Simulation of current and temperature distribution in YBCO bulk's electrical contact

We have proposed a mechanical switch of high-temperature superconductor (HTS) as a mechanical persistent current switch (PCS). Two YBCO bulks are mechanically mated and the current flows through contact. However, the contact resistance was too large to work as PCS. In previous work, we polished the contact surface in order to reduce the contact resistance; however, we were not able to reduce it easily. So, in addition to polishing the contact surface, we deposited the metals on the surface to reduce the contact resistance. Accordingly, the contact resistance can be drastically reduced. Based on the experimental results, we analyzed the temperature of the switch with Finite Element Method (FEM). The axisymmetrical three-dimensional model is used, and the temperature distribution is numerically obtained as a function of the current density. We have expected that analytical results would make a contribution to reduce the contact resistance.