Magnetization Losses and Non-Reduced 3D Modeling of Hybrid CORC-TSTC Composite Conductors

The Conductor on Round Core (CORC) and Twisted Stacked-Tape Conductor (TSTC) are among the most promising architectures for high-temperature superconducting (HTS) cables due to their high current-carrying capabilities, essential for future fusion and high voltage -high current- power applications. While CORC designs offer mechanical robustness, their larger cross-sections can lead to spatial inefficiencies, whereas TSTC cables are more compact but limited in transport current. To bridge these trade-offs, a CORC–TSTC hybrid cable has been recently proposed by Korean researchers, though its electromagnetic performance remains largely unverified. In this work, we present a comprehensive three-dimensional electromagnetic study to validate the experimentally measured AC losses of such hybrid cables, using SuNAM Co. Ltd. GdBCO HTS tapes. Our model captures the full current dynamics on the surface and within the superconducting layers, overcoming the limitations of reduced-order gauge (2D) methods. The hybrid cable configurations considered consist of a six-tape CORC outer layer enclosing a TSTC core with one to four stacked tapes. The model incorporates magneto-angular anisotropy in the critical current density, informed by experimental data, to ensure accurate benchmarking. To contextualize the hybrid design’s performance, we also simulate two reference geometries: a single-layer and a double-layer CORC cable, as well as a ten-tape TSTC conductor. Results show that the hybrid configuration offers a compelling balance, combining low AC losses with compact geometry and structural flexibility.