Examination of current limiting mechanisms in monocore Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox tape with high critical current density

Magneto-optical imaging, electromagnetic measurements and SEM have been used for the characterization of a monoeore BSCCO tape made by oxide powder-in-tube process which had a transport J(c) (77K, 0T) of 37kA/cm(2), Our study evaluates the connectivity between superconducting grains and reconstructs the local current distribution at < 10 mum scale. Some local regions are found to carry ap to 180 kA/cm(2) at 77 K, a new record for BSCCO wires.