Superconductor Materials Science

This book encompasses the science, measurement, fabrica tion, and use of superconducting materials in large scale and small scale technologies. The present book is in some sense a continuation and completion of a series of two earlier books based on NA TO Advanced Study Institutes held over the last decade. The first book in the series entitled Superconducting Machines ~nd Devices: Large Systems Appli cations edited by S. Foner and B. B. Schwartz (1974) represented a compilation of all the applications of superconducting technology. The second book entitled Superconductor Applications: Squids and Machines, edited by B. B. Schwartz and S. Foner (1977) reviewed small scale applications and up-dated the large scale applications of superconductiv ity at that time. These two books are both introductions and advanced reference volumes for almost all aspects of the applications of super conductivity. The growth of applied superconductivity has mushroomed in the decade of the 1970's. Technologies which were discussed in the beginning of the 1970's are now beyond the prototype stage. Materials development and performance in operating systems is the basis of the continued applications and economic viability of super conducting technology. In this book, a complete review of all materials technology is presented by leading authorities who were instrumental in the development of superconducting materials technology. The present book is based on the NATO Advanced Study vi PREFACE Institute entitled Superconducting Materials: Science and Technology which was held from August 20 to August 30, 1980 in Sintra, Portugal.

This book explores the fascinating field of high-temperature superconductivity. Basic concepts–including experimental techniques and theoretical issues–are discussed in a clear, systematic manner. In addition, the most recent research results in the measurements, materials synthesis and processing, and characterization of physical properties of high-temperature superconductors are presented. Researchers and students alike can use this book as a comprehensive introduction not only to superconductivity but also to materials-related research in electromagnetic ceramics. Special features of the book: presents recent developments in vortex-state properties, defects characterization, and phase equilibrium introduces basic concepts for experimental techniques at low temperatures and high magnetic fields provides a valuable reference for materials-related research discusses potential industrial applications of high-temperature superconductivity includes novel processing technologies for thin film and bulk materials suggests areas of research and specific problems whose solution can make high-Tc superconductors a practical reality

This book provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the science of superconducting materials. It serves as a fundamental information source on the actual techniques and methodologies involved in superconducting materials growth, characterization and processing. This book includes coverage of several categories of medium and high-temperature superconducting materials: cuprate oxides, borides, and iron-based chalcogenides and pnictides. Provides a single-source reference on superconducting materials growth, characterization and processing; Bridges the gap between materials science and applications of superconductors; Discusses several categories of superconducting materials such as cuprate oxides, borides, and iron-based chalcogenides and pnictides; Covers synthesis, characterization, and processing of superconducting materials, as well as the nanoengineering approach to tailor the properties of the used materials at the nanoscale level.

With the increased interest in superconductivity applications through out the world and the necessity of obtaining a firmer understanding of the basic concepts of superconductivity, the editors of the In ternational Cryogenics Monograph series are extremely grateful for the opportunity to add Superconducting Materials to this series. This comprehensive review and summary of superconducting ma terials was originally prepared by the Russian authors in 1969 and has been specifically updated for this series. It is the most thorough review of the literature on this subject that has been made to date. Since advances in the development and use of new superconducting materials are largely associated with the general state and level in the development of the physical theory of superconductivity, the physical chemistry of metals, metallography, metal physics, tech nical physics, and manufacturing techniques, it is hoped that this monograph will provide the stimulus for further advances in all aspects of this exciting field. The editors express their appreciation to the authors, the translators, and Plenum Publishing Corporation for their assistance and continued interest in making this worthy addition to the series possible.

