We have fabricated high-quality c-axis-oriented $MgB_2$ thin films by using a pulsed laser deposition technique. The thin films grown on (1 1 0 2) $Al_2$$O_3$ substrates show an onset transition temperature of 39.2 K with a sharp transition width of ~0.15 K. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate a c-axis-oriented crystal structure perpendicular to the substrate surface. We observed high critical current densities ($J_{c}$) of ~ 16 $MA/\textrm{cm}^2$ at 15 K and under self-field, which is comparable to or exceeds those of cuprate high-temperature superconductors. The extrapolation $J_{c}$ at 5 K was estimated to be ~ 40 MA/$\textrm{cm}^2$, which is the highest record for $MgB_2$ compounds. At a magnetic field of 5 T, the $J_{c}$ of~ 0.1 $MA/\textrm{cm}^2$ was detected at 15 K, suggesting that this compound is very promising candidate for the practical applications at high temperature with lower power consumption. As a possible explanation for the high current-carving capability, the vortex-glass phase will be discussed.d.d.d.

An enhancement of the c-axis differential conductance around the zero-bias voltage near the superconducting transition temperature $T_{c}$ has been observed in $Au/Bi_2$$Sr_2$$CaCu_2$$O_{8+x}$ junctions. We attribute such an enhancement to the Andreev reflection (AR) between the surface Cu-O bilayer with suppressed superconductivity and the next superconducting Cu-O bilayer. The continuous evolution of the differential conductance, from gap like depression to an AR-like peak structure, around the zero-bias voltage points to weakening of the barrier strength of the nonsuperconducting layer between adjacent Cu-O bilayers as temperature approaches $T_{c}$ from below. The peak structure disappeared just below the bulk $T_{c}$ value of underdoped Bi2212 single crystals, whereas it survived up to ~1 K above $T_{c}$ in Junctions prepared on slightly overdosed crystals. According to a recently proposed theoretical consideration, a wider temperature range of the AR a bone $T_{c}$ is expected in the underdoped regime when phase-incoherent preformed pairs emerge in the pseudogap state. Our result is in contradiction to the preformed pair scenario. scenario.o.

We performed the point contact spectroscopy on newly discovered superconductor $MgB_2$ thin films with Au tip. In the point contact spectroscopy of the metallic Sharvin limit, the differential conductance below the gap is twice as that above the gap by virtue of Andreev Reflection. After some surface cleaning processes of sample preparation such as ion-milling and wet etching, the obtained dI/dV versus voltage curves are relatively well fitted to the Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk (BTK) formalism. Gaps determined by this technique were distributed in the range of 3meV~ 8meV with the BCS value of 5.9meV in the weak coupling limit. We attribute these discrepancies to the symmetry of the gap parameter and the degradation of the surface of the sample. We also present the temperature dependence of the conductance vs voltage curve and thereby the temperature dependence of the gap.

We developed a useful SQUID magnetometer for biomagnetic applications, magnetoencepha-logram(MEG) and magnetocardiogram(MCG), etc. The SQUIDs are based on Double Relaxation Oscillation SQUID(DROS). DROS consists of two SQUIDs(signal SQUID and reference SQUID) in series, and a relaxation circuit of an inductor and a resistor. Specially we used single reference junction instead of the reference SQUID. The SQUIDs are based on hysteretic $Nb/AlO_{x}$Nb junctions, fabricated by using a simple four level process. Because DROS magnetometer has large flux-to-voltage transfer coefficient, we can use simple flux-locked loop electronics fur SQUID operation. When the DROS magnetometer was operated inside a magnetically shielded room, its average magnetic field noise was about 3 (equation omitted) at 100 Hz. This noise level is low enough to measure biomagnetic fields. In this paper, we describe noise characteristics of DROS magnetometer, depending on the operation condition . .

We have detected cracks inside multi-layer metal sheets with nondestructive evaluation system consisting of SQUID gradiometer. Double D-shape coil was carefully designed with computer simulation for spatial distribution of magnetic field. It was aligned and placed in between SQUID and metal sheets in order to reduce the field effect to SQUID and to maximize eddy current in the sheets. The metal plate in bottom of the metal stack contained artificial cracks which were scanned by an X-Y scanning system. The information of crack position and size could be estimated by analysis of SQUID signal. Details of the results will be discussed .

