Superconducting Properties of ZrN for Radiation Intense Applications

Zirconium nitride (ZrN) is a promising superconducting material, with a critical temperature (Tc) of up to 10.0 K, making it the highest among IVB transition-metal nitrides. Because Nb-Zr alloys are known to be used in radiation-heavy environments, we study the nitrides of the parent material through ion beam-assisted sputtering (IBAS) for synthesizing ZrN thin films, leveraging its success in enhancing the superconducting properties of similar materials like NbN. IBAS provides additional kinetic energy during deposition, leading to denser films and potentially higher Tc. For NbN, IBAS has shown improved Tc and reduced sensitivity to nitrogen flow rates, suggesting similar benefits for ZrN. We focus on studying the superconducting behavior of ZrN films produced through IBAS, particularly the evolution of Tc in ultra-thin films, to assess the viability of IBAS for optimizing ZrN for superconducting applications in high radiation environments.