Superconducting critical current densities and synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements of (Bi,Pb)<f>2</f>Sr<f>2</f>Ca<f>2</f>Cu<f>3</f>O<f>y</f>/Ag composites

A series of multifilament composite conductors (tapes), (Bi,Pb)<f>2</f>Sr<f>2</f>Ca<f>2</f>Cu<f>3</f>O<f>y</f> (Bi-2223)/Ag, was studied by transmission synchrotron X-ray diffraction, including c-axis texture studies, and by critical current measurements. The diffraction measurements indicate that the tapes typically consist of <f>∼</f>90% Bi-2223 phase. Rocking curve studies of the Bi-2223 (2 0 0) peak reveal full widths at half maximum (FWHMs) in the range 13–19<f>°</f>. A weak correlation between rocking curve FWHMs and critical current densities suggests that the critical current values in these tapes may not be limited by the Bi-2223 c-axis orientation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]