Superconducting oxide-copper monoliths have been fabricated by shock-wave loading using cylindrical and plane geometries. Bulk densities up to 96% T.D. have been obtained by varying detonation parameters. The superconducting properties, interface bonding and microstructure of the compacts have been evaluated.

We have studied the variation of low field magnetization hysteresis in YBa₂Cu₃O₇ as a function of the maximum magnetic field applied during a hysteresis cycle (1 G<H_max<7.3 G) and also as a function of temperature (77 K<T<95 K). The remnant magnetization is studied as a function ofH_max andT and the measured dependences are explained using the extended critical state model. The potential of this technique as a contactless method of probing the temperature dependence ofJ_c is discussed.

We present measurements of harmonic generation in the magnetization of sintered pellets of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ and Bi_1.7Pb_0.3Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀ as a function of DC field. The DC field is applied in the field-cooled mode. Measurements are made at 77 K for various values of the AC field amplitude. A comparison is made with calculations done within the critical state model.

Results are presented for study of nonlinear magnetization of a sintered YBa₂Cu₃O_7−y pellet of different thickness of a sample subjected to very low magnetic field. On cooling the sample belowT_c in zero field a change, in the oscillatory structure of harmonics in increasing dc field is observed in very low ac magnetic field. The effect of finiteness of the sample on the oscillatory structure and on the hysteresis of harmonics is also studied. The results are explained qualitatively.