Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics (한국초전도ㆍ저온공학회논문지)

The Korean Society of Superconductivity and Cryogenics (한국초전도저온학회)
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Changes in superconducting properties of Nb films irradiated with Kr ion beam

  • Minju Kim (Department of Physics, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Joonyoung Choi (Department of Physics, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Chang-Duk Kim (Department of Physics, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Younjung Jo (Department of Physics, Kyungpook National University)
  • Received : 2023.12.22
  • Accepted : 2024.03.13
  • Published : 2024.03.31
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Abstract

This study investigated the effect of Kr ion beam irradiation on the superconducting properties of Nb thin films, which are known for their high superconducting transition temperature (Tc) at ambient pressure among single elements. Using the Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) program, we analyzed the distribution of Kr ions and displacement per atom (DPA) after irradiation, finding a direct correlation between irradiation amount and DPA. In samples with stronger beam energy, deeper ion penetration, fewer ions remained, and higher DPA values were observed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the Nb (110) peak at 38.5° weakened and shifted with increasing irradiation. Tc decreased in all samples after irradiation, more significantly in those with higher beam energy. Irradiation raised resistivity of the film and lowered the residual-resistivity ratio (RRR). AC susceptibility measurements were also consistent with these findings. This research could potentially lead to more efficient and powerful superconducting devices and a better understanding of superconducting materials.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Y.J. was funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) (Grant Nos. NRF-2019R1A2C1089017 and 2022H1D3A3A01077468(BrainLink Program)). A portion of this work was performed at the Korean Basic Science Institute (KBSI) and Korea Multi-purpose Accelerator Complex (KOMAC).

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