Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a patterned oxide superconducting film wherein a selected region of a ternary metal oxide superconducting film is irradiated in a controlled atmosphere with photons so as to become non-superconductive.

Abstract: A superconducting wire comprises a flexible base material having average surface roughness of not more than 0.05 .mu.m and an oxide superconducting layer formed on the base material.A superconducting wire comprises a flexible base material of yttria stabilized zirconia containing less than 0.1 percent by weight of an Al impurity and an oxide superconducting layer formed on the base material.

Abstract: The superconducting device according to the present invention is provided with a superconducting thin film of the Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu oxide deposited on a substrate thereof. Consequently, the device can be produced at a low cost because no rare earth elements are required.The superconducting thin film according to the present invention is formed by sputtering on substrate from a Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu oxide target by means of the sputtering method, followed by annealing in an oxidizing atmosphere. In this way, according to the present invention, it is possible to produce a superconducting thin film of the Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu oxide in a simple way by using an ordinary sputtering apparatus.

Abstract: A superconductive magneto-resistive device includes superconductive ceramic films having a magneto-resistive effect. In the superconductive magneto-resistive device, the superconductive ceramic films are laminated one by one, and the adjacent superconductive ceramic films are insulated by each electrical insulation film, respectively, except for one portion of each of the adjacent superconductive ceramic films, resulting in that the superconductive ceramic films are connected in series. Furthermore, a pair of electrodes is arranged on the upper-most and lower-most superconductive ceramic films.

Abstract: A Type II superconducting filament is formed by surrounding a Type II superconducting alloy ingot with layers of a fine grain Type II superconducting alloy sheet, a barrier layer and a copper extrusion can. The composite is then reduced to a filament by hot and cold working.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high Tc superconducting fiber is disclosed, which comprises drawing into fiber form a core filament of a crystalline oxide, continuously depositing on the heated core filament a high Tc superconducting thin film and then depositing a protective layer on the outer surface of the high Tc superconducting thin film.

Abstract: A superconducting thin film of Bi-containing compound oxide deposited on a substrate, a buffer layer made of Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 being interposed between the superconducting thin film and the substrate.

Abstract: Superconducting tapes have an inner laminate comprised of a parent-metal layer selected from the group niobium, tantalum, technetium, and vanadium, a superconductive intermetallic compound layer on the parent-metal layer, and a reactive-metal layer that is capable of combining with the parent-metal and forming the superconductive intermetallic compound. A superconducting joint between contiguous tapes comprises, a continuous precipitate of the superconductive intermetallic compound fused to the tapes forming a continuous superconducting path between the tapes.

Abstract: A superconducting composite material comprising a superconducting element, coated on its exterior surface with noble or inert metal, in a conductive metal matrix which includes nonsuperconducting fibers. The superconducting element may suitably comprise a filament of 123 metal oxide high temperature superconductor (MOHTSC) material, or other metal oxide superconductive material. The composite structure of the invention overcomes the inherent brittleness of metal oxide-type superconductive materials and the sensitivity to flaws to which MOHTSC materials are suceptible. The noble or inert metal and conductive matrix metal may suitably be applied by MOCVD techniques. A preferred form of the superconducting article of the present invention is a tape comprising a generally planar array of superconductive filaments, for applications such as energy storage devices, power transmission and propulsion systems that require large magnetic fields, transformers, motors, and generators.

Abstract: Ceramic superconductor materials, e.g., of rare earth/alkaline earth metal/transition metal/oxygen type, contain an effective stabilizing amount of fluorine atoms distributed therein in a concentration gradient decreasing from the external face surface of the material to the core region thereof; advantageously the fluorine atoms are principally distributed in an external protective diffusion barrier layer.

Abstract: A HTSC layered structure comprising a substrate such as sapphire, a strontium titanate buffer layer and a HTSC film such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7 provides a superconductor having lower surface resistance and a narrower transition temperature.

Abstract: A thin film superconductor assembly is disclosed along with a method of fabricating same. The assembly comprises a self-supporting substrate defining at least a portion of a containment for a flow of cryogenic fluid, a dielectric layer adherent to a surface of the substrate, a thin film superconductor adherent to the dielectric layer and a moisture and oxygen impervious electrically insulating coating covering the thin film superconductor. A method of forming such thin film superconductor assembly, wherein the dielectric layer consists essentially of aluminum nitride, comprises growing the aluminum nitride dielectric layer integrally on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A HTSC layered structure comprising a substrate such as calcium titanate and a HTSC film such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7. Use of a thin buffer layer of calcium titanate on sapphire provides a YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x film with higher critical current.

