Enhancement of magnetic coupling between permanent magnets and bulk superconductors through iron embedding

Abstract Magnetic torque can be transferred without contact through the coupling of permanent magnets (PM) and bulk superconductors (BSC). For this purpose, permanent magnets should have multiple pole configuration like NSNS. The magnitude of the transferable torque depends on the field strength and the gap between PM and BSC. It was found that the torque decays quickly with the gap. In order to enhance the strength of transferable magnetic torque, we prepared bulk Y–Ba–Cu–O superconductors for which Fe bars are embedded. Holes about 1 mm in diameter were mechanically drilled into bulk Y–Ba–Cu–O, and Fe bars about 0.9 mm in diameter were inserted followed by impregnation of Bi–Pb–Sn alloys with low melting points. The composite of Y–Ba–Cu–O and Fe bars attract magnetic fields generated from permanent magnet before cooling, and thereby magnetic coupling will be improved. We have found that the magnetic torque force can be greatly enhanced through iron embedding.