Critical current degradation in an epoxy-impregnated rare-earth Ba_(2)Cu_(3)O_(7-x)coated conductor caused by damage during a quench

High-temperature superconducting(HTS)rare-earth Ba_(2)Cu_(3)O_(7-x)(REBCO)coated conductors(CCs)have significant potential in high-current and high-field applications.However,owing to the weak interface strength of the laminated composite REBCO CCs,the damage induced by the thermal mismatch stress under a combination of epoxy impregnation,cooling,and quenching can cause premature degradation of the critical current.In this study,a three-dimensional(3D)electromagnetic-thermal-mechanical model based on the H-formulation and cohesive zone model(CZM)is developed to study the critical current degradation characteristics in an epoxy-impregnated REBCO CC caused by the damage during a quench.The temperature variation,critical current degradation of the REBCO CC,and its degradation onset temperature calculated by the numerical model are in agreement with the experimental data taken from the literature.The delamination of the REBCO CC predicted by the numerical model is consistent with the experimental result.The numerical results also indicate that the shear stress is the main contributor to the damage propagation inside the REBCO CC.The premature degradation of the critical current during a quench is closely related to the interface shear strength inside the REBCO CC.Finally,the effects of the coefficient of thermal expansion(CTE)of the epoxy resin,thickness of the substrate,and substrate material on the critical current degradation characteristics of the epoxy-impregnated REBCO CC during a quench are also discussed.These results help us understand the relationship between the current-carrying degradation and damage in the HTS applications.

Influence of the electrolyte conductivity on the critical current density and the breakdown voltage

The work investigates influence of the electrolyte conductivity on the onset of partial contact glow discharge electrolysis(CGDE)in a water electrolysis.Critical current density(CCD)and breakdown voltage were measured together with in situ observation of hydrogen bubble behavior,whose influence has not been focused on.For a fixed current during normal electrolysis,hydrogen coalescence adjacent to cathode surface was invigorated at a lower conductivity.Photographic analyses elucidated the hydrogen coalescence characteristics by quantifying size and population of detached hydrogen bubbles.The CCD increased about 104% within given range of conductivity(11.50-127.48 mS·cm^(-1))due to impaired bubble coalescence,which delays hydrogen film formation on the cathode.Meanwhile,decreasing trend of breakdown voltage was measured with increased conductivity showing maximum drop of 74%.It is concluded that onset of partial CGDE is directly affected by hydrodynamic bubble behaviors,whereas the electrolyte conductivity affects the bubble formation characteristics adjacent to cathode electrode.

Revealing the potential of apparent critical current density of Li/garnet interface with capacity perturbation strategy

Apparent critical current density(j_(Ac)^(a))of garnet all-solid-state lithium metal symmetric cells(ASSLSCs)is a fundamental parameter for designing all-solid-state lithium metal batteries.Nevertheless,how much the possible maximum apparent current density that a given ASSLSC system can endure and how to reveal this potential still require study.Herein,a capacity perturbation strategy aiming to better measure the possible maximum j_(Ac)^(a)is proposed for the first time.With garnet-based plane-surface structure ASSLSCs as an exemplification,the j_(Ac)^(a)is quite small when the capacity is dramatically large.Under a perturbed capacity of 0.001 mA h cm^(-2),the j_(Ac)^(a)is determined to be as high as 2.35 mA cm^(-2)at room temperature.This investigation demonstrates that the capacity perturbation strategy is a feasible strategy for measuring the possible maximum j_(Ac)^(a)of Li/solid electrolyte interface,and hopefully provides good references to explore the critical current density of other types of electrochemical systems.

How Does Stacking Pressure Affect the Performance of Solid Electrolytes and All-Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries?