Abstract: The superconducting material YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7, which loses its superconducting qualities when exposed to water, is passivated against such water damage by a thin film on its surface comprised of a mixed phase which includes YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.(7-x) F.sub.2x, where 0<X.ltoreq.1/2.

Abstract: A superconducting fiber bundle includes carrier material formed by fibers of carbon, silicon carbide, steel, boron or glass. The fibers have a superconducting coating formed of a superconducting, non-metallic, inorganic material. The coating of the fibers is carried out from the liquid phase or the gas phase.

Abstract: A cubic perovskite crystal structure is disclosed satisfying the unit cell formula:R.sub.0.33+z A.sub.0.67 C.sub.1-y O.sub.3-xwhereR, A and C represent rare earth, alkaline earth and copper atoms, respectively, capable of forming a superconductive R.sub.1 A.sub.2 C.sub.3 orthorhombic perovskite crystal structure;x is 0.67 to 1.0;y is up to 0.2; andz is up to 0.1.The crystal structure can be used to form superconductive superlattices and weak links for Josephson junction devices. The crystal structure can be produced by laser ablation deposition at a temperature below that required for the formation of a superconductive R.sub.1 A.sub.2 C.sub.3 orthorhombic perovskite crystal structure. The crystal structure can be used as a substrate for the subsequent deposition of an R.sub.1 A.sub.2 C.sub.3 orthorhombic perovskite crystal structure.

Abstract: A super conducting material is disclosed which exhibits super conducting properties at higher temperature than known so far. The super conducting by the invented materials is exhibited at temperatures of over 110.degree. K. Various combinations of the components exhibits superconductivities even at temperatures of around 273.degree. K. or even around 300.degree. K. Contrary to known art superconducting materials, which require super cooled conditions and are suited only to sophisticated applications, and thereby have limited applications, the materials of this inventions do not always require super cooled conditions are suited for limitless applications and can work even at room temperature conditions. While a large range of choice of materials are suggested a few important combinations are made of oxides of Bismuth, Barium and Copper. Replacement of Barium by Thantalium gives additional advantages.

Abstract: In one embodiment this invention provides a process for decreasing the resistivity of an electrical conductor.The process involves the application of high temperature and an external field to a conductor to induce a current flow and physicochemical transition in the conducting matrix.

Abstract: There is disclosed the structure of a superconductive wiring fabricated on an insulating substrate comprising a conductive pattern having at least one wiring strip of a superconductive ceramic formed on the insulating substrate and a protective film covering the wiring pattern and formed of a basic oxide, the basic oxide hardly reacts with the superconductive ceramic because of the fact that most of the superconductive ceramics are bases, then the wiring strip is allowed to stay in the superconductive state for a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A superconducting composite comprising a compound oxide type superconductor and an outer metal pipe on which said superconductor is supported, characterized in that (i) said outer metal pipe is made of at least one of metals selected from a group comprising gold, silver and platinum metals and their alloys or (ii) an intermidiate layer made of these precious metals is interposed between the compound oxide and the metal pipe.The composite may be in a form of a solid pipe or a hollow pipe having a superconducting thin layer deposited on an inner surface of the metal pipe.

Abstract: A multilayer superconducting thin film composite article, comprising a carbon-containing substrate, and an interlayer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of zirconium, yttrium, niobium, and carbides and oxides thereof, platinum, iridium, gold, palladium, and silver, and an overlayer comprising an HTSC material. The carbon-containing substrate preferably comprises diamond and the interlayer preferably comprises a zirconium carbide sub-layer at the interface with the substrate, an intermediate sub-layer of zirconium metal, and an outer sub-layer of zirconium oxide at the interface with the HTSC material overlayer. The superconducting thin film material may comprise a copper oxide HTSC material, with YBaCuO, TlBaCaCuO, and BiSrCaCuO HTSC materials being preferred.

Abstract: A conductive film of crystalline bismuth mixed alkaline earth oxide containing silver is disclosed. A process for promoting the growth of crystalline bismuth mixed alkaline earth oxide grains by incorporating silver prior to sintering is also disclosed.

Abstract: A Type II superconducting alloy is formed into a wire by extruding a billet of the alloy encased in a copper extrusion can. The extrusion can may include a nose and a tail section having a k factor equal to or greater than that of the body of the core. The nose section may also have a convex inner transverse surface, while the tail section has a concave inner transverse surface. The nose and tail section may be formed of a copper alloy which is of equal or greater stiffness than the alloy of the body of the core. Alternatively, a multifilament wire may be formed by extruding a billet composed of a plurality of separate superconducting wires encased in a copper extrusion can. The nose and tail section of the can may be modified as for the aforementioned monofilament billet.

Abstract: A tape based on a superconducting oxide containing Cu-O, the tape being characterized by the fact that it comprises a substrate of flexible metal or composite material having a rectangular cross-section and provided on at least one of its faces with a cavity-free film of perovskite type superconducting oxide having congruent or quasi-congruent melting or peritectic decomposition close to a eutectic point, the thickness of said film lying in the range 1 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m, the orientation of the C axis of the superconducting crystals being perpendicular to said face of said substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making a superconducting connection between a pair of superconducting ceramic oxide pieces, each of the pieces having been formed by combining the metallic elements of the superconducting oxide in substantially the stoichiometric proportions needed to form the superconducting oxide into a precursor and forming the precursor into a shaped piece. The process comprises the steps of: contacting each of the shaped pieces with the other; connecting each of the shaped pieces to the other by means for forming a metallurgical bond between the shaped pieces; and oxidizing the connected shaped pieces under conditions sufficient to oxidize the metallic elements to the superconducting oxide.In other embodiments of the invention, the process is for forming a superconducting connection between a pair of pieces having a superconducting ceramic oxide/noble metal composition; or for forming a joint between a superconducting ceramic oxide and a normal conductor.

Abstract: An excellent oxide series superconductive sintered body can be provided which can be joined to a metallic member easily and economically at low temperatures without causing peeling-off and deformation of the metallic member, cracks in the sintered body, and deterioration of the sintered body, by coating the surface of the sintered body with a coating metal. A method of producing the sintered body having the coating metal is also provided.

Abstract: An oxide superconductor having a high critical temperature is provided with a passivation coating comprising a first layer of a Group II oxide, such as magnesium oxide, and a second layer of a polymer, such as polyimide. The Group II oxide is formed under conditions to be substantially amorphous. After depositing the Group II layer, the encapsulated superconductor is heated to an elevated temperature for a period of time in an oxidizing atmosphere. This restores the high critical temperature to its original value. The polymer is then coated on top of the Group II oxide and cured. The passivation coating is resistant to strong acids, strong bases, and water, is robust, hard, and resilient against scratching.

Abstract: A superconducting ceramics elongated body comprising a flexible ceramics elongated substrate and an oxide ceramics superconducting layer formed at least on a part of the surface of the ceramics elongated substrate to longitudinally extend along the ceramics elongated substrate. The superconducting ceramics elongated body further comprises a protective layer of ceramics containing a nitride, which is provided to at least cover the surface of the superconducting layer exposed on the ceramics elongated substrate. A method of manufacturing a superconducting ceramics elongated body by forming a longitudinally continuous superconducting layer on at least a part of the surface of a flexible ceramics elongated substrate. The superconducting layer is formed on the elongated substrate by a sol-gel method, a coating/sintering method, evaporation under oxygen ions, deposition from a fluoride solution or oxidation after application of corresponding fluorides.

Abstract: A superconductive system for the lossless transmission of electrical current comprising a thin film of superconducting material Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x epitaxially deposited upon a KTaO.sub.3 substrate. The KTaO.sub.3 is an improved substrate over those of the prior art since the it exhibits small lattice constant mismatch and does not chemically react with the superconducting film.

Abstract: Superconducting ceramic material is woven into an interconnected structure and embedded in a polymer to produce a flexible, superconducting ceramic material. The polymer also provides protection from moisture. The ceramic polymer composite is fabricated by soaking a carbon fabric in a solution of metal nitrates, ethylene glycol and citric acid to yield a nominal composition of, for example, YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x. Heat treatment results in the decomposition of the nitrates, organics and carbon fabric to produce an interconnected structure of the superconducting ceramic material which takes the shape of the original carbon fabric on a reduced scale. In addition, the processing conditions yield significant grain orientation. The superconducting grains of the ceramic material align along the direction of the original fabric weave which provides an improvement of the critical current densities.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oxide superconductor, wherein at least the surface layer has a chemical composition represented by the following formula:La.sub.x Sr.sub.y NbO.sub.zwherein0<x<1,0<y<1, and1<z<4,and has a critical temperature (Tc) higher than 100.degree. K.This superconducotr has a high critical temperature and is rendered superconducting by cooling with cheap liquefied nitrogen.This superconductor is prepared by a process comprising carrying out sputtering in an argon atmosphere by using one of NB and an La--Sr--Cu--O oxide as the substrate and the other as the target under such a temperature condition that substitution of Cu by Nb is caused, an quencing the formed film.

Abstract: A multifilament superconducting strand for use at industrial frequencies and made from an initial billet comprising a superconducting core niobium-titanium alloy surrounded by an anti-diffusion barrier layer which is in turn surrounded by a copper based matrix material, with the strand being made from the billet by successive stages of extrusion, wire-drawing, and assembly, wherein the strand includes 5.times.10.sup.5 to 5.times.10.sup.6 filaments each constituted by the superconducting core reduced to a diameter in the range 50 nm to 150 nm, the filaments being separated from one another by a distance lying in the range 30 nm to 100 nm, which distance is occupied by the anti-diffusion layer and the matrix material. The matrix material contains in excess of 8% manganese when the anti-diffusion layer is made of niobium, or alternatively, the anti-diffusion layer may be of an iron-containing alloy with the matrix containing copper and nickel.

Abstract: A method for contraction annealing niobium-tin wire is disclosed. An improved niobium-tin wire is provided by loosely winding the wire on a mandrel, or by coiling the wire on a circumferentially retractile mandrel, and contraction annealing the wire without reaction-forming substantial amounts of Nb.sub.3 Sn. Such contraction annealing allows the wire to contract in length unconstrained thereby preventing the formation of internal tensile stresses in the wire and its surrounding insulation. Prevention of internal stresses in the wire greatly reduces the susceptibility of the wire to breakage, cracking, sintering, shorting, tin leakage, or substantial shifting of the wire from desired wrap positions when it is reaction annealed to form the brittle super-conducting intermetallic compound Nb.sub.3 Sn.

Abstract: An oxide superconductor having oxide superconductor layers and metal material layers, which are alternately laminated on each other by a desired number of times, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A substrate for supporting a ceramic superconductor comprises a metallic base member precoated with an yttrium oxide, rare earth oxide, or zirconium oxide layer and having a constituent oxide former which establishes an oxide layer with the yttrium oxide, rear earth oxide, or zirconium oxide on the surface of the substrate. A layer of ceramic superconducting material covers the substrate with the oxide layer between the metallic base member and the ceramic superconductor layer to inhibit the interdiffusion of respective constituent elements between the metallic base member and the ceramic layer. For applications requiring the transmission of electrical current through the ceramic layer over relatively extensive distances, the substrate can be formed as a wire or ribbon.

Abstract: A composite member is prepared which comprises a core which will have a compound superconducting layer when heat-treated, and a stock for forming a stabilizing member made of copper and surrounding the core. The composite member is heat-treated in an oxidizing atmosphere, thus forming a copper-oxide thin layer on the surface of the stock. Thereafter, the composite member is heat-treated in a non-oxidizing atmosphere or in an atmosphere having an oxygen partial pressure which is too low to allow the forming of copper oxide. As a result, a compound superconducting wire is made which comprises a member including a compound superconductor, a diffusion-preventing layer made of oxide and surrounding the member, and a stabilizing member made of copper and surrounding the layer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating a wire from niobium tin produced in situ in a filamentous structure capable of achieving the superconducting state which comprises overlapping a tin alloy core comprised of tin-magnesium eutectic alloy with alternating layers of copper and foraminous layers followed by drawing the thus-formed niobium filaments into wire, then heating the wire at sufficiently high temperature to cause the eutectic alloy to homogeneously diffuse through the length of the copper wire and rods to react with the Nb, forming the A-15 crystal structure of Nb.sub.3 Sn, characterized by refined grain structure therein and improved current carrying capability.

Abstract: A superconducting oxide wire and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The wire comprises a pipe made of a metal and a superconducting oxide material filling the interior of the pipe and comprising superconducting oxide grains which are bonded to each other and which have a perovskite crystal structure having a C face and a C axis. The superconducting oxide grains contain more than 50 vol % of plate-shaped grains of which the length in the direction of the C face is greater than the length in the direction of the C axis. The C faces of most the plate-shaped grains are arranged to be directed toward longitudinal axis of the pipe.

Abstract: An oxide superconductor cable and a method of producing the same. The oxide superconductor cable includes a ceramic fiber and an oxide superconductor layer coated over the ceramic fiber. Such a structure of the cable provides flexibility to it to some extent and enables it to become relatively thin.

Abstract: Superconductive structures and a method of forming the same wherein an assembled mass (12) of superconductive particles, or of a mixture of superconductive particles and particles having other properties, are formed into a desired confined configuration and consolidated into a rigid useful unitized body through shock-wave treatment performed at relatively lower temperatures.

