Mason Williams, “The Isostatic Press in Making Superconductors”
Mentor: Prasenjit Guptasarma, Physics
Poster #207

The Isostatic Press is an important machine in the process of growing superconductors using the floating zone method. It uses the property of fluid dynamics that fluids are non-compressible to solidify powders in much the same way that chalk is made. The system takes oil from a reservoir and attempts to move it into a pressure vessel which increases the internal pressure. This pressure will compress the powder in the mold and form a rigid shape. This powder is then cooked in a furnace and then put into a floating zone furnace with another rod to make a large, high-quality, single-crystal lattice.