Modulated structures in (Bi,Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O films

Abstract

Pb addition makes easier to form the high Tc phase in the BSCCO system. However, Pb easily vaporized at high temperature. A controlled Pb potential method has been applied to grow the high Tc phase in films. Initially, films are deposited on cleaved MgO substrates using an rf magnetron sputtering system. These amorphous as-deposited films are heat treated in a sealed gold capsule along with a large pellet of Pb-added BSCCO. Details of the process and characterization of the films have been reported elsewhere (1). Films trated for 0.5h at 850° C contain mainly the low Tc phase with a small amount of the high Tc phase. Hawever, films treated for 3h at 850°C consist mainly of the high Tc phase. This film is superconductive with a Tc(zero) of 106K. The Pb/Bi ratio of the films, analysed by SEM- EDS, are 0.12 and 0.18 for heat tratment times of 0.5 and 3h, respectively. The present study investigates the modulated structures of these films using HREM.