Radiation-Induced Damage in YBCO Superconductors: Comparative Study of Different Irradiation Sources

This proposal aims to investigate radiation damage in high-temperature superconductors (HTS) YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) under fusion reactor-relevant conditions. We will collect X-ray absorption (XAS) and X-ray emission (XES) spectra from bulk, single-crystal, and thin-film YBCO samples before and after irradiation with neutrons, ions, electrons, and X-rays. This will allow comparison of damage induced by different radiation sources. Quantum mechanical calculations will interpret the results, focusing on radiation effects on YBCO's local and electronic structures. The findings will offer insights into improving YBCO's performance and reliability in harsh radiation environments.