Integrated multi-scale approach combining global homogenization and local refinement for multi-field analysis of high-temperature superconducting composite magnets

Second-generation high-temperature superconducting(HTS)conductors,specifically rare earth-barium-copper-oxide(REBCO)coated conductor(CC)tapes,are promising candidates for high-energy and high-field superconducting applications.With respect to epoxy-impregnated REBCO composite magnets that comprise multilayer components,the thermomechanical characteristics of each component differ considerably under extremely low temperatures and strong electromagnetic fields.Traditional numerical models include homogenized orthotropic models,which simplify overall field calculation but miss detailed multi-physics aspects,and full refinement(FR)ones that are thorough but computationally demanding.Herein,we propose an extended multi-scale approach for analyzing the multi-field characteristics of an epoxy-impregnated composite magnet assembled by HTS pancake coils.This approach combines a global homogenization(GH)scheme based on the homogenized electromagnetic T-A model,a method for solving Maxwell's equations for superconducting materials based on the current vector potential T and the magnetic field vector potential A,and a homogenized orthotropic thermoelastic model to assess the electromagnetic and thermoelastic properties at the macroscopic scale.We then identify“dangerous regions”at the macroscopic scale and obtain finer details using a local refinement(LR)scheme to capture the responses of each component material in the HTS composite tapes at the mesoscopic scale.The results of the present GH-LR multi-scale approach agree well with those of the FR scheme and the experimental data in the literature,indicating that the present approach is accurate and efficient.The proposed GH-LR multi-scale approach can serve as a valuable tool for evaluating the risk of failure in large-scale HTS composite magnets.

A 3–5μm broadband YBCO high-temperature superconducting photonic crystal

Photonic crystal structures have excellent optical properties,so they are widely studied in conventional optical materials.Recent research shows that high-temperature superconducting periodic structures have natural photonic crystal features and they are favourable candidates for single-photon detection.Considering that superconductors have completely different properties from conventional optical materials,we study the energy level diagram and mid-infrared 3μm–5μm transmission spectrum of two-dimensional superconducting photonic crystals in both superconducting and quenched states with the finite element method.The energy level diagram of the circular crystal column superconducting structure shows that the structure has a large band gap width in both states.At the same fill factor,the circular crystal column superconducting structure has a larger band gap width than the others structures.For lattice structures,the zero transmission point of the square lattice structure is robust to the incident angle and environmental temperature.Our research has guiding significance for the design of new material photonic crystals,photon modulation and detection.

Disorder effects in NbTiN superconducting resonators

Disordered superconducting materials like NbTiN possess a high kinetic inductance fraction and an adjustable critical temperature, making them a good choice for low-temperature detectors. Their energy gap(D), critical temperature(T_(c)),and quasiparticle density of states(QDOS) distribution, however, deviate from the classical BCS theory due to the disorder effects. The Usadel equation, which takes account of elastic scattering, non-elastic scattering, and electro–phonon coupling,can be applied to explain and describe these deviations. This paper presents numerical simulations of the disorder effects based on the Usadel equation to investigate their effects on the △, Tc, QDOS distribution, and complex conductivity of the NbTiN film. Furthermore, NbTiN superconducting resonators with coplanar waveguide(CPW) structures are fabricated and characterized at different temperatures to validate our numerical simulations. The pair-breaking parameter α and the critical temperature in the pure state T_(c)^(P) of our NbTiN film are determined from the experimental results and numerical simulations. This study has significant implications for the development of low-temperature detectors made of disordered superconducting materials.

Multi-band analysis on physical properties of superconducting FeSe films

The origins of superconductivity and pairing symmetry of order parameters are still controversial problems for FeSe thin films up to date.Under the Neumann boundary conditions,the electromagnetic properties of this system are investigated using the two-band Ginzburg-Landau theory.We calculate the temperature dependence of upper critical field in arbitrary direction and critical supercurrent density through the FeSe film.It is revealed that the normalized upper critical field is independent of the film thickness and all of our theoretical results are in accordance with the experimental data.These thus strongly indicate the existence of two-gap s-wave superconductivity in this material.

High-Temperature Superconducting YBa_(2)Cu_(3)O_(7-δ)Josephson Junction Fabricated with a Focused Helium Ion Beam

As a newly developed method for fabricating Josephson junctions,a focused helium ion beam has the advantage of producing reliable and reproducible junctions.We fabricated Josephson junctions with a focused helium ion beam on our 50 nm YBa_(2)Cu_(3)O_(7-δ)(YBCO)thin films.We focused on the junction with irradiation doses ranging from 100 to 300 ions/nm and demonstrated that the junction barrier can be modulated by the ion dose and that within this dose range,the junctions behave like superconductor–normal conductor–superconductor junctions.The measurements of the I–V characteristics,Fraunhofer diffraction pattern,and Shapiro steps of the junctions clearly show AC and DC Josephson effects.Our findings demonstrate high reproducibility of junction fabrication using a focused helium ion beam and suggest that commercial devices based on this nanotechnology could operate at liquid nitrogen temperatures.

Cascade excitation of vortex motion and reentrant superconductivity in flexible Nb thin films

High quality Nb films were successfully prepared on both flexible polyimide(PI)and rigid Al2O3substrates and their transport properties were systematically studied at various applied currents,external magnetic fields,and sample orientations.It is found that a curved Nb/PI film exhibits quite different superconducting transition and vortex dynamics compared to the flat Nb/Al2O3film.For the curved Nb/PI film,smooth superconducting transitions were obtained at low currents,while unexpected cascade structures were revealed in theρ(T)curves at high currents.We attribute this phenomenon to the gradient distribution of vortex density together with a variation of superconductivity along the curved film.In addition,reentrant superconductivity was induced in the curved Nb/PI thin film by properly choosing the measurement conditions.We attribute this effect to the vortex pinning from both in-plane vortices and out-of-plane vortices.This work reveals the complex transport properties of curved superconducting thin films,providing important insights for further theoretical investigations and practical developments of flexible superconductors.

Flux pinning evolution in multilayer Pb/Ge/Pb/Ge/Pb superconducting systems

Multicomponent superconductors exhibit nontrivial vortex behaviors due to the various vortex–vortex interactions,including the competing one in the recently proposed type-1.5 superconductor.However,potential candidate that can be used to study the multicomponent superconductivity is rare.Here,we prepared an artificial superconducting multilayer to act as an alternative approach to study multicomponent superconductivity.The additional repulsive length and the coupling strength among superconducting films were regulated by changing the thickness of the insulting layer.The magnetization measurements were performed to clarify the effect of the competition between the repulsive vortex interactions on the macroscopic superconductivity.The vortex phase diagram and the optimum critical current density have been determined.Furthermore,a second magnetization effect is observed,and is attributed to the upper layer,which provides the weak pinning sites to localize the flux lines.The pinning behaviors switches to the mixed type with the increase of the insulting layer thicknesses.Our results open a new perspective to the study and related applications of the multilayer superconducting systems.

Enhancing superconductivity of ultrathin YBa2Cu3O7-δ films by capping non-superconducting oxides

In this study, we have explored the ways to fabricate and optimize high-quality ultrathin YBa2 Cu3 O7-δ(YBCO) films grown on single-crystal(001) SrTiO3 substrates. Nearly atomic-flat YBCO films are obtained by pulsed laser deposition.Our result shows that the termination of SrTiO3 has only a negligible effect on the properties of YBCO. In contrast, we found that capping a non-superconducting oxide layer can generally enhance the superconductivity of YBCO. PrBa2 Cu3 O7,La2 CuO4, LaMnO3, SrTiO3, and LaAlO3 have been examined as capping layers, and the minimum thickness of superconducting YBCO with capping is ~ 2 unit cells–3 unit cells. This result might be useful in constructing good-performance YBCO-based field effect devices.

