Fabrication, characterization and welding of Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconducting fibres

Superconducting fibres of Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O high Tc superconducting materials have been prepared by means of the laser-heated pedestal growth (LHPG) method. The highest zero resistance temperature Tco reached is 114 K, and the highest critical current density Jc (77 K, 0 T) is greater than 5000 A cm-2. As-grown superconducting fibres were successfully fabricated without post-growth heat treatment. Amorphous materials were used for the first time to make high quality fibres. The strong textured structure and highly aligned morphology of the fibres were studied. The influence of growth conditions, thermal treatment and the composition of the fibres was also discussed.