Synthesis and Properties of Hg-Based Layered Copper-Oxide Superconductors

Abstract

Recent progress in the synthesis and the study on superconducting properties of Hg-based cuprates superconductors, HgBa₂Ca_(n-1)Cu_nO_2+2n+δ, is reviewed. An encapsulation and singlefiring (ECSF) technique is successfully utilized for the preparation of nearly single-phase samples of the Hg-based cuprates superconductors. Superconducting transition temperature, T_c^mag, is enhanced to a record high value of -136K for a nearly single-phase Hg-1223 (n=3) sample. Physical properties, e.g. T_c, J_c and H_c, of the Hg-12 (n-1)n superconductors are compared with those of other known cuprate superconductors.