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Tomio Koyama

Publications and source records attributed to Tomio Koyama.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2025

Experimental Studies on Spatial Resolution of a Delay-Line Current-Biased Kinetic-Inductance Detector

A current-biased kinetic inductance detector (CB-KID) is a novel superconducting detector to construct a neutron transmission imaging system. The characteristics of a superconducting neutron detector have been systematically studied to improve spatial resolution of our CB-KID neutron detector. In this study, we investigated the distribution of spatial resolutions under different operating conditions and examined the homogeneity of spatial resolutions in the detector in detail. We used a commercial standard Gd Siemens-star pattern as a conventional method to estimate the spatial resolution, and a lab-made 10B-dot array intended to examine detailed profiles on a distribution of spatial resolutions. We found that discrepancy in propagation velocities in the detector affected the uniformity of the spatial resolutions in neutron imaging. We analyzed the ellipsoidal line profiles along the circumferences of several different test circles in the Siemens-star image to find a distribution of spatial resolutions. Note that we succeeded in controlling the detector temperature precisely enough to realize stable propagation velocities of the signals in the detector to achieve the best spatial resolution with a delay-line CB-KID technique.

physics.ins-det↗
arXiv2023

Orientation mapping of YbSn$_3$ single crystals based on Bragg-dip analysis using a delay-line superconducting sensor

Recent progress in high-power pulsed neutron sources has stimulated the development of the Bragg-dip and Bragg-edge analysis methods using a two-dimensional neutron detector with high temporal resolution to resolve the neutron energy by the time-of-flight method. The delay-line current-biased kinetic-inductance detector (CB-KID) is a two-dimensional superconducting sensor with a high temporal resolution and multi-hit capability. We demonstrate that the delay-line CB-KID with a $^{10}$B neutron conversion layer can be applied to high-spatial-resolution neutron transmission imaging and spectroscopy up to 100\,eV. Dip structures in the transmission spectrum induced by Bragg diffraction and nuclear resonance absorption in YbSn$_3$ single crystals. We successfully drew the orientation mapping of YbSn$_3$ crystals based on the analysis of observed Bragg-dip positions in the transmission spectrum.

physics.app-ph↗
arXiv2021

High Spatial Resolution Neutron Transmission Imaging Using a Superconducting Two-Dimensional Detector

Neutron imaging is one of the most powerful tools for nondestructive inspection owing to the unique characteristics of neutron beams, such as high permeability for many heavy metals, high sensitivity for certain light elements, and isotope selectivity owing to a specific nuclear reaction between an isotope and neutrons. In this study, we employed a superconducting detector, current-biased kinetic-inductance detector (CB-KID) for neutron imaging using a pulsed neutron source. We employed the delay-line method, and high spatial resolution imaging with only four reading channels was achieved. We also performed wavelength-resolved neutron imaging by the time-of-flight method for the pulsed neutron source. We obtained the neutron transmission images of a Gd-Al alloy sample, inside which single crystals of GdAl3 were grown, using the delay-line CB-KID. Single crystals were well imaged, in both shapes and distributions, throughout the Al-Gd alloy. We identified Gd nuclei via neutron transmissions that exhibited characteristic suppression above the neutron wavelength of 0.03 nm. In addition, the ^{155}Gd resonance dip, a dip structure of the transmission caused by the nuclear reaction between an isotope and neutrons, was observed even when the number of events was summed over a limited area of 15 X 12 um^2. Gd selective imaging was performed using the resonance dip of ^{155}Gd, and it showed clear Gd distribution even with a limited neutron wavelength range of 1 pm.

physics.app-ph↗
arXiv2021

Practical tests of neutron transmission imaging with a superconducting kinetic-inductance sensor

