Imagine a world where electricity flows without resistance, powering everything from quantum computers to futuristic transportation systems. High-temperature superconductors (HTS) are making this vision a reality, and they’re set to change the game in ways we never thought possible! By enabling electricity to flow without resistance at higher temperatures than traditional superconductors, HTS are transforming our understanding of quantum physics.[1]
But what exactly are high-temperature superconductors? How do they work? And why are they considered a key driver in the future of quantum technologies? In this blog, we’ll explore how HTS materials are reshaping the landscape of quantum materials and their applications.
What Are High-Temperature Superconductors?
Superconductivity is a phenomenon where a material can carry an electrical current with zero resistance, meaning that there is no energy loss in the process. While this was first discovered in materials at very low temperatures (close to absolute zero), high-temperature superconductors (HTS) break that mould.
HTS materials can exhibit superconductivity at much higher temperatures than traditional superconductors, above the boiling point of liquid nitrogen (77 K or -196°C). This means they can function in more practical environments without the need for expensive and complex cooling systems, which are typically required for lower-temperature superconductors. [2]
Since their discovery in the 1980s, HTS materials have sparked intense research, offering new possibilities in areas such as quantum computing, energy efficiency, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and even magnetic levitation (maglev) trains. [3]
The Mechanics Behind High-Temperature Superconductivity
One of the most intriguing aspects of HTS is how they work. Conventional superconductors, such as metals like lead, explain their behaviour using the BCS theory, which involves the pairing of electrons (Cooper pairs). However, for HTS, particularly those made from cuprates (copper-oxide compounds), the exact mechanism is still not fully understood. [4]
Despite ongoing debates, researchers believe that electron pairing in HTS might be mediated by more complex mechanisms, possibly involving interactions with vibrations in the lattice structure. This is significantly different from what we see in conventional superconductors, making the study of HTS a fascinating and active area of research.
HTS and Quantum Materials
The field of quantum materials is built on the manipulation of materials at the quantum level, and HTS materials are central to this cutting-edge research. Quantum materials display unique properties that arise due to quantum mechanical effects, the strange behaviours that occur on the atomic scale. These properties can include phenomena like superposition, where particles exist in multiple states simultaneously, and entanglement, where particles are instantaneously connected regardless of distance. [5]
HTS Superconducting Qubits
Quantum computers hold the potential to perform computations that are impossible for classical computers, such as simulating complex molecules for drug development [6] , breaking encryption codes [7] , and solving optimization problems.
Superconducting qubits (quantum bits) are one of the leading candidates for quantum computing. These qubits use superconducting circuits made from HTS materials to represent quantum information. Since they can exist in multiple states simultaneously, qubits offer massive parallel processing power, enabling quantum computers to solve problems exponentially faster than classical machines. [8]
Companies like IBM [9] , Google [10] , and Rigetti Computing [11] are already pioneering quantum processors based on HTS materials, and breakthroughs in HTS will be key to achieving scalable, reliable quantum computing.
HTS in Power Transmission
One of the most promising applications of high-temperature superconductors is in the energy sector. Today, a significant portion of the electricity generated around the world is lost during transmission over long distances due to resistance in power lines. This energy loss is not just inefficient, it’s costly.
HTS power cables, on the other hand, can transmit electricity without energy loss, drastically improving the efficiency of electrical grids. These cables also allow for more compact and lighter designs, which could be integrated into urban infrastructure with ease. [12]
Moreover, HTS materials can handle high current densities, making them suitable for high-performance power applications like transformers, motors, and generators. As the world shifts toward more sustainable energy systems, HTS-based technologies could play a critical role in making energy transmission cleaner and more efficient. [13]
Challenges and Future Potential for HTS materials
Despite their promise, HTS materials are not without their challenges. Manufacturing HTS materials is still difficult, especially when it comes to creating large-scale wires or films that are both functional and cost-effective. Additionally, the need for extremely cold environments, though not as cold as traditional superconductors, still presents significant logistical and financial hurdles. [14]
Moreover, the mechanisms behind high-temperature superconductivity remain a mystery, which makes it difficult to design new HTS materials or predict their behaviour. However, breakthroughs in materials science, such as the recent discovery of hydride superconductors that operate at room temperature (under extreme pressure), may provide the answers needed to overcome these challenges.
