Superconducting properties of Nb3(Sn1−<i>x</i>Ga<i>x</i>) by a solid-state diffusion process

Abstract

Monofilament Nb3(Sn1−xGax) wires were made by heat treating composites consisting of pure Nb, (Nb–1 wt% Zr), or (Nb–0.7 wt% Ga) in various Cu-Sn-Ga alloys matrices. Superconducting critical temperatures Tc and critical current densities Jc(H), up to 18 T were measured for these wires. In several samples both Tc and high-field critical current densities for the Nb3(Sn1−xGax) compounds were found to exceed pure Nb3Sn. The upper critical field, Hc2, also appeared to be substantially higher than for similarly produced Nb3Sn.