FABRICATING SUPERCONDUCTING JOINTS BETWEEN AG-CLAD BSSCO CONDUCTORS

Significant progress has been made in the development of Ag-clad BSCCO conductors, which makes them attractive for electrical power and high -field magnet applications. Long conductors of up to several hundred m eters in length and with high critical current densities have been fab ricated by the powder-in-tube technique. For efficient use of these co nductors, it is imperative that they be linked by superconducting join ts. With the use of a novel chemical-etching technique, the Ag sheath from one side of a tape was selectively etched to expose the underlyin g superconductor core. Joints were formed by bringing together the exp osed cores of two such tapes and heat treating them at the required te mperature. Critical current (I-c) within and through the joint was mea sured, and the microstructure analyzed in detail. I-c within and throu gh the joint was typically 37 and 10 A, respectively. At present, effo rt is underway to improve current transport through the joint.