Electron microscope image of two superconducting thin films that meet at a 6 degree tilt boundary (the dark line running through the image). The numerous smaller lines that intersect the grain boundary at 90 degrees are the individual crystalline layers. The connection between the two films shows distortions in the superconducting layers, which severely limits current flow in these materials. Color added for clarity. Credit: F.J. Baca, U.S. Air Force Research Lab
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have discovered that a reduction in mechanical strain at the boundaries of crystal grains can significantly improve the performance of high-temperature superconductors (HTS). Their results could lead to lower cost and significantly improved performance of superconductors in a wide variety of applications, such as power transmission, power grid reliability and advanced physics research.
Although it is well known that dislocations cause part of the grain boundary crosssection to become non-superconducting, the effect of strain—which extends from the dislocations into the remaining superconducting bridges over the grain boundary—was previously unknown. NIST’s Danko van der Laan and his collaborators have found that this strain plays a key role in reducing current flow over grain boundaries in YBCO. Furthermore, when the strain was removed by applying compression to the grain boundaries, the superconducting properties improved dramatically.
The new understanding of the effects of strain on current flow in thin-film superconductors could significantly advance the development of these materials for practical applications and could lower their cost. Some of the most promising uses are in more efficient electrical transmission lines, which already have been successfully demonstrated by U.S. power companies, and increased electric power grid reliability. NIST has research programs in both these areas. Improved HTS thin-film conductors could also enable more powerful high-field particle accelerators and advanced cancer treatment facilities