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Biofilm Detection in a Model Well-Bore Environment Using Low-Field NMR

This research addresses the challenges of the lack of non-invasive methods and poor spatiotemporal resolution associated with monitoring biogeochemical activity central to bioremediation of subsurface contaminants. Remediation efforts often include growth of biofilm to contain or degrade chemical contaminants, such as nitrates, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and some chlorinated solvents. Previous research indicates that nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is sensitive to the biogeochemical processes of biofilm accumulation. The current research focuses on developing methods to use low-cost NMR technology to support in situ monitoring of biofilm growth and geochemical remediation processes in the subsurface. Biofilm was grown in a lab-scale radial flow bioreactor designed to model the near wellbore subsurface environment. The Vista Clara Javelin NMR logging device, a slim down-the-borehole probe, collected NMR measurements over the course of eight days while biofilm was cultivated in the sand-packed reactor. Measured NMR mean log T 2 relaxation times decreased from approximately 710 to 389 ms, indicating that the pore environment and bulk fluid properties were changing due to biofilm growth. Destructive sampling employing drop plate microbial population analysis and scanning electron and stereoscopic microscopy confirmed biofilm formation. Here our findings demonstrate that the NMR logging tool can detect small to moderate changes in T 2 distribution associated with environmentally relevant quantities of biofilm in quartz sand.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Influence of seed layers on the vertical growth of ZnO nanowires by low-temperature wet chemical bath deposition on ITO-coated glass substrate

Aligned ZnO nanowires (NWs) were synthesized by low-temperature wet chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrates using c-axis orientated ZnO and AZO (Al-doped ZnO) seed layers through the RF sputtering deposition process under different conditions. The growth direction of ZnO NW was controlled by using the two different seed layers. Results showed single-crystalline structure of the ZnO NWs with the highest peak intensity in (002) crystalline direction. In addition, NWs seeding form AZO layer, grown on ITO coated glass, were vertically aligned and uniformly distributed on the substrate. The effects of precursor concentration, growth temperature, and seed layer on NW morphology were investigated in two different seed layers systematically. The intensity of broad emissions at 500–600 nm emission was observed in room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra for samples prepared under optimized parameters. In addition, the green emission intensity of ZnO NWs growth on the ZnO seed layer was much weaker than that of AZO seed layer. The experimental results indicate that the selection of seed layers, precursor concentration, and the growth temperature are key parameters to vertical growth of NWs for the application of nanoscale devices.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Multiplexed Oversampling Digitizer in 65 nm CMOS for Column-Parallel CCD Readout

A digitizer designed to read out column-parallel charge-coupled devices (CCDs) used for high-speed X-ray imaging is presented. The digitizer is included as part of the High-Speed Image Preprocessor with Oversampling (HIPPO) integrated circuit. The digitizer module comprises a multiplexed, oversampling, 12-bit, 80 MS/s pipelined Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and a bank of four fast-settling sample-and-hold amplifiers to instrument four analog channels. The ADC multiplexes and oversamples to reduce its area to allow integration that is pitch-matched to the columns of the CCD. Novel design techniques are used to enable oversampling and multiplexing with a reduced power penalty. The ADC exhibits 188 ?V-rms noise which is less than 1 LSB at a 12-bit level. The prototype is implemented in a commercially available 65 nm CMOS process. The digitizer will lead to a proof-of-principle 2D 10 Gigapixel/s X-ray detector.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

SU-F-T-49: Dosimetry Parameters and TPS Commissioning for the CivaSheet Directional Pd-103 Brachytherapy Source

