H. Hilgenkamp

Magnetic effects at the interface between non-magnetic oxides

The electronic reconstruction at the interface between two insulating oxides can give rise to a highly conductive interface. Here we show how, in analogy to this remarkable interface-induced conductivity, magnetism can be induced at the interface between the otherwise non-magnetic insulating perovskites SrTiO3 and LaAlO3. A large negative magnetoresistance of the interface is found, together with a logarithmic temperature dependence of the sheet resistance. At low temperatures, the sheet resistance reveals magnetic hysteresis. Magnetic ordering is a key issue in solid-state science and its underlying mechanisms are still the subject of intense research. In particular, the interplay between localized magnetic moments and the spin of itinerant conduction electrons in a solid gives rise to intriguing many-body effects such as Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interactions, the Kondo effect and carrier-induced ferromagnetism in diluted magnetic semiconductors. The conducting oxide interface now provides a versatile system to induce and manipulate magnetic moments in otherwise non-magnetic materials.

Enhanced supercurrent density in polycrystalline YBa2Cu3O7-δ at 77 K from calcium doping of grain boundaries

With the discovery of high-temperature superconductivity, it seemed that the vision of superconducting power cables operating at the boiling point of liquid nitrogen (77 K) was close to realization. But it was soon found that the critical current density Jc of the supercurrents that can pass through these polycrystalline materials without destroying superconductivity is remarkably small. In many materials, Jc is suppressed at grain boundaries, by phenomena such as interface charging and bending of the electronic band structure. Partial replacement (‘doping’) of the yttrium in YBa2Cu3O7-δ with calcium has been used to increase grain-boundary Jc values substantially, but only at temperatures much lower than 77 K (ref. 9). Here we show that preferentially overdoping the grain boundaries, relative to the grains themselves, yields values of J c at 77 K that far exceed previously published values. Our results indicate that grain-boundary doping is a viable approach for producing a practical, cost-effective superconducting power cable operating at liquid-nitrogen temperatures.

Ordering and manipulation of the magnetic moments in large-scale superconducting pi-loop arrays

The phase of the macroscopic electron-pair wavefunction in a superconductor can vary only by multiples of 2π when going around a closed contour. This results in quantization of magnetic flux, one of the most striking demonstrations of quantum phase coherence in superconductors. By using superconductors with unconventional pairing symmetry, or by incorporating π-Josephson junctions, a phase shift of π can be introduced in such loops. Under appropriate conditions, this phase shift results in doubly degenerate time-reversed ground states, which are characterized by the spontaneous generation of half quanta of magnetic flux, with magnitude 1/2 Φ0(Φ0 = h/2e = 2.07 × 10-15 Wb) (ref. 7). Until now, it has only been possible to generate individual half flux quanta. Here we report the realization of large-scale coupled π-loop arrays based on YBa2Cu3O7-Au-Nb Josephson contacts. Scanning SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) microscopy has been used to study the ordering of half flux quanta in these structures. The possibility of manipulating the polarities of individual half flux quanta is also demonstrated. These π-loop arrays are of interest as model systems for studying magnetic phenomena—including frustration effects—in Ising antiferromagnets. Furthermore, studies of coupled π-loops can be useful for designing quantum computers based on flux-qubits with viable quantum error correction capabilities.

Josephson supercurrent through a topological insulator surface state

The long-sought yet elusive Majorana fermion is predicted to arise from a combination of a superconductor and a topological insulator. An essential step in the hunt for this emergent particle is the unequivocal observation of supercurrent in a topological phase. Here, direct evidence for Josephson supercurrents in superconductor (Nb)-topological insulator (Bi(2)Te(3))-superconductor electron-beam fabricated junctions is provided by the observation of clear Shapiro steps under microwave irradiation, and a Fraunhofer-type dependence of the critical current on magnetic field. Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in magnetic fields up to 30 T reveal a topologically non-trivial two-dimensional surface state. This surface state is attributed to mediate the ballistic Josephson current despite the fact that the normal state transport is dominated by diffusive bulk conductivity. The lateral Nb-Bi(2)Te(3)-Nb junctions hence provide prospects for the realization of devices supporting Majorana fermions.

Superconducting and normal-state properties of YBa2Cu3O7−δ -bicrystal grain boundary junctions in thin films

A model, based on universal properties of high-Tc superconductors only, is presented for the transport characteristics of grain boundaries in these materials. The model accounts for the superconducting as well as for the normal-state transport properties observed in a comprehensive study of YBa2Cu3O7−δ [001]-tilt bicrystalline grain boundaries with varying misorientation angles and of two different symmetries.

Superconducting Mg-B films by pulsed-laser deposition in an in situ two-step process using multicomponent targets

Superconducting thin films have been prepared in an insitu two-step process, using the Mg–B plasma generated by pulsed-laser ablation. The target was composed of a mixture of Mg and MgB2 powders to compensate for the volatility of Mg and, therefore, to ensure a high Mg content in the film. The films were deposited at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 300 °C followed by a low-pressure insitu annealing procedure. Various substrates have been used and diverse ways to increase the Mg content into the film were applied. The films show a sharp transition in the resistance and have a zero resistance transition temperature of 22–24 K.of 22-24 K.

Why NanoSQUIDs are important: an introduction to the focus issue

Nano-scale superconducting interference devices, known as nanoSQUIDs, are an emerging research area that has been attracting a lot of attention in recent years. This is an introduction to this special edition of Superconductor Science and Technology to place the following papers into context by briefly outlining the various methods of fabrication and the wide range of potential applications.

Superconducting quantum interference device based on MgB2 nanobridges

The superconductor MgB2, with a transition temperature of 39 K, has significant potential for future electronics. An essential step is the achievement of Josephson circuits, of which the superconducting quantum interference device ~SQUID! is the most important. Here, we report Josephson quantum interference in superconducting MgB2 thin films. Modulation voltages of up to 30 mV are observed in an all-MgB2 SQUID, based on focused-ion-beam patterned nanobridges. These bridges, with a length scale ,100 nm, have outstanding critical current densities of 73106 A/cm2 at 4.2 K.

Design and realization of an all d-wave dc π-superconducting quantum interference device

The predominantly dx2−y2-pairing symmetry in most high-Tc superconductors provides the opportunity to fabricate Josephson junction circuits in which part of the junctions are biased by a phase difference of the superconducting order parameter of π. We present fabrication and measurements of an all high-Tc dc superconducting quantum interference device (dc SQUID) realized with thin-film technology, of which the Josephson junctions consist of one standard junction and one junction with a π-phase shift. The characteristics of the π-SQUID are compared with the properties of a standard high-Tc SQUID.

Parallel Electron-Hole Bilayer Conductivity from Electronic Interface Reconstruction

The perovskite SrTiO3-LaAlO3 structure has advanced to a model system to investigate the rich electronic phenomena arising at polar oxide interfaces. Using first principles calculations and transport measurements we demonstrate that an additional SrTiO3 capping layer prevents atomic reconstruction at the LaAlO3 surface and triggers the electronic reconstruction at a significantly lower LaAlO3 film thickness than for the uncapped systems. Combined theoretical and experimental evidence (from magnetotransport and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy) suggests two spatially separated sheets with electron and hole carriers, that are as close as 1 nm.