Abstract: A multilayer superconducting thin film composite article, comprising a carbon-containing substrate, and an interlayer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of zirconium, yttrium, niobium, and carbides and oxides thereof, platinum, iridium, gold, palladium, and silver, and an overlayer comprising an HTSC material. The carbon-containing substrate preferably comprises diamond and the interlayer preferably comprises a zirconium carbide sub-layer at the interface with the substrate, an intermediate sub-layer of zirconium metal, and an outer sub-layer of zirconium oxide at the interface with the HTSC material overlayer. The superconducting thin film material may comprise a copper oxide HTSC material, with YBaCuO, TlBaCaCuO, and BiSrCaCuO HTSC materials being preferred.

Abstract: A superconducting composite comprising a compound oxide type superconductor and an outer metal pipe on which said superconductor is supported, characterized in that (i) said outer metal pipe is made of at least one of metals selected from a group comprising gold, silver and platinum metals and their alloys or (ii) an intermidiate layer made of these precious metals is interposed between the compound oxide and the metal pipe.The composite may be in a form of a solid pipe or a hollow pipe having a superconducting thin layer deposited on an inner surface of the metal pipe.

Abstract: A process for the formation of a force field comprising cooling at least one crystal selected from potassium tartrate, cesium nitrate, rubidium nitrate, tartaric acid, cadmium nitrate and thorium nitrate to a temperature below about 110K. The force field comprises an electric field and a mass attraction field which maintains its intensity over long time periods. The crystal is encapsulated in, e.g., nonconductive epoxy.

Abstract: An excellent oxide series superconductive sintered body can be provided which can be joined to a metallic member easily and economically at low temperatures without causing peeling-off and deformation of the metallic member, cracks in the sintered body, and deterioration of the sintered body, by coating the surface of the sintered body with a coating metal. A method of producing the sintered body having the coating metal is also provided.

Abstract: A tape based on a superconducting oxide containing Cu-O, the tape being characterized by the fact that it comprises a substrate of flexible metal or composite material having a rectangular cross-section and provided on at least one of its faces with a cavity-free film of perovskite type superconducting oxide having congruent or quasi-congruent melting or peritectic decomposition close to a eutectic point, the thickness of said film lying in the range 1 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m, the orientation of the C axis of the superconducting crystals being perpendicular to said face of said substrate.

Abstract: An oxide superconductor having a high critical temperature is provided with a passivation coating comprising a first layer of a Group II oxide, such as magnesium oxide, and a second layer of a polymer, such as polyimide. The Group II oxide is formed under conditions to be substantially amorphous. After depositing the Group II layer, the encapsulated superconductor is heated to an elevated temperature for a period of time in an oxidizing atmosphere. This restores the high critical temperature to its original value. The polymer is then coated on top of the Group II oxide and cured. The passivation coating is resistant to strong acids, strong bases, and water, is robust, hard, and resilient against scratching.

Abstract: A superconducting ceramics elongated body comprising a flexible ceramics elongated substrate and an oxide ceramics superconducting layer formed at least on a part of the surface of the ceramics elongated substrate to longitudinally extend along the ceramics elongated substrate. The superconducting ceramics elongated body further comprises a protective layer of ceramics containing a nitride, which is provided to at least cover the surface of the superconducting layer exposed on the ceramics elongated substrate. A method of manufacturing a superconducting ceramics elongated body by forming a longitudinally continuous superconducting layer on at least a part of the surface of a flexible ceramics elongated substrate. The superconducting layer is formed on the elongated substrate by a sol-gel method, a coating/sintering method, evaporation under oxygen ions, deposition from a fluoride solution or oxidation after application of corresponding fluorides.

Abstract: A superconductive system for the lossless transmission of electrical current comprising a thin film of superconducting material Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x epitaxially deposited upon a KTaO.sub.3 substrate. The KTaO.sub.3 is an improved substrate over those of the prior art since the it exhibits small lattice constant mismatch and does not chemically react with the superconducting film.

