Intergranular fluxons in high-Tcsuperconductors

The granular high-T _c superconductors can carry very low transport current, in comparison to that found in the bulk of the material. Magnetization and critical current measurements at very low field indicate that this low transport current behaves as expected from a critical state model. The presence of weak links between the grains in granular aggregates is firmly established, together with the Josephson character of such links. The existence of some kind of magnetic particles, and of a mechanism of pinning for them, is required to explain the critical state regime. In this paper we examine the flux structures which can be present in the granular systems, which can be described by an array of SQUIDs, and we show their similarities to fluxons in a continuous medium and to fluxons in uniform Josephson junctions. A simple model, based on a two-dimensional network of pointlike Josepson junctions, is adequate to demonstrate the existance of the IF (intergranular fluxon). Its characteristics depend on a single parameter, which gives the coupling strength between grains. The discreteness of the system is the cause of an intrinsic pinning of the intergranular fluxons.     

High-field Josephson magnetic resonance in high-temperature superconductors

The possibility of high-field Josephson magnetic resonance (HFJMR) in high-temperature super-conductors (HTSCs) is theoretically demonstrated. The HFJMR mechanism is related to the Josephson oscillations in intergranular junctions of a polycrystalline HTSC, which are caused by the penetration of Abrikosov vortices into the grains. In fields within H _c1 ≤ H < H _x (where H _c1 is the first critical field and H _x is the field corresponding to vortex separation from pinning centers in the grains), measurements of the microwave absorption spectra of a sample can be used for investigations of the HTSC macrostructure and the properties of vortex matter. In the latter aspect, the HFJMR method is analogous to the SQUID technique.     

Fluxons and superfluxons in Josephson junctions with periodical structure of the magnetic inclusions

The motion of fluxons in Josephson junctions with periodical systems of structure defects with a magnetic moment is investigated. A new type of fluxon pinning, namely the pinning outside the defects, is predicted. The dependence of the critical current on the external magnetic field and distance between defects has been obtained. It is shown that in the case of a fast fluxon its interaction with the magnetic defect is only magnetic. The existence of supersolitons in the fluxon chains is predicted. The results of the theory is used to explain the dependence of critical current on the magnetic field in high temperature superconductors.     

Influence of grain properties on the Abrikosov vortices interaction with Josephson junction

The problem of the displacement of an Abrikosov vortex is investigated when the magnetic field decreases to H _cl ^G in a grain of a type II superconductor. It is shown that near grain boundaries the vortex line generates an intergranular current which depends on the normalized grain size τ and the anisotropy ratio ν. These parameters strongly influence the conditions of the Josephson vortex generation as a result of the interaction of the Abrikosov vortex with the Josephson junction. We support our theory with calculations of the intergrain critical current taking into account two types of the vortex configuration, triangular and square, for different grain characteristics. The results are of interest for the charge transport in granular superconductors as well as the relaxation process in devices that contain Josephson junctions in micro- and nanoelectronics in magnetic field.     

Intergrain Effects in the AC Susceptibility of?Polycrystalline LaFeAsO0.94F0.06

The AC susceptibility, ??, at zero DC magnetic field of a polycrystalline sample of LaFeAsO_0.94F_0.06 (T _c ??24?K) has been investigated as a function of the temperature, the amplitude of the AC magnetic field (in the range H _ac =0.003?Oe??4?Oe) and the frequency (in the range f=10?kHz??100?kHz). The ??(T) curve exhibits the typical two-step transition arising from the combined response of superconducting grains and intergranular weak-coupled medium. The intergranular part of ?? strongly depends on both the amplitude and the frequency of the AC driving field, from few Kelvin below T _c down to T=4.2?K. Our results show that, in the investigated sample, the intergrain critical current is not determined by pinning of Josephson vortices but by Josephson critical current across neighboring grains.     

