Abstract: Porous ceramic superconductors having a film thickness over 0.5 microns are provided. The superconducting material is applied to a vicinal substrate and optionally nanoparticles are inserted to release local strain. The resultant superconductors exhibit improved Jc values compared to nonvicinal (flat) counterparts and those having no nanoparticles.

Abstract: A band-shaped high-temperature superconductor (HTSL) with high critical current density can be produced economically in a wet-chemical process. In the process, a first precursor solution is applied to a carrier, dried, and annealed. Additional precursor solutions may then be applied, with the first precursor solution contain little or no pinning centers, and any subsequent precursor solutions contains a higher concentration of pinning centers than the first precursor solutions.

Abstract: A superconducting article is provided that includes a substrate, wherein the substrate is untextured and comprises a nickel-based alloy containing primarily nickel and not less than about 20 wt % of an alloying element, and wherein the substrate is essentially free of Mo and Mn. The superconducting article further includes a buffer layer overlying the substrate and a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) layer overlying the buffer layer.

Abstract: A superconductor has a conductive path with a metallic substrate strip, a super-conductive layer made of a AB2CU3Ox type high-Tc-super conductive material, at least one insulating buffer layer which is arranged therebetween, and a metallic cover layer which is arranged thereon. At least one contacting element made of a normal conductive contacting material and arranged at least on one longitudinal side of the structure between the cover layer and the substrate strip enables a predetermined normally conductive limitation of the current-limiting device to be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thin film structure based on an epitaxial (111)-oriented rare earth-Group IVB oxide on the cubic (001) MgO terminated surface and the ion-beam-assisted deposition (“IBAD”) techniques that are amendable to be over coated by semiconductors with hexagonal crystal structures. The IBAD magnesium oxide (“MgO”) technology, in conjunction with certain template materials, is used to fabricate the desired thin film array. Similarly, IBAD MgO with appropriate template layers can be used for semiconductors with cubic type crystal structures.

Abstract: Coated conductors have a substrate, a high temperature superconductor layer and at least one or more buffer layers, wherein at least one of the buffer layers is a template for biaxially orienting the high temperature superconductor layer wherein the template is composed of a polycrystalline film consisting of a non-stoichiometric material having the nominal chemical formula A2?xB2+xO7 with B being at least one selected from Zr, Hf, Sn, Pb and Ti; A being at least one selected from La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Y, Tm, Yb and Lu; and x?0; and wherein the substrate is textured.

Abstract: An oxide high temperature superconductor and method of making which includes a first buffer layer composed of CeO3 formed on a sapphire R (1, ?1, 0, 2) face substrate for reducing lattice mismatch between the sapphire R (1, ?1, 0, 2) face substrate and the oxide high temperature superconductor thin film, and a second buffer layer composed of such an oxide high temperature superconductor but in which Ba is substituted with Sr formed on the first buffer layer. The first buffer layer reduces the lattice mismatch between the sapphire R (1, ?1, 0, 2) face substrate and the oxide high temperature superconductor thin, the second buffer layer prevents an interfacial reaction with Ba, thereby permitting the epitaxial growth of an oxide high temperature superconductor thin film that excels in both crystallographic integrity and crystallographic orientation.

Abstract: A superconducting wire includes first and second superconducting layers disposed on one or more substrates in stacked relationship, the first superconducting layer comprising a high temperature superconducting oxide of a first composition and the second superconducting layer comprising a high temperature superconducting layer of a second composition, wherein the first and second compositions are different. The first superconductor layer optionally includes a high temperature superconductor composition selected to provide enhanced critical current (Ic(c)) in the presence of magnetic fields perpendicular to surface of the superconducting layer (H//c). The second superconductor layer optionally includes a high temperature superconductor composition selected to provide enhanced critical current (Ic) in the presence of magnetic fields parallel to surface of the superconducting layer (H//ab).

Abstract: A superconducting article is provided that includes a substrate, an anti-epitaxial film over the substrate, a buffer film having biaxial crystal texture over the anti-epitaxial film, and a superconductor layer over the second buffer film. Also provided is a superconducting article as a tape, in a power cable, and a power transformer.

