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Categories: advanced materials, energy

BSA 00-28: Synthesis of YBCO Superconductors Using Low-Pressure Processing

BNL Reference Number: BSA 00-28

Patent Status: U.S. Patent Number 6,794,339 was issued on September 21, 2004

Summary

YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (YBCO) is an especially useful second-generation high-temperature superconductor because it becomes superconducting at temperatures above that of liquid nitrogen. Unfortunately, YBCO synthesis is often complex, expensive, and difficult to execute on industrial scales. Now, this practical, scalable, and low-cost technique can produce large YBCO tapes and wires for use in high-field magnets or to carry electrical current.

Description

This method uses a precursor material containing a rare earth element, an alkaline earth element, fluorine, and copper. The precursor is heat treated at about 500ºC in the presence of oxygen and water vapor at sub-atmospheric pressure to form a crystalline structure, which is then annealed in oxygen to form the superconducting film. Films between 50 nm and 5 µm can be grown by this method at a rate of about 0.1 nm/s to about 2 nm/s. The method produces bi-axially oriented high-temperature superconductor films when a buffered metal substrate is employed.

Journal Publication

• Ex-situ Post-deposition Processing for Large Area YBa₂Cu₃O₇ Films and Coated Tapes (.pdf)

Have Questions?

For more information about this technology, contact Kimberley Elcess, (631) 344-4151.