Current progress in ternary LREBa2Cu3Oy materials and their application

Abstract

The Jc and Hirr values at 77 K of ternary light-rare-earth compounds, LREBa2Cu3Oy "LRE-123", are usually high enough to serve in various applications. Several sources of vortex pinning can be in these composites tailored to fit the needs of the particular application. The list comprises LRE/Ba solid solution, oxygen vacancies, large particles of secondary phases, twin planes, nanoscale lamellas, etc. By means of the latter defects one can achieve a very high irreversibility field. Refinement of secondary phase particles and the optimal choice of their amount enhance the electromagnetic performance in a broad temperature range, up vicinity of Tc, allowing levitation at liquid oxygen, 90.2 K. An optimum content of MoO3 doubles the self-field super-current at 77 K, H||c-axis. Altogether, the pinning tailoring in ternary LRE-123 materials provides a flexible and reliable way to fit the electromagnetic performance with the needs of sophisticated high-temperature and high-magnetic-field applications. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.