Method for producing a stabilized electrical superconductor

Abstract

A method of producing a stabilized electrical superconductor wherein a longitudinally extending slug is provided, the slug including a matrix of copper within which are embedded, in a central region thereof, a multiplicity of wires or rods made from a superconductor-forming material such as niobium or vanadium. Surrounding the superconductor-forming material, within the outer region of the copper matrix, is a circular array of a material such as copper wires or rods having a high electrical conductivity characteristic, forming an electrically parallel connection with the superconductors which provides a bridge of good electrical conductivity in the event the superconductivity of the superconductor is lost for any reason. The slug is then worked and drawn to convert the various wire or rod components within it into filamentary form, after which a tin layer is applied to its surface. By a heating and annealing process, the tin in the surface layer diffuses radially inward through the copper matrix and into the niobium or vanadium superconductor-forming wires or rods thus to convert the latter into superconductors. The circular array of the wires or rods having the high electrical conductivity characteristic that form a bridge paralleling the superconductors are each enclosed within a sheath of a diffusion-inhibiting material such as tantalum to prevent diffusion thereinto of the tin which would otherwise undesirably reduce their electrical conductivity.