Abstract: Operational characteristics of an high temperature superconducting (“HTS”) film comprised of an HTS material may be improved by depositing a modifying material onto appropriate surfaces of the HTS film to create a modified HTS film. In some implementations of the invention, the HTS film may be in the form of a “c-film.” In some implementations of the invention, the HTS film may be in the form of an “a-b film,” an “a-film” or a “b-film.” The modified HTS film has improved operational characteristics over the HTS film alone or without the modifying material. Such operational characteristics may include operating in a superconducting state at increased temperatures, carrying additional electrical charge, operating with improved magnetic properties, operating with improved mechanic properties or other improved operational characteristics. In some implementations of the invention, the HTS material is a mixed-valence copper-oxide perovskite, such as, but not limited to YBCO.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a zinc oxide thin film includes: immersing a base having a conductive portion in at least part of the base, in a solution containing zinc ions, hydroxide ions, and zinc complex ions; and by applying an alternating current to the conductive portion, forming a zinc oxide thin film on a region of the base, the region including the conductive portion.

Abstract: Low-loss superconducting devices and methods for fabricating low loss superconducting devices. For example, superconducting devices, such as superconducting resonator devices, are formed with a (200)-oriented texture titanium nitride (TiN) layer to provide high Q, low loss resonator structures particularly suitable for application to radio-frequency (RF) and/or microwave superconducting resonators, such as coplanar waveguide superconducting resonators. In one aspect, a method of forming a superconducting device includes forming a silicon nitride (SiN) seed layer on a substrate, and forming a (200)-oriented texture titanium nitride (TiN) layer on the SiN seed layer.

Abstract: A substrate of the present invention includes a copper layer, an alloy layer containing copper and nickel, formed on the copper layer, a nickel layer formed on the alloy layer, and an intermediate layer formed on the nickel layer. The concentration of nickel in the alloy layer at the interface between the alloy layer and the nickel layer is greater than the concentration of nickel in the alloy layer at the interface between the alloy layer and the copper layer. According to the present invention, there can be provided a substrate that allows the AC loss of a superconducting wire to be reduced, a method of producing a substrate, a superconducting wire, and a method of producing a superconducting wire.

Abstract: Described is a superconductive layered structure and an article including this superconductive layered structure on a substrate structure. The superconductive layered structure comprises a stack including at least one bi-layered assembly formed by first and second layers of similar superconducting material compositions, the second layer being superconductive at predetermined temperature condition, the first layer being a substantially thin layer and having a c lattice parameter selected in accordance with those of the substrate structure and the second layer, such that said first layer is non-superconductive at said predetermined temperature condition thereby allowing the second superconductive layer to be desirably thick to provide high critical current density of the superconductive layer.

Abstract: Methods of producing one or more biaxially textured layer on a substrate, and articles produced by the methods, are disclosed. As exemplary method may comprise electrodepositing on the substrate a precursor material selected from the group consisting of rare earths, transition metals, actinides, lanthanides, and oxides thereof. An exemplary article may comprise a biaxially textured base material, and at least one biaxially textured layer selected from the group consisting of rare earths, transition metals, actinides, lanthanides, and oxides thereof. The at least one biaxially textured layer is formed by electrodeposition on the biaxially textured base material.

Abstract: Methods of producing one or more biaxially textured layer on a substrate, and articles produced by the methods, are disclosed. An exemplary method may comprise electrodepositing on the substrate a precursor material selected from the group consisting of rare earths, transition metals, actinide, lanthanides, and oxides thereof. An exemplary article (150) may comprise a biaxially textured base material (130), and at least one biaxially textured layer (110) selected from the group consisting of rare earths, transition metals, actinides, lanthanides, and oxides thereof. The at least one biaxially textured layer (110) is formed by electrodeposition on the biaxially textured base material (130).

Abstract: In order to produce industrially advantageously an electroformed copper/niobium composite piping material wherein an electroformed copper layer and a niobium thin piping material are strongly bonded to each other, the electroformed copper/niobium composite piping material can be produced by coating any one or each of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of a niobium thin piping material with a nickel thin film, coating the surface of the nickel thin film with copper by electroforming, and subsequently annealing the resultant.

Abstract: A method of producing a thin layer, high-temperature superconductor strip is disclosed. In the method, a metal salt solution is formed and coated onto a substrate including a high-temperature superconductor layer. Heat is then applied directly or indirectly to the solution. The metal salt solution may contain a metal-organic salt solution or a metal inorganic metal salt solution. When an inorganic metal salt solution is utilized, a reducing solution may also be applied to the HTSC layer prior to heating. In addition, nano-sized metal particles may be added to the metal salt solution and/or the reducing solution.

