Measurement of AC losses in textured polycrystalline Bi-2212 thin rods

AC losses of textured polycrystalline Bi/sub 2/Sr/sub 2/CaCu/sub 2/O/sub 8+x/ thin rods carrying AC transport currents have been measured in self-field and in DC magnetic fields at 77 K. Measurements of the first and third harmonic of the voltage are presented. The current amplitude and frequency dependence of losses as well as the ratio between the different harmonics of the voltage is analysed. The results are compared with the losses calculated numerically for a superconductor characterised by power-law current-voltage dependence.