Magnetron Sputtering of Superconducting Niobium Thin Films
Department
Physics
Major
Physics
Research Advisor
Kurter, Cihan
Advisor's Department
Physics
Funding Source
UMRB Research Grant; Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE)
Abstract
In the field of condensed matter physics, there has been an ongoing interest in superconducting thin films due to their novel properties. They can be employed in the designs of exotic mesoscopic devices such as metamaterials and superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). In this experimental work, we fabricate the niobium thin films with direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering technique and characterize them through resistance vs. temperature measurements. The deposition rate of the fabricated films is determined with atomic force microscopy (AFM) through thickness analysis. Niobium thin films are conducting at room temperature, but become superconducting at cryogenic temperatures with the transition temperature of 8.45 K.
Biography
Skye Tackkett is a second year student majoring in physics and minoring in German and mathematics. After completion of her undergraduate degree, she plans on attending graduate school to earn a Ph.D. in experimental condensed matter physics.
Research Category
Research Proposals
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
11 Apr 2016, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
Magnetron Sputtering of Superconducting Niobium Thin Films
Upper Atrium/Hallway
In the field of condensed matter physics, there has been an ongoing interest in superconducting thin films due to their novel properties. They can be employed in the designs of exotic mesoscopic devices such as metamaterials and superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). In this experimental work, we fabricate the niobium thin films with direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering technique and characterize them through resistance vs. temperature measurements. The deposition rate of the fabricated films is determined with atomic force microscopy (AFM) through thickness analysis. Niobium thin films are conducting at room temperature, but become superconducting at cryogenic temperatures with the transition temperature of 8.45 K.
