Magnetic flux quantum | EPFL Graph Search

The magnetic flux, represented by the symbol Φ, threading some contour or loop is defined as the magnetic field B multiplied by the loop area S, i.e. Φ = B ⋅ S. Both B and S can be arbitrary, meaning Φ can be as well. However, if one deals with the superconducting loop or a hole in a bulk superconductor, the magnetic flux threading such a hole/loop is quantized. The (superconducting) magnetic flux quantum Φ0 = h/(2e) ≈ is a combination of fundamental physical constants: the Planck constant h and the electron charge e. Its value is, therefore, the same for any superconductor. The phenomenon of flux quantization was discovered experimentally by B. S. Deaver and W. M. Fairbank and, independently, by R. Doll and M. Näbauer, in 1961. The quantization of magnetic flux is closely related to the Little–Parks effect, but was predicted earlier by Fritz London in 1948 using a phenomenological model. The inve

Hysteresis Modelling of High Temperature Superconductors

Marten Sjöström

The present dissertation considers the capabilities, limitations and possible extensions of modelling the hysteresis that is exhibited by type-II superconductors, especially those with high critical temperature. Superconductors of type-II, including high temperature superconductors, are partially penetrated by magnetic flux. The tubes, through which the flux passes the superconductor, are `pinned' to certain locations due to impurities in the crystal structure of the material, and they must be forced by an external magnetic field or a transport current in order to move. Thus, the pinning of flux tubes constitutes a memory that gives rise to a hysteresis with corresponding losses. The critical state model is a well-known, macroscopic model that describes well this partial flux penetration. Furthermore, the flux tubes can start to flow due to the Lorenz-force when a large transport current flows in the superconductor. This produces an additional resistive voltage. The concept of hysteresis and its main properties are discussed, and a number of various models describing this phenomenon are presented. An emphasis is made on the classical Preisach model of hysteresis, which is a weighted superposition of relay operators. A hysteretic system produces higher harmonics, just as most nonlinear systems. An investigation reveals under what conditions the Preisach model generates only odd harmonics, and also when all odd harmonics are present, as well as how this knowledge can be utilised. A parameterised Preisach model is proposed, which always applies when the critical state model is an acceptable approximation of the superconductor hysteresis. Its capabilities and limitations as a hysteresis model for superconductors are investigated. It is demonstrated how the parameters can be estimated from different electric measurements on high temperature superconductors and that the output and the losses can quickly and accurately be computed for an arbitrary signal, once the parameter identification is made. Moreover, the structure of the parameterised model is such that an inverse model can easily be obtained. It is also shown that the hysteresis saturation, which occurs when the flux flow starts, can be modelled by introducing limiting functions in the model. A generalised equivalent circuit has been proposed that takes into account both the hysteretic and resistive behaviour, the latter being due to flux flow. This extended model describes the global electric behaviour of a superconducting device, which can be applied either when the superconductor is part of a larger system or when it stands alone. A few examples of its application are given.

2001

Hysteresis modelling of high temperature superconductors

Marten Sjöström

The present dissertation considers the capabilities, limitations and possible extensions of modelling the hysteresis that is exhibited by type-II superconductors, especially those with high critical temperature. Superconductors of type-II, including high temperature superconductors, are partially penetrated by magnetic flux. The tubes, through which the flux passes the superconductor, are 'pinned' to certain locations due to impurities in the crystal structure of the material, and they must be forced by an external magnetic field or a transport current in order to move. Thus, the pinning of flux tubes constitutes a memory that gives rise to a hysteresis with corresponding losses. The critical state model is a well-known, macroscopic model that describes well this partial flux penetration. Furthermore, the flux tubes can start to flow due to the Lorenz-force when a large transport current flows in the superconductor. This produces an additional resistive voltage. The concept of hysteresis and its main properties are discussed, and a number of various models describing this phenomenon are presented. An emphasis is made on the classical Preisach model of hysteresis, which is a weighted superposition of relay operators. A hysteretic system produces higher harmonics, just as most nonlinear systems. An investigation reveals under what conditions the Preisach model generates only odd harmonics, and also when all odd harmonics are present, as well as how this knowledge can be utilised. A parameterised Preisach model is proposed, which always applies when the critical state model is an acceptable approximation of the superconductor hysteresis. Its capabilities and limitations as a hysteresis model for superconductors are investigated. It is demonstrated how the parameters can be estimated from different electric measurements on high temperature superconductors and that the output and the losses can quickly and accurately be computed for an arbitrary signal, once the parameter identification is made. Moreover, the structure of the parameterised model is such that an inverse model can easily be obtained. It is also shown that the hysteresis saturation, which occurs when the flux flow starts, can be modelled by introducing limiting functions in the model. A generalised equivalent circuit has been proposed that takes into account both the hysteretic and resistive behaviour, the latter being due to flux flow. This extended model describes the global electric behaviour of a superconducting device, which can be applied either when the superconductor is part of a larger system or when it stands alone. A few examples of its application are given.

