Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a phase-separated layer useful as a flux pinning substrate for a superconducting film, wherein the method includes subjecting at least a first and a second target material to a sputtering deposition technique in order that a phase-separated layer is deposited epitaxially on a primary substrate containing an ordered surface layer. The invention is also directed to a method for producing a superconducting tape containing pinning defects therein by depositing a superconducting film on a phase-separated layer produced by the method described above.

Abstract: Intermodulation distortion (IMD) is known to be an impediment to progress in superconductor-based filter technology. The present invention's methodology for reducing IMD can open doors to heretofore unseen practical applications involving high temperature superconductor (HTS) filters. Typical inventive practice includes (a) increasing the thickness d, and/or (b) changing the operation temperature T, of the filter's HTS film. The film's thickness d is increased in such a way as to decrease the IMD power PIMD in accordance with the material-independent proportionate relationship PIMD?1/d1.5-6. The film's operation temperature T is bettered or optimized in accordance with the material-independent proportionate relationship PIMD?(?O(T))10(K(2)(T))2/(?O(T))6, and further in accordance with three individual material-dependent relationships, namely, between operation temperature T and each of linear penetration depth ?O, gap maximum ?O, and kernel K(2).

Abstract: A crystalline article includes a single-crystal ceramic fiber, tape or ribbon. The fiber, tape or ribbon has at least one crystallographic facet along its length, which is generally at least one meter long. In the case of sapphire, the facets are R-plane, M-plane, C-plane or A-plane facets. Epitaxial articles, including superconducting articles, can be formed on the fiber, tape or ribbon.

Abstract: Use, as a component with variable inductance which is a function of the current passing through it, of an inductive superconductive component having at least two terminals and comprising at least one line segment working with said terminals and integrating at least one of these terminals, this line segment constituting a conductive or superconductive layer within a stack of films alternately superconductive and insulating.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gradient thin film, formed on a substrate by simultaneously depositing different materials on the substrate using a plurality of thin film deposition apparatuses provided in a vacuum chamber, wherein the gradient thin film is formed such that the composition thereof is continuously changed depending on the thickness thereof by deposition control plates provided in the path through which the different materials move to the substrate. The gradient thin film is advantageous in that the thin film is formed by simultaneously depositing different materials using various deposition apparatuses, so that the composition thereof is continuously changed depending on the thickness thereof, with the result that the physical properties of a thin film are easily controlled and the number of deposition processes is decreased, and thus processing time and manufacturing costs are decreased, thereby improving economic efficiency.

Abstract: A composite structure is provided including a base substrate, an IBAD oriented material upon the base substrate, and a cubic metal oxide material selected from the group consisting of rare earth zirconates and rare earth hafnates upon the IBAD oriented material. Additionally, an article is provided including a base substrate, an IBAD oriented material upon the base substrate, a cubic metal oxide material selected from the group consisting of rare earth zirconates and rare earth hafnates upon the IBAD oriented material, and a thick film upon the cubic metal oxide material. Finally, a superconducting article is provided including a base substrate, an IBAD oriented material upon the base substrate, a cubic metal oxide material selected from the group consisting of rare earth zirconates and rare earth hafnates upon the IBAD oriented material, and an yttrium barium copper oxide material upon the cubic metal oxide material.

Abstract: In a wall of a package base made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, there is formed a through-hole, through which a semi-rigid coaxial cable passes. A central conductor of the semi-rigid coaxial cable is joined to an electrode with a solder material. The semi-rigid coaxial cable has an insulating material through which the central conductor passes and an outer conductor provided therearound. The central conductor and outer conductor are made of stainless steel, for example, and the insulating material is made of fluororesin, for example. Inside the through-hole, the wall of the package base and the outer conductor are electrically connected to each other via a stainless material within the hole formed in a cylindrical fluororesin material. The semi-rigid coaxial cable and the like are fixed to the wall with a conductive screw.

