Two-gap superconductivity in R2Fe3Si5 (R=Lu,Sc) and Sc5Ir4Si10

R₂Fe₃Si₅ (R= Sc, Y, Lu) contains nonmagnetic iron and has a relatively high superconducting transition temperature T_c among iron-containing superconductors. An anomalous temperature dependence of specific heat C(T) has been reported for polycrystalline samples down to 1 K. We have grown R₂Fe₃Si₅ single crystals, confirmed the anomalous C(T) dependence, and found a second drop in specific heat below 1 K. In Lu₂Fe₃Si₅, we can reproduce C(T) below T_c, assuming two distinct energy gaps 2Δ ₁/k_BT_c = 4.4 and 2Δ ₂/k_BT_c = 1.1, with nearly equal weights, indicating that Lu₂Fe₃Si₅ is a two-gap superconductor similar to MgB₂. Hall coefficient measurements and band structure calculation also support the multiband contributions to the normal-state properties. The specific heat in the Sc₂Fe₃Si₅ single crystals also shows the two-gap feature. R₅Ir₄Si₁₀ (R = Sc, rare earth) is also a superconductor where competition between superconductivity and the charge-density wave is known for rare earths but not for Sc. We have performed detailed specific heat measurements on Sc₅Ir₄Si₁₀ single crystals and found that C(T) deviates slightly from the behavior expected for weak-coupling superconductors. C(T) for these superconductors can also be reproduced well by assuming two superconducting gaps.     

Two-Band Calculations on the Upper Critical Field of Sc<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>5</Subscript>

The ternary compound Sc₂Fe₃Si₅ has attracted much attention because of the various anomalous physical properties. The specific heat experiment and energy band structure calculation suggest that Sc₂Fe₃Si₅ is a two-gap superconductor. Based on this, we analyze the upper critical field for superconducting Sc₂Fe₃Si₅ crystals using the two-band Ginzburg-Landau theory. A two-parameter variational approach is adopted to obtain the upper critical field in arbitrary direction. The temperature and angular dependences of the upper critical field are plotted. The results reproduce the experimental data in a very broad temperature range and strongly support previous specific heat data and theoretical calculation, pointing to the existence of two energy gaps in Sc₂Fe₃Si₅. The anisotropy of the upper critical field is also studied and is about 2, in accordance with the experimental result. Moreover our calculations indicate that Sc₂Fe₃Si₅ has rather a three-dimension character, in agreement with the energy band calculation.     

Substitution Effect on Thermal Properties of (Lu1−x Sc x )5Ir4Si10 Near the Charge-Density-Wave Transitions

We present the results of specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermoelectric power on the substituted rare-earth-transition-metal pseudoternary compounds (Lu_1–x Sc _x )₅Ir₄Si₁₀ at temperatures between 10 and 300 K. The effects of Sc substitution for Lu in Lu₅Ir₄Si₁₀ are systematic studied near the charge-density-wave (CDW) transition. It is found that the CDW transition temperature T _P=80 K in Lu₅Ir₄Si₁₀ is decreased linearly by Sc substitution, with a depression rate dT _P/dx–17.8 (K/at. %). In addition, the CDW transition disappears upon 2% of Sc substitution for Lu. These observations indicate that the efects of both atomic disorder and internal pressure introduced by Sc substitution play important roles to the CDW transitions found in these alloys.     

Sc2O@C78: Calculations of the yield ratio for two observed isomers

The very recently observed production ratio 3:1 between Sc₂O@C₇₈(C_2v/3) and Sc₂O@C₇₈(D_3h/5) endohedrals can be reproduced in quantum-chemical calculations though only after a transition from the DFT to MP2 approach. It is concluded that the C_2v/3-cage-based species should be lower in the potential energy by about 1.5 kcal/mol.     

Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Superconducting Sr4V2Fe2As2O6 Versus Sr4Sc2Fe2As2O6

First principles of FLAPW-GGA calculations have been performed with the purpose to understand the peculiarities of band structure and Fermi surface topology for recently discovered 37 K superconductor: Sr₄V₂Fe₂As₂O₆—in comparison with isostructural phase Sr₄Sc₂Fe₂As₂O₆. Our main finding is that the replacement of Sc with V leads to drastic transformation of electronic, magnetic and conductive properties of these materials: as against non-magnetic Sr₄Sc₂Fe₂As₂O₆ which is formed from non-magnetic conducting [Fe₂As₂] and insulating [Sr₄Sc₂O₆] blocks, Sr₄V₂Fe₂As₂O₆ consists of non-magnetic conducting [Fe₂As₂] blocks and [Sr₄V₂O₆] blocks which exhibit magnetic half-metallic properties.     

