Improvement of J/sub c/ in Bi-2212-Ag composite superconductor by controlling Po/sub 2/ on the partial melt process

In a partial melt process for Bi-2212-Ag composite tapes, round and rectangular shape superconductors, the effects of oxygen partial pressure (Po/sub 2/) on the critical current density (J/sub c/) have been studied. It was found that the J/sub c/ of Bi-2212-Ag composite tapes increased from 4.5/spl times/10/sup 4/ A/cm/sup 2/ to 2.2/spl times/10/sup 5/ A/cm/sup 2/ at 4.2 K in zero magnetic field with increasing Po/sub 2/ from 0.1 bar to 1.0 bar. SEM observation for the cross sectional image and J/sub c/ measurement revealed that the partial melt process under higher Po/sub 2/ was effective in realizing well-aligned structure along the silver wall. These results were explained by the idea that crystallization of the Bi-2212 system starts at the interface between the liquid phase and the oxygen rich gas phase. In order to prove the potentiality of this process for the rectangular shape conductors, fabrication of a solenoid magnet has been attempted using rectangular shape conductors under high oxygen partial pressure. The typical results of this solenoid magnet, 2.7/spl times/10/sup 4/ A/cm/sup 2/ in J/sub c/ with generating magnetic field 0.70 T, and 4.3/spl times/10/sup 4/ A/cm/sup 2/ in quenching current density with generating magnetic field 1.13 T have been observed at 4.2 K in the self magnetic field.<>