Determination of critical current density from arbitrary flux relaxation process

Abstract

The current-carrying ability of a type-II superconductor is generally represented by its critical current density. This can be determined by measuring a flux relaxation process starting with a testing current density that is greater than or equal to the critical value. Here we show that a flux relaxation process starting with an intermediate current density can be converted into a process starting with the critical current density by introducing a virtual time interval. Therefore, one may calculate the critical current density from the flux relaxation process starting with a current density below the critical value. The exact solutions of the time dependence of current density in the flux relaxation process were also discussed. © Author(s) 2012.