Abstract: A laminated superconductor wire includes a superconductor wire assembly, which includes a first superconductor insert comprising a first high temperature superconductor layer overlaying a first substrate and a second superconductor insert comprising a second high temperature superconductor layer overlaying a second substrate. The first and second superconductor inserts are joined together at their respective substrates. An electrically conductive structure substantially surrounds the superconductor wire assembly.

Abstract: A signal switching device including a plurality of transmission paths connected to an input path, the signal switching device outputting a signal from the input path through one of the transmission paths, including a first variable impedance unit connected to a first transmission path, the first variable impedance unit including a first section formed from a superconducting material, the first section being set to a non-superconducting state when the signal is to be output through a second transmission path, the first section including a portion of a predetermined length at an input end, the portion having an area of a cross section less than an area of a cross section of the first section at an output end.

Abstract: Intermodulation distortion (IMD) is known to be an impediment to progress in superconductor-based filter technology. The present invention's methodology for reducing IMD can open doors to heretofore unseen practical applications involving high temperature superconductor (HTS) filters. Typical inventive practice includes (a) increasing the thickness d, and/or (b) changing the operation temperature T, of the filter's HTS film. The film's thickness d is increased in such a way as to decrease the IMD power PIMD in accordance with the material-independent proportionate relationship PIMD?1/d1.5-6. The film's operation temperature T is bettered or optimized in accordance with the material-independent proportionate relationship PIMD?(?O(T))10(K(2)(T))2/(?O(T))6, and further in accordance with three individual material-dependent relationships, namely, between operation temperature T and each of linear penetration depth ?O, gap maximum ?O, and kernel K(2).

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 target surface of a tape-shaped substrate of an oxide superconductor with an intermediate layer formed on this target surface and an oxide superconductor thin film is polished by causing the tape-shaped substrate to continuously run. The polishing step includes an initial polishing process for carrying out random polishing of the target surface and a finishing process that is carried out after the initial polishing process for forming grooves on the target surface along the running direction of the substrate. The intermediate layer has an in-plane directionality of 7° or less. The tape-shaped substrate is fabricated by rolling nickel, a nickel alloys or stainless steel.

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 superconductive filter technology. According to the arrangement of the superconductive filter (1), a columnar resonating member (23) having a superconductive material formed on the surface thereof is attached at one of its ends thereof to an inner wall (22) of a filter housing (21) so that a space is interposed between the columnar resonating member and each of connectors (27a, 27b) which are connectable to a signal input/output cables (5a, 5b), respectively. According to this arrangement, heat conduction from the outside can be suppressed as far as possible, and the superconductive condition can be created with stability, with the result that a stable filtering characteristic can be created.

Abstract: A resonator is formed by forming a microstrip line having an electrical length corresponding to a ?/2 wavelength on a dielectric substrate, forming both side portions of the microstrip line from the center thereof into spiral shapes, making the orientations of the spirals opposite each other, making outer-side portions of the spiral shapes on both sides, inclusive of the central portion of the microstrip line, linear in shape overall, and making linear in shape a portion of prescribed range from the end portion of each spiral shape.

Abstract: Novel structures and methods for forming useful high temperature superconducting devices, most particularly resonators, are provided. Structures resulting in reduced peak current densities relative to known structures achieve numerous desirable benefits, especially including the reduced intermodulation effects of earlier resonators. In one aspect of this invention, a spiral in, spiral out resonator is provided, characterized in that it has an odd number of long runs, at least equal to five long runs, where the long runs are connected by turns, and wherein there are at least two sequential turns of the same handedness, followed by at least two turns of the opposite handedness. In yet another aspect of this invention, it has been discovered that reducing the size of the input and output pads of HTS resonators increases the relative inductance compared to the capacitance. Yet another resonator structure is a spiral snake resonator having a terminal end disposed within the resonator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to superconductive filter technology. According to the arrangement of the superconductive filter (1), a columnar resonating member (23) having a superconductive material formed on the surface thereof is attached at one of its ends thereof to an inner wall (22) of a filter housing (21) so that a space is interposed between the columnar resonating member and each of connectors (27a, 27b) which are connectable to a signal input/output cables (5a, 5b), respectively. According to this arrangement, heat conduction from the outside can be suppressed as far as possible, and the superconductive condition can be created with stability, with the result that a stable filtering characteristic can be created.

Abstract: A superconducting microstrip filter capable of achieving an improvement of power resistance without enlarging the overall size and while maintaining steep cut characteristics. This filter has a resonator section including at least one resonator. This resonator forms a current density reduction part in one part of its line pattern. Also, the filter has an input line section arranged adjoining the resonator of an initial stage. Current density reduction parts are formed in one part of this input line section. Alternatively, the input line section is comprised of a normal conductor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oxide superconductor thick film which is formed on a substrate or a board and has a high Jc and Ic and a method for manufacturing the same. Predetermined amounts of materials containing elements of Bi, Pb, Sr, Ca and Cu are weighed, mixed and subjected to steps of calcining, milling, and drying, and thereafter an organic binder and an organic vehicle are added thereto to prepare a (Bi, Pb)2+aSr2Ca2Cu3Oz, superconductive paste, which is applied to the surface of a substrate or a board in a thickness of 260 &mgr;m or more and dried. Thereafter, the paste is first subjected to burning at temperatures of 835° C. to 840° C. for 100 hours, then pressurization, and further burning at temperatures of 835° C. to 840° C. for 100 hours, thereby preparing an oxide superconductor thick film having a film thickness of 130 &mgr;m or more having a high Jc and Ic.

Abstract: A closed conductive loop for use in planar circuits to realize shunt capacitors instead of conductive patches is disclosed. The closed conductive loop may be formed on a planar substrate or extend to multiple conductive layers in a multi-layer circuit. The use of closed conductive loops as shunt capacitors offers possibilities of more flexible circuit layout, reduced circuit footprint and comparable or improved performance as compared to using conductive patches as shunt capacitors.

Abstract: High temperature superconductor mini-filters and mini-multiplexers utilize self-resonant spiral resonators and have very small size and very low cross-talk between adjacent channels.

Abstract: A dual operation mode all temperature filter is provided. The dual operation mode filter is provided with a housing defining at least two cavities, an input port and an output port. It is also provided with a non-superconducting resonator disposed in a first one of the cavities and a superconducting resonator disposed in a second one of the cavities. The second resonator comprises a superconducting material containing 8-15% silver. The dual operation mode filter filters at a relatively high level at temperatures below a threshold temperature and at a lower, conventional level, at temperatures below the threshold.

Abstract: A method is described to prepare a highly textured oxide superconductor article in a single deformation-sinter process. A precursor article including a plurality of filaments comprising a precursor oxide having a dominant amount of a tetragonal BSCCO 2212 phase and a constraining member substantially surrounding each of the filaments is provided. Each of the filaments extends along the length of the article. The oxide article is subjected to a heat treatment at an oxygen partial pressure and temperature selected to convert a tetragonal BSCCO 2212 oxide into an orthorhombic BSCCO 2212 oxide and, thereafter, roll worked in a high reduction draft in a range of about 40% to 95% in thickness so that the filaments have a constraining dimension is substantially equivalent to a longest dimension of the oxide superconductor grains. The rolled article is sintered to obtain a BSCCO 2223 oxide superconductor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-temperature superconductor low-pass filter for removing broadband harmonics in a wireless communication system. The high-temperature superconductor low-pass filter includes a coupled line section and a transmission line section, in which the coupled line section is connected in parallel with the transmission line section. The coupled line section has two microstrip open-stub type parallel stripe lines stacked on a high-temperature superconductor, and the transmission line section has one stripe line. Since the high-temperature superconductor low-pass filter has attenuation poles at a stopband, it has stopband characteristics to 7-8 times wider than a cutoff frequency. The high-temperature superconductor low-pass filter can easily remove sub-harmonics which are inevitably occurred in the wireless communication system.

Abstract: A film-based HTS device comprises a substrate and a superconducting film. A peripheral portion of the film is a-axis-aligned material which is so situated on the substrate as to describe a-b planar barriers which are perpendicular to the substrate and which in parallel fashion border upon the entire periphery of the film. The a-b planar barriers serve to block vortices which nucleate at the film's periphery, thereby attenuating the overall vortex activity associated with the film, thereby attenuating the ELF and white noise which are normally prevalent in superconductor devices. Effectiveness in terms of arresting vortex motion may be increased by providing an interior film portion which is also a-axis-aligned material. It may be preferable to provide an interior film portion which is c-axis-aligned material, since this is easier to make and the a-axis-aligned peripheral portion of the film will be sufficiently effective in terms of “pinning” the vortices.

Abstract: A lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO3) substrate on which thin films of layered perovskite copper oxide superconductors are formed. Lanthanum aluminate, with a pseudo-cubic perovskite crystal structure, has a crystal structure and lattice constant that closely match the crystal structures and lattice constants of the layered perovskite superconductors. Therefore, it promotes epitaxial film growth of the superconductors, with the crystals being oriented in the proper direction for good superconductive electrical properties, such as a high critical current density. In addition, LaAlO3 has good high frequency properties, such as a low loss tangent and low dielectric constant at superconductive temperatures. Finally, lanthanum aluminate does not significantly interact with the superconductors. Lanthanum aluminate can also be used to form thin insulating films between the superconductor layers, which allows for the fabrication of a wide variety of superconductor circuit elements.

Abstract: Metal oxides particularly useful for the manufacture of catalytic membranes for gas-phase oxygen separation processes having the formula: AxA′x′A″2-(x+x′)ByFey′B″2-(y+y′)O5+z where: x and x′ are greater than 0; y and y′ are greater than 0; x+x′ is equal to 2; y+y′ is less than or equal to 2; z is a number that makes the metal oxide charge neutral; A is an element selected from the lanthanide elements; A′ is an element selected from Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra; A″ is an element selected from the f block lanthanides, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra; B is an element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, In or mixtures thereof and B″ is Co or Mg, with the exception that when B″ is Mg, A′ and A″ are not Mg. The metal oxides are useful for preparation of dense membranes which may be formed from dense thin films of the mixed metal oxide on a porous metal oxide element.

Abstract: There is disclosed a planar filter which can variably control a pass frequency band with a high precision and which is superior in skirt property and little in ripple. A planar filter member and tuning member are disposed opposite to each other via a predetermined gap. The filter member is structured in such a manner that an input/output portion formed of a superconductor and a plurality of resonance elements are formed on a substrate. The tuning member is structured in such a manner that on the surface of a magnetic plate with a permeability changing by an applied magnetic field, a plurality of dielectric thin films, and a plurality of electrodes for applying electric fields to the dielectric thin films are arranged. Each of the dielectric thin films is disposed in a position opposite to a gap between the resonance elements of the filter member, or a gap between the filter member and the input/output portion.

Abstract: A compact dielectric resonator of high Qu, in which an electrode formed of an oxide superconducting material is provided on a surface of the dielectric so as to serve as an electrode. A dielectric filter, dielectric duplexer and a communications device, in which the compact resonator is incorporated, are also provided. The dielectric which constitutes the dielectric resonator of the present invention is preferably a Ba(Mg, Ma)03-based dielectric (wherein Ma is at least one pentavalent elemental metal but cannot be Ta alone), and the oxide superconducting electrode is formed of an oxide superconducting material selected from among a RE—M—Cu—O-based oxide superconducting material (wherein RE is a rare earth element and M is an alkaline earth metal element), a Bi—Sr—Ca—Cu—O-based oxide superconducting material (which encompasses those in which Bi is partially substituted by Pb), and a Tl—Ba—Ca—Cu—O-based oxide superconducting material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-temperature superconductor low-pass filter for removing broadband harmonics in a wireless communication system. The high-temperature superconductor low-pass filter includes a coupled line section and a transmission line section, in which the coupled line section is connected in parallel with the transmission line section. The coupled line section has two microstrip open-stub type parallel stripe lines stacked on a high-temperature superconductor, and the transmission line section has one stripe line. Since the high-temperature superconductor low-pass filter has attenuation poles at a stopband, it has stopband characteristics to 7-8 times wider than a cutoff frequency. The high-temperature superconductor low-pass filter can easily remove sub-harmonics which are inevitably occurred in the wireless communication system.

Abstract: A high frequency low loss electrode includes a main conductor and at least one sub-conductors formed along a side of the main conductor. At least one of the at least one sub-conductor has a multi-layer structure in which thin-film conductors and thin-film dielectrics are alternately laminated.

Abstract: Oxide bronze compositions and articles manufactured in accordance therewith are provided. The oxide bronze compositions have the general formula AxBOy, in which A comprises an alkali, alkaline earth or rare earth metal and in which A has a valence, m, equal to 1, 2 or 3, B comprises a transition metal having a valence, n, less than or equal to 6,0<x<1 on an atomic ratio basis and y=[(x)(m)+n]/2. High temperature superconducting devices incorporating such compositions are also provided. The superconducting devices include a substrate having a polycrystalline superconducting layer or filament deposited on top of or embedded in the substrate. The superconducting layer or filament is formed of the oxide bronze composition. In some embodiments, the oxide bronze layer is textured with a full-width-half-maximum of a pole figure of less than or equal to 20 degrees.

Abstract: Novel structures and methods for forming useful high temperature superconducting devices, most particularly resonators, are provided. Structures resulting in reduced peak current densities relative to known structures achieve numerous desirable benefits, especially including the reduced intermodulation effects of earlier resonators. In one aspect of this invention, a spiral in, spiral out resonator is provided, characterized in that it has an odd number of long runs, at least equal to five long runs, where the long runs are connected by turns, and wherein there are at least two sequential turns of the same handedness, followed by at least two turns of the opposite handedness. In yet another aspect of this invention, it has been discovered that reducing the size of the input and output pads of HTS resonators increases the relative inductance compared to the capacitance. Yet another resonator structure is a spiral snake resonator having a terminal end disposed within the resonator.

Abstract: A high-frequency circuit element that realizes a high degree of input-output coupling without causing an increase in loss and irregularity in impedance. A resonator made of a conductor film is formed on a substrate made of a dielectric monocrystal or the like. An input-output line made of a conductor film having a uniform line width is formed on the same surface of the substrate as the surface on which the resonator is formed. A part of the side edge of the input-output line is located along a coupling part on the peripheral part of the resonator and spaced from the resonator by a gap part.

Abstract: An inductor for microwave frequencies has a substantially planar structure and is constructed of a transmission line designed as a linear microstrip element made of a central line comprising normal electrically conducting material, such as a suitable metal. The microstrip element has a width which is varied by making areas at sides of the central line superconducting. In changing the effective width of the microstrip the inductance thereof is changed accordingly. The areas at the sides of the microstrip element are located directly at the central, normal metal conductor. These areas have in the non-superconducting state some electrical conductivity which can be rather low but owing to the fact that they contact the normal central metal conductor only at a very narrow edge instead of contacting it at a large surface they do not significantly affect the transmission characteristics of the transmission path when the superconducting areas are in their normal state.

Abstract: High temperature superconductor mini-filters and mini-multiplexers utilize self-resonant spiral resonators and have very small size and very low cross-talk between adjacent channels.

Abstract: In a small transmission line type high-frequency circuit element that has small loss due to conductor resistance and has a high Q value, an error in the dimension of a pattern, etc. can be corrected to adjust element characteristics. An elliptical shape resonator (12) that is formed of an electric conductor is formed on a substrate (11a), while a pair of input-output terminals (13) are formed on a substrate (11b). Substrate (11a) on which resonator (12) is formed and substrate (11b) on which input-output terminal (13) is formed are located parallel to each other, with a surface on which resonator (12) is formed and a surface on which input-output terminal (13) is formed being opposed. Substrates (11a) and (11b) that are located parallel to each other are relatively moved by a mechanical mechanism that uses a screw and moves slightly. Also, substrate (11a) is rotated by the mechanical mechanism that uses a screw and moves slightly around the center axis of resonator (12) as a rotation axis (18).

