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Limits to the critical current in Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox tape conductors: The parallel path model

Published

Author(s)

Daniel C. van der Laan, Justin Schwartz, Bennie ten Haken, M Dhalle, Hans J. van Eck

Abstract

An extensive overview of a model that describes current flow and dissipation in high-quality Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox superconducting tapes is provided. The parallel path model is based on a superconducting current running in two distinct parallel paths. One of the current paths is formed by grains that are connected at angles below 4{degrees}. Dissipation in this strongly-linked backbone occurs within the grains and is well described by classical flux-creep theory. The other current path, the weakly linked network, is formed by superconducting grains that are connected at intermediate angles (4{degrees}-8{degrees}) where dissipation occurs at the grain boundaries. However, grain boundary dissipation in this weakly linked current path does not occur through Josephson weak links, but just as in the strongly linked backbone, is well described by classical flux creep. The result of several experiments on Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu2Ox tapes and single-grained powders that strongly support the parallel path model are presented. The critical current density of Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox tapes can be scaled as a function of magnetic field angle over the temperature range from 15 K to 77 K. Expressions based on classical flux creep are introduced to describe the dependence of the critical current density of B2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox tapes on the magnetic field and temperature.
Citation
Physical Review B (Condensed Matter and Materials Physics)
Volume
77

Keywords

critical current, flux pinning, High-temperature superconductors, model

Citation

van, D. , Schwartz, J. , ten, B. , Dhalle, M. and van, H. (2008), Limits to the critical current in Bi<sub>2</sub>Sr<sub>2</sub>Ca<sub>2</sub>Cu<sub>3</sub>O<sub>x</sub> tape conductors: The parallel path model, Physical Review B (Condensed Matter and Materials Physics), [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=32778 (Accessed March 18, 2024)
Created March 17, 2008, Updated February 19, 2017