Bulk Superconductors Research Articles

Temperature dependence of power transfer efficiency and power handling capability of wireless power transfer system using superconducting bulk coil

We developed a cryocooler system to reveal the temperature dependence of the quality (Q) factor of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) bulk coil and the power transfer efficiency (PTE) and power handling capability (PHC) of a wireless power transfer (WPT) system using the HTS bulk coil. The measured Q factors of the HTS bulk coil were 9051 at 77 K and 14 050 at 25 K. The measured PTEs and PHCs of the WPT system were 44.2% and 4.48 W at 77 K, and 50.8% and 25.2 W at 25 K.

Infiltration effect of Mg with different matter states in the reaction of MgB2 bulks

MgB2 superconductor bulks were fabricated using Mg and B precursors. The physical state of Mg (solid, liquid, or gas) significantly influences the final product, MgB2 bulk. In this study, the Solid-Solid, Liquid-Solid, and Gas-Solid methods were employed to fabricate MgB2 bulks. The superconducting properties and microstructure of various samples were systematically investigated. Notably, for the first time, nano-CT was utilized to comprehensively and non-destructively analyze the microstructure of MgB2 bulks, particularly the size and distribution of voids, which serve as the primary barrier affecting the superconducting properties. By examining the microstructure characteristics, the infiltration effect of Mg in different physical states during the reaction was analyzed, and a feasible reaction model was established. This research contributes to a better understanding of the reaction mechanism of MgB2, which may aid other researchers in enhancing the properties of MgB2 superconductors.

Enhanced trapped magnetic field in bulk (Gd, Y, Er) Ba2Cu3O7-y via varied liquid sources in top-seeded infiltration growth process

The practical applications of the bulk superconductors are determined by the trapped field (TF) and its overall performance. This study aims to demonstrate the effect of various compositions of liquid sources on the trapped field performance of bulk superconductors fabricated using the Top-Seeded Infiltration Growth process (TSIG) in air. We utilized a combination of different liquid sources, Ba3Cu5O8, Yb2O3: BaCuO2: CuO (1:10:6) and ErBa2Cu3Oy + Ba3Cu5O8 (1:1) to fabricate the ternary bulk (Gd, Y, Er) Ba2Cu3O7-y (Gd, Y, Er)-123. The use of these liquid sources demonstrated a pivotal role in fabricating single-domain bulks, showcasing significant variation in the trapped field performance. Specifically, the bulk fabricated using ErBa2Cu3Oy + Ba3Cu5O8 (1:1) as a liquid source exhibited the best-trapped field performance, showcasing an improvement of 42.92 % compared to the bulk obtained using conventional Ba3Cu5O8 as the liquid source. An enhancement in the critical current density below 77 K was observed in the bulk material produced utilizing Ba3Cu5O8 as the liquid source, with a Jc (3T, 50 K) value reaching 244 kA/cm2. The flux pinning force density (Fp) was analyzed for all samples to understand the pinning mechanisms in ternary (Gd, Y, Er)-123 bulk materials. Furthermore, the maximum trapped field for a 30 mm bulk sample fabricated using a mixture of ErBa2Cu3Oy + Ba3Cu5O8 (1:1) was measured at 0.336T. These results emphasize the potential for enhancing or controlling the trapped field performance of the TSIG-processed RE-123 bulks by optimizing the liquid source according to the intended applications of the bulk.

R-z plane spatial critical current inhomogeneity-induced mechanical response of GdBCO superconducting bulks during field cooling magnetization

