Nanostructural features degrading the performance of superconducting radio frequency niobium cavities revealed by transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy
Abstract
Nanoscale defect structure within the magnetic penetration depth of ~100 nm is key to the performance limitations of niobium superconducting radio frequency cavities. Using a unique combination of advanced thermometry during cavity RF measurements, and TEM structural and compositional characterization of the samples extracted from cavity walls, we discover the existence of nanoscale hydrides in electropolished cavities limited by the high field Q slope, and show the decreased hydride formation in the electropolished cavity after 120°C baking. Furthermore, we demonstrate that adding 800°C hydrogen degassing followed by light buffered chemical polishing restores the hydride formation to the pre-120°C bake level. We also show absence of niobium oxides along the grain boundaries and the modifications of the surface oxide upon 120°C bake.
- Authors:
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States); Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Center for Emergent Superconductivity (CES)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1179644
- Alternate Identifier(s):
- OSTI ID: 1214094; OSTI ID: 1420709
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC02-07CH11359; AC0298CH10886; DEFG02-01ER45923; AC02-98CH10886; FG02-01ER45923
- Resource Type:
- Published Article
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Applied Physics
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Volume: 117 Journal Issue: 15; Journal ID: ISSN 0021-8979
- Publisher:
- American Institute of Physics
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS; niobium; electron energy loss spectroscopy; grain boundaries; high resolution transmission electron microscopy; selected area electron diffraction
Citation Formats
Trenikhina, Y., Romanenko, A., Kwon, J., Zuo, J. -M., and Zasadzinski, J. F. Nanostructural features degrading the performance of superconducting radio frequency niobium cavities revealed by transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. United States: N. p., 2015.
Web. doi:10.1063/1.4918272.
Trenikhina, Y., Romanenko, A., Kwon, J., Zuo, J. -M., & Zasadzinski, J. F. Nanostructural features degrading the performance of superconducting radio frequency niobium cavities revealed by transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4918272
Trenikhina, Y., Romanenko, A., Kwon, J., Zuo, J. -M., and Zasadzinski, J. F. Tue .
"Nanostructural features degrading the performance of superconducting radio frequency niobium cavities revealed by transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4918272.
@article{osti_1179644,
title = {Nanostructural features degrading the performance of superconducting radio frequency niobium cavities revealed by transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy},
author = {Trenikhina, Y. and Romanenko, A. and Kwon, J. and Zuo, J. -M. and Zasadzinski, J. F.},
abstractNote = {Nanoscale defect structure within the magnetic penetration depth of ~100 nm is key to the performance limitations of niobium superconducting radio frequency cavities. Using a unique combination of advanced thermometry during cavity RF measurements, and TEM structural and compositional characterization of the samples extracted from cavity walls, we discover the existence of nanoscale hydrides in electropolished cavities limited by the high field Q slope, and show the decreased hydride formation in the electropolished cavity after 120°C baking. Furthermore, we demonstrate that adding 800°C hydrogen degassing followed by light buffered chemical polishing restores the hydride formation to the pre-120°C bake level. We also show absence of niobium oxides along the grain boundaries and the modifications of the surface oxide upon 120°C bake.},
doi = {10.1063/1.4918272},
journal = {Journal of Applied Physics},
number = 15,
volume = 117,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Apr 21 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Tue Apr 21 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}
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