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Temporal Evolution of Defects and Related Electric Properties in He-Irradiated YBa2Cu3O7- Thin Films
Sandra Keppert1, Bernd Aichner2, Philip Rohringer2
1Institute of Applied Physics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 27, 2024
Summary
Low-energy light-ion irradiation modifies Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO) thin films, creating stable defects. This process enhances superconducting properties and critical current, showing potential for material tailoring.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Superconductivity
Background:
- Thin films of Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO) are crucial superconductors.
- Understanding irradiation-induced defects and their stability is key to optimizing superconducting properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term stability of defects induced by light-ion irradiation in YBCO thin films.
- To explore the potential of ion irradiation for tailoring superconducting properties.
Main Methods:
- Modification of YBCO thin films using collimated and focused Helium-ion (He+) beams.
- In situ resistance measurements and phenomenological modeling.
- Thermal annealing experiments in Argon atmosphere.
- Analysis of nanostructured films for vortex pinning arrays.
Main Results:
- Defect formation and stability are temperature-dependent.
- Oxygen diffusion activation energy determined as ΔE=(0.31±0.03) eV.
- Nanostructured YBCO films showed stable vortex matching effects over six years.
- Significant increase in critical current observed across the magnetic field range after long-term storage.
Conclusions:
- Ion irradiation is an effective method for defect engineering in YBCO thin films.
- Irradiation-induced defects exhibit long-term stability, preserving tailored superconducting properties.
- YBCO films modified by He+ irradiation show promising applications in superconductivity.
Keywords:
activation energycommensurability effectscuprate superconductordiffusion coefficientshelium-ion irradiationirradiation damage healinglong-term stabilityroom-temperature annealingvortex pinningMore Related Videos
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