Microstructural and compositional variations in laser-deposited superconducting thin films

Journal Article · Mon Sep 12 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.100653· OSTI ID:6866500

Singh, R K; Biunno, N; Narayan, J

We have investigated thickness and composition variations in laser-deposited superconducting thin films and their effects on the microstructure development after subsequent annealing to recover the superconducting properties. Superconducting thin films were deposited on magnesium oxide substrates using a pulsed excimer laser (lambda = 308 nm, tau = 45 x 10/sup -9/ s). These films were annealed at about 900 /sup 0/C in helium and oxygen atmospheres followed by slow cooling to room temperature. The forward directed nature of the laser-induced deposition process in controlling the spatial variation in thickness of the film was examined using gas dynamics of the laser generated plasma. The compositional variation as a function of spatial distance was determined by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Correlation of the presence of different phases with the average composition in the film was done using transmission electron microscopy combined with x-ray microanalysis techniques. The slight enrichment of yttrium in the film resulted in yttrium-rich phases in the microstructure.

• Research Organization: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7916
• OSTI ID: 6866500
• Journal Information: Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 53:11; ISSN APPLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360201 -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Preparation & Fabrication
360202* -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Structure & Phase Studies
360204 -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Physical Properties
656100 -- Condensed Matter Physics-- Superconductivity
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ANNEALING
BARIUM COMPOUNDS
BARIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COATINGS
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER OXIDES
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DATA
DEPOSITION
DIMENSIONS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
EXCIMER LASERS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FABRICATION
FILMS
GAS LASERS
HEAT TREATMENTS
INFORMATION
LASERS
LOW TEMPERATURE
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MAGNESIUM OXIDES
MICROSTRUCTURE
NUMERICAL DATA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE STUDIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SUPERCONDUCTING FILMS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
SURFACE COATING
THICKNESS
THIN FILMS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
VAPOR DEPOSITED COATINGS
VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE
YTTRIUM COMPOUNDS
YTTRIUM OXIDES