Author: Mgr. Břetislav Šopík Thesis advisor: doc. Pavel Lipavský, CSc. Ph.D. thesis Superconductivity in disordered systems Abstract We study some aspects of the superconductivity in disordered systems - namely the superconductivity in a boron-doped diamond. We also apply theoretical methods originally developed in the field of the disordered systems to the theory of superconductivity. In the case of the boron-doped diamond we focus on the question of the dependence of the critical temperature Tc on boron doping. We discuss the impact of the boron distribution correlations on the Tc as well. First, we evaluate the density of states at the Fermi energy N0 within the dynamical cluster approximation. We discuss the Tc as a function of N0 within the BCS, the McMillan and the Belitz theory. In the case of 100 samples, the simplified Belitz theory gives the best agreement with experimental data. For 111 samples the McMillan theory is sufficient. We also show that the difference of 100 and 111 samples in the N0 dependence of Tc can be explained as given by attractive correlations in the boron distribution. Applying the concept of the coherent potential approximation, we re- move a self-interaction from the Galitskii-Feynman T-matrix approxima- tion. This correction has no effect in the normal state but makes the...

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Resumo: O interesse em conhecer o comportamento supercondutor tem sido cada vez maior nas últimas décadas. Na busca de melhores características supercondutoras, descobriu-se que amostras volumétricas apresentam características muito diferentes de amostras mesoscópicas (amostras com dimensões próximas dos comprimentos de penetração de London e coerência). Como exemplo, podemos citar a não formação de rede de Abrikosov, como consequência do efeito de confinamento (efeito associado às dimensões reduzidas da amostra) e também uma mudança considerável nos valores dos campos críticos. Neste trabalho foram resolvidas as equações de Ginzburg-Landau dependentes do tempo (TDGL), para fazer uma análise detalhada da dinâmica de vórtices em filmes finos mesoscópicos. Para revolvê-las, utilizamos o método das variáveis de ligação com invariância de calibre, adaptado para o algoritmo de diferenças finitas, utilizado para obter a densidade dos pares de Cooper e também curvas de magnetização. O estudo dessa dinâmica de vórtices, foi feito em três amostras com superfícies geométricas diferentes (côncova, convexa e rugosa). Observamos que na comparação entre as duas primeiras, há uma diferença considerável nos valores dos campos críticos, bem como no comportamento da magnetização comparado com um filme plano. Já para a amostra de superfície rugosa, observamos que existe uma competição entre o efeito de confinamento e a rugosidade em relação à configuração dos vórtices. Apresentamos também, uma tabela que mostra resumidamente os estados estacionários dos vórtices nas três amostras. / Abstract: The interest to investigate the investigate the behavior of a superconductor has grown in the last few decades. Having in mind to search for better superconducting characteristics, it has been found that bulk samples present characteristics much more different than mesoscopic samples (samples with dimensions of the same order of the same order of the London penetration length and the coherence length). As an example, we can mention the non-formation of an Abrikosov vortex lattice as a consequence of the confinement effect (effect associated with the reduced dimensions of the sample) and also considerable change in the critical field values. In the present work we solved the time dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation (TDGL), in order to make a detailed analysis of the vortex dynamics in mesoscopic thin films. To solve these equations, we have used the link variables method which is gauge invariant. From this, we obtain the Cooper pair density and the magnetization curves. The vortex dynamics was investigated for three different surfaces of the film (concave, convex, and irregular). We have observed that, with respect to the parabolic geometries, there is a considerable difference for the critical fields, as well as for the behavior of the magnetization compared to a flat film. On the other hand, for a sample with an irregular surface, we have seen that there is a competition between the confinement effect and rugosity with respect to vortex configurations. We also present a table which summarizes the vortex stationary states for the three topologies mentioned above. / Orientador: Paulo Noronha Lisboa Filho / Coorientador: Edson Sardella / Banca: Wilson Aires Ortiz / Banca: Clelio Clemente de Souza Silva / Mestre

