Polarised light micrograph of the high temperature superconducting ceramic yttrium-barium-copper- oxide (Y-Ba2-Cu3-O-x). Discovered in 1986, the new s

---

Polarised light micrograph of the high temperature superconducting ceramic yttrium-barium-copper- oxide (Y-Ba2-Cu3-O-x). Discovered in 1986, the new superconducting ceramic materials are expected to lead to a technological revolution & are being intensively researched worldwide. Superconducting behaviour depends on oxygen content (x in the formula); this sample has a value of x= & has a superconducting transition temperature of around 93 degrees Kelvin. The gold areas are pores (holes) in the material. The sample was made by the reaction of yttrium oxide, barium carbonate, & copper (II) oxide at 950 degrees C in oxygen. Magnification: x200 at 35mm size.

---

Size: 4749px × 3719px
Photo credit: © SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY, DRS P. WARD & T. BUTTON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: conductance, conducting, conductivity, conductor, high-temp., high-temperature, light, micrograph, oxide, physics, plm, polarised, superconduct, superconductor, yttrium-barium-copper