Abstract: A method of searching for a material fated to generate an interband phase difference soliton includes the steps of generating an AC in a soliton candidate material, identifying a loss of AC magnetic susceptibility of the siliton candidate material due to a turn and a twist cut of a vortex line and judging whether or not the soliton candidate material is capable of generating soliton.

Abstract: Methods for reducing hysteresis losses in superconductor coated ribbons where a flux distribution is set into the superconductor coated ribbon prior to the application of alternating current.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel materials comprising composite high-Tc superconductors which contain a dispersion of precipitates and structural defects and thereby exhibit enhanced flux pinning and enhanced critical current in the superconducting state, and novel nanophase orientation processes for their preparation.

Abstract: A high Tc superconducting ceramics material is produced by a method in which a mixture of chemicals in suitable amounts is compacted into a desired form. The compact mixture is then fired and, at the same time, a magnetic field is apilied to the compacted mixture in a predetermined direction. By virtue of the application of magnetic field during firing, the orderliness of molecular arrangement is enhanced and an elevated transition temperature Tc is obtained.

Abstract: A method for separating a powder into a superconducting fraction and a tailing fraction, or of separating a powder into a magnetically active fraction and a tailing fraction. The powder is mixed with a paramagnetic liquid to form a slurry. The slurry is poured down an incline while being subjected to a downslope-traveling magnetic field. The superconducting or magnetically active particles move upslope.

Abstract: A nondestructive inspection apparatus having a SQUID is made with compact configuration and is capable of detecting a metallic or non-metallic metal for defects, corrosion, and the like, by forming the SQUID and a magnetic field applying coil on the same substrate. The SQUID comprises two Josephson junctions, a washer coil connected to the Josephson junctions to form a superconducting loop, shunt resistors, a damping resistor, and a feedback modulation coil, all of which are formed from a superconducting thin film on a supporting substrate. A magnetic field applying coil is formed on the same supporting substrate with a superconducting thin film or a normal conducting metal thin film. The magnetic field applying coil, which generally has plural turns around the SQUID, applies a dc or ac magnetic field to a sample. The change in magnetic field caused by a defect in the sample is detected by the washer coil, and the position and size of the defect may thus be determined.

Abstract: A laminated superconducting magnet includes a multilayer short-circuit superconductor group 2 formed by uniting superposed hollow superconducting plates, and an exciting coil 3 for inducing a current from an external power source 4 to the multilayer short-circuit superconductor group 2 for operation in a permanent current mode. Even if some of the superconducting plates are quenched, the other normal superconducting plates share the excess current temporarily. Therefore, the entire superconducting magnet is not quenched.

Abstract: In the production of a 124-type or 123-type superconductor by a sol-gel method using alkoxides of respective metals, the use of a compound wherein a sec-butoxy group and a hydroxy group are coordinated with a copper atom gives a superconductor composed of flat particles having a broad C plane. The dimensional ratio defined by l/d is at least 6.7 in the case of the 124-type or is at least 8.4 in the case of the 123-type. It shows a superconducting property at a liquid nitrogen temperature. This superconductor shows a higher critical current density than one obtained by a sintering method.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and apparatus for forming textures in materials. It uses so called "normal aligners" having an anisotropy in the paramagnetic susceptibility within a magnetic field having compositions REBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x or Bi(Tl).sub.2 Sr.sub.2 Ca.sub.1-y RE.sub.y Cu.sub.2 O.sub.x, where RE=Eu, Er, Tm, and Yb. One version of the process for preparing bulk and elongated objects comprises two steps. In the first step the material is uniaxially aligned. In the second step uniaxially aligned material is heated to a temperature approaching its melting point while a magnetic field of at least 10.sup.4 Oe, with a direction perpendicular to the axis of uniaxial alignment is simultaneously applied. The process results in biaxially, highly textured bulk and elongated materials.

Abstract: A flux-trapped superconducting magnet which is formed of high transition temperature superconducting mixture doped with a magnetic material having a Curie temperature below the transition temperature of the superconducting mixture.

