6,823 research outputs found
Flux Noise in MgB2 Thin Films
We have performed flux noise and AC-susceptibility measurements on two 400 nm
thick MgB films. Both measurement techniques give information about the
vortex dynamics in the sample, and hence the superconducting transition, and
can be linked to each other through the fluctuation-dissipation-theorem. The
transition widths for the two films are 0.3 and 0.8 K, respectively, and the
transitions show a multi step-like behavior in the AC-susceptibility
measurements. The same phenomenon is observed in the flux noise measurements
through a change in the frequency dependence of the spectral density at each
step in the transition. The results are discussed and interpreted in terms of
vortices carrying an arbitrary fraction of a flux quantum as well as in terms
of different macroscopic regions in the films having slightly different
compositions, and hence, different critical temperatures.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, conference contribution to "Fluctuations and
Noise", Santa Fe, New mexico 1-4 june 200
Growth of superconducting MgB2 thin films via postannealing techniques
We report the effect of annealing on the superconductivity of MgB2 thin films
as functions of the postannealing temperature in the range from 700 C to 950 C
and of the postannealing time in the range from 30 min to 120 min. On annealing
at 900 C for 30 min, we obtained the best-quality MgB2 films with a transition
temperature of 39 K and a critical current density of ~ 10^7 A/cm^2. Using the
scanning electron microscopy, we also investigated the film growth mechanism.
The samples annealed at higher temperatures showed the larger grain sizes,
well-aligned crystal structures with preferential orientations along the
c-axis, and smooth surface morphologies. However, a longer annealing time
prevented the alignment of grains and reduced the superconductivity, indicating
a strong interfacial reaction between the substrate and the MgB2 film.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures include
Polymerization of ethylene oxide using yttrium isopropoxide
Well defined poly(ethylene oxide)s were prepared using yttrium isopropoxide as an initiator. End group analysis using 1H- and 13C NMR spectroscopy revealed that only polymers with isopropyl ether and hydroxyl end groups were produced. The molecular weight is controlled by the initial amount of initiator added and low polydispersity polymer (Mw/Mn ≈ 1.1) was isolated. Sequential polymerization indicated the suitability of this initiator for macromolecular engineering
Effect of magnetic order on the superfluid response of single-crystal ErNiBC: A penetration depth study
We report measurements of the in-plane magnetic penetration depth (T) in single crystals of ErNiBC down to 0.1 K using
a tunnel-diode based, self-inductive technique at 21 MHz. We observe four
features: (1) a slight dip in (T) at the Nel
temperature = 6.0 K, (2) a peak at = 2.3 K, where a weak
ferromagnetic component sets in, (3) another maximum at 0.45 K, and (4) a final
broad drop down to 0.1 K. Converting to superfluid density , we see
that the antiferromagnetic order at 6 K only slightly depresses
superconductivity. We seek to explain some of the above features in the context
of antiferromagnetic superconductors, where competition between the
antiferromagnetic molecular field and spin fluctuation scattering determines
increased or decreased pairbreaking. Superfluid density data show only a slight
decrease in pair density in the vicinity of the 2.3 K feature, thus supporting
other evidences against bulk ferromagnetism in this temperature range.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure
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