Benefiting from the high critical current density (J c), single-grain (RE)BCO (where RE = rare earth or Gd) bulks are capable of trapping over 17.6 T magnetic field which is crucial for the application of bulk superconductors. Nevertheless, during field cooling magnetization (FCM), the large mechanical stress induced by Lorentz forces may lead to fracture behavior in the brittle ceramic nature of (RE)BCO materials. Most previous numerical models that adopted simplified homogeneous J c had difficulty reflecting the real stress/strain situation in high temperature superconductor (HTS) bulks. Based on the proposed modified Jirsa model considering r-z plane J c inhomogeneity, we investigate the mechanical response of GdBCO bulks manufactured by top-seeded melt growth (TSMG) process. A 2D axisymmetric electromagnetic-thermal-mechanical coupled model is implemented to take into account the dependence of J c upon mechanical deformation. The simulation results show the electromagnetic-thermal-mechanical response of the r-z plane inhomogeneous J c model is lower than that obtained by the homogeneous J c model. This confirms Takahashi’s speculation (K Takahashi 2019 Supercond. Sci. Technol. 32 015007) about the mismatch between experimental data and the simulation results of homogeneous J c model, and suggests the stress levels in the bottom plane of HTS bulk are overestimated by the previous homogeneous J c model. On top of that, the overall stress level of GdBCO bulk is strongly determined by the magnitude and position of the Lorentz force load, and the stress distribution of inhomogeneous J c model is mainly concentrated in high J c regions near top surface, instead of being symmetrically distributed along the z-axis as in homogeneous J c model. The mechanical response of stainless steel reinforced GdBCO bulk was aslo simulated and analyzed. Finally, the coupling effect between the fracture strength variability caused by defects and cracks and the trapped field in GdBCO bulks with r-z plane J c inhomogeneity is further studied. This study may provide a relatively realistic mechanical response of HTS bulk during FCM, and a novel design consideration for its mechanical reinforcement.

Electromechanical behavior of a rectangular bulk superconductor with an inhomogeneous critical current density under pulsed-field magnetization

Bulk high-temperature superconductors are widely used in various superconducting devices for their high critical current density and the ability to trap large magnetic field. In some applications, bulk superconductors can be arranged in an array structure to increase the magnetic field strength. However, rectangular bulk superconductors can be arranged more compactly than commonly used cylindrical bulk superconductors. The unique shape of rectangular bulk superconductors results in different distributions of electromagnetic fields, temperature, and stress under a pulsed-field magnetization (PFM) than for cylindrical bulk superconductors. In bulk superconductors, growth sector boundaries and growth sector regions have different critical current density, resulting in an uneven critical current density. Therefore, in this study, the electromagnetic and mechanical behavior of non-uniform rectangular bulk superconductors during the PFM process is investigated. The corresponding distribution and variation in the magnetic field, current, temperature, and stress in the bulk are calculated and analyzed. The influence of rectangle aspect ratio on the electromagnetic and mechanical behavior is discussed. The calculation results show that the magnetic flux jumps occur accompanied by sudden changes in the temperature and pressure. The effect of the aspect ratio of rectangular bulk superconductors on their electromagnetic and mechanical properties is analyzed. The influence of preexisting cracks in a non-uniform rectangular bulk superconductor on the simulation results is discussed. The numerical results indicate that the presence of an edge crack exacerbates the magnetic flux jump as well as the jumps in the temperature and stress. However, a central crack has a relatively small effect on the stability of a bulk superconductor.

Superconductivity in a van der Waals layered quasicrystal

Van der Waals layered transition-metal chalcogenides are drawing significant attention owing to their intriguing physical properties. This group of materials consists of abundant members with various elements, having a variety of different structures. However, they are all crystalline materials, and the physical properties of van der Waals layered quasicrystals have never been studied to date. Here, we report on the discovery of superconductivity in a van der Waals layered quasicrystal of Ta1.6Te. The electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat of the quasicrystal unambiguously validate the occurrence of bulk superconductivity at a transition temperature of ~1 K. This discovery can promote new research on assessing the physical properties of novel van der Waals layered quasicrystals as well as two-dimensional quasicrystals; moreover, it paves the way toward new frontiers of superconductivity in thermodynamically stable quasicrystals.

