An Electrometric Method for Transport AC Loss Measurement in Superconducting Tapes with a DAQ Device

Superconductors have great advantages in power applications and it is of great significance for rapid measurement and real-time monitoring of AC loss. In this paper, a straightforward electrometric method for measuring AC loss was developed. The measurement method uses a high precision data acquisition (DAQ) device and an algorithm program based on the coherent detection theory. The DAQ device is responsible for capturing and converting analog signals of superconducting samples into digital signals, and the digital signals are processed by a developed algorithm program and the results of AC loss are displayed in real-time. This method directly extracts single-frequency signal components from a variety of mixed signals, which provides low-cost, compiled, and reliable approaches for AC loss measurement, not requiring lock-in amplifiers for signal processing. The AC loss test of a straight tape has been finished to verify the availability of the method and demonstrates its ability to respond quickly.