High Pressure Hot-Pressing of Y1Ba2Cu3O7-δ Superconductor

Abstract
An almost theoretical density of Y1Ba2Cu3O7-δ was achieved under a high pressure of 5.4 GPa. While the pressed sample showed a semiconducting behaviour, the postannealed sample showed a superconducting transition with T c, onset=92 K, T c, end=90 K. The best critical current density, J c at 77 K was 1650 A/cm2. The crystal structure of Y1Ba2Cu3O7-δ was distorted by the high pressure but recovered through annealing.