Samples were examined using a superconducting (Nb) neutron imaging system employing a delay-line technique which in previous studies was shown to have high spatial resolution. We found excellent correspondence between neutron transmission and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of Gd islands with sizes between 15 and 130 micrometer which were thermally-sprayed onto a Si substrate. Neutron transmission images could be used to identify tiny voids in a thermally-sprayed continuous Gd2O3 film on a Si substrate which could not be seen in SEM images. We also found that neutron transmission images revealed pattern formations, mosaic features and co-existing dendritic phases in Wood's metal samples with constituent elements Bi, Pb, Sn and Cd. These results demonstrate the merits of the current-biased kinetic inductance detector (CB-KID) system for practical studies in materials science. Moreover, we found that operating the detector at a more optimal temperature (7.9 K) appreciably improved the effective detection efficiency when compared to previous studies conducted at 4 K. This is because the effective size of hot-spots in the superconducting meanderline planes increases with temperature, which makes particle detections more likely.

cond-mat.supr-con↗
arXiv2020

Homogeneity of neutron transmission imaging over a large sensitive area with a four-channel superconducting detector

We previously proposed a method to detect neutrons by using a current-biased kinetic inductance detector (CB-KID), where neutrons are converted into charged particles using a 10B conversion layer. The charged particles are detected based on local changes in kinetic inductance of X and Y superconducting meanderlines under a modest DC bias current. The system uses a delay-line method to locate the positions of neutron-10B reactions by acquiring the four arrival timestamps of signals that propagate from hot spots created by a passing charged particle to the end electrodes of the meanderlines. Unlike conventional multi-pixel imaging systems, the CB-KID system performs high spatial resolution imaging over a 15 mm x 15 mm sensitive area using only four channel readouts. Given the large sensitive area, it is important to check the spatial homogeneity and linearity of detected neutron positions when imaging with CB-KID. To this end we imaged a pattern of 10B dot absorbers with a precise dot pitch to investigate the spatial homogeneity of the detector. We confirmed the spatial homogeneity of detected dot positions based on the distribution of measured dot pitches across the sensitive area of the detector. We demonstrate potential applications of the system by taking a clear transmission image of tiny metallic screws and nuts and a ladybug. The image was useful for characterizing the ladybug noninvasively. Detection efficiencies were low when the detector was operated at 4 K, so we plan to explore raising the operating temperature towards the critical temperature of the detector as a means to improve counting rates.

physics.ins-det↗
arXiv2019

Energy-resolved neutron imaging with high spatial resolution using a superconducting delay-line kinetic inductance detector

Neutron imaging is one of the key technologies for non-destructive transmission testing. Recent progress in the development of intensive neutron sources allows us to perform energy-resolved neutron imaging with high spatial resolution. Substantial efforts have been devoted to developing a high spatial and temporal resolution neutron imager. We have been developing a neutron imager aiming at conducting high spatial and temporal resolution imaging based on a delay-line neutron detector, called the current-biased kinetic-inductance detector, with a conversion layer $^{10}$B. The detector allowed us to obtain a neutron transmission image with four signal readout lines. Herein, we expanded the sensor active area, and improved the spatial resolution of the detector. We examined the capability of high spatial resolution neutron imaging over the sensor active area of 15 $\times$ 15 mm$^2$ for various samples, including biological and metal ones. We also demonstrated an energy-resolved neutron image in which stainless-steel specimens were discriminating of other specimens with the aid of the Bragg edge transmission.

physics.app-ph↗
arXiv2011

Variety of c-axis collective excitations in layered multigap superconductors

We present a dynamical theory for the phase differences along a stacked direction of intrinsic Josephson junctions (IJJ's) in layered multigap superconductors, motivated by the discovery of highly-anisotropic iron-based superconductors with thick perovskite-type blocking layers. The dynamical equations describing AC and DC intrinsic Josephson effects peculiar to multigap IJJ's are derived, and collective Leggett mode excitations in addition to the Josephson plasma established in single-gap IJJ's are predicted. The dispersion relations of their collective modes are explicitly displayed, and the remarkable peculiarity of the Leggett mode is demonstrated.

cond-mat.supr-con↗
arXiv2011

Collective modes in multiband superfluids and superconductors: Multiple dynamical classes

One important way to characterize the states having a gauge symmetry spontaneously broken over multibands should be to look at their collective excitation modes. We find that a three-band system has multiple Leggett modes with significantly different masses, which can be classified into different dynamical classes according to whether multiple inter-band Josephson currents add or cancel. This provides a way to dynamically characterize multiband superconductivity while the pairing symmetry is a static property.

cond-mat.supr-con↗
arXiv2011

Macroscopic quantum tunneling in multigap superconducting Josephson junctions: Escape rate enhancement via quantum fluctuations of Josephson-Leggett mode

We theoretically study the macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) in a hetero Josephson junction formed by a conventional single-gap superconductor and a multi-gap one such as ${MgB}_{2}$ and iron-based superconductors. In such a Josephson junction more than one phase differences are defined. We clarify the quantum dynamics of the phase differences and construct a theory for the MQT in the multi-gap Josephson junctions. The dynamics of the phase differences are strongly affected by the Josephson-Leggett mode, which is the out-of-phase oscillation mode of the phase differences. The escape rate is calculated in terms of the effective action renormalized by the Josephson-Leggett mode. It is shown that the escape rate is drastically enhanced when the frequency of the Josephson-Leggett mode is less than the Josephson-plasma frequency.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2010

Shapiro Steps as a Direct Probe of $\pm s$-wave Symmetry in Multi-gap Superconducting Josephson Junctions

We theoretically study the Shapiro steps in a hetero Josephson junction made of a single-gap superconductor and a two-gap one. We find that an anomalous DC Josephson current is induced by tuning the frequency of an applied microwave to the Josephson-Leggett mode frequency, which creates an extra step structure in the $I$-$V$ characteristics besides the conventional Shapiro steps. The step heights at the resonance voltages exhibit an alternate structure of a large and small value reflecting the gap symmetry of the two-gap superconductor. In the $\pm s-wave case in which the two gaps have opposite signs in the two-gap superconductor the steps with odd index are enhanced, whereas in the s-wave case the ones with even index have larger values. The existence of the fractional Shapiro steps is also predicted.

cond-mat.supr-con↗
arXiv2010

Ambegaokar-Baratoff relations of Josephson critical current in heterojunctions with multi-gap superconductors

An extension of the Ambegaokar-Baratoff relation to a superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) Josephson junction with multiple tunneling channels is derived. Appling the resultant relation to a SIS Josephson junction formed by an iron-based (five-band) and a single-band Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) type superconductors, a theoretical bound of the Josephson critical current ($I_{\rm c}$) multiplied by the resistance of the junction ($R_{\rm n}$) is given. We reveal that such a bound is useful for identifying the pairing symmetry of iron-pnictide superconductors. One finds that if a measured value of $I_{\rm c}R_{\rm n}$ is smaller than the bound then the symmetry is $\pm s$-wave, and otherwise $s$-wave without any sign changes. In addition, we stress that temperature dependence of $I_{\rm c}R_{\rm n}$ is sensitive to the difference of the gap functions from the BCS type gap formula in the above heterojunction.

cond-mat.supr-con↗
arXiv2010

Theory of vortex structure in Josephson junctions with multiple tunneling channels: Vortex enlargement as a probe of $\pm s$-wave superconductivity

We theoretically study Josephson vortex structures in Josephson junctions which have multiple tunneling channels caused by multiple superconducting gaps. Deriving "coupled sine-Gordon equations" from the free-energy taking account of the multiple tunneling channels, we examine two typical situations, a heterotic junction composed of multigap-superconductor, insulator, and single-gap superconductor, and a grain-boundary junction formed by two identical multigap superconductors. Then, we reveal in both situations that the magnetic field distribution of the Josephson vortex for $\pm s$-wave superconductivity is more enlarged than that for s-wave without sign change between the order parameters. Its mechanism is ascribed to a cancellation of the multiple Josephson currents. We display such an anomalous Josephson vortex and suggest how to evaluate the enlargement.

