Abstract: A CVD process for forming a layer or layers of superconducting materials on a semiconductor substrate in which volatile organometallic compounds of bismuth, strontium, calcium and copper are heated in the presence of a carrier gas in a first chamber free of hydrolyzing agents. Under conditions free of hydrolyzing agents, the carrier gas transports a predetermined quantity of the volatile organometallic compounds of the bismuth, strontium, calcium and copper to a deposition chamber. The compounds are decomposed and deposit mixed oxides on the substrate. Subsequent to deposition of the mixed oxides of the desired elements the layer is sintered in an oxygen-rich atmosphere, and formed into a superconducting film by subsequent slow cooling still in an oxygen-rich atmosphere.

Abstract: A substantially single phase, single crystalline, highly epitaxial film of Bi.sub.2 CaSr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8 superconductor which has a T.sub.c (zero resistance) of 83 K is provided on a lattice-matched substrate with no intergrowth. This film is produced by a Liquid Phase Epitaxy method which includes the steps of forming a dilute supercooled molten solution of a single phase superconducting mixture of oxides of Bi, Ca, Sr, and Cu having an atomic ratio of about 2:1:2:2 in a nonreactive flux such as KCl, introducing the substrate, e.g., NdGaO.sub.3, into the molten solution at 850.degree. C., cooling the solution from 850.degree. C. to 830.degree. C. to grow the film and rapidly cooling the substrate to room temperature to maintain the desired single phase, single crystalline film structure.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a superconductive flexible conductor having a high critical temperature in which method a deposit of superconductive ceramic is applied to a metal tape of thickness lying in the range 0.1 mm to 1 mm, wherein:the deposit of thickness lying in the range 50 .mu.m to 300 .mu.m and of concentration by volume of not less than 70% runs through an infrared beam at a speed of not less than 5 cm per minute, the zone treated by the the beam having a width of less than 10 mm relative to the travel direction and a surface temperature of not less than 1200.degree. C., thereby imparting a surface superconductive layer to the deposit which is of concentration by volume close to 100%, which is textured in the travel direction, and which is of thickness lying in the range 10 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m; andannealing is then performed under oxygen.

Abstract: In an oxide superconducting film wiring, when the line width is reduced, the evaporation of a component during firing becomes so vigorous that it becomes impossible to form a desired single crystal phase, which causes a significant lowering in the properties of the oxide superconducting wiring. This problem can be solved by preventing the evaporation of the evaporable component during the firing. Examples of this include a process wherein plate is placed above the superconductor forming material film wiring pattern on the substrate so as to face each other, the plate comprising a material having no chemical influence on the superconducting wiring, and a pattern of a material containing an evaporable component is arbitrarily formed, a process wherein a pattern having a smaller line width is sandwiched between patterns having a larger line width, and a process wherein the firing atmosphere or the concentration of the evaporable component in the pattern is varied depending upon the line width.

Abstract: A method of forming thallium, barium, calcium, copper oxide films with smooth surfaces and chemical uniformity by sequentially depositing layers and annealing in the absence of a separate source of Tl.

Abstract: A process for producing a Bi-based perovskite superconducting film, comprising the steps of forming on a substrate a Pb-film, containing Bi-base material film comprising Bi, Pb, Sr, Ca and Cu in a Bi:Pb:Sr:Ca:Cu molar ratio of (1.9 to 2.1):(1.2 to 2.2, preferably 1.5 to 1.8):2:(1.9 to 2.2):(3 to 3.5) and sintering the Pb-containing Bi-base material film in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. The sintering step includes a main sintering period of 20 to 120 minutes, in which the temperature is raised from a first temperature to a second temperature, with the second temperature being in a range of 850.degree. to 860.degree. C., and the temperature rise in the main sintering period of 20 to 120 minutes being from 3.degree. to 10.degree. C.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating bulk superconducting materials into shaped articles, including ones of relatively large sizes and complex shapes, which have high densities, high integrity, high magnetization and critical current densities. A mixture of superconducting material is completely or substantially melted and the molten material is then cooled to room temperature and ground to a powder. The ground powder is next mixed with a second phase made up of either precursor superconducting powder or a mixture of metallic silver and copper. The resulting mixture is then shaped into an article by conventional ceramic article forming techniques: pressing, extruding, molding or the like. The resulting shaped article is heated to a temperature at which a substantial amount of its content of second phase material is melted, thus facilitating densification of the entire shaped article. The resulting dense specimen is annealed in an appropriate environment while it is being cooled to room temperature.

