HgBaCaCuO superconductors: Processing, properties and potential

HgBaCaCuO superconductors exhibit superior superconducting properties especially at temperatures above 77 K. Irradiation studies have proven that there is a great potential even for further enhancements. Progress in the synthesis of Hg-based superconductors has been achieved by the development of a two-zone technique, which has opened the window for applying a variety of materials processing techniques successfully used in other high temperature superconductors. HgBaCuO-silver composites have been prepared by the powder in tube method and reacted in the two-zone assembly. Silver, which has successfully been used as sheath material for most other high-T_c superconductors, appears to be compatible with superconductors of the HgBaCaCuO family.