Superconducting properties of thin film $\mathrm{Nb_{1-x}Ti_xN}$ studied via the NMR of implanted $^8$Li

TL;DR

This study uses $^{8}$Li $eta$-NMR to investigate the superconducting and normal-state properties of thin-film NbTiN, revealing key parameters like penetration depth, critical field, and energy gap, with evidence of strong-coupling superconductivity.

Contribution

First application of $^{8}$Li $eta$-NMR to probe superconducting properties of NbTiN thin films, providing detailed measurements of penetration depth, critical field, and energy gap.

Findings

Determined magnetic penetration depth $oxed{180.57 ext{ nm}}$ at 0 K.

Measured upper critical field $B_{c2}(0 ext{ K})= 18 ext{ T}$.

Identified superconducting energy gap $oxed{2.60 ext{ meV}}$ with a strong-coupling ratio.

Abstract

We report measurements of the normal-state and superconducting properties of thin-film $\mathrm{Nb_{1-x}Ti_xN}$ using $^{8}$Li $\beta$-detected nuclear magnetic resonance ($\beta$-NMR). In these experiments, radioactive $^{8}$Li$^{+}$ probes were implanted $\sim21$ nm below the surface of a $\mathrm{Nb_{1-x}Ti_xN}$(91 nm) film in $\mathrm{Nb_{0.75}Ti_{0.25}N}$(91 nm)/AlN(4 nm)/Nb and its NMR response recorded (via $^{8}$Li's $\beta$-emissions) between 4.6 K and 270 K in a 4.1 T field applied normal to its surface. Resonance measurements reveal wide, symmetric lineshapes at all temperatures, with significant additional broadening below the film's superconducting transition temperature $T_\mathrm{c}(0 \; \mathrm{T}) = 15.4 \pm 0.7$ K due to vortex lattice formation. Fits to a broadening model find a magnetic penetration depth $\lambda(0 \; \mathrm{K})= 180.57 \pm 0.30$ nm and upper critical field $B_\mathrm{c2}(0 \; \mathrm{K})= 18 \pm 4$ T, consistent with literature estimates. Spin-lattice relaxation (SLR) measurements find a Korringa response at low temperatures, with dynamic (i.e., thermally activated) contributions dominating above $\sim100$ K. Below $T_\mathrm{c}$, we observe a small Hebel-Slichter coherence peak characterized by a superconducting energy gap $\Delta(0 \; \mathrm{K}) = 2.60 \pm 0.12$ meV and modest Dynes-like broadening. Our measurements suggest a gap ratio $2\Delta(0 \; \mathrm{K})/k_\mathrm{B}T_\mathrm{c}(0 \; \mathrm{T}) = 3.92 \pm 0.25$, consistent with strong-coupling behavior. Sources for the dynamic high-$T$ relaxation are suggested.