All-solid-state lithium metal batteries(ASSLMBs)with solid electrolytes(SEs)have emerged as a promising alternative to liquid electrolyte-based Li-ion batteries due to their higher energy density and safety.However,since ASSLMBs lack the wetting properties of liquid electrolytes,they require stacking pressure to prevent contact loss between electrodes and SEs.Though previous studies showed that stacking pressure could impact certain performance aspects,a comprehensive investigation into the effects of stacking pressure has not been conducted.To address this gap,we utilized the Li_(6)PS_(5)Cl solid electrolyte as a reference and investigated the effects of stacking pressures on the performance of SEs and ASSLMBs.We also developed models to explain the underlying origin of these effects and predict battery performance,such as ionic conductivity and critical current density.Our results demonstrated that an appropriate stacking pressure is necessary to achieve optimal performance,and each step of applying pressure requires a specific pressure value.These findings can help explain discrepancies in the literature and provide guidance to establish standardized testing conditions and reporting benchmarks for ASSLMBs.Overall,this study contributes to the understanding of the impact of stacking pressure on the performance of ASSLMBs and highlights the importance of careful pressure optimization for optimal battery performance.

Terahertz high-sensitivity SIS mixer based on Nb–AlN–NbN hybrid superconducting tunnel junctions

The terahertz band,a unique segment of the electromagnetic spectrum,is crucial for observing the cold,dark universe and plays a pivotal role in cutting-edge scientific research,including the study of cosmic environments that support life and imaging black holes.High-sensitivity superconductor–insulator–superconductor(SIS)mixers are essential detectors for terahertz astronomical telescopes and interferometric arrays.Compared to the commonly used classical Nb/AlO_(x)/Nb superconducting tunnel junction,the Nb/AlN/NbN hybrid superconducting tunnel junction has a higher energy gap voltage and can achieve a higher critical current density.This makes it particularly promising for the development of ultra-wideband,high-sensitivity coherent detectors or mixers in various scientific research fields.In this paper,we present a superconducting SIS mixer based on Nb/AlN/NbN parallel-connected twin junctions(PCTJ),which has a bandwidth extending up to490 GHz–720 GHz.The best achieved double-sideband(DSB)noise temperature(sensitivity)is below three times the quantum noise level.

Selection of Fe as a barrier for manufacturing low-cost MgB2 multifilament wires-Advanced microscopy study between Fe and B reaction

The high cost of using the niobium(Nb)barrier for manufacturing magnesium diboride(MgB2)mono-and multi-filamentary wires for large-scale applications has become one of the barriers to replacing current commercial niobium-titanium superconductors.The potential of replacing the Nb barrier with a low-cost iron(Fe)barrier for multifilament MgB2 superconducting wires is investigated in this manuscript.Therefore,MgB2 wires with Fe barrier sintered with different temperatures are studied(from 650°C to 900°C for 1 h)to investigate the non-superconducting reaction phase of Fe-B.Their superconducting performance including engineering critical current density(Je)and n-value are tested at 4.2 K in various external magnetic fields.The best sample sintered at 650°C for 1 h has achieved a Je value of 3.64×10^(4) A cm^(−2) and an n-value of 61 in 2 T magnetic field due to the reduced formation of Fe2B,better grain connectivity and homogenous microstructure.For microstructural analysis,the focused ion beam(FIB)is utilised for the first time to acquire three-dimensional microstructures and elemental mappings of the interface between the Fe barrier and MgB2 core of different wires.The results have shown that if the sintering temperature can be controlled properly,the Je and n-value of the wire are still acceptable for magnet applications.The formation of Fe2B is identified along the edge of MgB2,as the temperature increases,the content of Fe2B also increases which causes the degradation in the performance of wires.

Degradation of critical current in Bi2212 composite wire under compression load

Since Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8＋x（Bi2212） wires are subject to mechanical loadings, degradation of critical current will occur. The effect of compressive loadings on the critical current of Bi2212 wire is studied by considering micro-buckling of filament. A Bi2212 wire is regarded as a unidirectional filament-reinforced composite in the theoretical analysis. By considering the influence of inclusion, the micro-buckling wavelength can be derived by using a two-dimensional model. Based on the experimental results, the critical current is fitted as a function of buckling wavelength. It is found that the decrease of the critical current is directly proportional to the reciprocal of square of the buckling wavelength. Change of micro-buckling wavelength with material parameters is discussed. A critical strain in the wire with a filament bridge is analyzed using the finite element method.

