High trapped fields in bulk YBa2Cu3O7−δ samples at temperatures around 50 K

Abstract

Bulk melt textured YBa2Cu3O7−δ samples with single grains of about 24 mm diameter were obtained by use of SmBa2Cu3O7−x seed crystals. The maximum trapped field B0 in the gap between two samples was investigated as function of temperature. B0 increased from 1 T at 77 K to 8.5 T at 51.5 K, which is the highest trapped field achieved in nonirradiated samples. At low temperatures, cracking of the samples was observed under magnetic pressure. In this temperature range, the trapped field is limited by the mechanical strength of the samples, for which a value of 25 MPa was estimated.