Sensitivity of REBCO Tapes and Thin Film to γ-Irradiation

Significant interest in high-temperature superconductor (HTS) RE Ba ₂ Cu ₃ O _{7– δ} ( RE BCO, RE = Y or Rare Earths) materials for space and nuclear applications is increasing in recent years, triggered by the commercial availability of RE BCO tapes. In both cases, the investigation of radiation effects on such tapes is mandatory. In this work, commercial RE BCO tapes from different suppliers were compared before and after ⁶⁰ Co gamma irradiation at 1.016 kGy absorbed dose, typical for space applications, carried out at the ENEA Calliope irradiation Facility. No significant effects on the T _c and I _c at 77 K self-field and I _c ( B ) at 4.2 K were observed. Similar null effects were reported for both epitaxial YBCO films on STO and LAO substrates reference samples irradiated to the same dose. This is a promising result for electronic devices and magnets operating in the environment of outer space. Gamma irradiation test at higher fusion-relevant doses will be performed in the next future.