AC loss properties of MgB₂ multifilament wires

We designed and fabricated two types of composite wires with 6 MgB ₂ filaments. One is a Cu-sheathed Nb-barrier wire and the other is a CuNi-sheathed Ta-barrier wire. The transverse-field losses of the trial wires were measured with a standardized pickup coil system in liquid helium. We evaluated the observed AC losses using two structural models, a multifilament conductor model and a hollow-cylindrical one. For the CuNi-sheathed Ta-barrier wire, the AC loss property can be explained by the usual model of multifilament conductors. Further reductions in AC loss can be expected by making the filaments thinner. For the Cu-sheathed Nb-barrier wire, theoretical considerations suggest the multifilament structure behaves as a hollow-cylindrical superconductor in the AC loss property. Thus, we need to pay particular attention to designing the barrier material for reduction in the AC loss.