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Superconductivity in metal-semiconductor eutectic alloys

Citation

Johnson, William Lewis (1975) Superconductivity in metal-semiconductor eutectic alloys. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/ZJ13-0B77. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05272004-131743

Abstract

The superconductivity of several metal-semiconductor simple eutectic alloys containing Ge or Si, and one of the metals Al, Be, In, Pb, Sn, or T1 has been investigated. The liquid-quenching technique was used to reduce the characteristic scale of the microstructure in the alloys. It was found in some cases (notably Al-base alloys) that the superconducting transition temperature of the metallic phase was significantly enhanced (from 1.2[degrees]K to ~ 6[degrees]K for Al-base alloys) as a result of liquid-quenching. The characteristic scale of the microstructure was found to be of the order of several hundred angstroms in alloys showing the greatest enhancement effect. The results are discussed in terms of recent theoretical models that predict enhancement of superconductivity due to electronic interactions at a metal-semiconductor interface. The results are also analyzed in terms of the McMillan theory of superconductivity in which the enhancement effect is attributed to a reduction in the characteristic phonon frequencies of the metal. It is concluded that the latter explanation can account for all of the observed properties and, thus, that it is probably unnecessary to invoke an "excitonic mechanism" to explain the results.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Applied Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Duwez, Pol E.
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:1 August 1974
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-05272004-131743
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05272004-131743
DOI:10.7907/ZJ13-0B77
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:2133
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:27 May 2004
Last Modified:21 Dec 2019 04:35

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