High $I_{\rm c}$ in YBCO Films Grown at Very High Rates by Liquid Mediated Growth

Abstract

YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 x (YBCO) thick films were grown by hybrid liquid phase epitaxy (HLPE) on (001) SrTiO 3 (STO) substrates. With introduction of Au into the film via diffusion from a 5 mol. % 100 nm thick Au-doped STO buffer, self-field c s at 77 K of 2 4 MAcm 2 and c s up to 700 A/cm-width of were achieved. The c value is virtually independent on thickness and growth rates are extremely high ( 1 m min) without the need for post-growth processing. From transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Y 2 O 3 nano-cloud extended defects ( 100 nm size), but 100 nm apart, were identified as the pinning defects in the films. The single crystal results were successfully translated to tapes, giving self-field c s of around 300 A/cm-width.

Biopolymer mediated synthesis of plate-like YBCO with enhanced grain connectivity and intragranular critical current

“…These YBCO seed crystallites then act as nuclei for aligned clusters of YBCO platelet crystals after the precursor dissolves in the presence of NaCl, acting as a flux. 26…”

Future Directions for Cuprate Conductors

“…One process of this type which we have studied is hybrid liquid phase epitaxy (HLPE). We have worked on optimisation of the HLPE process on short coated conductor samples achieving critical currents of 300 A on chemical solution deposited -buffered Ni-W RABiTS substrates [39]. Of note is that the HLPE YBCO layer was formed in a matter of minutes.…”

Strong pinning at high growth rates in rare earth barium cuprate (REBCO) superconductor films grown with liquid-assisted processing (LAP) during pulsed laser deposition

“…Higher speed growth can be achieved via the use of liquidassisted methods owing to the faster growth kinetics. The first liquid growth method used to produce REBCO was via a method called liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) [4][5][6], initially developed by the semiconductor industry to grow III-V, II-VI and IV-VI compounds for various device applications. e.g.…”