Distinction between critical current effects and intrinsic anomalies in the point-contact Andreev reflection spectra of unconventional superconductors

In this work,we discuss the origin of several anomalies present in the point-contact Andreev reflection spectra of（Li1-xFex）OHFeSe,LiTi2O4,and La2-xCexCuO4.While these features are similar to those stemming from intrinsic superconducting properties,such as Andreev reflection,electron-boson coupling,multigap superconductivity,d-wave and p-wave pairing symmetry,they cannot be accounted for by the modified Blonder–Tinkham–Klapwijk（BTK） model,but require to consider critical current effects arising from the junction geometry.Our results point to the importance of tracking the evolution of the dips and peaks in the differential conductance as a function of the bias voltage,in order to correctly deduce the properties of the superconducting state.

Effects of Cold Working and Annealing on the Microstructure and Critical Current Density of Ag-sheathed BiPbSrCaCuO Superconducting Tapes

Ag-sheathed BiPbSrCaO(2223)superconducting tapes prepared by the powder-in-tube technique were inVeSgated. The Mswt of M layCr and the Jc at 77 K are spengly dspendent on the amouDt of cold wotheg and annchg condition. The Jc bo by uhahal tw aha drawing and rolling. The OPbown annwtg theperawt, boe and coohag de tO madrihe Jc vaiueS were in the range 84()-- 850t, 1bo^2bo h and 50-- loot / h, nyhvejy. The mndum tuSPOrt Jt at 77 K under zero mopetic field was l.33 x l04 A / cm2.

Effects of Y211 phase contents on the critical current density J_c and microstructural analysis in YBCO bulk superconductors

YBCO bulk superconductors were prepared by the solid state reaction andtop-seed-melt-textured growth (TSMTG) process. By using the AC susceptibility measurement, thecritical transition temperature T_c of samples is 91.5 K for the highest value, and the transitionwidth ΔT_c is less than 1 K. The highest magnetization critical current densities J_c achieved 10~6A/cm^2 under 5 T at 10 K and 1.35X10^4 A/cm^2 under 2 T at 70 K (H//c), respectively. The resultscombining the SEM observation indicate that doping of Y211 particles is more effective in improvingthe growth quality of melt-textured YBCO superconductor and in reducing the micro-cracks ofspecimens. Doping of Y_2O_3 powder forms the rod-shaped Y211 particles, but doping of Y211 particlesdirectly to matrix materials forms the spherical Y211 particles mainly. Combining themicrostructures with J_c measurements shows that the interfaces are most important on flux bundlepinning, in which the gradient of free energy is larger than that of other place between the Y211particles and the Y123 matrix materials.

A new model analysis of the third harmonic voltage in inductive measurement for critical current density of superconducting films＊

The critical current density Jc is one of the most important parameters of high temperature superconducting films in superconducting applications, such as superconducting filter and superconducting Josephson devices. This paper presents a new model to describe inhomogeneous current distribution throughout the thickness of superconducting films applying magnetic field by solving the differential equation derived from Maxwell equation and the second London equation. Using this model, it accurately calculates the inductive third-harmonic voltage when the film applying magnetic field with the inductive measurement for Jc. The theoretic curve is consistent with the experimental results about measuring superconducting film, especially when the third-harmonic voltage just exceeds zero. The Jc value of superconducting films determined by the inductive method is also compared with results raeasured by four-probe transport method. The agreements between inductive method and transport method are very good.

Variance of Critical Current Density with Microstructure by a Special Process

A promising method —“powder in tube”technique was used to fabricate Ag-sheathed Bi-2223 superconductive tapes with high critical current density.After a combination processing of pressing and subsequent heat treatment,we obtained tapes with high degree of texture,good compaction and uniform properties.At 77 K in zero field,J_C was higher than 1×10~4 A/cm^2 while the highest J_C was 1.69×10~4 A/cm^2.SEM and XRD was used to detect the tapes texture,and the relationship be- tween J_C and the degree of texture is discussed.In addition,the reason for obstacling the improvement of J_C is also investigated.

