Superconducting AgMo/sub 6/S/sub 8/ thin films prepared by reactive sputtering

Journal Article · Fri May 15 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.338347· OSTI ID:6647534

Hertel, G B; Orlando, T P; Tarascon, J M

Preferentially oriented thin films of the Chevrel-phase superconductor AgMo/sub 6/S/sub 8/ were prepared by reactive sputtering. Ag and Mo were simultaneously sputtered from separate guns onto sapphire substrates held at about 850/sup 0/C with H/sub 2/S gas injected near the substrate. The films have superconducting critical temperatures up to 9.2 K and narrow-phase transitions. The reactive sputtering process chosen for the preparation of our films makes it possible to change the superconducting properties and the microstructure of the samples in a systematic way by changing individual preparation parameters and to study which of the preparation conditions are the most crucial for the formation of the Chevrel phase. We find that the superconducting transition temperature of the Chevrel phase is very sensitive to both substrate temperature and to the flow of H/sub 2/S but insensitive to the background pressure in the chamber before deposition. The microstructure can be changed by controlling the H/sub 2/S pressure. X-ray measurements show that the films are preferentially oriented with the rhombohedral 001 planes parallel to the surface of the substrate.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
• OSTI ID: 6647534
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 61:10; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360603* -- Materials-- Properties
656100 -- Condensed Matter Physics-- Superconductivity
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
CHALCOGENIDES
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DATA
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FABRICATION
FILMS
INFORMATION
METALS
MICROSTRUCTURE
MOLYBDENUM
MOLYBDENUM COMPOUNDS
MOLYBDENUM SULFIDES
NUMERICAL DATA
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REFRACTORY METAL COMPOUNDS
SILVER
SILVER COMPOUNDS
SILVER SULFIDES
SPUTTERING
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SUPERCONDUCTING FILMS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE