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Epitaxial growth of YbBa sub 2 Cu sub 3 O sub 7 minus. delta. films on (100)-oriented MgO and SrTiO sub 3 substrates by oxidation of a liquid alloy precursor

Journal Article · · Journal of Materials Research; (United States)
; ; ; ;  [1];  [2]; ;  [3]
  1. Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States)
  2. University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois 60607 (United States)
  3. American Superconductor Corporation, Watertown, Massachusetts 02172 (United States)

Textured superconducting films of YbBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}{delta}} were grown on single crystals of MgO (100) and SrTiO{sub 3} (100) by oxidation of a liquid alloy precursor. The substrates were coated by dipping them in molten YbBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3} (m.p. {similar to}870 {degree}C). After removal from the melt, the liquid layers on the substrates were oxidized in pure oxygen to form the tetragonal oxide phase, i.e., YbBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}{delta}}, then annealed at 500 {degree}C to obtain the superconducting orthorhombic phase of the same compound. The microstructure of the films obtained in this way was found to be related to the nature of the substrate as well as to processing variables that included oxidation temperature and oxidation time. Films grown on MgO (100) showed {ital c}-axis texture as well as a random growth structure. Films prepared on SrTiO{sub 3} (100) showed either a {ital c}-axis texture or a mixture of {ital c}-axis and {ital a}-axis texture. The superconducting properties of the as-prepared films and the effects of key process parameters on film quality and microstructure are presented and discussed.

DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
7203770
Journal Information:
Journal of Materials Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Materials Research; (United States) Vol. 7:10; ISSN JMREE; ISSN 0884-2914
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English