Positive influence of femtosecond pulsed laser machining on levitation forces of top-seeded melt-grown textured YBCO

Al-Mokdad, F. ; Guner, S.B. ; Rivera-Sahún, J. ; Badía-Majós, A. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Angurel, L.A. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; de la Fuente Leis, G.F. ; Martínez, E. ; Porta-Velilla, L. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Gencer, A.

Resumen: High-temperature textured YBCO superconductors are considered relevant for applications requiring strong flux pinning, and hence enhanced critical current density and resilient levitation forces, such as maglev systems, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear magnetic resonance magnets. Improving the performance of YBCO for such applications is commonly achieved by enhancing the flux pinning properties through various mechanisms. In addition, either related to the sample fabrication process or demanded by the final operation conditions, machining these highly brittle samples would be desirable for a number of applications and is a challenging demand. This work reports on the use of ultrashort-pulsed laser irradiation to machine holes into top-seeded melt-growth YBCO samples and how this processing affects their microstructure and superconducting behavior. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy results demonstrate that ultrashort-pulsed laser machining can create well-defined holes with diminishing microstructural damage. The superconducting properties of the laser-machined samples are essentially preserved, even compatible with the enhancement in the critical current density and levitation force properties. These findings demonstrate the potential of ultrashort-pulsed lasers as a viable tool for machining textured YBCO products and enhancing their performance without degrading their functional properties. This method paves the way towards the generation of artificial defects, machining and shaping of high Tc superconductor ceramics into precisely well-defined complex geometries relevant for power applications.

Idioma: Alemán

DOI: 10.1088/1361-6668/ae5b2e

Año: 2026

Publicado en: Superconductor Science and Technology 39, 4 (2026), 045011 [16 pp.]
ISSN: 0953-2048

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/T54-23R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MCIU/PID2023-146041OB-C21
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/AEI/PID2020-113034RB-I00

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Física Materia Condensada (Dpto. Física Materia Condensa.)
Área (Departamento): Área Cienc.Mater. Ingen.Metal. (Dpto. Ciencia Tecnol.Mater.Fl.)