Current progress in ternary LREBa₂Cu₃O_y materials and their application

The J_c and H_irr values at 77 K of ternary light-rare-earth compounds, LREBa₂Cu₃O_y "LRE-123", are usually high enough to serve in various applications. Several sources of vortex pinning can be in these composites tailored to fit the needs of the particular application. The list comprises LRE/Ba solid solution, oxygen vacancies, large particles of secondary phases, twin planes, nanoscale lamellas, etc. By means of the latter defects one can achieve a very high irreversibility field. Refinement of secondary phase particles and the optimal choice of their amount enhance the electromagnetic performance in a broad temperature range, up vicinity of T_c, allowing levitation at liquid oxygen, 90.2 K. An optimum content of MoO₃ doubles the self-field super-current at 77 K, H||c-axis. Altogether, the pinning tailoring in ternary LRE-123 materials provides a flexible and reliable way to fit the electromagnetic performance with the needs of sophisticated high-temperature and high-magnetic-field applications.