High density, ultrafine precipitates in YBa2Cu3O7−x thin films prepared by plasma-enhanced metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

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Abstract
Thin films of yttrium‐rich YBa2Cu3O7−x with c‐axis orientation prepared by plasma‐enhanced metalorganic chemical vapor deposition have been examined by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. Yttria precipitates smaller than 50 (Å) in size have been identified in the matrix. They are uniformly distributed, have a high density as large as 1024 per cubic meter and are oriented with respect to the matrix. The magnetic field dependence of the critical current density of the thin films indicates that the yttria precipitates are effective flux pinning centers.