PROCESS FOR MAKING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTORS USING A METALLIC PRECURSOR AND THE PRODUCT MADE THEREBY

摘要

The invention relates to a process for making a superconducting connection between a pair of superconducting ceramic oxide pieces, each of the pieces having been formed by combining the metallic elements of the superconducting oxide in substantially the stoichiometric proportions needed to form the superconducting oxide into a precursor and forming the precursor into a shaped piece. The process comprises the steps of: contacting each of the shaped pieces with the other; connecting each of the shaped pieces to the other by means for forming a metallurgical bond between the shaped pieces; and oxidizing the connected shaped pieces under conditions sufficient to oxidize the metallic elements to the superconducting oxide. In other embodiments of the invention, the process is for forming a superconducting connection between a pair of pieces having a superconducting ceramic oxide/noble metal composition; or for forming a joint between a superconducting ceramic oxide and a normal conductor.