Fabrication method improvement and superconducting property investigation of single domain GdBCO bulk superconductors

Abstract

Top seeded infiltration and growth method (TSIG) is improved by adopting a new liquid source and novel configuration. And single-domain Gd-Ba-Cu-O (GdBCO) bulk superconductors are successfully prepared using the improved method. Experimental observations on the morphology and the microstructure show that the samples exhibit good texture and homogeneous distribution of fine Gd2BaCuO5 (Gd-211) inclusions. Superconductive measurements reveal that the sample exhibits high superconducting transition temperature, self-field critical current density, and strong levitation force. In addition, the improved method can be used to simplify the process flow, shorten the experimental cycle, and hance the stability of the process, thus reducing the experimental difficulties. The results lay a good foundation for the batch production of large single domain bulks.