Abstract: Low-loss superconducting devices and methods for fabricating low loss superconducting devices. For example, superconducting devices, such as superconducting resonator devices, are formed with a (200)-oriented texture titanium nitride (TiN) layer to provide high Q, low loss resonator structures particularly suitable for application to radio-frequency (RF) and/or microwave superconducting resonators, such as coplanar waveguide superconducting resonators. In one aspect, a method of forming a superconducting device includes foaming a silicon nitride (SiN) seed layer on a substrate, and forming a (200)-oriented texture titanium nitride (TiN) layer on the SiN seed layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing superconductors with critical temperature Tc>300K is disclosed. This method is from a theory of high-Tc superconductivity wherein the doping mechanism is found. A kind of superconductors composed by this method is the AlB2-type superconductors obtained by doping AlB2-type intermetallics such as Sr1-xCaxGa2. Another kind of superconductors composed by this method is the CaCu5-type superconductors obtained by doping CaCu5-type intermetallics such as L1-xAxCu5, LCu5(10x)Ni5x(A-Ca, Sr; L-La, Y, Mm,), Sr1-xCaxCu5, La1-xSrx(1-y)CaxCu5. In particular the CaCu5-type intermetallics LaNi5 and MmNi5 are superconductors with critical temperature Tc>300K. These CaCu5-type superconductors are with high critical current densities and thus are applicable for the transmission of electricity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing round wire using superconducting tape, including the steps of: slitting superconducting tape into superconducting tape strips; silver-coating the slit superconducting tape strips; laminating the silver-coated superconducting tape strips to form a superconducting tape laminate having a square cross-section; holding the superconducting tape laminate; heat-treating the fixed superconducting tape laminate to cause diffusion junction between silver; and copper-plating the heat-treated superconducting tape laminate to have a circular section.

Abstract: Described is an article including a sapphire substrate carrying a superconductive layer of a compound of the formula YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO), the layer having surface area of at least 10 cm2, and critical current of at least 100 A/cm width at a temperature of 77K or higher. In one exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the superconductive layer is between 10 nm and 50 nm. In another exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the superconductive layer is more than 600 nm. In preferred embodiment, an YSZ layer and a non-superconductive YBCO layer separate between the superconductive layer and the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a superconductive element to be used as a wire-in-channel superconductor in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) applications, which superconductive element contains a superconductive wire and a copper component having a longitudinal groove and the superconductive wire being positioned in the groove. In order to produce the wire-in-channel superconductive element by a mechanical contact between the superconductive wire and a wall of the groove in the copper component, at least one contact surface is coated with a lead free solder material before having the mechanical contact. In order to enhance the thermal and electrical conduction and to create a bond between the said components the soldering material is fused in annealing process step.

Abstract: An electrode is steeped in a solution of Mg and B and a negative voltage is applied to the electrode so as to precipitate superconductive MgB2 on the electrode. Superconductive MgB2 is easily manufactured in various forms and at low costs without any special device.

Abstract: A very small amount of copper chloride or zinc oxide is added to a mixture of magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride and magnesium borate, a mixed salt is melted under heat, electrodes are inserted into a molten salt and a metallic material employed as a cathode is electroplated with a magnesium diboride (MgB2) film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for metal coating the surface of high temperature superconductors with a copper-oxygen base structure. The aim of the invention is to achieve a method as above, which requires a low production complexity, serves for the production of contacts with a low electrical and/or thermal transfer resistance and which increases the stability of the metallization. Said aim is achieved whereby copper is applied to give low-ohmic contacts, and the linked achievement of a stable metallization between the HTS and the electrical and/or thermal coupling. Further advantageous effects are achieved with the method whereby the copper is applied in the form of copper alloys, in particular as copper-nickel or copper-zinc alloys. On applying the method it is furthermore of advantage for the creation of fine grained surface coatings to overlay the galvanic cell with a permanent and/or alternating magnetic field.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a superconducting quantum interference type magnetic fluxmeter including forming an input coil and a pickup coil integrated with the input coil by electrophoretically depositing high-temperature superconducting fine particles on a surface of the first cylindrical ceramic substrate, and sintering the fine particles, forming a high-temperature superconductor magnetic shield tube by electrophoretically depositing high-temperature superconducting fine particles on an entire surface of the second cylindrical ceramic substrate, and sintering the fine particles, magnetically coupling the input coil and the high-temperature superconducting quantum interference type element by placing the pickup coil such that a distal end portion thereof is inserted within a lower end portion of the magnetic shield tube and inserting the high-temperature superconducting quantum interference type element from an upper end portion of the magnetic shield tube.

Abstract: An epitaxial article and method for forming the same includes a substrate having a textured surface, and an electrochemically deposited substantially single orientation epitaxial layer disposed on and in contact with the textured surface. The epitaxial article can include an electromagnetically active layer and an epitaxial buffer layer. The electromagnetically active layer and epitaxial buffer layer can also be deposited electrochemically.

