Results of AC loss measurements on heat treated SSC cables

Dipole magnets designed for the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) have shown anomalous ramp rate dependence, and it is thought that interstrand coupling may contribute to this effect. The authors describe measurements made on cable samples which were prepared and measured under circumstances which approximate those which an actual magnet conductor will experience. The object of this experiment was to investigate the sensitivity of eddy current loss to applied pressure, and to observe the loss in a sample prepared under conditions which actual SSC conductors experience during magnet fabrication. Subjecting the cable to pressure during heat treatment and during measurement significantly increased the eddy current loss, but it is not altogether clear that the increase results primarily from interstrand coupling.<>