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Categories: advanced materials, energy

BSA 10-20: Iron Based Superconducting Structures

BNL Reference Number: BSA 10-20

Patent Status: PCT filed on August 2, 2011

Summary

High-resolution transmission electron micrograph showing crystal structure of FeSe_0.5Te_0.5 thin films on buffered nickel-alloy substrate.

Superconductors having high critical temperatures (T_c), current densities (J_c), and upper magnetic fields (HC₂) are in great demand. The iron chalcogenides have been shown to have resistive onset critical temperatures on the order of 14K in the bulk and up to about 18K in thin-film form, with very high HC₂. These properties make them suitable for use in high-field applications, such as for magnets and conductors in magnetic fields, in addition to other superconducting applications such as magnetic detectors and electronic devices. This invention allows the iron chalcogenide superconductors to be grown on textured substrates that may be formed into wires and/or wound into magnets.

Description

Thin films of iron chalcogenide superconductors are grown on textured substrates. The substrates are nearly lattice matched in the plane of the substrate surface to the superconductor material. The substrates may include nickel and nickel-based alloys that are prized for their formability. A buffer layer is selected to provide a template for growth of high-quality thin films of iron chalcogenide-based superconductors. These materials should have a lattice constant close to that of iron-based superconductors. They must also be grown in texture (biaxially aligned) on the selected substrates. Yttria-stabilized zirconia and cerium oxide are preferred buffer materials. The iron-based superconductor is then deposited on the buffered substrate, for example, by pulsed laser deposition.

Journal Publication

• Enhanced superconducting transition temperature in FeSe_0.5Te_0.5 thin films (.pdf)

Have Questions?

For more information about this technology, contact Kimberley Elcess, (631) 344-4151.