A detailed comparison of the composition of (RE)-Ba-Cu-O-Ag bulk superconductors

The homogeneity of the microstructure and composition are critical in determining the properties of rare earth-barium-cuprate, single grain bulk superconductors [(RE)BCO]. The magnitude of the trapped magnetic field achieveable in these technologically important materials, in particular, is influenced heavily by the size and distribution of (RE)2BaCuOx (RE-211) flux pinning inclusions in the bulk microstructure, whereas the size and distribution of silver agglomerates present within the bulk superconducting matrix correlate directly with improved mechanical properties. With careful engineering, these materials have significant potential for application in range of devices related to energy storage, medicine, electro-magnetic machinery and microelectronic technology. Fabrication of (RE)BCO bulk superconductors typically involves heating a powder compact above its peritectic decomposition temperature followed by slow cooling to facilitate the growth of a single grain. Each (RE)BCO composition has a different peritectic temperature and growth rate, which, therefore, necessitates different requirements in the heating profile. The fabrication temperature and growth rate, for example, may have an effect on the RE-211 and silver distribution, which may, in turn, affect the superconducting properties of the resulting single grain.In this work we compare the distributions of silver and RE-211 in the single grain microstructures of YBCO-Ag, GdBCO-Ag, EuBCO-Ag and SmBCO-Ag bulk superconductors using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. We observe that the distributions are very similar along both the a/b-axis and c-axis of these materials. This suggests that factors other than the maximum temperature used to achieve peritectic decomposition and the rate of single grain growth are particularly influential in determining the properties of the as-processed samples in the top seeded melt growth process. This observation demonstrates there is freedom to use (RE) materials interchangeably between different applications as required, for example, for functional or economic reasons.

The Superconductivity in Bi-Doped BaFe2As2 Single Crystals.

We have successfully synthesized a series of Bi-doped BaFe2As2 high-quality single crystals for the first time. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns show an expansion of lattice parameter c with Bi doping, indicating a negative pressure effect. By investigating the resistivity, a Fermi liquid (FL) to non-Fermi liquid (NFL) crossover is observed from normal state to antiferromagnetic order state, accompanied by three superconducting transitions labeled as SC I, SC II and SC III, which are supposed to be induced by three superconducting realms with various Bi concentrations. Thus, we propose that the NFL behavior is closely related to the presence of superconductivity. The magnetic susceptibility measurements further speculate that the SC I and SC III phases should exhibit filamentary superconductivity while the SC II exhibits a possible bulk superconductivity of TC~7 K.

Evidence of superconducting Fermi arcs

An essential ingredient for the production of Majorana fermions for use in quantum computing is topological superconductivity1,2. As bulk topological superconductors remain elusive, the most promising approaches exploit proximity-induced superconductivity3, making systems fragile and difficult to realize4–7. Due to their intrinsic topology8, Weyl semimetals are also potential candidates1,2, but have always been connected with bulk superconductivity, leaving the possibility of intrinsic superconductivity of their topological surface states, the Fermi arcs, practically without attention, even from the theory side. Here, by means of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and ab initio calculations, we identify topological Fermi arcs on two opposing surfaces of the non-centrosymmetric Weyl material trigonal PtBi2 (ref. 9). We show these states become superconducting at temperatures around 10 K. Remarkably, the corresponding coherence peaks appear as the strongest and sharpest excitations ever detected by photoemission from solids. Our findings indicate that superconductivity in PtBi2 can occur exclusively at the surface, rendering it a possible platform to host Majorana modes in intrinsically topological superconductor–normal metal–superconductor Josephson junctions.

Optimisation of the processing parameters for the fabrication of high-quality joints between Y–Ba–Cu–O single grain, bulk superconductors

Abstract High-strength permanent magnets are essential for a wide range of technologies, including levitation devices, motors, generators and magnetic separators. Replacing permanent magnets with single grain, bulk superconductors will enable a step-change in the performance of these technologies by providing an order-of-magnitude increase in magnetic field. However, there remain many key challenges to the practical implementation of bulk superconductors, of which size and geometry are the most fundamental. The current limits to the size and geometry of (RE)-Ba–Cu–O single grain, bulk superconductors would be overcome substantially by the ability to fabricate high-quality joints between these technologically important materials. In this work we present new insights into the creation of superconducting joints between single grain bulk YBCO superconductors using a YBCO-Ag intermediate composition. We have investigated the effect of the joint fabrication temperature on the quality of the joint in order to begin to optimise the joint fabrication route for YBCO. We report on 35 joints produced at different joining temperatures as part of this study. The trapped field properties of the resulting joined samples were measured and the microstructure at each joint was examined. We show that this simple and rapid joining technique is robust to small changes in joint fabrication temperature and suggest routes to further optimise this potentially transformative technique.

Enhanced performance of GdBCO bulk superconductors by doping a new kind of YGdBa4CuNbO y nanoparticles

In this work, a new kind of YGdBa4CuNbO y (YGdNb-11411) nano-particles was designed and sintered using a solid-state reaction method, whereas their impact on the performance of GdBCO bulks was investigated for the first time. From the acquired x-ray diffraction data and scanning electron microscopy imaging results, it was proved that the YGdNb-11411 particles were of excellent chemical stability and did not react with other phases during the crystal growth process. The YGdNb-11411 particles ranged from 80 to 130 nm and they were uniformly distributed in the well-textured GdBCO bulk superconductors. The maximum critical current density (J c-max) of the samples was enhanced from 3.48 × 104 A cm−2 to 8.63 × 104 A cm−2 (77 K) in the self-field as the doping amount increased from 0 wt% to 7 wt%. In addition, the GdBCO sample with YGdNb-11411 particles also showed an enhanced flux pinning force density and relatively high J c around the magnetic flux density range of 1 T–2 T (77 K). These results clearly indicated that the YGdNb-11411 particles could effectively enhance the properties of the GdBCO bulk superconductors.

Improvement of Superconducting Joint Properties for GdBa2Cu3Ox Bulk Superconductors Joined with ErBa2Cu3Ox Superconductor Using Local Melt-Growth Method.

The important factors in obtaining a high-quality superconducting joint were investigated for the superconducting joint of a GdBa2Cu3Ox (GdBCO) bulk superconductor with sintered ErBa2Cu3Ox (ErBCO) using the local melt-growth method. REBCO (RE: rare earth) bulk superconductors can be used as strong magnets by magnetizing them, but they require large bulk sizes for their application. Although the superconducting joint presents a viable solution, many possibilities for property improvement remain, such as property degradation, depending on the joining direction. By varying the joining thermal conditions and confirming the elemental distribution, magnetization properties near the joined part and the effects of these on the joining properties are clarified, and a method for fabricating high-performance joined samples is obtained. Microstructure segregation was rarely observed at the center of the joined part regardless of the joining direction, and the superconducting properties were negligible and small. The Jc-B results are almost identical to those of the GdBCO matrix at a low field, confirming that the joined part minimally interferes with the superconducting current. Furthermore, by lowering the maximum temperature, shortening the holding time at the maximum temperature, and increasing the cooling rate, the region of mutual solid solution was reduced, and the Jc-B under the self-magnetic field was enhanced. These results contribute to the development of the superconducting joining method, a critical aspect of larger bulk superconductors.

Superconducting Quasicrystals

AbstractDan Shechtman's discovery of quasicrystals in 1982 introduced the scientific world to aperiodic crystals with unique rotational symmetries, redefining traditional crystallography. Although superconductivity in related periodic approximants has since been observed, true bulk superconductivity in quasicrystals was confirmed only in 2018. This recent discovery opens a new horizon not only for the study of correlated quasicrystals but more generally for the study of superconductivity with nontrivial spatial order. The theoretical understanding of superconducting quasicrystals poses challenges due to their lack of periodicity. Notably, they exhibit non‐BCS type superconductivity and distinct electromagnetic responses, reminiscent of the so‐called FFLO state. In this review, we provide an overview of superconducting quasicrystals, along with some “behind‐the‐scenes” information.

Numerical simulation of bulk superconductor during pulsed field magnetization based on multi-field coupled analysis