Hysteretic Critical State in Coplanar Josephson Junction with Monolayer Graphene Barrier

Coplanar Al/graphene/Al junctions fabricated on the same graphene sheet deposited on silicon carbide (SiC), show robust Josephson coupling at subKelvin temperature, when the separations between the electrodes is below 400 nm. Remarkably, a hysteretic Critical State sets in when ramping an orthogonal magnetic field, with a sudden collapse of the Josephson critical current I _c when turning the field on, and a revival of I _c when inverting the sweep. Similar hysteresis can be found in granular superconducting films which may undergo the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition. Here, we give quantitative arguments to prove that this odd behavior of the magnetoconductance gives evidence for an incipient Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition with drift and pinning of fluctuating free vortices induced by the current bias.     

Peculiarities of the current-voltage characteristics of a Josephson medium in a YBCO high-temperature superconductor

The influence of a weak magnetic field (H < 150 Oe) on the current-voltage (I-U) characteristic of a YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 ? x} (YBCO) high-temperature superconductor (HTSC) near the superconducting transition temperature has been studied. It is established that there exist narrow (<0.2 K) temperature regions where the I-U curve exhibits sharp bending for H < 30 Oe and the ohmic behavior changes to a quadratic dependence of the voltage on current in a region of several milliamperes. At higher temperatures, the I-U curve bending exhibits smearing. This behavior is observed at a temperature below that corresponding to a zero critical current. Above a certain current, the temperature and magnetic field exhibit equivalent effects on the I-U curve of YBCO. Experimental results are explained by a sharp decrease in the critical currents of intergranular Josephson junctions under the action of magnetic field and by the current-induced formation of uncoupled (with respect to the order parameter) superconducting grains. Characteristic currents for the transition of the intergranular Josephson medium into an incoherent state are determined and the first critical fields in YBCO are evaluated.     

Magnetic and transport critical current density of laser-irradiated Sm-Ba-Cu-O superconductor at 4.2 K

The low temperature (4.2 K) magnetic and transport critical current density of laser-irradiated (Q-switched ruby laser, 694 nm, 30 ns) Sm-Ba-Cu-O ceramic superconductors prepared by the coprecipitation technique have been investigated. Laser irradiation did not significantly change the structural parameter and the critical transition temperatureT _c but caused an appreciable increase in magnetic critical current densityJ _mc and transport critical current densityJ _tc . Inverse a.c. Josephson effect studies at 77 K showed a sharp decrease of microwave-induced d.c. voltage after laser irradiation. SEM studies revealed partial melting at grain boundaries and grain growth due to sintering which improves the interconnectivity in the network of superconducting grain structures after laser irradiation. These phenomenon are attributed to physical densification and consequent reduction in the total number of weak links between the superconducting grains. The significant increase ofJ _mc andJ _tc after laser irradiation is presumably connected with the creation of irradiation-induced mobile defects which act as pinning centers and, hence, stronger Josephson current paths between the superconducting intergrains.     

Low-temperature magnetic and microwave studies of Gd0.95Ba2Cu3.05O7−δ: Agx composites

Gd_0.95Ba₂Cu_3.05O_7?δ: Ag_x (x=0.0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06) ceramic superconducting samples were prepared by a co-precipation technique using organic carbonates in the presence of stable polymers. The room-temperature normal-state resistivity decreases with Ag addition. However,T _cand crystallographic parameters were uneffected. Low-temperature (4.2 K) magnetic and electrical transport studies in high magnetic fields (5 T) reveal that the addition of Ag into the Gd_0.95Ba₂Cu_3.05O_7?δ (GBCO) enhances the magnetic critical current density (J _mc), volume pinning force (F _p), flux explusion, and transport critical current density (J _tc). Microwave-induced dc voltage studies show the reduction in the total number of weak links between superconducting GBCO grains with increase in Ag concentration. The flux creep rate was also increased with increase in Ag concentration in GBCO resulting in stronger pinning potential. The increase inJ _mc, J_tc, and, hence,F _pwith Ag addition in the GBCO suggests the creation of an SNS-type proximity junction at the intergrannular region and stronger Josephson current paths between the superconducting intergrains, which may be due to the physical densification and reduction of the total number of weak links by Ag addition into the GBCO superconducting system.     