Pair-Breaking Critical Current Density of Two-Band Superconductor MgB2

Temperature dependence of tbe pair-breaking critical current density of MgB2, jd（T）, is studied using a two-band Ginzburg-Landau theory. The results are shown to be in good agreement with experimental data for the superconducting magnesium diboride MgB2.

A Modified Lattice Model of the Reversible Effect of Axial Strain on the Critical Current of Polycrystalline REBa2Cu3O7-δ Films

The strain effect on the critical current is one of the most important properties for polycrystalline YBa2 Cu3O7-δ （REBCO, RE： rare earth） films, in which the reversible effect is intrinsic in the range of strain 0 and the irreversible strain εirr. By introducing the applied strain, a modified grain boundaries （GBs） in the REBCO film is developed. lattice model combining the strain and misorientation of A good agreement of the calculation on the lattice model with the experimental data shows that the lattice model is able to well describe the reversible effect of axial strain on the critical current of the REBCO film, and provides a good understanding of the mechanism of the reversible effect of the strain. Moreover, the effects of the crystallographic texture of the REBCO film and the residual strain εr on the variation of the critical current with the applied strain are extensively investigated. Furthermore by using the developed lattice model, the irreversible strain εirr of the REBCO film can be theoretically determined by comparing the calculation of the critical current-strain curve with the experimental data.

An Inquiry into Two Intriguing Values of the Critical Current Density of Bi-2212

The empirically reported values of the critical current density (jc) of Bi-2212 as 2.4 × 105 (jc1;Sample 1) and 1.0 × 106 A/cm2 (jc2;Sample 2) are intriguing because both of them correspond to the same values of the temperature T = 4.2 K and the applied magnetic field H = 12 × 104 G. This difference is conventionally attributed to such factors—not all of which are quantifiable—as the geometry, dimensions and the nature of dopants and the manners of preparation of the samples which cause their granular structures, grain boundaries, alignment of the grains and so on to differ. Based on the premise that the chemical potential μ subsumes most of these features, given herein is a novel explanation of the said results in terms of the values of μ of the two samples. This paper revisits the problem that was originally addressed in [Malik G.P., Varma V.S. (2020) WJCMP, 10, 53-70] in the more accurate framework of a subsequent paper [Malik G.P., Varma V.S. (2021) JSNM, 34, 1551-1561]. Besides, it distinguishes between the contributions of the electro-electron (e-e) and the hole-hole (h-h) pairs to jc—a feature to which no heed was paid earlier. The essence of our findings is that the jcs of the two samples differ because they are characterized by different values of the primary variables μi and , where is the effective mass of a charge-carrier and me is the free-electron mass and i = 1 and 2 denote Sample 1 and Sample 2, respectively. In the scenario of the charge-carriers being predominantly h-h pairs, the values of these parameters are estimated to be: μ1 ≈ 12.3 meV, η1 ≈ 0.58;μ2 ≈ 22.7 meV, η2 ≈ 0.94. Following from these and similar estimates when the charge-carriers are e-e pairs, given below for each sample are the detailed results for the values of the secondary variables viz. the number density of the charge-carriers and their critical velocity, the number of occupied Landau levels and the magnetic interaction parameter.

Algorithms for automatic measurement of SIS-type hysteretic underdamped Josephson junction’s parameters by current-voltage characteristics

Some electrical parameters of the SIS-type hysteretic underdamped Josephson junction(JJ)can be measured by its current-voltage characteristics(IVCs).Currents and voltages at JJ are commensurate with the intrinsic noise level of measuring instruments.This leads to the need for multiple measurements with subsequent statistical processing.In this paper,the digital algorithms are proposed for the automatic measurement of the JJ parameters by IVC.These algorithms make it possible to implement multiple measurements and check these JJ parameters in an automatic mode with the required accuracy.The complete sufficient statistics are used to minimize the root-mean-square error of parameter measurement.A sequence of current pulses with slow rising and falling edges is used to drive JJ,and synchronous current and voltage readings at JJ are used to realize measurement algorithms.The algorithm performance is estimated through computer simulations.The significant advantage of the proposed algorithms is the independence from current source noise and intrinsic noise of current and voltage meters,as well as the simple implementation in automatic digital measuring systems.The proposed algorithms can be used to control JJ parameters during mass production of superconducting integrated circuits,which will improve the production efficiency and product quality.

