Thermoelectric instability induced by single pulses and alternating currents in second-generation superconducting tapes

We have studied current flow instabilities in a second-generation superconducting tapes and the transition of the tapes into the resistive state. Contrary to the usual quasisteady instability regimes, here we consider the adiabatic case in which the sample is heated rapidly. Two kinds of measurements of the current-voltage characteristics (CVC) have been made, specifically, with excitation of the tape by a single sinusoidal current pulse I (t)=I0sin(ωt) at different amplitudes I0 and by a continuous ac current. The main results were obtained for current amplitudes I0 exceeding the critical current Ic. We find that the dynamic CVC are essentially reversible for low amplitudes, whereas they become irreversible and acquire an N-shape for higher current amplitudes. The dynamic CVC change radically if the dissipated energy attains a threshold value Wth roughly equal to 5mJ∕cm for our tapes. When this energy is reached, the tape undergoes a transition to the resistive state owing to formation of normal domains....