Effect of Pre-magnetization on Quasi-static Force Characteristics in a Space Superconducting Interface Structure Adopting High T c Superconductors

Abstract

Flux-pinned interaction between high Tc superconductors (HTSs) and an applied magnetic field provides a new, no-contact interface approach that can be used in docking and assembling process of space module systems. Unlike operations on the Earth, the magnetization of the HTS happens in orbit which differs from the traditional field cooling (FC) magnetization, and the additional field has to be used to magnetize the HTS in advance and make it produce a self-stable force in the interacting process with the interfacing magnet. This paper presents a type of superconducting interface structure configuration consisting of bulk HTSs, actuation electromagnets and interfacing magnets, and discusses the effects of different magnetization conditions on the quasi-static force interaction between the HTS and the interfacing magnet. Primary experiments show that the HTS after pre-magnetization can show self-stable force behavior, which often happens in the traditional FC magnetization, and the self-stable force is further enhanced with the increase of the pre-magnetizing current. Multi-pulse field magnetization after the pre-magnetization is also applied to raise the trapped field strength (BT) of the superconductor. The results show that BT is added with the increasing number of the pulsed field, and the corresponding self-stable force properties are also improved. Therefore, the pre-magnetization combined with the pulsed field magnetization can enhance the flux trapping in the HTS and bring more stable force for the superconducting interface structure.