Ultrathin Dielectric Oxide Films for Improved Passivation of Superconducting Materials
- 詳細技術說明
- This technology is a method of fabricating an oxide layer on the surface of a high-temperature (high Tc) superconductor.
- *Abstract
-
This technology is a method of fabricating an oxide layer on the surface of a high-temperature (high Tc) superconductor. The oxide layer passivates the superconductor, preventing degradation via air and moisture and eliminating the need to store materials at low temperatures in controlled atmospheres. The oxide coating also permits higher resolution measurements of the electronic structure at the superconductor surface than was previously possible. The technology is useful in forming improved tunnel junctions and potentially Josephson tunnel junctions.
DESCRIPTION/DETAILS
This technology provides a process for coating high-temperature superconductor materials with a thin, oxide coating that serves to prevent their degradation via ambient oxygen, temperature, or moisture conditions. This coating also enables formation of improved high-Tc tunnel junctions and could possibly improve on present efforts to fabricate Josephson tunnel junctions based on high Tc and other non-metallic superconductors. This achievement could provide extensive technological advances in electronic computer circuitry.
How it Works
Ultrathin oxide films are created by first condensing a hydroxylated metal oxide superconductor surface (e.g., YBa2Cu3O7, YBCO) with an extremely pure, highly reactive metal oxide (e.g., n-propyl orthozirconate) and then hydrolyzing the resulting surface. The condensation-hydrolysis process is repeated until films with the desired properties are achieved.
Increasing the molecular density on the surface of YBCO potentially forms a robust zirconium oxide (ZrO) tunneling barrier, and tunnel junctions can be fabricated, a phenomenon that illustrates the insulating, ultrathin, and pinhole-free nature of the oxide films.
Why It Is Better
Previous techniques for reliably fabricating tunnel junctions cause significant damage to the surface of the high-Tc superconductor. Most successful techniques are based on evaporation of reactive metals on the surface of YBCO and rely on a highly invasive chemical interaction between the YBCO and the metal overlayer, which necessarily disorders the surface of YBCO.
Since this novel technology involves a significantly gentler chemical interaction, presumably reacting with surface oxide species only, it enables greater selection of materials for use and does not result in damage to the superconductor surface. Its existence as a coating provides an impervious barrier to ambient conditions, allowing greater freedom in storage and use and eliminating costs associated with strict environmental control measures.
Tunnel junctions achieved with this novel technology provide high device quality; the electronic structure of such high-Tc superconductors is extremely sharp and detailed.
APPLICATIONS
Select processes, or industries, that manufacture or use superconductor materials:
- Superconductor materials manufacturers (e.g., superconducting wire, cable, tape)
- Telecommunications industry (e.g., microwave filters for cellular base stations)
- Educational specialty equipment industry (e.g., superconducting quantum interference devices [SQUIDS], used in higher education physics courses)
- Basic superconductor research (e.g., tunneling measurement of electronic structures of superconductor surfaces)
- High-level integrated circuitry (e.g., potential generation of Josephson junctions may impact computer electronics)
BENEFITS
- Flexible: There are no known restrictions on the types of materials on which it can work, nor are there known limits to the maximum coating thickness achievable (minimum thickness is on the order of nanometers).
- Simple to Use: The process is based on a simple condensation-hydrolysis technique requiring only two solutions.
- Cost-Saving: Storage of coated materials does not require rigid temperature, moisture, or air control. Normal, ambient storage is possible.
- Robust: Temperature cycling appears to have no effect on its passivation properties.
- Improved Resolution: Measurements of electronic structure at the surface of the superconductor now can be made with higher resolution than before.
- Potential Novel Use: Creation of improved Josephson junctions based on high-Tc and other non-metallic superconductors could be possible.
For more information about this technology, please contact the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Office of Technology Management at otm@illinois.edu.
This technology is available for ready-to-sign licensing. Click here.
- *IP Issue Date
- None
- *IP Type
- Utility
- 國家
- United States
- 申請號碼
- 6838404
- 國家/地區
- 美國
