Ion-implantation-induced structural modifications in Y1Ba2Cu3O7-δ superconductor

Ion-implantation-induced structural modifications in Y1Ba2Cu3O70α superconductor are examined by a grazing angle X-ray diffraction technique. By employing a range of grazing angles from 0.30 to 100 it is shown that 100 KeV Ar+ implantation of the superconductor leads to amorphization as well as modification of grain size and orientation at dose values lower than 1016 ions/cm2. at the dose of 5 x 1016 ions/cm2 the X-ray diffraction intensity is a factor of 6 less as compared to the original pellet, though the lines themselves are sharp. This shows coexistence of perovskite grains and amorphous matrix. (author)