High-T.sub.c superconductor contact unit having low interface resistivity, and method of making

US5015620A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce · US
• Westinghouse Electric Company LLC · US

Inventors

• John W. Ekin · Boulder, US
• Armand J. Panson · Pittsburgh, US
• Betty A. Blankenship · Pittsburgh, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 22, 1988
• Grant date: May 14, 1991
• Expiry date: Nov 22, 2008

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S505/742

Abstract

A high-T.sub.c superconductor contact unit having low interface resistivity is disclosed, as is a method for making the unit. An inert metal is deposited on the surface of the superconductor, which surface is preferably non-degraded, to form a unit with the surface of the superconductor, and where temperatures as high as 500.degree. C. to 700.degree. C. can be tolerated, the unit is oxygen annealed to establish a still lower surface resistivity between the surface of the high-T.sub.c superconductor and the inert metal, including a low surface resistivity of about 10.sup.-10 .OMEGA.-cm.sup.2 at high-T.sub.c superconductor operating temperatures. The superconductor is a metal-oxide superconductor, and may be rare earth, thallium, or bismuth based.