Abstract: Provided are an oxide superconducting wire which maintains a high critical current density and has a small current drift with small ac loss when the same carries an alternating current and a method of preparing the same, and a cable conductor which is formed by assembling such oxide superconducting wires. The oxide superconducting wire is a flat-molded stranded wire which is formed by twisting a plurality of metal-coated strands consisting of an oxide superconductor, and is characterized in that the flat-molded stranded wire has a rectangular sectional shape, and a section of each strand forming the flat-molded stranded wire has an aspect ratio (W1/T1) of at least 2. The method of preparing this oxide superconducting wire comprises the steps of preparing a stranded wire by twisting a plurality of strands, each of which is formed by metal-coating an oxide superconductor or raw material powder therefor, flat-molding the prepared stranded wire, and repeating rolling and a heat treatment of at least 800° C.

Abstract: A lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO3) substrate on which thin films of layered perovskite copper oxide superconductors are formed. Lanthanum aluminate, with a pseudo-cubic perovskite crystal structure, has a crystal structure and lattice constant that closely match the crystal structures and lattice constants of the layered perovskite superconductors. Therefore, it promotes epitaxial film growth of the superconductors, with the crystals being oriented in the proper direction for good superconductive electrical properties, such as a high critical current density. In addition, LaAlO3 has good high frequency properties, such as a low loss tangent and low dielectric constant at superconductive temperatures. Finally, lanthanum aluminate does not significantly interact with the superconductors. Lanthanum aluminate can also be used to form thin insulating films between the superconductor layers, which allows for the fabrication of a wide variety of superconductor circuit elements.

Abstract: Provided are an oxide superconducting wire which maintains a high critical current density and has a small current drift with small ac loss when the same carries an alternating current and a method of preparing the same, and a cable conductor which is formed by assembling such oxide superconducting wires. The oxide superconducting wire is a flat-molded stranded wire which is formed by twisting a plurality of metal-coated strands consisting of an oxide superconductor, and is characterized in that the flat-molded stranded wire has a rectangular sectional shape, and a section of each strand forming the flat-molded stranded wire has an aspect ratio (W1/T1) of at least 2. The method of preparing this oxide superconducting wire comprises the steps of preparing a stranded wire by twisting a plurality of strands, each of which is formed by metal-coating an oxide superconductor or raw material powder therefor, flat-molding the prepared stranded wire, and repeating rolling and a heat treatment of at least 800° C.

Abstract: A filter circuit includes a first resonator and a second resonator each having a different resonance frequency. The first resonator is included in a first block, and the second resonator is included in a second block. The first block further includes a first delay unit connected to the first resonator. An input terminal divides an input signal to the first block and the second block. An output terminal combines signals passing through the first block and the second block and outputs the combined signal. The first delay unit converts a phase difference between the signals passing through the first block and the second block to reverse-phase or nearly reverse-phase.

Abstract: A SQUID made of an oxide superconducting thin film is formed on a sapphire substrate. CeO2 film, RBa2Cu3O7−x film (“R” indicates a rare earth element chosen among a group formed of Yb, Er, Ho, Y, Dy, Gd, Eu, Sm and Nd) and SrTiO3 film are deposited on the substrate top of the sapphire substrate successively. Furthermore, an oxide superconducting thin film to form a SQUID is deposited on the SrTiO3 film.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a superconductor wire which comprises: rolling a polycrystalline metallic substrate; heating the rolled polycrystalline metallic substrate at a temperature of 900° C. or more in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, whereby obtaining a rolled textured structure which is oriented such that the [100] plane thereof is parallel with a rolled plane and the <001> axis thereof is parallel with a rolled direction; heating the polycrystalline metallic substrate of the rolled textured structure at a temperature of 1,000° C. or more in an oxidizing atmosphere, whereby forming an oxide crystal layer consisting essentially of an oxide of the polycrystalline metal; and forming an oxide superconductor layer on the oxide crystal layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the localized electrical fine tuning of passive multiple element microwave or RF devices in which a nonlinear dielectric material is deposited onto predetermined areas of a substrate containing the device. An appropriate electrically conductive material is deposited over predetermined areas of the nonlinear dielectric and the signal line of the device for providing electrical contact with the nonlinear dielectric. Individual, adjustable bias voltages are applied to the electrically conductive material allowing localized electrical fine tuning of the devices. The method of the present invention can be applied to manufactured devices, or can be incorporated into the design of the devices so that it is applied at the time the devices are manufactured. The invention can be configured to provide localized fine tuning for devices including but not limited to coplanar waveguides, slotline devices, stripline devices, and microstrip devices.

