Applications of Superconductivity

This book, in essence the proceedings of a NATO Advanced Study Institute with the same title, is designed to provide in-depth coverage of many, but not all, of the major current applications of superconductivity, and of many that still are being developed. It will be of value to scientists and engineers who have interests in the research and production aspects of the technology, as well as in the applications themselves. The ftrst three chapters (by Clarke, Vrba and Wikswo) are devoted to an understanding of the principles, fabrication and uses of SQUID magnetometers and gradiometers, with the greatest emphasis on biomagnetism and nondestructive evaluation (NDE). For the most part, traditional low-temperature superconductor (LTS) SQUIDs are used, but particularly for NDE, high-temperature superconductor (HTS) SQUIDs are proving useful and often more convenient. The succeeding three chapters (by Przybysz, Likharev and Chaloupka) cover broader aspects of superconducting electronics. The ftrst two of these deal primarily with digital L TS circuits, while the third discusses in great detail passive component applications using HTS materials. Currently, HTS ftlters are undergoing intense J3-site testing at cellular telephone base stations. While it is clear that HTS ftlters outperform conventional ftlters in reducing signal loss and allowing for more channels in a given bandwidth, it isn't yet certain that the cellular telephone industry sees sufficient economic beneftts to make a ftrm decision to use HTS ftlters universally in its systems. If this application is generally adapted, the market for these ftlters should be quite large.

Klappentext

The volume presents in-depth scientific coverage of a vast number of superconductor-based applications. Some of these applications are quite mature, e.g. LTS magnets for MRI, while many others are at various stages of maturity. The first three chapters are devoted to understanding of the principles, fabrication and uses of SQUID magnetometers and gradiometers. The next three cover broader aspects of superconducting electronics - digital LTS circuits and passive component applications using HTS materials. The following four chapters go into magnetic applications. Chapter 11 deals with the fabrication of HTS tapes of BSCCO material. Chapter 12 addresses the use of HTS materials in magnetic bearings in low-loss flywheels. Finally, cryogenic systems are dealt with in Chapter 13 and Chapter 14 shows how to design cryogenic measuring systems and how to take valid measurements.

Inhalt

1. Low- and High-Tc SQUIDs and Some Applications.- 2. Multichannel SQUID Biomagnetic Systems.- 3. Applications of SQUID Magnetometers to Biomagnetism and Nondestructive Evaluation.- 4. Applications of Josephson Electronics in Digital Systems.- 5. Superconductor Devices for Ultrafast Computing.- 6. Microwave Applications of High Temperature Superconductors.- 7. MRI Magnets.- 8. Power Quality, Micro Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage Systems, and Fault Current Limiters.- 9. High Current Application of Superconductivity Part I: Applications in Research and Industrial Areas.- 10. High Current Application of Superconductivity Part II: Superconducting Magnets for Fusion.- 11. The Mechanical Deformation Processing of High-Temperature Superconducting Composite Tape.- 12. Applications of High Temperature Superconductors in Magnetic Bearings and Flywheels.- 13. Cryogenic Systems for Superconducting Devices.- 14. Superconductor Measurement Techniques and Cryostat Design.- 15. Superconductivity R&D at Istec and Elsewhere in Japan.