Status of powder-in-tube Nb/sub 3/Sn conductor development at Supercon

Multifilament Nb/sub 3/Sn superconductor has been produced by the powder-in-tube approach. The conductor possesses filament diameters below 60 micrometers with layer J/sub c/ of 4158 A/mm/sup 2/ at 12 T and 4.2 K. Niobium tube fabrication, wire processing, filament uniformity, and Nb/sub 3/Sn microstructure are discussed, and the superconducting properties are presented. A process for producing phase pure NbSn/sub 2/ powder of 1-5 micrometer particle size has been developed and is discussed along with plans for further conductor improvements.