Abstract: A method for fabricating a second generation high-temperature superconductor (2G-HTS) tape, including: (S1) depositing a superconducting thin film on a surface of a ductile metal substrate with a buffer layer; (S2) forming a micro-holes array pattern on a surface of the superconducting thin film by etching using a reel-to-reel dynamic femtosecond infrared laser etching system, where the micro-holes array pattern covers the superconducting thin film; (S3) depositing a superconducting thick film on the surface of the superconducting thin film; and (S4) depositing a silver protective layer and a copper stabilization layer on a surface of the superconducting thick film.

Abstract: A qubit coupling device includes: a dielectric substrate including a trench; a first superconductor layer on a surface of the dielectric substrate where an edge of the first superconductor layer extends along a first direction and at least a portion of the superconductor layer is in contact with the surface of the dielectric substrate, and where the superconductor layer is formed from a superconductor material exhibiting superconductor properties at or below a corresponding critical temperature; a length of the trench within the dielectric substrate is adjacent to and extends along an edge of the first superconductor layer in the first direction, and where the electric permittivity of the trench is less than the electric permittivity of the dielectric substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stacking structure of a superconducting wire. The present invention provides a superconducting wire in which a metal substrate, a buffer layer, a superconducting layer, and a stabilizing layer are stacked, the superconducting wire including: a plurality of wedges which penetrates through the superconducting layer and the buffer layer to connect the stabilizing layer and the metal substrate. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the superconducting wire of which mechanical strength is improved to have high resistance against to deterioration or delamination. Further, the present invention may provide the superconducting wire which is self-protectable against a quench phenomenon. Further, the present invention may provide the superconducting wire which is suitable for application of a high magnetic field.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating film includes a bond coat layer that is a metallic bond layer formed on a base material; a topcoat layer that is a ceramic-containing layer formed on the bond coat layer; and at least one of a protective layer and a protective substance. The protective layer is formed on the topcoat layer and mainly contains SrSO4. The protective substance is provided in a plurality of void spaces included in the topcoat layer and mainly contains SrSO4.

Abstract: An MgB2-based superconducting wire for a liquid hydrogen fluid level sensor which can maintain an unimmersed portion of the MgB2-based superconducting wire for a liquid hydrogen fluid level sensor in a non-superconducting state even without heating the unimmersed portion is provided. A wire for a liquid hydrogen fluid level sensor comprises an MgB2-based superconductor which contains Mg, B, and Al. The critical temperature at which the electrical resistance becomes essentially zero is 20-25 K, and the transition width, which is the difference between the temperature at which the electrical resistance begins to decrease toward zero and the critical temperature, is at most 5 K.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric film wafer includes a first processing step for carrying out an ion etching on a KNN piezoelectric film formed on a substrate by using a gas containing Ar, and a second processing step for carrying out a reactive ion etching by using a mixed etching gas containing a fluorine-based reactive gas and Ar after the first processing step.

Abstract: A method of producing a superconductive material involves the step (1) of applying a solution of an organic compound of metals and oxides of the metals forming a superconductive material, onto a support body to be subsequently dried, the provisional baking step (2) of causing organic components of the organic compound of the metals to undergo thermal decomposition, and the main baking process step (3) of causing transformation of the oxides of the metals into the superconductive material, thereby producing an epitaxially-grown superconductive coating material, wherein the support body is irradiated with the laser light during a period between the steps (1) and (2) from a surface of the support body, on the opposite side of the surface coated with the solution of the organic compound of the metals for forming the superconductive material.

Abstract: Various techniques and apparatus permit fabrication of superconductive circuits. A niobium/aluminum oxide/niobium trilayer may be formed and individual Josephson Junctions (JJs) formed. A protective cap may protect a JJ during fabrication. A hybrid dielectric may be formed. A superconductive integrated circuit may be formed using a subtractive patterning and/or additive patterning. A superconducting metal layer may be deposited by electroplating and/or polished by chemical-mechanical planarization. The thickness of an inner layer dielectric may be controlled by a deposition process. A substrate may include a base of silicon and top layer including aluminum oxide. Depositing of superconducting metal layer may be stopped or paused to allow cooling before completion. Multiple layers may be aligned by patterning an alignment marker in a superconducting metal layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a splicing method of two second-generation ReBCO high temperature superconductor coated conductors (2G ReBCO HTS CCs), in which, with stabilizing layers removed from the two strands of 2G ReBCO HTS CCs through chemical wet etching or plasma dry etching, surfaces of the two high temperature superconducting layers are brought into direct contact with each other and heated in a splicing furnace in a vacuum for micro-melting portions of the surfaces of the high temperature superconducting layers to permit inter-diffusion of ReBCO atoms such that the surfaces of the two superconducting layers can be spliced to each other and oxygenation annealing for recovery of superconductivity which was lost during splicing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a template for a superconducting coil on a former (25) from a sheet (23) of flexible biaxially-textured material having at least two joining edges, the surface texture of the sheet being defined by a plurality of grains, and the former having a substantially curved surface. The method comprises the steps of shaping the sheet so that each joining edge lies adjacent to another joining edge on application of the sheet to the former, each joining edge and its adjacent edge being a pair of edges, and so that the sheet is dimensioned to cover a part of the surface of the former and substantially to fit that part of the former; positioning the sheet on the former so that regions of the sheet either side of the pair of edges have substantially aligned grains; and forming a join between the pair of edges, the template thereby having a substantially continuous textured surface across the join.

Abstract: Methods of forming superconducting devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method can comprise depositing a protective barrier layer over a superconducting material layer, curing the protective barrier layer, depositing a photoresist material layer over the protective barrier layer and irradiating and developing the photoresist material layer to form an opening pattern in the photoresist material layer. The method can further comprise etching the protective barrier layer to form openings in the protective barrier layer based on the opening pattern, etching the superconductor material layer based on the openings in the protective barrier layer to form openings in the superconductor material layer that define a first set of superconductor material raised portins and stripping the photoresist material layer and the protective barrier layer.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe comprises a substrate, a probe coil formed on the substrate and comprising a superconducting material, and a plurality of infrared (IR) reflection patches formed on the substrate around the probe coil.

Abstract: A integrated circuit and methods for fabricating the circuit are provided. The circuit integrates at least one circuit element formed from a material that is superconducting at temperatures less than one hundred milliKelvin and at least one resistor connected to the circuit element. The resistor is formed from an alloy of transition metals that is resistive at temperatures less than one hundred milliKelvin.

Abstract: A method is proposed for producing a biaxially textured metal substrate having a metal surface, wherein the substrate is modified in order to produce a high-temperature superconductor coating arrangement and wherein the metal surface is modified in order to deposit a buffer layer or another intermediate layer epitaxially thereon and/or to deposit an oriented high-temperature superconductor (HTS) layer thereon. The method includes producing a biaxially textured metal substrate, subjecting the metal substrate surface to a polishing treatment, in particular an electropolishing treatment, and subjecting the metal substrate to a post-annealing after the surface polishing treatment and before a subsequent coating is performed involving epitaxial deposition of a layer of the HTS coating arrangement. This method results in smooth metal substrates with high textural overcoats and thereby improved HTS layers.

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

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods are provided related to nanowire-based detectors, which can be used for light detection in, for example, single-photon detectors. In one aspect, a variety of detectors are provided, for example one including an electrically superconductive nanowire or nanowires constructed and arranged to interact with photons to produce a detectable signal. In another aspect, fabrication methods are provided, including techniques to precisely reproduce patterns in subsequently formed layers of material using a relatively small number of fabrication steps. By precisely reproducing patterns in multiple material layers, one can form electrically insulating materials and electrically conductive materials in shapes such that incoming photons are redirected toward a nearby electrically superconductive materials (e.g., electrically superconductive nanowire(s)). For example, one or more resonance structures (e.g.

Abstract: A method for producing a high temperature superconductor (=HTS) coated conductor (12), wherein a buffer layer (2; 22) and an HTS layer (4; 24; 65) are deposited on a substrate (1; 21), with the following steps: a) after depositing the buffer layer (2; 22), the surface (2a) is locally roughened, resulting in a roughened surface (13), b) a non-superconducting, closed intermediate layer (3; 23) is deposited on top of the roughened surface (13), c) and the HTS layer (4; 24; 65) is deposited on top of the intermediate layer (3; 23). A simple method for producing a HTS coated conductor with reduced losses, and with improved critical current and critical magnetic field is thereby provided.

Abstract: A method is proposed for producing a biaxially textured metal substrate having a metal surface, wherein the substrate is modified in order to produce a high-temperature superconductor coating arrangement and wherein the metal surface is modified in order to deposit a buffer layer or another intermediate layer epitaxially thereon and/or to deposit an oriented high-temperature superconductor (HTS) layer thereon. The method includes producing a biaxially textured metal substrate, subjecting the metal substrate surface to a polishing treatment, in particular an electropolishing treatment, and subjecting the metal substrate to a post-annealing after the surface polishing treatment and before a subsequent coating is performed involving epitaxial deposition of a layer of the HTS coating arrangement. This method results in smooth metal substrates with high textural overcoats and thereby improved HTS layers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a template for a superconducting coil on a former (25) from a sheet (23) of flexible biaxially-textured material having at least two joining edges, the surface texture of the sheet being defined by a plurality of grains, and the former having a substantially curved surface. The method comprises the steps of shaping the sheet so that each joining edge lies adjacent to another joining edge on application of the sheet to the former, each joining edge and its adjacent edge being a pair of edges, and so that the sheet is dimensioned to cover a part of the surface of the former and substantially to fit that part of the former; positioning the sheet on the former so that regions of the sheet either side of the pair of edges have substantially aligned grains; and forming a join between the pair of edges, the template thereby having a substantially continuous textured surface across the join.

Abstract: Operational characteristics of an high temperature superconducting (“HTS”) film comprised of an HTS material may be improved by depositing a modifying material onto appropriate surfaces of the HTS film to create a modified HTS film. In some implementations of the invention, the HTS film may be in the form of a “c-film.” In some implementations of the invention, the HTS film may be in the form of an “a-b film,” an “a-film” or a “b-film.” The modified HTS film has improved operational characteristics over the HTS film alone or without the modifying material. Such operational characteristics may include operating in a superconducting state at increased temperatures, carrying additional electrical charge, operating with improved magnetic properties, operating with improved mechanic properties or other improved operational characteristics. In some implementations of the invention, the HTS material is a mixed-valence copper-oxide perovskite, such as, but not limited to YBCO.

Abstract: The invention herein is directed towards a material exhibiting superconductivity characteristics which includes a laser processed region of a metal oxide crystal. The material has a transition temperature greater than a transition temperature of the metal oxide crystal, preferably greater than 140K. The transition temperature of the material may be considered greater than the transition temperature of the metal oxide crystal if the material has a transition temperature and the metal oxide crystal has no transition temperature. The present invention is also directed to a material which includes a laser processed strontium ruthenate crystal wherein the material has a greater oxygen content than the starting strontium ruthenate crystal. The present invention is also directed towards a method for manufacturing a material exhibiting superconductivity characteristics that includes providing a metal oxide crystal and laser ablating the metal oxide crystal and a material made by this process.

Abstract: The invention herein is directed towards a method of making material exhibiting superconductivity characteristics which includes a laser processed region of a metal oxide crystal. The material has a transition temperature greater than a transition temperature of the metal oxide crystal, preferably greater than 140K. The transition temperature of the material may be considered greater than the transition temperature of the metal oxide crystal if the material has a transition temperature and the metal oxide crystal has no transition temperature. The present invention is also directed to a material which includes a laser processed strontium ruthenate crystal wherein the material has a greater oxygen content than the starting strontium ruthenate crystal. The present invention is also directed towards a method for manufacturing a material exhibiting superconductivity characteristics that includes providing a metal oxide crystal and laser ablating the metal oxide crystal and a material made by this process.

