Vanadium-gallium
Vanadium–gallium
Superconducting alloy
Vanadium–gallium (V3Ga) is a superconducting alloy of vanadium and gallium. It is often used for the high field insert coils of superconducting electromagnets.[clarification needed][citation needed]
Vanadium–gallium tape is used in the highest field magnets (magnetic fields of 17.5 T). The structure of the superconducting A15 phase of V3Ga is similar to that of the more common Nb3Sn.[1]
In conditions where the magnetic field is higher than 8 T and the temperature is higher than 4.2 K, Nb3Sn and V3Ga see use.
The main property of V3Ga that makes it so useful is that it can be used in magnetic fields up to about 18 T, while Nb3Sn can only be used in fields up to about 15 T.[2]
The high field characteristics can be improved by doping with high-Z elements such as Nb, Ta, Sn, Pt and Pb.[3]