Method for making superconducting quantum interference devices using high-Tc superconductors

摘要

A superconducting device operable at temperatures in excess of 30oK and a method for making the device are described. A representative device is an essentially coplanar SQUID device (10, 56A, 56B, 58A, 58B) formed in a single layer (12) of high-T_c superconducting material, the SQUID device (10, 56A, 56B, 58A, 58B) being operable at temperatures in excess of 60 K. High energy beams (34), for example ion beams, are used to convert selected portions (30) of the high-T_c superconductor layer (12) to nonsuperconducting properties so that the material now has both, superconducting regions (20A, 20B) and nonsuperconducting regions (30). In this manner a superconducting loop (16A, 16B, 20A, 20B) having superconducting weak links (16A, 16B) can be formed to comprise the SQUID device.