Critical state models for flux-pinning-induced magnetostriction in type-II superconductors

Abstract

Models and calculated results are presented for the flux-pinning-induced magnetostriction in type-II superconductors. Three models are considered for the critical state; the original Bean model, the Kim model, and the exponential model in which the critical current density is assumed to depend exponentially on the flux density. The analytic expressions of the length change under the magnetic field are derived for specimens having infinite slab geometry and under the assumption that the reversible part of the total magnetization is negligibly small. The results are used for computer simulations and the hysteresis loops are calculated over a wide range of the relevant parameters. Since the pinning-induced magnetostriction reveals the pinning force directly, the hysteresis loops for each model have different features which are discussed in detail. It is also shown that the pinning force of the sample can be directly inferred from the width of the magnetostriction hysteresis loop. Finally, the experimental results on high-temperature superconductors are discussed in comparison with the calculated results.