Formation of epitaxial Tl_2Ba_2Ca_2Cu_3O_(10) superconducting films by dc-magnetron sputtering and triple post-annealing method

For obtaining pure phase Tl2Ba2Ca2Cu3O10(Tl-2223) films with good superconducting properties, the growth technique is improved by dc magnetron sputtering and a triple post-annealing process. The triple post-annealing process comprises annealing twice in argon and once in oxygen at different temperatures. In the first low-temperature annealing phase in argon, Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8(Tl-2212) is obtained to effectively minimize evaporation in the next step. With the increase of temperature in the second annealing stage in argon, the previously prepared Tl-2212 inter-phase is converted into Tl-2223phase. An additional annealing in oxygen is also adopted to improve the properties of Tl-2223 films, each containing an optimal oxygen content value. The results of X-ray diffraction(XRD) θ–2θ scans, ω scans and rotational φ scans show that each of the Tl-2223 films has a high phase purity and an epitaxial structure. Smooth films are observed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The critical temperatures Tc of the films are measured to be about 120 K and the critical current densities Jc can reach 4.0 MA/cm2at 77 K at self field.

Fabrication of Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8 superconducting films without thallium pellets

A new improved two-step method in fabricating Tl_2Ba_2 CaCu_2O_8(Tl-2212) thin films is presented in this paper. In the first process of dc magnetron sputtering, the thallium content in the precursor film is largely increased by adjusting the ratio of thallium in the sputtering targets. After the second annealing process in the absence of additional thallium pellets or powder source, high-quality Tl-2212 thin films can be obtained. The proper content of thallium in the precursor film provides a relatively stable atmosphere to guarantee the growth of Tl-2212 film. This method avoids the repeated production of the thallium pellets in the post-annealing process, the repeatability and controllability of the experiment are greatly improved. X-ray diffraction(XRD) scans show that all of the sharp peaks of the sample films can be assigned to the(00 l) peaks of Tl-2212 phase. The highest superconducting critical temperature(Tc) of the films is 105 K and the critical current density(Jc) can achieve 1.93 MA/cm2 in zero magnetic field at 77 K for a 600 nm film.

Laser Ablated Superconducting and Related Thin Films:A Microscopical Investigation

Laser ablated high temperature superconducting and related thin films are investigated with amicroscopical point of view.The microstructure and microchemistry of three thin films(Y-Ba-Cu-O,Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O and Sr-Ca-Cu-O)are demonstrated as examples of laser ablation products.

INFRARED DETECTOR USING SUPERCONDUCTING YBa_2Cu_3O_7-δTHIN FILMS

The patterning technologies and process order of high TC(86K) super-conducting film bolometers have been studied. After the deposition, a conventional lithographic process was used to pattern the films with aqueous solution of HCl, and then the films were transferred into a tube furnace for annealing to form superconducting film. It eliminates the degradation of patterning process. The bolometric responsivity of approximately 34. 32 V/W is measured, and the detectivity is greater than 1. 62×108cm · Hz1/2 ·W-1, the noise equivalent powers NEP is 2. 1×10-9W.

Fabrication and characterization of Al–Mn superconducting films for applications in TES bolometers

Superconducting transition edge sensor(TES)bolometers require superconducting films to have controllable transition temperatures T_(c)in different practical applications.The value of T_(c)strongly affects thermal conductivity and thermal noise performance of TES detectors.Al films doped with Mn(Al-Mn)of different concentrations can accomplish tunable T_(c)A magnetron sputtering machine is used to deposit the Al-Mn films in this study.Fabrication parameters including sputtering pressure and annealing process are studied and their influences on T_(c)and superconducting transition widthΔT_(c)are optimized.The Al-Mn films withΔT_(c)below 1.0 mK for T_(c)in a range of 520 mK-580 mK are successfully fabricated.

Erratum to“Fabrication of Tl_(2)Ba_(2)CaCu_(2)O_(8) superconducting films without thallium pellets

The rocking curve of Tl-2212 thin films in Fig.2 of our original paper[1]should be replaced with the following new one.Accordingly,in the fifth paragraph of Section 3 of the original paper,the statement“The full width at half maximum(FWHM)of the(0012)peak of the Tl-2212 phase is about 0.24°”should be“The full width at half maximum(FWHM)of the(0012)peak of the Tl-2212 phase is about 0.42°”.

