AC losses in multifilamentary Bi(2223) tapes with an interfilamentary resistive carbonate barrier

For the most common AC application frequencies, the main component of the AC losses in multifilamentary Bi(2223) tapes are caused by hysteresis- and coupling losses. These losses can be reduced enhancing the matrix resistivity and applying a twist to the filaments. We report on the AC loss properties of 37-filament tapes with AgAu (8 wt.%) matrix, and novel 19-filament tapes with SrCO₃ barriers between the filaments. We performed transport AC loss and magnetic AC loss measurements in parallel and perpendicular magnetic fields. Both kinds of tapes were also prepared with filament twists below a twist pitch of 20 mm. The influence of the different tape modifications on the AC loss behaviour is presented and compared with theoretical models to understand the effect of the resistive matrix. In the case of magnetic AC loss measurements, reduced AC losses due to decoupled filaments were observed for the twisted tapes with a resistive matrix in low parallel fields.     

Filament architectures in AC conductors: the influence of intergrowths

Filament isolation is an extremely important factor in multi-filamentary conductors, and attempts have been made to achieve this by incorporating a resistive oxide sheath around individual filaments. However, filament-bridging intergrowths have been observed in conductors with and without the resistive sheath. We present magnetisation results on BSCCO-2223/Ag conductors with different filament configurations, and analyse the data taking into account the effects of magnetic coupling between filaments. All samples studied display some degree of filament bridging.     

Dynamics of superparamagnetic filaments with finite magnetic relaxation time

In this paper we formulate a model of superparamagnetic filaments with internal dissipative torques due to the action of a rotating magnetic field. It is shown that spirals are formed at both ends of the filament due to the action of the internal torques. These spirals propagate to the center of the filament and collide, forming a compact cluster that rotates in accordance with the rotating magnetic field. These results are in agreement with recent experiments with chains of superparamagnetic beads in a rotating magnetic field.     

Disintegration of an eruptive filament via interactions with quasi-separatrix layers

The disintegration of solar filaments via mass drainage is a frequently observed phenomenon during a variety of filament activities. It is generally considered that the draining of dense filament material is directed by both gravity and magnetic field, yet the detailed process remains elusive. Here we report on a partial filament eruption during which filament material drains downward to the surface not only along the filament’s legs, but to a remote flare ribbon through a fan-out curtain-like structure. It is found that the magnetic configuration is characterized by two conjoining dome-like quasi-sepratrix layers (QSLs). The filament is located underneath one QSL dome, whose footprint apparently bounds the major flare ribbons resulting from the filament eruption, whereas the remote flare ribbon matches well with the other QSL dome’s far-side footprint. We suggest that the interaction of the filament with the overlying QSLs results in the splitting and disintegration of the filament.     

The observation of field-aligned current during type-III ELM in EAST

Measurements of current-carrying filaments associated with Type-III edge localized mode (ELM) have recently been made in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak by direct probing of the edge plasma using an advanced, fast-moving electrostatic and magnetic probe system. Contrary to expectations, no current filaments were detected near the separatrix. However, a clear signature of current filament has been observed in the far scrape-off layer (SOL) where the difference of the voltage between the divertor plates connecting a filament is sufficiently large, thus strongly suggesting that the current-carrying filaments form in the SOL, rather than being ejected from the plasma inside the separatrix. These findings provide, for the first time, information on the formation and sustainment of current filaments during type-III ELMy H-modes.     

AC power loss for superconducting strips of arbitrary thickness carrying a transport current

The magnetic field and current distributions are computed numerically for a superconducting strip in the critical state with infinite length, but finite thickness and width. The width to thickness ratio is varied from 1 to 100, covering the range from square bars to thick films. For large aspect ratios (>10) the current and field distributions differ significantly from the 2D solution, because the Norris solution does not take into account (and thus does not shield) the transverse field parallel to the strip. Power loss exponents are calculated and found to vary from roughly 3 in a square bar to 4 in a highly aspected thin strip. In particular in the thin strip case the power loss exponents are current dependent due to the contribution of the loss caused by the transverse magnetic field. The loss in a multifilamentary conductor (or cable) is also estimated, taking into account the loss in the filaments. It is found that the overall loss (without coupling) is enhanced by a factor 1+1/n, where n is the number of filaments.     

Flexible ferromagnetic filaments and the interface with biology

Flexible ferromagnetic filaments are studied both theoretically and experimentally. Two main deformation modes of the filament at magnetic field inversion are theoretically described and observed experimentally by using DNA-linked chains of ferromagnetic particles. Anomalous orientation of ferromagnetic filaments perpendicular to AC field with a frequency which is high enough is predicted and confirmed experimentally. By experimental studies of magnetotactic bacteria it is demonstrated how these properties of ferromagnetic filaments may be used to measure the flexibility of the chain of magnetosomes.     

