Alternating Current Loss Characteristics in (Bi,Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀ and YBa₂Cu₃O[subscript 7-δ] Superconducting Tapes

• Other Authors: Nguyen, Hau T. B., 1981- (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Physics
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2624

Alternating current (AC) loss and current carrying capacity are two of the most crucial considerations in large-scale power applications of high temperature superconducting (HTS) conductors. AC losses result in an increased thermal load for cooling machines, and thus increased operating costs. Furthermore, AC losses can stimulate quenching phenomena or at least decrease the stability margin for superconducting devices. Thus, understanding AC losses is essential for the development of HTS AC applications. The main focus of this dissertation is to make reliable total AC loss measurements and interpret the experimental results in a theoretical framework. With a specially designed magnet, advanced total AC loss measurement system in liquid nitrogen (77 K) has been successfully built. Both calorimetric and electromagnetic methods were employed to confirm the validity of the measured results and to have a more thorough understanding of AC loss in HTS conductors. The measurement is capable of measuring total AC loss in HTS tapes over a wide range of frequency and amplitude of transport current and magnetic field. An accurate phase control technique allows measurement of total AC loss with any phase difference between the transport current and magnetic field by calorimetric method. In addition, a novel total AC loss measurement system with variable temperatures from 30 K to 100 K was successfully built and tested. Understanding the dependence of AC losses on temperature will enable optimization of the operating temperature and design of HTS devices. As a part of the dissertation, numerical calculations using Brandt's model were developed to study electrodynamics and total AC loss in HTS conductors. In the calculations, the superconducting electrical behavior is assumed to follow a power-law model. In general, the practical properties of conductors, including field-dependence of critical current density Jc, n-value and non-uniform distribution of Jc, can be accounted for in the numerical calculations. The numerical calculations are also capable of investigating eddy current loss in the stabilizer and ferromagnetic loss in the substrate of YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) coated conductor. AC loss characteristics and electrodynamics in several (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox (Bi-2223) and YBCO tapes were studied experimentally and numerically. It was found that AC loss behavior in HTS tapes is strongly affected by the sample parameters such as cross-section, structure, dimensions, critical current distribution as well as by operation parameters including temperature, frequency, the phase difference between transport current and magnetic field, the orientation of magnetic field. The Ni-5%W substrate in YBCO conductors generates some ferromagnetic loss but this loss component is significantly reduced by a small parallel DC magnetic field. At a given AC magnetic field B0, there is a temperature Tmax at which the magnetization loss is maximum. The design of HTS devices needs to be optimized to avoid operating at that temperature. In general, the total AC loss in HTS tapes is still high for many power device applications, especially for those that present a rather high AC applied magnetic field. The development of low loss conductors is therefore crucial for HTS large-scale applications. === A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Physics in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Summer Semester, 2007. === May 31, 2007. === Magnetic Field, High Temperature Superconductors, AC Loss, Applied Superconductivity, Transport Current, Current Distribution, Magnetic Field Profile === Includes bibliographical references. === Justin Schwartz, Professor Co-Directing Dissertation; Gregory Boebinger, Professor Co-Directing Dissertation; Timothy M. Logan, Outside Committee Member; Linda Hirst, Committee Member; Oskar Vafek, Committee Member.