Critical current densities of melt-textured and neutron-irradiated NdBa2Cu3O7−δ

NdBa2Cu3O7−δ was synthesised by a solid-state reaction and subsequently melt-textured under a reduced oxygen partial pressure using a horizontal Bridgman-furnace. The samples were characterised regarding microstructure, critical temperatures (Tc) and critical current densities (jc). Some samples were irradiated with neutrons to induce defects for flux-pinning. Whereas no effect on the critical current density was found due to Nd4Ba2Cu2O10 additions, the irradiated samples showed a pronounced increase in the critical current density. jc of the neutron irradiated samples is one order of magnitude higher compared to the values prior to irradiation. This increase is observed especially at low fields and high temperatures.