Superconducting YBaCuO thin Films by Cu-Ion Implantation

Abstract

AbstractWe have investigated the fabrication of thin-film superconductors by Cu-ion implantation into initially Cu-deficient Y(BaF2)Cu thin films. The precursor films were co-evaporated on SrTiO3 substrates, and subsequently implanted to various doses with 400 keV 63Cu2+. Implantations were preformed at both LN2 temperature and at 380°C. The films were post-annealed in oxygen, and characterized as a function of dose by four-point probe analysis, X-ray diffraction, ion-beam backscattering and channeling, and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that a significant improvement in film quality could be achieved by heating the films to 380°C during the implantation. The best films became fully superconducting at 60–70 K, and exhibited good metallic R vs. T. behavior in the normal state.