Abstract: A method of producing an oxide superconducting wire. A non-oxidizing metal layer is formed between an oxide superconducting material and an oxidizing metal support in order to prevent oxygen from being taken away from the oxide superconducting material by the oxidizing metal support during a subsequent heat treatment for producing an oxide superconductor to thereby obtaining a wire composite. The wire composite is then heated to produce the oxide superconductor.

Abstract: A superconductive ceramic wire or film comprises 100 parts by weight of superconductive oxide crystal composed of a rare earth element, an alkaline earth metal, copper, and oxygen, and 0.2-5.0 parts by weight of copper oxide, thereof.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and processing technique is provided for monolithic integration of a single crystal compound element semiconductor on a ceramic substrate. A high resistivity semi-insulating buffer layer is epitaxially grown on the ceramic substrate and has an elastically transitional lattice constant matching at its lower surface the lattice constant of the ceramic substrate, and matching at its upper surface the lattice constant of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A ceramic superconductor comprises a substantially nonmagnetic preannealed nickel-based alloy substrate which supports a ceramic superconductor. The substrate may include aluminum to strengthen the substrate, make it less magnetic and enhance its chemical compatibility with the ceramic superconductor. The ceramic is formed on the substrate by sintering superconductor grains at temperatures above 1000.degree. C. to enhance densification of the ceramic.

Abstract: A method for producing a superconducting article. An alloy consisting of metal elements, such as Y, Ba and Cu which are constituent elements of a superconducting compound oxide to be produced is oxidized so that a surface of the alloy is converted to the superconducting compound oxide such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta..

Abstract: A laminated ceramic superconductor which comprises at least two layers of ceramic superconductor and a stabilizing metal layer interposed between said ceramic superconductor layers, which has improved flexibility and increased critical current density.

Abstract: A pre-existing superconductor ceramic which is bonded to a substrate is passed through a relatively short heating zone to melt the ceramic superconductor. As the superconductor is subsequently cooled after it has passed through the heating zone, a temperature gradient is established along the superconductor which causes the melted crystals to renucleate and grow along and parallel to the temperature gradient. The resulting crystalline structure exhibits improved superconducting properties when the superconductor is placed in the presence of a magnetic field. For appropriate applications, the substrate can be formed as a wire.

Abstract: A reliable superconducting contact for superconducting thin film components, based on soft superconducting materials, and a method for making the contacts. A wire blank is squeezed to a thin plate and then this plate is cut into slabs used in the bonding. The ends of the slabs are longitudinally cut so that double or multiple parallel joints can be made. The slabs have elastic, bent central portions for absorbing stresses and stiff ends having a U-beam shape joined to the components. The U-beam shape may be formed by the soldering tool used to make the joints. The ribbon-like character, thinness and other features of the bonding slab permit a precise control of the bonding temperature, reduce the strain and bending forces caused by thermal contraction, and prevent the contact from peeling off while cooling the superconducting component to the operational temperature.

Abstract: A superconducting thick film circuit board or thick film superconductor obtained by forming a rod-like crystal superconducting composite layer comprising a superconductor made of a compound of M-Ba-Cu-O, M being Y and/or a lanthanide element, and a composite of Ag and Pt on a stabilized zirconia substrate has a high Jc value and good superconducting properties.

Abstract: A flexible superconducting wire element comprising a flexible tape of partially stabilized (.about.3 mole % yttria) yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), a buffer layer of fully stabilized (between 8 and 18 mole % yttria, preferably 9 mole %) YSZ deposited on the flexible tape, and a high-temperature, perovskite superconductor such as YBaCuO deposited on the buffer layer. The tape provides the strength while remaining flexible. The buffer layer is flexible because of its thinness (.about.100 nm), but provides a good crystallographic template for the growth of oriented perovskite superconductors. Thereby, the superconducting properties of the wire element approach those of a superconducting film deposited on a rigid substrate.

Abstract: A process for fabricating worked superconducting ceramic material of a mean grain size not more than 10 um is disclosed, which comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a metal casing containing a starting powder material having a composition for forming an oxide superconductor; (b) calcining the starting powder material contained in the casing at a temperature range of 850.degree. to 950.degree. C.; (c) subjecting said casing to a HIP treatment; (d) subjecting said casing containing hot deformed material to cold deformation processing; and (e) subjecting said casing to stress relief treatment by annealing in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A superconducting wire comprises a flexible base material having average surface roughness of not more than 0.05 .mu.m and an oxide superconducting layer formed on the base material.A superconducting wire comprises a flexible base material of yttria stabilized zirconia containing less than 0.1 percent by weight of an Al impurity and an oxide superconducting layer formed on the base material.