EPFL2001

Hybrid HTS-Nb3Sn-NbTi DEMO CS coil design optimized for maximum magnetic flux generation

Pierluigi Bruzzone, Ortensia Dicuonzo, Kamil Sedlák, Davide Uglietti, Rainer Wesche

The present work is performed within the framework of the EUROfusion DEMO project. Previously, it was demonstrated that for a maintained magnetic flux the use of HTS conductors at highest magnetic field in a layer-wound CS coil would allow the reduction of its outer radius by around 0.5 m as compared to the DEMO reference design using only Nb3Sn conductors. Alternatively, the superior high field performance of HTS conductors can be used to maximize the magnetic flux of a CS coil with a given outer diameter, which could significantly prolong the duration of plasma burn phase and thus the overall power plant efficiency. In the present study, the maximization of the magnetic flux, generated by a layer-wound CS coil of fixed outer radius, is considered. HTS conductors are envisaged to be used at highest field, while Nb3Sn and NbTi are foreseen to be used in intermediate and low field layers, respectively. The inner radius of the CS coil is optimized with respect to the generation of a maximum flux taking into consideration the superconductor properties, the hoop stress and the axial stress. In order to provide reasonable starting values for the finite element analysis, first a simplified model with layer-dependent current densities, however, without stainless steel grading will be considered. In the final outline design of the CS coil a superconductor and stainless steel grading will be implemented.

ELSEVIER SCIENCE SA2019

Hysteresis modelling of high temperature superconductors

Marten Sjöström

The present dissertation considers the capabilities, limitations and possible extensions of modelling the hysteresis that is exhibited by type-II superconductors, especially those with high critical temperature. Superconductors of type-II, including high temperature superconductors, are partially penetrated by magnetic flux. The tubes, through which the flux passes the superconductor, are 'pinned' to certain locations due to impurities in the crystal structure of the material, and they must be forced by an external magnetic field or a transport current in order to move. Thus, the pinning of flux tubes constitutes a memory that gives rise to a hysteresis with corresponding losses. The critical state model is a well-known, macroscopic model that describes well this partial flux penetration. Furthermore, the flux tubes can start to flow due to the Lorenz-force when a large transport current flows in the superconductor. This produces an additional resistive voltage. The concept of hysteresis and its main properties are discussed, and a number of various models describing this phenomenon are presented. An emphasis is made on the classical Preisach model of hysteresis, which is a weighted superposition of relay operators. A hysteretic system produces higher harmonics, just as most nonlinear systems. An investigation reveals under what conditions the Preisach model generates only odd harmonics, and also when all odd harmonics are present, as well as how this knowledge can be utilised. A parameterised Preisach model is proposed, which always applies when the critical state model is an acceptable approximation of the superconductor hysteresis. Its capabilities and limitations as a hysteresis model for superconductors are investigated. It is demonstrated how the parameters can be estimated from different electric measurements on high temperature superconductors and that the output and the losses can quickly and accurately be computed for an arbitrary signal, once the parameter identification is made. Moreover, the structure of the parameterised model is such that an inverse model can easily be obtained. It is also shown that the hysteresis saturation, which occurs when the flux flow starts, can be modelled by introducing limiting functions in the model. A generalised equivalent circuit has been proposed that takes into account both the hysteretic and resistive behaviour, the latter being due to flux flow. This extended model describes the global electric behaviour of a superconducting device, which can be applied either when the superconductor is part of a larger system or when it stands alone. A few examples of its application are given.

EPFL2001

Hysteresis Modelling of High Temperature Superconductors

Marten Sjöström

2001