Microwave Vortex Motion Characterization of Nb$_3$Sn Coatings for Applications in High Magnetic Fields

Abstract

In this work, microwave measurements carried out in dielectric-loaded resonators exposed to high magnetic fields are exploited to yield the surface impedance of Nb$_3$Sn superconducting coatings deposited via two different techniques: vapor tin diffusion, and DC magnetron sputtering. The obtained data lead to qualitative interpretations on both the Nb$_3$Sn superconducting properties, and vortex-dynamics and pinning, of each coating separately, as well as simple distinctive features when comparing those. When examining the respective surface impedances at varying field, it is expected that the studied films perform at substantially diverse magnitudes of flux-flow resistivity, but also in well-differentiated pinning regimes, yet the obtained surface resistances of both samples are comparable, thus demonstrating that there is room for film optimization at the expense of certain compromise between the parameters involved.