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Advantages of multi-seeded (RE)-Ba-Cu-O superconductors for magnetic levitation applications

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Abstract

Large, single grain (RE)Ba2Cu3O7 (where RE is a rare-earth element or yttrium) high temperature superconductors (HTS) are technologically important materials due to their ability to trap large magnetic fields and to provide stable magnetic levitation for a number of potential high field applications. The fabrication of samples in the form of large singe grain is a challenge, however, due to the characteristic slow growth rate of these materials and the need to produce samples that are electrically well-connected in order to generate trapped magnetic fields that are significantly greater than those produced by conventional permanent magnets (PM). In this work, we investigate whether large, single grain samples are optimum for the generation of high levitation forces for engineering applications. Three large bar-shaped Y-Ba-Cu-O (YBCO) samples of dimensions 60 x 20 x 12 mm3 were prepared for this investigation, including one single-seeded, one multi-seeded and one consisting of three square samples packed together closely in an array. The processing of these samples is described and their trapped field and levitation performance at 77 K measured using different permanent magnet arrays. We find that the multi-seeded samples and those assembled from smaller, individual bulks are able to achieve a higher levitation force than an equivalent single seed sample arrangement, at least in some geometries. This result is significant in that it suggests clearly that it is not always necessary to fabricate bulk (RE)BCO superconductors in the form of very large single grains for levitation applications, although the specific configuration of the system does need to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Description

Keywords

levitation, multi-seeding, single grain, magnetisation, close packed

Journal Title

Superconductor Science and Technology

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0953-2048
1361-6668

Volume Title

31

Publisher

IOP Publishing
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/P00962X/1)
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