Abstract: A superconductive element is described, comprising a rigid support made of a non-superconductive material, said support comprising at least one superconductive track formed by a groove containing a superconductive material having a density equal to at least 85% of the value of its theoretical density, and the process for producing said element. The present invention also relates to the possible uses of the superconductive elements, and also to superconductive devices comprising said superconductive elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a superconducting film having a substrate and a superconductor layer formed on the substrate, in which nano grooves are formed parallel to a current flowing direction on a substrate surface on which the superconductor layer is formed and two-dimensional crystal defects are introduced in the superconductor layer on the nano grooves, and a method of manufacturing this superconducting film. A superconducting film of the invention, which is obtained at low cost and has very high Jc, is useful in applications such as cables, magnets, shields, current limiters, microwave devices, and semifinished products of these articles.

Abstract: A process for preparing a superconductor article includes depositing a precursor solution onto a substrate to form a precursor film, the precursor solution comprising precursor components to a rare earth-alkaline earth metal-transition metal oxide in one or more solvents, decomposing the precursor film to form an intermediate film comprising the rare earth metal, the alkaline earth metal, and the transition metal of the first precursor solution, selectively removing portions of the intermediate film, wherein a patterned intermediate film is obtained, and treating the patterned intermediate film to form a rare earth-alkaline earth metal-transition metal oxide superconductor.

Abstract: Provided is a method for joining two strands of second-generation high-temperature superconducting wire, each of which includes a substrate, a buffer layer, a superconducting layer and a stabilizer layer. The method comprises: partially removing each of the stabilizer layers to expose a portion of the superconducting layer; bringing the exposed portions of the superconducting layers into contact with each other and fixing the superconducting layers to each other; heating the strands of superconducting wire to the melting point of the superconducting layers to melt-diffuse the superconducting layers in contact with each other and to join the strands of superconducting wire together; and oxidizing the junction between the strands of superconducting wire in an oxygen atmosphere (‘oxygenation annealing’). The oxygenation annealing restores the superconducting properties of the superconducting wires lost during the melting diffusion.

Abstract: A superconducting thin film material is provided, including a first superconducting thin film having a surface subjected to smoothing and a second superconducting thin film formed on the surface of the first superconducting thin film subjected to the smoothing. Further, a superconducting wire is provided, including a substrate, an intermediate layer formed on the substrate, and a superconducting layer formed on the intermediate layer, wherein the superconducting layer is made of the superconducting thin film material described above. Furthermore, a method of manufacturing the superconducting thin film material and a method of manufacturing the superconducting wire are provided.

Abstract: A surface polishing method for enhancing crystal orientation on the surface of a tapelike metal substrate in order to enhance the critical current of a superconducting thin film. In an oxide superconductor comprising a tapelike substrate, an intermediate layer formed on the tapelike substrate, and an oxide superconducting thin film layer formed on the intermediate layer, the method for polishing a surface to be polished of the tapelike substrate comprises a step for polishing the surface to be polished while traveling the tapelike substrate continuously, wherein an initial polishing step and a finish polishing step are included. Ultimately, the average surface roughness Ra of the polished surface is 2 nanometer or less and the in-plane orientation ?? is 5° or less.

Abstract: A superconducting structure includes an NbN thin-film as a first superconducting thin-film layer on the upper surface of a substrate, an NbN thin-film as a second superconducting thin-film layer above the NbN thin-film, and a MgO thin-film as a protective thin-film provided between the NbN thin-film and the NbN thin-film.

Abstract: A multifilament high temperature superconductor with thick, striated stabilizer is disclosed, including a substrate, a buffer layer, a multifilament superconductor layer, and at least one thick stabilizer layer. Also disclosed are components incorporating superconducting tapes and methods for manufacturing same.

Abstract: A superconducting joint that structurally binds a first superconducting segment to a second superconducting segment. The first and second superconducting segment each include corresponding areas containing a granular superconducting substance formed by a first element and a second element. The superconducting joint includes a solid non-superconducting binding formed from a source of the first element and a source of the second element combined to produce the granular superconducting substance around the solid non-superconducting binding to permit for the flow of superconducting current through the first superconducting segment and the second superconducting segment.

