Neodymium Copper Oxide (Nd2CuO4) is a rare-earth transition-metal oxide ceramic best known as the parent compound of the electron-doped high-temperature cuprate superconductor family. Supplied by Infinita Materials as a magnetron sputtering target, it enables reproducible deposition of Nd2CuO4-based thin films for superconductivity, quantum electronics, and complex-oxide heterostructure research. Targets are available in standard catalogue sizes as well as custom geometries and purity grades to match specific film-growth requirements.
Neodymium Copper Oxide Nd₂CuO₄ crystallises in the tetragonal T′-structure (I4/mmm), featuring two-dimensional CuO₂ planes separated by fluorite-like Nd–O layers without apical oxygen. This structure supports electron doping through Ce⁴⁺ substitution for Nd³⁺. Undoped Nd₂CuO₄ is an antiferromagnetic Mott insulator, while superconductivity emerges after Ce doping and controlled reduction annealing. Magnetron sputtering from ceramic targets provides a practical route to epitaxial and polycrystalline thin films with controlled composition and oxygen stoichiometry. Sputtered Nd₂CuO₄ and Nd₂₋ₓCeₓCuO₄ films are used to investigate cuprate superconductivity, electron-pairing mechanisms, Josephson junctions, superconducting electronics, and complex-oxide heterostructures, with post-deposition annealing enabling precise oxygen-content control.
Answer: Nd₂CuO₄ sputter targets allow thin film deposition that retains its superconducting and magnetic properties, which are essential for advanced electronic and sensor applications.
Answer: High-quality Nd₂CuO₄ targets promote the uniform deposition of thin films, which helps to enhance the stability and efficiency of various devices in fields such as superconductivity, magnetic sensing, and electronics. High purity reduces impurities likely to change the film quality and the device's overall performance.
Answer: Yes, due to their semiconductor nature, Nd₂CuO₄ thin films can be integrated into solar cells, potentially improving solar energy efficiency through enhanced electron transport and light absorption.
Answer: Because undoped, oxygen-stoichiometric Nd2CuO4 is a ceramic Mott insulator with limited bulk conductivity, RF magnetron sputtering or pulsed DC is generally recommended. Conductivity increases with oxygen deficiency or cerium doping but is rarely high enough for stable conventional DC operation.
Answer: Yes for most device-relevant films. As-deposited Nd2CuO4 films are typically oxygen-deficient, and a post-deposition anneal in oxygen (or a reducing anneal for cerium-doped NCCO to induce superconductivity) is standard practice for setting the correct oxygen stoichiometry and electronic behaviour.
Neodymium Copper Oxide Nd₂CuO₄ crystallises in the tetragonal T′-structure (I4/mmm), featuring two-dimensional CuO₂ planes separated by fluorite-like Nd–O layers without apical oxygen. This structure supports electron doping through Ce⁴⁺ substitution for Nd³⁺. Undoped Nd₂CuO₄ is an antiferromagnetic Mott insulator, while superconductivity emerges after Ce doping and controlled reduction annealing. Magnetron sputtering from ceramic targets provides a practical route to epitaxial and polycrystalline thin films with controlled composition and oxygen stoichiometry. Sputtered Nd₂CuO₄ and Nd₂₋ₓCeₓCuO₄ films are used to investigate cuprate superconductivity, electron-pairing mechanisms, Josephson junctions, superconducting electronics, and complex-oxide heterostructures, with post-deposition annealing enabling precise oxygen-content control.
Key Properties of Neodymium Copper Oxide
Property
Value
Significance
Crystal structure
Tetragonal T’-phase (K2NiF4-derived), space group I4/mmm (No. 139)
Defines the apical-oxygen-free CuO2-plane coordination that is essential for electron-doped cuprate superconductivity
Lattice parameters
a ~3.945 Angstrom, c ~12.15 Angstrom
Governs epitaxial lattice matching to SrTiO3, LaSrGaO4, and other perovskite or K2NiF4-type substrates
Molar mass
~416.03 g/mol
Used for stoichiometry checks and deposition-rate calculations
Density (crystallographic)
~7.3 g/cm3
Benchmark for evaluating sintered target relative density, typically 92%-97% of theoretical
Electronic character
Antiferromagnetic Mott insulator when undoped; superconducting (Tc ~24 K) after Ce doping and reduction anneal
Sets RF or pulsed-DC sputtering as the standard approach rather than conventional DC
Magnetic ordering
Neel temperature ~245-275 K on the Cu sublattice; additional Nd3+ ordering below ~1-2 K
Relevant to low-temperature magnetic and spintronic thin-film studies
Thermal stability
Loses oxygen stoichiometry above ~900-1000 C in reducing atmospheres; stable as a ceramic through typical sputtering process temperatures.
