-connected two wafer coils via superconductive joint which will read to series connected 600 wafer coils finally, and for replacement of NbN by high Tc superconductor such as YBa2Cu3O7-x for operation under the cold energy of liquid hydrogen or liquid nitrogen.

Type II superconductivity in SrPd2Ge2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Samuely, T; Szabó, P; Pribulová, Z; Samuely, P; Sung, N H; Cho, B K; Klein, T; Cambel, V; Rodrigo, J G

2013-01-01

Previous investigations have shown that SrPd 2 Ge 2 , a compound isostructural with ‘122’ iron pnictides but iron and pnictogen free, is a conventional superconductor with a single s-wave energy gap and a strongly three-dimensional electronic structure. In this work we reveal the Abrikosov vortex lattice formed in SrPd 2 Ge 2 when exposed to magnetic field by means of scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. Moreover, by examining the differential conductance spectra across a vortex and estimating the upper and lower critical magnetic fields by tunneling spectroscopy and local magnetization measurements, we show that SrPd 2 Ge 2 is a strong type II superconductor with κ ≫ 2 −1/2 . Also, we compare the differential conductance spectra in various magnetic fields to the pair-breaking model of Maki and de Gennes for a dirty limit type II superconductor in the gapless region. This way we demonstrate that the type II superconductivity is induced by the sample being in the dirty limit, while in the clean limit it would be a type I superconductor with κ ≪ 2 −1/2 , in concordance with our previous study (Kim et al (2012) Phys. Rev. B 85 014520). (paper)

Fluctuations and dark count rates in superconducting NbN single-photon detectors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Engel, Andreas; Semenov, Alexei; Huebers, Heinz-Wilhelm; Il'in, Kostya; Siegel, Michael

2005-01-01

We measured the temperature- and current-dependence of dark count rates of a superconducting singlephoton detector. The detector's key element is a 84 nm wide meander strip line fabricated from a 5 nm thick NbN film. Due to its reduced dimensions various types of fluctuations can cause temporal and localized transitions into a resistive state leading to dark count events. Adopting a recent refinement of the hotspot model we achieve a satisfying description of the experimental dark count rates taking into account fluctuations of the Cooper-pair density and current-assisted unbinding of vortex-antivortex pairs. (copyright 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

Discovery of an internal-friction peak in the metallic glass Nb3Ge

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Berry, B.S.; Pritchet, W.C.; Tsuei, C.C.

1978-01-01

A well-defined internal-friction peak has been observed near 260 K in amorphous rf-sputtered films of Nb 3 Ge, studied at audio frequencies by a vibrating-reed technique. The characteristics of the peak are consistent with a stress-induced ordering mechanism involving a presently unidentified center which undergoes reorientation by an atomic jump with a sharply defined activation energy of 0.52 eV. The peak appears to be the first example of its type found in a metallic glass

A Conduction-Cooled Superconducting Magnet System-Design, Fabrication and Thermal Tests

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Song, Xiaowei (Andy); Holbøll, Joachim; Wang, Qiuliang

2015-01-01

A conduction-cooled superconducting magnet system with an operating current of 105.5 A was designed, fabricated and tested for material processing applications. The magnet consists of two coaxial NbTi solenoid coils with an identical vertical height of 300 mm and is installed in a high-vacuumed c......A conduction-cooled superconducting magnet system with an operating current of 105.5 A was designed, fabricated and tested for material processing applications. The magnet consists of two coaxial NbTi solenoid coils with an identical vertical height of 300 mm and is installed in a high......-vacuumed cryostat. A two-stage GM cryocooler with a cooling power of 1.5 W at 4.2 K in the second stage is used to cool the system from room temperature to 4.2 K. In this paper, the detailed design, fabrication, thermal analysis and tests of the system are presented....

Electric resistivity and thermoelectricity of Ni-Nb-Zr and Ni-Nb-Zr-H glassy alloys

Science.gov (United States)

Fukuhara, Mikio; Inoue, Akihisa

2010-09-01

Electric resistivity ρ and thermoelectric power S of Ni 36Nb 24Zr 40 and (Ni 0.36Nb 0.24Zr 0.4) 90H 10 glassy alloys were investigated in temperature region between 1.5 and 300 K. After resistivity curves of both alloys increase gradually with decreasing temperature down to around 6 K, they dropped suddenly and then reached zero resistivity at 2.1 K, leading to superconductivity. Linear curve with negative TCR of ρ vs T2 and slight increase of S/ T in temperature region down to around 6 K clearly reveal Fermi-liquid phenomenon in electronic state for both alloys independent of hydrogen content.

Electric resistivity and thermoelectricity of Ni-Nb-Zr and Ni-Nb-Zr-H glassy alloys

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fukuhara, Mikio; Inoue, Akihisa

2010-01-01

Electric resistivity ρ and thermoelectric power S of Ni 36 Nb 24 Zr 40 and (Ni 0.36 Nb 0.24 Zr 0.4 ) 90 H 10 glassy alloys were investigated in temperature region between 1.5 and 300 K. After resistivity curves of both alloys increase gradually with decreasing temperature down to around 6 K, they dropped suddenly and then reached zero resistivity at 2.1 K, leading to superconductivity. Linear curve with negative TCR of ρ vs T 2 and slight increase of S/T in temperature region down to around 6 K clearly reveal Fermi-liquid phenomenon in electronic state for both alloys independent of hydrogen content.

Study of thermal response of superconducting NbN meander line by using 20 ps pulse laser

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Miki, Shigehito; Fujiwara, Daisuke; Simakage, Hisashi; Kawakami, Akira; Wang Zhen; Satoh, Kazuo; Yotsuya, Tsutomu; Ishida, Takekazu

2005-01-01

The thermal response of a superconducting NbN thin-film meander line was studied by irradiating with a 20 ps pulse laser. A 10 nm-thick NbN thin film was prepared by dc magnetron sputtering and then processed to fabricate a 3 μm-wide, 125.5 mm-long meander line. The device was placed in a 4 K refrigerator, and the bias temperature was kept below the critical temperature T c . The end of an optical fiber was fixed at the front of a meander line, which was then directly irradiated by using the 20 ps pulse laser. The output voltage was observed with a digital oscilloscope and a low-noise amplifier. The output signals of the thermal response were clearly observed

A search for superconductivity below 1 K in transition metal borides

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Leyarovska, L.; Leyarovski, E.

1979-01-01

Some AlB 2 -type (C32 structure) boron compounds were examined for superconductivity down to 0.42 K; the compounds have the formula MeB 2 (Me equivalent to Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo) (the atomic ratio of metal to boron was 0.5). Only NbB 2 was found to be superconducting with Tsub(c) = 0.62 K and a surprisingly high value of Hsub(c)(0), about 1600 Oe. Other transition metal as well as non-transition metal boron phases were also tested for superconductivity down to 0.42 K; these compounds were MeB 2 (Me equivalent to Ca, Sr, Ba), W 2 B 5 , CrB, Cr 5 B 3 , UB 2 , UB 4 and UB 12 . None of these compounds proved to be superconducting above 0.42 K; nor was any trace of superconductivity down to 0.42 K observed in MoB and NbB. (Auth.)

Comparative cost study of the processes for producing niobium--tin (Nb3Sn) superconducting tapes for their application to power transmission lines. Final report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1976-10-01

This report considers the manufacture of superconducting Nb 3 Sn tapes for ac superconducting transmission cables. The 14 product examples studied are produced by processes involving solid-state diffusion of Sn and Nb and/or physical vapor deposition. Production of 80,000 km per year is assumed, sufficient for 100 km of 3 phase ac line. Results are summarized in a table entitled ''Variants of 6 mm wide Nb 3 Sn Superconducting Tapes with Economics of Manufacture.'' The table identifies the 14 product examples by method of manufacture; by the composition of the layers integrated into the tape; and by the final thickness of Nb used in 12 of the product examples. The estimated fixed capital for plant is listed for each product example together with the estimated costs of manufacture in cents per meter of tape. The total manufacturing cost given is the sum of the costs of raw materials, operating labor, depreciation and other overhead. The depreciation is calculated on a 10 year straight line basis. Stainless steel strip (304L) is used in 6 of the product examples. The final line in the table shows the ''selling price'' which will earn the equivalent of 20 percent p.a. on the total capital, fixed and working, employed at any time during an eleven-year plant life where depreciation is sum of year digits for a 10 year period, investment credit is 10 percent, and income tax is 48 percent. 13 tables, 21 figures

Effect of the critical current density and the junction size on the leakage current of Nb/Al-AlOx/Nb superconducting tunnel junctions for radiation detection

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Joosse, K.; Nakagawa, Hiroshi; Akoh, Hiroshi; Takada, Susumu; Maehata, Keisuke; Ishibashi, Kenji.

1996-01-01

Nb/Al-AlO x /Nb superconducting tunnel junctions (STJ's) designed for X-ray detection have been fabricated. The behavior of the low-temperature subgap leakage current, which severely limits the energy resolution obtained in such devices, is investigated. From trends in the dependence of the leakage currents on the critical current density and the size of the STJ, as well as from the low-temperature current-voltage characteristics, and an analysis of the base electrode surface morphology, it is concluded that physical defects in the barrier region are the most probable cause of the leakage currents. Suggestions are given for optimization of the device processing. (author)

Microstructure and properties of A15 superconductors formed by direct precipitation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hong, M.; Dietderich, D.R.; Wu, I.W.; Morris, J.W. Jr.

1980-09-01

Superconducting materials were made by quenching supersaturated solutions of V-Ga and Nb-Al, deforming the quenched specimens, and then precipitating the A15 phase by aging at intermediate temperature. The critical current characteristics of the product materials depend both on the inherent properties of the A15 phase, which presumably reflect its composition, and on the details of the precipitation process, which determine the grain size, continuity, and volume fraction of the A15. These features of the precipitation process differ qualitatively between V-Ga and Nb-Al. They are described and used to interpret the critical current characteristics

Pressure-induced superconductivity of Ce{sub 2}Ni{sub 3}Ge{sub 5}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nakashima, M. [Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043 (Japan) and Research Center for Materials Science at Extreme Conditions, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531 (Japan)]. E-mail: mnaka@crystal.phys.sci.osaka-u.ac.jp; Kohara, H. [Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043 (Japan); Thamizhavel, A. [Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043 (Japan); Matsuda, T.D. [Advanced Science and Industrial Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Tokai, Ibaraki, 319-1195 (Japan); Haga, Y. [Advanced Science and Industrial Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Tokai, Ibaraki, 319-1195 (Japan); Hedo, M. [Institute for Solid State Physics, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581 (Japan); Uwatoko, Y. [Institute for Solid State Physics, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581 (Japan); Settai, R. [Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043 (Japan); Onuki, Y. [Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043 (Japan)

2006-05-01

The Neel temperature of Ce{sub 2}Ni{sub 3}Ge{sub 5} decreases with increasing pressure P and becomes zero at a critical pressure P{sub c}{approx}4GPa. The heavy fermion state was found to be formed around P{sub c}, in which pressure region superconductivity was found below 0.26K.