On the limiting factors of the critical current density in high-T c superconducting ceramics

The temperature dependence of the critical current density at high temperatures and in weak applied magnetic field for YBa₂Cu₃O_7?y ceramic samples with a pronounced granular character is analyzed. The experimental results can be explained in terms of thermally activated motion of the intergrain Josephson vortices at grain boundaries, which may be an indication that the actual limiting factor for the critical current density in ceramic samples results from a weak pinning force density for the intergrain vortices rather than from the weak-link quenching.     

Dissipation in current-carrying high-T c superconducting ceramics in applied magnetic field

The dissipation mechanism in high-T _csuperconducting ceramics was studied by analyzing the magnetic field dependence of the transport critical current and the form of the current-voltage characteristics. It was found that the actual magnetic field dependence of the transport critical current is significantly slower than that predicted by the weak-link-quenching model. The low-voltage-level current-voltage characteristics were described in terms of thermally activated flux creep at grain boundaries, taking into account collective pinning of intergranular Josephson vortices. For the investigated samples, a low-field, high-temperature mean pinning energy barrier of a few tens of meV was determined.     

Magnetic Field Dependence of Intergrain Pinning Potential in Bulk Granular Composites YBCO + CuO Demonstrating Large Magneto-Resistive Effect

The broadening of the resistive transition in magnetic field and isotherms of magnetoresistance of bulk composites Y–Ba–Cu–O + CuO have been studied. These composites exhibit large magneto-resistive effect in a wide temperature range below T _C due to weakening of Josephson coupling in this system. The broadening of the resistive transition and magnetoresistance are explained well by the Ambegaokar–Halperin (AH) model for phase slip in Josephson junctions. The magnetic field dependence of pinning potential in the intergrain boundaries deduced from AH model found out to be similar to that of critical current of an array of Josephson junctions. The values of pinning energy point out that the large magneto-resistive effect observed in the composites results from flux flow-like processes at the intergrain boundaries.     

Influence of Grain Properties on the Abrikosov Vortices Interaction with Josephson Junction

No Heading The problem of the displacement of an Abrikosov vortex is investigated when the magnetic field decreases to H^G_c1 in a grain of a type II superconductor. It is shown that near grain boundaries the vortex line generates an intergranular current which depends on the normalized grain size and the anisotropy ratio . These parameters strongly influence the conditions of the Josephson vortex generation as a result of the interaction of the Abrikosov vortex with the Josephson junction. We support our theory with calculations of the intergrain critical current taking into account two types of the vortex configuration, triangular and square, for different grain characteristics. The results are of interest for the charge transport in granular superconductors as well as the relaxation process in devices that contain Josephson junctions in micro- and nanoelectronics in magnetic field.PACS numbers: 74.25.Qt, 74.25Sv, 74.50.+r.     

High-field magnetic and transport critical current density of Sm-Ba-Cu-O: Agx superconductors at low temperature

Variation of magnetic critical current density (J _mc) and transport critical current density (J _tc) in high magnetic fields at liquid helium temperature were investigated on Sm-Ba-Cu-O: Ag _x (x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6) superconducting samples prepared by the coprecipitation technique.T _c and crystallographic parameters remain unaffected by Ag addition. However, bothJ _mc andJ _tc were found to increase on Ag addition. The volume pinning force (F _p) also increased with increase in Ag concentration, resulting in stronger flux line sheer. Microwave-induced d.c. voltage measurement shows a significant reduction of the total number of weak links between the superconducting grains with increasing concentration of Ag, which creates stronger pinning potentials between the boundary of the superconducting intergrains. Hence, the volume pinning force is greatly enhanced by Ag addition, leading to flux line lattice movement which is responsible for highJ _mc andJ _tc.     