Abstract: The superconducting device according to the present invention is provided with a superconducting thin film of the Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu oxide deposited on a substrate thereof. Consequently, the device can be produced at a low cost because no rare earth elements are required.The superconducting thin film according to the present invention is formed by sputtering on substrate from a Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu oxide target by means of the sputtering method, followed by annealing in an oxidizing atmosphere. In this way, according to the present invention, it is possible to produce a superconducting thin film of the Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu oxide in a simple way by using an ordinary sputtering apparatus.

Abstract: A method for heat processing a superconductor wire which has a protective silver cladding includes the steps of attaching the coated wire to a spool and then rotating the spool to wind the wire around the spool in juxtaposed coils. As the wire is being wound around the spool, the portions of the wire which are not yet coiled are drawn through a container which holds a paint that contains a silver diffusion inhibiting material. The diffusion inhibiting material is consequently deposited onto the silver cladding of the superconductor wire, and the coiled wire is subsequently placed in a furnace. The wire is heat processed in the furnace as appropriate for the particular type of superconductor material. The diffusion inhibitor material prevents diffusion of silver during the heat processing between portions of the wire which contact each other.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high Tc superconducting fiber is disclosed, which comprises drawing into fiber form a core filament of a crystalline oxide, continuously depositing on the heated core filament a high Tc superconducting thin film and then depositing a protective layer on the outer surface of the high Tc superconducting thin film.

Abstract: A superconducting thin film of Bi-containing compound oxide deposited on a substrate, a buffer layer made of Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 being interposed between the superconducting thin film and the substrate.

Abstract: An improved transmission system for electrical energy comprising a plurality of ball members interspersed by mating members enclosed within at least one protective outer wrapping, with the ball members and the mating members being in contact with adjacent members and being formed of material which is electrically conductive at superconductor temperatures and each having an axial opening extending therethrough to permits passage of a suitable coolant fluid, such as liquid helium.

Abstract: A HTSC layered structure comprising a substrate such as sapphire, a strontium titanate buffer layer and a HTSC film such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7 provides a superconductor having lower surface resistance and a narrower transition temperature.

Abstract: A thin film superconductor assembly is disclosed along with a method of fabricating same. The assembly comprises a self-supporting substrate defining at least a portion of a containment for a flow of cryogenic fluid, a dielectric layer adherent to a surface of the substrate, a thin film superconductor adherent to the dielectric layer and a moisture and oxygen impervious electrically insulating coating covering the thin film superconductor. A method of forming such thin film superconductor assembly, wherein the dielectric layer consists essentially of aluminum nitride, comprises growing the aluminum nitride dielectric layer integrally on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A superconducting composite material comprising a superconducting element, coated on its exterior surface with noble or inert metal, in a conductive metal matrix which includes nonsuperconducting fibers. The superconducting element may suitably comprise a filament of 123 metal oxide high temperature superconductor (MOHTSC) material, or other metal oxide superconductive material. The composite structure of the invention overcomes the inherent brittleness of metal oxide-type superconductive materials and the sensitivity to flaws to which MOHTSC materials are suceptible. The noble or inert metal and conductive matrix metal may suitably be applied by MOCVD techniques. A preferred form of the superconducting article of the present invention is a tape comprising a generally planar array of superconductive filaments, for applications such as energy storage devices, power transmission and propulsion systems that require large magnetic fields, transformers, motors, and generators.

Abstract: A HTSC layered structure comprising a substrate such as calcium titanate and a HTSC film such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7. Use of a thin buffer layer of calcium titanate on sapphire provides a YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x film with higher critical current.

Abstract: The superconducting material YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7, which loses its superconducting qualities when exposed to water, is passivated against such water damage by a thin film on its surface comprised of a mixed phase which includes YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.(7-x) F.sub.2x, where 0<X.ltoreq.1/2.

Abstract: A cubic perovskite crystal structure is disclosed satisfying the unit cell formula:R.sub.0.33+z A.sub.0.67 C.sub.1-y O.sub.3-xwhereR, A and C represent rare earth, alkaline earth and copper atoms, respectively, capable of forming a superconductive R.sub.1 A.sub.2 C.sub.3 orthorhombic perovskite crystal structure;x is 0.67 to 1.0;y is up to 0.2; andz is up to 0.1.The crystal structure can be used to form superconductive superlattices and weak links for Josephson junction devices. The crystal structure can be produced by laser ablation deposition at a temperature below that required for the formation of a superconductive R.sub.1 A.sub.2 C.sub.3 orthorhombic perovskite crystal structure. The crystal structure can be used as a substrate for the subsequent deposition of an R.sub.1 A.sub.2 C.sub.3 orthorhombic perovskite crystal structure.

Abstract: A superconducting fiber bundle includes carrier material formed by fibers of carbon, silicon carbide, steel, boron or glass. The fibers have a superconducting coating formed of a superconducting, non-metallic, inorganic material. The coating of the fibers is carried out from the liquid phase or the gas phase.

