Superconducting tunnel junctions on Nb- and Ta-single crystal substrates for X-ray spectrometry

Author

Bruijn, M.P. ; Kiewiet, F.B. ; van den Berg, M.L. ; Luiten, O.J. ; de Korte, P.A.J. ; Brons, C.G.S. ; Hamster, A.W. ; Flokstra, J.

Author_Institution

Space Res. Organization Netherlands, Utrecht, Netherlands

Volume

7

Issue

2

fYear

1997

fDate

6/1/1997 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

3387

Lastpage

3390

Abstract

We present the first high quality Nb/Al-based tunnel junctions, fabricated with a superconducting interface onto single crystal substrates of Nb and Ta. Current-voltage measurements down to 1.4 K show a subgap current which is dominated by thermal excitation of quasiparticles, no ohmic or superconducting leakages could be observed. The fabrication process and development steps, such as preparation of ultra-smooth crystal surfaces are described.

Keywords

X-ray detection; X-ray spectrometers; aluminium; niobium; polishing; quasiparticles; superconducting device testing; superconducting junction devices; superconducting particle detectors; 1.4 K; 4.2 K; Nb; Nb single crystal substrates; Nb-Al; Nb/Al-based tunnel junctions; Ta; Ta single crystal substrates; X-ray spectrometry; current-voltage measurements; development steps; fabrication process; subgap current; superconducting interface; superconducting tunnel junctions; thermal excitation of quasiparticles; ultra-smooth crystal surface preparation; Energy resolution; Fabrication; Insulation; Josephson junctions; Niobium; Photonic crystals; Spectroscopy; Superconducting epitaxial layers; X-ray detection; X-ray detectors;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Applied Superconductivity, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1051-8223

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/77.622102

Filename

622102