High temperature superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 wires have the potential to produce much higher magnetic fields than the low temperature superconductors conventionally used in magnets for powerful particle accelerators. However, the required performance at high fields and at liquid helium temperatures has to be demonstrated by YBa2Cu3O7 wires at a low conductor cost. In Phase I, the economical Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MO-CVD) process will be used to enhance the critical current of YBa2Cu3O7 superconductors at liquid helium temperatures. Phase II will focus on scaling-up and reducing the costs of the MO-CVD fabrication of high temperature superconducting wire.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: A low cost, high performance superconducting wire not only would benefit fundamental research in high energy physics but also should find use in motors, transformers, transmission lines, and other devices. The projected superconducting wire cost of less than $50/kA-m (at 77 K) would open the $5B high temperature superconductor market and lead to significant economic growth.
