SUPERCONDUCTOR TAPE JOINT

For large-scale technological applications, superconducting materials are commonly produced in the form of wires or tapes, which can be used individually or assembled into multifilament or multilayer conductors. Among these materials, REBCO (rare earth barium copper oxide) is emerging as one of the most promising solutions due to its excellent superconductive properties.

This invention fits into this context, concerning the creation of joints for superconducting conductors, with particular reference to REBCO-based materials.

How does it work?

REBCO superconductors are commonly made in the form of flexible tapes, known as coated conductors, consisting of a superconducting layer deposited on a flexible substrate, typically a metal tape or a polymer film. The superconducting layer is generally a thin film based on rare earth-containing materials. The deposition of the superconducting material on the substrate is carried out using high-precision techniques, including pulsed laser deposition, sputtering or physical vapor deposition, and chemical vapor deposition. These processes allow precise control of the thickness, composition, and structural properties of the superconducting film, ensuring high functional performance.

The industrial-scale production of superconducting devices, such as magnets or cables, requires REBCO tapes of considerable length. However, the direct production of very long individual tapes is complex and costly. For this reason, it is essential to have reliable joining techniques that can ensure electrical continuity, mechanical integrity, and thermal stability of the overall system.

The invention covered by this patent concerns an innovative method of joining superconducting tapes, representing an improvement of the technique known as “bridge.” This method allows for joints characterized by a high safety margin — preferably over 20% — and a critical current carrying capacity higher than that of the original individual tapes, thus contributing to improving the overall performance of superconducting devices.

Applications

• Superconducting magnets;
• Medical imaging;
• Production of long superconducting tapes.

Advantages

• High safety margin;
• Higher critical currents;
• Possibility to produce longer tapes;
• Simple and automatable process.