SmFeAsO Superconductor with Preferred Crystallographic Orientation and Enhanced Critical Current Density

The effect of combined substitution of Sm3+ and O2− with Ca2+ and F−, respectively, on the structural and superconducting properties of SmFeAsO system is investigated. It is observed that the binary doping using CaF2 causes considerable structural as well as microstructural changes wherein the preferred orientation of (00 l) planes and enhancement of grain size are quite interesting. Moreover, a maximum TC of 53.8 K and a transport JC of 880 A/cm2 (12 K) are achieved in the codoped samples. The achievement of preferred orientation, enhanced TC, and the subsequent increase in JC of the modified SmFeAsO system are particularly significant for high current conductor development.