Superconductive Rectifier

Abstract

The rectifier system where a small alternating current is fed into the dewar vessel, transformed and rectified into a large direct current may present a method to reduce the liquid helium vaporization during the operation of a superconducting magnet
Two kinds of superconductive rectifiers were tested. One of them has Nb Zr wires as its rectifier elements, whose S-N transition for rectifier operation is caused by pulse heating. The other is a contactor type rectifier with Indium-Tin contacts which are also superconductive.
The S-N transition type rectifier showed more vaporization of liquid helium than the counter flow leads in 100mV operation, but this vaporization may be reduced comparable, if the design is optimized.
The contactor type rectifier was tested in the output of 500mV and 150A, and showed much less vaporization, which will mean the possibility of the superconductive rectifier of several volts and several thousand amperes.