The dynamic resistance in a slab-like superconductor is calculated, taking into account a field-dependent critical current density. In superconductors carrying DC transport current in an AC external magnetic field, the dynamic resistance causes a transport loss which depends on the amplitude and frequency of this field as well as on the transport current. This resistance is calculated analytically in a critical-state model applied to a superconducting slab in a parallel field. The field has a general periodic time dependence and for the superconductor a relation between critical current and momentary magnetic field as in the Kim model is assumed. The dynamic resistance appears only at field amplitudes larger than the so-called threshold field, which depends on the transport current. The model predictions are compared with experimental results obtained with a Bi-2223/Ag tape at liquid-nitrogen temperature. At small field amplitude and at low transport current, the derived model predicts the observed dependence of dynamic resistance on field amplitude, field frequency and transport current. For a larger field amplitude and simultaneous high transport current, the resistance is found to be larger than the model predicts. This is probably due to the not completely slab-like geometry and/or to a different field dependence of the critical current density in a high AC field.

The shielding of a DC magnetic field has been demonstrated to be complete at 4.2 K, at least up to 2 T, inside the 18 mm bore of a thick MgB 2 bulk cylinder, 70 mm tall. No hysteresis has been detected along the cycle of the field application and removal, and no flux jumps have been detected either. The MgB 2 cylinder was manufactured by the Reactive Mg Liquid Infiltration process, an 'in situ' technology able to give very dense MgB 2 manufacts. According to the previously measured J c (B, T ) characteristics of a MgB 2 bulk superconductor of the same origin and quality, a critical current density of about 30 kA cm −2 can be assumed at the fields of 2-3 T and at the temperature of 4.2 K of the reported shielding experiment. Accordingly, we estimate that the thickness of the MgB 2 cylinder filled by the shielding currents is about 5.75 mm, lower than the present cylinder thickness of 8.77 mm.

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) transformers promise decreased weight and volume and higher efficiency. A 1 MVA HTS railway transformer was built and tested at Siemens AG. This paper deals with the prediction of ac loss in the BSCCO/Ag-tape windings. In a railway transformer the tape carries ac current in alternating field, the temperature differs from 77 K, tapes are stacked or cabled and overcurrents and higher harmonics occur. In ac-loss literature these issues are treated separately, if at all. We have developed a model that predicts the ac loss in sets of BSCCO/Ag-tape coils, and deals with the above-mentioned issues. The effect of higher harmonics on the loss in HTS tapes is considered for the first time. The paper gives a complete overview of the model equations and required input parameters. The model is validated over a wide range of the input parameters, using the measured critical current and ac loss of single tapes, single coils and sets of coils in the 1 MVA transformer. An accuracy of around 25% is achieved in all relevant cases. Presently the model is developed further, in order to describe other HTS materials and other types of applications.

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Owing to its ability to produce dense thick-films at room temperature directly from a ceramic powder, the Aerosol Deposition Method (AD) possesses a unique feature in ceramics processing. For this technology, the aerosol generation of particles is a decisive part of reliable process control. However, there has only been a small amount of work published addressing this topic. In this work, we compare the aerosolization and deposition behavior of a fluidized bed generator with an aerosol generator with the rotary brush principle. While film properties very much depend on deposition time for the fluidized bed generator, films produced with the brush generator show a constant film profile, and their film thickness correlates with the controllable aerosol concentration and the duration of deposition. This type of aerosol generation may improve the setup towards a more reliable AD process.