Thick REBaCuO films for power applications planted on silver tapes

Abstract

We report on a novel technique of growing highly c-axis oriented ErBa2Cu3Oy (Er-123) thick films on commercial silver substrates, starting from Er2BaO4, BaCuO2, and CuO powders mixed in an Er-rich Er-123 ratio. Thick films are prepared by the screen-printing technique, being then processed in Ar-1% O2 atmosphere. Using a there-step annealing, we obtain good quality films, with Tc (onset) 92 K. From x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, mainly the (0 0 l) reflections from the Er-123 films are observed. Formation of large flat grains, more than 100 μm in size, was observed by scanning electron microscope. The critical current density (Jc) value at 77 K and 0 T, estimated by magnetization measurements, is 32 kA/cm2. The present results indicate that the large-area superconducting thick films produced by the novel technique within a short processing time, possess good electromagnetic properties. As the technology is relatively cheap, the films are appropriate for commercial applications.