Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Ta, Ti and Hf effects on Nb <sub>3</sub> Sn high-field performance: temperature-dependent dopant occupancy and failure of Kramer extrapolation

C. Tarantini, S. Balachandran, Steve M. Heald, Peter J. Lee, Nawaraj Paudel, Eun Sang Choi, William Starch, D. C. Larbalestier

Superconductor Science and Technology · 2019

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Summary

This experimental study investigates dopant effects on the high-field performance of Nb₃Sn superconductors, revealing that commercial Ti and Ta-doped conductors exhibit temperature-dependent dopant occupancy and unreliable Kramer extrapolation for predicting high-field behaviour. Using X-ray absorption spectroscopy, the authors demonstrate that tantalum site occupancy varies with heat treatment temperature whilst titanium consistently occupies the niobium site, with direct consequences for the upper critical field. Laboratory-scale Nb–Ta–Hf alloy conductors show improved high-field performance and more predictable behaviour, suggesting that refined understanding of dopant location and pinning mechanisms is essential for optimising conductors for ultra-high-field applications.

UK applicability

This research is not directly applicable to UK farming systems, soil health or nutrient density — it concerns materials science and superconductor engineering for high-field magnet applications.

Key measures

Pinning force curves at varying temperatures, upper critical field (Hc2), irreversibility field (HIrr), critical current density (Jc), dopant site occupancy via EXAFS spectroscopy, heat treatment temperature effects

Outcomes reported

The study measured the effects of tantalum, titanium and hafnium doping on high-field pinning properties, upper critical field (Hc2), and irreversibility field (HIrr) in Nb₃Sn conductors using extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy to determine dopant site occupancy.

Theme
General food systems / other
Subject
Other / interdisciplinary
Study type
Research
Study design
Laboratory experimental study
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
System type
Laboratory / in vitro
DOI
10.1088/1361-6668/ab4d9e
Catalogue ID
SNmotmrb9f-kywe2z

Topic tags

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