Synthesis and optical transmission of MgB2 thin films on optically transparent glass are reported. In the 400–1000 nm regime as deposited films show high metallic reflectivity and very little transmission. After deposition, the films were annealed ex situ and rendered superconducting with T c of 38 K, approaching that of the bulk material. The reaction conditions where quite soft ∼10 min at 550°C. The optical absorption coefficient, α and photon energy, E followed a Tauc-type behavior, \((\alpha E)^{1/2} = \beta _T (E - E_{\rm g} )\). The band gap (E g) was observed to peak at 2.5 eV; but, the slope parameter β T behaved monotonically with reaction temperature. Our results indicate that an intermediate semiconducting phase is produced before the formation of the superconducting phase; also optical measurements provide valuable information in monitoring the synthesis of MgB2 from its metallic constituents. In addition these films have interesting optical properties that may be integrated into optoelectronics.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The research at the University of South Carolina was partially supported by a grant from the SC NanoCenter.
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Bleiweiss, M., Amirzadeh, J., Yin, M. et al. Synthesis and Optical Studies of Superconducting MgB2 Thin Films. J Supercond 18, 567–572 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10948-005-0042-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10948-005-0042-x