Effects of neutron irradiation on high temperature superconductors
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Authors
Hammerer, John J.
Subjects
radiation effects
high temperature superconductivity
high temperature superconductivity
Advisors
Buskirk, Fred Ramon
Date of Issue
1988
Date
June 1988
Publisher
Language
en_US
Abstract
Neutron irradiation of high temperature superconductors was performed in order to determine the effects of nuclear weapons on these novel materials. This radiation could also be encountered in space radiation belts, fusion reactors and particle accelerators. Fluences used were on the order of 10 to the 18th power fast and thermal neutrons/sq cm. The result of the irradiation was a complete loss of observed superconductivity in YBa2Cu3O7 and ErBa2Cu3O7. A combination of gamma heating of 5 W/g and fast neutron flux imposed serve thermal stress on sample pellets. In two cases, the pellets were reduced to powder. Samples were prepared at the Naval Research Laboratory and the National Research Laboratory and the National Bureau of Standards. They were checked for the Meissner effect using magnetic levitation. The dc four terminal method was used to determine the transition temperature
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Physics
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
51 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.