Variable-temperature transport critical currents of niobium-tin wires under strain in high magnetic fields

A new probe has been developed to investigate the effect of strain and temperature on the transport critical current density of superconducting wires and tapes in high magnetic fields. The critical current of a multifilamentary niobium-tin wire has been measured as a function of magnetic field at 12 K, for both compressive and tensile strain. The ability to simultaneously vary strain, temperature and field facilitates a better understanding of how these parameters affect flux pinning mechanisms. From a technological point of view, these measurements provide essential design data for developing cryocooled high magnetic field systems.