Probing the superconducting condensate on a nanometer scale

Superconductivity is a rare example of a quantum system in which the wavefunction has a macroscopic quantum effect, due to the unique condensate of electron pairs. The amplitude of the wavefunction is directly related to the pair density, but both amplitude and phase enter the Josephson current : the coherent tunneling of pairs between superconductors. Very sensitive devices exploit the superconducting state, however properties of the {\it condensate} on the {\it local scale} are largely unknown, for instance, in unconventional high-T$_c$ cuprate, multiple gap, and gapless superconductors. The technique of choice would be Josephson STS, based on Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy (STS), where the condensate is {\it directly} probed by measuring the local Josephson current (JC) between a superconducting tip and sample. However, Josephson STS is an experimental challenge since it requires stable superconducting tips, and tunneling conditions close to atomic contact. We demonstrate how these difficulties can be overcome and present the first spatial mapping of the JC on the nanometer scale. The case of an MgB$_2$ film, subject to a normal magnetic field, is considered.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Probing the superfluid velocity with a superconducting tip: the Doppler shift effect

We address the question of probing the supercurrents in superconducting (SC) samples on a local scale by performing Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy (STS) experiments with a SC tip. In this configuration, we show that the tunneling conductance is highly sensitive to the Doppler shift term in the SC quasiparticle spectrum of the sample, thus allowing the local study of the superfluid velocity. Intrinsic screening currents, such as those surrounding the vortex cores in a type II SC in a magnetic field, are directly probed. With Nb tips, the STS mapping of the vortices, in single crystal 2H-NbSe_2, reveals both the vortex cores, on the scale of the SC coherence length $\xi$, and the supercurrents, on the scale of the London penetration length $\lambda$. A subtle interplay between the SC pair potential and the supercurrents at the vortex edge is observed. Our results open interesting prospects for the study of screening currents in any superconductor.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Results from Point Contact Tunnelling Spectroscopy and Atomic Layer Deposition

We have shown previously that magnetic niobium oxides can influence the superconducting density of states at the surface of cavity-grade niobium coupons. We will present recent results obtained by Point Contact Tunneling spectroscopy (PCT) on coupons removed from hot and cold spots in a niobium cavity, as well as a comparative study of magnetic oxides on mild baked/unbaked electropolished coupons. We will also describe recent results obtained from coated cavities, ALD films properties and new materials using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)

Raman Spectroscopy as a Probe of Surface Oxides and Hydrides on Niobium

Raman microscopy/spectroscopy has been used in conjunction with AFM, tunneling and magnetic susceptibility to identify surface oxides and hydrides on annealed, recrystallized foils of high purity Nb and on single crystals of cavity grade Nb. Cold worked regions of the Nb foil as well as rough regions near grain boundaries showed clear evidence of ordered hydride phases which were identified by VASP phonon calculations. Cold worked regions also displayed enhanced surface paramagnetism. Surface enhanced Raman spectra have also been obtained using 1.0 nm Au depositon. The SERS spectra reveal hydride molecular species which are not observable by conventional Raman. These results indicate that Raman is a useful probe of Nb surfaces relevant for cavity performanc

Atomic Layer Deposition for SRF Cavities

We have begun using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) to synthesize a variety of surface coatings on coupons and cavities as part of an effort to produce rf structures with significantly better performance and yield than those obtained from bulk niobium, The ALD process offers the possibility of conformally coating complex cavity shapes with precise layered structures with tightly constrained morphology and chemical properties. Our program looks both at the metallurgy and superconducting properties of these coatings, and also their performance in working structures. Initial results include: 1) evidence from point contact tunneling showing magnetic oxides can be a significant limitation to high gradient operation, 2) experimental results showing the production sharp niobium/oxide interfaces from a high temperature bake of ALD coated Al2O3 on niobium surfaces, 3) results from ALD coated structures

Superconducting vortex profile from fixed point measurements the “Lazy Fisherman” tunneling microscopy method

We introduce a mode of operation for studying the vortex phase in superconductors using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). While in the conventional STM method, the tip is scanned over a sample in which a fixed vortex pattern is prepared, in our "Lazy Fisherman" method the STM tip is kept fixed at a selected location while the vortices are being moved by varying the applied magnetic field. By continuously acquiring the local tunnelling conductance spectra, dI/dV(V), we detect the changes in the local density of states under the tip due to the vortex motion. With no need for scanning, the method permits one to extend the study of vortices to samples in which scanning is difficult or even impossible due to surface nonuniformity and allows one to study vortex dynamics. Using a statistical analysis of the spectra, we reconstruct the single vortex zero bias conductance profile. We apply the method to the c-axis face of an MgB$_2$ single crystal sample and obtain a vortex profile with a coherence length, xi of 57+-2 nm.Comment: The following article has been accepted by APL. After it is published, it will be found at http://apl.aip.org

Atomic Layer Deposition for SRF Cavities

We have begun using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) to synthesize a variety of surface coatings on coupons and cavities as part of an effort to produce rf structures with significantly better performance and yield than those obtained from bulk niobium, The ALD process offers the possibility of conformally coating complex cavity shapes with precise layered structures with tightly constrained morphology and chemical properties. Our program looks both at the metallurgy and superconducting properties of these coatings, and also their performance in working structures. Initial results include: (1) results from ALD coated cavities and coupons, (2) new evidence from point contact tunneling (PCT) showing magnetic oxides can be a significant limitation to high gradient operation, (3) a study of high pressure rinsing damage on niobium samples

Two regimes in the magnetic field response of superconducting MgB 2

Using Scanning Tunneling Microscope at low temperature we explore the superconducting phase diagram in the π-band of the two-band superconductor MgB 2. In this band the peculiar shape of the local tunneling spectra and their dynamics in the magnetic field reveal the complex character of the quasiparticle density of states (DOS). The gap in the DOS is first rapidly filled with states in raising the magnetic field up to 0.5 T and then slowly approaches the normal state value: the gap is observed up to 2 T. Such a change in the DOS dynamics suggests the existence of two terms in the DOS of the π-band: a first one, reflecting an intrinsic superconductivity in the band and a second one, originating from an inter-band coupling to the σ-band. Our findings allow a deeper understanding of the unique phase diagram of MgB 2. Copyright EDP Sciences/Società Italiana di Fisica/Springer-Verlag 200774.50.+r Tunneling phenomena; point contacts, weak links, Josephson effects, 74.70.Ad Metals; alloys and binary compounds (including A15, MgB2, etc.), 74.25.Ha Magnetic properties,