Purpose: The CivaSheet is a new LDR Pd-103 brachytherapy device offering directional-radiation for preferentially irradiating malignancies with healthy-tissue sparing. Observations are presented on dosimetric characterization, TPS commissioning, and evaluation of the dosesuperposition- principle for summing individual elements comprising a planar CivaSheet Methods: The CivaSheet comprises individual sources (CivaDots, 0.05cm thick and 0.25cm diam.) inside a flexible bioabsorbable substrate with a 0.8cm center-to-center rectangular array. All non-radioactive components were measured to ensure accuracy of manufacturer-provided dimensional information. The Pd spatial distribution was gleaned from radioactive and inert samples, then modeled with the MCNP6 radiation-transport-code. A 6×6 array CivaSheet was modeled to evaluate the dose superposition principle for treatment planning. Air-kerma-strength was estimated using the NIST WAFAC geometry. Absorbed dose was estimated in water with polar sampling covering 0.05≤r≤15cm in 0.05cm increments and 0°≤θ≤180° in 1° increments. These data were entered into VariSeed9.0 and tested for the dose-superposition-principle. Results: The dose-rate-constant was 0.579 cGy/h/U with g(r) determined along the rotational-axis of symmetry (0°) instead of 90°. gP(r) values at 0.1, 0.5, 2, 5, and 10cm were 1.884, 1.344, 0.558, 0.088, and 0.0046. F(r,θ) decreased between 0° and 180° by factors of 270, 23, and 5.1 at 0.1, 1, and 10cm. The highest dose-gradient was at 92°, changing by a factor of 3 within 1° due to Au-foil shielding. TPS commissioning from 0.1≤r≤11cm and 0°≤θ≤180° demonstrated 2% reproducibility of input data except at the high-dose-gradient where interpolations caused 3% differences. Dose superposition of CivaDots replicated a multi-source CivaSheet array within 2% except where another CivaDot was present. Following implantation, the device is not perfectly planar. TPS accuracy utilizing the dose-superposition-principle through geometric repositioning of CivaDots supersedes TPS limitations of intersource shielding effects Conclusion: Dosimetric characterization, source commissioning, and evaluation of the dose-superposition-principle with VariSeed9.0 permits treatment planning for the CivaSheet brachytherapy device. Research supported in part by CivaTech Oncology, Inc.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

A scintillator attenuation spectrometer for intense gamma-rays

A new type of compact high-resolution high-sensitivity gamma-ray spectrometer for short-pulse intense gamma-rays (250 keV to 50 MeV) has been developed by combining the principles of scintillators and attenuation spectrometers. The first prototype of this scintillator attenuation spectrometer (SAS) was tested successfully in Trident laser experiments at LANL. Later versions have been used extensively in the Texas Petawatt laser experiments in Austin, TX, and more recently in OMEGA-EP laser experiments at LLE, Rochester, NY. The SAS is particularly useful for high-repetition-rate laser applications. Furthermore, we give a concise description of the design principles, capabilities, and sample preliminary results of the SAS.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Mitsubishi experience on digital I and C and modernization

Digital systems are being applied to instrumentation and control (I and C) systems, including safety and non-safety systems, to accommodate obsolescence of existing analog devices or to obtain the benefits of digital I and C systems in new nuclear power plants as well as existing plants. This paper presents the Mitsubishi experience of digital I and C application and modernization. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Ultrafast Imaging of Carrier Transport across Grain Boundaries in Hybrid Perovskite Thin Films

For optoelectronic devices based on polycrystalline semiconducting thin films, carrier transport across grain boundaries is an important process in defining efficiency. Here we employ transient absorption microscopy (TAM) to directly measure carrier transport within and across the boundaries in hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite thin films for solar cell applications with 50 nm spatial precision and 300 fs temporal resolution. By selectively imaging sub-bandgap states, our results show that lateral carrier transport is slowed down by these states at the grain boundaries. However, the long carrier lifetimes allow for efficient transport across the grain boundaries. The carrier diffusion constant is reduced by about a factor of 2 for micron-sized grain samples by the grain boundaries. For grain sizes on the order of ~200 nm, carrier transport over multiple grains has been observed within a time window of 5 ns. These observations explain both the shortened photoluminescence lifetimes at the boundaries as well as the seemingly benign nature of the grain boundaries in carrier generation.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Magnetic properties of Ni substituted Y-type barium ferrite