Orientador: Dayse Iara dos Santos / Banca: Raquel de Almeida Ribeiro / Banca: Durval Rodrigues Júnior / Resumo: Após a descoberta dos novos supercondutores óxidos no ano de 1986, houve uma intensa busca por outros materiais que apresentassem o fenômeno da supercondutividade. Dentre as novas descobertas encontra-se o diboreto de magnésio, material intermetálico cuja supercondutividade era desconhecida até 2001. Atualmente, este é considerado ter um grande potencial de aplicação real devido a sua simplicidade de confecção e ao baixo custo de resfriamento em "cryocoolers", visto que o fenômeno ocorre próximo de 39K. Ao longo de quase uma década muitas pesquisas foram realizadas com os objetivos de melhor conhecer o mecanismo de supercondutividade presente no material, assim como de aperfeiçoar a sua capacidade de suportar correntes em campos magnéticos altos e desta forma ampliar suas possibilidades de aplicação industrial. Hoje, encontra-se claro que o mecanismo que rege a supercondutividade no Mg'B IND. 2' é o mesmo descrito em 1958 por Bardeen, Cooper e Schriefer, na teoria BCS. Mas, por outro lado, as questões práticas permanecem incompletas, pois a queda da capacidade de conduzir supercorrente sob campos magnéticos altos (acima de 6T) ainda não foi superada satisfatoriamente. Com este objetivo, estuda-se a introdução de diversos compostos na matriz do diboreto de magnésio tais como elementos metálicos ou compostos de carbono. Mais recentemente, os estudos se voltaram para a utilização das técnicas de processamento cerâmico a fim de aperfeiçoar a microestrutura e melhor densificar o material. Neste trabalho o estudo da adição de um novo dopante, o hidrocarboneto 'C IND. 8''H IND. 18', é realizado comparativamente à outros dopantes extensivamente citados na literatura como o carbeto de silício e o óleo de silicone. O processo de sinterização de pastilhas ex situ é também investigado para todas... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: After the discovery of new superconducting oxides in the year 1986, there was an intense search for other materials that show the phenomenon of superconductivity. Among the new discoveries is magnesium diboride, an intermetallic material whose superconductivity was unknown until 2001. Currently, it is considered to have great potential for real application due to its easy fabrication and low cost cooling as cryocoolers, since the phenomenon occurs around 39K. For almost a decade surveys have been conducted with the objective of better understanding the mechanism of superconductivity in this material, as well as to improve its ability to withstand current in high magnetic fields and thus broaden their scope of industrial application. Today it is clear that the mechanism governing the superconductivity in Mg'B IND. 2' is the same as described in 1958 by Bardeen, Cooper and Schriefer, in the BCS theory. But on the other hand, practical issues remain incomplete, since the fall of the ability to conduct supercurrent in high magnetic fields (up to 6T) has not been satisfactorily overcome. To this end, it has been studied the introduction of several compounds in the matrix of magnesium diboride elements such as metal or carbon compounds. More recently, studies have turned to the use of ceramic processing techniques to improve the microstructure and better densification of the material. In this work the study of the addition of a new doping, 'C IND. 8''H IND. 18' hydrocarbon, is performed compared to other doping compounds that are extensively cited in the literature as silicon carbide and silicon oil. The process of sintering pellets ex situ is also investigated for all these additions in order to obtain denser material and therefore better performance in the transport properties. The used techniques include X ray diffraction, thermal analysis,... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Comprendre l'interaction lumière-matière est toujours un sujet d'actualité malgré des décennies de recherche intense. Grâce au large couplage lumière-matière présent dans les circuits quantiques supraconducteurs, il est maintenant possible d'effectuer des expériences où la dynamique d'environnements contenant beaucoup de degrés de liberté, devient pertinente. Ainsi, relier la physique à N-corps, généralement réservée à la matières condensée, et l’optique quantique est à portée de main.Dans ce travail, nous présentons un système totalement accordable in-situ pour étudier l'interaction lumière-matière à N-corps (N grand) dans différents régimes de couplage. Le circuit est constitué d'un bit quantique de type transmon (“la matière”) couplé capacitivement à une chaîne de 4700 jonctions Josephson en géométrie squid. Cette chaîne supporte de nombreux modes électromagnétiques ou modes plasma (“la lumière”). Grâce à la grande inductance cinétique des jonctions Josephson, la chaîne présente une impédance caractéristique élevée ce qui augmente significativement le couplage qubit-modes. Les squids dans le transmon et dans la chaîne nous permettent de modifier la force de ce couplage en appliquant un flux magnétique.Avec ce sytème, nous avons les trois ingrédients requis pour explorer la physique à N-corps: un environnement avec une grande densité de modes électromagnétiques, un couplage lumière-matière ultra-fort, et une non linéarité comparable aux autres échelles d'énergie pertinentes. De plus, nous présentons un traitement de l'effet des fluctuations du vide de ce large nombre de degrées de liberté. Ce qui nous permet d'obtenir un modèle quantitatif et sans paramètre libre de ce système complexe. Finalement, à partir du décalage de phase induit par le transmon sur les modes de la chaîne, le transmon phase shift, nous quantifions l’hybridation du qubit transmon avec plusieurs modes de la chaîne (jusqu'à 10 modes) et obtenons la fréquence de résonance du transmon, ainsi que sa largeur, confirmant que nous sommes dans le régime de couplage ultra-fort.Ce travail démontre que les circuits quantiques sont un outil puissant pour explorer l'optique quantique à N-corps de manière totalement contrôlée. Combiner des métamatériaux supraconducteurs et des qubits devrait permettre de mettre en évidence des effets à N-corps qualitatifs, comme le décalage de Lamb géant, d’observer des états non-classiques de la lumière ou la production de particules ou encore de simuler des problèmes d’impuretés quantiques (par exemple le modèle de Kondo ou celui de Sine-Gordon) et des transitions de phase quantiques dissipatives. / Understanding the way light and matter interact remains a central topic in modern physics despite decades of intensive research. Owing to the large light-matter interaction in superconducting circuits, it is now realistic to think about experiments where the dynamics of environments containing many degrees of freedom becomes relevant. It suggests that bridging many-body physics, usually devoted to condensed matter, and quantum optics is within reach.In this work we present a fully tunable system for studying light-matter interaction with many bodies at different coupling regimes. The circuit consists of a transmon qubit (“the matter”) capacitively coupled to an array of 4700 Josephson junctions in a squid geometry, sustaining many electromagnetic or plasma modes (“the light”). Thanks to the large kinetic inductance of Josephson junctions, the array shows a high characteristic impedance that enhances the qubit-modes coupling. The squids in the transmon and in the array allow us to tune the strength of this coupling via an external magnetic flux.We observe the three required ingredients to explore many-body physics: an environment with a high density of electromagnetic modes, the ultra-strong light-matter coupling regime and a non-linearity comparable to the other relevant energy scales. Moreover, we present a method to treat the effect of the vacuum fluctuations of all these degrees of freedom. Thus we provide a quantitative and parameter-free model of this large quantum system. Finally, from the phase shift induced by the transmon on the modes of the array, the transmon phase shift, we quantify the hybridization of the transmon qubit with several modes in the array (up to 10) and obtain the transmon resonance frequency and its width, demonstrating that we are in the ultra-strong coupling regime.This work demonstrates that quantum circuits are a very powerful platform to explore many-body quantum optics in a fully controlled way. Combining superconducting metamaterials and qubits could allow us to observe qualitative many-body effects such as giant lambshift, non-classical states of light and particle productions or to simulate quantum impurity problems (such as the Kondo model or the sine-Gordon model) and dissipative quantum phase transitions.

