Magneto-thermal phenomena in bulk high temperature superconductors subjected to applied AC magnetic fields

in Superconductor Science and Technology (2010), 23

In the present work we study, both theoretically and experimentally, the temperature increase in a bulk high temperature superconductor subjected to applied AC magnetic fields of large amplitude. We ... [more ▼]

In the present work we study, both theoretically and experimentally, the temperature increase in a bulk high temperature superconductor subjected to applied AC magnetic fields of large amplitude. We calculate analytically the equilibrium temperatures of the bulk sample as a function of the experimental parameters using a simple critical state model for an infinitely long type-II superconducting slab or cylinder. The results show the existence of a limit heat transfer coefficient (AUlim) separating two thermal regimes with different characteristics. The theoretical analysis predicts a ‘forbidden’ temperature window within which the temperature of the superconductor can never stabilize when the heat transfer coefficient is small. In addition, we determine analytical expressions for two threshold fields Htr1 and Htr2 characterizing the importance of magneto-thermal effects and show that a thermal runaway always occurs when the field amplitude is larger than Htr2. The theoretical predictions of the temperature evolution of the bulk sample during a self-heating process agree well with the experimental data. The simple analytical study presented in this paper enables order of magnitude thermal effects to be estimated for simple superconductor geometries under applied AC magnetic fields and can be used to predict the influence of experimental parameters on the self-heating characteristics of bulk type-II superconductors. [less ▲]

Measurements of thermal effects in a bulk YBCO single domain superconductor submitted to a variable magnetic field

in IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity (2007), 17(2, Part 3), 3036-3039

When YBCO single domains are subjected to a variable magnetic field, the motion of vortices may give rise to a significant temperature increase and a degradation of the superconducting properties. We have ... [more ▼]

When YBCO single domains are subjected to a variable magnetic field, the motion of vortices may give rise to a significant temperature increase and a degradation of the superconducting properties. We have experimentally investigated such effects in bulk melt-processed YBCO single domains. Several temperature sensors, a pick-up coil and two Hall probes were placed against the surface of a monolithic bulk YBCO pellet. Data were simultaneously recorded during the application of ac magnetic fields of various amplitudes, either with or without a pre-existing dc trapped flux. The measurement results agree well with to those obtained by numerical modeling. It was also found that a superimposed dc magnetic moment reduces the temperature increase caused by the ac magnetic field. (C) 2003 IEEE. [less ▲]

Investigation of DyBa2CU3O7-d superconducting domains grown by the infiltration technique starting with small size Dy-211 particles

in Superconductor Science and Technology (2005), 18(2 Sp. Iss. SI), 136-141

An infiltration and growth process is here used as an alternative to the classical top-seeded melt-textured growth process for the production of Dy-123 single-domains with finely dispersed small size Dy ... [more ▼]

An infiltration and growth process is here used as an alternative to the classical top-seeded melt-textured growth process for the production of Dy-123 single-domains with finely dispersed small size Dy-211 particles. The starting materials are the 211-particles and a barium and copper rich liquid phase precursor. The infiltration and growth process allows for controlling both the spatial and size distribution of the 211-particles in the final superconducting 123-single-domain. The main parameters (set-ups, maximum processing temperature with respect to the peritectic temperature, nature of reactant, porosity of the 211-preform) of the infiltration and growth process are discussed. Moreover, different processes of chimie douce are shown in order to produce Dy-211 particles with controlled shape and size, particles that can be used as precursors for the infiltration and growth process. [less ▲]