Effects of SHI irradiation on the critical current density of Y_1−xCa_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δthick film with Y₂O₃composite

Abstract

Y 1−x Ca x Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ (x = 0.1) + Y 2 O 3 (10 wt%) composite thick film has been prepared by the diffusion reaction technique. Samples are irradiated with 200 MeV Ag ions. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy reveal microstructural changes in the irradiated samples. The enhancement of the critical current density (J c ) from 1.4 × 10 4 to 6.7 × 10 4 A/cm 2 with irradiation in YCaBCO samples is observed, indicating that flux pinning increases due to the creation of columnar defects induced by irradiation. On addition of Y 2 O 3 to YCaBCO, J c increases to 8.3 × 10 4 A/cm 2 . The insulating inclusions of Y 2 O 3 cause J c to increase by the process of flux pinning in the unirradiated YCABCO/Y 2 O 3 composite. However, J c starts decreasing for YCABCO/Y 2 O 3 composite with the increase in ion fluence. The main mechanism of the decrease in the critical current density is the reduction in the effective pinning potential, which is caused by an increase in the defect concentration.

Critical current density enhancement by ion irradiation for thick YBa2Cu3O7−δ films prepared by diffusion reaction technique

“…In order to tailor the superconducting properties we have used 5 wt.% and 10 wt.% of Y 2 O 3 in YBCO matrix and irradiated it with 200 MeV of Ag ions. In our previous published works on thick films [24,25] we have added 10 wt.% Y 2 O 3 to YBCO and Y 1Àx Ca x BCO matrix, irradiated it with 200 MeV Ag ions. A comparative study for magnetization measurement was reported for pristine YBCO and YBCO/10 wt.% Y 2 O 3 thick films with and without irradiation [24].…”