Reduced filament coupling in Bi(2223)/BaZrO3/Ag composite tapes

Multifilamentary Bi(2223)/Ag tapes often exhibit AC loss levels comparable to those measured in monofilamentary samples, which is partly due to the large coupling currents induced in the low resistive sheath material. Surrounding the individual filaments by electrically insulating barrier layers suppresses these currents and strongly reduces the coupling. We demonstrate this effect with various types of magnetic and self-field AC loss measurements on a series of Bi(2223)/BaZrO₃/Ag tapes. We also discuss the influence of barrier thickness, twist pitch length and filament arrangement on the measured losses in these composite conductors.     

Decrease of magnetic AC loss in twisted-filament Bi-2223 tapes

In AC power-engineering applications, a large part of the AC loss in the superconductor is due to magnetization by the external field. This magnetic AC loss has been well described for the low-T_c conductors. In Bi-2223 tapes the picture is different due to strong anisotropy, granularity and flux creep. Magnetic AC loss in various twisted and non-twisted Bi-2223 tapes has been measured at power frequencies by a pickup method. The results are compared to theoretical models of magnetization loss. When the field is parallel to the tape plane, the filaments in twisted tapes can be decoupled and the AC loss is decreased even when the matrix is pure silver. The extra effect of higher-resistance matrix materials is studied. In perpendicular field it is more difficult to decouple the filaments, due to the particular tape geometry. Contrary to a wire, there are essential differences between the AC loss mechanisms in a long twisted tape and those in a short piece of non-twisted tape. Finally, the dynamic resistance caused by the AC magnetic field is examined.     

Experimental study on AC losses in Ag sheathed PbBi2223 tapes with twist filaments

Experimental measurements of AC losses were carried out on Ag sheathed PbBi2223 tapes with twisted and untwisted filaments. Losses were measured at 77 K as function of frequency and magnetic field parallel and perpendicular to the tape surface, using appropriate pick-up loops. Both the first and third harmonics of the signal were measured, in order to distinguish between the hysteresis loss and other types of loss. The effect of filaments uncoupling by twisting was clearly identified. For a tape with a twist pitch of 10 mm and I_c=40 A (20 kA cm⁻²) operating at 43 Hz, the filaments are uncoupled in fields less than 40 mT, which is greater than the full penetration field for both the filaments and the tape. Hence, a reduction in the hysteretic loss of the superconducting core is realised at power frequency between 10 and 40 mT. Results form the self-field loss measurement implies the uncoupling of twisted filaments at relative low transport current (I<0.5I_c)     

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The high speed CCD visible-light camera system has been installed to detect the dynamic characteristics of ELMs filaments on EAST tokamak. In order to convert the CCD video imaging coordinates into real space coordinates, the CCD system has calibrated using Tsai’s two-stage calibration technique. A raised spike in the grayscale profile, drawn by selecting the grayscale value of the image in the vertical direction of the ELMs filament in the CCD image, represents an ELMs filament structure whose positional coordinates are determined by the apex of the spike. The Sobel edge detection operator was used to examine the edge profile of the filament to obtain the width of the filament. By analyzing the characteristics of the filament width of the ELMs, it is found that the width of ELMs filaments continuously decreases outward from the outermost magnetic surface. This indicates that the filaments continue to dissipate energy and particles as they propagate outward. The width of filaments of Type-I ELMs is greater than that of Type-III ELMs.     

Bi-axial texture in Ca0.1Y0.9Ba2Cu4O8 composite wires made by metallic precursors

High filament count, silver-sheathed composite wires of Ca_0.1Y_0.9Ba₂Cu₄O₈ (Y–124) were prepared by a metallic precursor route. The ductility of the metallic precursor enabled one to manufacture tapes containing up to 962 407 filaments, with filament dimensions as fine as 0.25 μm thick and 1 μm wide. By using a thermal-mechanical treatment to texture the Y–124 grains, transport critical current densities in the oxide filaments of 69 500 A/cm² at 4.2 K in self-field were obtained. Moreover, in an applied field of 0.1 T, the samples retained 39% of their self-field critical current density. A TEM investigation revealed significant bi-axial crystallographic texture: in areas viewed, c-axis alignment of adjacent grains was within 10° and oriented perpendicular to the tape face; a-axis alignment of adjacent grains was within 15° and oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of the filaments. Furthermore, c-axis texture alone did not adequately predict the performance of these Y−124 composite conductors. Instead, performance scaled with the degree of bi-axial texture. These wires exhibited among the best reported J_c for a polycrystalline, sintered wire of YBCO in an applied magnetic field.     

