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YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) vs Nb3Sn

RANKED BY CRITICAL TEMPERATURE TC AT AMBIENT PRESSURE (KELVIN) #4 VS #8 CHECKED 06 SEPT 2026

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Verdict

YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) ranks #4 of 8 on Critical temperature Tc at ambient pressure (kelvin) (93 K); Nb3Sn ranks #8 (18.3 K).

Rank 04 of 8 · leads

YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO)

Critical temperature Tc at ambient pressure (kelvin)

93 K

MakerWu / Chu group

Date1987

Verified04 Sept 2026

Evidence

First superconductor above liquid-nitrogen temperature. Widely replicated ambient-pressure Tc ≈ 93 K for optimally doped YBCO. Cited here as the canonical 90 K-class cuprate against which Hg-1223 is compared in the 2025 npj Quantum Materials Hg-1223 paper.

Rank 08 of 8

Nb3Sn

Critical temperature Tc at ambient pressure (kelvin)

18.3 K

MakerMatthias / Bell Labs

Date1954

Verified04 Sept 2026

Evidence

Matthias, Geballe, Geller, Corenzwit, Phys. Rev. 95, 1435 (1954): superconductivity in Nb3Sn near 18 K. Modern wire-grade Nb3Sn is quoted at 18.0–18.3 K ambient. Still the workhorse A15 conductor for high-field magnets.

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More YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) matchups

Source Peer-reviewed papers: Nature 365, 323 (1993); Phys. Rev. Lett. 60, 2539 (1988); Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 27, L209 (1988); Chin. Phys. Lett. 25,… Last checked 06 Sept 2026

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