We have fabricated planar-type single-layer second-order high-Tc SQUID gradiometers. The devices consisted of symmetrically designed three parallel-connected square pickup loops that were directly coupled to the SQUID. $YBa_2$$Cu_3$$O_{7}$ film was deposited on $SrTiO_3$ substrate by a PLD system and patterned into a device by the photolithography with ion milling technique. Junctions of the SQUID were either step-edge or bicrystal type. All the structures were formed on a 10 mm $\times$ 5 mm substrate. Balancing of the gradiometer was achieved by adjusting the width of the central pickup loop. The gradiometer noise was measured both inside and outside a magnetically shielded room. Details of the results will be discussed.

We have demonstrated ramp-edge Josephson junctions using high temperature superconductors without depositing artificial barriers. We fabricated a surface barrier formed naturally during an ion beam etching process and the annealing under the oxygen atmosphere. The experimental results imply that the barrier natures such as the resistivity are varied by the annealing conditions and the ion milling conditions including the beam voltages. Thus, the ann eating and etching conditions should be optimized to obtain excellent junction properties. In optimizing the fabricating factors, the interface-controlled junctions showed resistively shunted junctions like current-voltage characteristics and an excellent uniformity. These junctions exhibited a spread ($1\sigma$) of $I_{c}$ is 10% fur chips containing 7 junctions at 50K.K.

Superconductive digital to analog converters (DAC) based on Josephson effect produce the voltage steps with high precision and good stability Therefore, they can be applied to obtain a very accurate ac voltage standard. In this paper, we made a simulation study of Rapid Single Flux Quantum (RSFQ) DAC. RSFQ DAC was composed of Non-destructive Head Out (NDRO) cells, T flip-flops, D flip-flops, Splitters, and Confluence Buffers. Confluence Buffer was used in resetting the DACs. We also obtained operating margins of the important circuit parameters in simulations.

Superconducting four-element patch array antenna was designed and fabricated using $high-T_{c}$ superconducting (HTS) thin film. The array antenna has single-feed circularly polarization and a resonance frequency of 11.85 GHz fur satellite communication system. To fabricate this antenna $YBa_2$$Cu_3$$O_{7-x}$(YBCO) superconducting thin films were deposited using rf-magnetron sputtering technique. Sequential rotation technique based on radiation elements($0^{\circ}$ , $90^{\circ}$, 1$80^{\circ}$, $270^{\circ}$ phase delay) was utilized to achieve circularly polarization. Simulated and measured results, the analysis on resonant frequency(fr), return loss, and bandwidth are presented. The results show that 10 dB return loss bandwidth of the array antenna is 11.04 GHz~12.59 GHz (13.15%) and 3dB axial ratio bandwidth is 11.42~12.52 GHz (9.2%).).).

In this paper we analyzed the electromagnetic behavior of high $-T_{c}$ superconductor under the quench state using finite element method. Poisson equation was used in finite element analysis as a governing equation and was solved using algebra equation using Gallerkin method. We first investigate d the electromagnetic behavior of U-type superconductor. Finally we applied our analysis techniques to 5.5 kVA meander-line superconducting fault current limiters (SFCL) which are currently developed by many power-system researcher in the world. Meshes of 14,600 elements were used in analysis of this SFCL. Analysis results show that the distribution of current density was concentrated to inner curvature in meander-line type-superconductors and maximum current density 14.61 $A/\m^2$ and also maximum Joule heat was 6,420 W/㎥. We concluded that this meander line-type SFCL was not pertinet fur uniform electromagnetic field distribution.n.

To introduce flux pinning center in HTS-BSCCO system, nano-size MgO particles were uniformly distributed within the Bi-2223 grain by partial hydration of MgO. The existing method MgO doped Bi-2223 used nato-size MgO powders, which resulted in agglomeration during mixing or grain growth during heat-treatment due to the high surface energy of the fine particles. By hydration of the MgO surface, the agglomeration of the MgO powders was avoided and the size of remaining MgO core was controlled by changing hydration medium and time. The thin film obtained by spin coating of (Bi_$1.8/Pb_{0.4}$)$Sr_2$$_{Ca}$$2.2/Cu_3$ $O_{y}$ nitrate solution mixed with hydrated MgO showed the even distribution of nano-size MgO particles in the Bi-2212 grains.s.s.