New ternary superconducting germanides

Science.gov (United States)

Moschalkov, V. V.; Muttik, I. G.; Samarin, N. A.; Seropegin, Yu. D.; Rudometkina, M. V.

1991-12-01

We have studied the structure, electrical and magnetic properties of new ternary compounds with germanium and transition metals of IV and V groups (Ti 0.7V 0.3Ge 3, Hf 2V 3Ge, Zr 32-36V 32-36Ge 30-32, Hf 2Nb 3Ge 4, HfVGe, Zr 15-17V 39-40Ge 44-45, Hf 10.8-21.7V 36.0-42.8). The homogeneity fields for all new phases are determined. Resistivity (T) and magnetic susceptibility χ(T) are investigated at T=4.2…300 K. Two new superconductors have been found - Zr 32-36V 32-36Ge 30-32 and HfVGe with T c=4.7 K and 5.7 K, respectively.

Specific heat of Nb{sub 3}Sn: The case for a single gap

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jo, Y. J., E-mail: jophy@knu.ac.kr [Department of Physics, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701 (Korea, Republic of); Zhou, Jian; Sung, Zu Hawn; Lee, Peter J.; Larbalestier, D. C. [National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32310 (United States)

2014-10-01

The important influence of multiple gaps in the superconductivity of MgB{sub 2} and Fe-based compounds, especially because of the possibility that manipulation of a second gap can significantly raise the upper critical field H{sub c2}, has refocused attention on Nb{sub 3}Sn because anomalies in both specific heat and point-contact tunneling studies have led to the proposal that Nb{sub 3}Sn is also a two-gap superconductor. Here, we search for evidence of the second gap in a careful study of the influence of the homogenization temperature on the sample uniformity. We show that it is very difficult to fabricate samples that are both homogeneous and stoichiometric. We find so-called “second-gap” anomalies disappear only after high temperature and long-term annealing. Such a well-annealed sample shows only a strong, electron-phonon-coupled, single-gap behavior. In contrast, samples reacted and annealed at lower temperatures, as in the earlier two-gap studies, show small chemical composition variations of the A15 phase. We propose that the second gap sightings are actually due to variation of T{sub c} within very difficult-to-fully homogenize samples. A curiosity of the A15 Nb{sub 3}Sn phase is that almost any mixture of Nb and Sn tries to form a stoichiometric A15 composition, but the residue of course contains off-stoichiometric A15, Nb, and other phases when the Nb:Sn ratio departs from the true 3:1 stoichiometry.

Anomalous spin distribution in the superconducting ferromagnet UCoGe studied by polarized neutron diffraction

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Prokeš, K.; de Visser, A.; Huang, Y.K.; Fåk, B.; Ressouche, E.

2010-01-01

We report a polarized neutron-diffraction study conducted to reveal the nature of the weak ferromagnetic moment in the superconducting ferromagnet UCoGe. We find that the ordered moment in the normal phase in low magnetic fields (B∥c) is predominantly located at the U atom and has a magnitude of

Amplitude distributions of dark counts and photon counts in NbN superconducting single-photon detectors integrated with the HEMT readout

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kitaygorsky, J. [Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft (Netherlands); Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627-0231 (United States); Słysz, W., E-mail: wslysz@ite.waw.pl [Institute of Electron Technology, PL-02 668 Warsaw (Poland); Shouten, R.; Dorenbos, S.; Reiger, E.; Zwiller, V. [Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft (Netherlands); Sobolewski, Roman [Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627-0231 (United States)

2017-01-15

Highlights: • A new operation regime of NbN superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs). • A better understanding of the origin of dark counts generated by the detector. • A promise of PNR functionality in SSPD measurements. - Abstract: We present a new operation regime of NbN superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) by integrating them with a low-noise cryogenic high-electron-mobility transistor and a high-load resistor. The integrated sensors are designed to get a better understanding of the origin of dark counts triggered by the detector, as our scheme allows us to distinguish the origin of dark pulses from the actual photon pulses in SSPDs. The presented approach is based on a statistical analysis of amplitude distributions of recorded trains of the SSPD photoresponse transients. It also enables to obtain information on energy of the incident photons, as well as demonstrates some photon-number-resolving capability of meander-type SSPDs.

Comparative Study of Heat Transfer from Nb-Ti and Nb$_3$Sn coils to He II

CERN Document Server

La China, M

2008-01-01

In superconducting magnets, the energy deposited or generated in the coil must be evacuated to prevent temperature rise and consequent transition of the superconductor to the resistive state. The main barrier to heat extraction is represented by the electric insulation wrapped around superconducting cables. In the LHC, insulation improvement is a key point in the development of interaction region magnets and injector chain fast-pulsed magnets for luminosity upgrade; the high heat load of these magnets, in fact, is not compatible with the use of current insulation schemes. We review the standard insulation schemes for Nb-Ti and Nb$_{3}$Sn technology from the thermal point of view. We implement, in an analytical model, the strongly nonlinear thermal resistances of the different coil components including the permeability to superfluid helium of Nb-Ti insulations, measured during the LHC main dipole development. We use such a model to compare Nb-Ti and Nb$_{3}$Sn technologies by taking into account their specific...

Study on niobium carbide dispersed superconducting tapes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wada, H; Tachikawa, K [National Research Inst. for Metals, Tokyo (Japan); Oh' asa, M [Science Univ. of Tokyo (Japan)

1977-11-01

Niobium carbide (NbC) dispersed superconducting tapes have been fabricated by two metallurgical processes. In the first process, Ni-Nb-C alloys are directly arc melted and hot worked in air and the NbC phase is distributed in the form of fine discrete particles. In the second process, Ni-Nb and Ni-Nb-Cu alloys are arc melted, hot worked and subjected to solid-state carburization. NbC then precipitates along the grain boundaries, forming a network. The highest superconducting transition temperature attained is about 11 K. Taken together with the lattice parameter measurement, this indicates that NbC with a nearly perfect NaCl structure is formed in both processes. Measured values of the upper critical field, the critical current density and the volume fraction of the NbC phase are also discussed.

Fission of Al, Ti, Co, Zr, Nb, Ag, In, Nd, Sm, and Ta nuclei induced by 0.8-1.8 GeV photons

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lima, D.A. de; Martins, J.B.; Tavares, O.A.P.

1989-01-01

Samples of Al, Ti, Co, Zr, Nb, Ag, In, Nd, Sm, and Ta elements in contact with solid state nuclear track detectors were exposed to 0.8-1.8 GeV bremsstrahlung beams at the 2.5-GeV Electron Synchrotron of the Bonn University. The detectors were processed to produce visible fission tracks for track analysis with optical microscopes. Absolute mean cross section per photon and fissility were evaluated. Results are discussed and compared with other photofission data as well as with estimates from the current fission models. A broad minimum found for nuclear fissility of 10 -4 -10 -3 covering the range 15 approx Z 2 /A approx 25 seems to confirm the predictions from the models. For Al and Ti nuclei the probability of fission amounts to approx 10 -1 . (author) [pt

Recent development of the Cu/Nb-Ti superconducting cables for SSC in Hitachi Cable, Ltd

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sakai, S.; Iwaki, G.; Sawada, Y.; Moriai, H.; Ishigami, Y.

1989-01-01

In these few years, Cu/Nb-Ti superconducting cables for the dipole magnets of SSC projects have been developed in the industrial scale in Hitachi Cable, Ltd. The features of these developed conductors are as follows. (1) The diameter of Nb-Ti filaments is very small, 4-6 μm. (2) The critical current density (J c ) is very high, 2,850-3,050 A/mm 2 at 5 T on wires, 2750-2950 A/mm 2 at 5 T on cables in industrial scale. The champion J c of wires is 3,460 A/mm 2 at 5 T in the laboratory scale. (3) The RRR Residual Resistivity Ratio values of developed cables is very high, approximately 200, due to the newly developed high purity Oxygen Free Copper (OFC). (4) The conductors have been wound to the 1 m length dipole magnet in Hitachi Ltd., and it has generated 6.7 T in the central magnetic field at 6,595 A. The Cu/Cu-Mn/Nb-Ti composite wires which avoid the possibility of electrical coupling of the filaments have been produced in laboratory scale. The RRR of the copper stabilizer and J c properties have not degraded because of no metallurgical reactions between Cu and Mn, Nb-Ti and Mn. 7 refs., 9 figs., 4 tabs

Superconducting materials for particle accelerator magnets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Larbalestier, D.C.

1983-01-01

Present accelerator designs are clustered around a field of 5 Tesla with several future studies looking at the 8-to-10 Tesla range. There has also been some recent interest in low-field iron-dominated dipoles in which the superconductor will see a field of about 2 Tesla. The demands of this present range of interest can still be met, with the upper limit at about 10 Tesla, by the use of Nb-Ti (or Nb-Ti-Ta) or Nb 3 Sn. Both of these conductors are available in multifilamentary form from industrial sources and are suitable for accelerator magnets. The upper critical field and transition temperature of both types of composite cover the foreseeable range of demand for such magnets. There is no magical new composite on the horizon that is likely to replace Nb-Ti or Nb 3 Sn. One class of materials which has a potentially exciting prospect is that of the ternary molybdenum sulfides. These can have an upper critical field of greater than 50 T, which extends their superconductivity into field ranges unattainable with A15 compounds; the two drawbacks to such materials, however, are the amount of development needed to produce superconductors from them with useful current densities and the fact that it does not appear that they would offer any features not already possessed by Nb-Ti or Nb 3 Sn in the field range presently of interest to accelerator designers. Using this pragmatic approach, this paper addresses these and other superconducting composites in terms of their fabrication, their testing, the measurement aspects of their critical current densities, and other properties which are pertinent to their selection for particle accelerator magnet use

Fatigue-damage evolution and damage-induced reduction of critical current of a Nb3Al superconducting composite

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ochiai, S; Sekino, F; Sawada, T; Ohno, H; Hojo, M; Tanaka, M; Okuda, H; Koganeya, M; Hayashi, K; Yamada, Y; Ayai, N; Watanabe, K

2003-01-01

We have studied the fatigue-damage mechanism of a Nb 3 Al superconducting composite at room temperature, and the influences of the fatigue damages introduced at room temperature on the critical current at 4.2 K and the residual strength at room temperature. The main (largest) fatigue crack arose first in the clad copper and then extended into the inner core with an increasing number of stress cycles. The cracking of the Nb 3 Al filaments in the core region occurred at a late stage (around 60-90% of the fatigue life). Once the fracture of the core occurred, it extended very quickly, resulting in a quick reduction in critical current and the residual strength with increasing stress cycles. Such a behaviour was accounted for by the crack growth calculated from the S-N curves (the relation of the maximum stress to the number of stress cycles at failure) combined with the Paris law. The size and distribution of the subcracks along the specimen length, and therefore the reduction in critical current of the region apart from the main crack, were dependent on the maximum stress level. The large subcracks causing fracture of the Nb 3 Al filaments were formed when the maximum stress was around 300-460 MPa, resulting in large reduction in critical current, but not when the maximum stress was outside such a stress range

Direct observation of the growth of voids in multifilamentary superconducting materials via hot stage scanning electron microscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang, J.L.F.; Holthuis, J.T.; Pickus, M.R.; Lindberg, R.W.