Abstract: A superconducting coil comprises a plurality of windings. Each winding comprises at least one superconducting segment having an exposed area containing a granular superconducting substance. A junction electrically connects at least one superconducting segment of one winding to at least one superconducting segment of another winding. The junction is formed by coupling the granular superconducting substance of the exposed area of the at least one superconducting segment of the one winding to the granular superconducting substance of the exposed area of the at least one superconducting segment of the other winding. In an embodiment, the exposed areas are positioned to face each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing an optoelectronic semiconductor device having a p-n junction diode, which includes the steps of: (a) etching at least one surface of the p-n junction diode in a depth direction to form a plurality of continuous, isolated or mixed type electrode pattern grooves with a certain array; and (b) filling the formed grooves with a conductive ink containing a transparent conducting particle through an inkjet and then performing heat treatment to form a buried transparent electrode, the optoelectronic semiconductor device, and an apparatus for manufacturing the optoelectronic semiconductor device. In the present invention, covering loss is significantly reduced due to a buried transparent electrode so that the high efficiency of photoelectric conversion can be implemented, and there can be provided the easiness of a manufacturing process and the enhancement of productivity through the unification of etching and electrode forming processes.

Abstract: A multifilament high temperature superconductor with thick, striated stabilizer is disclosed, including a substrate, a buffer layer, a multifilament superconductor layer, and at least one thick stabilizer layer. Also disclosed are components incorporating superconducting tapes and methods for manufacturing same.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to epitaxial, electrically conducting and mechanically robust, cubic nitride buffer layers deposited epitaxially on biaxially textured substrates such as metals and alloys. The invention comprises of a biaxially textured substrate with epitaxial layers of nitrides. The invention also discloses a method to form such epitaxial layers using a high rate deposition method as well as without the use of forming gases. The invention further comprises epitaxial layers of oxides on the biaxially textured nitride layer. In some embodiments the article further comprises electromagnetic devices which may have superconducting properties.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide a patterning forming method capable of patterning a thin film by a simple and inexpensive device. The thin film can be provided on a base member including a photothermal conversion material that converts optical energy into thermal energy and light is radiated onto the base member to remove the thin film corresponding to a light-radiated region, such that the thin film is patterned.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a superconductive electrical conductor (7) in which a layer of an yttrium-barium-copper oxide (YBCO) is applied as a superconductive material onto a textured metal base directly or after prior application of a buffer layer, and is subjected to a heat treatment. To this end an interlayer of a metallic material which is compatible with the crystal structure of YBCO, or with the structure of a buffer layer suitable for the application of YBCO, is initially applied all around onto an elongate metal support (1). The support (1) provided with the interlayer is subsequently processed so that predetermined texturing is imparted to the interlayer as a metal base for the layer of YBCO material or for the buffer layer. The layer of superconductive YBCO material is then applied all around, directly onto the textured interlayer or onto the buffer layer previously applied thereon, and the heat treatment is finally carried out.

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: Provided are a novel halogenoacetoxyadamantane derivative which is useful as a modifying agent for a resin for a photoresist and a dry etching resistance-improving agent in the photolithography field, agricultural and medical intermediates and a compound for other various industrial products and a process for producing the same. To be specific, provided are a halogenoacetoxyadamantane derivative having a halogenoacetoxy group in an adamantane skeleton and a process for producing a halogenoacetoxyadamantane derivative, comprising the step of reacting a hydroxyl group of an adamantane skeleton with halogenoacetic halide or reacting the above hydroxyl group with a lithiation agent to derive it into a lithiumoxy group and then reacting halogenoacetic halide to introduce a halogenoacetoxy group.

Abstract: A decapsulation apparatus 100 has a laser 8 that removes plastic encapsulant from a device 24. Chamber 20 is sealed. Exhaust port 9 removes debris and fumes. The device 24 is positioned and scanned using an X,Y table 2. A hinged end 4 rotates the device to an acute angle of incidence with respect to a laser 8. Endpoint detector 10 senses the exposed integrated circuit and moves or shuts down the laser 8.

