Origin of superconductivity at nickel-bismuth interfaces
Matthew Vaughan, Nathan Satchell, Mannan Ali, Christian J. Kinane, Gavin B. G. Stenning, Sean Langridge, Gavin Burnell
Abstract
The authors show that the onset of superconductivity in Ni-Bi layers is associated with the formation at the Ni-Bi interface after the film is grown of the intermetallic alloy, NiBi, a known BCS superconductor. The activation energy for this formation is remarkably small, allowing the NiBito form in a matter of days even at room temperature and in seconds at 150${}^{o}$C. These results suggest that in searching for genuine interracial effects in this system, that samples should be kept substantially below room temperature at all times.
Topics & Concepts
IntermetallicCondensed matter physicsSuperconductivityMaterials scienceHigh-temperature superconductivityActivation energyTransition temperaturePhysicsEnergy (signal processing)Interface (matter)Electrical resistivity and conductivityChemistryPhysics of Superconductivity and MagnetismAdvanced Thermoelectric Materials and DevicesTopological Materials and Phenomena