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CLASS 505,	SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY: APPARATUS, MATERIAL, PROCESS
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER

This is the generic class for subject matter involving (a) superconductor technology above 30 K and (b) Art collections involving superconductor technology. Apparatus, devices, materials, and processes involving such technology are included herein.

SECTION II - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

SECTION III - GLOSSARY

JOSEPHSON EFFECT

The passage of paired electrons (Cooper pairs) through a weak connection (Josephson junction) between superconductors as in the tunnel passage of paired electrons through a thin dielectric layer separating two superconductors.

JOSEPHSON JUNCTION

A weak connection between superconductors through which the Josephson effect is realized.

SQUID

Superconducting QUantum Interference Device

SUPERCONDUCTING

The state of a superconductor in which it exhibits superconductivity.

SUPERCONDUCTIVE

of or pertaining to a material or device which is capable of exhibiting superconductivity.

SUPERCONDUCTIVITY

A property of a material that is characterized by zero electrical resistivity and, ideally, zero permeability.

SUBCLASSES

100	HIGH TEMPERATURE (Tc GREATER THAN 30 K) SUPERCONDUCTOR MATERIAL (I.E., ELEMENT, COMPOUND, OR COMPOSITION), PER SE:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  An element, compound, or composition having a critical temperature Tc of greater than 30 K. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 300+, for processes of making high temperature superconducting materials. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 252,  Compositions,   particularly subclasses 500+ for electrically conductive compositions. 423,  Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds,   for inorganic compounds and processes of producing same. 501,  Compositions: Ceramic,   for metal oxide containing compositions having glass or refractory properties as defined by Class 501.

110	Having Tc greater than or equal to 150 K:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 100.  Material having a critical temperature Tc greater than or equal to 150 K.

120	Thallium (Tl) containing:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 100.  Material having a thallium (Tl) constituent.

121	Bismuth (Bi) containing:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 100.  Material having a bismuth (Bi) constituent.

122	Organic polymer containing:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 100.  Material having a macro­molecule composed of an indefinite number of organic monomer units.

123	Halogen [i.e., fluorine (Fl), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), or astatine (At)] containing:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 100.  Material having a fluorine (Fl), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), or astatine (At) constituent.

124	Free metal containing:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 100.  Material having a metal in the zero valent state as a constituent.

125	Copper (Cu) and oxygen (O) containing:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 100.  Material having copper (Cu) and oxygen (O) as constituents.

126	Containing three atoms of copper to between six and seven atoms of oxygen [e.g., YCu3O(7-d), LaCu3O(6+d),etc.]:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 125.  Material having a compound formula indicating three atoms of copper (Cu) to between six and seven atoms of oxygen (O) [i.e., YCu3O(7-d), LaCu3O(6+d), wherein d << 1].

150	HIGH TEMPERATURE (Tc GREATER THAN 30 K) DEVICES, SYSTEMS, APPARATUS, COMPONENTS, OR STOCK, OR PROCESSES OF USING:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Articles having structure , such as devices, systems, apparatus, components, or stock, containing an element or means capable of operating as a superconductor at a critical temperature Tc of greater than 30 K, or processes of using the same. (1) Note. Subclass 150 will take processes of using high temperature superconducting materials, per se, even if there is no indication as to what apparatus or device is involved with the use. For example, a process of using high temperature superconducting material to separate gaseous mixtures based upon differences in magnetic properties of the gaseous components goes in this subclass since no comparable apparatus subclass is provided hereinunder. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 100+, for an article having no structure and identified only by composition.

160	Measuring or testing system or device:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 150.  System or device that is utilized for measuring or testing of mechanical, electrical, chemical, or physical properties.

161	Bolometer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 160.  System or device that detects temperature or amount of radiation by measuring changes in material (e.g., electrical properties, etc.) caused by the amount of heat. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 374,  Thermal Measuring and Testing,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review.

162	Magnetic field sensing system or device (e.g., SQUID, etc.):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 160.  System or device that utilizes superconductor sensitivity of the quantum-mechanical phase to determine strengths of extremely small magnetic fields. (1) Note. A Superconductor Quantum Interference Device, or SQUID, may consist of a loop of superconducting material containing two Josephson junctions in parallel. The input current I splits into the two halves of the loop. When the magnetic field-dependent and junction-dependent phase shifts along the paths of split currents I1 and I2 due to the presence of a magnetic field quantum mechanical interference, the rejoining output current results in a total current that is less than the algebraic sum of I1 and I2, enabling the measurement of the quantum flux. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 257,  Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes),   particularly subclasses 9+ for low temperature superconducting material containing active solid-state devices. 324,  Electricity: Measuring and Testing,   particularly subclass 248 for low temperature magnetometers. 600,  Surgery,   particularly subclasses 407+ for detecting nuclear or electromagnetic radiation, or subclass 410+ for magnetic resonance imaging.

