Superconducting YBa 2Cu 3O 7− δ thin film grown on metallic film evaporated on MgO

Abstract

At present it is commonly accepted that thin film formation of YBa 2Cu 3O 7− δ (YBCO) on conducting substrate is one of the keys to further development of advanced devices in the microelectronic and other applications. We have grown YBCO thin films by resistive evaporation technique on MgO coated with metallic layers (Ni or Ag). A simple inexpensive vacuum system equipped with resistively heated boats for metal and precursor mixture of yttrium, copper and barium fluoride powders was used. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used for texture, morphology and surface analyses respectively. Electrical and magnetical properties were determined by a standard dc four-probe method. The way of heating process is shown to be critical parameter in the film quality. The physical and electrical properties of the YBCO films are discussed in light of the fact that XRD measurements done on the metallic buffer layers have revealed a multicrystalline structure.