Abstract: Improved processes for making thin film and bulk thallium superconductors are described, as well as Tl superconductors having high critical current densities and low surface impedance. An annealing step in a reduced oxygen atmosphere is used to convert compounds containing thallium, calcium, barium and copper to a Tl-2223 superconducting phase or to convert an oxide having the nominal composition Tl.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x to a crystalline Tl-2223 phase. The oxygen pressure during annealing is controlled to be below the thermodynamic stability limit for conversion of Tl-2223 to Tl-2122 and secondary phases. Temperatures less than 880.degree. C. are used, the oxygen pressure being sufficient to prevent excess thallium loss so that the Tl content in the final Tl-2223 phase is Tl.sub.1.6-2.0. Electrical devices including SQUIDs can be made with these improved superconductors.

Abstract: An elongated, flexible superconductive wire or strip is fabricated by pulling it through and out of a melt of metal oxide material at a rate conducive to forming a crystalline coating of superconductive metal oxide material on an elongated, flexible substrate wire or strip. A coating of crystalline superconductive material, such as Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 CaCu.sub.2 O.sub.8, is annealed to effect conductive contact between adjacent crystalline structures in the coating material, which is then cooled to room temperature. The container for the melt can accommodate continuous passage of the substrate through the melt. Also, a second pass-through container can be used to simultaneously anneal and overcoat the superconductive coating with a hot metallic material, such as silver or silver alloy. A hollow, elongated tube casting method of forming an elongated, flexible superconductive wire includes drawing the melt by differential pressure into a heated tubular substrate.

Abstract: A process and a precursor composition for preparing a lead-doped bismuth-strontium-calcium-copper oxide superconductor of the formula Bi.sub.a Pb.sub.b Sr.sub.c Ca.sub.d Cu.sub.e O.sub.f wherein a is from about 1.7 to about 1.9, b is from about 0.3 to about 0.45, c is from about 1.6 to about 2.2, d is from about 1.6 to about 2.2, e is from about 2.97 to about 3.2 and f is 10.+-.z by reacting a mixture of Bi.sub.4 Sr.sub.3 Ca.sub.3 Cu.sub.4 O.sub.16.+-.z, an alkaline earth metal cuprate, e.g., Sr.sub.9 Ca.sub.5 Cu.sub.24 O.sub.41, and an alkaline earth metal plumbate, e.g., Ca.sub.2-x Sr.sub.x PbO.sub.4 wherein x is about 0.5, is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system (Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 CaCu.sub.2 O.sub.x) superconducting thin film in which two half-unit cells constitute a Perovskite structure layer, characterized in that Sr and Bi layers, which are present between said half-unit cells, are each deposited without oxidation by using an MBE process or an MO-MBE process with an atomic layer level control capability. A critical current density of the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system superconducting thin film is not significantly reduced.

Abstract: Films of high T.sub.c Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductor have been prepared by MOCVD using volatile metal organic precursors and water vapor. The metal organic precursors are volatized along with a bismuth source, such as Bi(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3, deposited on a heated substrate to form a film, and annealed.

Abstract: A compound oxide superconductor represented by the general formula:Bi.sub.4+d (Sr.sub.1-x, Ca.sub.x).sub.m Cu.sub.n O.sub.p+yin which,"d" is an amount of excess bismuth and satisfies a range of 0<d.ltoreq.1.2,"m" is a number which satisfies a range of 6.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.10,"n" is a number which satisfies a range of 4.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.8,"p"=6+m+n,"x" is a number which satisfies a range of 0<x<1, and"y" is a number which satisfies a range of -2.ltoreq.<y.ltoreq.+2.A preferred example is a compound oxide system having the following general formula:Bi.sub.4+d Sr.sub.4 Ca.sub.4 Cu.sub.6 O.sub.20+yin which "d" is a number which satisfies the range 0.4.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.1.2 and "y" is a number which satisfies a range of -2.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.+2. The critical current density (J.sub.c) is improved by increasing the amount of bismuth with respect to the stoichiometric amount. A superconducting thin film is deposited on a substrate by physical vapor deposition such as sputtering.

Abstract: A superconducting copper oxide based wire exhibiting improved critical current density and method. A superconductor powder and a binder melt are mixed at a solids loading of at least 90% by weight. The binder is an ester wax with no more than about 0.25 weight percent extrusion-aiding additives. The ester wax has the general formula RCOOR' with R and R' being hydrocarbon chains of at least 6 carbons. The ester wax melting point is 40.degree.-100.degree. C.; its melt viscosity is 94-2000 centipoise. The mixture is shaped and heated in an oxidizing atmosphere at up to 120.degree. C./hr to 500.degree.-600.degree. C., and held at that temperature for a time sufficient to remove the binder and achieve a wire density of at least 50% of theoretical. The green wire is heated at 50.degree.-130.degree. C./hr to at least 920.degree. C., and held at 920.degree.-990.degree. C. to achieve 90% of theoretical density, then annealed in oxygen. The wire may be textured during the heating process or by seeding.

Abstract: A process of preparing a film of a multicomponent metal oxide including: forming an aerosol from a solution comprised of a suitable solvent and at least two precursor compounds capable of volatilizing at temperatures lower than the decomposition temperature of said precursor compounds; passing said aerosol in combination with a suitable oxygen-containing carrier gas into a heated zone, said heated zone having a temperature sufficient to evaporate the solvent and volatilize said precursor compounds; and passing said volatilized precursor compounds against the surface of a substrate, said substrate having a sufficient temperature to decompose said volatilized precursor compounds whereby metal atoms contained within said volatilized precursor compounds are deposited as a metal oxide film upon the substrate is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing an oxide crystalline thin film having a structure in which atomic layers having different chemical compositions are laminated along the film thickness direction, the process including the steps of depositing amorphous atomic layers on a substrate, layer by layer and heating the amorphous deposit to crystallize the deposit, the respective amorphous atomic layers having the same chemical compositions as those of the corresponding atomic layers of the oxide crystal structure and being stacked in an order corresponding to the atomic lamination of the crystal structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component of the tape or filament kind out of a material based on a superconducting oxide having a high critical temperature, wherein said material is formed while it is in the vitreous state,the method being characterized by the fact that the material is subsequently crystallized:in a first step under a magnetic field and at a temperature T.sub.l lying between the vitreous transition temperature T.sub.g and the crystallization temperature T.sub.x, during which step isolated microcrystallites of submicroscopic size develop and their c axes orient themselves parallel to one another because of said applied magnetic field; andin a second step at a temperature T.sub.2 close to the crystallization temperature, in which the existing nuclei grow while retaining the texture imparted to them during said first step.

Abstract: A process is described for producing a superconducting thick layer on a base material by thermally spraying a powder containing bismuth, lead, strontium, calcium and copper in oxidic form. First a powdered starting mixture is prepared which has a composition corresponding to the formula:Bi.sub.1.90-x Pb.sub.x Sr.sub.2-y Ca.sub.2.2-z Cu.sub.3.5-q O.sub.v,in which0.1.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.7,0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.4,-0.5.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.+0.5,0.ltoreq.q.ltoreq.1.2 andv is the oxygen content calculated from the starting materials. Then the powder is heated for not less than 1 hour at a temperature of not less than 750.degree. C. in an oxygen-containing atmosphere and cooled again. The powder pre-reacted in this way is applied to a thermally stable substrate in a layer thickness of 0.5 to 7 mm by means of a burner by plasma-jet spraying or by flame spraying. The layer applied is then sintered for a time of not less than 40 hours at a temperature of 842.degree. to 848.degree. C. The layer is cooled to a temperature of 550.

Abstract: A process making thin film elements of an oxide superconductor (Tl..sub.5 Pb.sub.0.5)Sr.sub.2 CaCu.sub.2 O.sub.7, (Tl..sub.5 Pb.sub.0.5)Sr.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.9 or a mixture thereof. The process entails forming an oxide film of a mixture of oxides of Pb, Sr, Ca and Cu in preselected amounts, placing the oxide film in a container of nonreactive metal such as gold that contains a powder of (Tl..sub.5 Pb.sub.0.5)Sr.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.9 superconductor, sealing the container, and heating the sealed container to a temperature of about 820.degree. C. to about 950.degree. C. for at least 1 minute.

Abstract: A method for patterning precursor film, a product thereof, a method for preparing a patterned ceramic film and a processing workpiece. The method for patterning precursor film includes the steps of depositing a blocking layer over the precursor film, patterning the overlaid blocking layer to uncover portions of the precursor film, irradiating the patterned blocking layer and uncovered portions of the precursor film with a beam sufficiently energetic to radiation modify the full thickness of unmasked portions of the precursor film and insufficiently energetic to radiation modify portions of the precursor film covered by the blocking layer, and developing the precursor film. The blocking layer has a lesser thickness than the precursor film, but is sufficiently thick to block an irradiating beam having the minimal energy necessary to radiation modify the full thickness of the precursor layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oxide superconductor comprising an oxide of RE, Ba and Cu, which consists of a superconductor having a texture wherein the crystal directions of the 123 phase in the matrix are uniform, large angle grain boundaries having an directional difference larger than 20.degree. are not present and the 211 phase is finely dispersed, or an aggregate thereof, wherein the superconductor is formed into a plate or wire and the c-axis of the crystal of the formed body is uniform within .+-.30.degree. to the normal of the plate face of the formed body or in the range of from 60.degree. to 120.degree. to said normal. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of an oxide superconductor as set forth above, which comprises inserting a formed body as mentioned above to a heating furnace and moving a region of a temperature at which grains are formed in the 123 phase of the matrix of the formed body, i.e., through a region having a temperature of from 1050.degree. to 910.degree. C.

Abstract: An Improved method of manufacturing superconducting ceramics in the form of a thin film are described. The thin film is first formed of a superimposed structure composed of three films which contain a rare earth metal, an alkalline earth metal and copper respectively. Then the superimposed thin film is fired to convert to a superconducting film.

Abstract: A method of preparing a laminated ceramic. The method includes preparing a precursor having at least one noble metal element component and at least two non-noble metal elements. The precursor is exposed to a first environment to form an oxidized zone having a first concentration of a primary ceramic phase containing the non-noble metal elements. The precursor is next exposed to a second environment to form a second oxidized zone having a second concentration of the primary ceramic phase, the second concentration being less than the first concentration. The precursor is repeatedly exposed to each environment to form a plurality of zones with the first concentration of the primary ceramic phase separated by zones with the second concentration of the ceramic.

Abstract: A process for making a superconducting Tl--Pb--Sr--Ca--Cu--O thin film comprised of at least one phase of the formula Tl.sub.0.5 Pb.sub.0.5 Sr.sub.2 Ca.sub.1+n Cu.sub.2+n O.sub.7+2n where n=0, 1 or 2. The process comprises sputtering an oxide film onto a dielectric substrate from an oxide target containing preselected amounts of Tl, Pb, Sr, Ca and Cu, and heating an oxygen-containing atmosphere in the deposited film in the presence of a source of thallium oxide and lead oxide and cooling the film.

Abstract: Dense superconducting ceramic oxide articles of manufacture and methods for producing these articles are described. Generally these articles are produced by first processing these superconducting oxides by ceramic processing techniques to optimize materials properties, followed by reestablishing the superconducting state in a desired portion of the ceramic oxide composite.

Abstract: A method for producing superconductor wire characterized by forming a solid superconductor preform, suspending the preform within an oven such that a portion of it is heated to approximately its melting point, and drawing on the melted portion of the preform to form a superconductor wire. If the preform is solid, so is the drawn wire, and if the preform is hollow, the drawn wire becomes a capillary. Superconductor wires can be intertwined, or can be intertwined with ordinary conductive wires or non-conductive tubing to form superconductor cables. A superconductor transmission line is made by coating a copper tube with subsequent superconductor, insulating, and protective layers.

Abstract: A process of preparing a yttrium based superconductor including partial melting a body of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.y compound which is stacked on a Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 plate, to produce a liquid phase, BaCu.sub.2.CuO which flows down into the Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 plate, a peritectic reaction of the Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 of the plate, with the liquid phase, BaCuO.sub.2.CuO, to form a YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.y phase, and cooling and annealing the resulting YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.y to gain superconducting properties, in which weak-links are reduced by the well oriented-grains with few voids, and the grains of the fine grained Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 phase act as flux pinning centers, which increases the critical current density.

Abstract: In a method of preparing an oxide superconducting wire comprising the steps of filling up raw material powder for an oxide superconductor in a metal sheath, performing first rolling in this state for working the metal sheath into a tape, performing first heat treatment, then performing second rolling and further performing second heat treatment, diameters of rolls employed for the second rolling are larger by at least 5 cm than those of rolls employed for the first rolling, in order to improve the critical current density of the as-formed oxide superconducting wire over its longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Superconducting microcircuits including a thin layer of Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.5+x (0<x<1) on a substrate. A thin layer of a dopant; for example, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 for superconducting patterns of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x, or Pr.sub.2 O.sub.3 for insulator patterns of PrBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x. These layers are covered with a layer of photoresist, which is exposed to light through a mask having a pattern for a desired circuit. The photoresist is then developed to reveal a pattern of the thin dopant layer which will be etched away. The microcircuit is then etched and stripped to remove the unneeded portion of the thin dopant layer. Finally, the microcircuit is heated at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to diffuse and react the dopant layer with the thin layer of Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.5+x, forming a pattern of superconductor or insulator.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a superconducting article, comprising the steps of: forming a first layer comprising a mixture of LnBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x and Ln.sub.2 BaC oxid, on the surface of a substrate, said Ln being an optional rare earth element; then locally and sequentially/heating and melting the first layer to locally and sequentially form a molten pool of the mixture of the first layer, and causing the molten pool of the first layer to locally and sequentially solidify, thereby arranging the a-b plane of the crystal of the mixture of the first layer in parallel with the surface of the substrate; then forming a second layer comprising a mixture of at least CuO and BaCuO.sub.2 on the surface of the first layer; and then melting the mixture of the second layer to cause the resultant melt of the mixture of the second layer to diffusion-react with Ln.sub.2 BaCu oxide, in the first layer so as to convert the first and second into a film of a superconducting substance comprising LnBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing a protective metal coated or covered superconducting ceramic wire by applying a finely pulverized protective metal-dispersed polymeric resin onto the surface of a glass wire in amorphous state of metal oxides capable of being converted into superconductive ceramic, heating the wire to remove the polymeric resin therefrom to obtain the wire having a metal powder coating thereon, and heat-treating the wire to become superconductive. The coating is easily conducted without damaging the excellent productivity of the so-called melt-quenching and preform wire-drawing process for producing a superconducting ceramic wire.

Abstract: An yttrium-barium-copper oxide powder consisting of a powdery mixture of Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 with Ba.sub.3 Cu.sub.5 O.sub.8, which can be formed into a dense sintered body having excellent superconducting characteristics. An yttrium-barium-copper oxide superconducting body is manufactured by firing the above powder preferably at 820.degree.-980.degree. C. under oxidizing atmosphere having an oxygen partial pressure of 0.01-0.5 atm.

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: The present invention relates to a sintered oxide superconducting wire and a method of fabricating the same. The sintered superconducting wire is made by packing powders of metal oxides, or a mixture of metal oxides and metal carbonates, each having an oxidation potential (.DELTA.G.degree.) higher than or equal to that of copper in a metallic cylinder, drawing said packed cylinder and sintering said drawn cylinder in air to form said wire.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for making multiphase copper oxide based materials which have a phase having a zero resistance transition temperature above about 200K. The method comprises subjecting a copper oxide based material precursor to an oxygenation in an atmosphere comprising more than about 20% oxygen by volume at a temperature less than about 200.degree. C. for a time sufficient to form the material. The invention also is directed to maintaining the properties of a copper oxide based material having a zero resistance transition temperature above 150K.

Abstract: A process for preparing 123 superconductor material comprising heating a 123 compact in direct physical contact with a 211 compact to decompose only the 123 compact to form a liquid phase in the 123 compact is disclosed. The heat is maintained with the liquid phase passing into the 211 compact, to form a decomposed compact and an enriched compact. The decomposed and enriched compacts are cooled to below 1000 degrees celsius to promote a peritectic reaction between the 211 grains and the infiltrated liquid phase in the 211 compact. The decomposed and enriched compacts are then further cooled to about 400-600 degrees celsius in an oxygen atmosphere, and finally cooled to room temperature to yield a fused 123 decomposed compact-123 enriched compact. The 123 superconductor having enhanced electrical and mechanical properties is the 123 enriched compact which can be separated from the decomposed compact, by severing the 123 decomposed compact from the 123 enriched compact.

Abstract: A superconducting ceramic wire is produced by melting a superconducting ceramic-forming metal oxide composition, and quenching the melt into a glass which is then formed into a preform of thin plate. The preform is soften and wire-drawn without causing crystallization in a furnace into a flexible elongated thin tape having a thickness of e.g. 40 to 60 .mu.m. The tape is heat-treated for crystallization to obtain the superconducting wire. The disclosure mentions mainly Bi Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconducting systems.

Abstract: A method is provided for depositing a dense, high quality, superconducting coating on a substrate of large size and complex shape. The superconducting coating is deposited from a precursor melt that generally comprises the same constituents as the superconducting coating but not necessarily in the same proportions. The liquid precursor melt, which may bear suspended platelike crystals of the superconducting phase, flows into or through a smooth, fine-grained, porous substrate that is largely inert to the liquid precursor. The desired superconducting phase is the sole crystalline phase co-existing with the precursor melt over a range of conditions. The crystals have a pronounced platelike character and form on the substrate with their superconducting planes oriented parallel to the surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: A process for preparing high-Tc superconducting integrated circuits by using a method in which a thin surface layer of non-superconducting tetragonal YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 Oy wafer is selectively transformed into a superconducting orthorhombic phase by oxygen-diffusion. The superconducting orthorhombic islands are surrounded with non-superconducting tetragonal phases and these are electrically isolated from each other. The process results in the formation of superconducting integrated circuits which are inexpensive and are high in quality.

Abstract: A high temperature superconducting wire and an improved process of making the same wherein a metal wire chosen from the group consisting of: Y; Sm; Eu; Gd; Dy; Ho; Er; Tm; Yb; and Lu is oxidized and the oxidized metal wire is then coated with molten barium-copper-oxide. The process allows high-quality superconducting wire to be easily and continuously fabricated.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a superconducting device which has a first thin film of oxide superconductor material formed on a substrate and a second thin film formed on the first thin film of oxide superconductor material, after the second thin film is deposited on the first thin film of oxide superconductor material, a multi-layer structure formed of the first and second thin films is patterned so that a side surface of the first thin film is exposed. In this condition, the whole of the substrate is heated in an O.sub.2 atmosphere or in an O.sub.3 atmosphere so that oxygen is entrapped into the first thin film of oxide superconductor material. Thereafter, the patterned multi-layer structure is preferably covered with a protection coating.

Abstract: Monatomic layers each formed of a single metal are sequentially formed on a substrate using a molecular-beam epitaxy to form a multilayered metal film consisting of a plurality of types of metals, and sequentially with formation the monatomic layers, nitrogen dioxide gas as an oxidizer is supplied to oxidize the multilayered metal film. The same operation is repeatedly performed a predetermined number of times to form an oxide high-temperature superconductor thin film having a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: The disclosed superconducting oxide material has a crystal structure of either Nd.sub.2 CuO.sub.4 type or oxygen-deficient perovskite type and mainly consists of a composition having a general chemical formula of (R.sub.1-x A.sub.x).sub.m+1 Cu.sub.m O.sub.3m+1-y, R being at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Tb, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, A being Ce or Th, m being an integer of 1, 2, 3, . . . .infin. (m=.infin. standing for (R.sub.1-x A.sub.x)CuO.sub.3-y), 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1, 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.m, Cu in the material having an average valence of not larger than +2 for all R, A, m, x, and y.The disclosed superconducting oxide material may have a general chemical formula of Nd.sub.2-x-z Ce.sub.x Sr.sub.z CuO.sub.4-y, 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1, 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1, and 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.1.The above superconducting oxide material can be made by mixing powdery starting materials for the composition, sintering the mixture at 1,000.degree. to 1,100.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a layer of a superconducting high-T.sub.c -material. For this purpose, an appropriate target material is deposited on a predetermined substrate by a pulsed laser with a wavelength in the ultraviolet range and, by applying a heat treatment and an oxygen treatment, the desired superconducting metal-oxide phase is formed with an ordered crystal structure. The heat treatment and oxygen treatment are performed simultaneously during the vaporizing step, whereby a power density of the laser radiation of over 3 J/cm.sup.2 at the target material is provided, the pulse power of the laser is at least 1.5 J/pulse, the temperature of the substrate is raised to 600.degree. C. to 800.degree. C., and an oxygen atmosphere of between 0.02 mbar and 1 mbar is provided.

Abstract: A superconducting tape is fabricated with a composition of Bi.sub.1.81 Pb.sub.0.43 Sr.sub.1.71 Ca.sub.2.14 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x. The powder of composition is filled into a silver tube and the silver tube is processed by rolling or pressing into a thin tape. The thin tape is heat treated and pressed for several times until the superconducting phase is formed to the tape and the thickness of the tape is equal to or less than 0.07 mm. The resulting tape is highly flexible such that it can be bent into an arc with a very small radius of curvature and nonetheless provide high critical current density.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of oriented, ceramic oxides from a bilayer structure of a polycrystalline superconducting ceramic oxide and a second ceramic oxide material having a lower melting point than the superconducting ceramic oxide. The process comprises the steps of preparing a substrate, depositing the superconducting ceramic oxide and second ceramic oxide in alternate layers, and heat treating the resulting composite structure to obtain an oriented structure whereby the c-axes of the unit cells of the crystallites are predominantly normal to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A laser beam (2) is applied to a target (1) of an oxide superconductive material, to deposit atoms and/or molecules which are scattered from the target (1) on a first portion (4) of a substrate (3) under an atmosphere containing oxygen for a start. Then, the substrate (3) is moved to deposit atoms and/or molecules scattered from the target (10) on a second portion, which is different form the first portion (4) of the substrate (3), under the atmosphere containing oxygen. At this time, the first portion (4) is subjected to oxygen annealing. These deposition steps are repeated until an oxide superconducting film of a desired thickness is obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of and an apparatus for fabricating an oxide superconducting wire which comprises a tape-type long base material and an oxide superconducting film formed thereon. The oxide superconducting film is formed by laser ablation of applying a laser beam (2) onto a target (4) while translating a long base material (6) along its longitudinal direction and depositing atoms and/or molecules scattered from the target (4) on the base material (6).

Abstract: A process of forming on a gold, silver or platinum metal surface of a substrate a superconductive crystalline mixed metal oxide thin film exhibiting superconductivity at a temperature in excess of 85.degree. K. A precursor of the superconductive thin film containing bismuth, strontium, calcium and copper is formed on the substrate surface and then thermally converted in the presence of oxygen to the superconductive thin film. Lead is added to the thin film precursor to raise the superconductivity of the completed thin film above 85.degree. K.

Abstract: A method for making a high critical current density Bi.sub.2 CaSr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8 superconductor includes mixing suitable solid state reactants in amounts sufficient to create a reactant mixture having a ratio of approximately 4 Bi atoms:3 Ca atoms:3 Sr atoms:4 Cu atoms and oxygen. The reactant mixture is heated to a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to sinter the reactant mixture and form a Bi.sub.2 CaSr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8 superconductor.