Abstract: A superconducting article includes a substrate; first and second buffer layers overlying the substrate, such that the substrate is positioned so as to be interposed between the first and second buffer layers, first and second superconductor layers overlying the first and second buffer layers. Further, the first and second stabilizer layers respectively overlying the first and second superconductor layers, the first and second stabilizer layers adapted to conduct current and prevent burnout of the first and second superconductor layers when the first and second superconductor layers are in a non-superconductive state.

Abstract: The resistive current-limiting device contains a strip-shaped superconductor having a conductive structure which is made of a metallic substrate strip, an insulating, oxidic buffer layer, a super-conductive layer made of a type AB2Cu3Ox oxidically high-Tc-super conductive material, an insulating buffer layer which is arranged therebetween, and a metal cover layer. At least one of the lateral edges of the conductive structure is mechanically deformed such that the cover layer and the substrate strip are arranged in electric contact.

Abstract: A composite structure including a base substrate and a layer of a mixture of strontium titanate and strontium ruthenate is provided. A superconducting article can include a composite structure including an outermost layer of magnesium oxide, a buffer layer of strontium titanate or a mixture of strontium titanate and strontium ruthenate and a top-layer of a superconducting material such as YBCO upon the buffer layer.

Abstract: Articles are provided including a base substrate having a layer of an IBAD oriented material thereon, and, a layer of barium-containing material selected from the group consisting of barium zirconate, barium hafnate, barium titanate, barium strontium titanate, barium dysprosium zirconate, barium neodymium zirconate and barium samarium zirconate, or a cubic metal oxide material selected from the group consisting of rare earth zirconates and rare earth hafnates upon the layer of an IBAD oriented material. Such articles can further include thin films of high temperature superconductive oxides such as YBCO upon the layer of barium-containing material selected from the group consisting of barium zirconate, barium hafnate, barium titanate, barium strontium titanate, barium dysprosium zirconate, barium neodymium zirconate and barium samarium zirconate, or a cubic metal oxide material selected from the group consisting of rare earth zirconates and rare earth hafnates.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a superconductive electrical conductor (7) in which a layer of an yttrium-barium-copper oxide (YBCO) is applied as a superconductive material onto a textured metal base directly or after prior application of a buffer layer, and is subjected to a heat treatment. To this end an interlayer of a metallic material which is compatible with the crystal structure of YBCO, or with the structure of a buffer layer suitable for the application of YBCO, is initially applied all around onto an elongate metal support (1). The support (1) provided with the interlayer is subsequently processed so that predetermined texturing is imparted to the interlayer as a metal base for the layer of YBCO material or for the buffer layer. The layer of superconductive YBCO material is then applied all around, directly onto the textured interlayer or onto the buffer layer previously applied thereon, and the heat treatment is finally carried out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing an oxide superconducting film, the method includes reacting a metal acetate containing metal M selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, neodymium and samarium with fluorocarboxylic acid having not less than three carbon atoms, reacting barium acetate with fluorocarboxylic acid having two carbon atoms, reacting copper acetate with fluorocarboxylic acid having not less than two carbon atoms, respectively, followed by refining reaction products, dissolving the reaction products in methanol such that a molar ratio of the metal M, barium and copper is 1:2:3 to prepare a coating solution, and coating a substrate with the coating solution to form a gel film, followed by calcining and firing the gel film to prepare an oxide superconducting film.

Abstract: Articles are provided including a base substrate having a layer of an oriented cubic oxide material with a rock-salt-like structure layer thereon, and, a layer of epitaxial titanium nitride upon the layer of an oriented cubic oxide material having a rock-salt-like structure. Such articles can further include thin films of high temperature superconductive oxides such as YBCO upon the layer of epitaxial titanium nitride or upon a intermediate buffer layer upon the layer of epitaxial titanium nitride.

Abstract: In a DC power transmission and distribution line, a power cable line for making it possible to easily supply power to various electric power machines used for operation of the line is provided. A power cable line includes a power cable (1g, 1r, 1p, 1m, 1n) for executing DC transmission and distribution, an AC superposing section 2 for superposing an AC component on the power cable, and a branch power supply section 3 for taking out power induced by the superposed AC component from the cable. The AC component is superposed on the power cable by the AC superposing section 2 and AC power together with DC power is transmitted to the power cable. The superposed AC component is taken out by the branch power supply section 3 provided in a midway point of the cable and is supplied to various electric power machines.

Abstract: A method for producing an oxide superconductor by partially melting and solidifying the precursor of the oxide superconductor is a method wherein the precursor is placed on a substrate material containing pure metal or a compound which is meltable in the precursor when the precursor is in a partially molten state, and partially melting and solidifying the precursor in said state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Bi2223 based thick film that does not peel off when a thermal or a mechanical shock is applied to a base or an oxide superconductor thick film or the like in the middle of a manufacturing process and a method of manufacturing the same. An oxide superconductor paste 1 having a mixing ratio of Bi2212 composition is applied to a base 3, dried, burned, and thereafter burned at a temperature approximate to its melting point to obtain a partially molten layer 4. Next, an oxide superconductor paste 2 having a mixing ratio of Bi2223 composition is applied to the partially molten layer 4, dried, burned, compressed by a CIP, and thereafter repeatedly burned and compressed for a predetermined number of times to obtain the base 3 having a desired superconductor thick film 5 formed thereon.

Abstract: A method for producing a thin film includes disposing a precursor solution onto a substrate to form a precursor film. The precursor solution contains precursor components to a rare-earth/alkaline-earth-metal/transition-metal oxide including a salt of a rare earth element, a salt of an alkaline earth metal, and a salt of a transition metal in one or more solvents, wherein at least one of the salts is a fluoride-containing salt.

Abstract: The present invention provides articles including a base substrate including a layer of an oriented cubic oxide material having a rock-salt-like structure layer thereon; and, a buffer layer upon the oriented cubic oxide material having a rock-salt-like structure layer, the buffer layer having an outwardly facing surface with a surface morphology including particulate outgrowths of from 10 nm to 500 run in size at the surface, such particulate outgrowths serving as flux pinning centers whereby the article maintains higher performance within magnetic fields than similar articles without the necessary density of such outgrowths.

Abstract: A multifilament high temperature superconductor with thick, striated stabilizer is disclosed, including a substrate, a buffer layer, a multifilament superconductor layer, and at least one thick stabilizer layer. Also disclosed are components incorporating superconducting tapes and methods for manufacturing same.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a superconductive electrical conductor, in which a layer of an yttrium-barium-copper oxide (YBCO) is applied as a superconductive material onto a textured metal substrate, and is subjected to a heat treatment. In order to produce a wire-shaped conductor, a textured metal substrate, provided as a strip (2), is initially shaped in its longitudinal direction around an elongate metal support (1) with a circular cross section to form a slotted tube (3) having edges extending in the longitudinal direction and adjoining one another at a slot (4). The slotted tube (3) is next closed by welding the slot (4) shut, and the closed tube (9) is then contracted by pulling until it bears on the support (1). The layer (12) of superconductive YBCO material is thereupon applied all around, and the heat treatment is finally carried out.

Abstract: A method for producing a thick film includes disposing a precursor solution onto a substrate to form a precursor film. The precursor solution contains precursor components to a rare-earth/alkaline-earth-metal/transition-metal oxide including a salt of a rare earth element, a salt of an alkaline earth metal, and a salt of a transition metal in one or more solvents, wherein at least one of the salts is a fluoride-containing salt, and wherein the ratio of the transition metal to the alkaline earth metal is greater than 1.5. The precursor solution is treated to form a rare earth-alkaline earth-metal transition metal oxide superconductor film having a thickness greater than 0.8 ?m. precursor solution.

Abstract: A superconducting tape having reduced AC losses. The tape has a high temperature superconductor layer that is segmented. Disruptive strips, formed in one of the tape substrate, a buffer layer, and the superconducting layer create parallel discontinuities in the superconducting layer that separate the current-carrying elements of the superconducting layer into strips or filament-like structures. Segmentation of the current-carrying elements has the effect of reducing AC current losses. Methods of making such a superconducting tape and reducing AC losses in such tapes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A Bi-based oxide superconductor thin film whose c-axis is oriented parallel to the substrate and whose a-axis (or b-axis) is oriented perpendicular to the substrate, is manufactured in order to obtain a high performance layered Josephson junction using a Bi-based oxide superconductor. The method of manufacturing an a-axis oriented Bi-based oxide superconductor thin film, involves an epitaxial growth process using an LaSrAlO4 single crystal substrate of a (110) plane or a LaSrGaO4 single crystal substrate of a (110) plane, for which the lattice constant matches well with a (100) plane of a Bi-2223 oxide superconductor. By this method, rather than the normally easily obtained Bi-2212, an a-axis oriented film of Bi-2223 showing an extremely high superconductive transition temperature even for a Bi-based oxide superconductor can be selectively manufactured.

Abstract: A biaxially textured article includes a substrate, a first buffer layer disposed on the substrate, the first buffer layer having uniaxial crystal texture characterized by out-of-plane texture with no significant in-plane crystallographic texture. A metal comprising second buffer layer is disposed on the first buffer layer, the second buffer layer having a biaxially textured surface. An electronically active layer, such as a superconductor layer, can be disposed on the second buffer film. Ion-beam assisted processes can be used to biaxially texture the surface of the second buffer film after its deposition.

Abstract: A superconducting article includes a substrate having an untextured metal surface; an untextured barrier layer of La2Zr2O7 or Gd2Zr2O7 supported by and in contact with the surface of the substrate; a biaxially textured buffer layer supported by the untextured barrier layer; and a biaxially textured superconducting layer supported by the biaxially textured buffer layer. Moreover, a method of forming a buffer layer on a metal substrate includes the steps of: providing a substrate having an untextured metal surface; coating the surface of the substrate with a barrier layer precursor; converting the precursor to an untextured barrier layer; and depositing a biaxially textured buffer layer above and supported by the untextured barrier layer.

Abstract: High-temperature superconductive devices and assemblies are provided. According to one embodiment, a high-temperature superconductive device includes a superconducting substrate and a dielectric ceramic insulator. The superconducting substrate comprises a superconducting material having superconductive properties above about 60 K. The dielectric ceramic insulator is applied to the superconducting substrate. The dielectric ceramic insulator comprises a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.2 W/cm-K at a temperature ranging from about 60 K to about 90 K and has a grain size of at least about 2 microns. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: An superconductive article and method of forming such an article is disclosed, the article including a substrate and a layer of a rare earth barium cuprate film upon the substrate, the rare earth barium cuprate film including two or more rare earth metals capable of yielding a superconductive composition where ion size variance between the two or more rare earth metals is characterized as greater than zero and less than about 10×10?4, and the rare earth barium cuprate film including two or more rare earth metals is further characterized as having an enhanced critical current density in comparison to a standard YBa2Cu3Oy composition under identical testing conditions.

Abstract: A magnesium oxide single crystal having controlled crystallinity has a subboundary, and ranges of variation of diffraction line positions, as measured for reciprocal lattice maps with respect to a region surrounded by the same subboundary, with the range of the variation of 1×10?3 to 2×10?2 degree of on ?? coordinates, and with the range of the variation of 4×10?4 to 5×10?3 degree on 2? coordinates.

Abstract: A Bi-based oxide superconductor thin film whose c-axis is oriented parallel to the substrate and whose a-axis (or b-axis) is oriented perpendicular to the substrate, is manufactured in order to obtain a high performance layered Josephson junction using a Bi-based oxide superconductor. The method of manufacturing an a-axis oriented Bi-based oxide superconductor thin film, involves an epitaxial growth process using an LaSrAlO4 single crystal substrate of a (110) plane or a LaSrGaO4 single crystal substrate of a (110) plane, for which the lattice constant matches well with a (100) plane of a Bi-2223 oxide superconductor. By this method, rather than the normally easily obtained Bi-2212, an a-axis oriented film of Bi-2223 showing an extremely high superconductive transition temperature even for a Bi-based oxide superconductor can be selectively manufactured.

Abstract: A magnesium boride thin film having a B-rich composition represented by the general formula of MgBx (x=1 to 10) and a superconducting transition temperature of 10K or more has superior crystallinity and orientation and is used as a superconducting material. This thin film is formed by maintaining a film forming environment in a high vacuum atmosphere of 4×10?5 Pa or less, and simultaneously depositing Mg and B on a substrate maintained at a temperature of 200° C. or less so as to grow the film at a growth rate of 0.05 nm/sec or less. It is preferable to supply an Mg vapor and a B vapor into the film forming environment at an Mg/B molar ratio of 1/1 to 12/1.

Abstract: An article having low ac loss includes an elongated substrate having a length and a width; and a plurality of filaments comprising an oxide superconductor extending substantially along the length of the elongated substrate and spaced apart from one other filaments across the width of the elongated substrate, wherein at least one filament crosses over at least one other filament such that the at least one filament occupies a first position across the width of the elongated substrate before the crossover and a second position across the width of the elongated substrate after crossover.

Abstract: A superconducting thin film is disclosed having columnar pinning centers utilizing nano dots, and comprising nano dots (3) which are formed insularly on a substrate (2) and three-dimensionally in shape and composed of a material other than a superconducting material and also other than a material of which the substrate is formed, columnar defects (4) composed of the superconducting material and grown on the nano dots (3), respectively, a lattice defect (6) formed on a said columnar defect (4), and a thin film of the superconducting material (5) formed in those areas on the substrate which are other than those where said columnar defects are formed.

Abstract: A superconducting article comprising a substrate and a single composite layer deposited onto said substrate, wherein said single composite layer comprises Y2O3 and Al2O3, has a thickness of from about 20 nm to about 700 nm, and wherein the ratio of aluminum to yttrium is from about 10:1 to about 1:10; and wherein said superconducting article has a critical current density of at least 1 MA/cm2.

Abstract: An elongated article comprising a first layer of oxide superconductor filaments extending substantially along the length of the elongated article and spaced apart from one another across the width of the elongated substrate; a second layer of oxide superconductor filaments extending substantially along the length of the elongated article and spaced apart from one another across the width of the elongated article, wherein the first filament layer is positioned above the second filament layer; and a barrier layer positioned between the first and second filament layers, wherein the filaments of the first and second filament layers are positioned such that at least one filament of the first layer crosses at least one filament of the second layer.

Abstract: Laminated, biaxially textured superconductors include Ir-based buffer layers and/or substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed are a superconductive magnet manufactured by winding a thin superconductive rod wire in a coil without joint for maintaining a persistent current mode, and a method for manufacturing the same. The method includes winding both ends of a superconductive rod wire (10) on a first bobbin (21) and a second bobbin (22) respectively; forming a first unit rod wire (10a) and a second unit rod wire (10b) by slitting the superconductive rod wire (10) in the lengthwise direction; producing a pancake coil by winding the first and second unit rod wires (10a, 10b) on third bobbins (25) in one direction; and arranging the first and second unit rod wires (10a, 10b) such that magnetic fields (B, B?) in the same direction are generated from the pancake coil, by reversing one of the third bobbins (25) on which the first and second unit rod wires (10a, 10b) are wound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a (113) [121] textured Ag sheet and an HTS Tl-1223 phase coated conductor featuring a high critical current density. The Ag sheet is allowed to have an intensified (113) [121] texture by applying an additional tensile force to an Ag sheet which has undergone primary recrystallization. The HTS Tl-1223 phase coated conductor is fabricated by depositing/layering a biaxially textured Tl-1223 phase HTS film on the Ag substrate. The application of a slight tensile force suppresses the occurrence of secondary recrystallization in the Ag sheet, resulting in the intensification of (113) [121] texture components in the Ag sheet.

