Recent improvements in superconducting cable for accelerator dipole magnets

The superconducting magnets required for the SSC have provided a focus and a substantial challenge for the development of superconducting wire and cable. The number of strands in the cables have been increased from 23 for the Tevatron to 30 for the SSC inner layer cable and 36 for the SSC outer cable. Critical current degradation associated with cabling has been reduced from 15% for the Tevatron to less than 5%. R and D which has led to these improvements will be described and the opportunities for further advances will be discussed