Table of contents

Cuprate high-temperature superconductors (HTS), such as RE-Ba₂Cu₃O_7−δ (REBCO, RE = rare earth), (Bi,Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_10−x and Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8−x, have enabled the development of high-field superconducting magnets capable of generating magnetic fields far exceeding 20 T. The brittle nature of HTS requires elaborate means to protect them against the high stresses and strains associated with high-field magnet operation, and so far, has prevented reliable high-field HTS magnets from becoming a reality. Here we report a more than tenfold increase in the irreversible strain limit under axial tension (_irr) to over 7% in optimized high-current conductor on round core (CORC^®) conductors, compared to the REBCO tapes from which the CORC^® conductor is wound. Minimizing the tape winding pitch of the helical wind mechanically decouples the brittle REBCO film from the overall conductor. The REBCO tapes behave as springs, limiting the rate at which applied strain is transferred to the ceramic film. In addition, high-strength alloy cores allow the critical stress (_crit) under axial tension at which initial degradation of CORC^® conductors occurs to exceed 600 MPa, making them one of the strongest superconductors available. Mechanically decoupling the ceramic REBCO films from the overall CORC^® conductor allows effective protection against the high operating stresses in high-field magnets. This breakthrough presents a monumental shift for HTS magnet technology, bringing reliable high-field superconducting magnets for compact fusion machines, the next generation of particle accelerators, and 40–60 T research solenoids within reach.

With the first tokamak designed for full nuclear operation now well into final assembly (ITER), and a major new research tokamak starting commissioning (JT60SA), nuclear fusion is becoming a mainstream potential energy source for the future. A critical part of the viability of magnetic confinement for fusion is superconductor technology. The experience gained and lessons learned in the application of this technology to ITER and JT60SA, together with new and improved superconducting materials, is opening multiple routes to commercial fusion reactors. The objective of this roadmap is, through a series of short articles, to outline some of these routes and the materials/technologies that go with them.

Oxygen electromigration applied to a YBa₂Cu₃O$_{7-\delta}$ nanowire can be used to tune its electrical properties. Here, we apply electromigration to YBCO nanowire-based superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) and study its effect on the voltage modulation depth of the devices. Using a dc electromigration current we replenish the oxygen of the weak links, improving the critical current symmetry of the SQUIDs. AC current electromigration is used to reduce the doping level of the weak links, thus reducing their critical current and increasing differential resistance. Both type of electromigration processes are found to improve the SQUIDs performance, although the best results are obtained with ac biased electromigration, which improved the voltage modulations of the SQUIDs by a factor as high as 8. This procedure can be instrumental to fine tune ex-situ the properties of superconducting electronics where a large number of weak links are required.

BaZrO₃ (BZO) one-dimensional artificial pinning centers (1D-APCs) aligned along the c-axis of the YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (YBCO) have been adopted to enhance the magnetic vortex pinning in BZO/YBCO nanocomposite films. However, the pinning force density F_p of the BZO 1D-APCs remains moderate at temperatures near 77 K. A hypothesis of the major limiting factor is the defective BZO 1D-APCs/YBCO interface as a direct consequence of the large interfacial strain originated from the BZO/YBCO lattice mismatch of ∼7.7%. Herein, we explore enlarging the c-axis of the YBCO dynamically to reduce the lattice mismatch and hence to prevent formation of the defective BZO 1D-APCs/YBCO interface. Specifically, the c-axis enlargement was achieved by partial replacement of Cu with Ca on the YBCO lattice using strain-directed Ca diffusion into YBCO from two Ca_0.3Y_0.7Ba₂Cu₃O_7−x (CaY-123) spacers of only 10 nm in thickness inserted into the 2 vol% BZO 1D-APC/YBCO nanocomposite thin films of ∼150 nm in total thickness. The achieved elongated c-axis is attributed to the formation of stacking faults induced by Ca-replacement of Cu on YBCO lattice. The reduced BZO/YBCO lattice mismatch allows formation of a coherent BZO 1D-APC/YBCO interface with negligible defects. This leads to an enhanced F_p value up to 98 GN m⁻³ at 65 K, which is 70% higher than that of the reference 2 vol% BZO 1D-APC/YBCO sample. Furthermore, the benefit of the enhanced pinning of the BZO 1D-APCs with a coherent interface with YBCO can be extended to a large angular range of the magnetic field orientation. This study reveals the significant effect of the BZO/YBCO interface on the pinning efficiency of BZO 1D-APCs and provides a promising approach to achieve a coherent interface in BZO/YBCO nanocomposite films.

