CHANGE OF PHASE COHERENCE IN PROTON-IRRADIATED (BI,PB)-2223 SUPERCONDUCTORS

We have irradiated (Bi, Pb)-2 2 2 3 superconductors by 15 MeV protons with various doses. The critical exponent and excess conductivity have been evaluated in the paracoherence region with the help of the resis tivity data for the unirradiated and irradiated superconductors. The n ormalised Josephson coupling energies J(ij) have been evaluated by usi ng excess conductivity and critical exponent gamma. The destruction of phase coherence between the superconducting grains have been describe d in terms of the normalised Josephson coupling energy. The suppressio n of normalised J(ij) associated with the destruction of phase coheren ce have been analysed in the terms of the change of T-c and the grain volumes. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.