Thin film embodiments of MBa2Cu3O7-x (MBCO, M = yttrium or a rare-earth metal) prepared by several different deposition methods on a variety of substrates were investigated by Raman microspectroscopy. Several of the unique characterization capabilities of Raman spectroscopy in the analysis of MBCO thin films are highlighted by the results of these investigations. The Raman active phonons of the orthorhombic and tetragonal forms of MBCO that are most useful for characterization of textured MBCO films are diagrammed and discussed. A rapid procedure for qualitative texture mapping of MBCO thin films using Raman microscopy techniques is presented, and a new approach for investigating phase separation at the sub-micrometer level in MBCO thin films based on curve resolution of the MBCO Cu2 phonon is described. The assignment of a particular feature often observed in Raman spectra of MBCO films to cation disorder is reinforced by results of a cation substitution study. The depth of penetration of the laser into MBCO films and the type of information that can be obtained by varying the extent of defocusing of the laser are also discussed.

Biaxially textured magnesium oxide (MgO) films deposited by inclined-substrate deposition (ISD) are desirable for rapid production of high-quality template layers for YBCO-coated conductors. High-quality YBCO films were grown on ISD MgO buffered metallic substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Columnar grains with a roof-tile surface structure were observed in the ISD MgO films. X-ray pole figure analysis revealed that the (002) planes of the ISD MgO films are tilted at an angle from the substrate normal. A small full-width at half maximum (FWHM) of ≈9° was observed in the ϕ-scan for ISD MgO films deposited at an inclination angle of 55°. In-plane texture in the ISD MgO films developed in the first ≈0.5 μm from the substrate surface, and then stabilized with further increases in film thickness. Yttria-stabilized zirconia and ceria buffer layers were deposited on the ISD MgO grown on metallic substrates prior to the deposition of YBCO by PLD. YBCO films with the c-axis parallel to the substrate normal have a unique orientation relationship with the ISD MgO films. An orientation relationship of YBCO⟨100⟩∥MgO⟨111⟩ and YBCO⟨010⟩∥MgO⟨110⟩ was measured by x-ray pole figure analyses and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. A Tc of 91 K with a sharp transition and transport Jc of 5.5 × 105 A cm−2 at 77 K in self-field were measured on a YBCO film that was 0.46 μm thick, 4 mm wide and 10 mm long.

The time evolution of the phases present in the ceramic cores of silver-sheathed (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox (Ag/Bi-2223) multifilament superconducting tapes heat-treated at selected oxygen partial pressure/temperature (pO2/T) set points was investigated using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy coupled with computer-based image processing methods. The numerical values for individual phase contents and non-superconducting second phase (NSP) size distributions generated in this way were used to quantify the temporal evolution of composition in the variably treated Ag/Bi-2223 tapes. Results for the three pO2/T set points investigated (21.0% O2/835 °C, 7.5% O2/825 °C and 4.0% O2/815 °C) revealed characteristic patterns of recurring maxima and minima in the time evolution of the NSPs. (Ca, Sr)14Cu24O41 was found to be the stable phase at 21.0% O2/835 °C, possibly evolving as a co-product of the Bi-2223 formation reaction, while (Ca, Sr)2CuO3 and CuO were stable at 4.0% O2/815 °C, presumably as a consequence of competitive secondary reactions proceeding in parallel with Bi-2223 formation. The best-aligned grains were formed in Ag/Bi-2223 tapes treated at 21.0% O2/835 °C, while the best conversion to Bi-2223, together with the least amount of NSP particles >0.5 μm in major dimension, was produced by the 7.5% O2/825 °C treatment. A forward-looking conclusion of the study is that it appears possible to minimize the amount and size of NSP particles during Ag/Bi-2223 heat treatment by using a combinatorial sequence of appropriately timed pO2/T set points.

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A new type of first heat treatment procedure for the silver-sheathed (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox composite conductor (Ag/Bi-2223) has been investigated. This new procedure consists of using multiple oxygen partial pressure/temperature set point conditions that are systematically varied during the course of the first heat treatment. The present embodiment of this procedure (referred to as thermal slide heat treatment) involves the use of three specific set point conditions (21.0% O2/835 °C, 7.5% O2/825 °C and 4.0% O2/815 °C) appropriately sequenced and tuned to specific time intervals. Application of this procedure as a first heat treatment for powder-in-tube-type Ag/Bi-2223 composite wire specimens was found to produce a minimal amount (<8 area% as seen in cross section views of transverse mounted specimens) of finely divided nonsuperconducting secondary phases in the Bi-2223 filament cores. Also, a direct correlation was observed between the amount of nonsuperconducting secondary phase contained in the Ag/Bi-2223 specimens at the end of the first heat treatment and the performance (in terms of JC) of the fully processed specimen.