Transport critical-current and voltage-current characteristics of Bi(2223) silver-clamped thick films

The transport critical current properties of Bi(2223) silver-clamped thick films are studied by the measurement of its dependence on magnetic field and temperature close to T _c. It is found that the transport critical current follows a power law J _c(1–T/T _c)^3/2 for the sample with J _c>2.0×10⁴ A/cm² (77K, zero field) and that J _c(H) is basically reversible for increasing and decreasing magnetic field. After the transport current exceeds the critical current, the voltage-current (V-I) characteristics show a flux-creep-like behaviour until they smoothly join the flux-flow state. From the measurement of V-I curves, the pinning property of the sample may be estimated using the flux-creep mode. The flux-flow resistance is found to have a nonlinear magnetic field dependence.