Current limitation properties of YBa₂Cu₃O₇/Au thin films: application to transformer connection

In view of the development of superconducting fault current limiters, the properties of switching and recovering of YBa2Cu3O7−δ/Au (YBCO/Au) thin films are studied at 77 K and 50 Hz for overcurrents. The bilayers present an abrupt transition to a high dissipative state leading to a current limitation at a maximum value of about 2.5 times the critical current Ic, and allow the development of electric fields of 3 kV m−1 without any damage. After the overcurrent regime, the recovery of the superconducting state under the rated current In is studied as a function of overcurrent parameters. These results show clearly the strong potential of YBCO/Au thin films which can recover their superconducting state under nominal mode. This last point is crucial for transformer connection, as experimentally shown in this paper.