Principles of application of high temperature superconductors to electromagnetic launch technology

A review is presented of advances in the performance of bulk high-temperature superconductors (HTSC) which permit conductor and magnet development at practical magnetic fields to be pursued for high-current applications such as electromagnetic launchers (EMLs). While early hopes for a superconductor critical temperature (T/sub c/) approaching room temperature have not been fulfilled, numerous HTSC with T/sub c/ between 60 K and 125 K exist which can be successfully processed. Some of these HTSC are well enough understood that small conductors and coils may be fabricated for operation near 20 K. Numerous physics, magnetic flux mechanics, materials processing, and structural support issues remain for resolution before large-scale coils made of HTSC can be operated at high energy storage density at temperature well above 20 K. Properties and materials processing of HTSC and their relation to EML applications technology are described.<
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