SUPER-IRON

Exploring the potential of Iron-based Superconductors

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'In 2008 the group of Prof. Hosono discovered the superconductivity in a new compound containing FeAs planes, thus opening the age of Fe-based superconductors (FeSC). Several different phases were rapidly discovered and today the FeSCs show the second high Tc behind the HTSC and very high critical fields. These characteristics suggested that FeSCs can be candidates for power application. However, as the recent story of HTSC taught us, the discovery of new superconductors always rises euphoric perspectives concerning their applications, but there are many issues to overcome before actual devices are fabricated. Therefore, within SUPER-IRON we depict the roadmap for exploring and exploiting the potentialities of FeSCs: 1) understanding the fundamental mechanisms and their implication on superconducting properties, 2) control material quality 3) manipulate superconducting properties, 4) assess the potential of FeSCs with respect to other technical superconductors, 5) identify application fields, where FeSCs lead to a step-like change with respect to the current state of the art. To cover this road SUPER-IRON has joined the efforts of the leader groups involved in the investigation of FeSCs throughout EU and Japan. FeSCs belonging to the different phases and also to new pnictide oxide SC, in form of single crystals, polycrystals, thin films, tapes and wires will be realized by using different synthesis methods. Superconducting properties will be investigated also under high magnetic field and/or pressure and visualization of local electric field and current will be carried out with a number of sophisticated techniques. This wide variety of experimental activities will be supported by an intense theoretical work including ab-initio calculations and theoretical modelling. The achievement of the planned objectives through synergic and coordinated activities and the sharing of knowledge and tools will set the basis for future collaborations between Japan and EU.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

EU-funded scientists are well on their way to characterisation of a new class of superconductors (SCs). Novel materials promise exciting applications in power systems and insight into persistent mysteries regarding unconventional SCs.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The modern age of superconductivity began with the discovery in 1986 of so-called high-temperature SCs (HTSCs). When cooled below their critical temperatures (Tc), above the liquid Nitrogen temperature, their electrical resistivity drops to zero. Despite their promise for a wealth of new applications, the exotic coupling mechanisms that produce their properties are still not well understood and only a few niche markets have been tapped.

EU and Japanese scientists have come together on the EU-funded project 'Exploring the potential of iron-based superconductors' http://www.super-iron.eu/ ((SUPER-IRON)) to develop a roadmap to exploit the potential use of a new family of iron-based SCs (FeSCs) in power applications. FeSCs appear to have significantly different properties compared to HTSCs. They exhibit several advantages, including less sensitivity to defects of current transmission across grain boundaries.

Halfway through the SUPER-IRON project, scientists have produced exciting results. Extensive work was devoted to developing reliable techniques to prepare the FeSCs as single crystals, thin films, polycrystals and wires. Single crystal work led to optimised synthesis techniques for polycrystalline forms. One of these materials is now under development for the production of wires. Researchers have made excellent progress in the growth of thin films with the most interesting results demonstrated on calcium fluoride (CaF2) substrates.

Scientists confirmed the remarkable tunability of superconducting properties of thin films on CaF2 by precisely controlled chemical substitutions and through introduction of a controlled amount of disorder by irradiation. They also discovered a new iron arsenic (FeAs)-based family to be investigated in the next project period.

Investigating the behaviour of the materials at grain boundaries is critical to exploiting potential in power applications. Researchers are applying both experimental and theoretical techniques with several important results ahead of schedule. They have produced films on substrates following a standard coated semiconductor architecture that have already exceeded all assessment criteria for power applications.

Through SUPER-IRON, scientists expect to develop a clear roadmap for the exploitation of novel FeSCs in power applications. In addition, results and models may provide insight to the numerous questions that still remain open regarding conventional HTSCs.