Study on Applicability of Rare Earth High-temperature Superconducting Wires to Superconducting Magnet for Maglev System

Rare earth high-temperature superconducting wire (RE wire) has electrical and mechanical properties superior to those of conventional superconducting wire. It was clarified that a superconducting magnet with a simpler structure and higher reliability than the conventional type could be achieved for maglev system by applying this type of wire. A characteristic test was then carried out for RE wire, and an electric properties test was run on a trial coil of the wire in a small racetrack shape. The electrical properties of RE wire formations varying from a single wire shape to a wound coil shape were thus confirmed. The results obtained are expected to be useful to allowing the application of RE wire to superconducting magnet for maglev system.