A new scaling relation for n-AlN doped superconducting MgB2

Abstract

The scaling behavior of nano-aluminum nitride added polycrystalline MgB2 superconductor is discussed. A series of polycrystalline MgB2 samples with different amounts of nanosized AlN addition are synthesized by solid reaction. All the synthesized pellets are subjected to x-ray diffraction, field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine their micro-structural features. A marginal decrease in lattice parameters of pure MgB2 with AlN nanoparticles addition is observed. Surface morphology reveals randomly oriented hexagonal MgB2 grains decorated with AlN nanoparticles between the grain boundaries and also scattered on the grain surface. For higher concentration, n-AlN agglomerates are visible. Resistivity data confirm a decrease in superconducting transition temperature (Tc) from 38.5 to 37 K and increase in transition width (ΔTc) with increased loading of n-AlN in MgB2. The critical current density (Jc) of the pellets at 4, 10, 20, and 30 K is evaluated from the magnetization data between ±6 T and is explained well in the framework of collective pinning model. The normalized pinning force density of n-AlN doped MgB2 at various temperatures indicates an excellent scaling with respect to Hn (the field corresponding to which Fp drops to half of its maximum value) as the scaling field. A new scaling expression derived, using the expression of field dependence of Jc proposed by “collective pinning model” in small bundle regime, demonstrates an excellent agreement with the measured normalized pinning force density (viz., Fp/Fpmax vs. hn) of the AlN nanoparticles doped MgB2 superconductors.