Synthesis and Characterization of Gd doped BSCCO-2212

Abstract

Since the discovery of High Temperature Superconductivity in cuprates such as YBCO and BSCCO, researches has been carried out on flux pinning in these materials in order to find ways of increasing their critical current density Jc for practical applications. In order to prevent vortex motion, vortices must be pinned against increasing magnetic field or current density. Several methods have been reported, for instant, adding nanosize impurity phases to the superconductor like YBCO, columnar defects generated by ion irradiation, point defect generated by oxygen deficiency, chemical substitution or by doping with magnetic nano particles (to avoid hysteresis). In this report the magnetic doping is done at Cu site of BSCCO, so that the dopant forms strong bond within the BSCCO structure, which prevents its motion and thereby preventing vortex motion. Specifically Gd doping with different concentrations such as 1%, 3% and 5% are done and their characterization are also done by various methods like x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, temperature dependence of resistivity, current (I) – voltage (V) measurement. Effect of doping on the value of Jc is analyzed.