Specific heat and critical field for some iron-containing superconductors

Specific heat measurements on superconductingLu ₂ Fe ₃ Si ₅ reveal a strong sample dependence of the residual specific heat contribution _s , belowT _c , effectively ruling out the possibility of a two-band model. Upper critical fieldH _c2 results for Lu₂Fe₃Si₅, Sc₂Fe₃Si₅, and LaFe₄P₁₂ show a very largeH _c2 with an unusual temperature dependence for Lu₂Fe₃Si₅, in contrast to the latter two compounds, implying a strongly sample-dependentH _c2 as well. Intrinsic magnetic impurities arising from structural disorder and defects are possibly the origin of these anomalous superconducting state properties of Lu₂Fe₃Si₅.     

Charge Density Wave and Superconducting Properties in Single Crystals of Lu5Ir4Si10

We measured the electrical resistivity from 2 K up to 900 K on high quality single crystals of Lu₅Ir₄Si₁₀. A clear thermal hysteresis was found at the onset of the Charge Density Wave (CDW), evidencing the first-order nature of the transition. When tantalum is included in the compound, the CDW is destroyed and the superconducting critical temperature is enhanced. Finally, we present specific heat and magnetic penetration depth in the Meissner state. We show that the superconducting properties are very close to a weak coupling BCS superconductor.     

Microstructure and mechanical behaviour of (Fe88Si12)95Al5 alloy prepared by aluminothermics

Abstract

The (Fe₈₈Si₁₂)₉₅Al₅ alloy was prepared by an aluminothermics. The (Fe₈₈Si₁₂)₉₅Al₅ alloy is composed of spheroidic α-Fe(Si,Al) precipitate with size of 20–50 nm and γ-Fe(Si,Al) matrix. The yield strength and fracture strain in compression of the (Fe₈₈Si₁₂)₉₅Al₅ alloy are 1500 MPa and 23% respectively. The shear bands propagating in the compressive deformation are arrested by the precipitation particles that resulted in large ductility and high strength simultaneously.     

Growth and characterizations of Ba2Ti2Fe2As4O single crystals

Abstract

Single crystals of a new iron-based superconductor Ba₂Ti₂Fe₂As₄O have been grown successfully via a Ba₂As₃-flux method in a sealed evacuated quartz tube. Bulk superconductivity with T_c ～ 21.5 K was demonstrated in resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements after the as-grown crystals were annealed at 500 °C in vacuum for a week. X-ray diffraction patterns confirm that the annealed and the as-grown crystals possess the identical crystallographic structure of Ba₂Ti₂Fe₂As₄O. Energy-dispersive x-ray spectra indicate that partial Ti/Fe substitution exists in the [Fe₂As₂] layers and the annealing process redistributes the Ti within the Fe-plane. The ordered Fe-plane stabilized by annealing exhibits superconductivity with magnetic vortex pinned by Ti.     

Magnetisme et conductivite des siliciures Y2Mn3Si5 et Lu2Mn3Si5

Y₂Mn₃Si₅ and Lu₂Mn₃Si₅ order ferrimagnetically at T_N = 96 and 56 K respectively; their resistivity strongly decreases at the transition from paramagnetic to ferrimagnetic phase. A model is proposed for the magnetic coupling.Two new silicides with the Sc₂Fe₃Si₅-type structure are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction : Gd₂Mn₃Si₅ and Yb₂Mn₃Si₅.     

