Influence of Magnetic Track Inhomogeneities on the Stability of Magnetically Levitated HTSs.

The magnetization stability of a YBCO superconductor was numerically studied using the Monte Carlo method. The magnetization-reversal loops of samples with various pinning configurations (periodic and random) were calculated as well as minor loops caused by field inhomogeneities. Hysteresis energy losses were estimated via areas bounded by the minor loops at different temperatures. Samples providing a balance between the critical current, pinning properties, and energy losses, were identified. Among the considered distributions, the homogeneous (periodic) defect configurations showed the highest efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]