Abstract: Under one aspect, a laminated, spliced superconductor wire includes a superconductor joint, which includes (i) first and second superconductor wires, each wire including a substrate, a superconductor layer overlying the substrate, and a cap layer overlying the superconductor layer; and (ii) a conductive bridge, the conductive bridge including a substrate, a superconductor layer overlying the substrate, and a cap layer overlying the superconductor layer, wherein the cap layer of the conductive bridge is in electrically conductive contact with a portion of the cap layer of each of the first and second superconductor wires through an electrically conductive bonding material. The spliced wire also includes (b) a stabilizer structure surrounding at least a portion of the superconductor joint, wherein the superconductor joint is in electrical contact with the stabilizer structure; and (c) a substantially nonporous electrically conductive filler, wherein the filler substantially surrounds the superconductor joint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quench controlled high temperature superconductor component wherein at least one depression is provided in a surface of the component resulting in a reduced wall thickness, and, wherein an electrical shunt is applied into the depression.

Abstract: Disclosed is a triple-gate or multi-gate component based on the quantum mechanical tunnel effect. The component comprises at least two tunneling electrodes on a substrate that are separated by a gap through which electrons can tunnel. The component comprises an arrangement for applying an electric field to the gap, which is such that the path of an electron tunneling between the tunneling electrodes is elongated as a result of the deflection caused by this field. In general, an arrangement can also be provided for applying an electric field to the gap, this electric field having a field component that is perpendicular to the direction of the tunnel current between the tunneling electrodes and is parallel to the substrate. Since the tunnel current between the tunneling electrodes exponentially depends on the distance traveled by the electrons in the gap, such an electric field has a penetration effect on the tunneling probability and thus on the tunnel current to be controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coil for producing a magnetic field having at least one winding (12), which is manufactured from a superconductor, is cast into a plastic and whose winding end (19) which is arranged at the circumference (13) of the winding (12) is used for making contact with an electrical conductor (15). In order to provide coils with windings (12) consisting of superconductors which make robust contact-making possible given simple production, an electrically conductive connection piece (30) with a base region (31), which is connected to the winding end (19), and a top region (32) for connecting the conductor (15) is provided for contact-making purposes, the base region (31) of said connection piece (30) being covered partially in the radial direction by a reinforcing insert (14), which is cast into the plastic (20) and at least partially surrounds the winding (12).

Abstract: Disclosed is a three layer process for making contact points to a high transition temperature superconductor (HTSC), particularly to (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O19+x with and without silver in the superconductor. The contact structure is a three layer configuration with a perforated silver foil (3) sandwiched between two metal spray gun deposited silver layers (2,5) and subsequent heat treatment in air. The contact has been made on tubes and rods (1). The silver contacts are capable of carrying a continuous current of 200 Amps without adding any substantial heat load to the cryogen used to cool the HTSC. The contact resistance at 4.2 K is in the range of 1.5×10 (hoch?8) to 8.5? 10 (hoch?8)OHM in zero applied filed.

Abstract: A device and method for making a persistent joint allowing end terminations of superconducting MgB2 wire to be joined with a superconducting bridge. Superconducting electromagnetic coils may be joined in series or joining of coil assemblies to current sources and the two ends of a persistent switch. The device includes wire filaments with end preparation exposing reacted MgB2, inserted into a block and surrounded with Mg+B and/or MgB2 in powder, solid, slurry or sol-gel form and subsequently reacted to establish a bridge of superconducting MgB2 electrically connecting the superconducting MgB2 wires. Autonomous operation of the superconducting background magnet coils in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) devices are allowed, or similar devices where autonomous operation of an MgB2 based superconducting magnet is required. The low resistant joint will also be beneficial for other superconducting applications such as fault current limiters, motors, generators, etc.

