The effect of holmium (HO) doping on YBCO (358) superconducting materials on radiation attenuation parameters on hysteresis curves

In this thesis, Holmium (Ho)-doped YBCO (358) high-temperature superconducting ceramics were investigated in terms of magnetic-field–induced energy losses and photon interaction parameters. Pure YBCO (358), partially Ho-doped YBCO (358), and fully Ho-doped YBCO (358) samples were compared to determine how dopant concentration affects energy transfer and loss mechanisms. Magnetic behaviour was analysed using Magnetization – Magnetic Field (M–H) measurements under zero DC magnetic field conditions. The energy loss per cycle was quantified by numerically integrating the area enclosed by each M–H hysteresis loop in MATLAB. The results showed that Ho doping significantly alters the hysteresis characteristics and the associated magnetic energy losses. Radiation interaction parameters were evaluated computationally without irradiating the samples. XCOM and EGS4 based calculations were used to obtain mass and linear attenuation coefficients and derived quantities including half-value layer, mean free path, radiation protection efficiency, effective atomic number, and kerma coefficients over a wide photon energy range. The calculations indicate that Ho addition influences radiation attenuation and energy transfer primarily through changes in atomic composition and density. Although a direct causal link between magnetic losses and radiation parameters was not established, both sets of properties are governed by the same compositional and structural features. Notably, the partially Ho doped sample exhibited a balanced performance in both magnetic and radiation-related metrics, suggesting potential relevance for energy systems and radiation exposed applications.