On the mechanisms governing the critical current reduction in Nb3Sn Rutherford cables under transverse stress

Summary

This paper reports experimental measurements of critical current behaviour in Nb₃Sn Rutherford superconducting cables under transverse mechanical stress, conducted within CERN's High-Luminosity LHC project framework. The study characterises the pressure-dependent reduction in superconducting performance, showing that reversible reductions occur below ~130 MPa but permanent degradation occurs at higher pressures due to copper matrix plasticity and potential filament cracking. The findings establish the fundamental mechanisms governing superconductor performance under the severe mechanical conditions required for next-generation high-field accelerator magnets.

UK applicability

This research is not directly applicable to UK farming systems, soil health, nutrient density or agricultural practices. It concerns fundamental materials science of superconducting cables for particle accelerator infrastructure.

Key measures

Critical current (Ic), upper critical field (Bc2), transverse pressure (MPa), applied magnetic field (T), reversible and irreversible current reduction

Outcomes reported

The study measured critical current reduction in Nb₃Sn Rutherford cables subjected to transverse pressures up to 210 MPa at 4.3 K and magnetic fields up to 9.6 T. Results demonstrated reversible current reductions below ~130 MPa, permanent reductions at higher pressures due to copper matrix plastic deformation, and probable filament cracking at 180–210 MPa.

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