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Title: Ultra-High Performance, High-Temperature Superconducting Wires via Cost-effective, Scalable, Co-evaporation Process

Journal Article · · Scientific Reports
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/srep04744· OSTI ID:1185353
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [2];  [4];  [4]
  1. Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute
  2. University of Wollongong, Australia
  3. Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
  4. ORNL

Long-length, high-temperature superconducting (HTS) wires capable of carrying high critical current, Ic, are required for a wide range of applications. Here, we report extremely high performance HTS wires based on 5 m thick SmBa2Cu3O7- (SmBCO) single layer films on textured metallic templates. SmBCO layer wires over 20 meters long were deposited by a cost-effective, scalable co-evaporation process using a batch-type drum in a dual chamber. All deposition parameters influencing the composition, phase, and texture of the films were optimized via a unique combinatorial method that is broadly applicable for co-evaporation of other promising complex materials containing several cations. Thick SmBCO layers deposited under optimized conditions exhibit excellent cube-on-cube epitaxy. Such excellent structural epitaxy over the entire thickness results in exceptionally high Ic performance, with average Ic over 1000 A/cm for the entire 22 meter long wire and maximum Ic over 1,500 A/cm for a short 12 cm long tape. The Ic values reported in this work are the highest values ever reported from any lengths of cuprate-based HTS wire or conductor.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
OE USDOE - Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1185353
Journal Information:
Scientific Reports, Vol. 4, Issue 4744
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English