High critical current density in Li_(6.4)La_(3)Zr_(1.4)Ta_(0.6)O_(12) electrolyte via interfacial engineering with complex hydride

Garnet-type solid-state batteries(SSBs)are considered to be one of the most promising candidates to realize next-generation lithium metal batteries with high energy density and safety.However,the dendrite-induced short-circuit and the poor interfacial contact impeded the practical application.Herein,interface engineering to achieve low interfacial resistance without high temperature calcination was developed,which Li_(6.4)La_(3)Zr_(1.4)Ta_(0.6)O_(12)(LLZTO)was simply coated with complex hydride(Li_(4)(BH_(4))_(3)I(3L1L))in various mass ratios n(Li_(4)(BH_(4))_(3)I)-(100−n)LLZTO(10≤n≤40).The interfacial conductivity increases by more than three orders of magnitude from 8.29×10^(−6)S·cm^(−1)to 1.10×10^(−2)S·cm^(−1).Symmetric Li cells exhibit a high critical current density(CCD)of 4.0 mA·cm^(−2) and an excellent cycling stability for 200 h at 4.0 mA·cm^(−2).SSBs with polymeric sulfur-polyacrylonitrile(SPAN)cathode achieve a high discharge capacity of 1149 mAh·g^(−1) with a capacity retention of 91%after 100 cycles(0.2 C).This attempt guides a simple yet efficient strategy for obtaining a stable Li/LLZTO interface,which would promote the development of solid-state batteries.

40-meter-long REBCO tapes with critical current over 4,000 A/12 mm at 4.2 K and 13 T by advanced MOCVD

REBa_(2)Cu_(3)O_(7−δ)(REBCO,RE=rare earth)tapes doped with 5%and 15%Zr have been scaled up to lengths more than 40 m in a pilot‐scale advanced metal organic chemical vapor deposition(A‐MOCVD)tool.The precursor compositions used for the long tapes were guided by a study of the influence of(Ba+dopant)/Cu content on the critical current density(Jc)of 5 and 15 mol.%Hf‐and Zr‐added tapes at 4.2 K and 13 T.The 40‐mlong tapes exhibited a critical current(Ic)over 4,000 A/12 mm at 4.2 K and 13 T as well as over 1,400 A/12 mm at 20 K and 20 T.The critical current densities of a 40‐m‐long tape doped with 5%Zr at 4.2 K measured at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory(NHMFL)were>10 MAcm^(−2)and>5 MAcm^(−2)at 14 T and 30 T,respectively,which are over three times those of commercial REBCO tapes.The infield Jc of 5%Zradded 40‐m‐long tapes was similar to those of previously‐reported high‐performance short samples made with 15%Zr or Hf.These results demonstrate the excellent potential of A‐MOCVD for manufacturing high Ic REBCO tapes for use in ultrahigh‐field magnet applications.

High Temperature Superconductivity in the Past Twenty Years Part 2——Towards to Practical Applications

After discovering high temperature superconducting materials 20 years ago, the preparation of applicable HTS materials has been pursued along with HTS mechanism and characteristic study. At present, the focus on the applied HTS technology has been moving to the industrial preparations from the laboratory research stage, and the technology has been well verified for practical applications from small to large scales. The fabrication techniques of engineering HTS materials are being industrialized; and various HTS devices are also on the way towards practical applications. This paper provides a comprehensive summary on the applied high temperature superconductivity with regard to various applicable HTS materials, their preparation techniques and charac- terization, and applications in a wide range.

High T_c Superconducting Materials for Strong Current Applications:Approach at the First Stage

Strong current and large-scale application is the most important prospect of high Te superconductors （HTS）. Practical HTS samples in various forms have been produced with high critical currents operated at economic cryogenic temperatures. Engineering applications of those HTS materials have been studied with various HTS prototype devices. The applicable HTS materials produced in different forms are verified in this paper with regard to their strong current characterizations, and the HTS applications are summarized along with the HTS prototypes made.