The effect of fast neutron irradiation on the superconducting properties of REBCO coated conductors with and without artificial pinning centers
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Superconductors are essential components of future fusion power plants. The magnet coils responsible for producing the field required for confining the fusion plasma are exposed to considerable neutron radiation. This makes irradiation studies necessary for understanding the radiation response of the superconductor. High temperature superconductors are promising candidates as magnet coil materials. YBCO and GdBCO tapes of several manufacturers were irradiated to fast neutron fluences of up to 3.9 × 10 22 m −2 in the research reactor at the Atominstitut. Low energy neutrons contribute to the fission reactor spectrum but not to the expected spectrum at the fusion magnets. Low energy neutrons have to be shielded in irradiation experiments to avoid their substantial effect on the superconducting properties of tapes containing gadolinium. The critical current ( I c ) of the tapes in this study was examined at fields of up to 15 T and down to a temperature of 30 K. I c first increases upon irradiation and reaches a maximum at a certain fluence, which depends highly on temperature, being highest at low temperature. I c declines at high fluences and eventually degrades with respect to its initial value. Tapes with artificial pinning centers (APCs) degrade at lower fluences than tapes without them. The n -values decrease in all types of tapes after irradiation even when the critical currents are increased. The field dependence of the volume pinning force differs in pristine tapes with and without APCs but shows the same behavior after irradiation.
Authors: D X Fischer, R Prokopec, J Emhofer, M Eisterer
Institution: TU Wien
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,325
Awards: Implementation of activities described in the Roadmap to Fusion during Horizon 2020 through a Joint programme of the members of the EUROfusion consortium, Implementation of activities described in the Roadmap to Fusion during Horizon 2020 through a Joint programme of the members of the EUROfusion consortium, G829439530
OpenAlex ID: W2793528804