EAST 装置边缘局域模细丝宽度的高速CCD可见光相机系统诊断

利用高速CCD 可见光相机系统研究了EAST 上的边缘局域模(ELMs)细丝动力学特性。采用Tsai 两步标定法对CCD 相机进行标定,以实现将CCD 图像坐标转换为真实空间坐标。选取CCD 图像中与边缘局域模细丝垂直方向上的图像灰度值,绘制了灰度分布图。灰度分布图中的一个凸起的尖峰代表了一条边缘局域模细丝结构,细丝的位置坐标由尖峰顶点确定。运用Sobel 边缘检测算子检测细丝边缘轮廓,从而得到细丝的宽度。通过对边缘局域模细丝宽度特性的分析,发现边缘局域模细丝在从最外层封闭磁面向外传播的过程中宽度不断减小。这表明细丝在向外传播的过程中其能量和粒子不断耗散。I-型边缘局域模的细丝宽度比III-型边缘局域模细丝的宽度更大。     

Current filamentation and macroturbulence in superconductors in rotating magnetic fields

The onset of specific magnetic structures associated with the formation of extended current filaments is observed in YBCO single crystals in a rotating magnetic field. Like current filaments in a plasma, they are unstable and decay into current macrovortices. The appearance of filaments is explained by the formation of closed flux rings along magnetization-reversal fronts and collapse of these rings with formation of Meissner cylinders. The total current along the surface and in the vortex shell of the cylinder (the latter current dominates in high-T _c superconductors) exceeds the critical current in the same volume located far from a filament. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 65, No. 3, 253–257 (10 February 1997)     

Observation of large arrays of plasma filaments in air breakdown by 1.5-MW 110-GHz gyrotron pulses

We report the observation of two-dimensional plasma filamentary arrays with more than 100 elements generated during breakdown of air at atmospheric pressure by a focused Gaussian beam from a 1.5-MW, 110-GHz gyrotron operating in 3-micros pulses. Each element is a plasma filament elongated in the electric field direction and regularly spaced about one-quarter wavelength apart in the plane perpendicular to the electric field. The development of the array is explained as a result of diffraction of the beam around the filaments, leading to the sequential generation of high intensity spots, at which new filaments are created, about a quarter wavelength upstream from each existing filament. Electromagnetic wave simulations corroborate this explanation and show very good correlation to the observed pattern of filaments.     

Modulation of terahertz generation in dual-color filaments by an external electric field and preformed plasma

Terahertz generation driven by dual-color filaments in air is demonstrated to be remarkably enhanced by applying an external electric field to the filaments. As terahertz generation is sensitive to the dual-color phase difference, a preformed plasma is verified efficiently in modulating terahertz radiation from linear to elliptical polarization. In the presence of preformed plasma, a dual-color filament generates terahertz pulses of elliptical polarization and the corresponding ellipse rotates regularly with the change of the preformed plasma density. The observed terahertz modulation with the external electric field and the preformed plasma provides a simple way to estimate the plasma density and evaluate the photocurrent dynamics of the dual-color filaments. It provides further experimental evidence of the photo-current model in governing the dual-color filament driven terahertz generation processes.     

Interaction of femtosecond light filaments with obscurants in aerosols

The interaction of ultrashort laser pulses with opaque droplets in the atmosphere is examined numerically. Intense filaments resulting from the balance between self-focusing and ionization of air molecules are shown to be robust against obscurants sized up to 2/3 of the filament diameter. (3D+1)-dimensional numerical simulations confirm recent experimental data [F. Courvoisier et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 83, 213 (2003)]. The filament is rapidly rebuilt with minimal loss of energy over a few cm after the interaction region. The replenishment of the pulse mainly proceeds from the nonlinear attractor responsible for the formation of a spatial soliton modeling the filament core.     

Evolution of filament structures during edge-localized modes in the MAST Tokamak

Edge-localized modes (ELMs) are repetitive instabilities that occur in the outer region of tokamak plasmas. This Letter provides new information on and the implications of the evolution of the filament structures observed during ELMs in the MAST tokamak. The filaments exist for the time over which particles are being released into the scrape off layer. They start off at the plasma edge rotating at the velocity of the pedestal, and then decelerate toroidally and accelerate radially outwards. As the filaments propagate radially they remain aligned with the local magnetic field line.     

Hall effect measurements using low ac magnetic fields and lock-in technique on field effect transistors with molybdenum disulfide channels

Hall effect measurements conventionally rely on the use of dc magnetic fields. For electronic devices made of ultrathin semiconducting materials, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), the dc Hall effect measurements have practical difficulties. Here, we report the results of the Hall effect measurements using ac magnetic fields and a lock-in detection of the Hall voltage for field effect transistors with ultrathin MoS₂ channels. The ac Hall effect measurements have some advantages over the dc measurements. The carrier concentration and the Hall mobility were estimated as a function of gate voltage from the results of the ac Hall effect measurements. They used a magnetic field strength that was lower by two orders of magnitude than those used in prior studies on MoS₂ devices, which relied on dc magnetic fields.