Enhancement of transport critical current densities in (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10/Ag tapes at 77 K following fast neutron irradiation

Abstract

We report on significant enhancements of the transport critical current densities Jc in (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10/Ag tapes at 77 K and higher magnetic fields after neutron irradiation. This enhancement is attributed to an improvement in the flux pinning capability of this material by the neutron-induced defects. The angular dependence of Jc is still consistent with two-dimensionality, i.e., flux pinning of pancake and/or Josephson vortices is directly confirmed by this transport measurement. Fast neutron irradiation also affects the weak links in a way which agrees with previous results on unaligned ceramics. However, there are some peculiarities which need further investigation.