AC losses in multilayer superconducting tapes

ac losses have been investigated experimentally as well as theoretically in tapes having on the surface several normal conducting and/or superconducting layers. The superconducting layers under investigation have been Nb₃Sn on a niobium substrate and Nb₃Ge on a stainless steel substrate. It has been proved that the layered structure of the tapes is well reflected by the stepwise character of the ac losses dependence on the amplitude of the surface magnetic field. The magnetic flux passing through a surperconducting layer or surface barrier into the inside of the tape enhances the losses in the passed barrier or layer.