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Optimization of the Microstructure of Nb3Sn Layers in Superconducting Composites

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Abstract

This paper presents a brief review of the study of the evolution of the microstructure of superconducting Nb3Sn layers prepared using different regimes of diffusion annealing in multifilamentary conductors of different designs made by the “bronze” method and by the internal-tin-source method. The work is based on original investigations of the authors and on the most significant results published by others. In this paper we consider the influence of the manufacturing method, alloying, geometry of wires, and heat treatment modes on the formation of Nb3Sn layers, their structure and morphology, and, as a consequence, on the current-carrying capacity of multifilamentary superconductors.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The work was performed using the equipment of the Center of Collaborative Access, Institute of Metal Physics, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, within the framework of the state task of the Federal Agency of Science and Education of Russia according to the theme “Pressure,” no. АААА-А18-118020190104-3, and was supported in part by the project of the Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, no. 18-10-2-24.

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Translated by G. Salnikov

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Popova, E.N., Deryagina, I.L. Optimization of the Microstructure of Nb3Sn Layers in Superconducting Composites. Phys. Metals Metallogr. 119, 1229–1235 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031918X18120153

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