1978-11-01

The need for large high field magnetic devices has focused attention on multifilamentary superconductors based on A15 compounds such as Nb 3 Sn. The commercial bronze process for fabricating multifilamentary superconducting Nb 3 Sn wires was developed. A major problem is strain sensitivity when long reaction times are employed. An improved hot stage for the scanning electron microscope was constructed to study the formation of the A15 phase by solid state diffusion. The nucleation and growth of voids near the interface of the A15 phase (Nb 3 Sn) and matrix were observed, monitored, and recorded on video tape. Successive layers of material heated in the hot stage were subsequently removed and the new surfaces were re-examined, using SEM-EDX and optical microscopy, to confirm the fact that the observed porosity was indeed a bulk rather than a surface phenomenon. These voids are considered to be a primary cause for degrading the mechanical, thermal and superconducting properties

Magnetic and Structural Design of a 15 T $Nb_3Sn$ Accelerator Depole Model

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kashikhin, V. V. [Fermilab; Andreev, N. [Fermilab; Barzi, E. [Fermilab; Novitski, I. [Fermilab; Zlobin, A. V. [Fermilab

2015-01-01

Hadron Colliders (HC) are the most powerful discovery tools in modern high energy physics. A 100 TeV scale HC with a nominal operation field of at least 15 T is being considered for the post-LHC era. The choice of a 15 T nominal field requires using the Nb3Sn technology. Practical demonstration of this field level in an accelerator-quality magnet and substantial reduction of the magnet costs are the key conditions for realization of such a machine. FNAL has started the development of a 15 T $Nb_{3}Sn$ dipole demonstrator for a 100 TeV scale HC. The magnet design is based on 4-layer shell type coils, graded between the inner and outer layers to maximize the performance. The experience gained during the 11-T dipole R&D campaign is applied to different aspects of the magnet design. This paper describes the magnetic and structural designs and parameters of the 15 T $Nb_3Sn$ dipole and the steps towards the demonstration model.

Analysis of Nb$_{3}$Sn Rutherford cable production and strand deformations

CERN Document Server

Peggiani, Sonia; Beghi, Marco

The development of cutting-edge 11-12 T superconducting magnets made from Nb$_{3}$Sn technology is one of the major milestones for the upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. The upgrade, called High Luminosity LHC Project, was planned in order to reach higher luminosity and discover new particles. Replacing the NbTi superconductor with the Nb$_{3}$Sn makes it possible to reach a practical operating magnetic field limit of up to 16 T. The superconducting coils are formed by Nb$_{3}$Sn Rutherford cables with a trapezoidal cross section and composed of 40 strands. Since the superconducting phase of Nb$_{3}$Sn is very brittle and it is reached after a thermal cycle, the Nb$_{3}$Sn Rutherford cable needs to be wound in a coil before the thermal treatment. The cabling process is a delicate step in the production of high performing cables that need different systems to control their quality. This work aims to provide practical tools to analyze the Nb$_{3}$Sn Rutherford cable production and the strands defo...

Development of large bore superconducting magnet for wastewater treatment application

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Liu, Hui Ming; Xu, Dong; Shen, Fuzhi; Zhang, Hengcheng; Li, Lafeng [State Key Laboratory of Technologies in Space Cryogenic Propellants, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing (China)

2017-03-15

Water issue, especially water pollution, is a serious issue of 21st century. Being an significant technique for securing water resources, superconducting magnetic separation wastewater system was indispensable. A large bore conduction-cooled magnet was custom-tailored for wastewater treatment. The superconducting magnet has been designed, fabricated and tested. The superconducting magnet was composed of NbTi solenoid coils with an effective horizontal warm bore of 400 mm and a maximum central field of 2.56T. The superconducting magnet system was cooled by a two-stage 1.5W 4K GM cryocooler. The NbTi solenoid coils were wound around an aluminum former that is thermally connected to the second stage cold head of the cryocooler through a conductive copper link. The temperature distribution along the conductive link was measured during the cool-down process as well as at steady state. The magnet was cooled down to 4.8K in approximately 65 hours. The test of the magnetic field and quench analysis has been performed to verify the safe operation for the magnet system. Experimental results show that the superconducting magnet reached the designed magnetic performance.

Ion implantation in superconducting niobium and Nb3 Sn thin films: adjustment of Josephson microbridges and SQUID devices

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Robic, J.Y.; Piaguet, J.; Duret, D.; Veler, J.C.; Veran, J.L.; Zenatti, D.

1978-01-01

The principles of operation of Josephson junctions and SQUIDS are resumed. An ion implantation technique for the adjustment of the critical current is presented. High quality superconducting thin films were obtained by electron gun evaporation of niobium on heated substrates. Polycrystalline Nb 3 Sn was made by annealing (1000 K, 10 -6 Torr) a multilayer structure of successively evaporated niobium and thin films. Selected ions (helium, neon, argon) were implanted at doses ranging from 10 13 to 10 17 cm -2 . After implantation the critical temperature, the critical current and the normal resistivity were measured on special photoetched geometries. The variations of these electrical properties depend on the nuclear energy loss. The critical temperature of Nb 3 Sn is decreased by ion implantation and can be increased again by a new annealing. The parameters of the ion implantation were defined in order to obtain a critical temperature slightly higher than the operating temperature. The geometries of the microbridges and the implanted areas where then chosen to obtain appropriate criticals currents (approximately 10 μA) at the operating temperature. The obtained microbridges were used as junction elements in superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID)

On friction of Nb-Nb pair in He1 and He2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zinenko, S.A.; Karapetyan, S.S.; Silin, A.A.

1990-01-01

Peculiarities of manifestation of the effect of anomalous friction of superconductors (AFS) in He1 and He2 are studied. Helium thermodynamic state effect on the character of friction interaction of Nb-Nb pair velocity and reduction ratio for friction coefficient is studied. The intensity of heat removal released from friction contact region is estimated, the necessary and sufficient conditions for AFC effect manifestation are ascertained using characteristic relaxation time concept. Dependences for Nb-Nb pair friction coefficient in a superconducting state on the time of friction interaction in gaseous helium, He1, He2 are presented

Superconductivity in U-T alloys (T = Mo, Pt, Pd, Nb, Zr stabilized in the cubic γ-U structure by splat-cooling technique

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

N.-T.H. Kim-Ngan

2016-06-01

Full Text Available We succeed to retain the high-temperature (cubic γ-U phase down to low temperatures in U-T alloys with less required T alloying concentration (T = Mo, Pt, Pd, Nb, Zr by means of splat-cooling technique with a cooling rate better than 106 K/s. All splat-cooled U-T alloys become superconducting with the critical temperature Tc in the range of 0.61 K–2.11 K. U-15 at.% Mo splat consisting of the γ-U phase with an ideal bcc A2 structure is a BCS superconductor having the highest critical temperature (2.11 K.

Nanolayers with advanced properties for superconducting nanoelectronics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Prepelita, A.; Zdravkov, V.; Morari, R.; Socrovisciuc, A.; Antropov, E.; Sidorenko, A.

2011-01-01

Full text: Elaborated advanced technology for superconducting spintronics - technological process, based on magnetron sputtering of the metallic films with non-metallic protective layers, yields significant improvement in superconducting properties of thin Nb films and Nb/CuNi nanostructures in comparison with common methods of films deposition. The developed advanced technological process is patented (Patent RM number 175 from 31.03.2010). First experimental observation of the double re-entrant superconductivity in superconductor/ ferromagnetic nanostructures (Nb/Cu 41 Ni 59 bilayers) in dependence on the thickness of the ferromagnetic layer (Published in : A.S. Sidorenko, V.I. Zdravkov, J. Kehrle, R.Morari, E.Antropov, G. Obermeier, S. Gsell, M. Schreck, C. Muller, V.V. Ryazanov, S. Horn, R. Tidecks, L.R. Tagirov. Extinction and recovery of superconductivity by interference in superconductor/ferromagnet bilayers. In: Nanoscale Phenomena . Fundamentals and Applications,Ed. by H.Hahn, A.Sidorenko, I.Tiginyanu, Springer, 2009 p.1-10. Perspectives of applications: design of a new generation of superconducting spintronic devices - high frequency operating superconducting spin-switch for telecommunication and computers. (author)

Characterization of Nb coating in HIE-ISOLDE QWR superconducting accelerating cavities by means of SEM-FIB and TEM

CERN Document Server

Bartova, Barbora; Taborelli, M; Aebersold, A B; Alexander, D T L; Cantoni, M; Calatroni, Sergio; CERN. Geneva. ATS Department

2015-01-01

The Quarter Wave Resonators (QWR) high-β cavities (0.3 m diameter and 0.9 m height) are made from OFE 3D-forged copper and are coated by DC-bias diode sputtering with a thin superconducting layer of niobium. The Nb film thickness, morphology, purity and quality are critical parameters for RF performances of the cavity. They have been investigated in a detailed material study.

Design of Nb$_{3}$Sn magnetic devices to study the superconductor degradation under variable mechanical load

CERN Document Server

Regis, Federico

2009-01-01

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is a two-ring, superconducting synchrotron accelerator and collider installed in a 27 km long tunnel aiming at the discovery of the Higgs particle and the study of rare events with center mass collision energies of up to 14 TeV. The number of collisions per unit of area and time in a collider are evaluated trough the Luminosity function. Inside the LHC, superconducting magnets aligned with a precision of a few tenths of millimeters are used to bend and focus the particle trajectories. The LHC can be considered as the state of the art for superconducting magnets using the Nb-Ti superconductor technology. Therefore, a higher luminosity and beam energy can be achieved in the LHC only by using a more performing superconductor, such as the Nb$_{3}$Sn. This is considered as the most suitable superconductor to be used in high field magnets, allowing peak field of the order of 15 T. Nevertheless, the critical current jc variations in a Nb$_{3}$Sn has been found as strongly dependent on...