There are many problems in wire fabrication of long length Bi-2223 superconductor by using conventional extrusion method. They are mainly due to high surface resistance and inhomogeneous distribution of inner stress. Hydrostatic extrusion process will not only decrease the extrusion pressure but also enhance homogeneous deformation of material by reducing friction force between billet and container Hydrostatic extrusion method is considered to be useful fur fabrication of the homogeneous wire with high density. In this paper, hydrostatic extrusion process is introduced to fabricate Bi-2223 superconducting tape, and also discussed are the interface homogeneity and microstructural aspects of extruded BSCCO/Ag billet.

The effects of reacted precursors on phase evolution, microstructure, $J_{c}$ and junctional characteristic of the inter-granular contacts were investigated in Ag-sheathed T1-1223 tapes prepared using three kinds of reacted precursors, and compared to those in the tape prepared using an unreacted precursor The precursors were prepared by heat-treating a mixture of Sr-Ba-Ca-Cu-O, $Tl_2$$O_3$, PbO and $Bi_2$$O_3$ powders at $805^{\circ}C$ (precursor I ), $840^{\circ}C$ (precursor II ) and $905^{\circ}C$(precursor III) for 20 min. Tl-1223 phase content, grain size and J\ulcorner in the tapes appeared to increase in an order of precursors I, II and III Compared to tapes prepared using an unreacted precursor, the tapes prewar ed using precursors II and III revealed reduced pore and impurity densities and an enhanced texture. Also characteristic of inter -granular contacts and fraction of strong-links were improved. The improved properties are attributed to enhanced densification resulting from using the reacted precursors.s.

We have fabricated successfully single-filament composite $MgB_2$/SUS tapes, as an ultrarobust conductor type. The fabrication of the $MgB_2$/SUS tapes was performed by power-in-tube (PIT) process such as swaging and cold rolling. The critical transition temperatures $T_{c}$~38.5 K and ~36 K were observed for the sintered and the nonsintered $MgB_2$/SUS tapes, respectively In addition, the isothermal magnetization M(H) of the sintered $MgB_2$/SUS tapes was measured at temperatures T (between 5 and 50 K) in fields up to 6 T, employing a PPMS-9 (Quantum Design). The persistent current density (J$T_{P}$) values were obtained from the M(H) data, using Bean model, fur the sintered $MgB_2$/SUS tapes. The estimated values were higher than ~ 6$\times$ $10^{5}$ $A/\textrm{cm}^2$ at T = 5 K, with H : 0 G. We also investigated the cross section of the sintered tapes, by using SEM and EDX. An evidence of weak reaction on boundary between $MgB_2$ and SUS tube is found in the SEM and EDX.X.X.X.

The void volume fraction of cables is one of the effective parameters to characterize the joints of superconducting magnet. Because electrical resistance and cooling stability in the CICC (Cable-in-Conduit Conductors) joint are governed by the void volume fraction, it should be controlled constantly in the termination of cable. The change of cross-section shape in the cable was fecund during the unidirectional compaction of terminal sleeve. The non-uniform thickness of the sleeve after compaction is expected because the loading is not taxi-symmetric, and the plastic flow is also not axi-symmetric. The CICC was compacted from 45% void volume fraction to 15% by using two-piece compaction jig, which could be pressed mini-directionally. Commercial code, ABAQUS, was used to analyze the plastic flow in the sleeve during the unidirectional compaction. The increment of radius of curvature of compaction jig could minimize the change of the deformed shape of cables. The calculated results were agreed with the experimental observations.

We investigated the quench properties of superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) connected in parallel. It was carried out as an effort to scale up the current capacity of SFCL toys texts. SFCLs were based on $YBa_2$$Cu_3$$O_{7}$ films coated in-situ with a gold layer and fabricated by patterning the films into 2 mm wide and 42 cm long meander lines by photolithography. Two SFCLS were connected in parallel and tested with simulated AC fault currents. Initially the current was divided unequally into branches of parallel connection due to unequal resistance of the branches. However, once quench started in the SFCLs, the current oscillated between the branches and then was distributed nearly equally between the branches. In other words, the elements quenched simultaneously. The oscillation amplitude decreased as the source voltage was increased: the oscillation was the most prominent near the quench current. The observed oscillation and the consequent simultaneous quench was understood in terms of quench start and development in the SFCLs.

