Abstract: A superconducting article includes first and second stacked conductor segments. The first stacked conductor segment includes first and second superconductive segments and has a nominal thickness tn1. The second stacked conductor segment includes third and forth superconductive segments and has a nominal thickness tn2. The superconducting article further includes a joint region comprising a first splice connecting the first and third superconductive segments together and a second splice connecting the second and forth superconductive segments together. The first splice is adjacent to and bridged portions of the first and third superconductive segments along at least a portion of the joint region, and the second splice is adjacent to and bridged portions of the second and forth superconductive segments along at least a portion of the joint region. The joint region has a thickness tjr, wherein tjr is not greater than at least one of 1.8 tn1 and 1.8 tn2.

Abstract: In a chemical vapor deposition process simple precursors such as a rare earth nitrate or acetate, Ba-nitrate or acetate and Cu-nitrate or acetate are dissolved in an appropriate solvent, preferably water, to form a solution, nebulized into a fine mist and applied to a substrate.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor structure including: a substrate on which at least one buffer layer is deposited, a superconductor layer on the buffer layer, the superconducting layer composed of superconductor material that forms at least two substantially parallel superconductor filaments that continuously extend along the length of the substrate wherein at least two superconductor filaments are separated from each other by at least one insulating strip wherein the insulating strip continuously extends along the length of the substrate and is composed of insulating material with a resistivity greater than about 1 m?cm. Also disclosed are methods of producing high temperature superconductors.

Abstract: A superconducting fault current-limiter is provided, including a superconducting element configured to resistively or inductively limit a fault current, and one or more variable-impedance shunts electrically coupled in parallel with the superconducting element. The variable-impedance shunt(s) is configured to present a first impedance during a superconducting state of the superconducting element and a second impedance during a normal resistive state of the superconducting element. The superconducting element transitions from the superconducting state to the normal resistive state responsive to the fault current, and responsive thereto, the variable-impedance shunt(s) transitions from the first to the second impedance.

Abstract: A tape-manufacturing system for coating at least one tape substrate such as, for example, for the manufacture of a high-temperature superconductor (HTS) conductor is disclosed. The tape-manufacturing system includes at least two electron beam (e-beam) deposition sources, at least one assist source and, optionally, a controller. Each e-beam deposition source may be in-process repairable. Each e-beam deposition source is capable of communicating an evaporant material with at least a portion of at least one tape substrate to deposit a coating thereon. The at least one assist source is capable of communicating a beam of a species to the coating. The controller communicates with the at least two e-beam deposition sources and the at least one assist source.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a high-temperature superconducting conductor includes translating an elongated substrate through a reactor. Further, a high temperature superconducting layer is formed on the substrate translating through the reactor by deposition of a reaction product of metalorganic precursor materials onto the substrate. Further, partial pressure of oxygen is monitored to indirectly monitor supply of metalorganic precursors into the reactor.

Abstract: A superconducting article is provided that includes a substrate, wherein the substrate is untextured and comprises a nickel-based alloy containing primarily nickel and not less than about 20 wt % of an alloying element, and wherein the substrate is essentially free of Mo and Mn. The superconducting article further includes a buffer layer overlying the substrate and a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) layer overlying the buffer layer.

Abstract: A method of facilitating superconducting tape manufacturing is provided that includes forming a long-length superconducting tape having a layered structure, comprising a substrate having a dimension ratio not less than about 100, a buffer layer overlying the substrate, and a high temperature superconducting layer overlying the buffer layer. The method further includes characterizing the superconducting tape to create a data set having a plurality of values that are a function of length of the superconducting tape and distributing both the superconducting tape and the data set.

Abstract: A superconducting article and method of fabrication are provided. The superconducting article includes a superconducting structure, which includes a superconducting conductor and multiple discrete overlay regions of higher heat capacity than the superconducting conductor. The multiple discrete overlay regions are disposed along a length of the superconducting conductor, in thermal contact with the superconducting conductor, and positioned to define a heat modulation pattern along the length of the superconducting structure. The multiple discrete overlay regions create a temperature distribution favorable to transition of the superconducting structure under load from a normal resistive state to a superconductive state by facilitating formation of a continuous superconducting path along the length of the superconducting structure.

Abstract: A superconducting article is provided which incorporates an early quench detection facility. The superconducting article includes a first superconductive segment and a second superconductive segment, along with a magnetic field sensor(s). The magnetic field sensor(s) is disposed to monitor relative change in strength of a net magnetic field generated by a first current passing through the first superconductive segment and a second current passing through the second superconductive segment. A relative change in strength of the net magnetic field indicates degradation of a critical quench current of the first superconductive segment or the second superconductive segment, caused for example, by formation of one or more hot-spots or quench regions in the first or second superconductive segment. The indication of degradation is thus obtained prior to complete superconductive segment quenching.

