The magnetization of PrFeAsO0.60F0.12 superconductor

Abstract The magnetization of the PrFeAsO 0.60 F 0.12 polycrystalline sample has been measured as functions of temperature and magnetic field ( H ). The observed total magnetization is the sum of a superconducting irreversible magnetization and a paramagnetic magnetization. Analysis of dc susceptibility χ ( T ) in the normal state shows that the paramagnetic component of magnetization comes from the Pr 3+ magnetic moments. The intragrain critical current density ( J L ) derived from the magnetization data is large. The J L ( H ) curve displays a second peak which shifts towards the high-field region with decreasing temperature. In the low-field region, a plateau up to a field H * followed by a power law H −5/8 behavior of J L ( H ) is the characteristic of the strong pinning. A vortex phase diagram for the present superconductor has been obtained from the magnetization and resistivity data.