Rotational Symmetry Breaking in a Trigonal Superconductor Nb-doped Bi_{2}Se_{3}

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tomoya Asaba

2017-01-01

Full Text Available The search for unconventional superconductivity has been focused on materials with strong spin-orbit coupling and unique crystal lattices. Doped bismuth selenide (Bi_{2}Se_{3} is a strong candidate, given the topological insulator nature of the parent compound and its triangular lattice. The coupling between the physical properties in the superconducting state and its underlying crystal symmetry is a crucial test for unconventional superconductivity. In this paper, we report direct evidence that the superconducting magnetic response couples strongly to the underlying trigonal crystal symmetry in the recently discovered superconductor with trigonal crystal structure, niobium (Nb-doped Bi_{2}Se_{3}. As a result, the in-plane magnetic torque signal vanishes every 60°. More importantly, the superconducting hysteresis loop amplitude is enhanced along one preferred direction, spontaneously breaking the rotational symmetry. This observation indicates the presence of nematic order in the superconducting ground state of Nb-doped Bi_{2}Se_{3}.

Comparative study of heat transfer from Nb-Ti and Nb_{3}Sn coils to He II

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Marco La China

2008-08-01

Full Text Available In superconducting magnets, the energy deposited or generated in the coil must be evacuated to prevent temperature rise and consequent transition of the superconductor to the resistive state. The main barrier to heat extraction is represented by the electric insulation wrapped around superconducting cables. In the LHC, insulation improvement is a key point in the development of interaction region magnets and injector chain fast-pulsed magnets for luminosity upgrade; the high heat load of these magnets, in fact, is not compatible with the use of current insulation schemes. We review the standard insulation schemes for Nb-Ti and Nb_{3}Sn technology from the thermal point of view. We implement, in an analytical model, the strongly nonlinear thermal resistances of the different coil components including the permeability to superfluid helium of Nb-Ti insulations, measured during the LHC main dipole development. We use such a model to compare Nb-Ti and Nb_{3}Sn technologies by taking into account their specific operating margin in different working conditions. Finally, we propose an insulation scheme to enhance the heat transfer capability of Nb-Ti coils.

Surface ferromagnetism and superconducting properties of nanocrystalline niobium nitride

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shipra, R.; Kumar, Nitesh; Sundaresan, A.

2013-01-01

Nanocrystalline δ-NbN x samples have been synthesized by reacting NbCl 5 and urea at three different temperatures. A comparison of their structural, magnetic, transport and thermal properties is reported in the present study. The size of the particles and their agglomeration extent increase with increasing reaction temperature. The sample prepared at 900 °C showed the highest superconducting transition temperature (T c ) of 16.2 K with a transition width, ∼1.8 K, as obtained from the resistivity measurement on cold-pressed bars. Above T c , magnetization measurements revealed the presence of surface ferromagnetism which coexists with superconductivity below T c . Heat capacity measurements confirm superconductivity with strong electron–phonon coupling constant. The sample prepared at 800 °C shows a lower T c (10 K) while that prepared at 700 °C exhibit no superconductivity down to the lowest temperature (3 K) measured. - Highlights: ► Synthesis of δ-NbN nanoparticles by urea nitridation of NbCl 5 . ► Superconducting transition temperature (T c ) is 16.2 K. ► Superconductivity and surface ferromagnetism coexist in the nanoparticles. ► Effect of size and agglomeration on the physical properties of nanoparticles

Superconducting vortex dynamics in cylindrical Nb micro- and nanotubes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fomin, Vladimir M. [Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, IFW-Dresden, D-01069 Dresden (Germany); Rezaev, Roman O. [Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, IFW-Dresden, D-01069 Dresden (Germany); Laboratory of Mathematical Physics, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk (Russian Federation); Schmidt, Oliver G. [Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, IFW-Dresden, D-01069 Dresden (Germany); Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, D-09107 Chemnitz (Germany)

2012-07-01

Advancements in fabrication of rolled-up micro- and nanotubes including superconductor layers (e.g., InGaAs/GaAs/Nb) open new ways for investigation of the vortex matter in superconductors with curved geometries. Geometry determines the dynamics of vortices in the presence of transport currents in open superconductor micro- and nanotubes subject to a magnetic field orthogonal to the axis. Vortices nucleate periodically at one edge of the tube, subsequently move along the tube under the action of the Lorentz force and denucleate at the opposite edge of the tube. Characteristic times of nonequilibrium vortex dynamics in an open tube are efficiently controlled by the tube radius. The magnetic field, at which the vortices begin to nucleate at the edge of the structure, is increased several times by rolling up a planar film in a tube. This effect is caused not only by a spatial dependence of the magnetic field component normal to the cylindrical surface, but also by correlations between the states of the superconducting order parameter in the opposite areas of the cylindrical surface.

Studies on the condition of obtaining a single phase superconducting Nb/sub 3/Sn layer by Moessbauer spectroscopy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Glowacki, B [Politechnika Wroclawska (Poland); Chojcan, J [Wroclaw Univ. (Poland)

1983-11-16

The /sup 119/Sn Moessbauer spectroscopy was used to examine the influence of temperature (1153 to 1253 K) and heating time (11 and 22 min) on the formation of the ..beta..-Nb/sub 3/Sn phase in simultaneous processes: peritectic reaction of NbSn/sub 2/ phase decomposition and reactive diffusion of Sn atoms into the Nb1.5%Zr base.

Progress of Bep Treatments on Nb at JLAB

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wu, A.T.; Jin, S.; Rimmer, R.A.; Lu, X.Y.; Zhao, K.

2010-01-01

Recent experimental results have indicated that Buffered Electropolishing (BEP) is a promising candidate for the next generation of surface treatment technique for Nb superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities to be used in particle accelerators. In order to lay the foundation for using BEP as the next generation surface treatment technique for Nb SRF cavities, some fundamental aspects of BEP treatments for Nb have to be investigated. In this report, recent progress on BEP study at JLab is shown. Improvements on the existing vertical BEP are made to allow water cooling from outside of a Nb single cell cavity in addition to cooling provided by acid circulation so that the temperature of the cavity can be stable during processing. Some investigation on the electrolyte mixture was performed to check the aging effect of the electrolyte. It is shown that good polishing results can still be obtained on Nb at a current density of 171 mA/cm when the BEP electrolyte was at the stationary condition and was more than 1.5 years old.

Superconducting critical-current densities of commercial multifilamentary Nb3Sn(Ti) wires made by the bronze process

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Suenaga, M.; Tsuchiya, K.; Higuchi, N.; Tachikawa, K.

1985-01-01

Superconducting critical-current densities Jsub(c) in fields up to 24 T and at 4.2 and 1.8 K were measured for a number of commercial Nb 3 Sn wires which were alloyed with Ti. The best values of Jsub(c) at 20 T and at 4.2 and 1.8 K were 78 and 156 A mm -2 , respectively. In order to achieve these high current densities at H>20 T, it was shown that nonuniformity of the filaments had to be minimized. It was also shown that the grain size of Nb 3 Sn is not very important in determining Jsub(c) at these high magnetic fields, and that achieving high values of critical magnetic field Hsub(c2) is more important than small grain size. (author)

Superconductivity application technologies. Superconducting quadrupole magnet and cooling system for KEK B factory

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tsuchiya, Kiyosumi; Yamaguchi, Kiyoshi; Sakurabata, Hiroaki; Seido, Masahiro; Matsumoto, Kozo.

1997-01-01

At present in National Laboratory for High Energy Physics (KEK), the construction of B factory is in progress. By colliding 8 GeV electrons and 3.5 GeV positrons, this facility generates large amounts of B mesons and anti-B mesons, and performs the elementary particle experiment of high accuracy. It is the collision type accelerator of asymmetric two-ring type comprising 8 GeV and 3.5 GeV rings. In the field of high energy physics, superconductivity technology has been put to practical use. As the objects of superconductivity technology, there are dipole magnet for bending beam, quadrupole magnet for adjusting beam, large solenoid magnet used for detector and so on. Superconducting magnets which are indispensable for high energy, superconducting wire material suitable to accelerators, and the liquid helium cooling system for maintaining superconducting magnets at 4.4 K are reported. The technologies of metallic conductors and making their coils have advanced rapidly, and also cooling technology has advanced, accordingly, superconductivity technology has reached the stage of practical use perfectly. (K.I.)

Spectroscopic evidence for two-gap superconductivity in the quasi-1D chalcogenide Nb2Pd0.81S5

Science.gov (United States)

Park, Eunsung; Lee, Sangyun; Ronning, Filip; Thompson, Joe D.; Zhang, Qiu; Balicas, Luis; Lu, Xin; Park, Tuson

2018-04-01

Low-dimensional electronic systems with confined electronic wave functions have attracted interest due to their propensity toward novel quantum phases and their use in wide range of nanotechnologies. The newly discovered chalcogenide Nb2PdS5 possesses a quasi-one-dimensional electronic structure and becomes superconducting. Here, we report spectroscopic evidence for two-band superconductivity, where soft point-contact spectroscopic measurements in the superconducting (SC) state reveal Andreev reflection in the differential conductance G. Multiple peaks in G are observed at 1.8 K and explained by the two-band Blonder–Tinkham–Klapwijk model with two gaps Δ1  =  0.61 meV and Δ2  =  1.20 meV. The progressive evolution of G with temperature and magnetic field corroborates the multiple nature of the SC gaps.

Extensive Characterization of the 1 mm PIT Nb$_{3}$Sn strand for the 13-T FRESCA2 Magnet

CERN Document Server

Bordini, B; Mondonico, G; Oberli, L; Richter, D; Seeber, B; Senatore, C; Takala, E; Valentinis, D

2012-01-01

In the framework of the EuCARD program, CERN is participating in the development of a 13 T 100-mm-aperture dipole magnet to upgrade the superconducting cable test facility FRESCA at CERN. The conductor candidates for building this magnet are two 1-mm Nb$_{3}$Sn strands: the Powder In Tube (PIT) produced by Bruker-EAS and the 132/169 RRP by Oxford Superconducting Technology (OST). Recently the PIT strand has been extensively characterized by CERN in collaboration with the University of Geneva (UniGe). The critical current dependence on the magnetic field and on the axial strain e has been measured at different temperatures. Furthermore, the strand magnetization has been measured at different temperature using a vibrating sample magnetometer. Finally the magneto-thermal stability of this strand was studied by measuring the quench current between 0 T and 12 T at 1.9 K and 4.3 K. The experimental results are compared with an optimized scaling law for the critical current of Nb$_{3}$Sn strands. In this paper the r...

Radio frequency superconductivity at CERN: a status report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Arnolds-Mayer, G.; Benvenuti, C.; Bernard, P.