Abstract: A method for preparing film oxides deposited on a substrate with a resulting grain boundary junction that is atomistically straight. A bicrystal substrate having a straight grain boundary is prepared as a template. The Miller indices h1, k1, h2, k2 of the two grains of the substrate are chosen such that the misorientation angle of the film is equal to arctan k1/h1+arctan k2/h2. The film is grown on the substrate using a layer-by-layer growth mode.

Abstract: A superconducting article is provided that includes a substrate, wherein the substrate is untextured and comprises a nickel-based alloy containing primarily nickel and not less than about 20 wt % of an alloying element, and wherein the substrate is essentially free of Mo and Mn. The superconducting article further includes a buffer layer overlying the substrate and a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) layer overlying the buffer layer.

Abstract: Rare earth metal containing compounds of the formula Sr2LuSbO6 and Sr2LaSbO6 have been prepared as high critical temperature thin film superconductor structures, and can be used in other ferroelectrics, pyroelectrics, piezoelectrics, and hybrid device structures.

Abstract: A process for producing high temperature superconductor (HTS) mini-filters or coils in which the high temperature superconductor films are deposited on a layer of CeO2 on a substrate results in higher yields of mini-filters or coils.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a substrate for a superconducting cable has steps of rolling Hastelloy C-276 or stainless steel with a rolling roll having a surface roughness of 10 nm of less which is a value of a root mean square (RMS), thereby forming a substrate; immersing the rolled substrate in an electrolytic polishing solution to electrolytically polish it; and vapor-depositing a superconducting layer on the electrolytically polished substrate. According to the method, it is possible to reduce the time of electrolytic polishing of the substrate, thereby improving the productivity thereof. In addition, it is possible to make the number of cracks per a unit area and the horizontal level favorable.

Abstract: A Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) is disclosed comprising a pair of resistively shunted Josephson junctions connected in parallel within a superconducting loop and biased by an external direct current (dc) source. The SQUID comprises a semiconductor substrate and at least one superconducting layer. The metal layer(s) are separated by or covered with a semiconductor material layer having the properties of a conductor at room temperature and the properties of an insulator at operating temperatures (generally less than 100 Kelvins). The properties of the semiconductor material layer greatly reduces the risk of electrostatic discharge that can damage the device during normal handling of the device at room temperature, while still providing the insulating properties desired to allow normal functioning of the device at its operating temperature. A method of manufacturing the SQUID device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a superconducting cable conductor which contains a carrying element, on which is wound at least one layer comprising two or more superconducting conductor elements, the individual conductor elements of each layer being arranged next to one another, and the superconducting conducting elements are formed from a tape-type substrate coated with a superconducting material based on rare earth barium cuprate, preferably based on yttrium barium cuprates.

Abstract: A superconductive article is disclosed, having a substrate a buffer layer overlying the substrate, and a superconductive layer overlying the buffer layer. According to embodiments, the article may have low density characteristics, associated with the article as a whole and/or individual layers of the article. The article may be embodied in the form of long length conductors, coiled long length conductors, and machines incorporating such coils, for example.

Abstract: This invention relates to an oxide superconducting wire comprising oxide superconducting filaments, a high-density ceramic layer uniformly surrounding each of the filaments, and a silver sheath that directly covers the ceramic layer. The ceramic layer becomes non-superconducting when the filaments are cooled to an operating temperature of oxide superconductors. The oxide superconductors can be isolated by the ceramic that acts as a highly resistive material or an insulator. A high normal resistance is achieved, and thereby AC loss is reduced remarkably.

Abstract: A composite structure including a base substrate and a layer of a mixture of strontium titanate and strontium ruthenate is provided. A superconducting article can include a composite structure including an outermost layer of magnesium oxide, a buffer layer of strontium titanate or a mixture of strontium titanate and strontium ruthenate and a top-layer of a superconducting material such as YBCO upon the buffer layer.