Accelerators magnets must have minimal magnetic field imperfections to reduce particle-beam instabilities. In the case of coils made of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes, the magnetization due to persistent currents adds an undesired field contribution, potentially degrading the magnetic field quality. In this paper we study the use of superconducting screens based on HTS tapes for reducing the magnetic field imperfections in accelerator magnets. The screens exploit the magnetization by persistent currents to cancel out the magnetic field error. The screens are aligned with the main field component, such that only the undesired field components are compensated. The screens are self-regulating, and do not require any externally applied source of energy. Measurements in liquid nitrogen at ${77}\ \mathrm{K}$ show for dipole-field configurations a significant reduction of the magnetic field error up to a factor of four. The residual error is explained via numerical simulations accounting for the geometric defects in the HTS screens, achieving satisfactory agreement with experimental results. Simulations show that if screens are increased in width and thickness, and operated at ${4.5}\ \mathrm{K}$, field errors may be eliminated almost entirely for the typical excitation cycles of accelerator magnets.

Roebel cables assembled with high temperature superconducting tapes are a promising technology for several AC and DC applications. Their mechanical flexibility and compact design, combined with the capability of REBCO tapes to carry high transport currents in intense magnetic fields make them suitable for the application both in power devices and high field magnets. In this paper, an electro-thermal finite-element model developed at the University of Bologna (Italy) is described. The model allows computing the current and heat redistribution between the strands of the cable and from turn to turn inside a winding through non-uniform distributed thermal and electrical resistances between strands. The tape is 'homogenized' so as to create an anisotropic continuum model through a previously developed homogenization technique. The model is validated by comparison with quench tests performed on a well instrumented 7-turn pancake coil wound with a 2 m long Roebel cable composed of 15 REBCO tapes. The experiments were performed at the University of Southampton (UK) in the frame of the R&D activities of the EuCARD-2 project. The quench decision time, the temperature and electric potential evolution, the current and heat redistribution between strands in the event of a quench are analysed and discussed in the present study.

Fusion energy systems studies (FESS) for next-step devices based on the most promising magnetic configurations indicate that high magnetic fields and high current density for magnet coil systems may reduce device size and lower the cost. High current density and radiation resistant fusion magnets are particularly beneficial for low cost, low aspect ratio compact reactor designs such as Fusion Nuclear Science Facility (FNSF), Fusion Pilot Plant (FPP) of low-aspect ratio spherical tokamak (ST) or compact stellarators. Unlike typical high field magnets for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or high energy physics research applications, neutron irradiation damage to organic insulations in the coil winding pack is a critical issue for next generation fusion reactors where orders of magnitude higher neutron fluence than those in present experimental reactors such as ITER are expected. Moreover, a high coil winding pack current density is needed for high field magnets in low cost, compact radial build next step fusion reactors. The slow current charging time, however, is an issue in fully non-insulated coils. We present the design, construction and testing of subscale Nb₃Sn solenoids, up to half the diameter of the central solenoid (CS) for National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX), with and without inter-layer insulation for enhancing radiation resistance while improving the winding pack current density and coil performance. The major radius for the NSTX/NSTX-Upgrade (reference for compact ST) is 0.854/0.934 meter, and 4.8 meters for FNSF. The magnetic field for NSTX/NSTX-U at the plasma center is 0.6/1 Tesla and 9 Tesla for FNSF. The inner diameter of the central solenoid coil is 0.2/0.4 meter for NSTX/NSTX-U and 1.2 meters for FNSF. The current charging and discharging behavior of the prototype solenoids was investigated to quantify performance advantages of a simplified coil fabrication without error-prone vacuum pressure impregnation (VPI) for the removal of epoxy organic insulation. Scalability of the no insulation concept for fusion can be addressed via engineered coating for novel insulation on contact resistance or intra-layer no insulations. Radiation resistance and coil winding efficiency were significantly improved in the no insulation coils for next step compact fusion reactors.

We demonstrate the frequency synchronization of multiple single-flux quantum (SFQ) oscillators with different oscillation frequencies. To synchronize these SFQ oscillators, a common constant bias current is supplied to the SFQ oscillators without any bias resistors. When an SFQ oscillator oscillates at a frequency of f, the average voltage across the Josephson junction comprising the SFQ oscillator is $f\Phi_{\mathrm{0}}$, where $\Phi_{\mathrm{0}}$ is the flux quantum in the superconductor. The bias currents supplied to the SFQ oscillators are redistributed to eliminate the average voltage difference output from the SFQ oscillators. As a result, the oscillation frequencies of all the SFQ oscillators are synchronized. Simulation results indicate that SFQ oscillators with an oscillation frequency difference of more than 50 GHz can be synchronized. We experimentally demonstrate the frequency synchronization of two SFQ oscillators composed of circular Josephson transmission lines. Frequency synchronization is expected to contribute toward the development of a low-power stable clock source stabilizing SFQ circuit operation.

