Electrical contact characteristics of mechanically mated Y-Ba-Cu-O bulks with deposited metal layer

We have measured contact resistances between two bulk YBCO superconductor blocks with the application to a persistent current switch (PCS) in mind. In order to reduce a contact resistance, we deposited indium and silver on the sample surfaces. The resistance was reduced by increasing the thickness of the deposited metal layers, but it saturated when the thickness reached a certain level. The saturation thickness was much smaller in indium than silver. Such a difference is understandable by considering the hardness of these two metals. The resistance was also reduced by increasing the mechanical load. Overloading however caused the coupling of metal layers, resulting in the peeling off of the deposited layers when the switch was opened.