Les isolants topologiques 3D sont un nouvel état de la matière décrit par un volume iso-lant électriquement et recouvert par des états de surface métalliques. Une jonction Joseph-son topologique (TJJ) formée autour de ces états de surface peut théoriquement contenirun mode lié d’Andreev ayant une périodicité doublée par rapport aux modes liés d’An-dreev conventionnels 2p périodiques. Le mode d’Andreev 4p périodique serait la briqueélémentaire de l’ordinateur quantique topologique. Ainsi, nous étudions la dynamique dece mode particulier lors de mesures de Shapiro sur des jonctions Josephson fabriquées surdes isolants topologiques à base de bismuth.A?n d’identi?er les e?ets d’un mode 4p-périodique dans une mesure de Shapiro, nousutilisons un model phénoménologique permettant de simuler la caractéristique courant-tension d’une TJJ lors de telles mesures. Nous prédisons deux signatures du mode 4p-périodique et estimons leur robustesse face aux e?ets de chau?age par e?et Joule et face àun modèle d’empoisonnement thermiquement activé du mode 4p-périodique.Par des mesures de Shapiro, nous étudions la dynamique des TJJ basées sur le matériausimple qu’est le Bi2Se3. L’observation des deux mêmes signatures précédemment anticipéespar nos simulations, à savoir un ordre d’apparition non conventionnel des pas de Shapiroainsi que la persistance d’un supercourant à la fermeture du plateau de Shapiro n = 0prouve la présence d’un mode 4p-périodique.Notre étude s’est également portée sur un autre isolant topologique le BiSbTeSe2. Nousavons e?ectué sa croissance par cristallisation liquide-solide et avons mis en évidence,par des mesures d’interférométrie supraconductrice une supraconductivité de surface sanstransport électronique par le volume. / Three dimensional topological insulators (3D TI) are a new state of matter composedof an electrically insulating bulk covered by metallic surface states. Theoretically, a topo-logical Josephson junction composed of these surface states can host an Andreev Boundstate (ABS) that has twice the periodicity of the conventional 2p periodic ABSs. The4p periodic ABS is expected to be the building block of topological quantum computing.Therefore, we study the dynamic of this particular ABS by performing Shapiro measure-ment on Josephson junctions built with bismuth based 3D TI.To identify the e?ects of a 4p periodic ABS in a Shapiro measurement, we use a phe-nomenological model that simulates the voltage-current characteristics of a TJJ. We predicttwo signatures of the 4p periodic ABS and estimate their robustness against Joule heatingand thermally activated quasiparticle poisoning of the 4p periodic mode.We study the Josephson junctions dynamics by performing Shapiro measurements onjunctions built on Bi2Se3. We observe the two previously anticipated signatures, whichare the non-conventional appearance order of the Shapiro steps and the remaining of asupercurrent at the closing of the Shapiro step n = 0. They prove the presence of a 4pperiodic ABS.We also study the topological insulator BiSbTeSe2 that we have grown by using themelting growth method. By superconducting interferometric measurements, we show asuperconducting surface transport without bulk electronic conduction.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Alexandre José de Castro Lanfredi / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nanociências e Materiais Avançados, 2016. / Este trabalho tem como objetivo o desenvolvimento de uma rota de sintese de nanofios supercondutores de alta temperatura critica de YBa2Cu3O7- (delta) pelo metodo de preenchimento de poro utilizando processo sol-gel. A preparacao do sol-gel foi realizada utilizando acetatos de itrio, bario e cobre como precursores e solubilizados em uma mistura de metanol, acido acetico e propanoico. O sol-gel foi depositado em membranas de policarbonato nanoporosas utilizadas como moldes para obtencao de amostras de nanofios. A fim de encontrar as condicoes de sintese, varios parametros foram estudados como a viscosidade da solucao precursora, temperatura e tempo de tratamento termico das amostras de nanofios de YBCO. Para esses estudos, as amostras foram caracterizadas por Microscopia Eletronica de Varredura (MEV), Difratometria de Raios X (DRX) e medidas de magnetizacao. Inicialmente, estudou-se o preenchimento da membrana porosa por sol-gel. Os nanofios de YBCO foram obtidos com a solucao precursora de viscosidade proxima a 100 mPa.s. Imagens de MEV mostraram a morfologia de nanofios com diametro da ordem de 100 nm. Estudos das condicoes de tratamento termico revelaram que as amostras de nanofios tratadas termicamente a temperatura de 800¿C por 4 h em atmosfera de oxigenio permitiu a obtencao de amostras de YBCO que mantiveram a morfologia nanofios. A formacao da fase ortorrombica do YBCO foi verificada por meio de difracao de raios X. Porem, a transicao supercondutora nessas amostras nao e bem definida e as propriedades magneticas sao menos intensas. Analises de DRX de amostras de nanofios tratadas termicamente a 800¿C por mais tempo, com patamar de oxigenacao a 400¿C, mostrou que ha presenca de fase YBa2Cu3O7-¿Â ortorrombica e de fases adicionais