Flux pinning centers in superconducting Nb3Sn

Abstract

Very high critical current densities (Jc=8×105 A/cm2 at 4.2 K and 6 T) have been achieved in commercial Nb3Sn tape and more recently in multifilamentary Nb3Sn superconductors. The relative contributions of two types of pinning centers, grain boundaries and second phase particles, to flux pinning have been determined by correlating Jc with microstructure. It was found that grain boundaries were the only defect present in sufficient density to account for flux pinning in the multifilamentary Nb3Sn material. The dependence of Jc on grain size was measured, and the relationship between pinning force and grain size is discussed in terms of current theories for flux pinning in type-II superconductors.