Magnetic shielding properties of GdBCO bulks with different crystal orientation

High-temperature bulk superconductors have significant potential for superconductivity applications. For this paper, the magnetic shielding properties of GdBCO bulk with different crystal orientations were investigated at different temperatures for the purpose of determining its application as field concentrators. Four discs with a diameter of 20 mm and thickness of 5 mm were cut from the GdBCO single domain. In two discs, the c-axis of crystal was parallel to the disc radius, and, in the others, the c-axis was perpendicular to it. The magnetic shielding effects in a couple of bulks with a gap of 2 mm were measured in background fields up to 11 T. The magnetic fields were measured at the center and edge points between the two bulks at LN2, LHe, and temperatures controlled with a cryocooler. In LHe, the discs whose c-axes were parallel to the external magnetic fields maintained a zero field up to 11 T. Even in LN2, the field was shielded to 1 T. The results confirmed the strong magnetic shield effects of GdBCO bulk and can be used for the design of a field concentrator. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of ISS Program Committee