Abstract: Improved methods, apparatus, and compositions for achieving superconductivity are disclosed. The methods and apparatus are based upon applying an external driving force, i.e., either an electrical current or a magnetic field, at a predetermined frequency. The predetermined frequency is chosen to equal one or more of the resonant frequencies of the molecular vibration of the atoms which provide conductivity to the material. The compositions of the invention require a continuous bridge or network of electrically compatible atoms between the opposite poles of the electrical pathway. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for determining the resonant frequency of molecular vibration, i.e., the frequency at which the external driving force should be applied. In this aspect of the invention, the composition is exposed to one or more sources of electromagnetic energy which radiate at known frequencies. The response of the composition to the various frequencies of radiation is measured and compared.

Abstract: According to this method of manufacturing a superconductor, powder materials of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO are first prepared as raw materials and blended and mixed to the composition Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x. The mixed powder thus obtained is compression-molded and thereafter sintered. A sintered body thus obtained shows the Meissner effect under the temperature of liquid nitrogen. This sintered body is pulverized into fine particles. A magnetic field is applied to the fine particles at the temperature of liquid nitrogen, thereby to select only superconductive particles. The selected superconductive particles are compression-molded during application of a magnetic field and then sintered, thereby to obtain a superconductor having high critical current density.

Abstract: A method of processing polycrystalline material to achieve at least uniaxial crystal alignment utilizing the anisotropy of conductivity of the crystalline material. The polycrystalline material is provided in a fluid suspension or other malleable form. A non-static magnetic field is applied to the crystalline material. Eddy currents induced in the individual crystals as a result of the non-static magnetic field generate a magnetic moment in the individual crystals which aligns itself and thus the individual crystals parallel to the applied non-static magnetic field, thus producing in-plane alignment of the crystals. Further processing including multi-axis crystal alignment is also disclosed utilizing the same procedure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component of the tape or filament kind out of a material based on a superconducting oxide having a high critical temperature, wherein said material is formed while it is in the vitreous state,the method being characterized by the fact that the material is subsequently crystallized:in a first step under a magnetic field and at a temperature T.sub.l lying between the vitreous transition temperature T.sub.g and the crystallization temperature T.sub.x, during which step isolated microcrystallites of submicroscopic size develop and their c axes orient themselves parallel to one another because of said applied magnetic field; andin a second step at a temperature T.sub.2 close to the crystallization temperature, in which the existing nuclei grow while retaining the texture imparted to them during said first step.

Abstract: A method for forming a superconducting oxide material including introducing an oxygen or an oxidizing gas and a reactive gas or reactive solution or reactive minute particles into a plasma generating chamber; applying a magnetic field to the plasma generating chamber; supplying microwaves to the plasma generating chamber wherein the direction of the magnetic field and the propagation direction of the microwaves are parallel such that the oxygen or the oxidizing gas and the reactive gas or reactive solution or reactive minute particles are converting into the plasma; and forming the superconducting oxide material on a film forming surface positioned in the plasma generating chamber during the application of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A laminated structure for a superconducting bearing includes at least two magnets stacked in opposing polarity with at least one metallic shim being disposed between adjacent magnets. The multiplicity of opposing polarity magnets causes an increase in flux density gradient and, therefore, bearing stiffness. The laminated structure for a superconducting journal bearing has annular permanent magnets that are magnetized and stacked axially. This structure is disposed within a hollow cylinder made of superconducting material. When the cylinder is made of a Type II superconducting material, the superconducting journal bearing provides support in both the radial and axial directions.

Abstract: A purification apparatus for superconductor fine particles is provided which comprises a device for forming a flow of powder containing the superconductor fine particles, and device for applying a magnetic field to the flow of the powder.

