Superconducting YBCO thin film on multicrystalline Ag film evaporated on MgO substrate

Abstract

Superconducting YBa 2Cu 3O 7−δ films were grown by resistive evaporation on multicrystalline silver film which was evaporated on MgO substrate. A simple inexpensive vacuum system equipped with resistively heated boat was used for the whole process. Silver film was first evaporated on MgO substrate kept at 400°C during the evaporation after which with no further annealing a precursor mixture of yttrium small grains and Cu and BaF2 in powder form weighed in the atomic proportion to yield stoichiometric YBa 2Cu 3O 7 was evaporated. The films thus obtained were annealed at 740°C under low oxygen partial pressure of about 1Pa for 30 minutes to form the superconducting phase. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used for texture and surface analysis. Electrical properties were determined using a standard dc four-probe for electrical measurements. The physical and electrical properties of the YBCO films are discussed in light of the fact that X-ray diffraction measurements done on the silver film have revealed a multicrystalline structure