163	Significant cryogenic refrigeration system having superconductor component as part of the system or having a superconductor device or material to be cooled present therewith (e.g., Peltier effect device, etc.):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 150.  Significant refrigeration system or device containing a superconductor element (a) that operates as part of the system, such as for supplying electrical current or that participates directly in the cooling through a thermoelectric effect; or (b) that is present with the system as a device or material that is to be cooled; or process of using (a) or (b). (1) Note. Merely reciting that a superconducting device or material is attached to a cryogenic refrigeration device or providing space or connection for flowing a cryogenic fluid will not be considered significant refrigeration structure unless structure is present that actually causes the refrigeration. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 62,  Refrigeration,   particularly subclasses 3.2+ for thermoelectric refrigeration device (e.g., Peltier effect device, etc.) and subclass 51.1 for cryostatic device. 174,  Electricity: Conductors and Insulators,   particularly subclasses 15.4+ and 125.1 for low temperature superconductors having cooling fluid feeding, circulating, or distributing means. 257,  Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes),   particularly subclass 716 for active solid-state devices utilizing cryogenic coolant.

164	Projectile or launching device or system:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 150.  System or device utilizing force of a magnetic field to propel an object with such force that the object continues moving through inertia when removed from the influence of the magnetic field or object, per se, capable of being propelled by such a device or system. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 89,  Ordnance,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 104,  Railways,   particularly subclasses 281+ for magnetically suspended car. 114,  Ships,   for propulsion and torpedo launching. 124,  Mechanical Guns and Projectors,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review.

165	System, device, or component utilizing suspension of superconducting particulate material in liquid (e.g., seal, pump, etc.):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 150.  System, device, or component thereof having means for utilizing a liquid suspension of particulate superconducting material. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 277,  Seal for a Joint or Juncture,   for a generic sealing means or process. 417,  Pumps,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 516,  Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting,   subclasses 31+ for colloid systems of colloid-sized solid or semisolid phase dispersed in primarily organic continuous liquid phase (dispersions, suspensions, sols), subclasses 77+ for colloid systems of colloid-sized solid phase dispersed in aqueous continuous liquid phase (dispersions, suspensions, sols); or agents for such systems or making or stabilizing such systems or agents; in each instance, when generically claimed or when there is no hierarchically superior provision in the USPC for the specifically claimed art.

166	Dynamoelectric machine (e.g., motor, generator, etc.), rotational system or device (e.g., clutch, rotor, bearing, etc.), or components thereof:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 150.  Apparatus that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy or converts electrical energy to mechanical energy, system or device that rotates during load-bearing operation or mechanically communicates rotational force, or components thereof. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 192,  Clutches and Power-Stop Control,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 310,  Electrical Generator or Motor Structure,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 318,  Electricity: Motive Power Systems,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 322,  Electricity: Single Generator Systems,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 323,  Electricity: Power Supply or Regulation Systems,   particularly subclass 360 for superconductor-type transformers or inductors. 335,  Electricity: Magnetically Operated Switches, Magnets, and Electromagnets,   particularly subclass 216 for devices containing low temperature superconducting material. 388,  Electricity: Motor Control Systems,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review.

170	Information processing (e.g., logic circuits, computer, etc.), or information storage or retrieval system, device, or component (i.e., both dynamic and static):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 150.  System, device, or component (i.e., both dynamic and static) that is utilized in information or data processing, storage, or retrieval. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 307,  Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   particularly subclass 404 for logic circuits, subclass 200.1 for nonlinear solid-state device circuit or system, subclass 201 for neuron circuit, or subclasses 462 and 476 for low temperature superconductor devices. 346,  Recorders,   ffor pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 360,  Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 365,  Static Information Storage and Retrieval,   particularly subclasses 160+ for systems with a superconducting component. 369,  Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval,   ffor pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 700,  Data Processing: Generic Control Systems or Specific Applications,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 701,  Data Processing: Vehicles, Navigation, and Relative Location,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 702,  Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 703,  Data Processing: Structural Design, Modeling, Simulation, amd Emulation,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 704,  Data Processing: Speech Signal Processing, Linguistics, Language Translation, and Audio Compression/Decompression,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 705,  Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, or Cost/Price Determination,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 706,  Data Processing: Artificial Intelligence,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 707,  Data Processing: Database and File Management, Data Structures, or Document Processing,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 708,  Electrical Computers: Arithmetic Processing and Calculating,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 709,  Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems: Multiple Computer or Process Coordinating,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 710,  Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems: Input/Output,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 711,  Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems: Memory,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 712,  Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems: Processing Architectures and Instruction Processing (e.g., Processors),   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 713,  Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems: Support,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 714,  Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 716,  Data Processing: Design and Analysis of Circuit or Semiconductor Mask,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 717,  Data Processing: Software Development, Installation, and Management,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review.

