Calculation of hysteresis losses in hard superconductors carrying ac: isolated conductors and edges of thin sheets

Two methods of calculating hysteresis losses in hard superconductors are described. The London model is assumed in which the critical current density is taken independent of magnetic field. Losses in isolated wires of different cross section are considered but it is found that losses for solid wires vary by at most a factor of 3 for different shaped wires of the same current-carrying capacity. The loss at saturation current is usually 0·4-0·6 Ic2μ0/π.