Enhanced critical current density of MgB2 superconductor synthesized in high magnetic fields

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that synthesizing MgB2 superconductors in high magnetic fields improves their microstructure and connectivity, leading to significantly higher critical current densities compared to samples made without magnetic fields.

Contribution

It introduces a novel synthesis method applying high magnetic fields to enhance the critical current density of MgB2 superconductors.

Findings

Higher Jc values in samples processed with magnetic fields.

More uniform microstructure and improved grain connectivity.

Discussion of the mechanism behind Jc enhancement.

Abstract

The effect of high magnetic fields on the current carrying properties of both MgB2 bulks and Fe-sheathed tapes was investigated following different thermal sequences. It is found that application of a large magnetic field during processing results in the quite uniform microstructure and the better connectivity between the MgB2 grains. As a result, the Jc of these samples has shown much higher value than that of the MgB2 samples in the absence of magnetic field. The possible mechanism of the Jc enhancement under an external magnetic field is also discussed.