Development of a reliable materials base for superconducting electronics

Abstract

Careful studies of the corrosion, redox, galvanic, and oxygen evolution/uptake reactions associated with YBa2Cu3O7–δ and related compounds have been completed. These studies have led to an understanding of the many factors that contribute to the poor material characteristics exhibited by these popular high-Tc phases. With knowledge of the structure-reactivity relationships, a powerful crystal engineering approach has been developed that is capable of producing cation substituted versions of YBa2Cu3O7–δ; the resulting compounds therefrom produced exhibit markedly improved processability, oxygen stability, and durability characteristics. These materials have been combined in thin film structures so as to make prototype SNS junctions and SQUID sensors which exhibit promising device performance characteristics.