Amorphous molybdenum silicon superconducting thin films

Bosworth, D., Sahonta, S.-L., Hadfield, R.H. and Barber, Z.H. (2015) Amorphous molybdenum silicon superconducting thin films. AIP Advances, 5(8), 087106. (doi: 10.1063/1.4928285)

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Abstract

Amorphous superconductors have become attractive candidate materials for superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors due to their ease of growth, homogeneity and competitive superconducting properties. To date the majority of devices have been fabricated using WxSi1−x, though other amorphous superconductors such as molybdenum silicide (Mo xSi1−x) offer increased transition temperature. This study focuses on the properties of MoSi thin films grown by magnetron sputtering. We examine how the composition and growth conditions affect film properties. For 100 nm film thickness, we report that the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) reaches a maximum of 7.6 K at a composition of Mo 83Si17. The transition temperature and amorphous character can be improved by cooling of the substrate during growth which inhibits formation of a crystalline phase. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies confirm the absence of long range order. We observe that for a range of 6 common substrates (silicon, thermally oxidized silicon, R- and C-plane sapphire, x-plane lithium niobate and quartz), there is no variation in superconducting transition temperature, making MoSi an excellent candidate material for SNSPDs

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Supported by the EPSRC through grant EP/I036303/1.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hadfield, Professor Robert
Authors: Bosworth, D., Sahonta, S.-L., Hadfield, R.H., and Barber, Z.H.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
Journal Name:AIP Advances
Publisher:American Institute of Physics
ISSN:2158-3226
ISSN (Online):2158-3226
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 The Authors
First Published:First published in AIP Advances 5(8):087106
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
622331Lithium niobate integrated quantum photonicsRobert HadfieldEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/I036273/1ENG - ENGINEERING ELECTRONICS & NANO ENG