New devices for measuring the critical current in a tape as a function of the axial and transverse strain, the magnetic field and temperature

A set of instruments is developed to induce strain in various directions inside a superconductor. The common goal of these tools is to investigate the influence of the different components in the strain tensor on the current carrying capacity of a Nb/sub 3/Sn tape. This two-dimensional structure is selected as a simple mechanical model system. The first experimental results on the critical current and the critical temperature as a function of the strain in several directions are presented.<
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