Abstract: The present invention is a high-throughput ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) system and method of utilizing such a system that enables continuous deposition of thin films such as the buffer layers of HTS tapes. The present invention includes a spool-to-spool feed system that translates a metal substrate tape through the IBAD system as the desired buffer layers are deposited atop the translating substrate tape using an e-beam evaporator assisted by an ion beam. The system further includes a control and monitor system to monitor and regulate all necessary system parameters. The present invention facilitates deposition of a high-quality film over a large area of translating substrate.

Abstract: A tape manufacturing system and a tape-surface-inspection unit are disclosed. The tape-surface-inspection unit is capable of continuously characterizing the surface of a non-transparent tape that is usable with or without a tape manufacturing system. The tape-surface-inspection unit includes a surface illuminator, an imager, an image processor, a tape guide, and, optionally, an indexer. The surface illuminator provides a tape surface located by the tape guide in a manner that allows the imager to capture images for characterization by the image processor. The indexer facilitates a correlation of locations along the tape and a characterization of the locations on the tape. The tape manufacturing system, in addition to at least one tape-surface-inspection unit, includes a tape-processing unit, a tape handler, and a controller.

Abstract: A superconducting article is provided that includes a substrate, an anti-epitaxial film over the substrate, a buffer film having biaxial crystal texture over the anti-epitaxial film, and a superconductor layer over the second buffer film. Also provided is a superconducting article as a tape, in a power cable, and a power transformer.

Abstract: A superconducting article includes a substrate; first and second buffer layers overlying the substrate, such that the substrate is positioned so as to be interposed between the first and second buffer layers, first and second superconductor layers overlying the first and second buffer layers. Further, the first and second stabilizer layers respectively overlying the first and second superconductor layers, the first and second stabilizer layers adapted to conduct current and prevent burnout of the first and second superconductor layers when the first and second superconductor layers are in a non-superconductive state.

Abstract: The present invention is a high-throughput ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) system and method of utilizing such a system that enables continuous deposition of thin films such as the buffer layers of HTS tapes. The present invention includes a spool-to-spool feed system that translates a metal substrate tape through the IBAD system as the desired buffer layers are deposited atop the translating substrate tape using an e-beam evaporator assisted by an ion beam. The system further includes a control and monitor system to monitor and regulate all necessary system parameters. The present invention facilitates deposition of a high-quality film over a large area of translating substrate.

Abstract: A superconducting article is provided which includes a superconducting tape assembly. The superconducting tape assembly includes a superconducting tape layer, having one or more superconducting tapes, and a high-permeability magnetic material layer coupled to the superconducting tape layer. The high-permeability magnetic material layer includes a high-permeability magnetic material which remains magnetically soft at a critical temperature Tc of the superconducting tape, and with presence of an ac magnetic field acting on the superconducting tape assembly, re-magnetizes to divert at least a portion of a normal component of the ac magnetic field therethrough, which reduces ac loss in the superconducting tape layer by modifying the ac magnetic field distribution within the superconducting tape of the superconducting tape layer.

Abstract: A superconducting article includes a substrate; first and second buffer layers overlying the substrate, such that the substrate is positioned so as to be interposed between the first and second buffer layers, first and second superconductor layers overlying the first and second buffer layers. Further, the first and second stabilizer layers respectively overlying the first and second superconductor layers, the first and second stabilizer layers adapted to conduct current and prevent burnout of the first and second superconductor layers when the first and second superconductor layers are in a non-superconductive state.

Abstract: Methods for depositing, at a very high deposition rate, a biaxially-textured film on a continuously moving metal tape substrate are disclosed. These methods comprise: depositing a film on the substrate with a deposition flux having an oblique incident angle of about 5° to about 80° from the substrate normal, while simultaneously bombarding the deposited film using an ion beam at an ion beam incident angle arranged along either a best ion texture direction of the film or along a second best ion texture direction of the film, thereby forming the biaxially-textured film, wherein a deposition flux incident plane is arranged parallel to a direction along which the biaxially-textured film has a fast in-plane growth rate. Superconducting articles comprising a substrate, a biaxially-textured film deposited on said substrate by said methods above; and a superconducting layer disposed on the biaxially-textured film are also disclosed.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction measurement apparatus for measuring a sample, having an x-ray source and detector coupled together in a combination for coordinated rotation around the sample, such that x-ray diffraction data can be taken at multiple phi angles. The apparatus may provide a pole figure representation of crystal orientation of the sample, wherein the pole figure represents the crystal alignment, and a full width half maximum value is calculated from the pole figure for crystal alignment quantification. Data may be taken at discrete positions along a length of the sample, and the sample is in a fixed position during measuring; or data may be taken continuously along a length of the article, as the sample continuously moves along its length in a movement path between the source and detector. The sample may be in the form of a tape, linearly passing through a measurement zone.

Abstract: A superconducting tape is disclosed, including a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the substrate including a plurality of indicia provided on the first surface spaced apart along a length of the substrate; and a superconductor layer overlying the second surface. Also disclosed are components incorporating superconducting tapes, methods for manufacturing same, and methods for using same.