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Modelling of bulk superconductor magnetization


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Authors

Ainslie, MD 
Fujishiro, H 

Abstract

This paper presents a topical review of the current state of the art in modelling the magnetization of bulk superconductors, including both (RE)BCO (where RE = rare earth or Y) and MgB2 materials. Such modelling is a powerful tool to understand the physical mechanisms of their magnetization, to assist in interpretation of experimental results, and to predict the performance of practical bulk superconductor-based devices, which is particularly important as many superconducting applications head towards the commercialisation stage of their development in the coming years. In addition to the analytical and numerical techniques currently used by researchers for modelling such materials, the commonly used practical techniques to magnetize bulk superconductors are summarised with a particular focus on pulsed field magnetization (PFM), which is promising as a compact, mobile and relatively inexpensive magnetizing technique. A number of numerical models developed to analyse the issues related to PFM and optimise the technique are described in detail, including understanding the dynamics of the magnetic flux penetration and the influence of material inhomogeneities, thermal properties, pulse duration, magnitude and shape, and the shape of the magnetization coil(s). The effect of externally applied magnetic fields in different configurations on the attenuation of the trapped field is also discussed. A number of novel and hybrid bulk superconductor structures are described, including improved thermal conductivity structures and ferromagnet-superconductor structures, which have been designed to overcome some of the issues related to bulk superconductors and their magnetization and enhance the intrinsic properties of bulk superconductors acting as trapped field magnets (TFMs). Finally, the use of hollow bulk cylinders/tubes for shielding is analysed.

Description

Keywords

numerical modelling, bulk superconductors, (RE)BCO, MgB2, bulk superconductor magnetization, pulsed field magnetization, trapped field magnets

Journal Title

Superconductor Science and Technology

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0953-2048
1361-6668

Volume Title

28

Publisher

IOP Publishing
Sponsorship
Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) (10216/113)
Royal Society (IE131084)
Dr Mark Ainslie would like to acknowledge the support of a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship. Prof. Hiroyuki Fujishiro would also like to acknowledge support in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. This research was also supported in part by a Royal Society International Exchanges Scheme grant, IE131084.