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Description
Abstract:
Externally applied strain affects the superconducting properties of Nb3Sn in a detrimental way. This is an important design consideration in high-magnetic-field applications utilizing Nb3Sn technology where (some) deformation due to Lorentz forces and differential thermal contraction is unavoidable.
In this talk, a general overview is given of how the critical current of Nb3Sn is affected by temperature, magnetic field, and strain. Subsequently, it is demonstrated that the large strain sensitivity in Nb3Sn is a direct result of a strain-induced distortion of the niobium chains. Ab-initio calculations are combined with microscopic theory to determine how this distortion affects the superconducting properties and normal state resistivity, and the results are validated with experimental observations. The same model is then used to explain the different degrees of strain sensitivity between Nb3Sn, Nb3Al, Nb, and NbTi.
Understanding the underlying mechanisms that determine the (strain-dependent) superconducting properties of Nb3Sn is an important step towards improving the performance of the conductor.