Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing method of an Nb3Sn superconductive wire using a powder technique, the method including the steps of: filling, as a raw powder, an intermetallic compound powder obtained from a metallic powder containing at least one metallic powder selected from Ta powder and Nb powder, and Sn powder, or a mixture of the metallic powder and the Sn powder into a sheath made of Nb or an Nb based alloy; performing a diameter-reduction process on the sheath to form a wire; heat treating the wire; and, forming a superconductive layer on the interface between the sheath and the powder, wherein at least one of the metallic powders selected from the Ta powder and the Nb powder is obtained by aggregating fine particles (primary) in shape of coral to form secondary particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple, energy efficient and cost effective process for continuous production of high quality MgB2 based superconducting wires, tapes, bulk bodies and powders with better phase purity, microstructure and superconducting properties by introducing some innovative steps namely processing the reactants in evacuated and sealed metal tubes by electrical self-heating cum hot rolling followed by annealing under electrical self-heating, thereby overcoming various deficiencies and shortcomings associated with the prior art.

Abstract: A precursor for producing a Nb3Sn superconducting wire includes a bundle of single-element wires each including a Cu or Cu-based alloy matrix, Nb or Nb-based alloy filaments, at least one Sn or Sn-based alloy core, the Nb or Nb-based alloy filaments and at least one Sn or Sn-based alloy core being arranged in the Cu or Cu-based alloy matrix, an diffusion barrier layer around the periphery of the Cu or Cu-based alloy matrix, the inner diffusion barrier layer being composed of Nb or a Nb-based alloy, and a Cu or Cu-based alloy layer around the periphery of the diffusion barrier layer; an outer diffusion barrier layer around the periphery of the bundle of the single-element wires, the outer diffusion barrier layer being composed of Nb, a Nb-based alloy, Ta, a Ta-based alloy, or a combination thereof; and a stabilizing copper layer around the periphery of the outer diffusion barrier layer.

Abstract: Critical current densities of internal tin wire having values of at least 2000 at temperature of 4.2 K and in magnetic field of 12 T are achieved by controlling the following parameters in a distributed barrier subelement design: wt % Sn in bronze; atomic Nb:Sn; local area ratio; reactable barrier; and barrier thickness relative to the filament thickness; and the design for restacking and wire reduction to control the maximum filament diameter at the subsequent heat reaction stage.

Abstract: A superconducting article and a method of making a superconducting article is described. The method of forming a superconducting article includes providing a substrate, forming a buffer layer to overlie the substrate, the buffer layer including a first buffer film deposited in the presence of an ion beam assist source and having a uniaxial crystal texture. The method further includes forming a superconducting layer to overlie the buffer layer.

Abstract: A method of forming MgB2 films in-situ on a substrate includes the steps of (a) depositing boron onto a surface of the substrate in a deposition zone; (b) moving the substrate into a reaction zone containing pressurized, gaseous magnesium; (c) moving the substrate back into the deposition zone; and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the substrate is moved into and out of the deposition zone and the reaction zone using a rotatable platen.

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

Abstract: A metal substrate for an oxide superconducting wire, which comprises a polycrystalline metal substrate with a rolled aggregate structure having a {100} plane which is parallel to the rolled surface and a <001> axis which is parallel to the rolling direction, and an oxide crystal layer comprising an oxide of the polycrystalline metal and formed on a surface of the polycrystalline metal substrate, wherein at least 90% of grain boundaries in the oxide crystal layer have an inclination of 10° or less, and at least 90% of the {100} plane of the oxide crystal layer make an angle of 10° or less with the surface of the polycrystalline metal substrate.

Abstract: Method for joining wires using low resistivity joints is provided. More specifically, methods of joining one or more wires having superconductive filaments, such as magnesium diboride filaments, are provided. The wires are joined by a low resistivity joint to form wires of a desired length for applications, such in medical imaging applications.

Abstract: A method of forming a low AC loss, fully transposed cabled superconductor from multiple superconducting subconductors cut in a serpentine form from a wider superconducting tape is disclosed. By assembling pre-cut subconductor tapes a cable with a short transposition pitch length can be formed without excessive in-plane or out-of-plane deformation of the tape which could otherwise cause degradation of its superconducting performance. The transposition may be in either Roebel bar or Rutherford cable geometry.

Abstract: A method for forming improved superconducting composites having improved Jc values by assembling octagonal or curved octagonal elements which when assembled allow for formation of uniformly continuously spaced voids. The voids are then filled with a metal, alloy, intermetallic substance, or ceramic oxide. The assembly of the octagonal elements and the filling of the voids is performed in a metal can. Accordingly, the flexibility in design of the present invention allows control of the performance of the superconductor and is cost effective.

Abstract: A method for the fabrication of an insulated solder bonded multifilamentary superconducting wire composite. An uninsulated wire composite is prepared by using a high melting point solder to join a multifilamentary superconducting composite to a solderable metallic component. A polymer insulation film coating is then applied on top of the wire composite, and the resulting assembly is subjected to heating in a furnace at furnace temperatures and for a period sufficient to cure the insulation but insufficient to melt the solder.

Abstract: An oxide superconductor current lead in which generation of Joule heat at joint portions with a system side conductor and a power supply side conductor is reduced with use of an oxide superconductor with less heat penetration into a super conducting equipment system is provided.

Abstract: A CVD apparatus capable of substantially simultaneously processing multiple portions of at least one substrate or substantially simultaneously processing portions of multiple substrates or substantially simultaneously processing multiple portions of at least one substrate and portions of multiple substrates, the CVD apparatus is described. The CVD apparatus includes a reactor, at least one substrate heater, at least one precursor supply system, at least one precursor injector, optionally, communicating with at least one temperature regulated manifold, at least one reactants mixer, and, optionally, at least one controller communicating with at least one substrate heater, the at least one precursor supply system, the at least one precursor injector, the at least one temperature regulated manifold, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a continuous disk winding. A high-temperature superconducting wire is lapped using Kapton films to insulate the high-temperature superconducting wire. The high-temperature superconducting wire is wound on a bobbin by a predetermined number of turns to form a layer of windings. An annular disk having a slit formed therein is fitted onto the bobbin. The slit is formed along the circumference of the disk and to be inclined from the inner side of the disk towards the outer side thereof. The high-temperature superconducting wire is inserted into the slit of the disk to pass through the annular disk smoothly along the inclined slit and wound again by the predetermined number of turns to form a next layer of windings. The above steps of fitting an annular disk, and inserting and winding the high-temperature superconducting wire are repeated to form multiple layers of windings.

Abstract: A detachable superconducting lead includes a vacuum-sealed thermal transition through which a stabilized conductor passes. Two identical leads are attached and surrounded by a sealed Dewar and allowed to cool either naturally or by way of a cooling element. Detaching the leads requires the joint to be heated up by a heat transfer unit or by a heat gun after the Dewar is removed. Once warmed, the lead can be disassembled with tooling appropriate to the joint. In many instances, regular fasteners can be used. Removable Dewars may be constructed with insulation (including vacuum) using O-rings and flanges.

Abstract: Critical current densities of internal tin wire to the range of 3000 A/mm2 at temperature of 4.2 K and in magnetic field 12 T are achieved by controlling the following parameters in a distributed barrier subelement design: wt % Sn in bronze; atomic Nb:Sn; local area ratio; reactable barrier; barrier thickness relative to the filament thickness; additions of a dopant such as Ti or Ta to the Nb3Sn; and the design for restacking and wire reduction to control the maximum filament diameter at the subsequent heat reaction stage.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of making a fluorinated precursor of a superconducting ceramic. The method comprises providing a solution comprising a rare earth salt, an alkaline earth metal salt and a copper salt; spraying the solution onto a substrate to provide a film-covered substrate; and heating the film-covered substrate in an atmosphere containing fluorinated gas to provide the fluorinated precursor.

Abstract: A composite multi-core wire rod in which a plurality of Al alloy wires containing 15 at % to 40 at % of Ge are arranged in Nb matrix at a core diameter of 2 ?m to 20 ?m is subjected to heating for at least five hours at a temperature ranging from 1300° C. to 1600° C.; and additionally heating at a temperature ranging from 650° C. to 900° C.

Abstract: The coaxial connector 10 to be connected with a coaxial cable has a surface covering layer 20 formed of a metal material which causes an eutectic reaction with In on the surface of a terminal 12 which is a core conductor. Because of the surface covering layer 20 of a metal material which causes the eutectic reaction with In formed on the surface of the terminal of the coaxial connector, the terminal of the coaxial connector and the electrode of a superconductor device can be jointed to each other by the solder layer of In-based solder at a relatively low temperature. Thus, the discharge of oxygen from the inside of the superconductor film of a superconductor filter can be suppressed, and the decrease of the critical temperature TC can be suppressed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing superconducting wires based on MgB2 is described and includes the steps of: production of a cylindrical wire comprising an MgB2 core surrounded by a metal covering, in which the core has a lattice structure formed by grains of the compound MgB2; rolling of the wire to produce a conductor in tape form; and subsequent heat treatment by heating to a temperature of between 800° C. to 870° C. This last step helps to increase the connection between the MgB2 grains whilst retaining the structural defects produced in the rolling step, thus producing a superconducting wire with greater current-transport capacity.

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: “MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND END PRODUCT OF A WIRE-LIKE STRIP”, described as a manufacturing process and end product of a wire-like strip which, according to the characteristics thereof, provides the formation of a specific and proprietary manufacturing process for producing wire-like strips (1) specifically for the utilization in metallic wire cloths for trays, containers, partitions, fences, cable ditches and similar items and having as a basis a fully acceptable substituting alternative for the wire raw material, possessing a high initial manufacturing cost, which is the utilization of flat steel strips (2) such as carbon steel plate strips extracted from steel coils after a longitudinal cutting process (Slitter cutting) by means of a complete and sequential recoiling, straightening and shaping process thereof, so as to obtain a wire-like strip (1) straightened and welded to form a rectangular section.

Abstract: A multi-filament superconducting wire in which the filaments comprise zirconia-stabilized ultra-fine grain Nb3Sn. The superconducting wire is formed by wire-drawing a preform comprising a metallic matrix and at least one niobium alloy rod having zirconium and oxygen in solid solution and heat treating the drawn wire in the presence of tin to yield at least one continuous filament comprising ultra-fine grain Nb3Sn having semi-coherent ZrO2 precipitates disposed therein. The ZrO2 precipitates serve to stabilize the ultra-fine grain microstructure of the Nb3Sn at temperatures up to 1100° C. and allows Nb3Sn to maintain the ultra-fine grain microstructure when heat treated at temperatures that are greater than those previously used. By using higher temperatures to form Nb3Sn, the time required for heat treatment can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: A composite conductor suitable as a connecting conductor that includes a superconductor and is capable of reducing the generation of Joule heat in a joint part between the system side and power-supply sides of a superconductor apparatus. A composite conductor 10 includes a superconductor 12 provided continuously in the flowing direction of the electric current, and a metal conductor 11 joined with the superconductor 12 and provided at least at a joint part with mating conductors 50, 60 to be joined, wherein the electric current is fed and received between the metal conductor 11 and the mating conductors 50, 60 by joining the metal conductor 11 and the mating conductors 50, 60, and wherein the superconductor 12 is arranged in the metal conductor 11 so as to be approximately parallel to the joint surface (joint interface) between the metal conductor 11 and the mating conductors 50,60.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet coil configuration comprising at least one section of a superconducting strip conductor, which is continuously wound in a cylindrical winding chamber (1) between two end flanges (2, 3) in several solenoid-like layers is characterized in that the section comprises an axial region of reduced current density (=notch region (10)), and the winding layers (6, 9) have hollow cylindrical blind regions (4a, 4b, 4c) which are filled with filler and which have different axial lengths, and radially sequential blind regions (4a, 4b, 4c) each alternately abut one of the two end flanges (2, 3) and are each radially separated from each other by at least one continuous winding layer (7), wherein the axial overlapping region of the blind regions (4a, 4b, 4c) forms the notch region (10). The inventive device thereby realizes a magnet coil configuration comprising a strip conductor which has a notch region for correcting inhomogeneities, wherein the mechanical load on the strip conductor is minimized.

