Investigation of Bi-2223 high temperature superconducting tape as the material for gradient coil in MRI

The use of Bi-2223 high temperature superconducting (HTS) tape as a material for gradient coils in MRI is evaluated in this paper. Bi-2223 tapes have a very high critical current and a very low power loss. A HTS tape gradient coil is expected to provide much higher gradient strength and generate much lower heating than a copper coil. Measurements of the AC power loss of Bi-2223 tapes at typical operating frequencies for gradient coils are presented. The degradation of the critical current and its effect on the increase of AC power loss is analyzed. Practical technical issues such as resistance, gradient strength and mechanical performance are also discussed. A prototype Bi-2223 HTS tape gradient coil is evaluated to verify the concept.     

Superconducting joint of Bi-2223/Ag superconducting tapes by diffusion bonding

61-Filaments Bi-2223/Ag superconducting tapes have been joined by diffusion bonding. The critical currents (I_Cs) of the joints are obtained by using standard four probe method under no magnetic field in the liquid nitrogen. The microstructures of the joints are evaluated by the electron microscope in electron backscatter diffraction mode and the phase compositions of the superconducting cores of the joint and the original tape are determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show diffusion bonding is effective bonding technique for HTS tapes, and the bonding time is reduced greatly from hundreds of hours to a few hours, and the bonding pressure also changes from 140–4000 MPa to 3 MPa. Furthermore, the diffusion bonding joints sustain superconducting properties, and the critical current ratios (CCR_O) of the joints are in the range of 35%–80%. Microstructures of the typical joint display a good bonding and some defects existed in traditional method are avoided. XRD results show that the phase compositions of the superconducting cores have no obvious changes before and after diffusion bonding, which offers physical and material bases for high superconducting property of the joints.     

Study of air heat treatment on Bi-2223/Ag superconducting tapes

Heat treatment has been carried out on commercially available Bi-2223/Ag superconducting tape under various temperature conditions in air. The critical currents (I_C) of tape after heat treatment at different annealing temperatures were tested at the liquid-nitrogen temperature. The microstructures and phase constituents of the tapes were investigated by SEM and XRD, respectively. The results indicate that annealing temperature has a very important influence on the superconducting properties of the tapes. When the temperature is above 840 °C, I_C value drops dramatically. Furthermore, when the temperature reaches up to 860 °C, the tape loses most of its superconducting property because of the decomposition of the superconducting phase Bi-2223.     

Bi-2223/Ag高温超导带材临界电流实验研究

为了研究磁场、温度对Bi-2223/Ag带材超导性能的影响,建立了一套测量带材临界电流的实验装置,该装置能够提供稳定的背景磁场,控温精度最高可达±20m K,在零场、控温(77.3K)条件下样品的临界电流测量值与带材给定参数基本吻合,表明该装置测量精度满足要求;文中将高温超导带材放在特制控温罩中,使用He气冷技术和温控系统调节样品温度(4.2—80K),测量了在0—12T背场下高温超导带材的临界电流,并系统地分析了Bi-2223/Ag带材临界电流对温度和磁场的依赖关系。     

Fabrication of joint Bi-2223/Ag superconducting tapes with BSCCO superconducting powders by diffusion bonding

61-Filaments Bi-2223/Ag superconducting tapes have been successfully joined with BSCCO superconducting powder interlayer by diffusion bonding. The electrical properties of the diffusion bonding joints were tested by standard four probe method and the microstructures of the joints were also examined by SEM. Additionally, the phase constituents of the superconducting powders between the tapes before and after bonding process were evaluated by XRD analysis. The result shows that the diffusion bonding joints are superconductive. The microstructures of the joint display a good bonding with no cracks and discontinuities. The joining zones are mainly composed of Bi-2223 phase, Bi-2212 phase and a small amount of CuO, Ca₂PbO₄. At last, the phase transformations of the superconducting powders in the bonding process are discussed.     

铁磁材料作用于Bi-2223带材临界电流的研究

主要研究了铁磁材料对Bi-2223带材的临界电流的影响。通过计算铁磁材料在不同布局下对带材磁场分布的影响,进行了相应的临界电流测试实验。分析表明,将铁磁材料垂直放在带材边缘能有效地提高带材的临界电流。     

Gd-substituted Bi-2223 superconductor

The effects of gadolinium doping at calcium site on the normal and superconducting properties of Bi-2223 system were studied. The Gd-doped (BiPb)-2223 series of specimens, namely Batch I, II and III were sintered at three different sintering temperatures 830, 850 and 895°C respectively. The properties investigated are (1) the normal state resistivity with a view to study metal-to-insulator transition, (2) the XRD patterns of the specimens with a view to study the relative composition of (BiPb)-2212 and (BiPb)-2223 phases and (3) the superconducting fluctuation behaviour (SFB) with a view to determine the effect of doping, if any, on the dimensionality of the fluctuation conductivity of the system. The normal state resistivity of Gd-substituted Bi-2223 specimens shows metallic, semiconducting and insulating behaviour. The T _c (R = 0) values indicate that (BiPb)-2223 phase is responsible for the observed superconducting transitions in Batch I and Batch II specimens with Gd concentrations x ≤ 0.7. This observation is further confirmed in the analysis of XRD patterns of these specimens. Gadolinium, being a magnetic impurity, has pair breaking effect near the Fermi level and decreases T _c (R = 0). The analysis of the superconducting fluctuation behaviour (SFB) shows a 2D dimensionality without any cross-over.