Abstract: A super conducting material is disclosed which exhibits super conducting properties at higher temperature than known so far. The super conducting by the invented materials is exhibited at temperatures of over 110.degree. K. Various combinations of the components exhibits superconductivities even at temperatures of around 273.degree. K. or even around 300.degree. K. Contrary to known art superconducting materials, which require super cooled conditions and are suited only to sophisticated applications, and thereby have limited applications, the materials of this inventions do not always require super cooled conditions are suited for limitless applications and can work even at room temperature conditions. While a large range of choice of materials are suggested a few important combinations are made of oxides of Bismuth, Barium and Copper. Replacement of Barium by Thantalium gives additional advantages.

Abstract: There is disclosed the structure of a superconductive wiring fabricated on an insulating substrate comprising a conductive pattern having at least one wiring strip of a superconductive ceramic formed on the insulating substrate and a protective film covering the wiring pattern and formed of a basic oxide, the basic oxide hardly reacts with the superconductive ceramic because of the fact that most of the superconductive ceramics are bases, then the wiring strip is allowed to stay in the superconductive state for a prolonged period of time.

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 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 transmission line using superconductors instead of conventional conductors substantially reduces ohmic losses compared to conventional conductors. The superconductors are cooled by refrigerant flowing through a hollow superconducting inner conductor. The refrigerant is transported to the inner conductor using a novel connector.

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 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 superconductive conductor (1) is formed by at least three superconducting wires (3) comprising oxide superconductor members (4) and stabilizing members (5), which are point-symmetrically arranged in section. The superconducting wires (3) are so point-symmetrically arranged that electromagnetic force and magnetic fields provided by the respective superconducting wires (3) cancel each other, whereby it is possible to reduce distortion and influence by applied magnetic fields.

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 thin film of an oxide superconductor having a homogeneous composition and less oxygen defects is produced by independently vaporizing at least one material selected from the group consisting of the elements of Ia, IIa and IIIa groups of the periodic table and their compounds and at least one material selected from the group consisting of the elements of Ib, IIb and IIIb groups of the periodic table and their compounds in the presence of molecular oxygen and depositing the vaporized materials together with oxygen on a substrate to form a thin film of the oxide superconductor.

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: A method for applying coatings to substrates using chemical vapor deposition with low vapor pressure reagents is disclosed which comprises the steps of: (a) placing a substrate in a furnace means; (b) directly introducing powder reagents by a powder feeder means into said furnace means; and (c) vaporizing and reacting said reagents within said furnace means resulting in the deposition from the vapor phase of a coating on said substrate, wherein said coating can be an oxide superconductor.

Abstract: An aromatic polyimide film coated with a thermally stable, heat-sealable thermoplastic polyimide for use as a wire insulation for superconducting magnets is disclosed. The inclusion of inorganic particles in the film improves compressive strength of the coated polyimide film.

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 method of fabricating a rugged, flexible, superconducting wire comprising: mixing a superconducting material, such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x, with a metallic powder to form a metal/superconductor mixture; and loading a metal shell or tube with the metal/superconductor mixture to form a superconducting wire. The superconducting wire may also be cold drawn and annealed to form a very dense wire. The metallic powder is either copper, copper alloy, aluminum or other face centered cubic element. Additionally, a superconducting wire may be formed by encapsulating a superconducting filament within a metal shell.

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 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 process for fabricating superconducting composite wire by the steps of placing a superconductive precursor admixture capable of undergoing a self propagating combustion in stoichiometric amounts sufficient to form a superconductive product within a metal tube, sealing one end of said tube, igniting said superconductive precursor admixture whereby said superconductive precursor admixture endburns along the length of the admixture, and cross-section reducing said tube at a rate substantially equal to the rate of burning of said superconductive precursor admixture and at a point substantially planar with the burnfront of the superconductive precursor mixture, whereby a clad superconductive product is formed in situ, the product characterized as superconductive without a subsequent sintering stage, is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sintered ceramic wire.Ceramic materials, such as A1N, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, have various superior characteristics including heat-resistance, and sintered ceramic materials have been of interest as superconducting materials of high critical temperatures.However, various disadvantages are involved in the formation of the sintered ceramic materials as thin wires, and in the practical use thereof.The present invention elminates such disadvantages to provide a thin and long sintered ceramic wire having sufficient strength and toughness to avoid breakage.A sintered wire is made by placing powders of metal oxides, precursors of the desired sintered material, having oxidation potentials less than that of copper, in a tube of a high temperature oxidation-resistant metal. This product is worked to its final size and a sintering step is performed. The method is satisfactory for manufacture of ceramic superconductors.

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: 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: 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.