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Irradiation-enhanced pinning in YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 7 [minus] x] crystals

Journal Article · · JOM (Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society); (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03223174· OSTI ID:6917055
; ; ; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. International Business Machines Corp., Yorktown Heights, NY (United States). Thomas J. Watson Research Center
  2. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)

This paper reports that deliberately introducing defects by particle irradiation is an effective way to increase the flux pinning in high-critical-temperature superconductors, which is a requirement for technological applications of these materials. Proton irradiation generates a random distribution of point defects, which largely enhances the critical current in YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 7[minus]x] single crystals; but it is not effective in shifting the irreversibility line to higher magnetic fields. The aligned columnar defects created by high-energy heavy-ion irradiation generate even stronger vortex pinning, resulting in higher critical currents at high temperatures and fields and a large displacement of the irreversibility line to higher fields.

OSTI ID:
6917055
Journal Information:
JOM (Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society); (United States), Journal Name: JOM (Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society); (United States) Vol. 44:10; ISSN JOMMER
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English