Measurements of surface impedance of superconductors as a function of frequency in microwave range

We report measurements of the complex resistivity in YBCO and MgB$_2$ thin films over a continuous frequency spectrum in the microwave range, making use of a Corbino disk geometry. The paper mainly focuses on the extraction of the resistivity from raw data, displaying data analysis procedure and its limits of validity. We obtain and show resistivity curves as a function of frequency and temperature denoting a frequency dependent widening of the superconducting transition.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures. Extended and revised version of cond-mat/0307143 (2003

Vortex state microwave response in superconducting cuprates and MgB2_2

We investigate the physics of the microwave response in YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7-\delta}$, SmBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7-\delta}$ and MgB$_{2}$ in the vortex state. We first recall the theoretical basics of vortex-state microwave response in the London limit. We then present a wide set of measurements of the field, temperature, and frequency dependences of the vortex state microwave complex resistivity in superconducting thin films, measured by a resonant cavity and by swept-frequency Corbino disk. The combination of these techniques allows for a comprehensive description of the microwave response in the vortex state in these innovative superconductors. In all materials investigated we show that flux motion alone cannot take into account all the observed experimental features, neither in the frequency nor in the field dependence. The discrepancy can be resolved by considering the (usually neglected) contribution of quasiparticles to the response in the vortex state. The peculiar, albeit different, physics of the superconducting materials here considered, namely two-band superconductivity in MgB$_{2}$ and superconducting gap with lines of nodes in cuprates, give rise to a substantially increased contribution of quasiparticles to the field-dependent microwave response. With careful combined analysis of the data it is possible to extract or infer many interesting quantities related to the vortex state, such as the temperature-dependent characteristic vortex frequency and vortex viscosity, the field dependence of the quasiparticle density, the temperature dependence of the $\sigma$-band superfluid density in MgB$_{2}$Comment: 51 pages, 27 figures, to appear as a book chapter (Nova Science

Surface impedance of superconductive thin films as a function of frequency in microwave range

We report measurements of the complex resistivity in $YBCO$ and $MgB_2$ thin films over a continuous frequency spectrum in the microwave range, making use of a Corbino disk geometry. The paper mainly focuses on the extraction of the resistivity from raw data, displaying data analisys procedure and its limits of validity. We obtain and show resistivity curves as a function of frequency and temperature denoting a frequency dependent widening of the superconductive transition.Comment: 8 pages, Latex, 5 figure

New aspects of microwave properties of Nb in the mixed state

We present a study of the frequency dependence of the vortex dynamics in a conventional superconductor. We have employed a swept-frequency, Corbino-disk technique to investigate the temperature (3.6K-Tc) and high-field (from Hc2/2 to Hc2) microwave complex resistivity in Nb thin (20-40 nm) films as a function of the frequency (1-20 GHz). We have found several previously unnoticed features: (i) a field-dependent depinning frequency in the GHz range; (ii) deviations from the accepted frequency dependence, that can be ascribed to some kind of vortex creep; (iii) the presence of switching phenomena, reminiscent of vortex instabilities. We discuss the possible origin of the features here reported.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, presented at VORTEX VI Conference, to appear on Physica

Vortex state microwave resistivity in Tl-2212 thin films

We present measurements of the field induced changes in the 47 GHz complex resistivity, $\Delta \tilde \rho(H,T)$, in Tl$_{2}$Ba$_{2}$CaCu$_{2}$O$_{8+x}$ (TBCCO) thin films with $T_{c}\simeq$ 105 K, prepared on CeO$_{2}$ buffered sapphire substrates. At low fields ($\mu_{0}H<$10 mT) a very small irreversible feature is present, suggesting a little role of intergranular phenomena. Above that level $\Delta \tilde \rho(H,T)$ exhibits a superlinear dependence with the field, as opposed to the expected (at high frequencies) quasilinear behaviour. We observe a crossover between predominantly imaginary to predominantly real (dissipative) response with increasing temperature and/or field. In addition, we find the clear scaling property $\Delta \tilde \rho(H,T)=\Delta \tilde \rho[H/H^{*}(T)]$, where the scaling field $H^{*}(T)$ maps closely the melting field measured in single crystals. We discuss our microwave results in terms of loss of flux lines rigidity.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, proceedings of 9th HTSHFF, accepted for publication on J. Supercon