In this paper, we analyzed the fault current performance in a $high-T_{c}$ superconductor(HTS) which was installed on flux-lock reactor with an external magnetic field coil covering the HTS. In this HTS fault current limiter using flux-lock concepts, the initial limiting current level can be controlled by adjusting the inductance of the coils. Furthermore, the current limiting characteristics of $high-T_{c}$ superconducting FCL can be improved by applying the external magnetic field into the $high-T_{c}$ superconductor. This paper discusses current limiting performance according to the inductance of the coil 1 in two cases with ac magnetic field coil or not and suggests the methods to improve the current limiting factor $P_{limit}$, which is defined as the ratio of the limited current $I_{FCL}$ at the current limiting phase to the prospective short -circuit current $I_{PSC}$.TEX> PSC/.

In this paper, we investigated the current limiting characteristic in the magnetic shielding type fault current limiter(MSFCL). The circuit analysis was executed by using finite differential method(FDM). This paper suggests that the current limiting performance can be achieved in two ways (resistive and inductive one), according to design parameter. By comparing current limiting characteristics in two ways and surveying the important parameters which determine the operational way after fault occurs in the design of MSFCL, it is shown that the magnetic shielding type fault current limiter can be operated in either resistive or inductive way.

We have performed the current and voltage loading tests of resistive superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLS) based on $YBa_2$$Cu_3$$O_{7}$(YBCO) films with the diameter of 2 inch. The SFCL consists of meander-type YBCO stripes covered with 200 nm Au layer grown in situ for current shunt and heat dispersion at hot spots. The minimum quench current of an SFCL unit was about 25 Apeak. Seven SFCL units were connected in parallel fur the current load ing tests at power source of 100 $V_{rms}$ $/2,000A_{rms}$. This SFCL units had maximum limiting current of 170 Apeak during the fault instant and then successfully controlled the fault current below 100 Apeak within 1~2 msec after short circuit. Increased short current also reduced the quench completion time with little change of current limiting characterization. We connected six SFCL units in series fur the voltage loading tests at power source of $1,200 V_{rms}$/170 $A_{rms}$ at this time. The shunt resistors were inserted into each SFCL unit to eliminate power imbalance originated from serial connection of SFCL units. Each SFCL unit was quenched simultaneously during the fault condition. The current increased up to 40 $A_{peak}$ and decreased to 14 $A_{peak}$ after 3 cycles. Quench was completed within 1 msec after the fault. We confirmed operating characteristics of 140 kVA($120 A_{rms}$ $\times$ 1,200 $V_{rms}$) SFCL and presented the manufacturing possibility of 3.3 kV SFCL using 4 inch YBCO films.BCO films.lms.

In general, the bubbling, generated during the fabrication of the tapes, breaks the superconducting filament, and critical current of the tapes will be decreased. Heat-treatment schemes of Bi-2223/Ag HTS tapes were modified, such as pre-annealing of multi-stacked billet, 2-step main sintering and ramp rate etc. The generation of bubbling was drastically decreased from 20 bubbles/m to 0 ~ 1 bubble/m by the modified heat-treatment. Therefore, the value of critical current of the tapes without bubbling was increased almost twice higher than that of already existing tapes. Critical current up to 42 A in 40 m length Bi-22231Ag tapes have been measured at 77K, self-field, 1$mutextrm{V}$/cm criterion. It could be confirmed that elimination of bubbling is effective to maintain the superconducting property along the tape length.

We studied YBCO films for current limiting of the resistive type which utilizes a transition from superconducting to normal state caused by exceeding critical current. The films were deposited on sapphire substrates and covered by gold top layer. The current limiting element consists of 2 mm wide YBCO stripes connected in series. A serious problem in using YBCO films for current limiting is inhomogeneities caused by imperfect manufacturing. Therefore simultaneous quench is a difficult problem when elements for current limiting are connected in series. So some researchers have recently proposed using magnetic field and heating for simultaneous quench. We have measured extended exec trim field-current density(E-J) characteristics for current limiting elements of YBCO films in applied magnetic field of 0 - 130 mT. And we have investigated quench characteristics in current limiting elements and between elements of YBCO films in applied magnetic field. The result of the experiments show that the presence of applied magnetic fields induces uniform quench distribution fur the stripes in element at $50V_{rms}$, otherwise non-uniform quenches were observed. And simultaneous quenches between elements were investigated at $150V_{rms}$. We suggest that suppressing the critical current by increased fields due to fault current effectively forced the stripes of higher $J_{c}$(0) to quench, resulting in equalizing quench times.s.s.s.