Abstract: An oxide superconductor member is composed of a tape-shaped substrate, an intermediate layer formed on this substrate and an oxide superconductor thin film layer formed on this intermediate layer. A surface of the tape-shaped substrate is polished by continuously running the tape-shaped substrate. The polishing step includes initial polishing process and finishing process which are carried out such that the average surface roughness Ra of the substrate becomes 2 nanometers or less and the in-plane directionality of the intermediate layer becomes 5° or less after the polishing step.

Abstract: An oxide superconductor member is composed of a tape-shaped substrate, an intermediate layer formed on this substrate and an oxide superconductor thin film layer formed on this intermediate layer. A surface of the tape-shaped substrate is polished by continuously running the tape-shaped substrate. The polishing step includes initial polishing process and finishing process which are carried out such that the average surface roughness Ra of the substrate becomes 2 nanometers or less and the in-plane directionality of the intermediate layer becomes 5° or less after the polishing step.

Abstract: Bond wires for integrated circuits are implemented using a variety of methods. Using one such method, a composite bond wire is produced for use in an integrated circuit. A conductive material is melted and mixed with a material of particles less than 100 micrometers in size to create a mixture. The mixture is used to create the composite bond wire. A composite wire having an inner core and an outer layer having a higher conductivity than the inner core is also provided. The outer layer is designed to be thicker than the skin depth at the operating frequency for carrying AC signals.

Abstract: A superconducting thin film material that can realize attainment of an excellent property such as a high JC and a high IC and reduction of costs at the same time includes an orientated metal substrate and an oxide superconductor film formed on the orientated metal substrate. The oxide superconductor film includes a physical vapor deposition HoBCO layer formed by a physical vapor deposition method, and a metal organic deposition HoBCO layer formed on the physical vapor deposition HoBCO layer by a metal organic deposition method.

Abstract: A target surface of a tape-shaped substrate of an oxide superconductor with an intermediate layer formed on this target surface and an oxide superconductor thin film is polished by causing the tape-shaped substrate to continuously run. The polishing step includes an initial polishing process for carrying out random polishing of the target surface and a finishing process that is carried out after the initial polishing process for forming grooves on the target surface along the running direction of the substrate. The intermediate layer has an in-plane directionality of 7° or less. The tape-shaped substrate is fabricated by rolling nickel, a nickel alloys or stainless steel.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method of manufacturing an HTS tape coil for an MRI device with enhanced protection, the method comprising attaching high-Q capacitors at each end of an HTS wire, removing substantially all electrically conductive sheathing material on an inner side of the HTS wire, while retaining substantially all electrically conductive sheathing material on an outer side of the HTS wire. The invention also provides an HTS wire made in accordance with the foregoing method.

Abstract: In a multi-core-BSCCO high-temperature superconductor comprising a superconductor structure disposed in a silver enclosure, silver-enveloped superconductor filaments including a superconductive material having a metal component, and a resistive material layer disposed around the superconductor filaments and separating the superconductor filaments from each other, the resistive material layer consists of a carbonate having a metal component which is identical to a metal component included in the superconductor material.

Abstract: A superconducting wire having a fine line made of an oxide superconductor which has metal material dispersed therein, the outer periphery of which being coated with a conductive material; and a manufacturing method for the superconducting wire, comprising a process for drawing a metal pipe; filled with an oxide superconductor so as to product the fine line and a process for heating the fine line at a temperature which is higher than the melting point of the metal material constituting the metal pipe.

Abstract: An Nb—Sn compound superconducting wire precursor comprising a matrix of a Cu-base metal, a plurality of composite filaments each composed of a niobium layer of an Nb-base metal and a titanium layer of pure Ti formed so as to be enveloped in the inside of the niobium layer, and Sn diffused in the matrix by heat treatment so as to be combined with the niobium layer to form a compound, the plurality of composite filaments being embedded in the matrix so as not to be in contact with one another.

Abstract: A strongly-linked polycrystalline oxide superconductor article includes an oxide superconductor selected from the group consisting 124-type and 247-type oxide superconductors having fine, highly aligned oxide superconductor grains less than &mgr;m long a longest dimension. The oxide superconductor article has at least a 25% retention of critical current density in a 0.1 Tesla field.

Abstract: An Nb—Sn compound superconducting wire precursor comprising a matrix of a Cu-base metal, a plurality of composite filaments each composed of a niobium layer of an Nb-base metal and a titanium layer of pure Ti formed so as to be enveloped in the inside of the niobium layer, and Sn diffused in the matrix by heat treatment so as to be combined with the niobium layer to form a compound, the plurality of composite filaments being embedded in the matrix so as not to be in contact with one another.

Abstract: Highly oriented HgBa.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.8+.delta. on Ni-tapes with a buffer layer of Cr/Ag or Cr/(Ag--Pd) have been described with a high transition temperature are described along with, one and two step methods of manufacture.