Abstract: A method for electrochemical synthesis of a superconducting boron compound MgB2 which comprises the steps of preparing a powder mixture of magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride and magnesium borate, drying the mixture by electrical heating at a temperature of 400° C. or below under an inert gas atmosphere, and further heating the mixture electrically at a temperature of 400° C. or above so that it is melted and undergoes chemical reaction.

Abstract: Methods for preparing high quality superconducting oxide precursors which are well suited for further oxidation and annealing to form superconducting oxide films. The method comprises forming a multilayered superconducting precursor on a substrate by providing an electrodeposition bath comprising an electrolyte medium and a substrate electrode, and providing to the bath a plurality of precursor metal salts which are capable of exhibiting superconducting properties upon subsequent treatment. The superconducting precursor is then formed by electrodepositing a first electrodeposited (ED) layer onto the substrate electrode, followed by depositing a layer of silver onto the first electrodeposited (ED) layer, and then electrodepositing a second electrodeposited (ED) layer onto the Ag layer. The multilayered superconducting precursor is suitable for oxidation at a sufficient annealing temperature in air or an oxygen-containing atmosphere to form a crystalline superconducting oxide film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a superconductor material of the mixed oxide type, such as oxides of the YBaCuO and Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 CaCu.sub.2 O.sub.8 type. This process consists of the deposition by electrolysis on a conductive substrate of successive layers of metallic elements entering in the constitution of the superconductor material, using a single element in each layer and carrying out, following the deposition of at least one of the layers, an intermediate oxidation-reaction heat treatment for fixing the element of said layer before depositing the following layer, optionally repeating one or more times at least part of the aforementioned operations, and subjecting all the layers to a final, oxidation heat treatment to form the mixed superconductor oxide.

Abstract: A method for making superconducting ceramic precursor films by electrodeposition. In the electrodeposition step, superconducting precursor metal ions are electrodeposited onto a working electrode by applying a combined direct current voltage upon which is superimposed an alternating current having a frequency of between about 5 to 100 KHz. The resulting electrodeposited film is particularly well suited for further oxidation/annealing to form a superconducting ceramic.

Abstract: A process for preparing a superconducting film, such as a thallium-barium-calcium-copper oxide superconducting film, having substantially uniform phase development. The process comprises providing an electrodeposition bath having one or more soluble salts of one or more respective potentially superconducting metals in respective amounts adequate to yield a superconducting film upon subsequent appropriate treatment. Should all of the metals required for producing a superconducting film not be made available in the bath, such metals can be a part of the ambient during a subsequent annealing process. A soluble silver salt in an amount between about 0.1% and about 4.0% by weight of the provided other salts is also provided to the bath, and the bath is electrically energized to thereby form a plated film. The film is annealed in ambient conditions suitable to cause formation of a superconductor film.

Abstract: Processes and techniques are described for concurrent electroplating of yttrium, barium and copper from aqueous solution onto a desired substrate (e.g., nickel, nichrome or silver). Compounds of these elements are dissolved in aqueous solution with a complexing agent meeting defined criteria and then are placed in a plating cell in which the cathode is the substrate on which the elements are to be deposited. After the elements have been deposited, they are oxidized to provide the desired perovskite structure. The process may be continuous or non-continuous.

Abstract: A method for producing a compound oxide superconducting thin film, comprising forming an oxide thin film on the surface of a substrate of a first metal element having a redox charge by oxidizing the metal, using the oxide thin film thus formed as an electrode for oxidation reaction of a second metal element contained in an electrolyte solution or molten salt to incorporate the second metal element in the oxide thin film, using the compound oxide thin film thus formed as an electrode to obtain a cyclic voltammogram, and electrochemically processing the compound oxide thin film at an electrolytic potential that is determined based on the cyclic voltammogram.

Abstract: A copper substrate is immersed into a solution in which a Y-Ba-Cu-O series oxide superconducting fine powder is dispersed into an acetone solution and an electric field is applied thereto. A coating deposited on the copper substrate by electrophoresis is sintered with high temperature in vacuum or in an inert gas atmosphere and then subjected to heat-treatment for oxygen composition ratio in an atmosphere of oxygen or air under 500.degree. C. This method prevents occurrence of a CuO layer, which would conventionally be formed at an interface between a Y-Ba-Cu-O film and a Cu substrate disadvantageously, and moreover enables fabrication of superconducting coatings having satisfactory characteristics.

Abstract: A process of making high temperature Tl-based superconductors. The process includes the steps of reacting solid Ba--Ca--Cu-oxides with Tl.sub.2 O.sub.3 vapor. The process allows high quality Tl-based superconductors to be easily fabricated.