Y-type barium hexaferrite is attractive material for various applications, such as high frequency antennas and RF devices, because of its interesting magnetic properties. Especially, Ni substituted Y- type hexaferrites have higher magnetic ordering temperature than other Y-type. We have investigated macroscopic and microscopic properties of Y-type barium hexaferrite. Ba{sub 2}Co{sub 2−x}Ni{sub x}Fe{sub 12}O{sub 22} (x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) samples are prepared by solid-state reaction method and studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer, and Mössbauer spectroscopy, as well as a network analyzer for high frequency characteristics. The XRD pattern is analyzed by Rietveld refinement method and confirms the hexagonal structure with R-3m. The hysteresis curve shows ferrimagnetic behavior. Saturation magnetization (M{sub s}) decreases with Ni contents. Ni{sup 2+}, which preferentially occupies the octahedral site with up-spin sub-lattice, has smaller spin value S of 1 than Co{sup 2+} having S = 3/2. The zero-field-cooled (ZFC) measurement of Ba{sub 2}Co{sub 1.5}Ni{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 12}O{sub 22} shows that Curie and spin transition temperatures are found to be 718 K and 209 K, respectively. The Curie temperature T{sub C} is increased with Ni contents, while T{sub S} is decreased with Ni. The Mössbauer spectra were measured at various temperatures and fitted by using a least-squares method with six sextet of six Lorentzian lines for Fe sites, corresponding to the 3b{sub VI}, 6c{sub IV}*, 6c{sub VI}, 18h{sub VI}, 6c{sub IV}, and 3a{sub IV} sites at below T{sub C}. From Mössbauer measurements, we confirmed the spin state of Fe ion to be Fe{sup 3+} and obtained the isomer shift (δ), magnetic hyperfine field (H{sub hf}), and the occupancy ratio of Fe ions at six sub-lattices. The complex permeability and permittivity are measured between 100 MHz and 4 GHz, suggesting that Y-type barium hexaferrite is promising for antenna applications in UHF band.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

p-type doping of MoS{sub 2} thin films using Nb

We report on the first demonstration of p-type doping in large area few-layer films of (0001)-oriented chemical vapor deposited MoS{sub 2}. Niobium was found to act as an efficient acceptor up to relatively high density in MoS{sub 2} films. For a hole density of 3.1 × 10{sup 20} cm{sup −3}, Hall mobility of 8.5 cm{sup 2} V{sup −1} s{sup −1} was determined, which matches well with the theoretically expected values. X-ray diffraction scans and Raman characterization indicated that the film had good out-of-plane crystalline quality. Absorption measurements showed that the doped sample had similar characteristics to high-quality undoped samples, with a clear absorption edge at 1.8 eV. Scanning transmission electron microscope imaging showed ordered crystalline nature of the Nb-doped MoS{sub 2} layers stacked in the [0001] direction. This demonstration of substitutional p-doping in large area epitaxial MoS{sub 2} could help in realizing a wide variety of electrical and opto-electronic devices based on layered metal dichalcogenides.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Quantum beats from the coherent interaction of hole states with surface state in near-surface quantum well

We report tunneling assisted beating of carriers in a near-surface single GaAsP/AlGaAs quantum well using transient reflectivity measurement. The observed damped oscillating signal has a period of 120 ± 6 fs which corresponds to the energy difference between lh1 and hh2 hole states in the quantum well. Comparing the transient reflectivity signal at different photon energies and with a buried quantum well sample, we show that the beating is caused by the coherent coupling between surface state and the hole states (lh1 and hh2) in the near-surface quantum well. The dependence of decay of coherence of these tunneling carriers on the excitation fluence is also reported. This observation on the coherent tunneling of carrier is important for future quantum device applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Photogeneration and enhanced charge transport in aligned smectic liquid crystalline organic semiconductor

Liquid crystalline organic semiconductors are emerging candidates for applications in electronic and photonic devices. One of the most attractive aspects of such materials is the potential, in principle, to easily control and manipulate the molecular alignment of the semiconductor over large length scales. Here, we explore the consequences of alignment in a model smectic liquid crystalline semiconductor, and find that the photogeneration efficiency is a strong function of incident polarization in aligned samples. A straightforward theory shows that such behavior is a general feature of aligned materials, regardless of the details of photophysics. Furthermore, we uncover tentative evidence that the mobility of aligned samples is substantially enhanced. Both of these phenomena are of significant technological importance.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

In situ and selective area etching of GaN by tertiarybutylchloride (TBCl)