Abstract: An electronic device substrate includes a spinel epitaxial film formed on a silicon single-crystal substrate and an oxide superconductor layer formed on the spinel film. The oxide superconductor layer is represented by formula P.sub.x (Q,Ca).sub.y Cu.sub.z O.sub..delta. and contains at least one element of Bi and Tl as P and at least one element of Sr and Ba as Q. Composition ratios fall within ranges of 0.08.ltoreq.x/(x+y+z).ltoreq.0.41, 0.29.ltoreq.y/(x+y+z).ltoreq.0.47 and 1.ltoreq.Q/Ca.ltoreq.3.

Abstract: A joint sintered high-temperature superconductive ceramic article is obtained by joining two sintered high-temperature superconductive ceramic masses formed of oriented crystal grains in such a manner that the directions of grain-orientation are different across the interface of union and pressing the joined ceramic masses against each other perpendicularly to the interface of union and, at the same time, heating them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a superconducting ceramic structure consisting of a superconducting ceramic substrate whose surface carries a film plasma-polymerized from a silazane bond-containing organosilicon compound. This structure is characterized by the absence of deterioration in its superconducting properties even upon contact with water or water vapor, and thus by the long-term retention of its superconducting properites.

Abstract: A superconducting circuit board is provided comprising a sintered alumina board containing more than 99% by weight of alumina and an interconnection pattern of an superconducting ceramics formed on the alumina board. Adhesion of the interconnection pattern to the alumina board is improved by an addition of Ti or Si coupling agent to a paste for forming the interconnection pattern. The use of copper powder in place of copper oxide powder as an ingredient forming a superconducting ceramics in the paste is advantageous for printing and obtaining a uniform superconducting ceramic pattern.

Abstract: A superconducting pattern formed from a superconducting ceramic film is illustrated. The pattern is made in the form of a coil which is embeded in an insulating ceramic film. The insulating film is made of a ceramic material whose termal expansion coefficient is approximately equal to that of the coil.

Abstract: A ceramic superconductor layer formed on a substrate is passivated by a plasma polymerized film formed on a surface of the ceramic superconductor layer so as to have a thickness of 0.5 to 100 nm, by a conventional plasma discharging method using an organic gas such as trifluoromethane gas. According to spectroscopic analysis, the plasma polymerized film includes fluorocarbon bonds or groupings, and further, bonding between fluorine and yttrium, barium and copper is observed at the interface between the ceramic superconductor layer and the plasma polymerized film. An electronic minute device including the ceramic superconductor layer is fabricated by conventional patterning of the ceramic superconductor layer passivated by the plasma polymerized film.

Abstract: A superconducting fiber comprising a core filament composed of an oxide such as MgO and a superconducting thin film layer composed of superconducting compound oxide such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta. and deposited continuously on an outer surface of said core filament.

Abstract: Elements comprising a non-oriented substrate and a thin film of a compound of the following general formulaLa.sub.1-x-y Sr.sub.x Ba.sub.y MeO.sub.3-.delta.in which 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.8, 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.5, 0.1.ltoreq.x+y.ltoreq.0.8, and 0.ltoreq..delta..ltoreq.0.5 and Me is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe and Co. The film is crystallographically oriented in a certain direction The substrate is made of an amorphous material or a metal, or is constituted of an amorphous film formed on any bodies such as of a polycrystalline material. On the oriented thin film is further formed a perovskite oxide film or a superconductive film. The process for making the thin film of the above formula is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheathing material for superconducting wires which are deformed during manufacture by drawing or a similar procedure. The superconducting material of the wires is composed of an oxide whose superconducting properties worsen during the deformation so that, in order to recover its original superconducting properties or to further improve them, the material must be subjected to a recovery heat treatment at temperatures above 940.degree. C.Customarily, silver is employed as the sheathing material for such wires. The recovery heat treatment is generally performed at temperatures around 900.degree. C. Experiments have shown that the optimum temperature range for a recovery heat treatment lies between about 940.degree. C. and 1030.degree. C. However, these temperatures were above the melting temperature of silver in an oxygen atmosphere.

Abstract: A high Tc superconducting ceramics material is produced by mixing ceramic constituents with an alcohol or a freon before firing. The alcohol or freon functions to reduce the ceramics during firing so that excess oxygen can be eliminated from the superconducting structure. The superconducing ceramics then are coated with an organic resin film in order to avoid the influence of air.