Distribution of the superconducting critical current density within a Gd–Ba–Cu–O single grain

Abstract: The magnitude of the maximum trapped magnetic field in a bulk, single-grain superconductor is a key performance figure of merit. This is determined, generally, by the magnitude of the critical current density, Jc, and the length scale over which it flows. As with all type-II superconductors, Jc is related closely to the microstructure of the superconducting material and, in the case of RE–Ba–Cu–O [(RE)BCO, where RE is a rare-earth element or yttrium] single grains, RE2BaCuO5 (RE-211) inclusions in the superconducting REBa2Cu3O7−δ (RE-123) phase matrix are key microstructural features that act effectively as flux pinning centres. Although the distribution of RE-211 in single-grain bulk superconductors has been studied extensively, the variation of Jc within a given sample has been much investigated much less thoroughly. A detailed experimental understanding of the variation of Jc in these technologically important materials, therefore, is required given the growing popularity and significance of numerical techniques for modelling the behaviour of type-II bulk superconductors. Here we report a systematic investigation of the correlation between Gd-211 particle density and sample porosity, which are microstructural features, and Tc and Jc in a Gd–Ba–Cu–O bulk, single grain fabricated using a buffer layer and a supply of additional liquid phase. This was performed by cutting the sample into numerous sub-specimens of approximate dimensions 1.8 × 2.8 × 1.5 mm3. We observe that Jc decreases with distance from the seed, although more strongly with distance along the c-axis than along the a–b plane. In contrast to what might be expected given the assumed contribution of RE-211 inclusions to flux pinning, we find no evidence of a clear correlation between the local RE-211 precipitate density and local critical current on a length scale of mm. We observe that the porosity of the sample is a more dominant factor in determining the distribution of Jc within a single grain

Flux jumps in ring-shaped and assembled bulk superconductors during pulsed field magnetization

Abstract: Bulk (RE)BCO, where RE is a rare-earth element or yttrium, superconductors fabricated in the form of rings are potentially useful for a variety of solenoidal-type applications, such as small, high field nuclear magnetic resonance and electromagnetic undulators. It is anticipated that the practical exploitation of these technologically important materials will involve pulse field magnetization (PFM) and, consequently, it is important to understand the behavior of ring-shaped samples subjected to the PFM process. Macroscopic flux jumps were observed in PFM experiments on ring-shaped bulk samples when the peak applied field reaches a threshold magnitude, similar to behavior reported previously in cylindrical samples. Magnetic flux jumps inward when the thermal instability is triggered, however it subsequently flows outwards from the sample, resulting in a relatively low trapped field. This behavior is attributed to a variety of effects, including the inhomogeneity of the material, which may lead to the formation of localized hot spots during the PFM process. In order to further elucidate this phenomena, the properties of a structure consisting of a bulk superconducting ring with a cylindrical superconductor core were studied. We observe that, although a flux jump occurs consistently in the ring, a critical state is established at the boundary of the ring-shaped sample and the core. We provide a detailed account of these experimental observations and provide an explanation in terms of the current understanding of the PFM process

The growth and superconducting properties of RE–Ba–Cu–O single grains with combined RE elements (RE = Gd and Y)

Abstract: The superconducting properties, melting temperatures and crystal growth rates of single grain, RE–Ba–Cu–O [(RE)BCO] bulk superconductors (where RE = a rare earth element or yttrium) decrease with the RE-element sequence of Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy and Y. The mechanical properties of these technologically important materials, on the other hand, however, improve in the same sequence. Consequently, one promising approach for optimising the balance between mechanical and superconducting properties of bulk (RE)BCO superconductors, or for adjusting growth rate, is the use of combinations of different rare earth elements. In this study, we explore combinations of Gd and Y in the formation of (Gd–Y)–Ba–Cu–O single grains. We describe the optimisation of the growth process for this multi-RE element system and use optical and scanning electron microscopy to study the microstructure of both non-superconducting (Gd–Y)2BaCuO5 [(Y–Gd)-211] phase inclusions and the (Y–Gd)Ba2Cu3O7-δ [(Y–Gd)-123] phase matrix itself. We demonstrate that (Gd–Y)–Ba–Cu–O single grains can be fabricated reliably and that they exhibit reasonably good superconducting properties. We observe that there is an increase in RE-211 particle size in this mixed rare earth system, which, ultimately, limits sample performance, and conclude that this may be a general disadvantage of this approach to the synthesis of single grains for high field engineering applications

A Trapped Field of 17.6 T in Melt-Processed, Bulk Gd-Ba-Cu-O Reinforced with Shrink-Fit Steel