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 terminal structure of a superconducting cable is provided that is capable of preventing degradation in airtightness of a seal provided on the boundary between a room-temperature side and a cryogenic side for a long-term use. The terminal structure includes a terminal of a superconducting cable, a bushing providing electrical conduction with a superconducting conductor of the cable, and a refrigerant bath housing the terminal and the bushing. The refrigerant bath includes a liquid nitrogen layer in its cryogenic side and a nitrogen gas layer in its room-temperature side that are adjacent to each other. In the nitrogen gas layer, distance t between an inner surface of the refrigerant bath and an outer periphery of the bushing is dimensioned such that nitrogen gas is kept in a gaseous state without being pressurized by a pressurizer and respective pressures of nitrogen gas and liquid nitrogen counterbalance each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical connection structure for a superconductor element cooled by a cryogenic fluid and connected to an electrical bushing, which bushing passes successively through an enclosure at an intermediate temperature between ambient temperature and the temperature of the cryogenic fluid, and an enclosure at ambient temperature, said bushing projecting outside the ambient temperature enclosure. According to the invention, said intermediate enclosure is filled at least in part with a solid material of low thermal conductivity, such as a polyurethane foam or a cellular glass foam. The invention is applicable to connecting a superconductor cable at cryogenic temperature to a device for equipment at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A magnesium diboride superconducting wire has excellent conduction property and stability. The superconductive connection of the magnesium diboride superconducting wire covered with a superconducting coating layer and a same or different kind of another superconducting wire are connected in a metal tube filled with a solder by way of the superconductive coating layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for bonding a ceramic ht superconductor to metal support that includes bonding the ceramic ht superconductor to a metal support by a heat conductive bonding agent. The heat conductive bonding agent is filled into at least one through hole provided in the ceramic ht superconductor, where the bonding agent, at the interface between the metal support and the ceramic ht superconductor and the bonding agent within the at least one through hole, is in contact with each other.

Abstract: A termination for a superconductive cable (1) is provided, consisting of a pressure-tight metal inner container (2) in which there is a liquid refrigerant and into which the cable protrudes, and a metal outer container (3) which is separated from the inner container by an intermediate space (4) in which vacuum insulation is applied. A first rupture diaphragm (6) is applied in the wall of the inner container (2) and a second rupture diaphragm (7) is applied in the wall of the outer container (3) level with the first rupture diaphragm (6). An evacuated relief space (8), which contains superinsulation and is sealed from the intermediate space (4) with the vacuum insulation by a pressure-tight wall (9), is provided between the two rupture diaphragms (6, 7).

Abstract: A connection arrangement for connecting together two superconductor cables, each having a central conductor comprising at least one superconductive part, a dielectric layer surrounding said central conductor, a shield surrounding said dielectric layer and a cryogenic enclosure surrounding said shield, the connection arrangement has an electrical splicing device for splicing together the central conductors and stripped dielectric layers of the corresponding shields. This connection arrangement has a covering made of semi-conductive material that is placed between the two shield ends and an electrical connection device for connecting together the two shield ends, the connection device surrounding the covering, being contained in the cryogenic enclosure, and comprising two junction elements each electrically and mechanically joined to a respective one of the shield ends, and an electrical splicing arrangement for splicing together the two junction elements.

Abstract: A junction box is provided which allows serial connection of the individual conductors of at least one high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire bundle. The junction box includes an electrical interface device disposed within a junction box housing. The interface device is configured receive both ends of each conductor of each HTS wire bundle, and to provide a superconductive electrical connection between respective first ends of conductors to respective second ends of other wire bundle conductors to form at least one superconductive multi-turn electromagnetic winding.

Abstract: High-temperature superconductivity confined to nanometer-scale interfaces has been a long standing goal because of potential applications in electronic devices. The spontaneous formation of a superconducting interface in bilayers consisting of an insulator (La2CuO4) and a metal (La1?xSrxCuO4), neither of which is superconducting per se, is described. Depending upon the layering sequence of the bilayers, Tc may be either ˜15 K or ˜30 K. This highly robust phenomenon is confined to within 2-3 nm around the interface. After exposing the bilayer to ozone, Tc exceeds 50 K and this enhanced superconductivity is also shown to originate from a 1 to 2 unit cell thick interfacial layer. The results demonstrate that engineering artificial heterostructures provides a novel, unconventional way to fabricate stable, quasi two-dimensional high Tc phases and to significantly enhance superconducting properties in other superconductors.

Abstract: In a superconductive connection for two end pieces of superconductors that each have a matrix of normally-conductive material and at least one superconductor lead, of superconductive material, in the matrix, and in a method for making such a superconductive connection, the respective end pieces of the conductor leads are stripped of the matrix material and are inserted into a sheath or bushing. MgB2, as superconductive contacting material, is additionally inserted into the sheath or bushing, so as to at least partially fill regions in the sheath or bushing between the conductor leads. The cross-section of the sheath or bushing is then reduced.