1988-01-01

Up to 1984 the efforts in superconducting (s.c.) cavity development at CERN were mainly concentrated on 500 MHz cavities, leading to the test of a 5-cell, 500 MHz cavity at PETRA. The results confirmed that the achievable accelerating fields do not decrease at lower frequencies as strongly as previously suspected. Therefore, it was decided in 1984 to concentrate efforts on 352 MHz cavities. This frequency choice is suggested by the fact that LEP will be equipped at the beginning with 128 Cu cavities at 352 MHz which will bring up energies to 55 GeV/beam [5]. There is an obvious interest to install at a later stage s.c. cavities with the same frequency and to use at maximum the existing installation of radio frequency (r.f.) power sources. With the installed r.f. power of 16 MW, LEP could be upgraded to ∼ 90 GeV by using s.c. cavities. This will require the construction, testing and installation of several hundred of s.c. cavities, therefore arguments of economy and reliability are of outstanding importance. The LEP program asks for many additional items and substantial work has gone into the development, construction and testing of cryostats, main couplers, Higher-Order Mode (HOM) couplers and frequency tuners. Besides the main line based on Nb-cavities another development has been pursued and that is the deposition of a thin niobium layer on copper cavities. Results look very promising but more efforts will be needed to reach the same level of know-how as for Nb cavities. 34 references, 7 figures, 2 tables

Deposition and cyclic oxidation behavior of a protective (Mo,W)(Si,Ge) 2 coating on Nb-base alloys

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mueller, A.; Wang, G.

1992-01-01

A multicomponent diffusion coating has been developed to protect Nb-base alloys from high-temperature environmental attach. A solid solution of molybdenum and tungsten disilicide (Mo, W)Si 2 , constituted the primary coating layer which supported a slow-growing protective silica scale in service. Germanium additions were made during the coating process to improve the cyclic oxidation resistance by increasing the thermal expansion coefficient of the vitreous silica film formed and to avoid pesting by decreasing the viscosity of the protective film. In this paper, the development of the halide-activated pack cementation coating process to produce this (Mo,W)(Si,Ge) 2 coating on Nb-base alloys is described. The results of cyclic oxidation for coupons coated under different conditions in air at 1370 degrees C are presented. Many coupons have successfully passed 200 1 h cyclic oxidation tests at 1370 degrees C with weight-gain values in the range of 1.2 to 1.6 mg/cm 2

Amorphous and nanocrystalline fraction calculus for the Fe{sub 73.5}Si{sub 3.5}Ge{sub 10}Nb{sub 3}B{sub 9}Cu{sub 1} alloy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Muraca, D. [Laboratorio de Solidos Amorfos, Departamento de Fisica, Facultad de Ingenieria, Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina); Moya, J. [Laboratorio de Solidos Amorfos, Departamento de Fisica, Facultad de Ingenieria, Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina); Carrera del Investigador, CONICET (Argentina); Cremaschi, V.J. [Laboratorio de Solidos Amorfos, Departamento de Fisica, Facultad de Ingenieria, Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Carrera del Investigador, CONICET (Argentina)]. E-mail: vcremas@fi.uba.ar; Sirkin, H.R.M. [Laboratorio de Solidos Amorfos, Departamento de Fisica, Facultad de Ingenieria, Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina); Carrera del Investigador, CONICET (Argentina)

2007-09-01

We studied the relationship between the saturation magnetization (M {sub S}) of the Fe{sub 73.5}Si{sub 3.5}Ge{sub 10}Nb{sub 3}B{sub 9}Cu{sub 1} alloy and its nanocrystalline structure. Amorphous ribbons obtained by the melt spinning technique were heat-treated for 1 h at different temperatures. The optimal treatment to obtain a homogeneous structure of Fe{sub 3}(Si,Ge) nanocrystals with a grain size of around 10 nm embedded in an amorphous matrix involved heating at 540 C for 1 h. We calculated the magnetic contribution of the nanocrystals to the heat treated alloy using a linear model and measured the M {sub S} of the Fe{sub 73.5}Si{sub 3.5}Ge{sub 10}Nb{sub 3}B{sub 9}Cu{sub 1} nanocrystalline and of an amorphous alloy of the same composition of the amorphous matrix: Fe{sub 58}Si{sub 0.5}Ge{sub 3.5}Cu{sub 3}Nb{sub 9}B{sub 26}. Using experimental data and theoretical calculations, we obtained the amorphous and crystalline fraction of the heat-treated ribbons.

Thin NbN film structures on SOI for SNSPD

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Il' in, Konstantin; Kurz, Stephan; Henrich, Dagmar; Hofherr, Matthias; Siegel, Michael [IMS, KIT, Karlsruhe (Germany); Semenov, Alexei; Huebers, Heinz-Wilhelm [DLR, Berlin (Germany)

2012-07-01

Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors (SNSPD) made from ultra-thin NbN films on sapphire demonstrate almost 100% intrinsic detection efficiency (DE). However the system DE values is less than 10% mostly limited by a very low absorptance of NbN films thinner than 5 nm. Integration of SNSPD in Si photonic circuit is a promising way to overcome this problem. We present results on optimization of technology of thin NbN film nanostructures on SOI (Silicon on Insulator) substrate used in Si photonics technology. Superconducting and normal state properties of these structures important for SNSPD development are presented and discussed.

Design Concept and Parameters of a 15 T $Nb_{3}Sn$ Dipole Demonstrator for a 100 TEV Hadron Collider

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zlobin, A. V. [Fermilab; Andreev, N. [Fermilab; Barzi, E. [Fermilab; Kashikhin, V. V. [Fermilab; Novitski, I. [Fermilab

2015-06-01

FNAL has started the development of a 15 T $Nb_{3}Sn$ dipole demonstrator for a 100 TeV scale hadron collider. This paper describes the design concept and parameters of the 15 T $Nb_{3}Sn$ dipole demonstrator. The dipole magnetic, mechanical and quench protection concept and parameters are presented and discussed.

Neutron irradiation of sputtered NbN films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Weber, H.W.; Gregshammer, P.; Gray, K.E.; Kampwirth, R.T.

1989-01-01

In addition to the excellent high-field superconducting properties of NbN, it is the strain and radiation tolerance, measured in bulk NbN, which makes the material so attractive for large high-field magnets, especially for fusion applications. The authors report neutron irradiation experiments on sputtered NbN films, up to a fluence of 10/sup 23/ m/sup -2/ (E > 0.1 MeV), which prove that NbN films are also extremely radiation-hard high-field superconductors. Both the transition temperatures, T/sub c/, and the normal state resistivities show only small changes with neutron fluence. Concerning the critical current densities, j/sub c/, degradations by as much as 30% are observed at low fields, whereas in an intermediate field range (11-15 T) virtually no change of j/sub c/ and at high fields near 20 T even an increase of j/sub c/ are found. The latter observation is ascribed to a radiation-induced increase of the upper critical field, B/sub c2/, and to the occurence of peak effects near B/sub c2/

Effect of short-range ordering on the electrical conductivity and superconducting properties of Nb6C5 single crystals

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Utkina, T.G.

1995-01-01

Niobium carbide, NbC x , belongs to the family of so called interstital phases. Metal atoms form a face-centered cubic lattice, whose octahedral interstices are occupied by carbon atoms. The fraction (1 - x) of interstices remain vacant, and this determines the nonstoichiometry of these phases: most of them are characterized by a wide homogeneity range, 0.70 m ≅ 3308 - 3886 K). In contrast, the metalloid atoms exhibit high mobility at relatively low temperatures. For compositions close to Nb 6 C 5 (0.81 O-D ≅ 1300 K. The presence of vacancies in the carbon sublattice considerably affects the physical properties of carbides, which depend not only on total vacancy concentration but also on their distribution, i.e., on the degree of ordering (both short-range and long-range order) in the metalloid sublattice. The purpose of this work is to study the effects of such ordering on the superconducting properties of Nb 6 C 5 single crystals

Conduction spectroscopy of a proximity induced superconducting topological insulator

Science.gov (United States)

Stehno, M. P.; Hendrickx, N. W.; Snelder, M.; Scholten, T.; Huang, Y. K.; Golden, M. S.; Brinkman, A.

2017-09-01

The combination of superconductivity and the helical spin-momentum locking at the surface state of a topological insulator (TI) has been predicted to give rise to p-wave superconductivity and Majorana bound states. The superconductivity can be induced by the proximity effect of a s-wave superconductor (S) into the TI. To probe the superconducting correlations inside the TI, dI/dV spectroscopy has been performed across such S-TI interfaces. Both the alloyed Bi1.5Sb0.5Te1.7Se1.3 and the stoichiometric BiSbTeSe2 have been used as three-dimensional TI. In the case of Bi1.5Sb0.5Te1.7Se1.3, the presence of disorder induced electron-electron interactions can give rise to an additional zero-bias resistance peak. For the stoichiometric BiSbTeSe2 with less disorder, tunnel barriers were employed in order to enhance the signal from the interface. The general observations in the spectra of a large variety of samples are conductance dips at the induced gap voltage, combined with an increased sub-gap conductance, consistent with p-wave predictions. The induced gap voltage is typically smaller than the gap of the Nb superconducting electrode, especially in the presence of an intentional tunnel barrier. Additional uncovered spectroscopic features are oscillations that are linearly spaced in energy, as well as a possible second order parameter component.

Materials for superconducting cavities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bonin, B.

1996-01-01

The ideal material for superconducting cavities should exhibit a high critical temperature, a high critical field, and, above all, a low surface resistance. Unfortunately, these requirements can be conflicting and a compromise has to be found. To date, most superconducting cavities for accelerators are made of niobium. The reasons for this choice are discussed. Thin films of other materials such as NbN, Nb 3 Sn, or even YBCO compounds can also be envisaged and are presently investigated in various laboratories. It is shown that their success will depend critically on the crystalline perfection of these films. (author)

Flux penetration in a ferromagnetic/superconducting bilayer

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Adamus, Z.; Cieplak, M.Z.; Abal' Oshev, A. [Polish Acad Sci, Inst Phys, PL-02668 Warsaw, (Poland); Konczykowski, M. [CEA/DSM/DRECAM, Laboratoire des Solides Irradies, F-91191 Gif Sur Yvette, (France); Konczykowski, M. [Ecole Polytech, CNRS - UMR 7642, F-91128 Palaiseau, (France); Cheng, X.M.; Zhu, L.Y.; Chien, C.L. [Johns Hopkins Univ, Dept Phys and Astron, Baltimore, MD 21218 (United States)

2007-07-01

An array of miniature Hall sensors is used to study the magnetic flux penetration in a ferromagnetic/superconducting bilayer consisting of Nb as a superconducting layer and Co/Pt multilayer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy as a ferromagnetic layer, separated by an amorphous Si layer to avoid the proximity effect. It is found that the magnetic domains in the ferromagnetic layer create a large edge barrier in the superconducting layer which delays flux penetration. The smooth flux profiles observed in the absence of magnetic pinning change into terraced profiles in the presence of domains. (authors)

Superconducting properties of In-Ge mixture films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gerber, A.; Deutscher, G.

