Influence by zirconium plastic deformation at temperature of 4.2 K on zirconium crystal lattice structure and magnitude of superconducting transition temperature Tc

TL;DR

This study investigates how zirconium plastic deformation at 4.2 K and subsequent heating affect its crystal structure and superconducting transition temperature, revealing a significant Tc increase linked to deformation-induced changes.

Contribution

It demonstrates that zirconium deformation at low temperature enhances superconductivity and alters the crystal lattice, a novel insight into deformation effects on superconducting properties.

Findings

Superconducting transition temperature Tc increased by 20%.

Deformation regions at twin boundaries enhance superconductivity.

Effective change in inter-electron attraction constant observed.

Abstract

We have researched the effect of the zirconium deformation by the extension at the temperature of 4.2 K, with the subsequent heating up to the room temperature of 300 K, on both the zirconium crystal grating structure and the magnitude of superconducting transition temperature Tc, using the zirconium samples, synthesized by the method of the electron beam melting. In our opinion, a registered substantial increase of the critical temperature Tc (by 20%) is a result of both the superconductivity enhancement in the plastic deformation regions at the twin boundaries of the zirconium crystal grating and the effective change of the inter-electron attraction constant magnitude.