arXiv subjects

X. X. Xi

Publications and source records attributed to X. X. Xi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Key directions for research and development of superconducting radio frequency cavities

Radio frequency superconductivity is a cornerstone technology for many future HEP particle accelerators and experiments from colliders to proton drivers for neutrino facilities to searches for dark matter. While the performance of superconducting RF (SRF) cavities has improved significantly over the last decades, and the SRF technology has enabled new applications, the proposed HEP facilities and experiments pose new challenges. To address these challenges, the field continues to generate new ideas and there seems to be a vast room for improvements. In this paper we discuss the key research directions that are aligned with and address the future HEP needs.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2018

Nature of the metal-insulator transition in few-unit-cell-thick LaNiO3 films

The nature of the metal insulator transition in thin films and superlattices of LaNiO3 with only few unit cells in thickness remains elusive despite tremendous effort. Quantum confinement and epitaxial strain have been evoked as the mechanisms, although other factors such as growth-induced disorder, cation non-stoichiometry, oxygen vacancies, and substrate-film interface quality may also affect the observable properties in the ultrathin films. Here we report results obtained for near-ideal LaNiO3 films with different thicknesses and terminations grown by atomic layer-by-layer laser molecular beam epitaxy on LaAlO3 substrates. We find that the room-temperature metallic behavior persists until the film thickness is reduced to an unprecedentedly small 1.5 unit cells (NiO2 termination). Electronic structure measurements using x-ray absorption spectroscopy and first-principles calculation suggest that oxygen vacancies existing in the films also contribute to the metal insulator transition.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Constructing oxide interfaces and heterostructures by atomic layer-by-layer laser molecular beam epitaxy

Advancements in nanoscale engineering of oxide interfaces and heterostructures have led to discoveries of emergent phenomena and new artificial materials. Combining the strengths of reactive molecular-beam epitaxy and pulsed-laser deposition, we show here, with examples of Sr1+xTi1-xO3+delta, Ruddlesden-Popper phase Lan+1NinO3n+1 (n = 4), and LaAl1+yO3(1+0.5y)/SrTiO3 interfaces, that atomic layer-by-layer laser molecular-beam epitaxy (ALL-Laser MBE) significantly advances the state of the art in constructing oxide materials with atomic layer precision and control over stoichiometry. With ALL-Laser MBE we have produced conducting LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interfaces at high oxygen pressures that show no evidence of oxygen vacancies, a capability not accessible by existing techniques. The carrier density of the interfacial two-dimensional electron gas thus obtained agrees quantitatively with the electronic reconstruction mechanism.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Roles of intrinsic anisotropy and pi-band pairbreaking effects on critical currents in tilted c-axis MgB2 films probed by magneto-optical and transport measurements

Investigations of MgB2 and Fe-based superconductors in recent years have revealed many unusual effects of multiband superconductivity but manifestations of anisotropic multiband effects in the critical current density Jc have not been addressed experimentally, mostly because of the difficulties to measure Jc along the c-axis. To investigate the effect of very different intrinsic anisotropies of sigma and pi electron bands in MgB2 on current transport, we grew epitaxial films with tilted c-axis (THETA ~ 19.5°), which enabled us to measure the components of Jc both along the ab-plane and the c-axis using magneto-optical and transport techniques. These measurements were combined with scanning and transmission electron microscopy, which revealed terraced steps on the surface of the c-axis tilted films. The measured field and temperature dependencies of the anisotropic Jc(H) show that Jc,L parallel to the terraced steps is higher than Jc,T perpendicular to the terraced steps, and Jc of thinner films (50 nm) obtained from transport experiments at 0.1 T reaches ~10% of the depairing current density Jd in the ab plane, while magneto-optical imaging revealed much higher Jc at lower fields. To analyze the experimental data we developed a model of anisotropic vortex pinning which accounts for the observed behavior of Jc in the c-axis tilted films and suggests that the apparent anisotropy of Jc is affected by current pairbreaking effects in the weaker π band. Our results indicate that the out-of-plane current transport mediated by the π band could set the ultimate limit of Jc in MgB2 polycrystals.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2014

Energy Gap Substructures in Conductance Measurements of MgB2-based Josephson Junctions: Beyond the 2-Gap Model

Several theoretical analyses of the two superconducting energy gaps of magnesium diboride, $Δ_π$ and $Δ_σ$, predict substructures within each energy gap, rather than two pure numbers. Recent experiments have revealed similar structures. We report tunneling conductance data providing additional experimental evidence for these features. The absence of these features in c-axis tunneling, and a sharp peak in the subgap (associated with the counterelectrode material), support the conclusion that these features are intrinsic to MgB2. By demonstrating the inadequacy of a simple two-gap model in fitting the data, we illustrate that some distinctions between theoretical models of energy gap substructures are experimentally accessible.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Near-Field Microwave Magnetic Nanoscopy of Superconducting Radio Frequency Cavity Materials