High-temperature bulk superconductors are widely used in various superconducting devices due to their high critical current density, which enables them to trap high magnetic fields. However, the critical current density of bulk superconductors is influenced by magnetic field, temperature and stress, and both increase of stress and temperature can lead to a decrease in the critical current density. And the influence of magnetic field, current, stress are interactional. In this paper, the multi-field coupled analysis is employed to investigate the electromagnetic and mechanical behavior on bulk superconductor during pulsed field magnetization. The simulation results were compared with the present experimental results. The results showed a good agreement between the simulation and experimental results, further validating the reliability of the numerical simulation method. The magnetic field, current, temperature, and stress distribution and variation within the bulk sample during the pulsed magnetization process were calculated and analyzed. Additionally, the influence of the central crack and edge crack in the bulk superconductor was investigated. The results indicate that the region near the crack experiences a variation in current flow direction, resulting in local temperature rise and significant electromagnetic forces. The tip of the crack exhibits stress concentration, leading to a decrease in critical current density. Bulk supercondutor with edge crack case exhibits greater stress concentration compared to those with central crack case. The impact of crack length on maximum stress was analyzed, revealing that as the crack length increases, both the maximum hoop stress and radial stress within the bulk sample rise.

Microstructural Nonuniformity of GdBCO Superconductor Bulk

High-temperature superconducting materials REBa2Cu3O7-δ(REBCO or RE123, RE is a rare earth), can widely be used in electric motors, nuclear magnetic resonance and other fields, because these can trap strong magnetic fields. The top-seeded melt-texture growth method is widely chosen in the preparation and performance research of various REBCO superconductor bulks, which can effectively suppress random nucleation and reduce weak connections between grains, etc. However, the superconductor bulks prepared by this method often have the problem of uniformed microstructure. A single-domain GdBCO superconductor bulk with NdBCO single-seed guidance and Y123 liquid source was successfully growth using the top-seeded melt-texture growth method, and the microscopic morphology of the samples were studied, which exhibits the microstructural nonuniformity of GdBCO superconductor bulk. The specimens at different positions, C1, C2 below the seed, P1, P2 below the cross pattern, of the bulk exhibit critical transition temperature, TC , higher than 94.5 K, with a maximum value of 95.9 K, demonstrating superior superconductivity. Cracks and pores are unevenly distributed in GdBCO superconductor bulk, and the pores mainly gather in the area below the seed and far from the upper surface. At the same distance from the upper surface, specimens below the cross pattern have higher self-field JC values (P1>C1, P2>C2) than specimens below the seed, which should be related to the nonuniformity of the pores.

Thermal effects associated with the crack of high-temperature superconducting magnetic levitation system

Based on the magnetic flux pinning characteristics of the non-ideal type II superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−x, the high-temperature superconducting magnetic levitation system has the advantages of self-stability in levitation and low energy consumption. Thermal stress, electromagnetic force, and other mechanical stress may cause the micro-cracks to expand and eventually lead to fractures in the application of superconducting materials, significantly affecting the superconductor’s ability to transmit current. The superconducting magnetic levitation system with low damping is prone to nonlinear vibration of large amplitude under external interference, which affects the system’s regular operation. Due to the limitations of experimental conditions, it is difficult to analyze complex physical phenomena with cracks and obtain the distribution characteristics of electromagnetic, heat, and force inside the superconductor in the nonlinear vibration process, as theoretical modeling can compensate for this deficiency. In this paper, we study the fracture behavior of the YBa2Cu3O7−x bulk superconductor under nonlinear vibration based on the flux creep and flow models. The temperature of the superconductor in the nonlinear vibration of the superconducting levitation system is calculated with center cracks. The flux flow phenomenon in the bulk superconductor for various cracks under the bifurcation vibration is presented. The results show that the temperature of the superconductor will dramatically rise in nonlinear vibration under thermal insulation conditions, and the distribution position is affected by the cracks. For the 15 and 12 mm center cracks, a large amount of heat is generated around the crack and causes the temperature to rise above the critical temperature.

Exploring superconductivity in Ba3Ir4Ge16: Experimental and theoretical insights

We explore both experimental and theoretical aspects of the superconducting properties in the layered caged compound, Ba3Ir4Ge16. Our approach integrates muon spin rotation and relaxation (μSR) measurements with magnetization and heat capacity experiments, accompanied by first-principle calculations. The compound’s bulk superconductivity is unequivocally established through DC magnetization measurements, revealing a critical temperature (TC) of 5.7 K. A noteworthy characteristic observed in the low-temperature superfluid density is its saturating behavior, aligning with the features typical of conventional Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) superconductors. The assessment of moderate electron-phonon coupling superconductivity is conducted through transverse field μSR measurements, yielding a superconducting gap to TC ratio (2Δ(0)∕kBTC) of 4.04, a value corroborated by heat capacity measurements. Crucially, zero field μSR measurements dismiss the possibility of any spontaneous magnetic field emergence below TC, highlighting the preservation of time-reversal symmetry. Our experimental results are reinforced by first-principles density functional calculations, underscoring the intricate interplay between crystal structure and superconducting order parameter symmetry in caged compounds. This comprehensive investigation enhances our understanding of the relationship between crystal structure and superconductivity in such unique compounds.