em maior proporcao. Isso tambem pode ser observado nas medidas magneticas dessas amostras. Por fim, resultados de difracao de raios X de amostras sinterizadas nas temperaturas de 850¿C e 900¿C por 4 horas em atmosfera de oxigenio revelaram a presenca predominante da fase YBCO. Ambas as amostras apresentaram a transicao supercondutora em Tc ~ 92 K na medida de magnetizacao versus temperatura. Porem, imagens de MEV dessas amostras revelaram que apenas aquela tratada termicamente a temperatura de 850¿C mantem a morfologia de nanofios com diametro medio de ~ 100 nm. Esta metodologia permitiu a obtencao de nanofios de YBCO, com caracteristicas estruturais e fisicas similares a obtida para o material na forma de bulk. / The aim of this work is to develop a synthetic route of high-Tc superconductor YBa2Cu3O7-ä nanowires by wet pore-filling method using sol-gel solution. Such sol-gel was prepared by yttrium, barium and copper acetates as precursors and solubilized in a mixture of methanol, acetic and propionic acids. The sol-gel solution was depositedon polycarbonate mesoporous membranes that were used as a template to obtain nanowire samples. In order to find an ideal synthesis condition, several synthesis parameters were studied, such as viscosity of precursor solution, temperature and time of heat treatment. Samples were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and magnetic measurements. Firstly, we have studied porous membrane filled by a sol-gel solution. The YBCO nanowires were obtained by precursor solution with viscosity of 100 mPa.s. Through SEM images it was verified the Y-Ba-Cu nanowire morphology with external diameter of 100 nm. Experimental studies of heat treatment conditions revealed that nanowire samples can be obtained by sintered temperature at 800°C during 4 hours in oxygen atmosphere. The orthorhombic YBCO crystallographic phase was identified by X-ray diffraction. However, it was detected considerable broadening in the superconducting transition samples and low intensities of magnetic proprieties. Furthermore, the nanowires sintered at 800°C during long time with oxygenation step at 400°C exhibited the presence of orthorhombic YBa2Cu3O7-ä crystallographic phase and presence of secondary phases in more quantities. The magnetic measurements confirmed the presence of secondary phases in sample. Finally, XRD results of sintered samples at temperature range 850-900°C for 4 hours in oxygen atmosphere exhibit YBCO as the major phase. The magnetic measurements showed that both samples exhibit superconducting transition at Tc ~ 92 K. However, SEM images indicated that only the sample sintered at 850°C present nanowire morphology with average diameter of 100 nm. This methodology allowed the production of YBCO nanowires with structural characteristics and physical properties similar to the bulk samples.

Nós estudamos a competição entre a instabilidade de Pomeranchuk no canal de spin com momento angular l=1 e uma interação atrativa, favorecendo a formação de um par de Cooper. Achamos, numa aproximação de campo médio, uma forte supressão da instabilidade de Pomeranchuk via supercondutividade. Além disso, identificamos uma fase supercondutora metaestável com características semelhantes ao estado FFLO. Um líquido de Fermi é, com exceção de uma dimensão, um estado muito estável da matéria. Por outro lado dois tipos de instabilidades, relacionadas com interações atrativas, são conhecidas: Instabilidades Pomeranchuk e supercondutora. As instabilidades Pomeranchuk ocorrem na presença da interação de dois corpos contendo uma forte componente atrativa no canal de espalhamento para frente com momento angular definido. No contexto da teoria de Landau, a instabilidade ocorre quando um ou mais parâmetros admensionais de Landau nos canais de spin ou carga, adquirem altos valores negativos. As instabilidades Pomeranchuk no setor de carga quebram a simetria de rotação. Em particular, uma instabilidade em alguns canais produz uma deformação elipsoidal na superfície de Fermi. / We study the competition between a Pomeranchuk instability in the spin channel with angular momentum l = 1 and an attractive interaction, favoring Cooper pair formation. We find, at mean-field approximation, that superconductivity strongly suppress the Pomeranchuk instability. Moreover, we have found a metastable modulated superconducting phase with similar characteristics of the FFLO state. A Fermi liquid is, except in one dimension, a very stable state of matter. At least two types of instabilities, related with attractive interactions, are known: Pomeranchuk and superconducting instabilities. Pomeranchuk instabilities occur in the presence of two-body interactions containing a strong attractive component in the forward scattering channel with a definite angular momentum. In the context of Landau theory, the instability sets in when one or more dimensionless Landau parameters in the charge or spin channel, acquire large negative values. Pomeranchuk instabilities in a charge sector spontaneously break rotational symmetry. In particular, an instability in the some channels produces an ellipsoidal deformation of the Fermi surface.