In situ etching (ISE) of gallium nitride (GaN) can enable lateral and vertical junctions through selective area etching (SAE) and regrowth. We report the study of ISE and SAE of GaN using an organometallic precursor, tertiarybutylchloride (TBCl), in a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition reactor. Compared to the conventional etching in hydrogen, the use of TBCl allows in situ etching at a much lower temperature (<850 °C), likely due to a more reactive etchant and a more efficient desorption rate of the etching products. The TBCl etching is near equilibrium and can be significantly changed with the change of the NH3 flow rate. We also report initial results of SAE on SiO 2 patterned GaN samples. An important finding is the need to control the desorption of the reaction products in order to achieve smooth surfaces. TBCl etching is crystallographically anisotropic with low etch rates on N-terminated facets. The use of TBCl and possibly other organometallic halogen precursors is expected to enable the design and implementation of III-nitride lateral junction devices that have not been possible.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Polycrystalline ZrTe 5 Parametrized as a Narrow-Band-Gap Semiconductor for Thermoelectric Performance

The transition-metal pentatellurides HfTe5 and ZrTe5 have been studied for their exotic transport properties with much debate over the transport mechanism, band gap, and cause of the resistivity behavior, including a large low-temperature resistivity peak. Single crystals grown by the chemical-vapor-transport method have shown an n-p transition of the Seebeck coefficient at the same temperature as a peak in the resistivity. We show that behavior similar to that of single crystals can be observed in iodine-doped polycrystalline samples but that undoped polycrystalline samples exhibit drastically different properties: they are p type over the entire temperature range. Additionally, the thermal conductivity for polycrystalline samples is much lower, 1.5 Wm -1 K -1 , than previously reported for single crystals. It is found that the polycrystalline ZrTe 5 system can be modeled as a simple semiconductor with conduction and valence bands both contributing to transport, separated by a band gap of 20 meV. This model demonstrates to first order that a simple two-band model can explain the transition from n- to p-type behavior and the cause of the anomalous resistivity peak. Combined with the experimental data, the two-band model shows that carrier concentration variation is responsible for differences in behavior between samples. Using the twoband model, the thermoelectric performance at different doping levels is predicted, finding zT =0.2 and 0.1 for p and n type, respectively, at 300 K, and zT= 0.23 and 0.32 for p and n type at 600 K. Given the reasonably high zT that is comparable in magnitude for both n and p type, a thermoelectric device with a single compound used for both legs is feasible.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Approach to Low-Cost High-Efficiency OLED Lighting. Building Technologies Solid State Lighting (SSL) Program Final Report

This project developed an integrated substrate which organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel developers could employ the integrated substrate to fabricate OLED devices with performance and projected cost meeting the MYPP targets of the Solid State Lighting Program of the Department of Energy. The project optimized the composition and processing conditions of the integrated substrate for OLED light extraction efficiency and overall performance. The process was further developed for scale up to a low-cost process and fabrication of prototype samples. The encapsulation of flexible OLEDs based on this integrated substrate was also investigated using commercial flexible barrier films.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

