Nearly isotropic upper critical field and large critical current density in Mo8Ga41

Abstract

Intermetallic superconductors feature mechanical properties such as ductility and strength suitable for wire fabrication. Here, we show that Mo8Ga41 crystals host superconducting critical temperature similar to NbTi, the most widely used practical superconductor, combined with a critical current density at magnetic fields at 0.5 T as high as 104 A/cm2. Together with very low Hc2 anisotropy, this suggests that an enhancement of critical current densities in Mo8Ga41 could be expected through more effective flux pinning caused by irradiation or doping. Our work points to possibilities for new high-performance superconducting cables.