Processing of YBCO superconductors for improved levitation force.

摘要

One objective of the ANL superconductor program is to develop improved processing methods for production of YBCO superconductors with higher levitation forces suitable for low-friction, superconductor/permanent-magnet bearings and flywheel-energy-storage applications. From the standpoint of these applications, melt-processed bulk YBCO superconductors are of considerable interest. Levitation force and flux-pinning properties depend on microstructural features of the superconductors. We have added several chemical species to YBCO to alter the microstructure and have used a seeding technique to induce crystallization during melt processing. In this paper, we discuss the effects of various process parameters, additives, and a seeding technique on the properties of melt-processed bulk YBCO samples and compare the results with solid-state-sintered superconductors.