Identification number: lzp-2022/1-0311
Type: Latvian Council of Science
Project duration: 2023 - 2025
Project manager: Dr.phys. Edgars Butanovs, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia
Total funding: 300 000 EUR
Project aim: The objective of this research project is to experimentally and theoretically investigate the effect of strain in MgB2 nanocoatings on its superconductivity transition temperature using various approaches of strain engineering in a core-shell nanowire configuration.
Project summary:
Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are considered as the primary emerging technology for single-photon detection in next-generation quantum telecommunications and cryptography, environment analyses, laser rangefinders, low-noise scientific measurements etc., however, their widespread use is still limited mainly due to the very low operating temperatures, which requires complex and costly cryogenics. Magnesium diboride MgB2 is a binary compound with one of the highest superconducting transition temperatures at 39 K, which could be raised even higher by creating anisotropic strain in the crystal lattice. In this fundamental research project, we plan to investigate the effect of strain in MgB2 nanocoatings on its superconductivity transition temperature using various novel approaches of strain engineering in a core-shell nanowire (NW) configuration. The experimental work will be supported by ab initio density functional theory and finite element calculations. The main scientific results will include: experimental elucidation of the effect of strain in MgB2 nanocoatings on its superconductivity transition temperature, new technological knowledge on the magnetron sputtering synthesis of MgB2-based thin films and nanostructures, and development of combinative state-of-the-art nanomechanical tests of individual NWs. The project is realized in cooperation with the Latvian Quantum Initiative (quantumlatvia.lu.lv/).