Interesting aspects of the analysis of resistivity in Li3+ irradiated Bi-2212

Abstract Differently heat treated and 55 MeV Li 3+ beam irradiated Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca 1 Cu 2 O 8+ δ (Bi-2212) high temperature superconductors have been studied from the analysis of resistivity in the normal state as well as near the superconducting transition. For all the unirradiated and irradiated samples the so-called linear temperature dependence of the normal state resistivity, in a wide temperature range, can well be understood within the variable range hopping (VRH) conduction scenario. Near and above the bulk superconducting transition, the fluctuation enhanced conductivity (paraconductivity) analysis shows a noteworthy modification of the conduction process due to radiation induced defects.