Lattice defects and flux pinning in crystallized metal-oxide glasses in the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system

Abstract
Large amounts of lattice defects have been observed in the crystallized metal-oxide glasses in the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system prepared by the rapid solidification method. The density of such defects has been found to greatly increase as the calcium and copper content of the starting material increases. These lattice defects are formed as a result of supersaturation of calcium and copper in the sample matrix. The intragrain critical current density has been found to increase 30 times in magnitude as the density of the lattice defects is increased in the sample matrix. The corresponding flux pinning mechanisms are discussed.