Proton irradiation effects on metal-YBCO interfaces

ACHA, C.; SANCA, G.A.; BARELLA, M.; ALURRALDE, M.; MARLASCA, F. GOMEZ; HUHTINEN, H.; PATURI, P.; GOLMAR, F.; LEVY, P.

RADIATION PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY (OXFORD)

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 2021 vol. 183

0969-806X

10 MeV proton-irradiation effects on a YBCO-based test structure were analyzed by measuring its current-voltage(IV) characteristics for different cumulated fluences. For fluences of up to ~ 80⋅109 p/cm2 no changes in theelectrical behavior of the device were observed, while for a fluence of ~ 300⋅109 p/cm2 it becomes less conducting.A detailed analysis of the room temperature IV characteristics based on the γ power exponent parameter[γ = dLn(I)/dLn(V)] allowed us to reveal the main conduction mechanisms as well as to establish the equivalentcircuit model of the device. The changes produced in the electrical behavior, in accordance with Monte CarloTRIM simulations, suggest that the main effect induced by protons is the displacement of oxygen atoms withinthe YBCO lattice, particularly from oxygen-rich to oxygen-poor areas, where they become trapped.