Very high upper critical fields and enhanced critical current densities in Nb₃Sn superconductors based on Nb–Ta–Zr alloys and internal oxidation

Summary

This materials science study investigates the enhancement of Nb₃Sn superconducting wire performance through internal oxidation of zirconium to form ZrO₂ nanoparticles within niobium–tantalum–zirconium alloys. The work demonstrates that samples based on Nb-7.5 wt%Ta-2 wt%Zr achieve a record upper critical field of 29.2 T at 4.2 K, with improved critical current densities at high magnetic fields, potentially meeting requirements for next-generation particle accelerators such as the Future Circular Collider.

UK applicability

This paper has no direct application to UK farming systems, soil health, or nutrient density — it concerns materials science and superconductor engineering for high-energy physics infrastructure. It has been catalogued in error.

Key measures

Upper critical field (Hc2) in tesla at 4.2 K; layer critical current density (Jc) in amperes per square metre; grain boundary spacing via lineal intercept method; grain aspect ratios

Outcomes reported

The study measured critical current densities and upper critical magnetic fields in Nb₃Sn superconducting wires fabricated from various niobium–tantalum–zirconium alloys with internal oxidation. Samples based on Nb-7.5 wt%Ta-2 wt%Zr achieved a record upper critical field of 29.2 T at 4.2 K and exhibited enhanced critical current densities at high magnetic fields.

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