Workshop on superconductors for magnets: Frontiers of technology

The purpose of this Workhop was to discuss and prognosticate the future of superconducting composites for magnet applications. Emphasized were prospects for higher operating fields and currents, higher thermal margins, stability, improved mechanical properties and cost. User requirements were formulated and basic limits to the desired performance, as imposed by the physics and metallurgy of superconductors, where defined. Following superconductors were then reviewed in the light of the above requirements and limitations: Nb-Ti and Laves phases, Nb
3
Sn and V
3
Ga, other A15's, B1's, and Chevrel phases. Technological and economic limitations of conventional manufacturing methods were defined and possibilities of new processing approaches assessed. Highlights of the discussion are incorporated in this text.