In the repertoire of an experimental condensed matter physicist, the ability to tune continuously through features in the electronic structure and to selectively break point-group symmetries are both valuable techniques. The experimental technique at the heart of this dissertation, uniaxial stress, can do both such things. The thesis will start with a thorough discussion of our new technique, which was continually developed over the course of this work, presenting both its unique capabilities and also some guidance on the best working practices, before moving on to describe results obtained on two different strongly correlated electron materials. The first, Sr2RuO4, is an unconventional superconductor, whose order parameter has long been speculated to be odd-parity. Of interest to us is the close proximity of one of its three Fermi surfaces to a Van Hove singularity (VHs). Our results strongly suggest that we have been able to traverse the VHs, inducing a topological Lifshitz transition. T[sub]c is enhanced by a factor ~2.3 and measurements of H[sub](c2) open the possibility that optimally strained Sr2RuO4 has an even-parity, rather than odd-parity, order parameter. Measurements of the normal state properties show that quasiparticle scattering is increased across all the bands and in all directions, and effects of quantum criticality are observed around the suspected Lifshitz transition. Sr3Ru2O7 has a metamagnetic quantum critical endpoint, which in highly pure samples is masked by a novel phase. Weak in-plane magnetic fields are well-known to induce strong resistive anisotropy in the novel phase, leading to speculation that a spontaneous, electronically driven lowering of symmetry occurs. Using magnetic susceptibility and resistivity measurements we can show that in-plane anisotropic strain also reveals the strong susceptibility to electronic anisotropy. However, the phase diagram that these pressure measurements reveal is consistent only with large but finite susceptibility, and not with spontaneous symmetry reduction.

abstract: A theoretical study of a three-dimensional (3D) N/S interface with arbitrary spin polarization and interface geometry is presented. The 3D model gives the same intrinsic spin polarization and superconducting gap dependence as the 1D model. This demonstrates that the 1D model can be use to t 3D data. Using this model, a Heusler alloy is investigated. Andreev reflection measurements show that the spin polarization is 80% in samples sputtered on unheated MgO(100) substrates and annealed at high temperatures. However, the spin polarization is considerably smaller in samples deposited on heated substrates. Ferromagnetic FexSi􀀀x alloys have been proposed as potential spin injectors into silicon with a substantial spin polarization. Andreev Reflection Spectroscopy (ARS) is utilized to determine the spin polarization of both amorphous and crystalline Fe65Si35 alloys. The amorphous phase has a significantly higher spin polarization than that of the crystalline phase. In this thesis, (1111) Fe SmO0:82F0:18FeAs and Pb superconductors are used to measure the spin polarization of a highly spin-polarized material, La0:67Sr0:33MnO3. Both materials yield the same intrinsic spin polarization, therefore, Fe-superconductors can be used in ARS. Based on the behavior of the differential conductance for highly spin polarized LSMO and small polarization of Au, it can be concluded that the Fe-Sc is not a triplet superconductor. Zero bias anomaly (ZBA), in point contact Andreev reflection (PCAR), has been utilized as a characteristic feature to reveal many novel physics. Complexities at a normal metal/superconducting interface often cause nonessential ZBA-like features, which may be mistaken as ZBA. In this work, it is shown that an extrinsic ZBA, which is due to the contact resistance, cannot be suppressed by a highly spin-polarized current while a nonessential ZBA cannot be affected the contact resistance. Finally, Cu/Cu multilayer GMR structures were fabricated and the GMR% measured at 300 K and 4.5 K gave responses of 63% and 115% respectively. Not only do the GMR structures have a large enhancement of resistance, but by applying an external magnetic eld it is shown that, unlike most materials, the spin polarization can be tuned to values of 0.386 to 0.415 from H = 0 kOe to H = 15 kOe. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Physics 2015