Irradiation effects on High Temperature Superconducting films

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) films are key for future energy technologies, with outstanding relevance in compact fusion reactors, but their performance remains highly sensitive to irradiation-induced damage. This project will unravel how different irradiation environments—high-energy electrons, protons, alpha particles, gamma rays or neutrons—affect the structural, electronic, and superconducting properties of HTS films. Through collaborations with CIEMAT, ALBA, University of Torino and Technical Univ of Vienna, representative samples will be systematically exposed to controlled irradiation conditions.

The films investigated will be REBa₂Cu₃O₇₋ₓ (RE = Y, Rare Earth) thin films, grown by the novel Transient Liquid Assisted Growth (TLAG) process developed at ICMAB. This scalable method is compatible with nanocomposite architectures and coated conductor technology, providing high microstructure tunability and high-performance materials ideally suited for defect engineering studies.

Material evolution will be monitored by XRD, SEM, TEM, Raman spectroscopy, superconducting property mapping (Tc, critical current, coherence length, penetration depth) and charge carrier density in the normal state. A key objective is to disentangle the impact of extended cluster defects, which may enhance pinning, from that of mobile oxygen disorder, which degrades superconductivity. Strategies to mitigate or heal oxygen-related damage will be a primordial objective.

To maximize insight into irradiation dynamics, in-situ probes such as resistivity monitoring will be implemented, complemented by advanced TEM (iDPC, ptychography) and collaborations with the University of Linköping for molecular dynamics simulations. By combining irradiation protocols, multi-scale characterization, and defect-engineering approaches, this project will clarify how irradiation shapes HTS film performance. The results will advance the physics of defect–superconductivity interplay and provide guidelines for resilient superconducting magnets for compact fusion reactors.

The position requires:

• Bachelor and master in physics, material science, nanoscience or related fields.
• Good knowledge in Condensed Matter Physics.
• A high level of English. All working meetings are held in English.
• High motivation to experimental research.
• Working aptitudes in a collaborative group.

Experience and knowledge on superconductivity, superconducting materials will be valuable

The candidate will join the Superconducting Materials Group, an international and interdisciplinary team with over 25 years’ expertise in High Temperature Superconductors (HTS). Superconductivity, a macroscopic quantum phenomenon from electron pairing (Cooper pairs), enables lossless current transport with broad applications. Since the discovery of cuprates, HTS coated conductors (CCs) have been developed for high-current, energy-efficient uses: power cables, wind generators, electrical aviation, compact fusion, colliders, or NMR beyond 1 GHz. Fusion is now a main driver of this expanding technology. Yet, device integration requires CC customization to meet electromagnetic, thermal, or mechanical demands. SUMAN has long advanced this goal through industrial collaborations, a strategy continued in emerging superconducting energy technologies and High Energy Physics (circular accelerators, axion cavities, muon colliders). Research focuses on CC growth and physics under device conditions vision and their tailored implementation with international partners

ICMAB Institute offers excellent conditions for PhD students, including:

• A creative, world-class interdisciplinary research environment for fundamental and applied science 
• State-of-the-art infrastructure for the preparation and characterization of structured materials.
• A highly regarded scientific education
• A strong international science network.