Abstract: A magnetic recording apparatus with a magnetic head, superconductive layers formed over at least flux generating surfaces of the magnetic head and normal conductive regions of small size for passing the flux provided in the superconductive layers, over the flux generating surfaces, so as not to form a closed magnetic circuit so as to enable reversible spontaneous magnetization in a magnetic recording medium proximate thereto. The minimum unit size (recording wavelength) of the reversible spontaneous magnetization in magnetic recording of the magnetic recording medium can be reduced from the order of 1 .mu.m to that of 0.1 .mu.m. Thus it is possible to increase the surface recording density of the magnetic recording medium utilizing more than 100 Mb/in.sup.2, comparable to the density achieved by the opto-magnetic recording. This in turn makes it possible to provide a large disc apparatus having a capacity of 60 MB or more.

Abstract: Superconducting ceramic material is woven into an interconnected structure and embedded in a polymer to produce a flexible, superconducting ceramic material. The polymer also provides protection from moisture. The ceramic polymer composite is fabricated by soaking a carbon fabric in a solution of metal nitrates, ethylene glycol and citric acid to yield a nominal composition of, for example, YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x. Heat treatment results in the decomposition of the nitrates, organics and carbon fabric to produce an interconnected structure of the superconducting ceramic material which takes the shape of the original carbon fabric on a reduced scale. In addition, the processing conditions yield significant grain orientation. The superconducting grains of the ceramic material align along the direction of the original fabric weave which provides an improvement of the critical current densities.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oxide superconductor, wherein at least the surface layer has a chemical composition represented by the following formula:La.sub.x Sr.sub.y NbO.sub.zwherein0<x<1,0<y<1, and1<z<4,and has a critical temperature (Tc) higher than 100.degree. K.This superconducotr has a high critical temperature and is rendered superconducting by cooling with cheap liquefied nitrogen.This superconductor is prepared by a process comprising carrying out sputtering in an argon atmosphere by using one of NB and an La--Sr--Cu--O oxide as the substrate and the other as the target under such a temperature condition that substitution of Cu by Nb is caused, an quencing the formed film.

Abstract: A superconducting transistor comprises: a superconducting collector layer for drawing out quasiparticles from a superconducting base layer while a carrier concentration thereof is maintained at a level lower than in metal and at a high level where the superconducting property, is exhibited said superconducting collector layer being formed of predetermined component elements which are formed by a predetermined composition rate, a first barrier layer provided on the superconducting collector layer, formed of a substance having the same component elements as that of the collector layer and having different composition rate from that of the collector layer, and said first barrier layer having a low carrier concentration where the superconducting property is not exhibited, a superconducting base layer provided on the first barrier layer, formed of a substance having the same component elements as that of the superconducting collector layer, a second barrier layer provided on the superconducting base layer formed o

Abstract: An oxide superconductor having oxide superconductor layers and metal material layers, which are alternately laminated on each other by a desired number of times, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A superconductive device and method for the manufacture thereof is disclosed, having a tunneling Josephson element comprising a first oxide superconductor electrode, a blocking layer consisting of a metal substantially inert to oxygen formed on the surface of the oxide superconductor, an insulating thin film layer formed on the blocking layer, and a second superconductor electrode opposing said first electrode formed on the insulating thin film.

Abstract: A substrate for supporting a ceramic superconductor comprises a metallic base member precoated with an yttrium oxide, rare earth oxide, or zirconium oxide layer and having a constituent oxide former which establishes an oxide layer with the yttrium oxide, rear earth oxide, or zirconium oxide on the surface of the substrate. A layer of ceramic superconducting material covers the substrate with the oxide layer between the metallic base member and the ceramic superconductor layer to inhibit the interdiffusion of respective constituent elements between the metallic base member and the ceramic layer. For applications requiring the transmission of electrical current through the ceramic layer over relatively extensive distances, the substrate can be formed as a wire or ribbon.

Abstract: A superconducting oxide wire and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The wire comprises a pipe made of a metal and a superconducting oxide material filling the interior of the pipe and comprising superconducting oxide grains which are bonded to each other and which have a perovskite crystal structure having a C face and a C axis. The superconducting oxide grains contain more than 50 vol % of plate-shaped grains of which the length in the direction of the C face is greater than the length in the direction of the C axis. The C faces of most the plate-shaped grains are arranged to be directed toward longitudinal axis of the pipe.

Abstract: An oxide superconductor cable and a method of producing the same. The oxide superconductor cable includes a ceramic fiber and an oxide superconductor layer coated over the ceramic fiber. Such a structure of the cable provides flexibility to it to some extent and enables it to become relatively thin.