Abstract: Superconducting connections are provided to internal layers of a multi-layer circuit board structure, for example by superconducting vias.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a superconductor component 1 suitable as fault current limiter comprising a superconductor body 2 provided with a shunt coil 3 and an electrical contact 4 on at least one end of the superconductor body 2 wherein the superconductor component 2 is provided with means for reducing currents 6 induced within the electrical contacts 4.

Abstract: A cryogenic apparatus of superconducting equipment with excellent assembly workability and a termination structure of a superconducting cable including the cryogenic apparatus are provided. A termination structure of a superconducting cable includes a terminal of the superconducting cable disposed on a low-temperature side, a bushing 10 for communicating power between the low-temperature side and a room-temperature side, a connection part 2 connecting the terminal of the cable and the bushing 10, and a terminal connection box 3 accommodating the connection part 2. The terminal connection box 3 includes a coolant vessel 20 accommodating a terminal of the bushing 10 on the low-temperature side and the connection part 2 and filled with a coolant for cooling the terminal and the connection part 2 and a vacuumed vessel 30 disposed so as to surround the coolant vessel 20.

Abstract: Disclosed is a half-wave expulsion type superconducting fault-current limiter having an integral high speed switch module. The fault-current limiter has minimum superconducting elements and a circuit of which is formed in a hybrid type with an integral high speed switch module. The fault-current limiter supplies an electric power supplied from a power feeder to a system without loss thereof according to unique characteristics of the superconducting element when a normal current flows, and restricts an over current through a high speed switching contact point integrally inter-working with a driving coil and an arc changeover switch past a half period in a case that the over-current is generated by accidents such as thunder-stroke, earth fault and short circuit, such that electric power appliances such as circuit breakers in an electric power system can be normally operated.

Abstract: A superconducting article includes a first superconductive segment having a nominal thickness tn1, a second superconductive segment having a nominal thickness tn2, and a joint region comprising a splice connecting the first and second superconductive segments together. The splice overlies portions of both the first and second superconductive segments along the joint region, the joint region having a thickness tjr, wherein tjr is not greater than at least one of 1.8 tn1 and 1.8 tn2.

Abstract: A method of terminating at least one conductor of a superconducting cable comprising a plurality of superconducting tapes, comprising the steps of associating an electrically conductive connector radially at the at least one conductor, embedding and end of the superconducting tapes in a thermosetting resin, embedding an end portion of the superconducting tapes in a solder and achieving an electric contact by the solder. Moreover, the invention relates to a terminated conductor of a superconducting cable, a superconducting cable, a joint between conductors of two superconducting cables, a current transmission/distribution network, and a terminator for at least one conductor of a superconducting cable that embody the above method.

Abstract: A method for mechanical stabilisation of a superconducting composite having a tube-shaped superconducting ceramic and a reinforcing pipe introduced into each other by pre-stressing the tube-shaped superconducting ceramic by applying compressive force on one end of the tube as well as to a pre-stressable superconducting composite.

Abstract: Electrical connection of superconducting lines can be achieved by using a low-melting point metal, by mechanical contact of superconducting lines or by welding. According to these methods, however, critical current and critical magnetic field at the connection point are low, and stable connection in a superconducting state has been difficult. The present invention solves these problems and provides a structure and method for connecting superconducting lines. The present invention provides high-performance, high-stability connection of superconducting lines through magnesium diboride (MgB2) powder arranged between superconducting lines.

Abstract: A superconducting high-field magnet coil (1; 27; 38) comprising at least one radially inner (2) and at least one radially outer coil section (3; 32; 33), wherein at least the radially inner coil section (2) is wound in a solenoid-shaped fashion with an HTS (high temperature superconductor) band conductor (14; 20; 36) and wherein at least one superconducting connection is provided between the radially inner coil section and the radially outer coil section is characterized in that the superconducting connection comprises a first superconducting joint (5; 39) between two HTS band conductors at which the HTS band conductor of the radially inner coil section is connected to at least one further HTS band conductor (6; 21, 22; 29; 40), flatly overlapping same, such that the two HTS band conductors mutually subtend an angle of between 30° and 150°, and with a second superconducting joint (7; 41) which is electrically connected in series with the first, and which is geometrically disposed in a region of consid

