Researchers Build an Atomic-Level Model of Oxidization on the Surface of Tantalum Film
Department of Energy, Office of ScienceTantalum superconducting material shows great promise for making qubits. When an oxide layer forms on the surface of tantalum, it can lead to quantum decoherence. In this study, researchers used scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and computer modeling to investigate the structure of superconducting tantalum film. This helped them build an atomic-level understanding of the crystalline lattice of tantalum metal and the oxide that forms on its surface.