171	Recording by magnetism, magnetic record carriers, or recording head arrangements:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 170.  Device or system that records data utilizing magnetism, record carriers having thereon magnetic media utilized for storage or retrieval of information, or read or write head arrangements for magnetically recording. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 346,  Recorders,   particularly subclass 74.5 for magnetos:graphic head arrangements for recording magnetic field pattern in pictorial or s:graphic form on a magnetic medium for visible display, as by development, toning, or other techniques. 360,  Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review.

180	Device producing stimulated emission (e.g., laser, maser, etc.):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 150.  Device that utilizes a superconducting component to excite the oscillations of particles, or atoms or molecules between energy levels for generating coherent electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet, visible, infrared, or microwave region of the spectra. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 204, for device or system having circuitry for generation of oscillations. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 330,  Amplifiers,   particularly subclass 4 for maser-type amplifying device. 331,  Oscillators,   particularly subclasses 94.1+ for molecular or particle-type oscillators (i.e., maser). 372,  Coherent Light Generators,   for devices not having high temperature superconducting material present.

181	Photoconductive, light transmissive, light emissive, or light responsive device or component:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 150.  Device or component (a) that is capable of being energized or modified by the application of light, (b) that permits light to pass through it, or (c) that emits light in response to passage of electrical current. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 250,  Radiant Energy,   particularly subclasses 492.1+ for irradiation of objects or materials. 257,  Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes),   containing low temperature superconducting material. 333,  Wave Transmission Lines and Networks,   particularly subclass 99 for low temperature superconducting transmission lines and networks.

182	Device or arrangement the operation of which is modified by changing optical properties (e.g., reflectivity, transmission, etc.) of superconductive material:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 181.  Devices or arrangements that respond to variation in the optical properties (e.g., reflectivity, transmission, etc.) of superconducting material. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 332,  Modulators,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 340,  Communications: Electrical,   for selective visual display communication systems. 359,  Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review.

183	Having optical waveguide:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 181.  Device containing an element or element, per se, that conveys light from one point to another through an optically transparent elongated structure (i.e., usually referred to as an optical fiber or waveguide) by modulated transmissions, interreflectance, or reflectorization. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 359,  Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 385,  Optical Waveguides,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review.

190	Josephson junction, per se (e.g., point contact, bridge, barrier junction, SIS, SNS, SSS, etc.), or Josephson junction with only terminals or connect:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 150.  Device, per se, (a) consisting of a pair of superconductive regions separated by a thin, less conductive portion or gap capable of exhibiting electron or Cooper paired electron tunneling current flow between superconducting regions referred to as a Josephson junction, per se, or (b) Josephson junction combined with only terminals or contacts. (1) Note. Under certain conditions, a potential appears across the Josephson junction and high frequency radiation emanates from it. Under the influence of high frequency radiation, current flow through the Josephson junction may also be changed. (2) Note. One should not assume that all so-called barriers are indicative of Josephson junctions, which require a barrier sufficiently thin for tunneling of electrons. Moreover, in this art, a barrier can have other functions, such as a protective barrier to prevent poisoning or inactivation of superconductive material, or as an insulative barrier, etc. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 162, for SQUID device containing a Josephson junction. 170, for information processing or storage or retrieval system, device, or component. 191+, for semiconductor or thin film solid-state devices that may contain a Josephson junction, such as a Josephson transistor. 233+, for layered structure containing a superconductor layer. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 257,  Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes),   for devices containing low temperature superconducting Josephson junctions. 365,  Static Information Storage and Retrieval,   particularly subclasses 160+ for systems with a superconducting component.

191	Semiconductor thin film device or thin film electric solid-state device or system (i.e., active or passive):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 150.  Device or system comprising an active or passive semiconductor or thin film electric solid-state device, or processes of using the same. (1) Note. An active or passive semiconductor or thin film electric solid-state device may be involved as a component in other devices or systems provided in subclasses 100 through 190 and 200+. (2) Note. Reciting the composition of layers will not be sufficient for placement in this subclass unless a function of a layer other than merely conducting, insulating, supporting, or protecting is identified or unless other than layer structure is present. Moreover, superconducting layered or coiled wire, tape, cable, or fiber with or without connect, pad, or connect structure is not sufficient for this subclass. (3) Note. One should not assume that all so-called barriers are indicative of Josephson junctions, which require a barrier sufficiently thin for tunneling of electrons. Moreover, in this art, a barrier can have other functions, such as a protective barrier to prevent poisoning or inactivation of superconductive material, as an insulative barrier, or barrier junction between semiconductors, etc. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 180+, for solid-state device or component (a) that is capable of being energized or modified by the application of light, (b) that permits light to pass through it, or (c) that emits light in response to passage of electrical current. 190, for Josephson junction, per se, or Josephson junction with only terminal or connect. 204, for device or system with electronic circuitry for generation of oscillations. 220, for superconductor having metal connect, pad, connect structure, or patterned superconductor circuit. 230+, for layered stock having semiconductor layer, metal layer, second superconducting layer, insulating layer, or protective layers, and a superconducting layer. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 257,  Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes),   for devices containing low temperature superconducting material. 307,  Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   particularly subclass 462 and 476 for low temperature superconductor devices in nonlinear solid-state device, circuit, or system. 331,  Oscillators,   subclass 107 for superconductive element and tunneling element oscillators. 338,  Electrical Resistors,   subclass 32 for magnetic field responsive devices, including Hall effect types and low temperature superconductive devices. 365,  Static Information and Storage and Retrieval,   particularly subclasses 160+ for systems with a superconducting component. 377,  Electrical Pulse Counters, Pulse Dividers, or Shift Registers: Circuits and Systems,   subclass 74 for input circuits involving field-effect transistors; subclasses 79 and 117 for transfer means including a field effect transistor; and subclass 93 for low temperature superconductive elements.

192	Capacitor or including capacitor:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 191.  Device that contains a capacitor or that is limited to a passive solid-state thin film component used in electrical and electronic circuits to store a charge of electricity, usually for very brief periods of time, with the ability to rapidly charge and discharge. (1) Note. A capacitor is usually considered a passive component since it does not rectify, amplify, or switch and because charge carriers do not undergo energy level changes therein, although some active solid-state devices function as voltage variable capacitors. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 257,  Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes),   for devices that may contain a capacitor. 361,  Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices,   for passive-state devices, such as capacitors.

193	Superconducting transistor (e.g., Josephson transistor, etc.):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 191.  Device or system that operates as a transistor having source, drain, and gate that includes a high temperature superconducting material as an integral portion of the transistor. (1) Note. Usually the superconductor material comprises the source or drain having a tunneling barrier therebe­tween that is under the influence of a gate electrode that determines the operation of the device or system.

200	Electric discharge tube:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 150.  Device having a closed usually glass container under vacuum or containing a specific gas used for producing, influencing, or using a flow of electrons or ions to generate light or other electromagnetic radiation. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 315,  Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 328,  Miscellaneous Electron Space Discharge Device Systems,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 330,  Amplifiers,   for crossed field amplifier. 331,  Oscillators,   particularly subclass 107 for oscillators containing low temperature superconducting material.

201	Antenna:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 150.  A component that is the portion of a radio transmitter or receiver station used for radiating or receiving radio waves to or from space. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 183, for optical waveguide. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 342,  Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation),   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 343,  Communications: Radio Wave Antennas,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review.

202	Electric communication system containing transmitter or receiver of pulse, digital, or electromagnetic radio, television, or radar wave form:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 150.  System that communicates information by sending or receiving through a transmission line or space (a) electrical pulse or digital signal, or (b) radio, television, radar, electromagnetic wave signals, or directional wave characteristics. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 170, for information processing or information storage or retrieval system, device, or component. 181+, for photoconductive, light transmissive, light emissive, or light responsive device or component. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 342,  Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation),   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 358,  Facsimile and Static Presentation Processing,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 359,  Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 375,  Pulse or Digital Communications,   particularly subclass 99 for receivers with interference or noise reduction means containing low temperature superconducting material. 455,  Telecommunications,   for telecommunication systems that have a resonant cavity housing containing material.

203

Electroacoustic transducer:

This subclass is indented under subclass 150.  Device or system for converting (a) sound waves in the form of traveling stresses in an elastic medium (e.g., air, etc.) into an electric signal or (b) an electric signal into sound waves in the form of traveling stresses in an elastic medium (e.g., air, etc.). SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 201, for antenna. 202, for electric communication system containing transmitter or receiver of pulse, digital, or electromagnetic radio, television, or radar wave form.