Flux pinning enhancement in Ag-clad Bi-2212 wires by reactive doping with barium peroxide

Reactive additions of barium peroxide to Bi-2212 are shown to create homoge neously distributed second phases and enhance flux pinning properties. Chan ges in the melting characteristics caused by the addition also influence th e texture of melt-processed Bi-2212 tapes. Heat treatment processes were ad justed corresponding to the Ba content to optimize the critical current den sities in high magnetic fields, Results of investigations on microstructura l, magnetization, and transport properties were correlated with flux pinnin g characteristics. Significant improvements in the field dependence of the superconducting properties of Bi-2212 at temperatures between 4.2 - 10 K we re demonstrated.