Low temperature laser quenching studies of superconducting Mo–N and Mo–C alloys

Abstract
Concentrated alloys of Mo1−x Nx and Mo1−x Cx were produced in near-surface layers by implantation of the respective ionic species into Mo foils or films at elevated temperatures. Subsequently the materials were rapidly heated and ‘‘laser quenched’’ while affixed to a substrate at 5 K. In situ measurements of the superconductive transition temperature after laser irradiation showed increases in Tc to ∼6.5 K for a range of compositions x>30 at. % for both N and C implanted foils. For x<30 at. % little change was observed. Finally, the Tc of a Mo–C film with x=43 at. % rose to 12.0 K following 0.5 J/cm2 of incident energy from the Q-switched ruby laser.