| Full text | |
| Author(s): Show less - |
Marinkovic, S.
;
Abbey, E. A.
;
Chaves, D. A. D.
;
Collienne, S.
;
Fourneau, E.
;
Jiang, L.
;
Xue, C.
;
Zhou, Y. H.
;
Ortiz, W. A.
;
Motta, M.
;
Nguyen, N. D.
;
Volodin, A.
;
Vondel, J. Van de
;
V. Silhanek, A.
Total Authors: 14
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED; v. 19, n. 5, p. 10-pg., 2023-05-03. |
| Abstract | |
We investigate targeted and localized material modifications produced by electropulsing of Al-capped Nb microbridges with a multiterminal configuration. The affected regions of the Nb/Al bilayer termi-nals are revealed by an in-lens secondary-electron detector in a scanning electron microscope and by Kelvin-probe force microscopy, both suggesting a decrease in the work function in the modified areas. In contrast, the affected areas are neither apparent through an Everhart-Thornley secondary-electron detector nor through atomic force microscopy, which indicates little morphological change in the microstructure. In addition, we demonstrate that the extent of the electroannealed regions is strongly influenced by the terminal geometry. These results are captured by complementary finite-element modeling, which permits us to estimate that a threshold temperature of 435 +/- 35 K is needed to induce material modifications. These findings provide further insights into the subtle modifications produced by gentle electroannealing of Nb/Al microstructures and represent a step forward towards mastering this emerging nanofabrication technique. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 21/08781-8 - Superconductivity at different textures: sintered granulars, thin films of variable thickness and granular structures formed by simple geometric elements juxtaposed |
| Grantee: | Wilson Aires Ortiz |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 22/03124-1 - Electromigration in nanostructures |
| Grantee: | Maycon Motta |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Grants - Initial Project |