Fabrication of MgB2 superconducting wires as low activation superconducting materials for an advanced fusion reactor application

Abstract: Magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconducting wires are interesting as alternative conductor of Nb-based superconducting wire applying for the advanced nuclear fusion reactor from viewpoint of decay time of induced radioactivity. However, J c property of MgB2 wire is insufficient for alternative material of Nb-based superconductor, and it is necessary to improve further J c property. In order to improve J c property, we tried to fabricate the several trace amounts of Cu addition MgB2/Fe-sheathed wires through PIT process using Mg2Cu as Cu addition source. T c values of Cu addition samples were higher than those of non-Cu addition samples and they were improved with increasing amount of Cu addition. On the other hand, core J c value were decreased with increasing amount of Cu addition and the maximum core J c values were estimated to be over 100A/mm2 at 4.2K under 8T for 1 and 3at% Cu addition sample. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]