Abstract: Superconductive structures and a method of forming the same wherein an assembled mass (12) of superconductive particles, or of a mixture of superconductive particles and particles having other properties, are formed into a desired confined configuration and consolidated into a rigid useful unitized body through shock-wave treatment performed at relatively lower temperatures.

Abstract: A ceramic superconducting member comprises a base material composed of a ceramic superconductive material such as Y.sub.1.0 Ba.sub.2.0 Cu.sub.3.0 O.sub.7-x, and a protective layer of a ceramic material such as MgO formed on the surface of the tape-like base material.

Abstract: An electronic device substrate includes a spinel epitaxial film formed on a silicon single-crystal substrate and an oxide superconductor layer formed on the spinel film. The oxide superconductor layer is represented by formula P.sub.x (Q,Ca).sub.y Cu.sub.z O.sub..delta. and contains at least one element of Bi and Tl as P and at least one element of Sr and Ba as Q. Composition ratios fall within ranges of 0.08.ltoreq.x/(x+y+z).ltoreq.0.41, 0.29.ltoreq.y/(x+y+z).ltoreq.0.47 and 1.ltoreq.Q/Ca.ltoreq.3.

Abstract: This is a method for making an ohmic connection between a semiconductor and oxide superconductor, the connection being such that current can pass between the semiconductor and the superconductor without going through a degraded portion which is greater than the coherence length of the superconductor. The method can comprise depositing a buffer layer (which is essentially inert to the oxide superconductor) on a first portion of a semiconductor substrate, and depositing oxide superconductor on the barrier layer, and depositing a superconductor contact layer (e.g. of gold or silver) on the oxide superconductor, and depositing a semiconductor contact layer on a second portion of the semiconductor substrate (the semiconductor contact layer being, for example, of aluminum, or a refractory metal silicide); and depositing a layr (e.g.

Abstract: A joint sintered high-temperature superconductive ceramic article is obtained by joining two sintered high-temperature superconductive ceramic masses formed of oriented crystal grains in such a manner that the directions of grain-orientation are different across the interface of union and pressing the joined ceramic masses against each other perpendicularly to the interface of union and, at the same time, heating them.

Abstract: A superconducting circuit board is provided comprising a sintered alumina board containing more than 99% by weight of alumina and an interconnection pattern of an superconducting ceramics formed on the alumina board. Adhesion of the interconnection pattern to the alumina board is improved by an addition of Ti or Si coupling agent to a paste for forming the interconnection pattern. The use of copper powder in place of copper oxide powder as an ingredient forming a superconducting ceramics in the paste is advantageous for printing and obtaining a uniform superconducting ceramic pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a superconducting ceramic structure consisting of a superconducting ceramic substrate whose surface carries a film plasma-polymerized from a silazane bond-containing organosilicon compound. This structure is characterized by the absence of deterioration in its superconducting properties even upon contact with water or water vapor, and thus by the long-term retention of its superconducting properites.

Abstract: A superconducting pattern formed from a superconducting ceramic film is illustrated. The pattern is made in the form of a coil which is embeded in an insulating ceramic film. The insulating film is made of a ceramic material whose termal expansion coefficient is approximately equal to that of the coil.

Abstract: A superconducting fiber comprising a core filament composed of an oxide such as MgO and a superconducting thin film layer composed of superconducting compound oxide such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta. and deposited continuously on an outer surface of said core filament.

Abstract: A ceramic superconductor layer formed on a substrate is passivated by a plasma polymerized film formed on a surface of the ceramic superconductor layer so as to have a thickness of 0.5 to 100 nm, by a conventional plasma discharging method using an organic gas such as trifluoromethane gas. According to spectroscopic analysis, the plasma polymerized film includes fluorocarbon bonds or groupings, and further, bonding between fluorine and yttrium, barium and copper is observed at the interface between the ceramic superconductor layer and the plasma polymerized film. An electronic minute device including the ceramic superconductor layer is fabricated by conventional patterning of the ceramic superconductor layer passivated by the plasma polymerized film.

Abstract: High T.sub.c superconductor quantum interferometric devices are disclosed. Such devices are especially suited for detecting small changes and spatial variation in magnetic field. Such detection finds important application in NDE evaluation of metals, in the evaulation of magnetic susceptibilities and in magnetic resonance spectrometers.