1987-01-01

We report on measurements of the perpendicular H/sub c//sub perpendicular/ and parallel H/sub c//sub X/ upper critical fields of superconducting In-Ge mixture films in a wide range of In concentrations. The resistivities of the samples varied from about 10 μΩX, corresponding to high In concentration, up to about 1300 μΩ cm, corresponding to an In concentration close to the percolation threshold of the system. The critical temperatures of the samples in a zero external field have also been studied. For high metal concentrations the results have been analyzed and found to fit the predictions of the dirty limit for type-II superconductors. Near the threshold, however, where the normal-state resistivity goes to infinity, the critical fields saturate to a finite value. This result is in accordance with the prediction of percolation theory in the anomalous diffusion regime. As the threshold is approached the anisotropy ratio decreases to a constant value of 1.2 from its homogeneous type-II limit 1.69

Results from the first single cell Nb₃Sn cavity coatings at JLab

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Eremeev, Grigory [Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF), Newport News, VA (United States)

2015-09-01

Nb₃Sn is a promising superconducting material for SRF applications and has the potential to exceed the limitations of niobium. We have used the recently commissioned Nb₃Sn coating system to investigate Nb₃Sn coatings on several single cell cavities by applying the same coating procedure on several different single cells with different history and pre-coating surface preparation. We report on our findings with four 1.5 GHz CEBAF-shape single cell and one 1.3 GHz ILC-shape single cavities that were coated, inspected, and tested.

Effect of annealing on the superconducting and normal state properties of the doped multifilamentary Cu-Nb composite wires prepared by in situ technique

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dubey, S.S.; Dheer, P.N.

1999-01-01

The effect of annealing on the superconducting and normal state properties of the Ga-, In-, Ti- and Zr-doped (1 wt%) Cu-Nb composite wires prepared by in situ technique have been investigated in this paper. The wires annealed at 700 C for 10 h and then quenched at room temperature, show a decrease in the superconducting transition temperature, T c , and increase in the transition width, ΔT. Doping of the Cu-Nb wires causes an increase in the normal state resistivity and hence the upper critical field, H C2 . This results in a significant increase of J c . Annealing of these doped samples decreases H C2 and J c . In the case of In- and Ga-doped samples J c shows a marginal improvement at lower field but decreases at higher field. Zr and Ti doping appears to be beneficial for the improved J c in these in situ materials. (orig.)

Debye classes in A15 compounds

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Staudenmann, J.; DeFacio, B.; Testardi, L.R.; Werner, S.A.; Fluekiger, R.; Muller, J.

1981-01-01

The comparison between electron charge-density distribution of V 3 Si, Cr 3 Si, and V 3 Ge at room temperature leads us to study the Debye temperatures at 0 0 K THETA 0 from specific-heat measurements for over 100 A15 compounds. A phenomenological THETA 0 (M), M the molecular mass, is obtained from the static scaling relation THETA 0 (M) = aM/sup b/ and this organizes all of the data into five Debye classes: V(V 3 Si), V-G, G(V 3 Ge), G-C, and C(Cr 3 Si). In contrast, the Debye temperature THETA 0 (V), with V as the unit-cell volume does not relate alloys as THETA 0 (M) does, with the exception of the C class. This latter case leads to the surprising result MproportionalV/sup approximately1/3/ and to a Grueneisen constant of 1.6 +- 0.1 for all compounds of this class. In the V class where V 3 Si and Nb 3 Sn are found, THETA 0 (V) labels these two alloys differently, as does their martensitic c/a ratios. With T-bar/sub c/ denoting the average superconducting transition temperature within a Debye class, interesting correlations are shown. One is the maximum of T-bar/sub c/ which exists in the V class where the strongest anharmonicity occurs. Another is the case of compounds formed only by transition elements up to and including Au. This interesting case shows that approx.3.2< T-bar/sub c/< approx.5.0 K in all of the five classes and that there is no correlation between T/sub c/ and the thermal properties. The implications of these observations for creating better models for the A15 compounds are briefly discussed

Improved superconductor for transmission line applications, phase I. Final report, January 1, 1975--June 30, 1975

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Braginski, A.I.; Mauser, S.F.; Roland, G.W.; Burghardt, R.R.; Daniel, M.R.; Janocko, M.A.

1975-01-01

The analysis of an existing superconducting power transmission cable design indicated that economic benefits in the area of refrigeration can be derived from the substitution of Nb 3 Ge superconductor for the presently planned Nb 3 Sn. However, the cost of Nb 3 Ge must be comparable to that of Nb 3 Sn, which is achievable when preparing Nb 3 Ge by the chemical vapor deposition. Alternatively, technical benefits can be obtained. The most essential and prerequisite requirement is that the Nb 3 Ge critical current density be improved significantly over the present state-of-the art. Other properties of Nb 3 Ge are generally suitable for the transmission line application and/or require only moderate improvements. (auth)

Superconducting magnets and cryogenics for the steady state superconducting tokamak SST-1

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Saxena, Y.C.

2000-01-01

SST-1 is a steady state superconducting tokamak for studying the physics of the plasma processes in tokamak under steady state conditions and to learn technologies related to the steady state operation of the tokamak. SST-1 will have superconducting magnets made from NbTi based conductors operating at 4.5 K temperature. The design of the superconducting magnets and the cryogenic system of SST-1 tokamak are described. (author)

Fermi liquid breakdown and superconductivity in YFe{sub 2}Ge{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zou, Yang; Logg, Peter; Chen, Jiasheng; Grosche, Malte F. [Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge (United Kingdom); Feng, Zhuo [Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge (United Kingdom); Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge (United Kingdom); Lampronti, Giulio [London Centre of Nanotechnology, University College London (United Kingdom)

2014-07-01

The investigation of quantum critical phenomena associated with incipient antiferromagnetic or spin density wave order in transition metal compounds has been held back by the scarcity of candidate systems in this class of materials. The paramagnetic d-electron system YFe{sub 2}Ge{sub 2} displays an unusually high Sommerfeld ratio of the specific heat capacity C/T ≅ 100 mJ/molK{sup 2} at low temperature and can be tuned to the border of spin density wave order by partial substitution of Y with isoelectronic Lu, suggesting that YFe{sub 2}Ge{sub 2} is located close to a spin density wave quantum critical point. Our ambient pressure, low temperature measurements reveal signatures of Fermi liquid breakdown such as an increasing C/T on cooling and a 3/2 power law temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity. Moreover, samples of YFe{sub 2}Ge{sub 2} with high residual resistance ratios display full superconducting transitions below T{sub c} ≅ 1.8 K in the electrical resistivity and up to 80% Meissner volume fraction in bulk zero-field-cooled magnetisation measurements, or 20% in powdered samples.

Thermal analysis of the cryocooled superconducting magnet for the liquid helium-free hybrid magnet

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ishizuka, Masayuki; Hamajima, Takataro; Itou, Tomoyuki; Sakuraba, Junji; Nishijima, Gen; Awaji, Satoshi; Watanabe, Kazuo

2010-01-01

The liquid helium-free hybrid magnet, which consists of an outer large bore cryocooled superconducting magnet and an inner water-cooled resistive magnet, was developed for magneto-science in high fields. The characteristic features of the cryogen-free outsert superconducting magnet are described in detail in this paper. The superconducting magnet cooled by Gifford-McMahon cryocoolers, which has a 360 mm room temperature bore in diameter, was designed to generate high magnetic fields up to 10 T. The hybrid magnet has generated the magnetic field of 27.5 T by combining 8.5 T generation of the cryogen-free superconducting magnet with 19 T generation of the water-cooled resistive magnet. The superconducting magnet was composed of inner Nb 3 Sn coils and outer NbTi coils. In particular, inner Nb 3 Sn coils were wound using high-strength CuNi-NbTi/Nb 3 Sn wires in consideration of large hoop stress. Although the cryocooled outsert superconducting magnet achieved 9.5 T, we found that the outsert magnet has a thermal problem to generate the designed maximum field of 10 T in the hybrid magnet operation. This problem is associated with unexpected AC losses in Nb 3 Sn wires.

A high field and cryogenic test facility for neutron irradiated superconducting wire

Science.gov (United States)

Nishimura, A.; Miyata, H.; Yoshida, M.; Iio, M.; Suzuki, K.; Nakamoto, T.; Yamazaki, M.; Toyama, T.

2017-12-01

A 15.5 T superconducting magnet and a variable temperature insert (VTI) system were installed at a radiation control area in Oarai center in Tohoku University to investigate the superconducting properties of activated superconducting materials by fast neutron. The superconductivity was measured at cryogenic temperature and high magnetic field. During these tests, some inconvenient problems were observed and the additional investigation was carried out. The variable temperature insert was designed and assembled to perform the superconducting property tests. without the liquid helium. To remove the heat induced by radiation and joule heating, high purity aluminum rod was used in VTI. The thermal contact was checked by FEM analysis and an additional support was added to confirm the decreasing the stress concentration and the good thermal contact. After the work for improvement, it was affirmed that the test system works well and all troubles were resolved. In this report, the improved technical solution is described and the first data set on the irradiation effect on Nb3Sn wire is presented.

Brittle superconducting magnets: an equivilent strain model

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Barzi, E.; Danuso, M.

2010-01-01

To exceed fields of 10 T in accelerator magnets, brittle superconductors like A15 Nb 3 Sn and Nb 3 Al or ceramic High Temperature Superconductors have to be used. For such brittle superconductors it is not their maximum tensile yield stress that limits their structural resistance as much as strain values that provoke deformations in their delicate lattice, which in turn affect their superconducting properties. Work on the sensitivity of Nb 3 Sn cables to strain has been conducted in a number of stress states, including uniaxial and multi-axial, producing usually different results. This has made the need of a constituent design criterion imperative for magnet builders. In conventional structural problems an equivalent stress model is typically used to verify mechanical soundness. In the superconducting community a simple scalar equivalent strain to be used in place of an equivalent stress would be an extremely useful tool. As is well known in fundamental mechanics, there is not one single way to reduce a multiaxial strain state as represented by a 2nd order tensor to a scalar. The conceptual experiment proposed here will help determine the best scalar representation to use in the identification of an equivalent strain model.

Superconducting machines. Chapter 4

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Appleton, A.D.

1977-01-01

A brief account is given of the principles of superconductivity and superconductors. The properties of Nb-Ti superconductors and the method of flux stabilization are described. The basic features of superconducting d.c. machines are illustrated by the use of these machines for ship propulsion, steel-mill drives, industrial drives, aluminium production, and other d.c. power supplies. Superconducting a.c. generators and their design parameters are discussed. (U.K.)

