Effect of Ag15+ and Li3+ ion irradiation on superconducting Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3O10 single crystals

The effect of irradiation by 50 MeV Li3+ and 200 MeV Ag15+ ions on single crystals of Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3O10 (Tl2223) superconductor has been investigated at different fluences. Isothermal magnetization hysteresis loops have been recorded at different temperatures using a SQUID magnetometer and the effect of irradiation on the critical current density, irreversible field, second magnetization peak and pinning force has been studied. Irradiation by 200 MeV Ag15+ ions resulted in increased hysteresis and irreversibility field while no change in second magnetization peak position and critical temperature was observed. A broadening in the hysteresis loop before the second magnetization peak was also observed for the crystals irradiated by Li3+ ions. Annealing of irradiated crystals at 500 °C resulted in reduction of point defects created by Li3+ ions.