Well-defined grain boundary weak-links in silver-sheathed (Tl0.78Bi0.22)(Sr0.8Ba0.2)(2)Ca2Cu3Ox tape conductors

Journal article

The key factors that make the thallium-based 1223 phase conductors attractive candidates for high-field applications at 77 K are a high transition temperature (about 115 K) and an irreversibility line comparable to that of YBa2Cu3O7. However, a third important factor is the grain boundary behaviour. We have performed detailed current-voltage (I-V) studies of a silver-sheathed (Tl0.78Bi0.22)(Sr0.8Ba0.2) 2Ca2Cu3Ox (TI-1223/Ag) tape. Although the tape has a fairly high self-field critical current density Jc at 77 K (about 5 × 103 A cm-2), the I-V characteristics display the 'weak-link' signatures well known for YBa2Cu3O7: linear dissipation above a sharply defined critical current, a pronounced decrease of Jc in a magnetic field H and hysteresis with respect to field cycling. Broader implications for the superconductive behaviour of HTS grain boundaries are discussed.

Authors: Everett, J; Dhalle, M; Johnston, MD; Caplin, A; Moore, J

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: SUPERCONDUCTOR SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 1077-1080
• Publication date: 1996-12-01
• DOI: 10.1088/0953-2048/9/12/010
• ISSN: 0953-2048
• Language: English