Fabrication of multi-filamentary Y123 superconductor

The precursor Y1Ba2Cu3Ox (Y123) filaments were prepared by solution spinnin g through aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) solution containing mixed Y, Ba and C u acetates. The as-drawn filaments were heated to remove volatile component s and to generate a superconducting phase. The filamentary superconductors were passed through Ag paste and sintered. By controlling the heating condi tion, the composite with excellent connection between the filaments and met allic Ag matrix was obtained. The overall transport critical current densit y (J(e)) of more than 2000 A/cm(2) at 77 K and 0 T was achieved for the com posite with partially melted Y123 filaments. Although the J(e) value decrea sed by applying a low magnetic field less than 0.1 T, the superconductivity of the composite maintained at 10 T at 77 K. (C) 2000 Kluwer Academic Publ ishers.