Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy Study of Neutron Irradiated High Temperature Superconductors YBa2Cu3O7-δ for Application in Fusion Facilities

• Published in: Journal of fusion energy 2012-02, Vol.31 (1), p.89-95
• Main Authors: Veterníková, J., Chudý, M., Slugeň, V., Eisterer, M., Weber, H. W., Sojak, S., Petriska, M., Hinca, R., Degmová, J., Sabelová, V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Controled nuclear fusion plants; Critical current density; Critical temperature; Crystal defects; Crystallography; Defects; Divacancies; Energy; Energy Systems; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fluence; Fusion reactors; Heat treatment; High temperature superconductors; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Neutron irradiation; Neutrons; Nuclear Energy; Nuclear Fusion; Original Research; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Plasma Physics; Positron annihilation; R&D; Radiation; Reactors; Research & development; Room temperature; Spectroscopic analysis; Spectrum analysis; Sustainable Development; YBCO superconductors
• ISSN: 0164-0313; 1572-9591
• DOI: 10.1007/s10894-011-9436-x

This study focuses on the crystallographic defects introduced by neutron irradiation and the resulting changes of the superconducting properties in the high temperature superconductor YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ . This material is considered to be most promising for magnet systems in future fusion reactors. Two different bulk samples, pure non-doped YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ (YBCO) and multi-seed YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ doped by platinum (MS2F) were studied prior to and after irradiation in the TRIGA MARK II reactor in Vienna. Neutron irradiation is responsible for a significant enhancement of the critical current densities as well as for a reduction in critical temperature. The accumulation of small open volume defects (