Batch production of YBCO disks for levitation applications

Abstract

Batch melt-growth processing of YBa2Cu3Oy levitation disks cold seeded by Sm-123 single crystals doped by MgO is described. The process capable of a simultaneous fabrication of up to 64 pieces has been developed and successfully tested as a necessary step towards a planned production capacity of several thousand pieces a year. Diameters of the levitation disks varied from 14 mm to 56 mm. Main attention was paid to levitation disks of 28 mm in diameter. This dimension occurs to be the best compromise from various points of view: The material homogeneity, pellet quality, production loss, processing time etc. Properties of the disks, such as levitation force, critical current density at different temperatures, trapped magnetic field, etc. are shown and discussed.