Enhancement of 2G-HTS wire performance in strong magnetic fields through heavy ion irradiation

Abstract This study investigates the impact of heavy ion irradiation on the superconducting performance of second-generation high-temperature superconducting (2G-HTS) wires in strong magnetic fields. We have performed irradiation experiments using 18 MeV Au, 12 MeV Ni and 15 MeV O ions accelerated by a tandem ion accelerator, targeting 2G-HTS wires composed of YBCO, EuBCO/BHO, GdBCO, or (NdEuGd) BCO. The superconducting properties of these wires were measured under various magnetic fields and temperatures. Our results indicate that oxygen ion irradiation has minimal effect on I c ( B ) characteristics. In contrast, nickel ion irradiation at doses of 1.2 × 10 11 ions cm −2 significantly improved I c ( B ), particularly at lower temperatures (20–30 K), without rapid material degradation at higher doses. Similarly, gold ion irradiation is enhanced I c ( B ) across a wide range of temperatures and fields. TRIM simulations suggest that ion penetration and energy loss vary by ion type, affecting defect formation and superconducting performance. The presence of heavy rare-earth elements in the HTS material increased susceptibility to ion irradiation, leading to more pronounced improvements in I c . These findings demonstrate the potential of ion irradiation as a practical method for enhancing the superconducting properties of 2G-HTS wires, paving the way for their industrial application in high-field environments.