MPEX AI Digital Twins

All magnetically confined plasma fusion power plant concepts (Tokamak, Spherical Tokamak, Stellarator, Mirror, ...) must exhaust the heat and plasma from the core confinement region to the material walls. The primary channel for this exhaust is through a plasma divertor which directs plasma along open magnetic field lines to a material target. The Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX) illustrated in Figure 1, is a high-power, steady-state linear plasma device designed to produce the plasma material interaction (PMI) conditions of the divertor of future magnetic confinement fusion power plants: energy flux 20MW/m 2 , ion fluence 1031/m 2 , pulse duration 106 sec. These goals of plasma exposure in MPEX are well beyond those achieved in magnetic fusion experimental devices. Successfully achieving these high power steady state conditions for long pulses requires operational control of the heating and particle sources and the plasma flux to the walls and target. The MPEX AI Hot Spot Controller, proposed in this project, will help achieve the operational milestones of MPEX. The MPEX device will begin commissioning at the end of FY26. A smaller proto-MPEX was operated for 14,666 plasma discharges and will resume operation in September of 2025 as proto-MPEX-lite, with reduced capability, to test a new window for the Helicon plasma source. The proto-MPEX data has undergone surrogate modeling with machine learning methods (R. Archibald, 2022 IEEE International Conference on Big Data). This proto-MPEX data will be used to begin development of the AI digital twins described in this white paper. The scientific mission of MPEX is to qualify materials of different composition for use in the high energy and plasma flux conditions of a fusion power plant. The materials exposed in MPEX will in some cases be exposed to high neutron fluxes at other ORNL facilities to measure the changes to their PMI properties. The targets exposed in MPEX will be transported under vacuum to a Surface Analysis Station (SAS). The SAS will be equipped with the following diagnostics: Focused Ion Beam (FIB) for trench milling, 100-400 angstrom resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM), surface mapping x-ray spectrometer, high resolution camera, and a future upgrade to a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy quadruple mass spectrometer (LIBS-QMS). The MPEX experiments will generate diverse pre- and post-exposure measurement data of detailed material properties down to the crystal grain level in 3D for post-exposure assessment of PMI damage (e.g. cracking, melting, erosion and redeposition of the material). Physics models for the PMI, and how the material composition and manufacturing impact its performance under high energy plasma exposure, need to be validated with MPEX data to guide the selection of new candidate materials. Our vision for the MPEX AI Digital Twins project is to supply experimental and physics model simulation data to train Artificial Intelligence (AI) models for data processing, analysis, operational control, PMI and materials simulation to maximize the scientific output of the MPEX device. Ultimately, an AI digital twin of MPEX material assessment metrics for tested and synthetic material types with simulated PMI will be trained by the AI Modeling Teams on the experimental and physics simulation data submitted to the American Science Cloud by this project. A purely empirical search for the best material is inefficient given the finite number of samples that can be tested on MPEX. In order to expand the material properties database for training the MPEX Material Assessment AI Digital Twin, and to gain physics understanding of the PMI processes, physics models of the material properties and PMI processes are required. The physics simulations provide detailed simulation data, like impact angles for plasma ions, sputtering yields, transport of the ionized sputtered target material in the plasma, and redeposition locations. This simulation data expands the measurement data for deeper physics understanding. The experimental data is essential to validate the PMI and material structure simulation models. The validated models can then be used to generate new simulation data of MPEX material assessments for synthetic material compositions that have not been exposed in MPEX. These predictive simulations, plus the whole experimental dataset, will be used to train the MPEX Material Assessment AI Digital Twin allowing a rapid generative AI search for new materials with reduced PMI damage by interpolating the domain of the training set. These new optimum materials can be simulated with the physics codes and/or tested in MPEX. The ability of AI neural networks to interpolate multi-dimensional parameter spaces and generate virtual data is exploited for a more efficient search for optimum materials. The advent of the Transformational AI Models Consortium (TAIMC) is an opportunity to engage with state of the art private and public AI developers to achieve the goals of the AI digital twins and AI accelerated physics models proposed in this project. Our partners at ORNL from the Advance Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) organization will collaborate in accelerating the integrated plasma material interaction simulation framework. This simulation framework will provide a platform for generating simulation data across a range of physical fidelities, including hybrid methods that produce multi-fidelity results. This data will be leveraged for AI model development, both for generation of surrogates and the automation of simulation campaigns. A part of the research below will include collaborative efforts with the TAIMC to (i) adapt data storage approaches to ensure AI-readiness, (ii) provide a protypical exemplar to inform and exercise constructed workflows, and (iii) generate and share data, using the TAIMC unified AI data standard, for foundational models that will be trained from multiple sources across the DOE complex. We will also collaborate with the TAIMC, as well as the planned AI modeling teams, to develop approaches for reducing the cost of data generation. These include tailored multi-fidelity approaches as well as fine-tuning strategies to augment general, large-scale foundational models.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Enhanced Photoluminescence and Prolonged Carrier Lifetime through Laser Radiation Hardening and Self-Healing in Aged MAPbBr3 Perovskites Encapsulated in NiO Nanotubes

