Low Cost YBCO Superconductors for High Energy Particle Colliders

High temperature superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 wires have the potential to produce much higher magnetic fields than low temperature superconductors conventionally used in magnets for powerful particle accelerators enabling high energy physics fundamental research. The required performance at high fields and liquid helium temperature has to be demonstrated by YBa2Cu3O7 wires at a low conductor cost. During Phase I low cost, high performance YBCO coated conductors will be demonstrated based on simplified Ion Beam Assisted Deposition (IBAD) templates; the IBAD simplification will be accomplished through (i) eliminating some processing steps of the standard fabrication route and (ii) replacing expensive Physical Vapour Deposition film growth techniques with economical chemical deposition methods. Phase II of the project will focus on scaling up and reducing fabrication costs of IBAD-based coated conductors, as well as on further improving the Ic performance achieved during Phase I. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The delivered low cost, high performance superconducting wire will not only benefit high energy physics fundamental research, but also will become available to the commercial markets for integration into motors, transformers, transmission lines, and other devices. The projected superconducting wire cost of less than $50/kAm (at 77 K) will open the over $5B projected high temperature superconductor application market and lead to significant economic growth