High trapped fields in bulk YBCO encapsulated in steel tubes

摘要

Trapped fields up to 16 T were achieved at 24 K in superconducting mini-magnets consisting of two bulk YBCO disks. The YBCO disks were encapsulated in steel tubes in order to reinforce the material against the large tensile stress acting during the magnetizing process and to avoid cracking of the material. Additionally, Ag and Zn additions were used for improving the mechanical and the pinning properties of the superconductor, respectively.