Organic-inorganic perovskites hold great promise as optoelectronic semiconductors for pure color light emitting and photovoltaic devices. However, challenges persist regarding their photostability and chemical stability, which limit their extensive applications. This paper investigates the laser radiation hardening and self-healing-induced properties of aged MAPbBr3 perovskites encapsulated in NiO nanotubes (MAPbBr3@NiO) using photoluminescence (PL) and fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM). After deliberately subjecting the MAPbBr3@ NiO to atmospheric conditions for two years, the sample remains remarkably stable. It exhibits no changes in PL wavelength during UV laser irradiation and self-healing. Furthermore, exposure to UV light at 375 nm enhances the PL of the self-healed MAPbBr3@NiO. FLIM analysis sheds light on the mechanism behind photodegradation, self-healing, and PL enhancement. The results indicate the involvement of many carrier-trapping states with low lifetime events and an increase in peak lifetime after self-healing. The formation of trapping states at the perovskite/nanotube interface is discussed and tested. This study provides new insights into the dynamics of photo-carriers during photodegradation and self-healing in organic-inorganic perovskites.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Investigation of the spatial resolution of an online dose verification device

Purpose: The aim of this work is to characterize a new online dose verification device, COMPASS transmission detector array (IBA Dosimetry, Schwarzenbruck, Germany). The array is composed of 1600 cylindrical ionization chambers of 3.8 mm diameter, separated by 6.5 mm center-to-center spacing, in a 40 x 40 arrangement. Methods: The line spread function (LSF) of a single ion chamber in the detector was measured with a narrow slit collimator for a 6 MV photon beam. The 0.25 x 10 mm{sup 2} slit was formed by two machined lead blocks. The LSF was obtained by laterally translating the detector in 0.25 mm steps underneath the slit over a range of 24 mm and taking a measurement at each step. This measurement was validated with Monte Carlo simulation using BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc. The presampling modulation transfer function (MTF), the Fourier transform of the line spread function, was determined and compared to calculated (Monte Carlo and analytical) MTFs. Two head-and-neck intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) fields were measured using the device and were used to validate the LSF measurement. These fields were simulated with the BEAMnrc Monte Carlo model, and the Monte Carlo generated incident fluence was convolved with the 2D detector response function (derived from the measured LSF) to obtain calculated dose. The measured and calculated dose distributions were then quantitatively compared using {chi}-comparison criteria of 3% dose difference and 3 mm distance-to-agreement for in-field points (defined as those above the 10% maximum dose threshold). Results: The full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the measured detector response for a single chamber is 4.3 mm, which is comparable to the chamber diameter of 3.8 mm. The pre-sampling MTF was calculated, and the resolution of one chamber was estimated as 0.25 lp/mm from the first zero crossing. For both examined IMRT fields, the {chi}-comparison between measured and calculated data show good agreement with 95.1% and 96.3% of in-field points below {chi} of 1.0 for fields 1 and 2, respectively (with an average {chi} of 0.29 for IMRT field 1 and 0.24 for IMRT field 2). Conclusions: The LSF for a new novel online detector has been measured at 6 MV using a narrow slit technique, and this measurement has been validated by Monte Carlo simulation. The detector response function derived from line spread function has been applied to recover measured IMRT fields. The results have shown that the device measures IMRT fields accurately within acceptable tolerance.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Superconducting Performance, Structure, Microstructure, and Trapped Field of Top-Seeded Melt-Processed Bulk Y{sub 3}Ba{sub 5}Cu{sub 8}O{sub x}

The sintering temperature for the production of Y{sub 3}Ba{sub 5}Cu{sub 8}O{sub 18} (Y-358) preform powders synthesized in sol-gel spontaneous combustion technique was optimized. A large single-grain bulk Y-358 crystal was fabricated employing a top-seeded melt-growth technique utilizing the optimally sintered preform powders (i.e., at 900 {sup ∘}C for 12 h). Structural, microstructural, elemental, and magnetic properties were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and SQUID, respectively. The structural characterization indicated that the sample is highly textured in (00l) direction. The Y-358 phase fractions were estimated in both preform powders and bulk sample using Rietveld refinement. The onset of superconducting transition is observed at 92.5 K, and the curve is very sharp indicative of the high quality of the produced bulk sample. The field dependence of critical current density (J{sub c}) was determined at 77 K, and the self-field J{sub c} was found to be ∼26 kA/cm{sup 2}. A magnetic field of 0.27 T was trapped by the sample at 77 K.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