This practical course will equip students with necessary competencies for carrying out their MSc thesis project at the Institute of Applied Physics. It is methodologically complemented by the lecture Superconductivity and Low Temperature Physics.

• calculate the required mass of all the raw materials used (k4);
• execute all experimental steps required for the fabrication of a superconducting material (k3);
• execute measurements of the electrical resistance versus temperature of the fabricated material, using state-of-the-art instrumentation relevant to ongoing research at the Institute of Applied Physics (k3/k4);
• identify problems that arise during their work, analyze them and develop solutions independently (k5/k6);
• analyze measured data rigorously, draw meaningful conclusions and present results in a well-structured report (k4/k5);
• critically evaluate experimental results in the context of the scientific literature (k5);
• reflect critically on feedback of the supervisor and incorporate it into the report (k5).

• fabrication of high-Tc superconducting materials;
• structural characterization of the fabricated superconductor;
• measurement of electrical properties versus temperature T (e.g., resistance R(T)) of the fabricated superconductor and of a normal conductor;
• determination of normal state resistivity versus T and of critical temperature Tc from measured data, comparison to literature values, and interpretation of results.