Flux Pinning in Y- and Ag-Doped MgB<sub>2</sub>

Abstract

High temperature superconductor research is presently concentrated upon the flux pinning properties of the Abrikosov lattice of the mixed-mode superconducting phase. The temperature thermal fluctuations, current and magnetic field unpin the flux vortices and so cause electromagnetic resistivity in high temperature superconductors. Materials with higher vortex pinning exhibit less resistivity and are more attractive for industrial uses. In the present article, we measured and correlated the pinning flux energy barrier, determined by AC magnetic measurements, and transmission electron microscopy measurements to the critical current Jc in Yttrium-and Silver-doped MgB2 superconductors. The energy of the flux vortex was evaluated as a function of the magnetic field. The energy barrier curves suggest an optimal doping level to occur in doped materials. This result only depends on the optimal size and distribution of precipitates, and not on their chemical composition. The energy barriers have been compared with that of undoped MgB2 in literature.