Apparatus for making A-15 type tape superconductors which includes means to melt a wire at its tip so a beam is formed and means for wiping the bead onto a continuous tape substrate

Apparatus for producing a tape superconductor of a metallic A-15 superconductor type comprising:

• a first wire substantially constructed of a superconducting compound material;
• means for melting said first wire at a tip thereof to form a first molten bead at said tip;
• means for transporting a tape substrate of continuous length in a predetermined direction relative to said tip of said first wire, said substrate being transported into contact with and axially past said first molten bead formed at said tip of said first wire, wherein molten material from said first molten bead is wiped onto an upper surface of said tape substrate to form a first film thereon;
• means for substantially continuously feeding said first wire as said tip of said first wire is progressively melted by said melting means and wiped onto said substrate
• means for cooling said substrate when said substrate is transported into contact with and past said first molten bead wherein said first film is rapidly quenched;
• and
• means for monitoring said first film deposited on said substrate and means for controlling a thickness of said film deposited coupled to said monitoring means and coupled to at least one of said melting means, transporting means and wire feeding means.