Control of thin NbN film superconducting properties by ScN buffer layer

Superconductor Science and Technology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Nikolay Nick Porokhov, Mikhail Dryazgov, Alexander Shevchenko, A. M. Mumlyakov, Z. S. Enbaev, Yu. V. Blinova, D. I. Devyaterikov, Yuliya Korneeva, A. Korneev, Mikhail Alexandrovich Tarkhov
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6668/ae44d2
Cited by: 2
References: 38

Abstract

Abstract This work investigates the effect of a scandium nitride (ScN) buffer layer on the superconducting properties of niobium nitride (NbN) thin films. The use of a ScN buffer layer significantly improves the characteristics of 29 nm-thick NbN films: the critical temperature T c increases from 9 K to 12.5 K, while the resistivity ρ at 20 K decreases from 330 µ Ω·cm to 210 µ Ω·cm compared to films without a buffer layer. These enhancements are attributed to the better lattice matching between NbN and ScN, which results in а higher quality crystal lattice of the NbN film, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction data.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Metal and Thin Film Mechanics Superconducting and THz Device Technology Superconducting Materials and Applications

Publication details

Journal / source
Superconductor Science and Technology
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Volume
39
Issue
2
Pages
025026–025026
Publication date
1 February 2026