arXiv subjects

I. Zaytseva

Publications and source records attributed to I. Zaytseva.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Properties of YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$ films grown by pulsed laser deposition on CeO$_2$-buffered sapphire

In the present work we study the growth by pulsed laser deposition of YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$ (YBCO) films on the r-cut sapphire substrates. To improve the matching of the lattice parameters between the substrate and the film we use CeO$_{2}$ buffer layer, recrystallized prior to the deposition of YBCO. The optimal thickness and temperature of recrystallization of the buffer layer is first determined using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction. Next, we use the AFM to examine the dependence of YBCO film roughness on the film thickness, and we study the homogeneity of magnetic flux penetration into the films by magneto-optical imaging. We find that the superconducting critical temperature and critical current density of these films are very similar to those of YBCO films grown on well-matched substrates. It appears that the microstructure of YBCO films is affected by structural defects in the buffer layer as well as variations in oxygen deficiency, which results in high values of critical current density suitable for application.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Upper critical field and superconductor-metal transition in ultrathin niobium films

Recent studies suggests that in disordered ultrathin films superconducting (SC) state may be intrinsically inhomogeneous. Here we investigate the nature of SC state in ultrathin Nb films, of thickness $d$ ranging from 1.2 nm to 20 nm, which undergo a transition from amorphous to polycrystalline structure at the thickness $d \simeq 3.3$ nm. We show that the properties of SC state are very different in polycrystalline and amorphous films. The upper critical field ($H_{c2}$) is orbitally limited in the first case, and paramagnetically limited in the latter. The magnetic field induced superconductor-metal transition is observed, with the critical field approximately constant or decreasing as a power-law with the film conductance in polycrystalline or amorphous films, respectively. The scaling analysis indicates distinct scaling exponents in these two types of films. Negative contribution of the SC fluctuations to conductivity exists above $H_{c2}$, particularly pronounced in amorphous films, signaling the presence of fluctuating Cooper pairs. These observations suggest the development of local inhomogeneities in the amorphous films, in the form of proximity-coupled SC islands. An usual evolution of SC correlations on cooling is observed in amorphous films, likely related to the effect of quantum fluctuations on the proximity-induced phase coherence.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Structural properties and magnetoresistance of La$_{1.952}$Sr$_{0.048}$CuO$_4$ thin films

The evolution of the structural and transport properties of underdoped La$_{1.952}$Sr$_{0.048}$CuO$_4$ thin films under compressive epitaxial strain has been studied. The films of different thicknesses $d$ (from 26 nm to 120 nm) were deposited using an insulating target. The onset of superconductivity in the films is observed at temperatures as high as 26 K, while small residual resistance persists at low temperatures, indicating that superconductivity is inhomogeneous. The resistance measured under perpendicular magnetic field saturates below about 0.65 K, suggesting a possible existence of nonconventional metallic state. The magnetic-field-tuned superconductor-insulator transition is observed at magnetic field of about 32 T.

cond-mat.supr-con↗