Functional Superconducting Materials

摘要: Since the discovery of superconductivity by Kamerlingh Onnes in 1911, research into it has been driven need to evolve a basic understanding superconducting state on one hand and prospect applications other. The latter had wait for several decades until type II superconductors capable withstanding high magnetic fields. In this chapter, we review progress made so far binary alloys, such as NbTi, intermetallic compounds, Nb 3 Sn, which are main workhorses field accelerators, resonance imagers, laboratory magnets, etc. We also highlight efforts at increasing flux pinning current-carrying capacities these materials. then briefly focus 1970s early 1980s, when Chevrel phase compounds were limelight. These materials have very critical fields range 50–60 T, currents 10 4  A/cm 2 25 T demonstrated kilometre-length wires. However, interest them significantly waned after technically superior transition temperature ( T c ) cuprate super onductors 1986. Progress towards high- was rather slow owing fundamental problems associated with large anisotropy small coherence length leading granularity, giant creep consequent low current densities, even moderate overcome epitaxial-coated conductors YBCO. Various approaches mitigate preparation wires tapes discussed. Discovery compound MgB 39 K generated considerable recently. is not only because due its relatively but exhibits two gaps, which, thus far, theoretical possibility. applied aspects . Finally, properties borocarbide family first discovered India. chapter ends discussion recent iron–arsenide values 50 K.