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Niobium hydride formation in superconducting qubit thin films

Tyler J. Leibengood1,*, Pierre-Clément A. Simon2, P. Graham Pritchard1, James M. Rondinelli1, and Peter W. Voorhees1,†

  • *Contact author: tjleibengood42@gmail.com
  • †Contact author: p-voorhees@northwestern.edu
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Phys. Rev. Materials 9, 074803 – Published 17 July, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/v27k-y5fb

Abstract

The formation of nonsuperconducting hydrides in 160–170-nm-thick films of niobium is examined. We identify six elastically distinct orientation relationships ɛ−Nb4H3 takes within the matrix, solid-solution α−NbHx phase. We employ a phase field model to assess the impact of elastic energy induced by the strain of phase transformation on the morphology and transformation dynamics of ɛ precipitates within a thin film. We consider the dimensions of the thin film, crystallographic growth direction, and diffusion rates to predict the timescale of hydride evolution. Leveraging the finite element method, we predict two-dimensional and three-dimensional equilibrium shapes of ɛ-hydrides within a bulk sample and in a thin film that has a traction-free surface. Our results suggest that niobium hydrides migrate to the free surface of the film. Precipitates which reach the free surface coarsen, while precipitates within the film dissolve. Precipitates in both two dimensions and three dimensions experience a repulsive interaction force at the free surface, that is attractive in the bulk, shown in experiment and theory of previous studies.

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Phys. Rev. Materials 9, 074803– Published 17 July, 2025
  • Received 18 March 2025
  • Accepted 3 June 2025
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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