Review on magnesium diboride (MgB2) as excellent superconductor: Effects of the production techniques on the superconducting properties

Year 2017, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 87 - 96, 25.09.2017

Mehran Rafieazad , Özge Balcı , Selçuk Acar Mehmet Somer

Abstract

Although there is
a wide variety of superconducting materials, only a few of them are suitable
for practical applications. Nowadays, low temperature superconductors such as
NbTi and Nb₃Sn are widely used. However, after discovery of MgB₂
with its considerably high critical temperature which has a simple crystal
structure and cheap raw materials used in its production, renewed interests
have emerged for employing MgB₂ in commercial application as well.

This study reports
on the effects of production techniques on the superconducting properties of
magnesium diboride and includes an introduction to MgB₂, its crystal
and electronic structure and basics of superconducting properties. The production
techniques would be explained as well as the probable problems during process
and the way for optimizing superconducting property of MgB₂. Furthermore,
the improvement of superconducting properties by oxygen reduction, doping
elements as well as introducing of defects are covered. Finally, effects of
starting materials and studies done by our research team in this regard are
mentioned.

Keywords

Magnesium diboride, superconductor, production techniques, properties, MgO reduction, MgB2 doping

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