EFFECTS INDUCED BY ELECTRON-BEAM IRRADIATION ON THE PROPERTIES OF Y1BA2CU3O7-X BIEPITAXIAL JOSEPHSON-JUNCTIONS

The properties of the Y1Ba2Cu3O7-x biepitaxial Josephson junctions a e re reproducibly modified by a focused electron beam irradiation of the interface region. The original structures are based on 45 degrees a-a xis tilt rain boundaries The junction parameters can be controllably a djusted by applying an appropriate irradiation dose Electron irradiati on reduced the critical current of the junctions and increased the nor mal stare specific resistivity. The disappearance of the excess curren t and the shift of the voltage position of the Fiske steps were also o bserved Isothermal annealing partly restores the original junction pro perties Some aspects of the nature of the grain boundary barriers can be better understood from the study of the properties of irradiated ju nctions.