Proximity effect depression of the critical temperature in two-phase Nb-Ti superconductors

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Abstract
The superconducting critical temperature of high critical current density Nb-Ti composites has been measured at various stages in the critical current optimization process. This process involves heat treatment steps which cause precipitation of normal α-Ti and make the matrix more Nb rich. Tc rises from 9.1 to 9.5 K during this stage. The final optimization stage involves extensive wire drawing during which the α-Ti precipitates are reduced to less than a coherence length in thickness. This does not result in a reduction in Jc but Tc is found to fall from 9.44 to 8.7 K during this step. The depression of Tc is found to be in fair agreement with the predicted proximity effect suppression of Tc. Wires of optimum transport critical current density are seen to have Tc of around 9 K.