Abstract
Superconducting samples of type Y3-xNdx Ba5-xCaxCu8O18-delta , with 0.00 a parts per thousand currency signxa parts per thousand currency sign 0.40, were prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction technique. The phase formation percentage, lattice parameters and orthorhombic distortion were calculated using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) data. The surface morphology for these samples was examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM). All elemental contents for Y3-xNdxBa5-xCaxCu8O18-delta phase 0.00 a parts per thousand currency signxa parts per thousand currency sign 0.40, were estimated from the particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), and the results are in good agreement with the nominal elemental content. In addition, the oxygen content was determined using elastic Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) technique at MeV proton beam. The electrical resistivity and transport critical current density, for all investigated samples, were measured by standard DC four-probe method. The superconducting transition temperature T (c) and the transport critical current density J (c) decreased by increasing the substitution content, and this suppression was discussed according to different reasons.