Superconducting joint fabrication for HTS second generation GdBCO/YBCO tapes

In this work, the development of a superconducting joint between GdBa2Cu3O7−x-based second-generation high temperature superconducting tapes using a thin YBa2Cu3O7−x intermediate layer is presented. The critical current of the superconducting joint was 18 A, which is about 30% of the current in the original tape. The persistent field decay of the one-turn loop showed a joint resistance of less than 6 10−13 at 77 K.