Superconducting thermomagnetic instabilities tuned through electric-field-controlled strain in Nb/PMN-PT/Nb hybrids

M. Zeibekis; S. J. Zhang; D. Stamopoulos

doi:10.1016/j.physc.2017.10.015

Superconducting thermomagnetic instabilities tuned through electric-field-controlled strain in Nb/PMN-PT/Nb hybrids

M. Zeibekis
, S. J. Zhang
, D. Stamopoulos

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

Abstract

Electric-field-controlled piezoelectric strain has been used, recently, to modify the superconducting properties in a new class of piezoelectric/superconducting (PE/SC) hybrids. Here, we investigate the appearance of thermomagnetic instabilities (TMIs) and the respective modification of the critical current density (J_C) through the application of electric field (E_ex) in PE/SC hybrids. Specifically, the SC nanolayers are Nb (thickness, d_SC = 20 nm) deposited on both surfaces of PE macroscopic crystals of (1-x)Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-xPbTiO₃ (PMN-PT) with optimum composition x = 0.31 (thickness, d_PE= 0.5–0.8 mm). The appearance of TMIs and the modification of J_C by E_ex is studied for two PMN-PT crystals of drastically different surface roughness (Sa). In the case of the PMN-PT crystal with low Sa (on the order of a few tenths of nm) TMIs are absent so that J_C does not change under the variation of E_ex. On the contrary, in the case of the PMN-PT crystal with high Sa (on the order of a few hundreds of nm) E_ex induces TMIs in the Nb nanolayers. Specifically, the number of TMIs exhibits a non-monotonic increase on E_ex, thus causing a non-monotonic degradation of J_C. These experimental data are interpreted in terms of the variation of both volume strain and surface roughness on E_ex. This work highlights practical means to control the current-carrying capability of SC nanolayers through strain provided by PE substrates. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	33-39
Journal	Physica C: Superconductivity and its Applications
Volume	544
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physc.2017.10.015
Publication status	Published - 15 Jan 2018
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publication details (e.g. title, author(s), publication statuses and dates) are captured on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis at the time of record harvesting from the data source. Suggestions for further amendments or supplementary information can be sent to [email protected].

Funding

One of the authors (M.Z.) acknowledges the A.G. Leventis Foundation for support through a scholarship.

Research Keywords

Converse piezoelectric effect
Critical current
Piezoelectric/superconducting hybrids
Thermomagnetic instabilities

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@article{ea563e2669a840d5a9dfd977719818f7,

title = "Superconducting thermomagnetic instabilities tuned through electric-field-controlled strain in Nb/PMN-PT/Nb hybrids",

abstract = "Electric-field-controlled piezoelectric strain has been used, recently, to modify the superconducting properties in a new class of piezoelectric/superconducting (PE/SC) hybrids. Here, we investigate the appearance of thermomagnetic instabilities (TMIs) and the respective modification of the critical current density (JC) through the application of electric field (Eex) in PE/SC hybrids. Specifically, the SC nanolayers are Nb (thickness, dSC = 20 nm) deposited on both surfaces of PE macroscopic crystals of (1-x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3 (PMN-PT) with optimum composition x = 0.31 (thickness, dPE= 0.5–0.8 mm). The appearance of TMIs and the modification of JC by Eex is studied for two PMN-PT crystals of drastically different surface roughness (Sa). In the case of the PMN-PT crystal with low Sa (on the order of a few tenths of nm) TMIs are absent so that JC does not change under the variation of Eex. On the contrary, in the case of the PMN-PT crystal with high Sa (on the order of a few hundreds of nm) Eex induces TMIs in the Nb nanolayers. Specifically, the number of TMIs exhibits a non-monotonic increase on Eex, thus causing a non-monotonic degradation of JC. These experimental data are interpreted in terms of the variation of both volume strain and surface roughness on Eex. This work highlights practical means to control the current-carrying capability of SC nanolayers through strain provided by PE substrates. {\textcopyright} 2017 Elsevier B.V.",

keywords = "Converse piezoelectric effect, Critical current, Piezoelectric/superconducting hybrids, Thermomagnetic instabilities",

author = "M. Zeibekis and Zhang, \{S. J.\} and D. Stamopoulos",

note = "Publication details (e.g. title, author(s), publication statuses and dates) are captured on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis at the time of record harvesting from the data source. Suggestions for further amendments or supplementary information can be sent to [email protected].",

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doi = "10.1016/j.physc.2017.10.015",

language = "English",

volume = "544",

pages = "33--39",

journal = "Physica C: Superconductivity and its Applications",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Superconducting thermomagnetic instabilities tuned through electric-field-controlled strain in Nb/PMN-PT/Nb hybrids

AU - Zeibekis, M.

AU - Zhang, S. J.

AU - Stamopoulos, D.

N1 - Publication details (e.g. title, author(s), publication statuses and dates) are captured on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis at the time of record harvesting from the data source. Suggestions for further amendments or supplementary information can be sent to [email protected].

PY - 2018/1/15

Y1 - 2018/1/15

N2 - Electric-field-controlled piezoelectric strain has been used, recently, to modify the superconducting properties in a new class of piezoelectric/superconducting (PE/SC) hybrids. Here, we investigate the appearance of thermomagnetic instabilities (TMIs) and the respective modification of the critical current density (JC) through the application of electric field (Eex) in PE/SC hybrids. Specifically, the SC nanolayers are Nb (thickness, dSC = 20 nm) deposited on both surfaces of PE macroscopic crystals of (1-x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3 (PMN-PT) with optimum composition x = 0.31 (thickness, dPE= 0.5–0.8 mm). The appearance of TMIs and the modification of JC by Eex is studied for two PMN-PT crystals of drastically different surface roughness (Sa). In the case of the PMN-PT crystal with low Sa (on the order of a few tenths of nm) TMIs are absent so that JC does not change under the variation of Eex. On the contrary, in the case of the PMN-PT crystal with high Sa (on the order of a few hundreds of nm) Eex induces TMIs in the Nb nanolayers. Specifically, the number of TMIs exhibits a non-monotonic increase on Eex, thus causing a non-monotonic degradation of JC. These experimental data are interpreted in terms of the variation of both volume strain and surface roughness on Eex. This work highlights practical means to control the current-carrying capability of SC nanolayers through strain provided by PE substrates. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.

AB - Electric-field-controlled piezoelectric strain has been used, recently, to modify the superconducting properties in a new class of piezoelectric/superconducting (PE/SC) hybrids. Here, we investigate the appearance of thermomagnetic instabilities (TMIs) and the respective modification of the critical current density (JC) through the application of electric field (Eex) in PE/SC hybrids. Specifically, the SC nanolayers are Nb (thickness, dSC = 20 nm) deposited on both surfaces of PE macroscopic crystals of (1-x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3 (PMN-PT) with optimum composition x = 0.31 (thickness, dPE= 0.5–0.8 mm). The appearance of TMIs and the modification of JC by Eex is studied for two PMN-PT crystals of drastically different surface roughness (Sa). In the case of the PMN-PT crystal with low Sa (on the order of a few tenths of nm) TMIs are absent so that JC does not change under the variation of Eex. On the contrary, in the case of the PMN-PT crystal with high Sa (on the order of a few hundreds of nm) Eex induces TMIs in the Nb nanolayers. Specifically, the number of TMIs exhibits a non-monotonic increase on Eex, thus causing a non-monotonic degradation of JC. These experimental data are interpreted in terms of the variation of both volume strain and surface roughness on Eex. This work highlights practical means to control the current-carrying capability of SC nanolayers through strain provided by PE substrates. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.

KW - Converse piezoelectric effect

KW - Critical current

KW - Piezoelectric/superconducting hybrids

KW - Thermomagnetic instabilities

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85034075048

UR - https://www.scopus.com/record/pubmetrics.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85034075048&origin=recordpage

U2 - 10.1016/j.physc.2017.10.015

DO - 10.1016/j.physc.2017.10.015

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

SN - 0921-4534

VL - 544

SP - 33

EP - 39

JO - Physica C: Superconductivity and its Applications

JF - Physica C: Superconductivity and its Applications

ER -

Superconducting thermomagnetic instabilities tuned through electric-field-controlled strain in Nb/PMN-PT/Nb hybrids

Abstract

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Funding

Research Keywords

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