Advanced Multifilament Wire with Optimized Bi2212 Properties for HEP High Field Magnets

Future progress in understanding particle physics will require higher energy collisions, which in turn will require more energy and luminosity. More luminosity means larger apertures and bigger magnets, which in turn will require higher-performance lower-cost superconductors. This project will develop and demonstrate a low cost powder-in-tube (PIT) multifilament Bi2212 process with improved filament microstructure, achieved by the addition of grain refinements and an increase in the silver/Bi2212 interface area.. The improvements will increase the intrinsic and engineering critical current density for use in high field magnets. In Phase I, two new Bi2212 powder compositions, with additions for 2212 alignment and grain refinements, will be prepared. Mono-elements that include the new compositions will be fabricated, bundled into another silver alloy tube, and processed to wire size. Heat treatment studies will be performed to optimize the filament microstructure, reduce secondary non-superconducting phases, and prevent inter-filament bridging effects. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by the Applicant: An improved cost-performance of multifilament Bi2212 conductor should benefit high field magnets in high-energy-physics (HEP) applications. The technology also should have application to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) ¿ which is on the verge of technological explosion ¿ with requirements for use in chemical research, biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, polymer science, petroleum research, agricultural chemistry, and medicine.