Nonlinear dynamics of 3D superconducting maglevs with six degrees of freedom: dependence on magnetization strategy and disturbance type

Based on the heat diffusion equation, Maxwell’s equations, and translational and rotational dynamic equations, we establish and theoretically validate an electromagnetic-thermal-mechanical coupling model to analyze the levitation performance during normal operation and the nonlinear dynamic behavior under disturbance for 3D maglev systems composed of a six-degree-of-freedom bulk superconductor (SC) and a Halbach-type guideway of permanent magnets (PMs) with different magnetization strategies and different types of disturbances, as well as the change rules of magnetic force and torque during translational or rotational cycle movement. In order to ensure the system security, we propose a generalized electromagnetic restoring force model to theoretically analyze the stability of the SC moving along the directions of various degrees of freedom. The results show that after being disturbed, the SC vibrates along the direction of each degree of freedom, and the vibration center, i.e. equilibrium position, will drift along each vibration direction. With time increasing, the equilibrium position will appear periodically on both sides of the working position. Compared to zero-field cooling magnetization, field cooling magnetization enables the SC to trap more flux in its interior to alleviate the drift phenomenon and reduce the energy loss. This advantage can be further enhanced by adding an extra step of preloading treatment. For the lateral motion, the system has one stable focus point and two unstable saddle points. Whether the system at these saddle points is stable depends on the direction of disturbance-induced velocity. For the rotational motion, the system has only one stable focus point, which means that regardless of the type of disturbance, the SC will finally come back to its stable equilibrium position. Besides, the stability is related to the axis around which the SC rotates, and rotating around the longitudinal axis is more likely to generate larger magnetic force, torque and local temperature rise. Either field cooling magnetization or preloading treatment can effectively improve system stability.

Observation of superconductivity and enhanced upper critical field of η-carbide-type oxide Zr4Pd2O

We report the first observation of bulk superconductivity of a η-carbide-type oxide Zr4Pd2O. The crystal structure and the superconducting properties were studied through synchrotron X-ray diffraction, magnetization, electrical resistivity, and specific heat measurement. The superconducting transition was observed at Tc = 2.73 K. Our measurement revealed that the η-carbide-type oxide superconductor Zr4Pd2O shows an enhanced upper critical field μ0Hc2(0) = 6.72 T, which violates the Pauli-Clogston limit μ0HP = 5.29 T. On the other hand, we found that the enhanced upper critical field is absent in a Rh analogue Zr4Rh2O. The large μ0Hc2(0) of Zr4Pd2O would be raised from strong spin–orbit coupling with Pd-4d electrons. The discovery of new superconducting properties for Zr4Pd2O would shed light on the further development of η-carbide-type oxide superconductors.

Surface superconductor-insulator transition: Reduction of the critical electric field by Hartree-Fock potential

Recently, a surface superconductor-insulator transition has been predicted for a bulk superconductor in an electric field applied perpendicular to its surface. The related calculations were performed within a one-dimensional Hubbard model by numerically solving the Bogoliubov-de Gennes (BdG) equations without the Hartree-Fock (HF) interaction potential. The phase diagram of the surface superconducting, metallic, and insulating states was obtained as dependent on the electric field and temperature. This diagram was found to be in agreement with experimental results reported previously for (Li,Fe)OHFeSe thin flakes. In the present work, by taking into account the HF potential, we find that the latter acts as a kind of an extra electrostatic potential that enhances the electric-field effects on the surface states. The qualitative features of the phase diagram remain the same but the surface superconductor-insulator transition occurs at significantly lower electric fields, which supports prospects of its experimental observation in bulk samples.