Sc Addition to (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox Freeze-Dried Ceramic

In a freeze-dried nitrate precursor powder with cation composition Bi:Pb:Sr:Ca:Cu = 1.7:0.3:2.0:2.5:3.5, Sc₂O₃ was added. The stoichiometry for the mixed precursor powder was Bi:Pb:Sr:Sc:Ca:Cu = 1.7:0.3:2.0:0.25:2.5:3.5. The two nitrate precursor powders with and without Sc were thermally decomposed, pressed, and sintered in the same conditions. They show different behavior, as revealed by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and (T) measurements. Addition of Sc slows down synthesis processes, including 2223-phase during reactive sintering. After 70 h of sintering, 43% of 2223-phase formed in the pellet with Sc, whereas in the Sc-free pellet, 51% of the 2223-phase was attained. Moreover, addition of Sc leads to a certain morphology, resulting in lower superconducting characteristics.     

Mixed-State Specific Heat of the Type-II Superconductor Nb0.77Zr0.23 in Magnetic Fields up toB c2

In order to document the behavior of the mean-field mixed-state specific heat of an isotropic. strongly type-II superconductor (i.e., with a large value of the Ginzburg parameterk), and to provide a basis for comparison with high-temperature superconductors, we measured the specific heatC of the alloy Nb_0.77Zr_0.23 withT _c = 10.8K, B _c2 (0) = 7.9T, in magnetic fieldsB = 0, 0.2, 1.0, 12, 2.0, 2.4. 3.0, 3.3. 4.0. 4.4, 4.8, 5.2, 6.0. 6.6, 7.2 and 10 T. The values of the upper critical fieldB _c2 ( T), thermodynamic critical fieldB _c (T), Ginzburg parameterk(T), and coefficient γ(B) = lim_{T0(C(T. B)/T)} are derived from the specific heat data and found to be in agreement with the GLAG theory in the dirty limit. The behavior of the mixed-state specific heat is analyzed in terms ofC _el /T,∂(C _el /T)/∂B, and∂(C _el /T)/∂T vs. Tcurves, whereC _el is the electronic contribution to the specific heat.     

YBa2SnO5·5, a novel ceramic substrate for YBCO and BiSCCO superconductors

YBa₂SnO_5·5 has been synthesized and sintered as single phase material for its use as substrate for both YBCO and BiSCCO superconductors. YBa₂SnO_5·5 has a complex cubic perovskite (A₂BB’O₆) structure with the lattice constanta = 8·430 Å. The dielectric constant and loss factor of YBa₂SnO_5·5 are in a range suitable for its use as substrate for microwave applications. YBa₂SnO_5·5 is found to be chemically compatible with both YBCO and BiSCCO superconductors. The thick film of YBCO screen printed on polycrystalline YBa₂SnO_5·5 substrate gave aT _c(0) of 92 K and a critical current density (J _c) of 4 × 10⁴ A/cm² at 77 K. A screen printed BiSCCO thick film on YBa₂SnO_5·5 substrate gaveT _c(0) = 110 K and current density 3 × 10³ A/cm² at 77 K.     

Structural phase transitions and piezoelectric anomalies in ordered Sc<Subscript>0·5</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>0·5</Subscript>N alloys

Local-density approximation calculations (LDA) within density functional theory (DFT) and Berry phase approach within modern theory of polarization are performed to predict the structural and piezoelectric properties of ordered Sc_0·5Ga_0·5N alloys under compressive and tensile in-plane strain. This alloy is found to exhibit a tremendous piezoelectric response, associated with a phase transition from nonpolar p6₃/mcc(D _6h) space group to a polar p6₃ mc(C _6v) structure, at fixed Ga and Sc compositions when continuously changing the experimental accessible parameters (i.e. the compressive and tensile strain). The mechanism of the effects behind such anomalous behaviour is revealed and explained.     

Generalized Multiple Gap Model for the Superconductivity in MgB2

The free energy of the two-band superconductor is obtained taking into account all actual electron–phonon and Coulomb interactions. The temperature dependences of the superconducting gaps, the specific heat with its jump at T = T _c (T _c is the critical temperature) are calculated minimizing the free energy. The theory is applied to the MgB₂ superconductor.     