Over the last 20 years, technologies for manufacturing rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO)-coated conductors have undergone a steady development. Currently, the properties of these conductors are reasonably stable owing to the intensive efforts of the manufacturers. However, for high-field magnet applications, such as the magnets used in nuclear magnetic resonance instruments, accelerators, and fusion reactors, further enhancements in the current-carrying capabilities and/or the current densities of the conductors under a high magnetic field are necessary. Recently, several conductors doped with artificial pinning centers (APCs) have become commercially available, primarily from four manufacturers: Fujikura, Shanghai ST, SuperOx, and SuperPower. In this study, we characterized these relatively new conductors from the viewpoint of a magnet designer. We measured the critical currents (I_c) of full-size 4 mm wide conductors in a wide field range at 4.2 K and 77 K; we also measured the critical temperatures. The measurement results showed that the I_c values at 4.2 K under perpendicular fields for these conductors are significantly greater than those of non-APC conductors; for the 4 mm wide conductors, the I_c values are in the range of 300–740 A and 450–1000 A at 18 T and 12 T, respectively. Furthermore, we clarified that the non-Cu current density (J_c) at 4.2 K for some of the investigated conductors is more than twice the J_c of the recent Nb₃Sn conductors in fields exceeding 15 T. In the investigated commercial REBCO-APC conductors, the highest layer J_c of ∼60 kA mm⁻² (at 18 T and 4.2 K) was noted. We also investigated the I_c–B relationship at 4.2 K for the recent REBCO-APC conductors.

Lots of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) devices which require current leads, slip rings or brushes have to face the challenges such as large heat load and complex structure. Recently, an HTS energy converter has been proposed, which can not only induce but also exploit persistent current in a closed HTS ring, realizing the conversion of mechanical energy—electromagnetic energy—mechanical energy wirelessly. In this work, a dynamic modelling method based on the H-formulation and moving mesh has been proposed to accurately simulate the electromagnetic performance of the HTS energy converter. The proposed modelling method can depict the induced current density inside the superconductor and magnetic field distribution, serving as a powerful tool to analyze the complex working principle of the HTS energy converter. The validity of the model has been verified by experimental results. Besides, effects of different parameters of the energy converter have been investigated in detail by our proposed model, to provide further insight into the design and applications of the device.

The repeatability of superconducting DC limiters has not been introduced by other literature. Understanding the performance degradation characteristics of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes under the overcurrent is of great significance for popularizing the application of a resistive-type DC superconducting fault current limiter. In this paper, the threshold experiment and repeated DC overcurrent experiment of HTS tape were carried out. With the critical current decay of the tapes under repeated DC overcurrent recorded, the current threshold under the DC overcurrent was obtained. And the performance degradation characteristics of the tapes under different repeated overcurrents were analysed, the resistance characteristics of the samples during different currents were compared. The results show that the DC overcurrent threshold of the copper-encapsulated second-generation (2G) YBCO tapes samples of Suzhou Advanced Materials Research Institute is 2.3/4 ms/3700 A. Under the repeated overcurrent, the performance degradation of the samples is abrupt, and the critical value is between 2.3/4 ms/3500 A and 2.3/4 ms/3550 A. The overcurrent has a limited influence on the magnitude of the resistance and will not affect the change trend of the resistance. The resistance at the falling edge of the current was greater than that at the rising edge of the current. The simulation was carried out by using COMSOL Multiphysics, and the simulation results matched the experimental results. The life prediction model of the samples was established and it was found that there is a custom equation relationship between the reliability of superconducting tapes and the number of the overcurrent, and the performance decline of this kind of samples is catastrophic.

We report the fabrication of small (Ba,A)Fe₂As₂ (A: Na, K) coils using 10 m-class long round wires, fabricated by the powder-in-tube method. Coils are sintered using the hot-isostatic-press technique after glass-fiber insulations are installed. Critical current (I_c) of the whole coil using (Ba,Na)Fe₂As₂ and (Ba,K)Fe₂As₂ are 60 A and 66 A under the self-field, and the generated magnetic fields at the center of the coil reach 2.6 kOe and 2.5 kOe, respectively. Furthermore, the largest transport critical current density (J_c) and I_c in (Ba,Na)Fe₂As₂ wires picked up from the coil reach 54 kA cm⁻² and 51.8 A at T = 4.2 K under a magnetic field of 100 kOe, respectively. This value exceeds transport J_c of all previous iron-based superconducting round wires. Texturing of grains in the core of the wire due to the improvement of the wire drawing process plays a key role for the enhancement of J_c.

The effect of multifilament coated conductors on reducing shielding currents was studied by numerical electromagnetic field analyses. We compared the behaviours of the shielding currents in stacked double pancake coils and layer-wound solenoid coils (SLCs) wound with the following conductors: a monofilament coated conductor, a copper-plated two-filament coated conductor, and an insulated two-filament coated conductor. Shielding-current-induced fields (SCIFs) in the layer-wound SLCs wound with copper-plated two-filament coated conductors decay more rapidly than in stacked double pancake coils wound with copper-plated two-filament coated conductors. In addition, we examined the behaviour of the shielding currents in the coils with and without normal metal terminals. The normal metal terminals made the decay time constants of the SCIFs in pancake coils longer, while the decay time constants of SCIFs did not change notably in the layer-wound SLCs with and without normal metal terminals.