SUPERCONDUCTIVITY IN THE QUATERNARY INTERMETALLIC COMPOUND YNI2-XTXB2C

Abstract

We report here our observance of superconductivity in compounds derived from the quaternary intermetallic superconductor YNi2B2C by partial substitutions for Ni. Other 3d transition metals T Î {Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn} were used in replacement fractions x = 0.05 and x = 0.10. AC magnetic susceptibility cAC showed all except T = Zn had the characteristic diamagnetic response seen in superconductors. DC SQUID magnetometry on several samples confirmed type II superconducting behavior. X-ray diffraction showed a crystal structure similar to the parent compound for all but Zn. Some of the x = 0.10 compounds appeared to have minor secondary phases present despite annealing.