Application of solution deposition to fabricate Y-Ba-Cu-O coated conductor

Abstract

This paper demonstrates the successful application of solution deposition techniques to deposit buffer layers and YBCO films on flexible metal substrates, thus making coated conductor fabrication scalable and cost effective. We present results obtained using strontium titanate buffer layers. These buffer layers, processed on single crystal substrates using solution precursors and heat treated in a reducing atmosphere are highly textured and have a uniform smooth surface. YBCO films, 0.3-0.5 mm thick, deposited on these buffered single crystals using the trifluoroacetate process shows good superconducting properties. YBCO films processed on strontium titanate buffered lanthanum aluminate substrates have an onset of transition around 90-91 K and critical current densities of the order of 10/sup 5/-10/sup 6/ A/cm/sup 2/ at 77 K and self-field. These processing techniques have been extended to textured nickel substrates. These results offer promise for the development of a scalable, solution-based processing route to deposit buffer layers and YBCO films on flexible metallic textured tapes.