Method and apparatus for inducing grain orientation by magnetic and electric field ordering during bulk superconductor synthesis
US5096880A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 20, 1990 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 20, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S505/815
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process is described for enhancing superconductor characteristics by application of strong magnetic and/or electric fields to the constituent component materials from which ceramic superconductors are being formed and during the time that these superconductors are being synthesized. This process has particular applicability to the production of superconducting oxide ceramics such as the cuprates. The required magnetic fields are on the order of 1-10 tesla and the required electric fields are on the order of 0.1-1 MV/cm. The fields act as ordering mechanisms and induce grain orientation. The magnetic field aligns the magnetic moment of the grains. The electric field induces electric polarization in the grains and then aligns them. The superconducting structure formation occurs during the sintering, cooling and annealing phases of the fabrication process. Superconductivity is strongly affected by the oxygen stoichiometry in the lattice elemental cell. Applied electric fields cause elongation of the unit cell. This accelerates oxygen diffusion throughout the lattice and this gives better control of the oxygen content of the sample. Applied magnetic fields exert a magnetic pressure o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.