Nb/sub 3/Sn multifilamentary superconductors: an updated comparison of different manufacturing routes

Bronze route Nb/sub 3/Sn conductors can be designed to exhibit the best performance in terms of uniformity as measured by the n value and as needed for persistent mode operation. When designed for low magnetization and low hysteresis losses bronze route conductors exhibit the best combination of critical current density, effective filament diameter, and hysteresis losses. The filament coupling losses can be kept small due to the high resistivity of the bronze and the good twistability of the wires. It is concluded that the fabrication technology and reliability of bronze route conductors have reached high standards which cannot readily be achieved with other fabrication technologies.