The analysis of current distributions in filamentary conductors: the influence of intergrowths

Filament isolation is an extremely important factor in multi-filament conductors. However, filament-bridging superconducting intergrowths have often been observed. We show from magnetisation, transport and Hall probe experiments on a range of BSCCO-2223 conductors that the effects of filament bridging are substantial. We infer that the critical current densities within the intergrowths, and also across their grain boundaries, are extremely high.