Post-deposition oxygen annealing is generally required to restore correct stoichiometry and target electronic properties.
Sputtering behavior
Moderate deposition rate; brittle oxide ceramic susceptible to thermal-shock cracking under uneven power loading
Favours bonded targets, ramped power ramp-up, and adequate backing-plate cooling.
Types & Grades of Neodymium Copper Oxide
Neodymium Copper Oxide targets are offered in standard catalog sizes and grades, with custom purity, density, and geometry available for OEM and R&D deposition systems.
Grade / Form
Typical Purity
Key Features / Uses
Standard catalogue target (IN-CuNd-01 / IN-CuNd-02)
>99.9%
1in x 0.125in and 2in x 0.25in stock discs for lab-scale and pilot PVD systems; fastest availability
High-purity grade
99.95% – 99.999%
Reduced Fe, Si, and alkali-metal background for electron-doped cuprate superconductor films and low-defect-density oxide research
Large-format / custom target
>99.9%, custom purity on request
Rectangular, square, stepped, and oversized discs up to 200mm+ cut to drawing for production-scale magnetron coaters
Rotary (cylindrical) target
>99.9%
Tubular format for high-throughput in-line sputtering systems; improves material utilisation relative to planar targets.
Bonded assembly
Matches base target purity
Indium- or elastomer-bonded to copper or molybdenum backing plates to manage the ceramic’s low fracture toughness and support higher sputtering power density
Applications of Neodymium Copper Oxide
Sputtered films of Neodymium Copper Oxide support demanding roles across research and production applications where this material’s specific structural, electronic, or optical properties are the key requirement.
Industry
Application
Function
Condensed matter/superconductivity research
Electron-doped cuprate superconductor films (Ce-substituted Nd2-xCexCuO4)
Parent template composition for epitaxial growth of NCCO films used in Tc and pairing-symmetry studies
Quantum computing / superconducting electronics
Josephson junction and SQUID device fabrication
Base cuprate layer for high-Tc superconducting junction stacks
Structurally compatible constituent layer in engineered oxide superlattices
Magneto-optic and spintronics research
Thin films for magneto-optical and spin-dynamics measurements
Combines Nd3+ 4f electronic transitions with CuO2-plane magnetism for coupled optical/magnetic studies
Why Partner with Infinita Materials?
Technical Depth: in-house quality control with ICP-MS and XRF purity verification, density measurement, and full certificates of analysis on every target.
Global Logistics: reliable supply from single R&D-scale targets to production-line volumes, with established international shipping.
Responsive Support: direct access to materials engineers for grade, bonding, and geometry selection, and process-compatibility questions.
Take the Next Step
Infinita Materials fabricates Neodymium Copper Oxide sputtering targets engineered to the purity, density, and geometry your deposition process requires. Whether the requirement is a standard catalogue target or a custom size, purity, or bonded assembly, our team can help match the right specification to your deposition system. Request a quote or speak with our technical team to discuss your target specification.
Other Related Product to Neodymium Copper Oxide, Nd2CuO4
Nd₂CuO₄ sputter targets allow thin film deposition that retains its superconducting and magnetic properties, which are essential for advanced electronic and sensor applications.
High-quality Nd₂CuO₄ targets promote the uniform deposition of thin films, which helps to enhance the stability and efficiency of various devices in fields such as superconductivity, magnetic sensing, and electronics. High purity reduces impurities likely to change the film quality and the device's overall performance.
Yes, due to their semiconductor nature, Nd₂CuO₄ thin films can be integrated into solar cells, potentially improving solar energy efficiency through enhanced electron transport and light absorption.
Because undoped, oxygen-stoichiometric Nd2CuO4 is a ceramic Mott insulator with limited bulk conductivity, RF magnetron sputtering or pulsed DC is generally recommended. Conductivity increases with oxygen deficiency or cerium doping but is rarely high enough for stable conventional DC operation.
Yes for most device-relevant films. As-deposited Nd2CuO4 films are typically oxygen-deficient, and a post-deposition anneal in oxygen (or a reducing anneal for cerium-doped NCCO to induce superconductivity) is standard practice for setting the correct oxygen stoichiometry and electronic behaviour.
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