Abstract: A high Tc superconducting ceramics material is produced by mixing ceramic constituents with an alcohol or a freon before firing. The alcohol or freon functions to reduce the ceramics during firing so that excess oxygen can be eliminated from the superconducting structure. The superconducing ceramics then are coated with an organic resin film in order to avoid the influence of air.

Abstract: An electrically conductive article is disclosed comprised of a support, a barrier and a heavy pnictide mixed alkaline earth copper oxide crystalline coating. The support is an austenitic metal alloy of chromium and one or more group VIII period 4 metals, and the barrier is comprised of a zirconia layer containing fissures and an oxide compatible with the electrically conductive crystalline layer located in the fissures.

Abstract: Articles are disclosed in which an electrically conductive layer on a substrate exhibits a superconducting transition temperature in excess of 30.degree. K. Conductive layers are disclosed comprised of a crystalline rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide. Processes of preparing these articles are disclosed in which a mixed metal oxide precursor composition is coated and heated to its thermal decomposition temperature to create an amorphous mixed metal oxide layer. The amorphous layer is then heated to its crystallization temperature.

Abstract: Binary memory storage devices and cryotrons utilizing superconducting crystals exhibiting an onset of superconductivity and a relatively weak flux exclusion at a temperature T1 and the onset of relatively strong flux exclusion at T2, where T1>T2>77K, are controlled by dc magnetic fields. The preferred superconducting crystals have the formula Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.3-z Ca.sub.z Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8+w wherein z is from about 0.1 to about 0.9 and w is greater than zero but less than about 1.

Abstract: A Josephson junction consisting of high temperature ceramic superconductors layers, separated by an ultra-thin insulating barrier made of an non-oxide substance like diamond-like carbon. An integral part of this disclosure is the technique involving the use of an activated oxygen species for providing an oxygen chemical potential which is higher than that obtainable at barometric pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shaped superconductor article such as wire, tape or disk, comprising an oxide superconductor phase and a metal phase in a monolayered or multilayered form, the metal phase comprising a copper, iron, nickel or titanium base alloy containing 1 to 10% by weight of aluminum and having an oxygen-impermeable oxide film formed thereon, preventing the diffusion of oxygen from the oxide superconductor phase to the metal phase.

Abstract: A now superconducting material comprising a compound oxide represented by the general formula:(Sr,.gamma.).sub.x (La,.delta.).sub.1-x .epsilon..sub.y Cu.sub.1-y O.sub.3-zin which".gamma." represents an element of IIa group of the periodic table except Sr, an atomic ratio of .gamma. to Sr being selected in a range between 1% and 90%,".delta." represents an element of IIIa group of the periodic except La, an atomic ratio of .delta. to La is selected in a range between 1% and 90%,".epsilon." represents a metal element of Vb group of the periodic table, x, y and z are numbers each satisfies ranges of 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1, 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1, and 0.ltoreq.z<1 respectively, andthe expression of (Sr,.gamma.) and (La,.delta.) mean that the respective elements position predetermined sites in a crystal in a predetermined proportion.

Abstract: A laminated film comprising a thin film of single crystal YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x having the (001) plane in the direction parallel with the film surface and a continuous insulating ultrathin layer of MgO which is formed on said superconductor film and has a thickness of not larger than 10.ANG. and the (001) plane in a direction parallel with the film surface is provided.

Abstract: A superconducting film is disclosed which consists of a rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide having an R.sub.1 A.sub.2 C.sub.3 crystalline phase over an R.sub.2 A.sub.1 C.sub.1 crystalline phase.

Abstract: A superconducting laminate having at least one layer of metal and at least one layer of superconducting material. The metal layer and the superconducting layer are bonded. The metal later may also include carbon fibers from various precursors. The superconductor may be a composite material. The invention also includes a method of making the laminates.

Abstract: A single crystal oxide superconductor and the method of producing the same. One face of a substrate is coated with an oxide superconductor for forming an oxide superconductor layer. Then, the oxide superconductor layer is heated so that the oxide superconductor has a single crystalline structure.

Abstract: A ceramic superconductive magneto-resistive element which has weak grain boundaries is highly sensitive to weak magnetic fields. The magnetic field is measured by the use of an electronic circuit. A comparator is used for comparing an output and reference voltage of the element. When there is a difference between the output and reference voltage bias current is used to equalize these voltages.