The ability of large grain, REBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7-\delta}$ [(RE)BCO; RE = rare earth] bulk superconductors to trap magnetic field is determined by their critical current. With high trapped fields, however, bulk samples are subject to a relatively large Lorentz force, and their performance is limited primarily by their tensile strength. Consequently, sample reinforcement is the key to performance improvement in these technologically important materials. In this work, we report a trapped field of 17.6 T, the largest reported to date, in a stack of two, silver-doped GdBCO superconducting bulk samples, each of diameter 25 mm, fabricated by top-seeded melt growth (TSMG) and reinforced with shrink-fit stainless steel. This sample preparation technique has the advantage of being relatively straightforward and inexpensive to implement and offers the prospect of easy access to portable, high magnetic fields without any requirement for a sustaining current source.Comment: Updated submission to reflect licence change to CC-BY. This is the "author accepted manuscript" and is identical in content to the published versio

The processing and properties of bulk (RE)BCO high temperature superconductors: current status and future perspectives

Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000266Funder: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004919Abstract: Bulk (RE)-Ba-Cu-O [(RE)BCO] cuprate HTS have been developed steadily towards a wide range of sustainable engineering and technological applications since their discovery in 1986 based primarily on their unique potential to trap very large magnetic fields (>5 T) at temperatures that are accessible potentially by thermo-electric cooling techniques. Trapped fields of ∼10 T at the surface of individual (RE)BCO bulk single grains and in excess of 17 T in a reinforced two-sample stack are now being achieved reliably. This paper reviews the current state of the art of the processing of large, single grain (RE)BCO bulk superconductors required to trap fields of this magnitude, and specifically via two advanced fabrication approaches; the traditional TSMG process and the more recently developed TSIG technique. The focus of the review is on optimising the critical processing parameters to achieve high-quality, high performance single grain (RE)BCO bulk superconductors specifically for high-field applications. The review also summarises recent advances in processing, such as the integration of the so-called buffer technique into the TSMG and TSIG processing methodologies to achieve improved reliability in single grain growth with a success rate exceeding 90%, the development of a Mg-doped NdBCO generic seed crystal for the successful growth of all rare-earth and light-rare earth based bulk superconductors [(RE)BCO and (LRE)BCO] and the introduction of nano-size stable, non-superconducting phase(s) to the bulk microstructure to improve the intrinsic flux pinning strength of the material, and hence trapped magnetic field. Details of the two-step buffer-aided TSIG technique developed recently that yields dense, near-net shaped, high performance (RE)BCO bulk superconductors with improved superconducting and mechanical properties are also presented. Suitable sample-seed configurations for effective multi-seeding are discussed, which enables the production of high aspect ratio, bar-shaped (RE)BCO quasi-single grains that exhibit improved levitation forces required in Maglev-based applications, for example, are discussed. The electrical, mechanical, microstructural and magnetic properties (including those achieved from a pulsed-field magnetisation approach) of the different (RE)BCO systems are presented and the relevant correlation in properties and performance highlighted, accordingly. Finally, a brief summary of existing applications and prospects for near-future exploitation of these remarkable, technologically important materials, and particularly in the medical and pharma-industries, is provided

A simple, reliable and robust reinforcement method for the fabrication of (RE)–Ba–Cu–O bulk superconductors

Abstract: Bulk high temperature superconductors (HTS) based on the rare-earth barium cuprates [(RE)BCO] have the potential to be applied in a variety of engineering and technological applications such as trapped field magnets, rotating electrical machines, magnetic bearings and flywheel energy storage systems. The key materials figure of merit for most practical applications of bulk superconductors is simply the product of the maximum current density that can be supported, which correlates directly with the maximum achievable trapped magnetic field, and the physical length scale over which the current flows. Unfortunately, however, bulk (RE)BCO superconductors exhibit relatively poor mechanical properties due to their inherent ceramic nature. Consequently, the performance of these materials as trapped field magnets is limited significantly by their tensile strength, rather than critical current and size, given that the relatively large Lorentz forces produced in the generation of large magnetic fields can lead to catastrophic mechanical failure. In the present work, we describe a simple, but effective and reliable reinforcement methodology to enhance the mechanical properties of (RE)BCO bulk superconductors by incorporating hybrid SiC fibres consisting of a tungsten core with SiC cladding within the bulk microstructure. An improvement in tensile strength by up to 40% has been achieved via this process and, significantly, without compromising the superconducting performance of the bulk material

Retinal microvascular network attenuation in Alzheimer's disease

AbstractIntroductionCerebral small-vessel disease has been implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The retinal microvasculature enables the noninvasive visualization and evaluation of the systemic microcirculation. We evaluated retinal microvascular parameters in a case-control study of AD patients and cognitively normal controls.MethodsRetinal images were computationally analyzed and quantitative retinal parameters (caliber, fractal dimension, tortuosity, and bifurcation) measured. Regression models were used to compute odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) for AD with adjustment for confounders.ResultsRetinal images were available in 213 AD participants and 294 cognitively normal controls. Persons with lower venular fractal dimension (OR per standard deviation [SD] increase, 0.77 [CI: 0.62–0.97]) and lower arteriolar tortuosity (OR per SD increase, 0.78 [CI: 0.63–0.97]) were more likely to have AD after appropriate adjustment.DiscussionPatients with AD have a sparser retinal microvascular network and retinal microvascular variation may represent similar pathophysiological events within the cerebral microvasculature of patients with AD