The effects of disorder on the normal state and superconducting properties of Nb3Sn. (13th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mentink, M G T; Dhalle, M M J; Dietderich, D R; Godeke, A; Hellman, F; Kate, H H J ten
• Is Part Of: Superconductor science & technology. Volume 30:Number 2(2017:Feb.)
• Publication Date: 2016-12-13
• Subjects: Nb3Sn -- microscopic theory -- superconducting properties; Superconductivity -- Periodicals; Superconductors -- Periodicals; 537.623
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6668/30/2/025006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-2048

Abstract

Abstract: The effect of disorder on the normal state resistivity and the superconducting properties of Nb 3 Sn is explored in a combination of ab initio calculations and microscopic theory. The crystal symmetry is calculated to be preferentially tetragonal at a normal state resistivity below 27.0 ± 1.4 μ Ω cm, and preferentially cubic above this value, which is shown to be consistent with the experimentally observed transition point. The phonon density of states, the Eliashberg spectrum α 2 ( ω ) F ( ω ), the electron–phonon coupling constant, the characteristic frequency, the critical temperature T c, and the upper critical magnetic field at 0 K H c 2 ( 0 ) are calculated over a large normal state resistivity range and shown to be consistent with experimental observations. The high degree of consistency between the calculation results and experimental observations is a strong indication that the calculation approach utilized here, a combination of ab initio calculations and microscopic theory, is a useful tool for understanding the superconducting and normal state properties of Nb 3 Sn.