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The frequency dependence of AC transport losses in stacked Bi—2223／Ag superconducting tapes

AC transport losses in a single superconducting tape, double-and triple-stacked Bi-2223/Ag superconducting tapes were measured by use of electrical method. The measurements were carried out at 77K with the frequency of AC transport currents ranging from 50 to 100Hz. The dependence of AC losses on frequency and the number of tapes in the stack were presented and analysed.     

Annealing time effect on Bi-2223 phase development in LFZ and EALFZ grown superconducting fibres

The application of an electrical current during solidification by laser floating zone (LFZ) technique of superconducting fibres of the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system was recently proposed as a very suitable method to improve crystal alignment. This novel electrical assisted laser floating zone (EALFZ) technique also leads to a strong modification on the phase nature. In the present study, the effect of the annealing time at 860 °C on superconducting properties of Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₄O₁₁ nominal composition fibres was investigated. Two sets of samples, grown by LFZ and EALFZ using an electric current of 150 mA, were annealed at three different times (24, 96 and 192 h). The critical current density values revealed to be strongly dependent on the 2223 phase amount and on crystal orientation. Current application during the solidification process favours the early development of the 2223 phase, while long annealing times are required in the conventional LFZ processed fibre. The highest critical current density was achieved for the EALFZ fibres annealed during 192 h due to the 2223 stoichiometry optimization and decreasing of second phases.     

Anionic substitutions in Bi-2223 superconductor

Samples of nominal stoichiometry Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca_2.5Cu_3.5O_x−zF_z and Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca_2.5Cu_3.5O_x−z(SO₄)_z (z=0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9) were prepared by standard solid state reaction from appropriate oxides, carbonates, copper (II) fluoride, and copper (II) sulphate. Superconducting properties of the samples were characterized by measuring of temperature dependency of their electrical resistivity and critical current density, their phase composition was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and element composition by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). While greater amount of fluorine widens the superconducting transition and worsens transport properties, the less doped sample shows increase in critical current density. Sulphur-doped samples show no superconducting transition at all.     

Effect of current sweep reversal on the magnetic field stability for a Bi-2223 superconducting solenoid

The effect of current sweep reversal on the temporal drift in magnetic field intensity for a Bi-2223 solenoid was investigated by experiment and using numerical simulation. Current sweep reversal, by as small as 1% of the peak current, was found to stabilize the drift in magnetic field intensity for a Bi-2223 tape solenoid. The field drift was due to flux creep in the Bi-2223 tape and the current sweep reversal formed a barrier for flux entrance at the upper and lower surface of the conductor, preventing flux creep. With a current reversal of several% of the peak current, the barrier formation extended over half of the solenoid and the magnetic field intensity became constant with time. The current sweep reversal technique should prove useful to stabilize an ultra-high field low/high-temperature superconducting nuclear magnetic resonance magnet operated at frequencies (field intensities) beyond 1 GHz (23.5 T).     

超导芯截面形状对Bi-2223/Ag带Jc的影响

磁光图像显示Ｂｉ－２２２３／Ａｇ带材中单根超导芯的宽面两侧边缘分布有较大的超导电流密度，Ｂｉ－２２２３单根超导芯的横截面是纺锤形的，单位宽度上的横截面面积之比与电流密度在横截面上不同部分的分布之比相当，高的电流密度在单根超导芯两则的分布可能是由单芯横截面的形状引起的。     

Role of vanadium in Bi-2223 ceramics

The effect of substitution of vanadium in Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃ O_δ ceramic at Bi and Cu sites has been investigated for the resistivity, a.c. susceptibility, XRD and a.c. magnetization studies. Enhancement in T _c for the smaller concentrations of V at either of the two sites was observed which followed an expected lattice distortion and decrease in T _c for higher V concentrations. V plays a role of substituting element more than just a sintering agent as reflected in the more rapid decrease in T _c at Cu-site and further in the magnetization values that are higher compared to the values at the Bi-site. It indicates higher magnetization scattering at the Cu site. The results were explained keeping in mind the liquid phase mechanism behind the formation of the 2223 phase and the possibility of magnetic scattering.     

