Effects of introducing isotropic artificial defects on the superconducting properties of differently doped Ba-122 based single crystals

The effects of isotropic artifical defects, introduced via fast neutron (E > 0.1 MeV) irradiation, on the physical properties of differently (Co, P and K) doped BaFe(2)As(2) superconducting single crystals were studied. The Co- and P-doped single crystals showed a second peak in the magnetization curve (fishtail effect) in the pristine state. Significant variations in the radiation-induced changes in the critical current density J(c) were observed in the different types of crystal, while the irreversibility fields did not change remarkably. The highest J(c)s were obtained for the K-doped crystal, exceeding 3 × 10(10) Am(−2) (T = 5 K, B = 4 T) and remaining above 8.5 × 10(9) Am(−2) at 30 K and 1 T. The pinning force was analyzed to compare the pinning mechanisms of the individual samples. While distinct differences were found before the irradiation, the same pinning behavior prevails afterwards. The pinning efficiency η = J(c)/J(d) was estimated from the depairing current density J(d). η was similar in all irradiated crystals and comparable to the value in neutron irradiated cuprates, suggesting that the huge critical current densities measured in the irradiated K-doped crystal are due to its large depairing current density, making this compound the most promising for applications.