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The critical current density (Jc) for zero magnetic field has been measured as a function of temperature in c-oriented thin layers of YBa2Cus07, prepared by different synthesis methods. One direct and two indirect J,(n methods were employed for each film: transport measurements on patterned film constrictions, DC remanent magnetization studies using the Bean model and non-linear AC screening analysis. Results from the indirect methods were calibrated against transport data. Possible origins of observed dependences are suggested and calibration procedures are discussed. The investigation demonstrated t h e feasibility of using AC screening analysis in rapid determinations of J,(n close to Tc.

Thin-film growth and compositional effects of c-axis oriented YBa2Cu3O7−x (YBCO) thin films synthesized by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition have been investigated. The formation of single cation films using tetramethylheptanedionate precursors was shown to be mass controlled, exhibiting a ratio of deposited to evaporated species in the increasing order Ba, Y, and Cu. The physical properties of off-stoichiometric YBCO films deposited on MgO substrates were measured in the compositional range 1.1≤Ba/Y≤2.3 and 1.5≤Cu/Ba≤4.6. While structural properties such as c-axis values and rocking curves appeared unaffected to variations in cation stoichiometry, morphology was observed to be extremely sensitive even to slight changes in composition. Off-stoichiometric layers with Cu/Ba≳1.5 were observed to exhibit Cu-rich precipitates embedded in a 1:2:3 YBCO film matrix. The zero-resistivity temperatures were above 77 K for all cation film compositions measured. However, sharp ac-susceptibility transitions were restricted to a more narrow compositional range (1.9<Cu/Ba<3.6). The best superconducting properties [Tc=85 K, Jc (77 K)≳106 A/cm2] were observed for films with relatively rough surface morphologies (Ba/Y=1.6 and Cu/Ba=3.5). An optimum trade-off between smooth surfaces and superconducting properties was found for Ba/Y=1.5 and Cu/Ba=1.9, yielding Tc=81 K and Jc (77 K)=3×105 A/cm2.