2T高温超导Bi-2223带材磁体

通过带材Ic及其弯曲性能测试,进行磁体设计,采用先处理后绕制(R&W)的工艺,制得中心磁场达2T的高温超导Bi-2223带材饼状线圈磁体.该磁体在液氮(77K)下通电流22.4A,中心磁场达0.25T;在液氦下可通电流170A,中心磁场达2.0T(4.2K),为液氮下的8倍,表明所采用的工艺,对制作中小规模高温超导Bi-2223带材饼状线圈磁体,是合适的.     

AC loss measurements on model Bi-2223 conductors

Measurements of the AC loss in applied magnetic fields at 77 K have been made on model composite Bi-2223 conductors. A vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and a dual Hall sensor magnetometer (HSM) were used to cover the frequency range from below 0.01 Hz to over 250 Hz at AC fields up to 0.05 T rms. The VSM was limited to the frequency range below 0.2 Hz. A comparison of the two measurement techniques was possible at intermediate frequencies. The samples consisted of vertical stacks of well separated flat filaments of superconductor in Ag and Ag-alloy matrix, allowing a range of filament coupling conditions to be explored.     

Experiment of enhancing critical current and reducing ac loss in pancake coil comprised of Ni-coated Bi-2223/Ag tape

An approach of realizing high performance HTS coil comprised of ferromagnetic material-coated BSCCO tape is proposed. The concept of influencing critical current and ac loss is based on the magnetic shielding effect resulting in redirection of self-field flux-lines. In the previous article, ac performance of Ni-coated tape was demonstrated where the Ni-coating was introduced at the edge-regime of the finished tape in order to redirect the perpendicular component of self-field lines. In order to investigate the shielding effect on ac performance in HTS coil, a two-turn pancake coil comprised of Ni-coated Bi-2223/Ag tape is demonstrated in the present article. About 6.4% of critical current was enhanced and 30% of transport current ac loss was reduced by means of 40 μm thick and 0.3 mm long (from the edge toward center of the tape) Ni-coating. This result suggests that additional ferromagnetic loss could be compensated well by the shielding effect of the partial Ni-coating. The degree of enhancement in critical current as well as ferromagnetic impact on ac losses depend on the volume and geometry of ferromagnetic coating introduced. Therefore, it is very important to control the parameter of ferromagnetic coating of the tape in order to balance the critical current and ac loss for optimum coil performance.     

Growth kinetics and morphological transformation of Bi-2223 crystals

Avrami’s equation was found to be the best kinetics theory to describe the high-T_c Bi-2223 crystal formation so far. There are three parameters (exponential index n, activation energy E and parameter k) in the equation. A series of research works have been done on the determination of parameters n and E, but few on another parameter k are to be found. The purpose of the approach was to determine and study the role of k in the formation of Bi-2223 crystals. The analysis in the research showed that the parameter k could describe the exhausting speed of reactants, and determine reaction probability and mean lifetime of reactants. The growth mechanism of the 2223 polycrystals was found to show some differences from the prediction of the Avrami’s theory model. At the initial duration, the 2223 crystal growth was much lower than the theoretical prediction; especially there was a mature duration to be found at the last growth duration, at which the 2223 crystal almost did not increase, but its crystal grains obviously became larger. This was a typical morphological transformation. The morphological transformation was the first time to be reported for the growth of the 2223 phase.     

Vortex glass scaling in Pb-doped Bi-2223 single crystal

We report on study of the vortex liquid in Pb-doped Bi-2223 single crystal using the in-plane resistivity measurements as a function of temperature and magnetic field up to 6 T applied perpendicular to CuO planes. Below T _c at the upper part of superconducting transition we found Arrhenius-like resistivity behavior. With further temperature decrease close to onset of dissipation resistivity shows power law dependence on temperature signaling approaching vortex-glass transition. The critical exponents ν(z − 1) = 4.6 ± 0.5 are found to be field independent within experimental errors. We also present magnetic phase diagram defining region of nonzero critical current for Pb-doped Bi-2223 single crystal.     

AC susceptibility study in the single-phase Bi-2223 system

We have found that the composition, Bi_1.2Pb_0.33Sr_1.54Ca_2.06Cu₃O_y which is comparatively poorer in Bi and Sr with respect to 2:2:2:3, a single-phase 110 K superconductor can be obtained. Such polycrystalline samples have been synthesized by two different methods. The synthesized samples have been characterized by their X-ray diffraction patterns and temperature dependence of DC electrical resistivity and AC susceptibility down to 20 K have been carried out. The samples have been identified as having single phase with a sharp transition. The results of their AC susceptibility have been analysed using Clems critical state model. The effective volume fraction of the grains and the temperature dependence of the intergranular current density have been estimated.