Abstract: There is provided a power lead for a superconductive magnet capable of controlling the invasion of heat to liquid helium for storing superconductive coils therein and of sufficiently feeding power to the superconductive coils. The power lead for a superconductive magnet of a superconductor magneto unit for supplying a current to the superconductive coils which are cooled at a liquid helium temperature through a radiant heat shielded section which is cooled at a liquid nitrogen temperature, wherein at least a part of sections positioned inside the radiant heat shielded section of a current lead member of the superconductive magnet comprises a high temperature oxide superconductor bulk body having a critical temperature exceeding a liquid nitrogen temperature. In this case, it is preferable to apply a resin impregnation treatment to the bulk body to enforce the high temperature oxide superconductor bulk body section.

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: The invention relates to a high-temperature superconductor component with a particular cross-sectional area, which has a current-carrying section, the current-carrying section being in contact with a safety conductor in such a way that the critical current flowing on transition of the superconductor to normal conduction can be taken up without damage by the safety conductor in at least 1 second and rerouted, as well as a process for its production.

Abstract: An electrically stabilized thin-film high-temperature superconductor includes a superconductive layer (32) applied over a flat metallic substrate (31) and connected to the metallic substrate (31) so that electrical contact between the superconductive layer (32) and the metallic substrate (31) is distributed over the area of the metallic substrate (31).

Abstract: A superconducting joint between multifilamentary superconducting wires through an optional superconducting medium where at least one of such components is an interconnected filament superconducting part is disclosed. Such joint and method for producing same can include a bridge made of a superconducting medium to contact and make electrical connection with the side of such wire.

Abstract: A superconducting lead comprises a supporting board (1) with at least one superconducting tape (3) adhered to it and extending from one terminal area of the lead to another. Respective metal end-fittings soldered to the superconducting tape (3) at each of its ends, and in each of the terminal areas at least one metal insert is bonded to the board (1) and also soldered to the corresponding one of the said end-fittings, so relieving the tapes (3) of mechanical stress. The board (1), or each of them, is preferably flat and may support two or more superconducting tapes (3) coplanar with one another on one or on each of its major faces. The metal inserts are preferably of copper and may be made by removing most of the copper cladding from a commercially available circuit board (1).

Abstract: High temperature superconductive (HTS) integrated circuits can be fabricated in three ways according to the invention. First, a planar multiple layer HTS integrated circuit is fabricated using multiple HTS layers. The layers include altered regions which have been bombarded using ion implantation to destroy superconductivity of the altered regions without interrupting the lattice structure of the altered regions. Second, a planar multiple-layer HTS integrated circuit includes upper and lower HTS layers, each including central and opposing regions. A first implant energy is used to destroy superconducting properties of the opposing regions of the lower HTS layer without interrupting the lattice structure. A second implant energy is used to destroy superconducting properties of a top portion of the central region to define a contact. Third, a HTS integrated circuit is formed from a single HTS layer using three ion implantation steps and ions having first, second and third energies and range.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a high temperature superconductor device, such as a filter, housed in a closed vacuum chamber and operated at a low temperature. The filter has dielectric substrate having: first and second surfaces; a circuit portion made of a superconducting thin film formed on the first surface of the dielectric substrate; and a ground layer consisting of a superconducting thin film formed on second surface of the dielectric substrate and a metal film deposited on the superconducting thin film. The mounting structure comprises: a device holder for holding the filter thereon; a conductive layer intervening between the ground layer of the filter and the device holder; urging parts for resiliently urging the filter toward the device holder. The conductive layer is made of a metal selected from among the group consisting of gold, silver, copper, aluminum and an alloy made of at least one of gold, silver, copper, and aluminum.

