Fabrication and Characteristics of 2G HTS Current Leads

2nd generation high temperature superconducting (2G-HTS) tape consists of multi-layers such substrate, buffer layer, superconducting layer and reinforced lamination tapes. 2G HTS tape is a candidate of good materials for current lead of superconducting magnet system owing to its low thermal conductivity. However, joint resistance between 2G HTS tapes and terminal block can be a major problem because of high electrical resistivity of substrate, buffer layer and reinforced lamination tapes of 2G HTS. So specially considering joint resistance between 2G tapes and terminal block, 2G HTS current lead for 400 A was designed and fabricated. This current lead was consisting of two terminal blocks, a support bar or tube, protection tube and six 2G HTS tapes. Its total length was 300 mm and body diameter 18.3 mm. At liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K) critical current (Ic) of this HTS current lead was 600 A, about 1.5 times the operating current 400 A. Conductive heat loss of 2G HTS current lead between 60 K and 7 K was 50 mW.