Current sharing between superconducting film and normal metal

A two-dimensional model is introduced that describes DC current sharing between the superconducting and normal metal layers in a configuration typical of YBCO-coated conductors. The model is used to compare the effectiveness of a surround stabilizer and a more conventional one-sided stabilizer. When the resistance of the interface between the superconductor and the stabilizer is low enough, the surround stabilizer is less effective than the one-sided stabilizer in stabilizing a hairline crack in the superconducting film.