Synthesis of Superconducting Thin Films of Magnesium Diboride by Electroless Plating

Abstract

Superconducting thin films of magnesium diboride have been synthesized on copper substrates using a novel electroless plating technique. The microstructure and superconductivity have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and temperature-dependent magnetometry. XRD measurements confirm that the films are crystalline MgB₂ with some impurity phases, including MgB₄ and Mg₂B₂O₅. Clear evidence for a superconducting transition in the magnetization measurements was observed. If the film quality can be further improved, electroless plating can be a viable option for producing superconducting MgB₂ films inexpensively on a wide variety of substrates.

Keywords:

• Electroless plating
• High temperature superconductors
• Magnesium diboride
• Thin films