Open-Source Codes for Computing the Critical Current of Superconducting Devices

• Published in: IEEE transactions on applied superconductivity 2016-04, Vol.26 (3), p.1-7
• Main Authors: Zermeño, Víctor M. R., Quaiyum, Salman, Grilli, Francesco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cables; Conductors; Critical current; Critical current density (superconductivity); Finite element analysis; Freeware; High-temperature superconductors; Mathematical models; MATLAB; Numerical models; Numerical simulations; Open source; Programming environments; Self field effects; Source code; Superconducting cables; Superconducting devices; Superconducting tapes; Superconductivity
• ISSN: 1051-8223; 1558-2515
• DOI: 10.1109/TASC.2016.2521171

In order to transport sufficiently high current, high-temperature superconductor tapes are assembled in cable structures of different forms. In such cables, the tapes are tightly packed and have a strong electromagnetic interaction. In particular, the generated self-field is quite substantial and can give an important contribution in reducing the maximum current that the cable can effectively carry. In order to be able to predict the critical current of aforementioned cable structures, a static numerical model has been recently proposed. In this contribution, we present in detail the implementation of such models in different programming environments, including finite-element-based and general numerical analysis programs, both commercial and open-source. A comparison of the accuracy and calculation speed of the different implementations of the model is carried out for the case of a Roebel cable. The model is also used to evaluate the importance of choosing a very accurate description of the angular J c (B) dependence of the superconductor as input for the material's property. The numerical codes, which are open source, are made freely available to interested users.