Abstract: A tunable microwave monolithic integrated circuit includes a dielectric material with a variable dielectric constant. A superconducting material with a negative dielectric constant is provided which is arranged in relation to the dielectric material in such a way that at least one interface is formed between the superconducting material and the dielectric material. The dielectric material is a low loss non-linear bulk material. Phase velocity tuning of microwaves is provided through controlling the propagation of surface plasma waves of the microwaves along the interface(s).

Abstract: An arrangement for coupling electro magnetic waves, particularly microwaves, into and/or out of a device which includes a dielectric resonator having a non-linear dielectric substrate with a high dielectric constant and a coupling loop. The dimensions of the resonator and the coupling loop are related to the resonant frequency of the resonator. The coupling loop is so arranged in relation to the resonator that the magnetic field lines around the coupling loop match the internal film distribution of at least one mode, which has been selected to be excited, so that only that mode is excited. Coupling is provided only for this mode. The length of the coupling loop is comparable to or larger that the dimensions of the resonator.

Abstract: A high power filter apparatus which is used in a mobile communication base station or the like is provided wherein the temperature stability and frequency selection are excellent, an insertion loss is small, the size is small, power consumption is low and costs are low. A shield case block comprises signal input and output portions, and a plurality of closed spaces which house a filter element connected between the signal input and output portions. A cooling plate is provide in a heat insulating container which houses the shield case block. The shield case block is fixed to the cooling plate in the thermal contact state. Each filter element is place almost in parallel. A cylindrical hole having an axis which is almost parallel with the face of the filter element penetrates the shield case block. A ground rod made of a conductor which changes the volume of the closed space is provided on the inner end portion of a movable member which moves in the axial direction of the cylindrical hole.

Abstract: In a high frequency transmission line having a dielectric substrate and a conductor line which is provided on the dielectric substrate for allowing electric current to flow therethrough, the conductor line has a non-grain-boundary oxide superconductor layer with twin walls but without grain boundaries. The high frequency transmission line is in the form of a plane circuit. It is preferable that an oriented oxide superconductor layer is provided between the dielectric substrate and the non-grain-boundary oxide superconductor layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a layered structure with at least one epitaxial, non-c-axis oriented high Tc superconductor (HTSC) thin film with an approximately tetragonal structure, in which the thin film having an orientation (-1,0,1) is formed on a cubic or pseudocubic (1,0,3) NdGaO.sub.3 substrate.

Abstract: A novel ceramic substrate useful for the preparation of superconductors, said substrate having the formula Ba.sub.2 DyMO.sub.5.5 where M represents at least one of the metals Zr, Sn and Hf and a process for the preparation of said ceramic substrate, which comprises (i) Reacting salts of dysprosium, barium and Zr, Sn or Hf in an organic medium, (ii) Pressing the resultant mixture in the form of pellets, (iii) Calcining the pellets by heating at a temperature in the range of 1000 to 1200.degree. C., (iv) Repeating the calcination process for 30-45 h at temperature in the range of 1000-1200.degree. C. until a highly homogenous mixture is formed. (v) Grinding the calcined material and pelletising at a pressure in the range of 3 to 4 tons/cm.sup.2, (vi) Sintering the resultant product at a temperature in the range of 1200 to 1600.degree. C. for a period of 10 to 30 h, and then furnace cooled to room temperature.