MgB2 superconductors for applications

The paper presents up to date results on MgB2 filamentary conductors and coated conductors from the point of view of their possible applications. Basic physical parameters of MgB2 compound relevant to conductor design are introduced. The correlation between the slope of the irreversibility line, critical temperature and critical current density is discussed with respect to the conductor performance and applicability. The possible origin of the observed anomalous decrease of ac susceptibility at 50 K in copper clad in situ powder-in-tube MgB2 wires is presented. Some numerical results on critical currents, thermal stability and ac losses of the MgB2 multifilamentary and coated conductors with magnetic cladding of their filaments are given. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.