Tweak Superconductivity at Nanoscale

技术：该项目研究高温超导体（HTS）薄膜的载流能力。该项目的重点是新的实验方法，如通过纳米级应变效应引入孔隙率，以及高温超导薄膜的物理特性。本研究将探讨三个主题：1）电子束微影技术制作单一高温超导奈米桥及高温超导奈米桥网路之临界电流密度物理。高温超导材料包括YBCO、Tl基（Tl-HTS）和Hg基（Hg-HTS）超导体; 2）通过结合邻近生长和纳米颗粒插入的工艺制备的多孔YBCO薄膜。将研究孔形成和孔演化的机制，以增加基本的理解，并将其用于实现对孔形态、密度和界面特征的控制。电输运性能将进行评估，以了解和利用微观结构和运输性能之间的相关性，在制定计划的高温超导器件与高载流能力接近理论极限。3)重点将放在线性缺陷的微观生长机制，特别是纳米管孔通过微米厚度的YBCO薄膜。非技术性：该项目涉及电子材料科学领域的基础研究问题，具有高度的技术相关性。研究和教育活动将通过本科生参与研究计划来整合，并将新的研究成果融入课堂，为下一代纳米科学，材料科学和物理学的前沿教育而努力。

Technical: This project addresses current carrying capability in high-temperature superconductor (HTS) films. The focus of the project is on novel experimental approaches, such as incorporation of porosity by nanoscale strain effects, and physical properties of HTS films. Three topics will be investigated: 1) physics of critical current density in single HTS nanobridges and networks of HTS nanobridges fabricated using e-beam lithography. The HTS materials include YBCO), Tl-based (Tl-HTS) and Hg-based (Hg-HTS) superconductors; 2) porous YBCO films via a process that combines vicinal growth and nanoparticle insertion. The mechanism of pore initiation and pore evolution will be studied to increase basic understanding and for its use toward achieving control of pore morphology, density, and interface features. Electric transport properties will be assessed to understand and utilize correlation between microstructure and transport properties in formulating schemes for HTS devices with high current carrying capability approaching theoretical limits. 3) focus will be on the microscopic growth mechanism of linear defects, specifically nanotube pores through micrometer thickness of YBCO films. Non-technical: The project addresses basic research issues in a topical area of electronic materials science with high technological relevance. Research and educational activities will be integrated by involvement of undergraduates in the research program, and incorporating new research results into the classroom, striving for forefront education to the next generation in nanoscience, material science, and physics.