Persistent current in coils made out of second generation high temperature superconductor wire.

Abstract

We report the results of an experimental study of a persistent coil made out of YBa2Cu3O7−δ coated conductors. The magnitude of the persistent current and the rate of decay were investigated. Two distinct modes of relaxation are evident—one is flux creep and the other, which is much faster, is of less obvious origin. Our conclusion is that the persistent current in such a coil can be large enough and decay slowly enough so that coated conductors can be used to make persistent coils for variety of applications.