A new direct process to prepare YBa 2Cu 3O 7− δ films on biaxially textured Ag{110}〈211〉

Abstract

YBa 2Cu 3O 7− δ (YBCO) films were successfully prepared on biaxially textured Ag{110}〈211〉 substrates by using pulsed laser deposition. X-ray diffraction results showed that the degree of preferential orientation of Ag{110}〈211〉 substrates varied with increasing annealing temperature. With a thin template layer deposited at low temperature, YBCO film with c-axis orientation and in-plane biaxial alignment could be obtained at high deposition temperature. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that YBCO grains enlarged, but Ag grains on the surface of the YBCO films became smaller with increasing deposition temperature. At optimal deposition conditions, Ag atoms diffuse into the YBCO grain boundaries, and then fill in the weak-link regions in the YBCO film, resulting in the easier conduction. J c value of 5×10 5 A/cm 2 was obtained at 77 K and zero magnetic field for the best YBCO film in our work.