TRANSPORT I-C MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE WITH NON-SOLDERED CONTACTS FOR AG-SHEATHED HIGH T-C SUPERCONDUCTORS

A transport current measurement technique suitable for the technologic al development of high-temperature superconducting tapes has been desi gned. The main advantage of the technique presented is in the applicat ion of non-soldered current and voltage contacts which allows measurem ent of the same element of superconducting tape at different technolog ical states (roll-sinter or press-sinter step). Voltage-current charac teristics can be measured in self field as well as in external magneti c field at 77 K or 4.2 K and at different field orientations. The tech nique capabilities are dem: onstrated by presenting I-c data obtained from Bi(2223)/Ag tape. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited