Abstract: A variable Z0 impedance method (“Variable Z0”) for designing and/or optimizing antenna systems. The method provides that the value of an antenna's feed system characteristic impedance or apparatus internal impedance (Z0) changes as a true variable quantity during the antenna system design or optimization methodology. The value is allowed to be determined by the methodology, because different values of Z0 result in different antenna system performance. It is applied to any set of performance objectives on any antenna system wherein apparatus internal or transmission line characteristic impedance is an explicit or implicit parameter. Variable Z0 is applied to any design or optimization methodology. Structures include Yagi-Uda arrays, Meander Monopoles, and transmission line Multi-Stub Matching Networks, and can incorporate Central Force Optimization or Biogeography Based Optimization or other optimization algorithms.

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

Abstract: In one embodiment, an active array antenna device includes: M (M?2) bandpass filters to filter signals received by M antenna elements; M low noise amplifiers to amplify the filtered received signals; M distributors to distribute respective of the M amplified signals into N (N?2) distributed signals; M sets of N phase shifters provided for respective of the M distributors to shift phases of the N distributed signals; M sets of N attenuators to attenuate N phase-shift signals; N beam synthesis circuits provided for N sets of the M attenuators to synthesize a beam by summing attenuator outputs from the M attenuators corresponding to the M distributors; a heat insulating container accommodating the low noise amplifiers and the receiving filters and formed of a superconductor material; and a cooler to cool the receiving filters and the low noise amplifiers to make the receiving filters in a superconducting state.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency (RF) component comprising a non-superconducting material, and a superconducting material, wherein the superconducting material is disposed in one or more areas of the RF component such that the areas with superconducting material conduct greater current density than do areas with the non-superconducting material.

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: Systems and methods for wirelessly sending signals through the earth between transmitting and receiving antennas are disclosed, wherein the communicating antennas are of the types that generate significant far field radiation and may interact substantially through the emission and absorption of electromagnetic radiation in addition to magnetic coupling. Frequencies are typically chosen which may be much higher than those conventionally used for through-the-earth (TTE) communications. In many situations where TTE communication is desired, the electromagnetic coupling and associated magnetic coupling produced and utilized by these certain types of antennas provide greater effective communications ranges when compared with the ranges that are obtainable with antennas interacting predominately by magnetic coupling alone.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency (RF) component comprising a non-superconducting material, and a superconducting material, wherein the superconducting material is disposed in one or more areas of the RF component such that the areas with superconducting material conduct greater current density than do areas with the non-superconducting material.

Abstract: A method for producing a superconducting inductive component having at least two plots, the component including at least one line segment incorporating at least one plot of the component, the line segment constituting a conducting or superconducting layer within a stack of alternately superconducting and insulating films.

Abstract: A transmission line antenna assembly having a substantially continuous bandwidth from the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum to the VHF region of the spectrum. The antenna assembly includes at least one balanced transmission line antenna element of high-temperature superconductor material supported by a substrate, an antenna cavity supporting the substrate and containing a thermally-conductive electromagnetic-energy-absorbing material therein, and a cryogenic cooler for cooling the antenna element to a temperature at which it exhibits superconductivity.

Abstract: A method of producing ceramic superconducting materials such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x includes blending together starting materials for the superconducting material. The blend of starting materials are formed into a layer and sintered at a temperature above the peritectic temperature for the superconducting material. Prior to sintering, the starting materials for the superconducting material may be unreacted. The starting materials may also be partially reacted prior to sintering by calcining for a period of time at a temperature which does not result in full reaction of the starting materials to the chemical composition of the desired superconducting material.

Abstract: Compounds of the of the general formula La.sub.3-z Me.sub.z Ba.sub.3 Ca.sub.1-v Nc.sub.v Cu.sub.7 O.sub.16+x, wherein Me can be a rare earth metal or an alkaline metal ion selected from the group consisting of yttrium (Y), ytterbium (Yb), sodium (Na) and Nc can be a 2+ion selected from the group consisting of magnesium (Mg) and cadmium (Cd) have been prepared as the HTSC in thin film superconductors.

Abstract: A superconducting patch antenna array, operative at a temperature lower than or equal to that of liquid nitrogen, includes a superconducting mixer comprising at least one non-linear Josephson junction to transform the received high frequency signal to a lower intermediate frequency for purposes of reducing the transmission loss and thereby increasing the antenna performance.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to ferroelectric and superconducting thin films used in combination to produce low-loss passive microwave and millimeter wave devices which are frequency tuneable. Various metal oxide superconducting and ferroelectric thin films can be deposited in numerous multilayer geometries via a variety of deposition techniques to produce devices which can manipulate microwave and millimeter wave signals through the application of voltage bias signals across the ferroelectric films. Numerous superconducting microwave and millimeter wave devices, including delay lines, phase shifters, resonators, oscillators, filters, electrically-small antennas, half-loop antennas, directional couplers, patch antennas, and various radiative gratings, are made frequency-tuneable by utilizing voltage-tuneable capacitor structures fabricated from voltage-biased ferroelectric thin films.