Due to its unique layered architecture, the superconducting material REBCO (rare-earth barium copper oxide) supports high magnetic fields exceeding 20T and thus clean energy processes such as fusion. The layer deposition process, however, introduces widespread variation in both structure and properties leading to an inconsistent product and reduced performance. It was previously determined that secondary particles decrease the hardness of the REBCO superconducting layer and thus the likelihood of brittle failure when wound into a coil, yet their distribution including shape, area, and cluster behavior, varies by up to 80%. Furthermore, in spools produced to the same specifications by the same manufacturer, mechanisms pinning vortices in the superconducting state differ. The university of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory associated with Florida State University provided the necessary instrumentation including electron imaging, nano-hardness, and angular dependence in high magnetic fields to produce this comprehensive understanding of how processing conditions inform REBCO´s structure and properties. This research helps to benefit manufacturers in homogenizing their product and advance high-magnetic-field physics and clean energy production.
