Düzgün, İbrahim; Kaya, Selim; Gül, Osman

This study reports on the structural characterization, radiation shielding assessment, and magnetic-field response of holmium-substituted Y3-xHoxBa5Cu8O18+δ superconducting ceramics synthesized by the conventional solid-state reaction route. X-ray diffraction measurements on five compositions (x = 0, 0.75, 1.5, 2.25, 3) supported the formation of a dominant orthorhombic Y358-type matrix across the substitution range. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed a progressive microstructural evolution with increasing Ho content, including SEM–BEC/EDS-detectable Ho-rich inclusions consistent with Ho2BaCuO5-type secondary particles at higher substitution levels. XCOM-based mass attenuation coefficients, half-value layer, mean free path, effective atomic number, radiation protection efficiency, gamma-ray kerma coefficients, and fast-neutron removal cross-sections were calculated for all five compositions over 50–2000 keV. EGS4 Monte Carlo simulations independently verified the XCOM results for three representative compositions (x = 0, 1.5, and 3). Ho-containing specimens exhibited a significant enhancement in photon absorption near 60 keV, associated with the increased photoelectric contribution of holmium in the vicinity of its K-absorption edge. Among the full five-composition series, the x = 2.25 specimen (ρ = 5.531 g cm−3) exhibited the best calculated shielding performance across the full energy range, owing to its highest bulk density combined with substantial Ho incorporation. The x = 1.5 specimen provided the most balanced calculated radiation-attenuation and hysteretic magnetic response among the three representative compositions examined by EGS4 and M–H measurements at 20 K, retaining approximately 93% of the reference M–H hysteresis area while full substitution reduces it by roughly 67%. These findings establish a multi-parametric reference dataset for Ho-substituted Y358 ceramics and demonstrate the promise of rare-earth-engineered superconducting ceramics as multifunctional materials in radiation-intensive environments.

Düzgün, İbrahim; Çelik, Necati; Kaya, Selim

The increasing use of ionizing radiation in medical, industrial, and nuclear applications necessitates the development of advanced and environmentally friendly shielding materials. In this study, the gamma-ray shielding performance of BaO-modified magnesium borophosphate glasses with compositions xBaO–30MgO–10P2O5–(50−x)B2O3–10Na2O (x = 0–35 mol%) was theoretically investigated. The radiation attenuation properties were evaluated over a wide photon energy range (59.54–2000 keV) using the WinXCOM database and Monte Carlo simulations based on the EGS4 code. Key shielding parameters, including mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ), half-value layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP), effective atomic number (Zeff), radiation protection efficiency (RPE), and gamma-ray kerma coefficients, were determined. The results indicate that increasing BaO content enhances the attenuation capability of the glass system, particularly in the low and medium photon energy regions, due to increased density and effective atomic number. A good agreement between WinXCOM and EGS4 results confirms the reliability of the applied theoretical approaches. These findings suggest that BaO-modified magnesium borophosphate glasses are promising candidates for radiation shielding applications.

Düzgün, İbrahim; Çelebi, Selahattin

In this study, the remanent magnetization and magnetic relaxation behaviour of Bi-2223/Ag superconducting tapes fabricated using the Powder-In-Tube (PIT) method were investigated. Measurements were conducted at a fixed temperature of 30 K, both under various field cycling amplitudes and in constant magnetic field conditions to analyse time-dependent magnetization. The remanent magnetization values obtained after full magnetic cycles were normalized and compared with theoretical predictions based on the extended critical state model. Additionally, magnetic relaxation curves were recorded at 30 K to evaluate flux creep characteristics. A clear logarithmic decay in magnetization was observed, indicating the coexistence of at least two distinct pinning regimes. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of flux dynamics and magnetic stability in Bi-2223/Ag PIT tapes for practical superconducting applications.

Düzgün, İbrahim

The original version of this article contained a mistake. Thus this erratum is presented to fix this error. The section “Funding” should read as follows: This study was funded by the Grant-in-Aid for Gümüşhane University Research Fund (GÜBAP), from the Gümüşhane University (Project Number: 13.F5120.02.1).

Düzgün, İbrahim

Y123 and Y358 high-temperature superconductor phases have experimental mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) determined at 46.5, 81, 122, 302, 356, 383, 662, 1173, and 1332 keV photon energies. The experimental values have been compared with theoretical values acquired employing the XCOM software and database. It has been observed that the theoretical and the empirical results were in perfect agreement. Also, it has been seen that the comparison of the MACs for all specimens examined with the corresponding photon energies complies with the exponential absorption law. The effective atomic numbers (Zeff) and electron densities (Nel) of Y123 and Y358 superconducting phases in different energy ranges have determined experimentally and theoretically. The Y358 superconductor specimen is a relatively better absorber than the Y123 between 40 and 100 keV.

Öztürk, Ali; Düzgün, İbrahim; Başoğlu, Mehmet; Çelebi, Selahattin

Partial Re (rare earth elements: Lu, Yb and Dy) substituted YBaCuO (123) superconductors synthesized by solid-state reaction (SSR) procedure have been investigated via x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, a.c. magnetic susceptibility, and d.c. magnetization, and calculations. The measurements of a.c. magnetic susceptibility have been carried out at constant a.c. field amplitude and constant frequency for the samples studied. The temperature dependence of intergranular critical current density (Jcm) has been estimated from the a.c. magnetic susceptibility data. The d.c. magnetization measurements were performed at the temperatures of 5 K, 20 K, and 77 K separately. The variation of critical current density (Jc) with magnetic field (μ0H) has been evaluated from the d.c. magnetization data by using upper and lower branch of the major hysteresis curve. Lu substituted Y0.5Lu0.5BCO (123) sample shows higher critical current density than Yb and Dy substituted samples at low-temperature (lower than 77 K) regions.

Öztürk, Ali; Doğan, Mustafa; Düzgün, İbrahim; Çelebi, Selahattin

The effect of dysprosium (Dy) doping on yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method has been investigated by means of XRD, AC susceptibility, and DC magnetization measurements. AC susceptibility measurements for sintered YBCO pellets have been performed as a function of temperatures at constant frequency and AC field amplitude in the absence of a DC bias field. DC magnetization measurements were done at 5, 20, and 77 K upon zero field cooling (ZFC) process. The magnetization measurements showed a paramagnetic behavior existing at high magnetic fields. The magnetic field dependence of critical current density of the samples has been estimated from DC magnetization data. The partial Dy substitution for Y on YBCO superconductors improves the bulk critical current density at high magnetic fields and at high-temperature regions (higher than 20 K).