Abstract: A method for forming a superconducting oxide material including introducing oxygen or an oxidizing gas and a reactive gas or reactive minute particles into a plasma generating chamber; applying a magnetic field to the plasma generating chamber; supplying microwaves to the plasma generating chamber where the direction of the magnetic field and the propagation direction of the microwave are parallel such that the oxygen or the oxidizing gas and the reactive gas or reactive minute particles are converting into plasma; and the formation of a superconducting oxide material on a film forming surface positioned in the plasma generating chamber during application of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for the thin film superconductor is disclosed in which photons having energies larger than ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the thin film superconductor on or after formation of the thin film. Further, manufacturing methods for superconductive magnetic memory, Josephson device and superconductive transistor are disclosed.

Abstract: A contact-less method for determining transport critical current density and flux penetration depth in bulk superconductor material. A compressor having a hollow interior and a plunger for selectively reducing the free space area for distribution of the magnetic flux therein are formed of superconductor material. Analytical relationships, based upon the critical state model, Maxwell's equations and geometrical relationships define transport critical current density and flux penetration depth in terms of the initial trapped magnetic flux density and the ratio between initial and final magnetic flux densities whereby data may be reliably determined by means of the simple test apparatus for evaluating the current density and flux penetration depth.

Abstract: A method of processing polycrystalline material by performing multi-axis crystal alignment utilizing anisotropies in the crystalline structure including the step of providing a polycrystalline material in a fluid suspension or malleable form having a magnetic moment. An external force to which the material is reactive is applied to align the individual crystals along a first axis. A magnetic field is applied to orient the magnetic moment of the crystals along a second axis, transverse to the first axis. The crystalline material may have a magnetic moment associated with a rare earth element of the material.

Abstract: A process is described for enhancing superconductor characteristics by application of strong magnetic and/or electric fields to the constituent component materials from which ceramic superconductors are being formed and during the time that these superconductors are being synthesized. This process has particular applicability to the production of superconducting oxide ceramics such as the cuprates. The required magnetic fields are on the order of 1-10 tesla and the required electric fields are on the order of 0.1-1 MV/cm. The fields act as ordering mechanisms and induce grain orientation. The magnetic field aligns the magnetic moment of the grains. The electric field induces electric polarization in the grains and then aligns them. The superconducting structure formation occurs during the sintering, cooling and annealing phases of the fabrication process. Superconductivity is strongly affected by the oxygen stoichiometry in the lattice elemental cell. Applied electric fields cause elongation of the unit cell.

Abstract: An array of superconducting elements in which each element can be quenched into the nonsuperconductive or normal state independently at will. The array can be used to form spatially and temporally variable images or for forming spatially and temporally variable magnetic fields. The array is controlled in the form of a network of electrically interconnected superconducting elements in which a given element is quenched if and only if two independent parameters are applied to the element simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and apparatus for forming textures in materials. The process comprises heating a material having an anisotropy in the paramagnetic or diamagnetic susceptibility within a magnetic field. The material is heated to a temperature approaching its melting point while a magnetic field of at least 10.sup.4 Oe is simultaneously applied. The process and apparatus produce highly textured bulk and elongated materials with high current densities below critical superconducting temperatures.

Abstract: In one embodiment this invention provides a process for decreasing the resistivity of an electrical conductor.The process involves the application of high temperature and an external field to a conductor to induce a current flow and physicochemical transition in the conducting matrix.

Abstract: A particulate mixture comprised of Bi.sub.2 CaSr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8.+-.x where x ranges from 0 to 0.5, Ca.sub.2 CuO.sub.3, cupric oxide and lead oxide, wherein the Bi.sub.2 CaSr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8.+-.x crystals are oriented with their c-axis at least sufficiently parallel to each other so as not to differ significantly from a common direction, is initially reacted producing an intermediate swollen partially reacted product which is pressed to remove the swelling and then sintered to produce a superconductive Bi.sub.2 yPb.sub.y Ca.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.10.+-.z body where y ranges from 0.1 to 0.5 and z ranges from zero to less than 1.