Abstract: The critical current density J.sub.c of a superconductive oxide film can be tailored, without substantial change in the critical temperature T.sub.c (R.dbd.0), by introduction of radiation damage into the superconductor. Exemplarily, this is done by exposure to energetic (e.g., 1 MeV) ions. The ability to tailor J.sub.c permits optimization of SQUIDS and other thin film devices, and makes it possible to produce superconductive interconnects that comprise "fuses" or current limiters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for joining of high-temperature oxide superconductors per se or a high-temperature oxide superconductor and other conductive material through a very simple process. According to this method, the joining is carried out by using an alloy comprising 0.1%-90% by weight of at least one divalent metallic element and the balance as a brazing material and heating and melting the brazing material. The resulting joined body has a joint low in resistance. The divalent metallic element of the alloy is preferably an element of Group IIA or IIB of the Periodic Table or a transition metal.

Abstract: A ceramic superconductivity part, such as a wire 10, is produced through the partial oxidation of a specially formulated copper alloy in a core 12. The alloys contain low level quantities of rare earth and alkaline earth dopant elements. Upon oxidation at high temperature, superconducting oxide phases are formed as a thin film 14.

Abstract: A substrate for supporting a ceramic superconductor comprises a metallic base member having a constituent oxide former which establishes an oxide layer on the surface of the substrate. A layer of ceramic superconducting material covers the substrate with the oxide layer between the metallic base member and the ceramic superconductor layer to inhibit the interdiffusion of respective constituent elements between the metallic base member and the ceramic layer. For applications requiring the transmission of electrical current through the ceramic layer over relatively extensive distances, the substrate can be formed as a wire.

Abstract: Articles are disclosed in which an electrically conductive layer on a substrate exhibits a superconducting transistion temperature in excess of 90.degree. K. Conductive layers are disclosed comprised of a crystalline heavy pnictide mixed alkaline earth copper oxide. Processes of preparing these articles are disclosed in which a mixed oxide precursor composition is coated and heated to its thermal decomposition temperature to create an amorphous mixed metal oxide layer. The amorphous layer is then heated to its crystallization temperature.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic array memory affords relatively high packing densities while avoiding the problem of magnetic domain creep through the use of thin films of superconducting material disposed on the work lines of the memory. The superconducting films shunt magnetic fields generated by currents carried within the word lines and prevent these fields from adversely affecting adjacent memory cells in the array. By constraining the magnetic fields with the use of the superconducting films, the word lines can be packed close to one another in the array structure, thereby increasing the amount of information that can be stored in a unit area of the array.

Abstract: A method of producing a high temperature superconductor Josephson element for an electronic device or a photodetector comprising the steps of: forming a lower ceramic superconductor film on a substrate; forming an upper ceramic superconductor of a different system ceramic from that of the lower ceramic superconductor film on a portion of the lower ceramic superconductor and on the substrate; and forming an insulating layer (tunnel barrier) between the lower and upper ceramic superconductor films by an interdiffusion therebetween.

Abstract: Superconducting Ba--Y--Cu--O ceramic thin film is epitaxially deposited on a crystal substrate of LaAlO.sub.3, LaGaO.sub.3, PrGaO.sub.3 and NdGaO.sub.3.

Abstract: Improvement in a superconducting thin film of compound oxide represented by the formula: LnBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7- .delta. (Ln is lanthanide) or (La.sub.1-x .alpha..sub.x).sub.2 CuO.sub.4 (.alpha. is Ba or Sr) deposited on a substrate or core made of MgO, SrTiO.sub.3 or ZrO.sub.2 by physical vapor deposition technique, the surface roughness R.sub.max (datum length=1,000 .mu.m) of the superconducting thin film being less than 0.2 .mu.m.

Abstract: A superconducting device operable at temperatures in excess of 30.degree. K. and a method for making the device are described. A representative device is an essentially coplanar SQUID device formed in a single layer of high T.sub.c superconducting material, the SQUID device being operable at temperatures in excess of 60.degree. K. High energy beams, for example ion beams, are used to convert selected portions of the high T.sub.c superconductor to nonsuperconductor properties so that the material now has both superconductive regions and nonsuperconductive regions. In this manner a superconducting loop having superconducting weak links can be formed to comprise the SQUID device.