RRR measurements on a SMES-ETM mockup superconductor

An unconventional, easy to perform method is used to determine the in situ residual resistivity ratio (RRR) of the major stabilizer region of superconductive magnetic energy storage (SMES) engineering test magnet (ETM) 60,000 amp composite superconductor. Measurements are taken by the eddy current decay (ECD) method. A primary benefit of the ECD technique is that measurements are possible at 4.2 K with superconducting filaments present. By taking measurements at 4.2 K and room temperature, the stabilizer RRR can be determined without concern for conductor geometry. Results show that this method holds promise as a tool for monitoring the residual resistivity of heavily stabilized superconductors under normal operating circumstances (wound into a magnet and below T/sub c/).<>