On the limiting factors of the critical current density in high-Tc superconducting ceramics

The temperature dependence of the critical current density at high temperatures and in weak applied magnetic field for YBa₂Cu₃O_7–y ceramic samples with a pronounced granular character is analyzed. The experimental results can be explained in terms of thermally activated motion of the intergrain Josephson vortices at grain boundaries, which may be an indication that the actual limiting factor for the critical current density in ceramic samples results from a weak pinning force density for the intergrain vortices rather than from the weak-link quenching.     

Dissipation in current-carrying high-Tcsuperconducting ceramics in applied magnetic field

The dissipation mechanism in high-T _csuperconducting ceramics was studied by analyzing the magnetic field dependence of the transport critical current and the form of the current-voltage characteristics. It was found that the actual magnetic field dependence of the transport critical current is significantly slower than that predicted by the weak-link-quenching model. The low-voltage-level current-voltage characteristics were described in terms of thermally activated flux creep at grain boundaries, taking into account collective pinning of intergranular Josephson vortices. For the investigated samples, a low-field, high-temperature mean pinning energy barrier of a few tens of meV was determined.     

Josephson Effect and Charge Distribution in Thin Bi2Te3 Topological Insulators

Thin layers of topological insulator materials are quasi-2D systems featuring a complex interplay between quantum confinement and topological band structure. To understand the role of the spatial distribution of carriers in electrical transport, the Josephson effect, magnetotransport, and weak anti-localization are studied in bottom-gated thin Bi₂Te₃ topological insulator films. The experimental carrier densities are compared to a model based on the solutions of the self-consistent Schrödinger–Poisson equations and they are in excellent agreement. The modeling allows for a quantitative interpretation of the weak antilocalization correction to the conduction and of the critical current of Josephson junctions with weak links made from such films without any ad hoc assumptions.     

Fluxon Centering in Josephson Junctions with Exponentially Varying Width

Nonlinear eigenvalue problems for fluxons in long Josephson junctions with exponentially varying width are treated. Appropriate algorithms are created and realized numerically. The results obtained concern the stability of the fluxons, the centering both magnetic field and current for the magnetic flux quanta in the Josephson junction as well as the ascertaining of the impact of the geometric and physical parameters on these quantities. Each static solution of the nonlinear boundary-value problem is identified as stable or unstable in dependence on the eigenvalues of associated Sturm-Liouville problem. The above compound problem is linearized and solved by using of the reliable Continuous analogue of Newton method.     

Physical, electrical, transport and magnetic properties of Nd(Ba,Nd)2.1Cu3O7−δ system

In this study, the superconducting Nd(Ba,Nd)_2.1Cu₃O_7?δ system has been prepared using conventional solid-state reaction technique. Transport properties including structural/microstructural evolution, electrical, magnetic and critical current density properties were investigated. After high temperature heat treatments at over 1,000 °C, large and strongly connected grains were obtained but weakly connected and small in size granular formation were obtained for the low temperature heat treated samples at around 900 °C. The best T _c and T ₀ values were obtained as 93 and 89 K respectively for the sample prepared at 1,020 °C for 24 h, which is very close to peritectic temperature of YBCO material. Magnetization of the sample heat treated at 1,020 °C was investigated in detail. The magnetization hysteresis loops are expounded to be the product of Nd-123 grains and unscreened Nd³⁺ ions within intergranular boundaries and vortex cores. The peak effect on the magnetization curves was described by the extended critical state model. Temperature dependencies of the irreversibility field, the peak field and the full penetration field correlate and there is scaling behavior of the pinning force as well. Thermoelectric power data was analyzed by “Modified two band model with linear T-term for superconductors”. Temperature dependence of thermal conductivity of the samples showed small peak with broad maximum just below the T _c value. Thermal conductivity of samples prepared was calculated by using “The Modified Callaway Model and Wiedermann–Franz law” and results obtained discussed.