Abstract: Based on its superconductive properties relating to “nonlineanty,” a conventional HTS strip is divisible into three “domains,” namely, a medial domain and two lateral domains. The nonlinearity associated with the conventional strip's medial domain is considerably greater than that which is associated with its lateral domains. Similarly divisible into a medial domain and two lateral domains, the present invention's HTS strip uniquely exploits these physical distinctions by causing more (e.g., most) of the current that it conducts to be conducted by its lateral domains. Various inventive designs accomplish this through narrowing or interruption/punctuation (e.g., via holes and/or trenches) or degradation, or some combination thereof, of the medial domain. By thus “re-proportioning” current conduction as compared with a conventional strip, an inventive strip succeeds in “re-proportioning” the associated nonlinearities.

Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure relates to a method of building a superconductor device on a substrate, comprising depositing an imprint layer on at least a portion of the substrate. The imprint layer is imprinted to provide an imprinted portion of the imprint layer and a non-imprinted portion of the imprint layer. A superconductor layer is deposited on at least a portion of the imprinted portion of the imprint layer.

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 method of fabricating high aspect ratio ceramic structures in which a selected portion of perovskite or perovskite-like crystalline material is exposed to a high energy ion beam for a time sufficient to cause the crystalline material contacted by the ion beam to have substantially parallel columnar defects. Then selected portions of the material having substantially parallel columnar defects are etched leaving material with and without substantially parallel columnar defects in a predetermined shape having high aspect ratios of not less than 2 to 1. Etching is accomplished by optical or PMMA lithography. There is also disclosed a structure of a ceramic which is superconducting at a temperature in the range of from about 10° K. to about 90° K. with substantially parallel columnar defects in which the smallest lateral dimension of the structure is less than about 5 microns, and the thickness of the structure is greater than 2 times the smallest lateral dimension of the structure.

Abstract: An SrTiO3 monocrystal substrate having a crystallographic plane (100) or (110) is anisotropically etched in an H3PO4 solution using an SiO2 thin film as an etching mask. The H3PO4 solution is maintained at a boiling point of approximately 150 deg. C. for increasing an etching rate and enhancing selectivity for protection with the SiO2 thin film mask.

Abstract: Methods of treating superconducting composites to enhance their wettability in solder, and composites having enhanced wettability. It has been found that wettability can be substantially enhanced by stripping a thin layer off the surface of the composite before incorporating it into a laminated component. This layer can be stripped, for example, by chemically etching the composite, for example in a solution of nitric acid and ammonium bifluoride.

Abstract: A method of polishing ferroelectric materials and specifically perovskite materials and still more specifically barium strontium titanate (1) wherein the surface (5) to be polished is initially partially smoothened or planarized by mechanical abrading with final smoothening or planarization provided by a chemical polishing with a polishing wheel using an acidic solution containing essentially the acid, hydrogen peroxide and water. Preferred acids are perchloric acid, acetic acid, nitric acid and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an oxide superconducting device includes the steps of: forming a V-shaped groove on a substrate by a converging ion beam and forming a barrier with reduced superconductivity on the oxide superconducting thin-film on the groove to form a Josephson Junction, wherein the irradiation ion amount of the converging ion beam is varied according to the position of the beam within the groove in such a manner that an inclination angle of the inclined portion of the substrate is fixed. An oxide superconducting device (a Josephson Junction device) having a high degree of flexibility in arrangement and with high reproducibility, and having a high degree of uniformity is provided.

Abstract: The invention is a process for reducing roughness of a surface of a superconductor material (23) having an undesirable surface roughness (30 and 32) and a trilayer superconductor integrated circuit (100). The process for reducing roughness of a surface of superconductor material having an undesirable surface roughness includes coating the surface with an oxide layer (40) to fill the undesirable surface roughness and to produce an exposed oxide surface (42) with a roughness less than the surface roughness; and etching the exposed oxide surface to remove a thickness of the oxide layer followed by removing at least a portion of the oxide layer filling the undesirable surface roughness and a portion of the surface of the superconductor material to produce an exposed etched surface (44) comprised of at least the superconductor material which has a surface roughness less than the undesirable surface roughness.