The effects of neutron irradiation damage on the superconducting properties of Nb3Sn
Cryogenics, 14 (7):
361--366 (July 1974)DOI: 10.1016/0011-2275(74)90074-5
Abstract
Specimens of Nb3Sn have been irradiated by fast neutrons at 70°C to doses in the range 3 × 1021 neutrons m−2 to 9 × 1023 neutrons m−2. Their critical temperatures were depressed linearly with dose, to less than 4.2 K after about 3 × 1023 neutrons m−2. The critical temperature recovered to their initial values in anneals of 2 hours at 900°C, and in 64 hours at 750°C. The critical current can be enhanced by low neutron doses, particularly at high fields, but is always depressed by higher doses. The observations are shown to be consistent with a qualitative model, and in the light of this the likely consequences of irradiation at operating temperature are considered.