Ultrathin film preparation of superconducting 2223 Bi(Pb)SrCaCuO by sputter deposition and rapid annealing

Abstract

The growth of superconducting Bi(Pb)SrCaCuO thin films was examined. Films with various thicknesses between 100 - 3000 Å were prepared on MgO(100) substrates by sputter deposition and subsequent rapid annealing. The obtained films were c-axis oriented superconducting thin films with a 2223 phase and zero resistivity at 100 - 105 K. The ultrathin film of thickness 200 Å showed zero resistivity at 100 K and had a critical current density () of about at 77 K whilst in a zero magnetic field. This film displayed a of at 77 K under a 1 T magnetic field applied parallel to the film surface and perpendicular to the current direction. decreased very slightly in a low magnetic field (0 - 0.1 T) and no hysteresis was observed in the - B curve. The film also showed little degradation of in magnetic fields of up to 3 T.