Abstract: A method for producing elongated strip, wire or cable, a portion or all of which is defined by electrically metallic superconducting material. In one form, a substrate in the form of a strip, wire or cable, is formed by extrusion, rolling, drawing, casting or a combination of two or more of such processes, of a metal, combination of metals, metal compound, non-metallic material or a combination of such materials, and is controllably driven through a reaction chamber while the material thereof, or of the surface stratum thereof, is chemically converted, as it is driven, to a superconducting material. In a second form, such elongated wire, strip or cable is controllably coated with one or more materials which define a superconducting layer thereon or a plurality of such superconducting layers which bond or solidify on the substrate.

Abstract: A superconductive article is made from interconnected superconductive, metallic tapes. The tapes are mechanically joined, and electrically interconnected by a plurality of superconductive interconnections that extend between the tapes. Articles of the invention may be formed from tapes comprising superconductive Nb.sub.3 Sn having Nb.sub.3 Sn interconnections.

Abstract: A superconductor device which includes a first wiring part and a second wiring part which together form a superconductive wiring. The first wiring part is arranged onto a substrate and is made of a superconductor material. The second wiring part is made of a non-oxide semiconductor material. The second wiring part is adjacent to the first wiring part and jointly forms a superconductive wiring with the first wiring part by becoming at least partly superconductive due to proximity effect with the first wiring part. The second wiring part has a smaller penetration length of magnetic field than that for the first wiring part. This structure enhances the propagation velocity of a signal within the superconductive wiring.

Abstract: A superconductive article is made from interconnected superconductive, metallic tapes. The tapes preferably are mechanically joined and electrically interconnected by a plurality of superconductive interconnections that extend between the tapes. The interconnections are formed by overlapping the edges of two tapes and forming a plurality of superconductive welds between the tapes in the overlapping regions. Articles of this invention may be formed from superconductive tapes made from Nb.sub.3 Sn having superconductive interconnections that also include Nb.sub.3 Sn.

Abstract: A superconductive article is made from interwoven superconductive, metallic tapes. The interwoven tapes are electrically interconnected by a plurality of superconductive interconnections that extend between the interwoven tapes. Articles of the invention may be formed from tapes comprising superconductive Nb.sub.3 Sn having Nb.sub.3 Sn interconnections.

Abstract: The method of preparing an NB.sub.3 Al superconducting wire comprises the steps of passing an Nb/Al composite wire consisting of an Nb metal or an Nb alloy and an Al metal or an Al alloy through a furnace for heating the same from the room temperature to a prescribed temperature, subsequently passing the same through the furnace for holding the same at the prescribed temperature, and subsequently passing the same through a cooling part for cooling the same from the prescribed temperature to the room temperature, and these steps are continuously carried out by continuously moving the wire. According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an Nb.sub.3 Al superconducting wire having homogeneous characteristics along its overall width with a high critical current density.

Abstract: Object of the present invention is to obtain a Nb.sub.3 Al group superconductor having a high critical current density under a whole range of magnetic field from low to high such as 20 T level, manufacturing methods thereof, a Nb.sub.3 Al group superconducting precursory composition, and a magnet for high magnetic field. In a process for manufacturing Nb.sub.3 Al phase by a diffusion reaction of Nb.sub.2 Al phase and Nb phase, a part of the Nb.sub.2 Al phase is remained and dispersed in the Nb.sub.3 Al phase homogeneously as for magnetic flux pinning centers for a high magnetic field. As for a method for dispersing the Nb.sub.2 Al phase homogeneously, a Nb.sub.3 Al group superconducting precursory composition obtained by dispersing Nb particles and Nb.sub.2 Al ultrafine particles by a mechanical alloying method is used, and further, by a conventional method for generating Nb.sub.3 Al phase by a diffusion reaction of Nb and an aluminum alloy, the object of the present invention can be achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wire for an Nb.sub.3 X superconducting wire, which is improved in workability and soundness of a diffusion barrier layer without increasing the diffusion barrier layer in thickness. This wire for an Nb.sub.3 X superconducting wire comprises a wire which is prepared by superposing and winding up a first sheet consisting of pure Nb or an Nb alloy and a second sheet consisting of metal atoms X, reacting with Nb for forming a compound exhibiting superconductivity, or an X alloy, a stabilizing material layer which is provided to enclose the wire, and a diffusion barrier layer which is provided between an outer surface of the wire and an inner surface of the stabilizing material layer for preventing the metal atoms X from being diffused in the stabilizing material layer, and the diffusion barrier layer is made of a metal material having larger tensile strength than that of the first sheet. It is possible to obtain a high-performance Nb.sub.

