Vortex matter, dynamics and pinning in superconducting materials

Crisan, Ioan Adrian (2013). Vortex matter, dynamics and pinning in superconducting materials. University of Birmingham. D.Sc.

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Abstract

The enclosed body of work represents a compilation of published papers coveringwork carried out in the Universities of Birmingham, Bath and Southampton, UK, in theSecond University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy, in the Nanoelectronics Research Institute (former Electrotechnical Laboratory) of AIST Tsukuba, Japan, and in the National Institute of Materials Physics (former Institute of Physics and Technology of Materials), Bucharest, Romania, during my research career over more than twenty years. The thesis comprises mainly research work on science and technology of high temperature superconducting cuprates of various compositions (Y-based, Bi-based, Tl-based, Hg-based, (Cu,C)-based) and morphologies (polycrystalline, single crystals, thin films, tapes, artificial superconducting superlattices). The major theme common to most of the research done on the abovementioned materials is the study of vortex matter, dynamics, and pinning, which determine a large number of superconducting properties for various applications.

The submitted work presents the results of experimental and fundamental studies of superconducting materials in six main areas. These comprise: (i) synthesis and characterization (current-voltage characteristics, dissipation mechanisms, interaction between inter-and intra-grain vortices) of Y- and Bi-based superconducting ceramics; (ii) experimental and theoretical studies of current-induced unbinding of thermally-created vortex-antivortex pairs; (iii) fabrication and characterization of artificial superconducting superlattices; (iv) fabrication and characterization of anomalous superconductors, two- and multi-component superconductors, and exotic vortex matter; (v) study of vortex matter and dynamics by Scanning Hall Probe Microscopy; and (vi) science and technology of vortex pinning, including through self-assembling nanotechnology of pinning centres. There are a small number of publications that do not fall in the above-mentioned areas, but they are also in the larger field of science and technology of superconducting materials. The papers are presented essentially chronologically, with no attempt to group them into separate research areas, since the common philosophy and approach to the investigation of various superconducting materials is to determine how vortex matter, dynamics and pinning influence their physical properties.

Type of Work:	Thesis (Higher Doctorates > D.Sc.)
Award Type:	Higher Doctorates > D.Sc.
Licence:
College/Faculty:	Colleges (2008 onwards) > College of Engineering & Physical Sciences
School or Department:	School of Metallurgy and Materials
Funders:	None/not applicable
Subjects:	Q Science > QC Physics T Technology > TN Mining engineering. Metallurgy
URI:	http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/4091

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