Insight into Non Linearly Shaped Superconducting Whiskers via Synchrotron Nanoprobe

TL;DR

This study synthesizes and characterizes non-linear YBa2Cu3Ox superconducting whiskers, revealing their growth mechanism and comparable superconducting properties to straight whiskers, highlighting their potential for superconducting device applications.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed structural and growth mechanism analysis of non-linear superconducting whiskers using synchrotron nanoprobe techniques.

Findings

Non-linear whiskers are successfully synthesized with half-loop and kinked shapes.

Structural properties are fully characterized using synchrotron nanoprobe and diffraction.

Superconducting properties of non-linear whiskers are similar to straight ones.

Abstract

We managed to synthesize non-linear YBa2Cu3Ox whiskers, i.e. half loops or kinked shapes, which are promising candidates for solid-state devices based on the intrinsic Josephson effect and with improved electrical connections. We report on a complete characterization of their structural properties via synchrotron nanoprobe as well as laboratory single-crystal diffraction techniques. This investigation allowed us to fully disclose the growth mechanism, which leads to the formation of curved whiskers. The superconducting properties are evaluated in comparison with the straight counterpart, revealing a strong functional analogy and confirming their potential applicability in superconducting electronic devices.