The use of NbTiTa as a high field superconducting alloy

Abstract

NbTi-based alloys containing 8% and 25% tantalum have been studied for use at fields around 12 tesla and at temperatures between 2 K and 3 K. These materials have significantly higher current densities at reduced temperatures than other NbTi-based alloys. Using the results of these studies, a 10,000 A, nominal 12 tesla conductor has been designed and is presently being fabricated for use in a test coil for the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory HFTF. The alloy selected for that conductor is Nb-43% Ti-25% Ta.