Objective
The overall objective is to develop the deposition and processing of thin film high temperature superconductors on novel substrates with large relative permittivities.
Some notable developments are listed below:
- Superconducting powders and targets have been produced for rare earth superconductors of the form ReBCO where Re = Y, Gd, Dy, Eu, Tm, Lu, Ho.
- A variety of high quality HTS epitaxial films have been deposited, including Y-123, BISCCO, Tm-123 and Lu-123. Two inch YBCO films of world-class performance (Jc = 10 MA cm{-2} at 77 K) have been produced.
- Methods of depositing films: Pulsed laser deposition, MBE and sputter deposition have been extensively trialed.
- Packaged and connectorised microwave filters, delay lines and resonators have been demonstrated. Some of these have been incorporated into stand-alone mechanically cooled cryosystems.
Two superconducting materials Y1Ba2Cu3O7-x and Bi2Sr2CaN-1Oy will be deposited by laser photoablation, molecular beam epitaxy and radio frequency sputtering and spin spray techniques. Four deposition techniques are being employed to establish which will yield the best large area, single phase, high critical current superconductors. Chemical engineering of the superconductors will also be carried out to optimise their electrical properties, processability and stability.
Electrical, physical and chemical properties of the superconducting films will be carried out using all the major assessment techniques. However, the ultimate test is to fabricate microstrip microwave components and assess their performance. Device fabrication will necessitate accurate patterning of the superconducting films. This will be achieved by eximar laser ablation or etching using wet or reactive ion etchants.
The significance of this work is reflected in the large $670M worldwide (1990) market for filters and delay lines alone. The projected market in Europe ($150M) is comparable to the markets in the USA ($281M) and Japan ($239).
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technologyradio frequency
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- engineering and technologychemical engineering
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physicspulsed lasers
- natural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssuperconductivity
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
Data not availableCoordinator
KT22 7SA LEATHERHEAD, SURREY
United Kingdom