MgB₂-based superconductors for fault current limiters

A promising solution of the fault current problem in power systems is the application of fast-operating nonlinear superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) with the capability of rapidly increasing their impedance, and thus limiting high fault currents. We report the results of experiments with models of inductive (transformer type) SFCLs based on the ring-shaped bulk MgB2 prepared under high quasihydrostatic pressure (2 GPa) and by hot pressing technique (30 MPa). It was shown that the SFCLs meet the main requirements to fault current limiters: they possess low impedance in the nominal regime of the protected circuit and can fast increase their impedance limiting both the transient and the steady-state fault currents. The study of quenching currents of MgB2 rings (SFCL activation current) and AC losses in the rings shows that the quenching current density and critical current density determined from AC losses can be 10-20 times less than the critical current determined from the magnetization experiments

Structure and properties of oxygen-containing thin films and bulk MgB₂

A structural Auger spectroscopy study of MgB2 thin (~140 nm) oxygen-containing polycrystalline films produced by magnetron sputtering and 99% dense MgB2 bulks synthesized at 2 GPa allows us to conclude that jc of MgB2 depends to a high extent on the amount and distribution of oxygen in the material matrix. jc reached 7.8-2.7 MA/cm2 below 1T at 20 K in the films and 0.3-0.9 MA/cm2 (depending on the boron used) in the bulks. The higher jc in MgB2 thin films can be associated with finer oxygen-enriched Mg-B-O inclusions and their higher density in the film structure compared to the bulk. Calculations of the total electron density of states (DOS) in MgB2, MgB1.75O0.25, MgB1.5O0.5 and MgBO showed that all the compounds are conductors with metal-like behaviour. The DOS is even higher in MgB1.5O0 5 than in MgB2 and the binding energy is similar. So, the experimentally found presence of some dissolved oxygen in MgB2 does not contradict its high SC performance. The introduction of a high amount of oxygen into the MgB2 structure does not dramatically reduce the material\u27s Tc and allows obtaining highjc as observed in our MgB2 films and bulks

Formation of magnesium diboride-based materials with high critical currents and mechanical characteristics by high-pressure synthesis

The developed method of high-pressure synthesis (HPS) allows producing nanostructural highly dense material based on MGB2, which possesses the highest superconducting and mechanical characteristics among the known world analogues, in the form of blocks that are suitable for application in SC electromotors and pumps. Additions of Zr can increase critical current density (jc) of synthesized at 2 GPa and 750-800 °C MGB2 in the same manner as additions of Ta or Ti, i.e. due to the absorption of impurity hydrogen forming the ZrH2. The formation of ZrB2 phase at higher synthesis temperatures (about 950 °C) in HPS MGB2 does not result in the jc increase. Some increase in jc of HPS MGB2 at 10 K in the fields higher than 8 T was observed when nano-SiC was added. The additions of Zr, Ta or Ti can prevent the harmful MgH2 impurity phase from appearing and hydrogen from being introduced into the material structure. Besides, the presence of additions in HPS MGB2 promotes the formation of a larger amount of Mg-B (most likely MGB2) inclusions in the Mg-B-O material \u27\u27matrix\u27\u27 that in turn leads to the increase of jc of the material in magnetic fields

Structure and Properties of MgB2: Effect of Ti-O and TiC Additions

IEEE The effects of the additions of powdered titanium carbide (TiC) and polyvalent titanium oxides (Ti-O) to MgB2 (synthesized under high pressure (2 GPa)-high temperature (800 and 1050 & #x00B0;C) conditions) on the critical current density, jc, critical magnetic fields, BC2 and Birr, and the related transformations in the materials structures are reported. The superconducting characteristics are compared with that of MgB2 with titanium (Ti) additions synthesized under the same conditions. The synthesis temperature, the ability of Ti-containing compounds to act as a getter, and the different diffusion rates of Mg and B into grains of these additions influence the distribution of the elements (boron, magnesium and impurity oxygen) in the structures of MgB2-based materials. This in turn affects the formation of pinning centers, the resulting flux pinning and eventually the superconducting properties (jc, BC2, Birr)