Effects of low-energy neutron irradiation on Bi-based superconductors

Abstract Bi-based and Sn-doped Bi-based superconductors were subjected to low-energy neutron irradiation. Experimental results showed that J c of irradiated Bi-based sample was increased by 30%, and T c of irradiated Bi-based and Sn-doped Bi-based samples were increased by 2.5–5.0 K. The low-energy neutron irradiation was also found to decrease the normal state resistivity of samples. Therefore, low-energy neutron irradiation is a useful method to improve the superconductivity of Bi-based materials. The reasons for the improvement of T c , J c and normal state resistivity by low energy neutron irradiation were discussed.