Microstructures of lead alloy Josephson junction electrode materials: PbInAu and PbSb

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · IEEE Trans. Magn.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TMAG.1983.1062557· OSTI ID:5483090

Pei, S; Gates, J; Nakahara, S; Schreiber, H

The microstructures of PbInAu and PbSb films similar to those used as electrodes for Josephson junctions were investigated. These films were deposited mainly by evaporation to completion of alloys. The depth profiles of various elements in these alloy films were determined by a combination of sputter etching and Auger electron spectroscopy. The surface morphologies and microstructures were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopies respectively. X-ray energy spectroscopy and transmission electron diffraction techniques were used to identify different crystalline phases. No apparent difference was found in the morphologies or microstructures of PbInAu films deposited on substrates with or without a thin layer of oxidized chromium film. The result suggests that the improved cyclability of the PbInAu film deposited on an oxidized chromiun layer may be due to the increased adhesion of the film composite to the substrate. For the PbSb films, antimony was found to segregate and form Sb-rich grains dispersed between Pb-rich grains. The authors believe that the better thermal cyclability of PbSb films is largely due to this dispersion hardening process.

• Research Organization: Bell Lab., Murray Hill, NJ 07974
• OSTI ID: 5483090
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Magn.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Magn.; (United States) Vol. 19:3; ISSN IEMGA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360102 -- Metals & Alloys-- Structure & Phase Studies
420201* -- Engineering-- Cryogenic Equipment & Devices
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALLOYS
ANTIMONY ALLOYS
AUGER ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DISPERSION HARDENING
ELECTRODES
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
FILMS
GOLD ALLOYS
HARDENING
INDIUM ALLOYS
JOSEPHSON JUNCTIONS
JUNCTIONS
LEAD ALLOYS
MICROSTRUCTURE
PNICTIDES
SPECTROSCOPY
SPUTTERING
SUPERCONDUCTING FILMS
SUPERCONDUCTING JUNCTIONS