New iron-based and copper-oxide high-temperature superconductors share key magnetic properties, according to recent research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These superconductors could significantly improve electricity transmission and storage efficiency.
The new iron-based materials discovered earlier this year share a critical interplay between magnetism and superconductivity with previously known copper-oxide superconductors. This is significant because magnetism strongly interferes with conventional low-temperature superconductors, but copper-oxide superconductors can tolerate higher magnetic fields at higher temperatures.
The research, published in Nature, reveals that both types of superconductors have layers of magnetic moments interspersed with nonmagnetic material. This layered atomic structure suggests the similarities are not accidental. The versatility of these new superconductors could enable their properties to be tailored for commercial technologies.
Keywords: superconductors, magnetism, neutrons, superconductivity, iron-based, copper-oxide