A localized measurement of the RF critical field on superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavity materials is a key step to identify specific defects that produce quenches of SRF cavities. Two new measurements are performed to demonstrate these capabilities with a novel near-field scanning probe microwave microscope. The first is a third harmonic nonlinear measurement on a high Residual- Resistance-Ratio bulk Nb sample showing strong localized nonlinear response for the first time, with surface RF magnetic field $B_{surface} \sim 10^{2}$ $mT$. The second is a raster scanned harmonic response image on a high quality $MgB_{2}$ thin film demonstrating a quench defect-free surface over large areas.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Two-band effect on the vortex dynamics and critical current density in an anisotropic MgB$_2$ thin film

We report the influence of intrinsic superconducting parameters on the vortex dynamics and the critical current densities of a MgB$_2$ thin film. The small magnetic penetration depth of λ= 50 nm at T=4 K is related to a clean π-band, and transport and magnetization data show an upper critical field similar to those reported in clean single crystals. We find a high self-field critical current density Jc, which is strongly reduced with applied magnetic field, and attribute this to suppression of the superconductivity in the π-band. The temperature dependence of the creep rate S(T) at low magnetic field can be explained by a simple Anderson-Kim mechanism. The system shows high pinning energies at low field that are strongly suppressed by high field, which is consistent with a two-band contribution.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Mgb2 Nonlinear Properties Investigated under Localized High RF Magnetic Field Excitation

In order to increase the accelerating gradient of Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) cavities, Magnesium Diboride (MgB2) opens up hope because of its high transition temperature and potential for low surface resistance in the high RF field regime. However, due to the presence of the small superconducting gap in the π band, the nonlinear response of MgB2 is potentially quite large compared to a single gap s-wave superconductor (SC) such as Nb. Understanding the mechanisms of nonlinearity coming from the two-band structure of MgB2, as well as extrinsic sources, is an urgent requirement. A localized and strong RF magnetic field, created by a magnetic write head, is integrated into our nonlinear-Meissner-effect scanning microwave microscope [1]. MgB2 films with thickness 50 nm, fabricated by a hybrid physical-chemical vapor deposition technique on dielectric substrates, are measured at a fixed location and show a strongly temperature-dependent third harmonic response. We propose that at least two mechanisms are responsible for this nonlinear response, one of which involves vortex nucleation and penetration into the film. [1] T. M. Tai, X. X. Xi, C. G. Zhuang, D. I. Mircea, S. M. Anlage, "Nonlinear Near-Field Microwave Microscope for RF Defect Localization in Superconductors", IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. 21, 2615 (2011).

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2011

Influence of Intrinsic Electronic Properties on Light Transmission through Subwavelength Holes on Gold and MgB2 Thin Films

We show how intrinsic material properties modify light transmission through subwavelength hole arrays on thin metallic films in the THz regime. We compare the temperature-dependent transmittance of Au films and MgB$_{2}$ films. The experimental data is consistent with analytical calculations, and is attributed to the temperature change of the conductivity of both films. The transmission versus conductivity is interpreted within the open resonator model when taking the skin depth into consideration. We also show that the efficiency of this temperature control depends on the ratio of the transmission peak frequency to the superconducting energy gap in MgB$_{2}$ films.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2010

Nonlinear Near-Field Microwave Microscope For RF Defect Localization in Superconductors

Niobium-based Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) cavity performance is sensitive to localized defects that give rise to quenches at high accelerating gradients. In order to identify these material defects on bulk Nb surfaces at their operating frequency and temperature, it is important to develop a new kind of wide bandwidth microwave microscopy with localized and strong RF magnetic fields. By taking advantage of write head technology widely used in the magnetic recording industry, one can obtain ~200 mT RF magnetic fields, which is on the order of the thermodynamic critical field of Nb, on submicron length scales on the surface of the superconductor. We have successfully induced the nonlinear Meissner effect via this magnetic write head probe on a variety of superconductors. This design should have a high spatial resolution and is a promising candidate to find localized defects on bulk Nb surfaces and thin film coatings of interest for accelerator applications.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2009

Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy of Ruddlesden-Popper Sr$_{n+1}$Ti$_{n}$O$_{3n+1}$ ($n$ = 1, 2, 3) Thin Films

We explore the frequency-dependent relative permittivity of Ruddlesden-Popper series Sr(n+1)Ti(n)O(3n+1) (n =1,2,3) thin films as a function of temperature and dc electric field. Interdigitated capacitors and coplanar waveguides were used to extract the frequency response from 500 Hz to 40 GHz. At room temperature, the in-plane relative permittivities obtained for Sr(n+1)Ti(n)O(3n+1) (n =1,2,3) were 42+/-3, 54+/-3, and 77+/-2, respectively, and were independent of frequency. At low temperatures, permittivity increases and electric field tunability develops in Sr(4)Ti(3)O(10).

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2008

Two-band parallel conductivity at terahertz frequencies in the superconducting state of MgB$_2$.