Deposition Techniques for Quantum Applications
The fabrication of High-Temperature Superconductors (HTS) often relies on advanced deposition techniques such as Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) and Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) to create precise, high-quality thin films. MBE allows for exceptional control over the material’s composition and thickness at atomic levels, ensuring that the superconducting properties of HTS films are optimized for quantum applications. PVD, which involves vaporizing a material and depositing it onto a substrate, , is widely used to create high-quality thin films and nanostructures. This technique is particularly effective for creating complex oxide films, often used in HTS, as it preserves the material’s crystallinity and allows for the growth of high-quality layers. Both MBE and PVD are integral to the production of HTS materials, as they enable the engineering of thin films with tailored properties essential for advanced quantum devices and energy applications. At Nikalyte, we utilize state-of-the-art hybrid deposition systems, which include Hybrid MBE Source and a variety of PVD instruments to ensure the precision and performance of HTS films, supporting the development of next-generation quantum technologies.[15]
Conclusion
High-temperature superconductors are at the forefront of quantum material research and have the potential to transform several key industries. From enabling faster and more powerful quantum computers to improving energy transmission and medical imaging, HTS technologies offer an exciting glimpse into a future where quantum effects are harnessed for practical, everyday applications.
While challenges remain, particularly in terms of scalability and material production, the rapid pace of discovery and innovation in the field of HTS ensures that the journey is only just beginning. As researchers continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, high-temperature superconductors are sure to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of quantum technologies ultimately transforming the way we live, work, and communicate in the coming decades.
Contact us to speak with a technical expert about fabricating High-temperature superconductor materials using our advanced hybrid deposition systems.
References:
- Qin, M. J., Xu, X., & Dou, S. X. (2024). High-temperature superconductors. In T. Chakraborty (Ed.), Encyclopedia of condensed matter physics (2nd ed., pp. 565-579). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-90800-9.00254-7
- Ikram, M., Raza, A., Altaf, S., Rafi, A. A., Naz, M., Ali, S., Ahmad, S. O. A., Khalid, A., Ali, S., & Haider, J. (2021). High temperature superconductors. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96419
- Wu, H. (2024). Recent development in high temperature superconductor: Principle, materials, and applications. Applied and Computational Engineering, 63(1), 153-171. https://doi.org/10.54254/2755-2721/63/20241015
- Heidari, M. (2025). Applications of high-temperature superconductors in microwave devices. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1009261
- Goyal, R. K., Maharaj, S., Kumar, P., et al. (2025). Exploring quantum materials and applications: A review. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 20(4). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40712-024-00202-7
- Chow, J. C. L. (2024). Quantum Computing in Medicine. Medical Sciences, 12(4), 67. https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci12040067
- Golec, M., Hatay, E. S., Golec, M., Uyar, M., Golec, M., & Gill, S. S. (2024). Quantum cloud computing: Trends and challenges. Journal of Economy and Technology, 2, 190–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ject.2024.05.001
- Clarke, J., & Wilhelm, F. (2008). Superconducting quantum bits. Nature, 453(7198), 1031–1042. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature07128
- High temperature superconductors. IBM. Retrieved June 16, 2025, from https://www.ibm.com/history/high-temperature-super-conductors
- (2023, August 29). Introducing Google Willow: Our new quantum chip. Google Blog. https://blog.google/technology/research/google-willow-quantum-chip/
- Rigetti Computing. (2024, June 14). Quantum Machines and Rigetti announce successful AI-powered quantum computing demonstration. Rigetti Computing. https://investors.rigetti.com/news-releases/news-release-details/quantum-machines-and-rigetti-announce-successful-ai-powered
- Sadeghi, A., Morandi, A., & Yazdani-Asrami, M. (2024). Feasibility of high temperature superconducting cables for energy harvesting in large space-based solar power satellite applications: Electromagnetic, thermal, and cost considerations. Energy Reports, 11, 4523-4536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2024.04.023
- Hassan, B. (2024). Superconducting devices: From quantum computing to energy transmission. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1007029
- Heidari, M. (2025). Applications of high-temperature superconductors in microwave devices. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1009261
- PVD systems. Nikalyte. Retrieved May 28, 2025, from https://www.nikalyte.com/pvd-systems/
