Broad-Based Search for New and Practical Superconductors
Abstract
Over 300 new compounds were synthesized and characterized during this five year grant. Many new superconductors were discovered, most with transition temperatures (Tc) below 10K. One noteworthy discovery was the superconductivity found in Ca1-xLaxFe2As2 at ~48K, the highest known transition temperature in this class of materials. New techniques, such as sulfur flux growth and combinatorial thin film growth, were developed that will aid in the search for higher Tc and more practical superconductors in the future. Collaboration with the Smithsonian Museum was established to search for superconductivity in their collection of over 300,000 minerals. To date, about 50 compounds have been measured with one superconductor (Tc ~4K) found at high pressure. Superconductivity was found to be enhanced in a nanocrystalline composite of a known low-Tc superconductor (Sn) and a high dielectric constant insulator (STO or BTO). This is a promising new approach for the future search for higher Tc superconductors. Over 64 papers were published on the research supported by this award and many invited talks (~90) were given by the PI and others supported by this award.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 31, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA610901
Entities
People
- Ichiro Takeuchi
- Johnpierre Paglione
- Richard L Greene
Organizations
- University of Maryland