Critical currents of sintered and melt-textured YBa2Cu3Ox

Abstract

High critical-current densities, Jc, have been observed in single crystals and thin films of YBa2Cu3Ox. Jc in bulk materials is diappointingly low reaching a maximum in untextured material of about 103 A cm−2. The importance of raising Jc in bulk materials is paramount and most applications of bulk materials require high Jc in high magnetic fields. The work of Jin et al. in raising Jc to 17 000 A cm−2 in zero field represents a most important step in the development of bulk materials and gives real hope to bulk applications. In the communication we first describe the properties of untextured wire, and then we describe our process for melt texturing and the difficulties encountered.