Abstract: A low AC loss electrical conductor includes a plurality of single-filament superconducting strands longitudinally wound about one another. An insulative housing surrounds the plurality of single-filament superconducting strands.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a superconducting wire is provided. The method is provided with the steps of filling a raw material powder in a metal pipe, the raw material powder being composed of an oxide superconductor or a precursor to become an oxide superconductor through heat treatment; heating the metal pipe filled with the above-described raw material powder to 400° C. or more and 800° C. or less; depressurizing the inside of the above-described heated metal pipe to 100 Pa or less; sealing an opening at an end portion of the metal pipe under the above-described depressurized condition; and subjecting the sealed metal pipe containing the above-described raw material powder to wire drawing, wherein the packing density of the above-described raw material powder is controlled at 10 percent or more and 40 percent or less and, thereby, the degasification of the inside of the metal pipe is adequately performed, so that the critical current density can be increased.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a high-vacuum-maintaining structure of a superconducting cable. The superconducting cable includes inner and outer metal tubes, and spacers disposed between the inner and outer metal tubes for spacing them by a prescribed distance. To the spacers is attached a gathering material, which serves to adsorb residual gas between the inner and outer metal tubes, thereby maintaining the superconducting cable in a high-vacuum state for a long time, improving thermal insulation performance of the superconducting cable, and reducing cooling costs and maintenance costs required for vacuum pumping thereof.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing clad superconducting wire for use in superconducting coils, such wire having improved resistance to electromagnetic forces by using composite superconducting wires that are clad with selected high-stiffness high-strength materials.

Abstract: In the present invention, a superconducting (sc) ceramic filament is enclosed in a silver sheath which is sealed therearound by applying silver powder between the surfaces of said sheath, pressing the surfaces and powder into contact and then applying sufficient heat to fuse them together, which heat is below the melting point of the surfaces and powder and then sintering the so enclosed ceramic filament, which upon cooling, forms a superconductor.

Abstract: A transmission line is provided which has a low loss and can flow large current. A superconductor transmission line has: an internal conductor; and an external conductor surrounding the internal conductor, made of oxide superconductor and having four planes, which four planes have a cross section of a hollow quadrilateral with each corner portion being removed, and adjacent planes of which define a slit narrower than ?/4 (? being a wavelength of a high frequency wave to be transmitted).

Abstract: A method of forming a superconducting conductor is disclosed. The method provides translating a substrate tape through a deposition chamber and along a helical path, where the helical path has multiple windings of the substrate tape and each winding of the substrate tape extends along a feed path and a return path. The method further provides depositing a HTS layer overlying the substrate tape within a deposition chamber, wherein the deposition chamber houses the substrate tape along the feed path but not the return path.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of a superconducting cable having a single cable core that contains at least one elongated superconducting element and a flexible tube that which surrounds the cable core. The process includes continuously pulling the single cable core from a supply unit, continuously pulling a metal strip from a strip supply unit and continuously forming a slotted tube around the cable care with the metal strip to form a slotted tube. The longitudinal slot of the slotted tube is welded shut corrugating the welded tube with the cable core inside the tube. The then semi-finished superconducting cable is wound in at least one turn on a cable drum, and the ends of the cable core are mechanically joined to the ends of the corrugated tube while the cable is on the cable drum.

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

Abstract: The invention includes superconducting titanium-containing compositions having less than 200 ppm, by weight, of a combined total of interstitial materials selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen. The invention also includes methods of forming superconducting titanium-containing superconducting compositions containing less than 100 ppm, by weight, of a combined total of interstitial materials selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the effective magnetic filament sizes for high current internal tin Nb3Sn superconductors. During processing composite rods preferably comprised of copper clad Ta rods of approximately the same dimensions as the hexes in the designed filament billet stack are used as dividers in the subelement. Along with the Ta rods, Ta strips are strategically situated against the Nb or Nb alloy barrier tube which surrounds the subelement. The use of Ta as a spacer instead of copper prevents any reasonable likelihood of bridging of the superconducting phases formed after final reaction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a Fe-sheathed MgB2 wire includes the steps of: I. Selecting a carbon steel tube with 0.1% to 0.3% carbon; a. Crimping a first end of the tube; b. Selecting a Mg powder at least 99.8% pure, and sized for 325 mesh; c. Selecting a B powder, at least 99.99% pure, and sized for 325 mesh; d. Stoichiometrically mixing the Mg and B powders to form a mixture powder; e. Milling the mixture powder by using high-energy ball mill for 0.5 to 6 hours and using stainless steel mixing balls and vial, wherein the mass ratio of ball to powder is 20:1, to form a milled powder; f. Filling and packing the tube in an argon atmosphere with the milled powder to create a packing density of about 1.5 g/cm3; g. Crimping the second end of the tube to create a powder-filled tube; h. Rolling the powder-filled tube to create the Fe-sheathed MgB2 wire; and i. Annealing the as-rolled wire at 600 to 900° C. for 0.5 to 3 hours at high purity argon environment to create superconducting wire.

Abstract: A method of producing Nb3Sn superconducting wire, including the steps of: preparing a plurality of Sn modules obtained by burying Sn-based metal cores in a Cu-based metal matrix and a plurality of Nb modules obtained by burying Nb-based metal filaments in a Cu-based metal matrix; bundling the Nb modules and the Sn modules such that the Nb modules surround the Sn modules and obtaining an assembly; inserting the assembly in a tubular member of Cu-based metal which internally comprises tube-like shaped Ta-based metal or Nb-based metal which serves as a diffusion barrier and obtaining a composite; drawing the composite; and heat-treating the composite.

Abstract: A superconducting magnesium diboride (MgB2) thin film having c-axial orientation and a method and apparatus for fabricating the same are provided. The fabrication method includes forming a boron thin film on a substrate and thermally processing the substrate on which the boron thin film is formed along with a magnesium source and cooling the resulting structure. The superconducting magnesium diboride thin film can be used in a variety of electronic devices employing superconducting thin films, such as precision medical diagnosis equipment using superconducting quantum interface devices (SQUIDs) capable of sensing weak magnetic fields, microwave communications equipment used for satellite communications, and Josephson devices. Computer systems with 100 times greater computing speed can be implemented with the superconducting magnesium diboride thin film.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique for manufacturing a superconducting tape grown epitaxially by a replication process. According to the technique, a long superconducting tape can be manufactured using a loop-shaped base. Further disclosed is a method for manufacturing a metal oxide device which comprises the steps of forming a solvent-soluble separation layer on a base having a single crystal or textured surface, forming a superconducting layer on the separation layer, forming a support layer on the superconducting layer, and removing the separation layer by dissolution in a solvent. According to the method, it is possible to manufacture a superconducting tape consisting of the superconducting layer and the support layer separated from the bath, and having the same crystallinity as that of the base (replication).

Abstract: Method of producing superconducting cables by using cold plastic deformation operations only including the step of obtaining a bar-like semi-finished product of prefixed dimension through the steps of: forming round-section, mono- or multifilament, superconducting copper bars of relatively long length; assembling the bars about a cylindrical copper core of substantially the same length, using assembly templates, the templates having through holes arranged in a circle to support the bars, and a central through seat for supporting the core; tying the bars onto an outer lateral surface of the core; sliding onto one end of the bar/core assembly a number of metal supporting rings, while sliding the templates off the opposite end thereof; sliding a copper tube onto the bar/core assembly while cutting the ties in axial sequence and sliding off the supporting rings; and subjecting the assembly to a number of drawing operations.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrical connection structure between at least two superconducting lines. The method comprises adding metal powder or alloy powder to a superconducting material comprising magnesium diboride, intervening the superconducting material between at least two superconducting lines, and heating said superconducting lines and said superconducting material to a temperature lower than the melting point of said superconducting material prior to the addition of said metal powder or alloy powder thereto, but higher than the melting point of said metal powder or alloy powder.

Abstract: Provided is a superconducting cable having a structure such that cable cores, each having a superconducting layer, are housed in a thermal insulation pipe and the superconducting layer of each cable core has portions having different critical current values. When an excessive current flows in the superconducting layer in case of a short-circuit failure, the current exceeds the critical current value of the portion having a smaller critical current value first, which results in damage to the portion, suppressing the occurrence of damage to the other normal portion. A superconducting cable line using this superconducting cable and a splitter for accommodating the cable cores therein is also provided.

Abstract: A superconducting material useful for forming electrolytic devices is made by establishing multiple niobium or tantalum components in a primary billet of a ductile material; working the primary billet through a series of reduction steps to form the niobium or tantalum components into elongated elements; cutting and restacking the resulting elongated elements with a porous confining layer to form a secondary billet, working the secondary billet through a series of reduction steps including twisting and final rolling to thin ribbon cross-sections with greater than 5:1 Aspect Ratios; cutting the resulting elongated billet into sections; and leaching the core and sheath at least in part.

Abstract: A superfine multi-core Nb3Al superconductive wire is produced by getting a Nb3Al superconductive wire ready which was obtained by subjecting a precursor wire having a superfine multi-core structure in which a plurality of Nb/Al complex cores are embedded in Nb, Ta, a Nb based dilute alloy, or a Ta based dilute alloy as the matrix to a rapid heating and quenching treatment comprising rapidly heating to a temperature range near 2,000° C. in 2 seconds, (A) coating the Nb3Al superconductive wire with Cu or Ag as the stabilizing material; then (B) subjecting to a hot isostatic press (HIP) process for 10 minutes or more in a inert gas environment with a pressure of 40 atmospheres or more; and then (C) subjecting heat treatment for 1–200 hours in temperature range of 680–850° C.

Abstract: A superconducting cable joint structure is a structure used to joint together superconducting cables used at cryogenic temperature or to joint together a terminal of the superconducting cable and a normal conducting cable, and it includes a joint insulation layer arranged radially outer than a portion connecting the superconducting cables' respective conductors together or the superconducting cable's conductor and the normal conducting cable's conductor together, and at least one coolant path provided at the joint insulation layer to cool the portion connecting the conductors together. The cable cores can have their connection prevented from generating heat to have an increased temperature.

Abstract: A method for increasing the copper to superconductor ratio of a superconductor core wire by forming a copper-based strip about the core wire which at least partially encloses the core wire in contact therewith by deforming the strip longitudinally into a U shape nested about the wire; and soldering the wire and strip in the assembly of step (a) to form a strong mechanical, electrical and thermal bond therebetween.

Abstract: Boride thin films of conducting and superconducting materials are formed on silicon by a process which combines physical vapor deposition with chemical vapor deposition. Embodiments include forming boride films, such as magnesium diboride, on silicon substrates by physically generating magnesium vapor in a deposition chamber and introducing a boron containing precursor into the chamber which combines with the magnesium vapor to form a thin boride film on the silicon substrates.

Abstract: A superconducting cable has a plurality of superconducting wires wound around a core material (former) in a multilayered manner. The superconducting wires employ a twisted filament type superconducting wire having spiral superconducting filaments and an untwisted filament type superconducting wire having straight superconducting filaments. The layer in which an applied magnetic field is large and of which the low loss effect is expected is formed of twisted filament type superconducting wires, and the other layers are formed using the untwisted filament type superconducting wires; thus the AC loss can be reduced effectively. Thus, in the superconducting cable, the AC loss can be effectively reduced while a degradation of the current characteristics and the increase of cost are suppressed.