Treatise on Materials Science and Technology, Volume 14: Metallurgy of Superconducting Materials covers the practical use of metallurgy of superconducting materials. The book discusses the phenomenon of superconductivity; the theory of superconductors; the applications of superconductivity and the demands these applications make on materials' properties and requirements. The text also describes the metallurgy of niobium-titanium alloy conductors; the physical metallurgy of A15 compounds; and the electron microscopy of superconducting materials. The metallurgy of conductors made from A15 material, the properties required, as well as the development of superconductors for ac power transmission are considered. The book further tackles the metallurgy of niobium surfaces, and the effects of radiation on superconductors. Metallurgists, physicists, materials scientists, materials engineers, and graduate students studying superconductors will find the book invaluable.

The applications of superconducting materials have the potential to change our world, but descriptions of superconductivity in literature tend to be complex for non-physicists. This text provides an accessible account of superconductivity and its applications for an interdisciplinary readership. This book covers the characteristics of superconducting materials, particularly those with commercial applications, including MRI, MEG, high-field magnets, magnetometers, gradiometers, SQUID sensors and Josephson junctions. The applications and concepts are discussed at a level suitable for those with a basic background in physics, without using complex mathematics. This is a valuable reference text for researchers and practitioners working with devices made from superconducting materials. The text also acts as useful supplementary reading for courses related to superconductivity and superconducting materials.

This book encompasses the science, measurement, fabrica tion, and use of superconducting materials in large scale and small scale technologies. The present book is in some sense a continuation and completion of a series of two earlier books based on NA TO Advanced Study Institutes held over the last decade. The first book in the series entitled Superconducting Machines ~nd Devices: Large Systems Appli cations edited by S. Foner and B. B. Schwartz (1974) represented a compilation of all the applications of superconducting technology. The second book entitled Superconductor Applications: Squids and Machines, edited by B. B. Schwartz and S. Foner (1977) reviewed small scale applications and up-dated the large scale applications of superconductiv ity at that time. These two books are both introductions and advanced reference volumes for almost all aspects of the applications of super conductivity. The growth of applied superconductivity has mushroomed in the decade of the 1970's. Technologies which were discussed in the beginning of the 1970's are now beyond the prototype stage. Materials development and performance in operating systems is the basis of the continued applications and economic viability of super conducting technology. In this book, a complete review of all materials technology is presented by leading authorities who were instrumental in the development of superconducting materials technology. The present book is based on the NATO Advanced Study vi PREFACE Institute entitled Superconducting Materials: Science and Technology which was held from August 20 to August 30, 1980 in Sintra, Portugal.

Physics and Materials Science of High Temperature Superconductors, II represents the results of a fruitful dialogue between physicists and materials scientists which took place under the auspices of a NATO Advanced Study Institute in Porto Carras, Greece, between 18 and 31 August, 1991. It builds on and carries forward the success of NATO ASI 181 published in 1990. The theoretical side of the discussions reveal the basic premise of the phenomenological and Ginzburg-Landau theories of superconductivity, the implications of short coherence length, long penetration depth, the melting of flux lattices, and other matters, while the materials science includes discussions of microstructures, local inhomogeneities, deviations from ideal chemistry, the effects of systematic errors in materials preparation, the definition of imperfections, and the utilization of common materials analysis techniques. The reader will be made aware of the potential significance of Angstrom scale structural and chemical details, and the need to consider basic theoretical concepts when designing procedures to process viable, solid conductors, specifically the effects of oxygen stoichiometry and deviations from it, as well as the microstructural demands on pinning in the light of very short coherence lengths.

This book presents the basics and applications of superconducting magnets. It explains the phenomenon of superconductivity, theories of superconductivity, type II superconductors and high-temperature cuprate superconductors. The main focus of the book is on the application to superconducting magnets to accelerators and fusion reactors and other applications of superconducting magnets. The thermal and electromagnetic stability criteria of the conductors and the present status of the fabrication techniques for future magnet applications are addressed. The book is based on the long experience of the author in studying superconducting materials, building magnets and numerous lectures delivered to scholars. A researcher and graduate student will enjoy reading the book to learn various aspects of magnet applications of superconductivity. The book provides the knowledge in the field of applied superconductivity in a comprehensive way.