Ga lithography in sputtered niobium for superconductive micro and nanowires

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Henry, M. David; Wolfley, Steve; Monson, Todd; Lewis, Rupert

2014-01-01

This work demonstrates the use of focused ion beam (FIB) implanted Ga as a lithographic mask for plasma etching of Nb films. Using a highly collimated Ga beam of a FIB, Nb is implanted 12 nm deep with a 14 nm thick Ga layer providing etch selectivity better than 15:1 with fluorine based etch chemistry. Implanted square test patterns, both 10 μm by 10 μm and 100 μm by 100 μm, demonstrate that doses above than 7.5 × 10 15  cm −2 at 30 kV provide adequate mask protection for a 205 nm thick, sputtered Nb film. The resolution of this dry lithographic technique is demonstrated by fabrication of nanowires 75 nm wide by 10 μm long connected to 50 μm wide contact pads. The residual resistance ratio of patterned Nb films was 3. The superconducting transition temperature (T c ) = 7.7 K was measured using a magnetic properties measurement system. This nanoscale, dry lithographic technique was extended to sputtered TiN and Ta here and could be used on other fluorine etched superconductors such as NbN, NbSi, and NbTi.

Efficient degradation of tetrabromobisphenol A by heterostructured Ag/Bi5Nb3O15 material under the simulated sunlight irradiation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Guo, Yingna; Chen, Ling; Ma, Fengyan; Zhang, Shengqu; Yang, Yuxin; Yuan, Xing; Guo, Yihang

2011-01-01

Heterostructured metallic silver-layered bismuth niobate two-component system (Ag/Bi 5 Nb 3 O 15 ) was developed for the first time by a mild hydrothermal method combined with photodeposition. The Ag/Bi 5 Nb 3 O 15 exhibited single-crystalline orthorhombic structure with small particle size (50-200 nm) and octahedral as well as sheet-like shape; additionally, it possessed photoresponse in both UV and visible region. As a novel alternative photocatalysts to TiO 2 , the photocatalytic activity of the Ag/Bi 5 Nb 3 O 15 was evaluated by the degradation of tetrabromobisphenol A, a member from the family of the brominated flame retardant, under solar simulating Xe lamp irradiation, and enhanced photocatalytic activity in compared to Bi 5 Nb 3 O 15 itself and Degussa P25 was obtained.

Gibbs energy formation of Sr5Nb4O15

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Samui, Pradeep; Padhi, Anyuna; Agarwal, Renu; Kulkarni, S.G.

2012-01-01

Ternary oxides of strontium and niobium may form as fission product compounds in an operating nuclear reactor with oxide fuels under certain oxygen potential. Evaluations of thermodynamic stability of these ternary oxides are therefore important for assessment of fission product interactions. Furthermore, thermodynamic data of these oxides are also of relevance because of computation of phase diagram and phase stability of pseudo-ternary systems BaO-SrO-Nb 2 O 5 , SrO-Nb 2 O 5 -TaO 5 etc. in which some of the compounds are potential candidate materials for microwave ceramics with high dielectric constant, electro-optic, pyroelectric and piezoelectric devices. The system Sr-Nb-O contains many ternary oxides out of which we have investigated the thermodynamic parameters for the compound Sr 5 Nb 4 O 15 in the present study

1.5 MeV Kr+ irradiation of polycrystalline Ge

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang, L.M.; Birtcher, R.C.; Rehn, L.E.

1990-01-01

This paper reports 1.5 MeV Kr + irradiation of polycrystalline Ge at room temperature, and subsequent annealing carried out with in situ TEM observations. After a Kr + dose of 1.2 x 10 14 ions/cm 2 , Ge in the electron transparent region was completely amorphized. Continuous irradiation of the amorphized Ge resulted in a high density of small cavities. These cavities, first observed after 7 x 10 14 ions/cm 2 with an average diameter of ∼3 nm, grew into large (∼50 nm) irregular-shaped holes, transforming the irradiated Ge into a sponge-like material after 8.5 x 10 15 ions/cm 2 . The crystallization temperature and the morphology of the crystallized Ge after annealing were found to be dependent on the Kr + dose. The sponge-like structure was retained after crystallization at ∼600 degrees C

Technology development and commercial production of current-carrying elements on the basis of Nb3Sn superconductor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nikulin, A.D.; Shikov, A.K.; Davydov, I.I.

1995-01-01

A description of a current carrying element intended for Tokamak-15 magnetic system is presented. The element is produced from multicore wires with superconducting Nb 3 Sn cores and calculated for 8.5 kA critical current in magnetic field of 8 T. Main processing procedures of its manufacturing are shown. Extrusion conditions needed for production of composite bronze-niobium rods and multicore wire 1.5 mm in diameter with 14641 niobium cores are determined. Heat treatment used results in formation of Nb 3 Sn intermetallics and assures maximal current-carrying capacity of 910-920 A in 8 T magnetic field. 15 refs., 9 figs

Development of Nb3Sn based multi-filamentary superconductor wires for fusion reactor magnets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kundu, Sayandeep; Singh, A.K.; Hussain, M.M.

2016-01-01

Nb 3 Sn is a proposed type II superconductor material to be used as superconducting magnet in fusion reactor for its superior superconducting properties. Fabrication of long single length wire containing Nb 3 Sn filaments is a challenge. The usual manufacturing philosophy involves deforming an assembly of tin and niobium in copper matrix to the final size, followed by the heat treatment to produce superconducting phase at Nb-Cu interface. Multi-filamentary wires were fabricated by hot extrusion of superconductor billet followed by several stages of cold drawing. Heat treatments at various temperature and time were carried out on as formed wire containing multiple filaments in order to see the growth of superconducting intermetallic phase during subsequent characterization. Post heat treatment characterization through SEM, EBSD and EDS revealed the presence of intermetallic phase of Nb and Sn, hypo stoichiometric in Sn, at the Cu-Nb interface growing towards the center of Nb filament. The manufacturing process till the desired final size of the wire happened to be a challenge, mainly because it required extraordinary co-deformability between various materials in such an assembly. Post-trial failure analysis through destructive testing using optical and scanning electron micrographs revealed the propensity of internal radial cracks at Cu-Sn interfaces, while the Nb-Cu interfaces were found to be relatively unaffected. This paper will discuss the details of the fabrication process. (author)

State-of-the-art superconducting accelerator magnets

CERN Document Server

Rossi, L

2002-01-01

With the LHC the technology of NbTi-based accelerator magnets has been pushed to the limit. By operating in superfluid helium, magnetic fields in excess of 10 T have been reached in various one meter-long model magnets while full scale magnets, 15 meter-long dipoles, have demonstrated possibility of safe operation in the 8.3-9 tesla range, with the necessary, very tight, field accuracy. The paper reviews the key points of the technology that has permitted the construction of the largest existing superconducting installations (Fermilab, Desy and Brookhaven), highlighting the novelties of the design of the LHC dipoles, quadrupoles and other superconducting magnets. All together the LHC project will need more than 5000 km of fine filament superconducting cables capable of 14 kA @ 10 T, 1.9 K. (13 refs).

Interfacial exchange, magnetic coupling and magnetoresistance in ultra-thin GdN/NbN/GdN tri-layers

Science.gov (United States)

Takamura, Yota; Goncalves, Rafael S.; Cascales, Juan Pedro; Altinkok, Atilgan; de Araujo, Clodoaldo I. L.; Lauter, Valeria; Moodera, Jagadeesh S.; MIT Team

Superconducting spin-valve structures with a superconductive (SC) spacer sandwiched between ferromagnetic (FM) insulating layers [Li PRL 2013, Senapati APL 2013, Zhu Nat. Mat. 2016.] are attractive since the SC and FM characteristics can mutually be controlled by the proximity effect. We investigated reactively sputtered GdN/NbN/GdN tri-layer structures with various (SC) NbN spacer thicknesses (dNbN) from superconducting to normal layers. Magnetoresistive behavior similar to GMR in metallic magnetic multilayers was observed in the tri-layers with dNbN between 5-10 monolayers (ML), where thinner NbN layers did not show superconductivity down to 4.2 K. The occurrence of GMR signal indicates the presence of a ML of FM metallic layers at the GdN/NbN interfaces. Susceptibility and transport measurements in these samples revealed that the interface layers (ILs) are ferromagnetically coupled with adjacent GdN layers. The thickness of each of the IL is deduced to be about 1.25 ML, and as a result for dNbN magnetically coupled and switched simultaneously. These findings and interfacial characterization by various techniques will be presented. Work supported by NSF and ONR Grants.

High-pressure studies on a new superconducting clathrate: Ba sub 6 Ge sub 2 sub 5

CERN Document Server

Yuan, H Q; Carrillo-Cabrera, W; Paschen, S; Sparn, G; Baenitz, M; Grin, Y; Steglich, F

2002-01-01

The effect of pressure on the low-temperature states of the newly discovered clathrate Ba sub 6 Ge sub 2 sub 5 is investigated by means of measurements of the electrical resistivity. At ambient pressure, Ba sub 6 Ge sub 2 sub 5 undergoes a two-step structural phase transition between 230 and 180 K from metallic behaviour to a high-resistivity state characterized by a mean free path of about 3 A. Interestingly, a Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer-like (BCS-like) superconducting transition occurs at T sub C approx 0.24 K from the resulting 'bad metal'. With increasing pressure, the structural phase transition is depressed but T sub C increases drastically. T sub C reaches a maximum value of 3.85 K at the critical pressure p sub C approx 2.8 GPa, where the structural distortion is completely suppressed and the system exhibits metallic behaviour. Higher pressures lead to a slight decrease of T sub C.

Superconducting wire for the T-15 toroidal magnet

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Klimenko, E.Yu.; Kruglov, V.S.; Martovetskij, N.N.

1987-01-01

Main characteristics of a wire designed for the T-15 toroidal superconducting magnet production are given. The wire with circulation cooling is a twist of 11 niobium-tin wires 1.5 mm in diameter, joined electrolytically by two copper tubes with 3 mm inside diameter. The wire is capable to carry 10 kA current in the 8.5 T induction field. Wire features and structures promote to receive high structural current density in winding: diffuseness of superconducting-to-normal transition increases wire stability, screw symmetry od a current-carrying core provides wire resistance to pulse longitudinal field effect at plasma current disruption, low bronze thermal conductivity in a twist increases stability to outside pulse perturbations

A study on the superconducting properties of YBa2Cu9-xNbxOy thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Srinivas, S.; Bhatnagar, A.K.; Pinto, R.

1994-01-01

Effect of niobium substitution at the copper site in YBa 2 Cu 9 O 7-x was studied in thin film form. The films were deposited by laser ablation technique using the targets of the YBa 2 Cu 3-x Nb x O y where x = 0.0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.0 under identical deposition conditions on SrTiO 9 substrates. Films were characterized by XRD, resistivity, I-V and J c measurements. Films made from x = 0.025 and 0.05 concentrations of Nb substituted targets showed relatively improved superconducting properties compared to that of undoped films. The best 7 realized for x = 0.025 Nb concentration was 1.8 x 10 σ A/cm 2 and for 0.05 Nb concentration it was 3.2x10 σ A/cm 2 at 77K. However, degradation of the superconducting properties, with the increase of x ≥ 0.1 Nb concentration and drastic suppression and complete loss of superconductivity was noticed for x ≥ 0.4. The growth of impurity phase YBa 2 NbO 6 for x = 0.1 and above of Nb concentration was noticed from XRD patterns. However, the site occupancy of Nb could not be confirmed from these studies

Superconductivity: Is there a problem in transuranics?

