Critical current changes in Nb$sub 3$Sn irradiated with fast neutrons at 6 K

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1975

OSTI ID:4190033

Brown, B S; Birtcher, R C; Blewitt, T H; Wozniak, D G

The critical current (J/sub c/) was measured in Nb$sub 3$Sn as a function of neutron dose at 6$sup 0$K up to 1.8 x 10$sup 18$ n/cm$sup 2$ (E greater than 0.1 MeV). An increase in J/sub c/ of up to 33 percent at H = 32 kOe was observed after 1.2 x 10$sup 18$ n/cm$sup 2$ in material with a high unirradiated J/sub c/ of 1.5 x 10$sup 6$ A/cm$sup 2$ at 4.2$sup 0$K. Decreases were observed in J/sub c/ after higher doses and the size of the increase in J/ sub c/ and dose of maximum J/sub c/ were a function of magnetic field. The dose and field dependence of the J/sub c/ changes are explained by a model in which the changes in flux pinning and J/sub c/ due to changes with dose in critical temperature, upper critical field, and defect microstructure are considered. Observation of the change of the thermal transition to the normal state are understood by considering the radiation damage in the Cu--Sn stabilizing cladding. (auth)

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., Ill. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• NSA Number: NSA-33-001323
• OSTI ID: 4190033
• Report Number(s): CONF-751006--1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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