Abstract: A clad superconductive wire or tape of an oxide superconductive material and a silver-copper alloy base containing 0.05-90 atomic % a copper or a silver alloy. The silver-copper alloy base contains one or more elements selected from the group of Zr, Hf, Al, V, Nb and Ta in amounts of from 0.01-3 atomic %, or contains Au in amount of 0.01-10 atomic %. The silver alloy contains one or more elements selected from the group of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba in amounts of from 0.01 to 3 atomic %, or one or more elements selected from the group of Au, Al, Ga, In and Sn in amounts of 0.05 to atomic %. The base material is filled with a Bi-containing oxide of Bi1PbuSrxCayCuzOw wherein u=0-0.3, X=0.8-1.2, y=0.2-1.2, and z=0.8-2.0, and processed to obtain a superconductive wire or tape having enhanced mechanical strength, superconductivity and plastic workability.

Abstract: A thin-film of a high temperature superconducting compound having the formula M1-xCuO2-y, where M is Ca, Sr, or Ba, or combinations thereof, x is 0.05 to 0.3, and x>y. The thin film has a Tc (zero resistivity) of about 40 K. Also disclosed is a method of producing the superconducting thin film.

Abstract: A method for joining high temperature superconducting components while minimizing critical current degradation is provided. The articles formed have critical currents that are at least 80 % of the critical current of the high temperature superconducting components. The invention further provides splicing geometries that facilitate wrapping joined components around a mandrel, tube or the like with minimal critical current degradation and without kinking or flexion of the joined components.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic substrate electronic component is provided having high temperature superconductor material circuitry. The high temperature superconductor material is preferably yttrium-barium-copper-oxide and is encased within a noble metal such as silver or gold when forming the surface circuitry or filling of the vias. The noble metal layers preferably have through-openings to enable direct connection of circuitry to the encased superconductor layer. A method is also provided for fabricating such multilayer ceramic substrate electronic components.

Abstract: A superconductor-normal conductor junction device comprises first and second regions (1, 3) of normal material forming first and second junctions with a superconducting material (2), the Fermi level of the first region of normal material being so arranged relative to a given energy level in the superconducting material that charge carriers in the first normal material undergo Andreev reflection at the first junction, resulting in pairs of the charge carriers entering said given energy level in the superconducting material, and the Fermi level of the second region of normal material being so arranged relative to said given level in the superconducting material that said charge carriers conduct from the superconducting material through the second region.

Abstract: A self-protected modular high temperature superconducting (HTS) down-lead that is capable of carrying large currents from a room temperature power source to a superconducting device operating at cryogenic temperatures. This down-lead incorporates a safety lead capable of carrying current and absorbing heat to protect the HTS material of the lead in the event of catastrophic failure of the HTS elements. The lead is in continuous contact with the HTS material and provides protection from interrupts and excess current. The down-lead is modular in design, and parts are easily replaced. Further, the down-lead is cooled through conduction in the middle stage, and gas cooled in the upper and lower stages by independent gas sources.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic substrate electronic component is provided having high temperature superconductor material circuitry. The high temperature superconductor material is preferably yttrium-barium-copper-oxide and is encased within a noble metal such as silver or gold when forming the surface circuitry or filling of the vias. The noble metal layers preferably have through-openings to enable direct connection of circuitry to the encased superconductor layer. A method is also provided for fabricating such multilayer ceramic substrate electronic components.

Abstract: Articles according to the invention comprise a superconductive cuprate (e.g., YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7) body containing elongate grains measuring at least about 10 .mu.m along the long axis and having an aspect ratio of at least 10:1. Bodies according to the invention can have relatively high critical current density, as compared to analogous non-textured bodies.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an integrated circuit that is wired with a high-temperature superconductive material that is superconductive at temperatures of about 70.degree. K and above, and methods of making the integrated circuit. The front-end manufactured semiconductor structure is patterned with a preferred precursor metal or metal oxide and a complementary compound is superposed and reacted to form wiring lines of superconductor ceramics that complete integrated circuits within the front-end manufactured semiconductor structure. The front-end manufactured semiconductor structure is alternatively patterned first with the complementary compound and the precursor metal is thinly patterned by ion implantation. The front-end manufactured semiconductor structure is then treated to form wiring lines of superconductor ceramics that complete integrated circuits within structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-temperature superconductor lead element including a plurality of lengths of high-temperature superconductor electrically connected in a non-collinear configuration, for example, next to and parallel with each other, to increase the thermal length of the lead element. A proximal end of a first of the lengths is configured for thermal connection to a warm thermal element and a distal end of a last of the lengths is configured for thermal connection to a cold thermal element. Each length of high-temperature superconductor includes a high-temperature superconductor plate having an electrically insulative support and a plurality of high-temperature superconductor tapes mounted, in a linear array, on the support. A plurality of high-temperature superconductor plates are arranged with their longitudinal axis parallel to form a cylindrical lead with "bad" self-fields in each plate being substantially cancelled by self-fields in neighboring plates.