Abstract: A method of preparing a superconducting oxide by combining the metallic elements of the oxide to form an alloy, followed by oxidation of the alloy to form the oxide. Superconducting oxide-metal composites are prepared in which a noble metal phase intimately mixed with the oxide phase results in improved mechanical properties. The superconducting oxides and oxide-metal composites are provided in a variety of useful forms.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet coil is produced by winding a superconducting wire to form a coil; impregnating the coil with a curable resin composition of low viscosity which contains for example at least one epoxy resin selected from the group consisting of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol F and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol AF, all having a number-average molecular weight of 350-1,000, a flexibilizer and a curing catalyst, to obtain a curable-resin composition-impregnated coil; and heating the curable-resin-composition-impregnated coil to cure the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x superconductor which comprises surrounding a sintered material in which the molar ratio of Y:Ba:Cu is 2:1:1 with liquid-forming powder and subjecting the powder compact to isothermal heat-treatment at a temperature below the peritectic temperature of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x. The YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x superconductors prepared according to the present invention have aligned grain structure in one direction and thus exhibit a high critical current density.

Abstract: A multi-layer microstrip structure includes a substrate and a first superconducting layer deposited on the substrate. A first dielectric layer, made at least partially of benzocyclobutene (BCB), is deposited on the first superconducting layer. Additional superconducting dielectric and superconducting layers can be employed. Preferably the superconducting layers are made from niobium. The multilayer microstrip structure is ideally suited for use in passive circuit components of microwave circuits and in multi-chip modules.

Abstract: A circuit sub-assembly as a mounting for an electronic component such as Josephson device, i.e., a superconducting element, comprises a ceramic insulating substrate, an oxygen-shielding barrier layer formed on the insulating substrate, and a circuit film of niobium, as a superconducting material formed on the barrier layer according to a desired pattern. The barrier layer prevents oxidation of the circuit layer by shielding it from oxygen present in the insulating substrate. Due to the barrier layer, the circuit film is scarcely subject to superconductivity-impairing oxidation. The circuit film is thus capable of high-speed electronic signal conduction.

Abstract: A method for making triniobium tin foil is disclosed where the niobium-based foil with an oxide layer is passed continuously at a set speed into an enclosed chamber. The enclosed chamber has an inert atmosphere which is substantially oxygen free. Upon entering the chamber, the foil passes through a decomposition anneal furnace, a low temperature tin dip, and then a high temperature reaction anneal furnace before exiting the chamber as triniobium tin foil.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet coil contains a coil of superconducting wire and a cured product of a curable resin composition with which the coil has been impregnated, the cured product having a thermal shrinkage factor of 1.5-0.3%, preferably 1.0-0.3%, when cooled from the glass transition temperature to 4.2K, a bend-breaking strain of 2.9-3.9%, preferably 3.2-3.9%, at 4.2K and a modulus of 500-1,000 kg/mm.sup.2 at 4.2K, or undergoing a thermal stress of 0-10 kg/mm.sup.2 when cooled from the glass transition temperature to 4.2K and resisting to quench during superconducting operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an Nb-Ti alloy type superconducting wire having a superconducting filament including a member made of Nb-Ti alloy and a pinning member made of Nb or Nb alloy having no superconducting properties under operating magnetic field, the Nb-Ti based alloy containing Ti in a content of 48 to 65% by weight and the superconducting filament containing Nb or an Nb alloy (A) in a ratio of 20 to 35% by volume. The present invention further provides an Nb-Ti alloy type superconducting wire having a superconducting filament including a member made of Nb-Ti alloy and a pinning member made of Ti or Ti alloy having a critical temperature lower than that of the Nb-Ti alloy and/or having no superconducting properties; the Nb-Ti based alloy containing Ti in a content of 25 to 45% by weight and the superconducting filament containing Ti or a Ti alloy in a ratio of 20 to 35% by volume.

Abstract: A superconductor protected against partial transition includes superconductor strands around at least one non-superconductor central strand or at least one non-superconductor central core electrically insulated from the superconductor strands. At least at both ends of the superconductor, the central strand or said central core is electrically connected to the superconductor strand. The central strand or the central core comprises at least one non-superconductor metal filament whose resistivity at 4.2.degree. K. is less than 10.sup.-9 .OMEGA..m embedded in a metal alloy matrix whose resistivity at that temperature is greater than 10.sup.-8 .OMEGA..m.

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 Type II superconducting filament is formed by surrounding a Type II superconducting alloy ingot with layers of a fine grain Type II superconducting alloy sheet, a barrier layer and a copper extrusion can. The composite is then reduced to a filament by hot and cold working.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a superconductor wire has a wire take-up spool and a feed speed control spool. A wire substrate is taken from the feed speed control spool and onto the take-up spool as the wire take-up spool is rotated. The wire passes through a container which holds a diffusion barrier material, where the diffusion barrier material is electrophoretically deposited onto the wire substrate and subsequently sintered. The wire is also passed through a container which holds a superconductor material suspended in solution, and a layer of the superconductor material is electrophoretically deposited onto the diffusion barrier. The grains of the superconductor layer are then magnetically aligned and sintered. Also, a silver coating is electrophoretically deposited onto the superconductor layer and sintered. A diffusion bonding inhibitor material is then applied to the silver coating. Then, the silver-coated superconductor wire is spooled and heated to four hundred degrees centigrade (400.

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: A metal oxide-type superconductive material is produced by a process which comprises a first step of subjecting a powder raw material containing given proportions of metal elements to be contained in said metal oxide-type superconductive material, to mechanical grinding and alloying simultaneously to obtain an alloy powder and a second step of heat-treating the alloy powder in an oxygen-containing gas atmosphere to obtain a metal oxide.The superconductive material obtained has a high density, a low porosity, a high strength and a high critical current density.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multifilament superconducting wire of Nb.sub.3 Al comprising a core part of copper or copper alloy which is provided in a central portion as a stabilizing material and a peripheral part which is provided around the core part and formed by an Nb.sub.3 Al filament embedded in a matrix of copper or copper alloy, such that the ratio of copper or copper alloy forming the core part and the peripheral part to the Nb.sub.3 Al filament is at least 1 and not more than 5 in sectional area ratio and the diameter of the core part is at least 1/5 of the wire diameter.

Abstract: Conductor in strip, sheet or wire form with an electrical conductivity of at least 0.85.times.10.sup.6 .OMEGA..sup.-1 cm.sup.-1 at 77.degree. K. composed of a composite material of a metal matrix (1) and particles (2) composed of a high-temperature superconductor of the type RE Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6.5-7.5 embedded therein and arranged rectilinearly in the longitudinal direction, RE generally denoting a rare earth metal. Preferably RE=yttrium and specifically the substance YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7 and the particle diameter=0.1-100 .mu.m, more narrowly 0.2-20 .mu.m. Optionally an additional metal sheath which envelops the body forming the matrix (1).

Abstract: A superconducting wire comprises a wire element wherein a plurality of superconducting filaments are arranged in a metallic matrix, and a covering layer which is formed on the surface of the wire element with a number of filaments and has a laminated structure including at least one insulator film as the lower layer and at least one thermal conductor film as the upper layer. Frictional heat generated on the surface of the superconducting wire is prevented from being conducted to superconducting filaments by virtue of the presence of the insulator film, and is conducted through the thermal conductor film to be dissipated. Therefore, the temperature of the superconducting filaments is hardly raised.

Abstract: An improved fabrication of superconducting films is disclosed whereby a multi-phase Y-Ba-Cu-O compound is utilized. The film is formed by sputtering of a target material consisting of the superconducting 123 phase Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7 onto the green 211 phase Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5. After annealing, the superconducting characteristics, of the formed film, in terms of transition width and T.sub.c, are improved over those using other oxide compounds as substrates.

Abstract: The method is intended to provide cables (10) having an optical fiber (1) and suitable for mechanically severe environments, while remaining small in section. Heretofore, the mechanical strength of optical fiber cables has been obtained by plastic structures of considerable cross-sectional area and reinforced by metal strands or by glass fibers. In the method of the present invention, the reinforcing is obtained by metal composites (3) having very high mechanical strength and very small diameter, said composites extending parallel to the fiber (1).

Abstract: A long, linear composite article which is characterized in that a large number of composite filaments are present as spaced from one another in a continuous layer composed of copper, a copper alloy, niobium, tantalum or vanadium, each of said composite filaments having a structure that at least one strand of a linear body is surrounded by an aluminum alloy or niobium, said linear body being composed substantially of extremely fine, filamentary superconducting Nb.sub.3 Al compound having an average diameter of from about 0.03 .mu.m to about 1 .mu.m. The said composite article can be prepared by drawing a composite material composed of (a) an aluminum alloy and (b) niobium, together with copper or a copper alloy once or plural times repeatedly, until the average diameter of the aluminum alloy of (a) becomes about 1 .mu.m or less, and heat-treating the resultant linear composite material.

Abstract: Processes are described for electroplating metal or alloy on superconducting oxides using either a nonaqueous bath or aqueous bath with suitably applied potential. Articles made in accordance with the electroplating process are also described.

Abstract: A superconducting fiber of a superconducting fiber bundle includes a carrier fiber having an outer surface, and superconducting layers and separating layers alternatingly surrounding the outer surface of the carrier fiber and a method for producing the same.

Abstract: A ceramic type superconductive layer (2) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of an optical fiber (1), and a stabilizing layer (3) is formed so that it contacts the outer peripheral surface of the superconductive layer (3). The diameter of the optical fiber is, for example, not more tha 100 .mu.m. The superconductive layer may be formed with a spirally extending groove (7) which divides the superconductive layer.