Samarium cerium copper oxide (Sm1.85Ce0.15CuO4, commonly abbreviated SCCO) is a rare-earth cuprate sputtering target supplied by Infinita Materials for depositing electron-doped high-temperature superconducting thin films. Built on the T’-phase crystal structure shared with the Nd-Ce-Cu-O and Pr-Ce-Cu-O superconductor families, it gives film growers direct access to the n-type counterpart of hole-doped cuprates such as YBCO and BSCCO from a single, pre-reacted ceramic source.
Samarium cerium copper oxide (SCCO), typically Sm₂₋ₓCeₓCuO₄, belongs to the rare-earth cuprate family and crystallises in the tetragonal T′-phase (I4/mmm), featuring square-planar CuO₂ layers without apical oxygen. Substituting Ce⁴⁺ for Sm³⁺ introduces electrons into the CuO₂ planes, producing an n-type cuprate. At doping levels near x ≈ 0.15, followed by reduction annealing, SCCO becomes superconducting with a Tc of approximately 16–20 K. Sputtering from dense ceramic targets enables consistent Sm:Ce:Cu composition and precise control of the narrow superconducting doping range. SCCO films support research into electron-doped cuprate superconductivity, magnetic interactions, superconducting sensors, detectors, and comparisons with hole-doped high-Tc materials.
Answer: As an electron-doped cuprate, Sm₁₋ₓCeₓCuO₄ exhibits high-temperature superconductivity, making it essential for applications in energy transmission and quantum systems.
Answer: Its unique structural and electronic properties and stability under varying conditions allow highly precise deposition of functional thin films.
Answer: The material’s complex electronic behaviors, including its superconducting phases, make it highly relevant for developing quantum computing and spintronics technologies.
Samarium cerium copper oxide (SCCO), typically Sm₂₋ₓCeₓCuO₄, belongs to the rare-earth cuprate family and crystallises in the tetragonal T′-phase (I4/mmm), featuring square-planar CuO₂ layers without apical oxygen. Substituting Ce⁴⁺ for Sm³⁺ introduces electrons into the CuO₂ planes, producing an n-type cuprate. At doping levels near x ≈ 0.15, followed by reduction annealing, SCCO becomes superconducting with a Tc of approximately 16–20 K. Sputtering from dense ceramic targets enables consistent Sm:Ce:Cu composition and precise control of the narrow superconducting doping range. SCCO films support research into electron-doped cuprate superconductivity, magnetic interactions, superconducting sensors, detectors, and comparisons with hole-doped high-Tc materials.
Key Properties of Samarium Cerium Copper Oxide
Property
Value
Significance
Crystal structure
Tetragonal T’-phase, space group I4/mmm, square-planar CuO2 coordination (no apical oxygen)
Distinguishes electron-doped cuprates from octahedrally coordinated hole-doped families; governs epitaxial matching to substrates and buffer layers
Doping level/formula
Sm2-xCexCuO4 with x ~ 0.15 (Sm1.85Ce0.15CuO4)
x ~ 0.15 is the literature-established optimal doping for maximum Tc in this system
Charge carrier type
Electron-doped (n-type); Ce4+ substitution for Sm3+ donates electrons to CuO2 planes
Provides the n-type counterpart to hole-doped cuprates (YBCO, BSCCO) for comparative pairing-symmetry studies
Superconducting transition temperature (Tc)
~16-20 K (onset), typically reported near 16.5 K at optimal doping after reduction annealing
Sets the cryogenic operating window for superconducting devices and detectors fabricated from sputtered films
Magnetic ordering
Antiferromagnetic (Neel-ordered) in the parent and underdoped/as-deposited state; coexists with superconductivity near optimal doping.
Central to research on the interplay between magnetism and superconductivity in electron-doped cuprates
Electronic character (target/as-deposited film)
Insulating to weakly semiconducting in the stoichiometric, oxygenated state; requires post-deposition reduction anneal to become superconducting.
Dictates RF (not DC) sputtering and mandates a controlled-atmosphere annealing step after film growth
Thermal behavior
Decomposes/incongruently melts near ~1200-1400 C; thermal conductivity ~1.5-2.5 W/(m K)
Moderate thermal conductivity requires controlled power ramps during sputtering to avoid thermal-shock cracking of the ceramic target.
Sputtering behavior
Sinters to a dense oxide ceramic; sputters by RF magnetron sputtering; as-deposited films require post-deposition vacuum or inert-atmosphere reduction annealing to induce superconductivity.
High target density limits arcing and particulate defects; anneal step is unique to electron-doped cuprate processing and must be planned into the deposition workflow
Types & Grades of Samarium Cerium Copper Oxide
Samarium Cerium 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 disc (1 in x 0.125 in)
99.9% (3N)
Infinita Materials IN-CeCuSm-01; benchtop and small-chamber R&D deposition, rapid turnaround
Standard catalogue disc (2 in x 0.25 in)
99.9% (3N)
Infinita Materials IN-CeCuSm-02; standard-format PVD/sputter systems, longer service life per run
High-purity research grade
99.99% – 99.999% (4N-5N)
Reduced trace-metal and secondary-phase content for superconducting transport, ARPES, and magnetotransport measurements sensitive to impurity scattering
Large-format / custom
99.9% – 99.99%, custom on request
Round targets to 6 in diameter and beyond for pilot-line and multi-target co-sputtering deposition systems
Bonded assembly
99.9% – 99.99%, custom on request
Indium- or elastomer-bonded to a copper backing plate for improved thermal transfer during long-duration RF sputtering runs on this crack-prone ceramic.
Applications of Samarium Cerium Copper Oxide
Sputtered films of Samarium Cerium 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
Superconducting electronics
Thin-film SQUIDs, Josephson junctions, and electron-doped superconducting sensor prototypes
Provides an n-type cuprate active layer for devices and for probing d-wave versus s-wave pairing symmetry
Cryoelectronics and quantum device research
Superconducting resonators and hybrid test structures fabricated near Tc
Electron-doped CuO2-plane films support experimental comparison against hole-doped superconducting circuit materials
THz and far-infrared detection research
Kinetic-inductance and bolometric detector films operated near the superconducting transition
Sharp resistive transition near Tc gives high responsivity for cryogenic detector prototypes.
Fundamental condensed matter physics
Epitaxial films for transport, magnetotransport, and spectroscopic (e.g., ARPES) studies of the electron-doped cuprate phase diagram
Sputtered films provide a scalable, reproducible alternative to single-crystal growth for systematic doping and strain studies.
High-Tc heterostructure and buffer-layer research
Template and buffer layers in multilayer epitaxial stacks alongside other cuprates (e.g., NCCO, PCCO, YBCO)
T’-phase lattice compatibility with related rare-earth cuprates supports interface and proximity-effect studies.
Academic and national-laboratory materials science
Reference and teaching material for antiferromagnetism-superconductivity coexistence studies
Well-characterised doping and Tc values make it a benchmark composition for electron-doped cuprate research programs
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 Samarium Cerium 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 Samarium Cerium Copper Oxide,Sm(1- x)CexCuO4
As an electron-doped cuprate, Sm₁₋ₓCeₓCuO₄ exhibits high-temperature superconductivity, making it essential for applications in energy transmission and quantum systems.
The material’s complex electronic behaviors, including its superconducting phases, make it highly relevant for developing quantum computing and spintronics technologies.
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