Persistent current in Ba-Y-Cu-O in liquid nitrogen

Abstract

A persistent-current experiment maintained for 12 days with a sample of ${\mathrm{Ba}}_{0.4}{\mathrm{Y}}_{0.6}\mathrm{Cu}{\mathrm{O}}_{3\ensuremath{-}y}$ is reported. The estimated upper limit of resistivity is 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ \ensuremath{\Omega} cm. A logarithmic decay at the beginning is detected, which is in good agreement with the flux-creep theory. Variations in decay rate due to changes of trapped field and temperature are measured.