Re-Ni{sub 2}B{sub 2}C superconducting borocarbides: {open_quotes}In situ{close_quotes} growth of thin films, transport and point contact spectroscopy

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Journal of Low Temperature Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02397237· OSTI ID:535098

Andreone, A; Iavarone, M; Vaglio, R ^[1]

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1. Universita di Napoli (Italy); and others

High quality c-axis oriented films of the intriguing intermetallic superconducting compound YNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C have been obtained {open_quotes}in situ{close_quotes} by magnetron sputtering on MgO substrates held at about 800{degrees}C. The films showed maximum T{sub c} = 15.3 K, ATC = 0.I K, room temperature resistivity {rho} {approx} 50 {mu}{Omega}-cm, critical current J{sub c} {approx} 10{sup 5} A/cm{sup 2} and B{sub c2} = 6 T. Superconducting films were also obtained on Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and LaAlO{sub 3} single-crystal substrates. From the {rho}(T) dependence a value of the Debye temperature {Theta}{sub D} = 330 {+-} 20 K can be deduced. At low temperatures the resistivity follows a quadratic power law possibly indicative of a high value of the electron-phonon interaction parameter A. In order to clarify the role of X in these compounds, point contact spectroscopy measurements have been performed on YNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C and HoNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C bulk samples prepared by inductive melting using a Low Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscope (LTSTM). In the point contact regime clear evidence of a superconducting gap have been found in both compounds, corresponding to a moderate strong coupling behaviour (2{Delta}/KT{sub c} {approx} 3.8).

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 535098
• Journal Information: Journal of Low Temperature Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Low Temperature Physics Journal Issue: 5-6 Vol. 107; ISSN JLTPAC; ISSN 0022-2291
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
BORON CARBIDES
CRITICAL CURRENT
CRITICAL FIELD
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
HIGH-TC SUPERCONDUCTORS
HOLMIUM CARBIDES
INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
NICKEL CARBIDES
SPUTTERING
THIN FILMS
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE
YTTRIUM CARBIDES