Abstract: The specification and drawings describe a series of devices and methods for classifying and separating superconductive particles. The superconductive particles may be separated from non-superconductive particles, and the superconductive particles may be separated by degrees of susceptibility to the Meissner effect force. The particles may also be simultaneously separated by size or volume and mass to obtain substantially homogeneous groups of particles. The separation techniques include levitation, preferential sedimentation and preferential concentration. Multiple separation vector forces are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method to detect a magnetic field by measuring the magnetically modulated resistance of a superconductor maintained at its phase transition temperature (T.sub.c).

Abstract: Switchable superconducting mirrors and reflectors are switched from the reflective to the absorbing, and/or transparent, modes to modulate signals.

Abstract: A superconducting wire is produced by the surrounding of a superconductive material core with an intermediate compressible insulating layer and an outer malleable layer and then drawing said composite structure through a series of dies to reduce the diameter of the wire on the order of 400 to 10,000 times or by reducing the superconductive core material to the desired wire size by passing it through a series of dies to reduce the diameter of the wire on the order of 400 to 10,000 times and then coating the wire with a noncompressible insulating layer and then placing an outer malleable layer over the insulated wire and drawing this through dies to snuggly fit the outer layer onto the insulated wire. This wire's superconducting characteristics are not intended for carrying high levels of currents so the reduction of the available current carrying cross section by the introduction of the insulating layer is not of concern in the applications for the wire.

Abstract: Apparatus and methodology for the rapid and inexpensive characterization of superconducting materials. The method and apparatus induces an alternating magnetic field in the sample to be tested. If the material is a superconductor odd harmonics are generated in the alternating magnetic response of the material near the transition temperature. The superconducting transitions are manifested by a peak or peaks in the odd harmonic components of the alternating magnetic response as a function of temperature. The peaks of the harmonic components are detected to indicate the presence and number of superconducting transitions.

Abstract: A sputtering device to produce a thin film of a superconducting oxide material, in which a pair of targets with a film-forming surface portion thereon are mutually separated and facing each facing each other, so that a magnetic field is applied between the targets which are placed parallel or perpendicular to this magnetic field, whereby crystal orientation is caused to occur during the growth of the film by obtaining direct contact between this magnetic field and the film-forming surface portion.

Abstract: A process is described for enhancing superconductor characteristics by application of strong magnetic and/or electric fields to the constituent component materials from which ceramic superconductors are being formed and during the time that these superconductors are being synthesized. This process has particular applicability to the production of superconducting oxide ceramics such as the cuprates. The required magnetic fields are on the order of 1-10 tesla and the required electric fields are on the order of 0.1-1 MV/cm. The fields act as ordering mechanisms and induce grain orientation. The magnetic field aligns the magnetic moment of the grains. The electric field induces electric polarization in the grains and then aligns them. The superconducting structure formation occurs during the sintering, cooling and annealing phases of the fabrication process. Superconductivity is strongly affected by the oxygen stoichiometry in the lattice elemental cell. Applied electric fields cause elongation of the unit cell.

Abstract: A passive ferromagnetic material is transformed into a permanent magnet with more than double the existing energy product or "strength" by encasing a bar of the passive ferromagnetic material in an annular shell of superconductive material at a temperature above the transition temperature of the superconductive material, placing the encased ferromagnetic material into an axial magnetic field providing sufficient oersteds to magnetize the passive ferromagnetic material thereby enclosing a large amount of flux in the superconducting shell, lowering the temperature to below the transition temperature of the superconductive material whereupon all of the enclosed flux is permanently trapped, and removing the axial magnetic field.

Abstract: A closed flexible superconductive ribbon, is made to confine magnetic flux nd which is thereafter elongated and selectively twisted to form a desired type of magnetic field. The shape of the twist is varied for the particular application. A helical field source for twister type geometries, for example, can be implemented by winding the stretched superconducting loop around a cylindrical tube. In another embodiment, the superconductive ribbon is twisted into two halves, one of which is rotated 180.degree. with respect to the other. In such a configuration, two fields exist which are mutually opposite to each other.