The LHCb Muon detector commissioning and first running scenarios

The LHCb muon detector, part of the first LHCb trigger level (L0), has been built to provide a fast and efficient identification of the muons produced in pp collisions at the LHC. The expected performances are: 95% L0 trigger efficiency within a 25 ns time window and muon identification in L0 with a Pr resolution of 20%. The detector has been built using Multi-Wire Proportional Chambers and Gas Electron Multiplier technology. The chambers are arranged in five stations, interspersed with iron filter placed along the beam pipe. The results obtained in the commissioning of all the installed chambers and the measured performances are presented. The strategies foreseen for the detector calibration, the results of the space and time alignment efforts and few first running scenarios are discussed

Anisotropic renormalized fluctuations in the microwave resistivity in YBCO

We discuss the excess conductivity above Tc due to renormalized order-parameter fluctuations in YBCO at microwave frequencies. We calculate the effects of the uniaxial anisotropy on the renormalized fluctuations in the Hartree approximation, extending the isotropic theory developed by Dorsey [Phys. Rev. B 43, 7575 (1991)]. Measurements of the real part of the microwave resistivity at 24 and 48 GHz and of the dc resistivity are performed on different YBCO films. The onset of the superconducting transition and the deviation from the linear temperature behavior above Tc can be fully accounted for by the extended theory. According to the theoretical calculation here presented, a departure from gaussian toward renormalized fluctuations is observed. Very consistent values of the fundamental parameters (critical temperature, coherence lenghts, penetration depth) of the superconducting state are obtained.Comment: RevTex, 8 pages with 5 figures included, to be published in Physical Review

Actividad antifúngica de extractos crudos de bacillus subtilis contra fitopatógenos de soja (Glycine max) y efecto de su coinoculación con bradyrhizobium japonicum

373-383Fungal species Fusarium solani and Pythium sp. are among the microorganisms causing diseases in pre and post harvest crop soybean (Glycine max). Four strains of the genus Bacillus (B. subtilis ATCC6633, B. amylolyticus, B. subtilis var. natto, B. subtilis var. natto domesticated) were tested to evaluate the inhibitory response of them on the phytopathogenic fungi previously mentioned. The inoculation treatments were 1) seeds inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, and 2) seeds coinoculated with B. japonicum and B. subtilis. Plants were grown in a thermostated culture chamber at 30 more or less 1°C, 60 percent relative humidity and 16/8 light-dark photoperiod for 35 d. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and means were compared by applying the Tukey test (p less or equal to 0.05). The in vitro assays of the strain B. subtilis ATCC6633 reduced the mycelial growth of Fusarium solani (50 percent) and Pythium sp. (47 percent) compared to controls. The coinoculation of B. japonicum and B. subtilis stimulated the growth of the whole plant by 125 percent, 100 percent aerial part, 235 percent root, 20 percent number of leaves, and 88 percent nodule number compared to control. The strain B. subtilis ATCC6633 synthesized metabolites of proteinaceous nature and others with biosurfactant capacity. When the bacteria were grown in minimal saline medium, glycerol 1 percent and concentrations of L-glutamic acid between 40 and 55 mM, the highest concentration of proteinaceous metabolites (35 ug protein mL-1) was obtained and increased biofilm formation. Biofilm formation, the presence of biosurfactants and the release of antifungal metabolites positioned this bacterium in a situation competitively advantageous compared to the rest of the microbiota of the rhizosphere in the soybean plant. Entre los microorganismos causantes de enfermedades pre y post cosecha en los cultivos de soja (Glycine max) están las especies fúngicas Fusarium solani y Pythium sp. Cuatro cepas del género Bacillus (B. subtilis ATCC6633, B. amylolyticus, B. subtilis var. natto, B. subtilis var. natto domesticado) se probaron para evaluar su respuesta inhibitoria en los hongos fitopatógenos mencionados. Los tratamientos de inoculación fueron: 1) semillas inoculadas con Bradyrhizobium japonicum y 2) semillas coinoculadas con B. japonicum y B. subtilis. Las plantas crecieron en cámara de cultivo termostatizada a 30 más o menos 1°C, humedad relativa 60 porciento y fotoperíodo 16/8 luz-oscuridad durante 35 d. Los datos se analizaron mediante ANDEVA y las medias se compararon con la prueba de Tukey (p menor o igual a 0.05). Las pruebas in vitro de la cepa B. subtilis ATCC6633 redujeron el crecimiento micelial de Fusarium solani (50 porciento) y Pythium sp. (47 porciento) respecto a los testigos. La coinoculación de B. japonicum y B. subtilis estimuló el crecimiento de la planta completa en 125 porciento, parte aérea 100 porciento, raíz 235 porciento, número de hojas 20 porciento y número de nódulos 88 porciento respecto al testigo. La cepa de B. subtilis ATCC6633 sintetizó metabolitos de naturaleza proteínica y otros con capacidad biosurfactante. Cuando la bacteria se cultivó en medio mínimo salino, glicerol 1 porciento y concentraciones de ácido L-glutámico entre 40 y 55 mM, se obtuvo la concentración mayor de metabolitos de naturaleza proteínica (35 mg proteína mL-1) y la mayor formación de biopelícula. La formación de la biopelícula, la presencia de biosurfactantes y la liberación de metabolitos antifúngicos, posicionan a esta bacteria en una situación competitivamente ventajosa en relación al resto de la microbiota de la rizósfera en la planta de soja

