• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.21-25
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• 2014

In order to develop 2nd generation (2G) high-temperature superconducting (HTS) wires as commercial products, it is necessary to perform a high speed investigation of their superconducting performance. Room-temperature and non-contact optical scanning tools are necessary to verify the microstructure of the superconducting materials, the current flow below the critical temperature, and the critical current density. In this paper, we report our results of an inspection of the electrical transport properties of coated conductors. The samples that we used in our study were highly qualified rare-earth based coated conductors produced via co-evaporation, and $SmBa_2Cu_3O_{7-y}$ (SmBCO) was the superconducting materials used in our studies. A film grown on IBAD-MgO templates shows larger than 400 A/cm at 77 K and a self-field. The local transport properties of the films were investigated by room-temperature imaging by thermal heating. The room-temperature images show structural inhomogeneities on the surface of the films. Bolometric response imaging via low-temperature bolometric microscopy was used to construct the local current mapping at the surface. These results indicate that the non-uniform regions on the surface disturb the current flow, and laser scanning images at room-temperature and at a low-temperature suggest a correlation between the structural properties and transport properties. Thus this method can be effective to evaluate the quality of the coated conductors.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-4
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• 2016

To observe the superconducting current and structural properties of high critical temperature ($T_c$) superconductors (HTS), we suggest the following imaging methods: Room temperature imaging (RTI) through thermal heating, low-temperature bolometric microscopy (LTBM) and Raman scattering imaging. RTI and LTBM images visualize thermal-electric voltages as different thermal gradients at room temperature (RT) and superconducting current dissipation at near-$T_c$, respectively. Using RTI, we can obtain structural information about the surface uniformity and positions of impurities. LTBM images show the flux flow in two dimensions as a function of the local critical currents. Raman imaging is transformed from Raman survey spectra in particular areas, and the Raman vibration modes can be combined. Raman imaging can quantify the vibration modes of the areas. Therefore, we demonstrate the spatial transport properties of superconducting materials by combining the results. In addition, this enables visualization of the effect of current flow on the distribution of impurities in a uniform superconducting crystalline material. These imaging methods facilitate direct examination of the local properties of superconducting materials and wires.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2010

Distribution of local critical temperature and current density in $YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-\delta}$ (YBCO) coated conductors was analyzed using a Low-temperature Scanning Laser Microscopy (LTSLM). We prepared YBCO coated conductors of various bridge types to study the spatial distribution of critical temperature and current density in single and multi bridges. An LTSLM system was modified for a detailed two-dimensional scan without shifting of the sample. We observed a spatial distribution of the critical temperature from the bolometric response, which arises from a focused laser beam at the sample near the superconducting transition. Also we studied the relation between the critical temperature and the current density.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.72-77
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• 2009

Low temperature scanning laser microscopy (LTSLM) can be used for a two-dimensional display of bolometric response arising from the localized excitation of a sample by the focused laser beam. In this study, the distribution of critical temperature ($T_c$) and critical current density ($J_c$) in YBCO coated conductor were analyzed using LTSLM. For improving the temperature stability, we have modified the system into a double-shielding type. Through the modification, the temperature stability was successfully improved from ${\pm}10mK\;to\;{\pm}2mK$. The superconducting properties of YBCO coated conductors were measured for the sample of a narrow bridge type using wet etching process. The spatial non-uniformity of the ac voltage response, ${\delta}V(x)$, which is proportional to ${\partial}\rho(x,J_B)/{\partial}T$ in the transition temperature region could be observed and displayed in a two-dimensional image.