The optical response of the two-band superconductor MgB$_2$ has been studied in the 0.7-4 THz range on films with very low impurity level. The effect of the high-energy $σ$-gap is observed in the ratio $R_S/R_N$ between the normal and superconducting state reflectance, while in a neutron irradiated film with a slightly higher impurity level mainly the effect of the $π$-gap is evident as reported in previous experiments. At terahertz frequencies, the electrodynamic of MgB$_2$ can be well described by the two-band parallel conductivity model and is dominated by the $π$-bands when the impurity level is only slightly higher than that of an ultra-clean sample.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2008

Scaling of Hall Resistivity in the Mixed State of MgB2 Films

The longitudinal resistivity (rho_{xx}) and transverse resistivity (rho_{xy}) of MgB2 thin films in the mixed state were studied in detail. We found that the temperature dependencies of rho_{xx} and ρ_{xy} at a fixed magnetic field (H) satisfy the scaling law of $ρ_{xy}=Aρ_{xx}^β$, where the exponent beta varies around 2.0 for different fields. In the low field region (below 1T), beta maintains a constant value of 2.0 due to the weak pinning strength of the vortices, mainly from the superfluid of the pi band. When H>1T, beta drops abruptly to its lowest value at about 2T because of the proliferation of quasiparticles from the pi-band and, hence, the motion of the vortices from the superfluid of the sigma-band dominates the dissipation. As the field is increased further, the vortex pinning strength is weakened and beta increases monotonically towards 2.0 at a high field. All the results presented here are in good agreement with the expectation of the vortex physics of a multi-band superconductor.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Probing the electron-phonon coupling in MgB2 through magnetoresistance measurements in neutron irradiated thin films

We report magnetoresistance (MR) measurements on MgB2 and the corresponding full account from ab-initio calculations; we suggest that this combination can be a useful tool to probe electron- phonon coupling. We obtain good quantitative agreement between high field measurements on neutron irradiated epitaxial thin films and calculations within Bloch-Boltzmann transport theory over a wide range of magnetic fields (0-28 T) and temperatures (40-300 K), and as a function of the field orientation. The crossovers between in-plane and out-of-plane MR, experimentally observed as a function of either disorder or temperature are well reproduced indicating that disorder and interaction with phonons strongly affect the scattering rate of s-carriers.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Mixed-State Dissipation in Zero Temperature Limit in $MgB_2$ Thin Films

We have studied mixed-state dissipation in epitaxial MgB$_2$ thin films by measurements of resistive transition, current-voltage characteristics, Hall effect, and point-contact tunnelling spectrum. We found that unlike single gap superconductors with negligible vortex quantum fluctuations in which vortices are frozen at T=0 K, finite zero-temperature dissipation due to vortex motion exists in MgB$_2$ over a wide magnetic field range. This dissipation was found to be associated with proliferation of quasiparticles from the $π$-band of MgB$_2$. The result shows that the vortex fluctuations are enhanced by two-band superconductivity in MgB$_2$ and we suggest that the vortex quantum fluctuation is a possible cause of the non-vanishing zero-temperature dissipation.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

Systematic study of disorder induced by neutron irradiation in MgB2 thin films

The effects of neutron irradiation on normal state and superconducting properties of epitaxial magnesium diboride thin films are studied up to fluences of 1020 cm-2. All the properties of the films change systematically upon irradiation. Critical temperature is suppressed and, at the highest fluence, no superconducting transition is observed down to 1.8 K. Residual resistivity progressively increases from 1 to 190 microohmcm; c axis expands and then saturates at the highest damage level. We discuss the mechanism of damage through the comparison with other damage procedures. The normal state magnetoresistivity of selected samples measured up to high fields (28 and 45T) allows to determine unambiguously the scattering rates in each band; the crossover between the clean and dirty limit in each sample can be monitored. This set of samples, with controlled amount of disorder, is suitable to study the puzzling problem of critical field in magnesium diboride thin films. The measured critical field values are extremely high (of the order of 50T in the parallel direction at low fluences) and turns out to be rather independent on the experimental resistivity, at least at low fluences. A simple model to explain this phenomenology is presented.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

Role of interband scattering in neutron irradiated MgB$_2$ thin films by Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy measurements

A series of MgB$_2$ thin films systematically disordered by neutron irradiation have been studied by Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy. The c-axis orientation of the films allowed a reliable determination of local density of state of the $π$ band. With increasing disorder, the conductance peak moves towards higher voltages and becomes lower and broader, indicating a monotonic increase of the $π$ gap and of the broadening parameter. These results are discussed in the frame of two-band superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

Intrinsic nonlinearity probed by intermodulation distortion microwave measurements on high quality MgB2 thin films

The two tone intermodulation distortion arising in MgB2 thin films synthesized by hybrid physical-chemical vapour deposition is studied in order to probe the influence of the two bands on the nonlinear response of this superconductor. The measurements are carried out by using a dielectrically loaded copper cavity operating at 7 GHz. Microwave data on samples having critical temperatures above 41 K, very low resistivity values, and residual resistivity ratio larger than 10, are shown. The dependence of the nonlinear surface losses and of the third order intermodulation products on the power feeding the cavity and on the temperature is analyzed. At low power, the signal arising from distortion versus temperature shows the intrinsic s-wave behavior expected for this compound. Data are compared with measurements performed on Nb and YBCO thin films using the same technique.

cond-mat.supr-con↗