Actividad antifúngica de extractos crudos de bacillus subtilis contra fitopatógenos de soja (Glycine max) y efecto de su coinoculación con bradyrhizobium japonicum

373-383Fungal species Fusarium solani and Pythium sp. are among the microorganisms causing diseases in pre and post harvest crop soybean (Glycine max). Four strains of the genus Bacillus (B. subtilis ATCC6633, B. amylolyticus, B. subtilis var. natto, B. subtilis var. natto domesticated) were tested to evaluate the inhibitory response of them on the phytopathogenic fungi previously mentioned. The inoculation treatments were 1) seeds inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, and 2) seeds coinoculated with B. japonicum and B. subtilis. Plants were grown in a thermostated culture chamber at 30 more or less 1°C, 60 percent relative humidity and 16/8 light-dark photoperiod for 35 d. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and means were compared by applying the Tukey test (p less or equal to 0.05). The in vitro assays of the strain B. subtilis ATCC6633 reduced the mycelial growth of Fusarium solani (50 percent) and Pythium sp. (47 percent) compared to controls. The coinoculation of B. japonicum and B. subtilis stimulated the growth of the whole plant by 125 percent, 100 percent aerial part, 235 percent root, 20 percent number of leaves, and 88 percent nodule number compared to control. The strain B. subtilis ATCC6633 synthesized metabolites of proteinaceous nature and others with biosurfactant capacity. When the bacteria were grown in minimal saline medium, glycerol 1 percent and concentrations of L-glutamic acid between 40 and 55 mM, the highest concentration of proteinaceous metabolites (35 ug protein mL-1) was obtained and increased biofilm formation. Biofilm formation, the presence of biosurfactants and the release of antifungal metabolites positioned this bacterium in a situation competitively advantageous compared to the rest of the microbiota of the rhizosphere in the soybean plant. Entre los microorganismos causantes de enfermedades pre y post cosecha en los cultivos de soja (Glycine max) están las especies fúngicas Fusarium solani y Pythium sp. Cuatro cepas del género Bacillus (B. subtilis ATCC6633, B. amylolyticus, B. subtilis var. natto, B. subtilis var. natto domesticado) se probaron para evaluar su respuesta inhibitoria en los hongos fitopatógenos mencionados. Los tratamientos de inoculación fueron: 1) semillas inoculadas con Bradyrhizobium japonicum y 2) semillas coinoculadas con B. japonicum y B. subtilis. Las plantas crecieron en cámara de cultivo termostatizada a 30 más o menos 1°C, humedad relativa 60 porciento y fotoperíodo 16/8 luz-oscuridad durante 35 d. Los datos se analizaron mediante ANDEVA y las medias se compararon con la prueba de Tukey (p menor o igual a 0.05). Las pruebas in vitro de la cepa B. subtilis ATCC6633 redujeron el crecimiento micelial de Fusarium solani (50 porciento) y Pythium sp. (47 porciento) respecto a los testigos. La coinoculación de B. japonicum y B. subtilis estimuló el crecimiento de la planta completa en 125 porciento, parte aérea 100 porciento, raíz 235 porciento, número de hojas 20 porciento y número de nódulos 88 porciento respecto al testigo. La cepa de B. subtilis ATCC6633 sintetizó metabolitos de naturaleza proteínica y otros con capacidad biosurfactante. Cuando la bacteria se cultivó en medio mínimo salino, glicerol 1 porciento y concentraciones de ácido L-glutámico entre 40 y 55 mM, se obtuvo la concentración mayor de metabolitos de naturaleza proteínica (35 mg proteína mL-1) y la mayor formación de biopelícula. La formación de la biopelícula, la presencia de biosurfactantes y la liberación de metabolitos antifúngicos, posicionan a esta bacteria en una situación competitivamente ventajosa en relación al resto de la microbiota de la rizósfera en la planta de soja