Abstract: A superconducting oxide ceramic pattern is described. The pattern is comprised of a high Tc superconducting region and a low Tc superconducting region which exhibits a resistivity at the liquid nitrogen temperature while the high Tc region is superconducitive at that temperature. The low Tc region is doped with impurity such as Si and then subjected to thermal treatment to oxidizing the impurity.

Abstract: Superconducting transition metal oxide films are provided which exhibit very high onsets of superconductivity and superconductivity at temperatures in excess of 40.degree. K. These films are produced by vapor deposition processes using pure metal sources for the metals in the superconducting compositions, where the metals include multi-valent nonmagnetic transition metals, rare earth elements and/or rare earth-like elements and alkaline earth elements. The substrate is exposed to oxygen during vapor deposition, and, after formation of the film, there is at least one annealing step in an oxygen ambient and slow cooling over several hours to room temperature. The substrates chosen are not critical as long as they are not adversely reactive with the superconducting oxide film. Transition metals include Cu, Ni, Ti and V, while the rare earth-like elements include Y, Sc and La. The alkaline earth elements include Ca, Ba and Sr.

Abstract: Patterned superconducting wiring lines each having a portion of a thin film of an oxide superconductor deposited on a flat substrate, the portion having a predetermined crystal orientation (a-axis or c-axis orientation) with respect to a flat surface of the substrate, remaining portions of the thin film of the oxide superconductor having a different crystal orientation (c-axis or a-axis orientation) from the portion and/or having an insulation zones. Both of the portion and the remaining portions have a substantially identical thickness so that the thin film has a substantially flat planar surface.

Abstract: A high critical temperature superconducting Josephson device includes a bicrystal substrate formed of a first single crystal substrate and a second single crystal substrate, with end faces of the first and second single crystal substrates having different crystal orientations and being joined to each other. A first superconducting electrode formed of a first film of a high critical temperature superconductor material is located on the first single crystal substrate, whereas a second superconducting electrode formed of a second film of a high critical temperature superconductor material is located on the second single crystal substrate. A bridge is formed of a third film of a high critical temperature superconductor material and located on the bicrystal substrate across a joint between said first and said second single crystal substrates.

Abstract: A superconducting multilayer ceramic substrate is disclosed, prepared by firing a laminate of at least two polymer bonded cast sheets of a ceramic dielectric oxide powder, at least one sheet of which has a metallization pattern provided thereon, to thereby form a superconducting oxide reaction layer at the interface between the sintered ceramic material and the embedded metallic conductor lines of the metallization pattern.

Abstract: The process for producing high-T.sub.c superconductors containing thallium, calcium, barium and copper, possibly also lead and/or strontium, provides for a thallium-free precursor to be produced in a first reaction step and this to be then mechanically triturated, subsequently heated to temperatures in the range from 700.degree. to 950.degree. C. and heat treated for a period of at least 3 hours. The mixture is then cooled to ambient temperature and ground again. Finally, it is heat treated at temperatures of from 400.degree. to 500.degree. C. in a stream of pure oxygen. The thallium-free precursor is then triturated with Tl.sub.2 O.sub.3, if desired shaped into a shaped part and then oxidatively fired in a flowing gas atmosphere.

Abstract: Superconductivity is inhibited in selected portions of a high temperature superconductor ("HTS") material by patterning the selected portions with a resist. The patterned material is ion-bombarded to implant impurity ions in non-resist-bearing portions of the material. After low temperature annealing, the non-resist-bearing portions of the material lose their superconducting characteristics, but such characteristics are preserved in the material's resist-bearing portions. The material's crystalline structure is preserved, so additional layers can be epitaxially grown atop the inhibited material. Superconductivity is inhibited at a selected depth in a HTS material by subjecting the material to impurity ion bombardment at an energy level controlled to implant ions in the material at the selected depth. After low temperature annealing, the material loses its superconducting characteristics at the selected depth, but such characteristics are preserved at other depths (i.e.