Abstract: Described is a superconducting composition comprising an oxide complex of the formula [L1?xMx]aAbOy wherein L is lanthanum, lutetium, yttrium, or scandium; A is copper, bismuth, titanium, tungsten, zirconium, tantalum, niobium, or vanadium; M is barium, strontium, calcium, magnesium or mercury; and “a” is 1 to 2; “b” is 1; and “x” is a number in the range of 0.01 to 1.0; and “y” is about 2 to about 4. The oxide complexes of the invention are prepared by a solid-state reaction procedure which produces an oxide complex having an enhanced superconducting transition temperature compared to an oxide complex of like empirical composition prepared by a coprecipitation—high temperature decomposition procedure. With an oxide complex prepared by the solid-state reaction of the invention a transition temperature as high as 100°K has been observed even under atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Thermal neutron irradiation of superconducting body compositions into which Li or B has been incorporated as a unit cell external or internal dopant introduces by the nuclear reaction of the dopant pinning centers which substantially improve the critical current density of the body.

Abstract: A material having a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of 126 K under ambient pressure has been identified. The superconducting material belongs to a Ba—Ca—Cu—O compound family where the cation ratio of Ba:Ca:Cu is 2:2.5+0.5:3.5±0.5. The superconducting material is produced from precursor oxides having nominal formula Ba2Can−1+xCuu/yOx wherein n=3 or 4 and x is 0.4 to 1.0 and y is 0 to 0.8 using high-pressure synthesis. Final synthesis temperature was maintained at less than 950° C. Formation of the superconducting material is sensitive to the state of the precursor oxides, the carbon content of the precursor, and the synthesis temperature, pressure and time.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for influencing and/or controlling relative motion between members, such as vibration damping or absorbing devices, clutches and brakes. The devices comprise a magnet on one member and a field cooled superconductor on the other member. The devices utilize the interaction of the magnetic field of the magnet as it moves through the pinned flux in the superconductor to either influence or control relative motion.

Abstract: Stable parenteral formulations of busulfan for parenteral administration are disclosed. The improved bioavailability of the parenteral formulations optimizes high dose busulfan therapy against malignant disease and improves the safety of such therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for influencing and/or controlling relative motion between members, such as vibration damping or absorbing devices, clutches and brakes. The devices comprise a magnet on one member and a field cooled superconductor on the other member. The devices utilize the interaction of the magnetic field of the magnet as it moves through the pinned flux in the superconductor to either influence or control relative motion.

Abstract: A superconductor material having a current density, J, of from about 30,000 to about 85,000 amps/cm.sup.2 at zero magnetic field and 77.degree. K is disclosed. The 123 superconductor, of the formula L.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6 +.delta. wherein L is preferably yttrium, is capable of entrapping sufficiently high magnetic fields and exhibits a low microwave surface resistance. The process of preparing the superconductor comprises compacting the bulk product, L.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O, and then sintering the reaction product at a temperature between about 40.degree. C. to about 90.degree. C. below its melting point, i.e., for Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6 +.delta. at a temperature of approximately 940.degree. C. The composition is then heated in a preheated chamber maintained at approximately 1090.degree. C. to about 1,200.degree. C. (approximately 1,100.degree. C. for Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6 +.delta.

Abstract: A method of fabricating articles from segments of anisotropically conducting 123 superconductor such that the current transport properties of the article are comparable to those of the individual segments. The segments to be joined are examined to determine the orientation of the ab plane. Contact surfaces are formed where necessary and the segments are brought into contact and the ab planes are brought into parallel alignment. The contacted segments are elevated in temperature and static pressure is applied to accelerate reaction across the interface of the contact surfaces. The so-formed coherent article is then cooled at a controlled rate.

Abstract: Stable parenteral formulations of busulfan safe for parenteral administration are disclosed that exhibit improved bioavailability and optimize high dose busulfan therapy against malignant disease.

Abstract: A physical configuration for a parallel multi-junction superconducting quantum interference device that can be used for a variety of applications involving the detection of magnetic flux, including applications where it is desired to measure the absolute magnitude of the flux. The device of this invention features a novel geometry for a multi-junction interference device which significantly enhances the flux-to-voltage transfer function, thereby yielding a significant improvement in the device sensitivity in its use in a magnetometer, gradiometer, or other applications.

Abstract: A superconductor material having a current density, J, of from about 30,000 to about 85,000 amps/cm.sup.2 at zero magnetic field and 77.degree. K. is disclosed. The 123 superconductor, of the formula L.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6 +.delta. wherein L is preferably yttrium, is capable of entrapping sufficiently high magnetic fields and exhibits a low microwave surface resistance. The process of preparing the superconductor comprises compacting the bulk product, L.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O, and then sintering the reaction product at a temperature between about 40.degree. C. to about 90.degree. C. below its melting point, i.e., for Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6 +.delta. at a temperature of approximately 940.degree. C. The composition is then heated in a preheated chamber maintained at approximately 1090.degree. C. to about 1,200.degree. C. (approximately 1,100.degree. C. for Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6 +.delta.

Abstract: Superconducting precursors, which can be made into metal oxide superconductors such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6+x, and a process for their manufacture by the coprecipitation of 1-2-3 nitrates using inexpensive precipitating agents such as alkali hydroxides, carbonates and bicarbonates. The process involves preparing a stoichiometric mixture of Y, Ba and Cu nitrates, which is then combined with a solution containing an excess of NaOH/K.sub.2 CO.sub.3, KOH/K.sub.2 CO.sub.3, NaOH/Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3, or KOH/Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3, which causes the precipitation of the precursor. The suspension containing the precipitate is filtered and then washed wiThe invention of this application was made and conceived at least in part with United States Government support and the United States Government has certain rights in the invention.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing having a rotatable member and a stationary member on one of which is mounted a superconductor while on the other is mounted a set of permanent magnets or electromagnets arranged as a quadrupole or multiple dipoles. The magnetic member, which is in the form of a dipole, a quadrupole, or other multiple dipole, such as an octopole, is positioned to enable the magnetic fields generated by the permanent magnets to interact with the superconducting material and to confine the shaft in all directions in the desired location. The bearing systems can be used as either a thrust bearing or as a journal bearing, or as both. Each dipole may be twinned to reduce magnetic field asymmetry and reduce energy dissipation upon rotation. The superconductor may be laminated, and/or additional magnets may be located outside the superconductor in order to increase the bearing stiffness and rigidity.

Abstract: A superconductor-magnet system having high thrust and stability, with a method for increasing the thrust and stability of such a system, comprises a first magnet, a second magnet and a superconductor. The magnets are in motion relative to each other and the superconductor is in motion relative to one and stationary relative to the other magnet. High thrust and stability can be achieved by increasing the magnetic field of the magnet in motion relative to the superconductor. Also disclosed are magnetic thrust and journal bearings utilizing the above system.

Abstract: There is disclosed a time-of-flight ion-scattering spectrometer which comprises an ultra-high vacuum chamber sized to accommodate a flight path of sufficient length to provide unit mass resolution at all detection positions and which has means for detecting both ions and neutral particles at both continuously variable forward scattering and backscattering angles. Spectra of both neutrals plus ions as well as neutrals only can be obtained in the same experiment. The polar incidence angle, surface azimuthal angle, and scattering (or recoil) angle can all be varied continuously and independently of one another. The associated method, Scattering and Recoiling for Electron Distributions and Structure (SREDS), allows one to determine atomic structure of substrate surfaces, the structure of adsorbate sites, and electron distributions above surfaces. Even light adsorbates such as hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen can be quantitated by this method.

Abstract: An etching process and apparatus employ a novel magnetic enhancement means and a substantially pure molecular bromine plasma in order to perform in a desired manner for a number of important applications requiring etching of single-crystal and polycrystalline silicon.

Abstract: A cuspate lens is disclosed having a slope magnitude which decreases from a maximum at a central cusp to a minimum at the periphery. A radially symmetric version of the lens can focus light into a ring, or produce an annular beam. Also disclosed are a fiber optic coupler and an optical slip ring using the cuspated lenses or other refractive devices capable of producing an annular beam of light, such as axicons or eccentric lenses. Also disclosed is a lamp using a cuspate lens or a multi-faceted version of a cuspate lens.

Abstract: A superconductor material having a current density, J, of from about 30,000 to about 85,000 amps/cm.sup.2 at zero magnetic field and 77.degree. K. is disclosed. The 123 superconductor is of the formula L.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6 +.delta. wherein L is preferably yttrium. The process comprises compacting the solid state reaction product of L.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O and then sintering the reaction product at a temperature between about 40.degree. C. to about 90.degree. C. below its melting point, i.e., for Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6 +.delta. at a temperature of approximately 940.degree. C. The composition is then heated in a preheated chamber maintained at approximately 1090.degree. C. to about 1,200.degree. C. (approximately 1,100.degree. C. for Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6 +.delta.) until it has been decomposed, and is then rapidly cooled to a temperature between about 10.degree. C. to about 30.degree. C. above its melting point, i.e. for Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6 +.delta.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for correcting angle error present in in vivo sound velocity estimations. More particularly, this invention relates to a method for estimating the angle of misdirection of a tracked ultrasound beam used in sound velocity measurements in conjunction with multi-tracking ultrasound beams.

Abstract: A cuspate lens is disclosed having a slope magnitude which decreases from a maximum at a central cusp to a minimum at the periphery. A radially symmetric version of the lens can focus light into a ring, or produce an annular beam. Also disclosed are a fiber optic coupler and an optical slip ring using the cuspated lenses.