In-field Hall probe mapping system for characterization of YBCO welds

Abstract

Artificial welding of melt-textured YBCO blocks opens the door to the fabrication of large, complex-shaped pieces required for applications. In order to evaluate the superconducting quality of the welds, we have developed a Hall probe mapping system, able to record the local magnetization at 77 K under dynamic applied fields in the range of -1 to 1 T. The system was used to characterize welded samples prepared with a new Ag induced surface melting joining technique. The magnetization maps of unwelded and welded samples of various qualities are compared and discussed. The current distributions associated to the Hall maps were calculated using the Caragol software. The magnetization and current distribution maps over the joint show that good quality welds can be reached with this joining method.