The effect of oxygen partial pressure and cooling rate during processing on the criticalcurrent density and grain coupling of Bi-2212/Ag tapes

Abstract

We discuss the reason why high oxygen partial pressure(PO2) heat treatment is effective in increasing the critical current density(Jc)of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy (Bi-2212)/Ag tapes prepared by a partial melting and subsequent slow cooling method. The highJc values obtainedby the high PO2 heat treatment is attributed to the strong coupling of grains due to the suppression of theformation of non-superconducting phases at grain boundaries and the decrease ofanisotropy due to the high oxygen content of the Bi-2212.