Time-varying magnetic field induced electric field across a current-transporting type-II superconducting loop: beyond dynamic resistance effect

Abstract

The emergence of a potential drop across a current-transporting type-II superconducting loop under a perpendicular oscillating magnetic field is revealed. We have derived analytical formulae to describe the effect under DC transport current in 1D, based on Bean’s critical state model. The analytical formulae are verified by a finite element model. To exploit this effect, we have developed a transformer-like ‘resistive switch’, and experimentally observed a switching effect. This work demonstrates a physically important general insight of the interaction between DC transport currents and time-varying magnetic fields in type-II superconducting loops, which extends beyond the well-known ‘dynamic resistance’ effect. It also provides a useful view on the interaction between a ‘transport-current’ and a ‘screening-current’ in the superconductor. The resulting demonstrated switch has the potential to be used in a variety of applications including superconducting rectifiers, fault current limiters, and superconducting magnetic energy storages.