Comparative Study of 10-MW High-Temperature Superconductor Wind Generator with Overlapped Field Coil Arrangement

The electromagnetic characteristics and iron loss of a high-temperature superconductor wind generator(HWG)equipped with an overlapped field coil arrangement(OFCA)are studied by comparing with the one equipped with the conventional field coil arrangement(CFCA).Through a quantitative analysis,it was found that HWG with OFCA exhibits better electromagnetic characteristics than HWG with CFCA and can reduce the iron loss by eliminating the magnetic flux sag caused by the adjacent field coil sides with the same current flow direction.In addition,the OFCA topology can further reduce the volume of the wind generator.

BPSCCO Superconducting Films Grown by Spray Pyrolysis Technique: Systematic Study of the Relationship between Pb Content and Annealing Conditions

Actually recent investigation in developing semiconducting-superconducting composites based in CdS and Bi-based superconductors has attracted interest in processing thin superconducting films. In this work are reported Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (BPSCCO) thin films grown on MgO substrates by spray pyrolysis technique from a solution containing Bi(NO3)3, Pb(NO3)2, Sr(NO3)2, Ca(NO3)2 and Cu(NO3)2, with a subsequent solid state reaction for growing the Bi-based superconducting phases. Annealed films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, atomic absorption spectroscopy and resistance measurements. Interdependence between Pb content, annealing time and temperature, in the formation of superconducting phases was studied applying a fractional factorial design 3III4-2. Interrelation between Pb content, ta and Ta exists. The presence of Pb is necessary to stabilize the high-Tc phase but its content depends on the annealing conditions.

Matching effect in superconducting NbN thin film with a square lattice of holes

A square hole array is fabricated over a micro-bridge of NbN thin film by electron beam lithography and reactive ion milling. Magneto-resistance is measured across the micro-bridge filled with a hole array near the superconducting transition temperature. It is found that magneto-resistance minima occur when the number of vortices is an integer multiple or a fractional multiple of the number of holes. The temperature and the current dependences of the matching effect are studied.

Observation of lateral long range order in superconducting FeTe thin films

We find that the superconductivity in the thin films of the formerly believed non-superconducting parent compound FeTe is accompanied by an emergence of second order with a correlation length of 742 nm and 258 nm at 10 K and 300 K,respectively.The structural phase transition found in iron pnictide superconductors,in non-superconducting FeTe bulk samples,and in FeSe superconducting thin films is not observed in the superconducting FeTe thin films.The interplay between superconductivity and long range order may suggest the crucial role of competition between electronic localization and itinerancy which leads to strong quantum fluctuations in the FeTe system.

Correlated-Electron Systems and High-Temperature Superconductivity

We present recent theoretical results on superconductivity in correlated-electron systems, especially in the two-dimensional Hubbard model and the three-band d-p model. The mechanism of superconductivity in high-temperature superconductors has been extensively studied on the basis of various electronic models and also electron-phonon models. In this study, we investigate the properties of superconductivity in correlated-electron systems by using numerical methods such as the variational Monte Carlo method and the quantum Monte Carlomethod. The Hubbard model is one of basic models for strongly correlated electron systems, and is regarded as the model of cuprate high temperature superconductors. The d-p model is more realistic model for cuprates. The superconducting condensation energy obtained by adopting the Gutzwiller ansatz is in reasonable agreement with the condensation energy estimated for YBa2Cu3O7. We show the phase diagram of the ground state using this method. We have further investigated the stability of striped and checkerboard states in the under-doped region. Holes doped in a half-filled square lattice lead to an incommensurate spin and charge density wave. The relationship of the hole density x and incommensurability δ, δ~x, is satisfied in the lower doping region, as indicated by the variationalMonte Carlocalculations for the two-dimensional Hubbard model. A checkerboard-like charge-density modulation with a roughly period has also been observed by scanning tunneling microscopy experiments in Bi2212 and Na-CCOC compounds. We have performed a variational Monte Carlo simulation on a two-dimensional t-t′-t″- U Hubbard model with a Bi-2212 type band structure and found that the period checkerboard spin modulation, that is characterized by multi Q vectors, is indeed stabilized. We have further performed an investigation by using a quantumMonte Carlomethod, which is a numerical method that can be used to simulate the behavior of correlated electron systems. We present a new algorithm of the quantum Monte Carlo diagonalization that is a method for the evaluation of expectation value without the negative sign problem. We compute pair correlation functions and show that pair correlation is indeed enhanced with hole doping.