Numerical simulation on AC loss in REBCO tapes carrying non-sinusoidal currents

AC loss is one of the greatest obstacles for high-temperature superconducting (HTS) applications. In some HTS applications, coated conductors carry non-sinusoidal currents. Thus, it is important to investigate the effect of various waveforms on AC loss in coated conductors. In this work, transport AC loss in a 4 mm - wide REBCO coated conductor carrying sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal currents, is numerically investigated. The current amplitudes, the frequency of the transport current, and n-value are varied. Non-sinusoidal transport current waveforms studied include square, five types of trapezoidal, and triangular waveforms. Simulated results show that, for a given current amplitude, AC loss for the square current waveform is the greatest, that for the triangular waveform is the smallest. The sequence of AC loss in the conductor for different current waveforms coincides with the penetration depth, which implies the penetration depth determines the AC loss of the coated conductor. Furthermore, the transport AC loss in the conductor was found to decrease with frequency as f-2/n for non-sinusoidal transport current.