Development of a 50-60 Hz thermally switched superconducting rectifier

A full-wave thermally switched superconducting rectifier, able to operate directly from the mains at the 50-60-Hz frequency, has been developed. Typical design output values of this device are a current of 300 A, a voltage of up to 1 V, an average power of up to 100 VA, and an efficiency better than 95%. The rectification is achieved by means of fast-response switches and an iron core transformer. A simple and reliable algorithm for the rectifier operation, based on the measured current change across the switches, was developed and tested while powering a small magnet. The new features of the rectifier allow for a simplification of the construction and a significant reduction of cost, mass, and volum