Thermal and magnetic measurements on YBa2Cu3O7−y

Specific heat measurements in zero and7T magnetic fields from 0·4 to 100 K, and magnetic susceptibility measurements aboveT _c on a series of polycrystalline samples of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−y (YBCO) reveal a number of regularities. The size of ΔC(T _c )/T _c for the samples [ΔC(T _c ) is the jump in the specific heat atT _c ] appears to vary linearly with the low-temperature value of the Debye Θ, with the entropy change between ≈ 85 K andT _c induced by the application of a 7 ^Г magnetic field, and with the variation of the observed low temperatureγ with magnetic field, dγ/dH. On the other hand the temperature-independent part of the magnetic susceptibility aboveT _c appears to be essentially independent of ΔC(T _c )/T _c . These results are consistent with the idea that samples of YBCO belowT _c are a mixture of superconducting and normal phases. Supported by the Director, Office of Energy Research, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Sciences Division of the U.S. Dept. of Energy under Contract DE-AC03-76SF00098, and by an EXXON Education Grant from the Research Corporation.     

Phase formation of superconducting MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript> at ambient pressure

MgB₂ superconductor has been synthesized using a simple technique at ambient pressure. The synthesis was carried out in helium atmosphere over a wide range of temperatures. Magnesium was employed in excess to the stoichiometry to prevent the decomposition of MgB₂. Samples of MgB₂ thus prepared have been almost free from MgO as compared to other methods. Resistivities of the samples are quite low with residual resistivity ratio (RRR) of around 3.T _c (R = 0) is 38.2-38.5 K with ΔT _C of 0.6–1.0 K. Comparative studies of various methods of low pressure synthesis have been presented.     

Single-Step Synthesis of Sr4V2O6Fe2As2: The Blocking Layer Based Potential Future Superconductor

We report synthesis, structural details and transport measurements on Sr₄V₂O₆Fe₂As₂. Namely, the stoichiometric amounts of V₂O₅+1/2×SrO₂+7/2×Sr+2×FeAs are weighed mixed, ground thoroughly and palletized in rectangular form in a glove box in high purity Ar atmosphere. The pellet is further sealed in an evacuated (10^?5 torr) quartz tube and put for heat treatments at 750 and 1150°C in a single step for 12 and 36 hours respectively. Finally the quartz ampoule is allowed to cool naturally to room temperature. The as-synthesized sample is black in color. The compound crystallized in P4/nmm space group with lattice parameters a=b=3.925 Å and c=15.870 Å. Also seen are some small impurity lines. The compound did not exhibit superconductivity but instead a spin density wave (SDW) like metallic step at around 175 K is seen in R(T) measurements. Principally in [FeAs]^?1{Sr₄V₂O₆}^C[FeAs]^?1 the net value of blocking layer charge C must be either less or more than 2, to let it be electron or hole type superconductor respectively. Efforts are under way to achieve superconductivity in the studied system.     

Two-Peak Temperature Dependence of Microwave Surface Impedance of Single-Crystalline YBCO Thin Films: Role of Pairing Symmetry and Defect Structure

Temperature dependencies of microwave surface impedance were measured for c-oriented highly perfect YBCO thin films deposited by off-axis dc magnetron sputtering onto CeO₂-buffered r-cut sapphire substrates. A distinct two-peak structure of R _s(T) and X _s(T) dependencies with peaks at 28–30, K and 50, K has been revealed. The peaks become smeared at higher frequencies or in applied dc magnetic field, while the peak positions remain almost unchanged. The two-peak Z _s(T) behavior is believed to be an intrinsic electron property of extremely perfect quasi-single-crystalline YBCO films. A theoretical model is suggested to explain the observed anomalous Z _s(T) behavior. The model is based on the Boltzman kinetic equation for quasiparticles in layered high-T _c superconductors (HTS) cuprates. It takes into account the supposed s + d wave symmetry of electron pairing and strong energy-dependent relaxation time of quasiparticles, determined mainly by their elastic scattering on extended defects parallel to the c-axis.     

Anisotropic Superconductivity of Quasi-Two-Dimensional Tight-Binding Electrons in a Strong Magnetic Field

Based on the mean field theory, we have investigated the transition temperature T _c (H) of anisotropic superconductivity in quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) tight-binding electrons in a strong magnetic field, where we assume the nearest-site attractive interaction. By taking account of the quantum effect of electronic motion in a strong magnetic field parallel to the 2D conducting plane, T _c (H) of the Q2D superconductor has been shown to increase in an oscillatory manner as the magnetic field becomes large and to reach T _c (0) in a strong magnetic field limit for the spin-triplet superconductor. We get the different magnetic field dependencies from that of on-site case.