cond-mat.supr-con↗
arXiv2009

First-Principles Study for the Anisotropy of Iron-based Superconductors toward Power and Device Applications

Performing the first-principles calculations, we investigate the anisotropy in the superconducting state of iron-based superconductors to gain an insight into their potential applications. The anisotropy ratio $γ_λ$ of the c-axis penetration depth to the ab-plane one is relatively small in BaFe2As2 and LiFeAs, i.e., $γ_λ\sim 3$, indicating that the transport applications are promising in these superconductors. On the other hand, in those having perovskite type blocking layers such as Sr2ScFePO3 we find a very large value, $γ_λ\sim 200$, comparable to that in strongly anisotropic high-Tc cuprate Bi2Sr2CaCu2O{8-δ}. Thus, the intrinsic Josephson junction stacks are expected to be formed along the c-axis, and novel Josephson effects due to the multi-gap nature are also suggested in these superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗
arXiv2009

Intergrain Josephson Currents in Multigap Superconductors: Microscopic Origin of Low Intergrain Critical Current and Its Recovery Potential in Iron-Pnictide Materials

We microscopically examine the intergrain Josephson current in iron-pnictide superconductors in order to solve the puzzle of why the intergrain current is much lower than the intragrain one. The theory predicts that the intergrain Josephson current is significantly reduced by the $\pm$s-wave symmetry when the incoherent tunneling becomes predominant and the density of states and the gap amplitude between two bands are identical. We find in such a situation that the temperature dependence of the intergrain Josephson current shows an anomalously flat curve over a wide temperature range. Finally, we suggest important points for increasing the intergrain current.

cond-mat.supr-con↗
arXiv2009

Theory of heterotic SIS Josephson junctions between single- and multi-gap superconductors

Using the functional integral method, we construct a theory of heterotic SIS Josephson junctions between single- and two-gap superconductors. The theory predicts the presence of in-phase and out-of-phase collective oscillation modes of superconducting phases. The former corresponds to the Josephson plasma mode whose frequency is drastically reduced for $\pm$ s-wave symmetry, and the latter is a counterpart of Leggett's mode in Josephson junctions. We also reveal that the critical current and the Fraunhofer pattern strongly depend on the symmetry type of the two-gap superconductor.

cond-mat.supr-con↗
arXiv2008

Mechanism of Terahertz Electromagnetic Wave Emission from Intrinsic Josephson Junctions

Using a 3-D parallelepiped model of intrinsic Josephson junctions, we calculate the cavity resonance modes of Josephson plasma waves excited by external electric currents. The electromagnetic (EM) wave of the excited Josephson plasma is converted to a THz EM wave at the sample surfaces. The cavity modes accompanied by static phase kinks of the superconducting order parameter have been intensively investigated. The phase kinks induce a spatial modulation of the amplitude of the order parameter around the kinks and decrease the superconducting condensation energy. The Josephson plasma produces a magnetic field in the vacuum in addition to the emitted EM wave. This magnetic energy detemines the orientation of the cavity mode. Taking account of the facts mentioned above, we obtained sharp resonance peaks in the I-V curves and sizable powers of continuous and coherent terahertz wave emission at the cavity resonance. The emission frequencies are inversely proportional to the length of the shorter side of the samples in agreement with experiments.

cond-mat.supr-con↗
arXiv2006

Theory for Photon-Assisted Macroscopic Quantum Tunneling in a Stack of Intrinsic Josephson Junctions

We propose a theory for photon-assisted macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) in a stack of capacitively-coupled intrinsic Josephson junctions in which the longitudinal Josephson plasma, i.e., longitudinal collective phase oscillation modes, is excited. The scheme of energy-level quantization in the collective oscillatory states is clarified in the $N$-junction system. When the MQT occurs from the single-plasmon states excited by microwave irradiation in the multi-photon process to the uniform voltage state, our theory predicts that the escape rate is proportional to $N^2$. This result is consistent with the recent observation in Bi-2212 intrinsic Josephson junctions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