Normal domain temperature profile in second generation HTS tape wire

BACKGROUND: Studies of the normal zone in high-temperature superconducting wires are extremely important for power applications, such as fault current limiters, motors, cables etc. We studied the temperature distribution and normal domain propagation in high-temperature superconducting YBCO tape with highly resistive substrate. FINDINGS: For applied voltages exceeding a certain threshold value the normal domain was found to become unstable and started to propagate along the tape. CONCLUSIONS: The normal domain in superconducting tape with highly resistive substrate appears when voltage is applied to the sample. At voltages greater than the threshold value, the domain starts to move. This motion enables us to find the domain temperature and potential profile.