New pulsed laser deposition tool can predict superconductor failure

A researcher at the Advanced Manufacturing Institute and the Texas Superconductivity Center (TCSUH) at the University of Houston has found a way to reduce superconductor failures with a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) tool. The Office of Naval Research will grant $800,000 to purchase the popular thin-film deposition instrument.

At extremely low temperatures (as low as freezing), superconductors allow current to flow without resistance and generate strong magnetic fields. This is the principle behind magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, particle accelerators for subatomic physics research, maglev high-speed trains deployed by Japan, and minesweepers being developed by the US Navy to detect undersea mines.

"PLD tools will be used to manufacture thin films of multiple materials to enable advanced superconducting strips," said Venkat Selvamanickam, chair professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MD Anderson. Superconducting strip is the second generation of superconducting wire in the form of metal strip.

"Specifically, we are developing 'smart superconducting bands' that can essentially act as very fast sensors to detect impending loss of superconductivity, which can lead to catastrophic failures of expensive coils, magnets and cables made of superconductors," Selvamanickam said.

Quenching is a sudden change from a superconducting state to a normal state. When a coil, magnet, or cable carrying hundreds of amps in the superconducting state suddenly loses time in a local area, that part of the coil, magnet, or cable will be irreparably damaged.

"We have developed a novel method that utilizes the superconductor itself as a sensor for the detection of loss of superconductivity. This "smart superconducting belt" requires the addition of specific thin films to the superconducting structure. PLD tools will be able to make these films, "Selvamanickam said.

Thin films are very thin layers of material that scientists can deposit or apply to a surface to achieve unique properties not found in bulk materials. They have a wide range of advantages and are used in various industries, including electronics, energy, optics, sensing, and more.

Although magnet failure is fairly common, in 2008, a single failure at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN caused damage to more than 50 superconducting magnets.

PLD will also be used in other projects led by Selvamanickam and other faculty members and underwritten by the U.S. Navy, including improving energy storage and propulsion systems, enhancing the high performance of solid-state flexible batteries, and reducing fuel consumption and surface corrosion on ships.

Source: Laser Network