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Title
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The superconducting proximity effect in epitaxial Al/Pb nanocomposites
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Author
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Abstract
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| We have investigated the superconducting properties of Pb nanoparticles with a diameter ranging from 8 to 20 nm, synthesized by Pb+ ion implantation in a crystalline Al matrix. A detailed structural characterization of the nanocomposites reveals the highly epitaxial relation between the Al crystalline matrix and the Pb nanoparticles. The Al/Pb nanocomposites display a single superconducting transition, with the critical temperature T-c increasing with the Pb content. The dependence of T-c on the Pb/Al volume ratio was compared with theoretical models of the superconducting proximity effect based on the bulk properties of Al and Pb. A very good correspondence with the strong-coupling proximity effect model was found, with an electron-phonon coupling constant in the Pb nanoparticles slightly reduced compared to bulk Pb. Our result differs from other studies on Pb nanoparticle based proximity systems where weak-coupling models were found to better describe the T-c dependence. We infer that the high interface quality resulting from the ion implantation synthesis method is a determining factor for the superconducting properties. Critical field and critical current measurements support the high quality of the nanocomposite superconducting films. |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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Superconductor science and technology. - Bristol
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Publication
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Bristol
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2014
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ISSN
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0953-2048
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DOI
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10.1088/0953-2048/27/1/015008
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Volume/pages
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27
:1
(2014)
, p. 1-8
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Article Reference
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015008
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ISI
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000328275000010
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Medium
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E-only publicatie
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Full text (Publisher's DOI)
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Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
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