High purity superconducting compositions and methods for their fabrication

Abstract

The present invention is related to a composition and methods for producing highly pure, high temperature superconducting materials having the general formula MBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x, where M is yttrium or a rare earth element and x is from 0 to 0.5. The superconducting material is produced by first obtaining a solution of yttrium or rare earth element and copper. Next a solution of barium is obtained. The two solutions are heated and mixed together forming a precursor precipitate of the superconducting material. Subsequently, in one embodiment of the invention, the precipitate is recovered, calcined, sintered and slow cooled in oxygen or air. This produces a material having a desirable orthorhomic structure which is superconductive at high temperatures. Because no organic solvents are used and no pH control other than the amount of barium in the solution is employed, it is possible to provide a highly pure superconducting material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.