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Colineau, Eric; Griveau, Jean-Christophe; Eloirdi, Rachel; Hen, Amir; Caciuffo, Roberto

2014-01-01

Superconductivity was first reported in 1942 for uranium metal (¡-U) and in 1958 for U compounds: UCo, U6Mn, U6Fe, and U6Co, with critical temperatures Tc, of 1.7, 2.3, 3.9, and 2.3K, respectively. A new class of U superconductors emerged in the early 1980’s with the discovery of U heavy fermion superconductors : UBe13 (Tc = 0.85K), UPt3 (Tc = 0.53K), URu2Si2 (Tc = 1.5K) , UPd2Al3 (Tc = 1.9K) … Furthermore, in most of these systems, the superconducting phases coexist with antiferromagnetic (AF) correlations which have characteristic temperatures, usually the Néel temperature TN, that are typically one order of magnitude greater than the corresponding superconducting critical temperatures Tc. Superconductivity was even shown to co-exist with ferromagnetism in e.g. UGe2 (Tc ï» 0.8K, TC ï» 30K at p ï» 1.2GPa) and URhGe (Tc = 0.25K, TC = 9.5K). Heavy fermion superconductors still remain a major challenge for condensed matter physics. The existence of heavy fermion superconductivity and its coexistence or proximity with magnetic order suggests that the conventional mechanism of phonon-mediated superconductivity is inappropriate and that alternative mechanisms, like spin fluctuations, should be considered for Cooper pairing

Proof-of-principle demonstration of Nb3Sn superconducting radiofrequency cavities for high Q0 applications

Science.gov (United States)

Posen, S.; Liepe, M.; Hall, D. L.

2015-02-01

Many future particle accelerators require hundreds of superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) cavities operating with high duty factor. The large dynamic heat load of the cavities causes the cryogenic plant to make up a significant part of the overall cost of the facility. This contribution can be reduced by replacing standard niobium cavities with ones coated with a low-dissipation superconductor such as Nb3Sn. In this paper, we present results for single cell cavities coated with Nb3Sn at Cornell. Five coatings were carried out, showing that at 4.2 K, high Q0 out to medium fields was reproducible, resulting in an average quench field of 14 MV/m and an average 4.2 K Q0 at quench of 8 × 109. In each case, the peak surface magnetic field at quench was well above Hc1, showing that it is not a limiting field in these cavities. The coating with the best performance had a quench field of 17 MV/m, exceeding gradient requirements for state-of-the-art high duty factor SRF accelerators. It is also shown that—taking into account the thermodynamic efficiency of the cryogenic plant—the 4.2 K Q0 values obtained meet the AC power consumption requirements of state-of-the-art high duty factor accelerators, making this a proof-of-principle demonstration for Nb3Sn cavities in future applications.

Computer simulations of quench properties of thin, large superconducting solenoid magnets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kishimoto, Takeshi; Mori, Shigeki; Noguchi, Masaharu

1983-01-01

Measured quench data of a 1 m diameter x 1 m thin superconducting solenoid magnet with a single layer aluminum-stabilized NbTi/Cu superconductor of 269 turns were fitted by computer simulations using the one-dimensional approximation. Parameters obtained were used to study quench properties of a 3 m diameter x 5 m (1.5 Tesla) thin superconducting solenoid magnet with a stored magnetic energy of 30 x 10 6 J. Conductor dimensions with which the solenoid could be built substantially safe for the full field quench were optimized. (author)

Superconducting niobium in high rf magnetic fields

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mueller, G.

1988-01-01

The benefit of superconducting cavities for accelerator applications depends on the field and Q/sub 0/ levels which can be achieved reliably in mass producible multicell accelerating structures. The presently observed field and Q/sub 0/ limitations are caused by anomalous loss mechanisms which are not correlated with the intrinsic properties of the pure superconductor but rather due to defects or contaminants on the superconducting surface. The ultimate performance levels of clean superconducting cavities built from pure Nb will be given by the rf critical field and the surface resistance of the superconductor. In the first part of this paper a short survey is given of the maximum surface magnetic fields achieved in single-cell cavities. The results of model calculations for the thermal breakdown induced by very small defects and for the transition to the defect free case is discussed in part 2. In the last chapter, a discussion is given for the rf critical field of Nb on the basis of the Ginzburg-Landau Theory. It is shown that not only purity but also the homogeneity of the material should become important for the performance of superconducting Nb cavities at field levels beyond 100mT. Measurement results of the upper critical field for different grades of commercially available Nb sheet materials are given. 58 references, 20 figures, 1 table

Dependence of the superconducting transition temperature of the filled skutterudite compound PrPt{sub 4}Ge{sub 12} on hydrostatic pressure

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Foroozani, N. [Department of Physics, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130 (United States); Hamlin, J.J. [Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 (United States); Schilling, J.S., E-mail: jss@wuphys.wustl.edu [Department of Physics, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130 (United States); Baumbach, R.E.; Lum, I.K.; Shu, L.; Huang, K.; Maple, M.B. [Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 (United States)

2013-02-14

Highlights: ► Superconductivity in the filled skutterudite PrPt{sub 4}Ge{sub 12}. ► Dependence of T{sub c} on purely hydrostatic pressure to 0.6 GPa. ► Comparison of lattice pressure to external pressure effects on superconductivity. ► Evidence for magnetic pair-breaking effects. -- Abstract: The temperature-dependent ac susceptibility of the filled skutterudite superconductor PrPt{sub 4}Ge{sub 12} has been measured under hydrostatic He-gas pressure to 0.58 GPa. The superconducting transition temperature T{sub c} decreases linearly with pressure P from 7.91 K at ambient pressure to 7.83 K at 0.58 GPa, giving the rate dT{sub c}/dP = −0.19 ± 0.03 K/GPa. Evidence is presented that suggests that the value of T{sub c} in this compound is slightly reduced due to magnetic pair-breaking effects from the Pr{sup 3+} cations.

Progress with High-Field Superconducting Magnets for High-Energy Colliders

Science.gov (United States)

Apollinari, Giorgio; Prestemon, Soren; Zlobin, Alexander V.

2015-10-01

One of the possible next steps for high-energy physics research relies on a high-energy hadron or muon collider. The energy of a circular collider is limited by the strength of bending dipoles, and its maximum luminosity is determined by the strength of final focus quadrupoles. For this reason, the high-energy physics and accelerator communities have shown much interest in higher-field and higher-gradient superconducting accelerator magnets. The maximum field of NbTi magnets used in all present high-energy machines, including the LHC, is limited to ˜10 T at 1.9 K. Fields above 10 T became possible with the use of Nb3Sn superconductors. Nb3Sn accelerator magnets can provide operating fields up to ˜15 T and can significantly increase the coil temperature margin. Accelerator magnets with operating fields above 15 T require high-temperature superconductors. This review discusses the status and main results of Nb3Sn accelerator magnet research and development and work toward 20-T magnets.

Selective synthesis of vitamin K3 over mesoporous NbSBA-15 catalysts synthesized by an efficient hydrothermal method.

Science.gov (United States)

Selvaraj, M; Park, D-W; Kim, I; Kawi, S; Ha, C S

2012-08-28

Well hexagonally ordered NbSBA-15 catalysts synthesized by an efficient hydrothermal method were used, for the first time, for the selective synthesis of vitamin K(3) by liquid-phase oxidation of 2-methyl-1-naphthol (2MN1-OH) under various reaction conditions. The recyclable NbSBA-15 catalysts were also reused to find their catalytic activities. To investigate the leaching of non-framework niobium species on the surface of silica networks, the results of original and recyclable NbSBA-15 catalysts were correlated and compared. To find an optimum condition for the selective synthesis of vitamin K(3), the washed NbSBA-15(2.2pH) was extensively used in this reaction with various reaction parameters such as temperature, time and ratios of reactant (2M1N-OH to H(2)O(2)), and the obtained results were also demonstrated. Additionally, the liquid-phase oxidation of 2M1N-OH was carried out with different solvents to find the best solvent with a good catalytic activity. Based on the all catalytic studies, the vitamin K(3) selectivity (97.3%) is higher in NbSBA-15(2.2pH) than that of other NbSBA-15 catalysts, and the NbSBA-15(2.2pH) is found to be a highly active and eco-friendly heterogeneous catalyst for the selective synthesis of vitamin K(3).

Radiation Limits for Nb3Sn Superconductors for ITER Magnets: A literature review

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Simon, N.J.

1995-01-01

The data base on radiation damage to Nb 3 Sn superconductors is compiled from the literature and assessed in this report. Nb 3 Sn superconductors are currently under procurement for use in ITER magnet prototypes. In contrast to the data base on insulation materials proposed for use in ITER magnets, the data base on the radiation damage of Nb 3 Sn is much more complete. Key results have often been confirmed by several groups at different institutions. The investigation of variables that influence radiation damage has also been much more complete for Nb 3 Sn than for insulators. Furthermore, in situ testing of superconducting parameters is much easier than in situ mechanical testing of insulators, and in situ testing has invariably been performed after cryogenic irradiation of Nb 3 Sn. However, in recent years, Nb 3 Sn testing has also suffered from the lack of 4-K irradiation facilities. Just as new processing methods to obtain more economical Nb 3 Sn conductor products in large quantity were being developed, cryogenic irradiation sources were being phased out. Therefore, this brief introductory section presents some basic information on the properties and structure of Nb 3 Sn superconducting composites and the distinctions between different fabrication processes. This provides a background to assess the adequacy of the current cryogenic data base on radiation damage, Also, since synergistic effects of strain and irradiation have recently been investigated, a brief discussion of the effects of strain on Nb 3 Sn properties is included in this introduction

Changes of Tsub(c), Jsub(c), Bsub(c2) and the lattice parameter of the Nb/sub 3/Sn phase formed at the initial stage of growth in a multifilamentary superconductive wire

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Glowacki, B A; Bukowski, Z

1987-03-01

Investigations were made of the superconducting transition temperature, Tsub(c), the upper critical flux density, Bsub(c2), and the critical current density, Jsub(c), of Nb/sub 3/Sn layers in filamentary wire in a bronze matrix. The lattice parameter, a/sub 0/ and Tsub(c) of Nb/sub 3/Sn layers in 259-filament wire were determined after removal of the bronze matrix. The microstructure and layer thickness were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The diffusion formation of Nb/sub 3/Sn phase at 1023 K was studied until the complete reaction of the niobium filaments. It was found that the Nb/sub 3/Sn layer begins to form in the manufacturing process during the intermediate annealing at 793 K, and that there is a considerable degradation of critical parameters due to the nonstiochiometry of the Nb/sub 3/Sn phase in layers thinner than 1 ..mu..m.