Project Title:

Preparation of Superconducting Wire

10.06-6000
Preparation of Superconducting Wire
Spire Corporation
Patriots Park
Bedford
MA
01730
Anton C.
Greenwald
(617-275-6000)
MSFC

Abstract:

Chemical vapor deposition of YBa2Cu3Ox, or similar material, on a coated tungsten
filament is an innovative technique for fabrication of ceramic superconducting wire.
Metal-organic sources for the metals will be deposited in an atmosphere containing
oxygen so that unwanted species will be volatilized, e.g., as CO2, and the final
film may not require sintering. The filament, coated to prevent oxidation and to
maintain electrical contact to the 10 -20 micron thick film, will be uniformly heated
by passing a current through it. The Phase I objective is to demonstrate deposition
of YBa2Cu3Ox on a stationary wire with the correct ratio of metals and to test for
superconducting properties. Phase II objectives would be to continuously coat a wire
moving through the reactor with a layer having a transition temperature over 93 K
and a critical current density over 105 A/cm2 at 77 K. Filaments thus produced would
be twisted into larger diameter wire for use in magnets and other end products.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  Superconducting wire with a high critical current
density at 77 K in a 10 Tesla magnetic field would be useful in generators, motors,
energy storage systems, and magnets.