SUPERCONDUCTING LEAD PRESSURE CONTACTS.
Abstract
The electrical properties of pressure contacts between superconductors is being investigated to obtain information needed for the design of high-current superconducting switches. It has been concluded from the study of pure lead contacts that a practical switch would utilize clean, roughened surfaces operating under a large mechanical load and at reduced temperatures. The current capacity, as well as the reliability, of the switch can be improved by applying a high-current pulse before use or by paralleling contacts. The voltage-current characteristic exhibits two types of transition differentiated by their abruptness, a nonohmic linear region, and is symmetrical with respect to the current direction. Generally, the critical current can be increased by increasing the load, decreasing the temperature, or roughening the contact surfaces. In addition, highly oxidized contacts have a reduced critical temperature and a correspondingly reduced critical current. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 19, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0673526
Entities
People
- E. E. King
- P. I. Peterson
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory