I n s i t u processing of textured superconducting thin film of Bi(-Pb)-Ca-Sr-Cu-O by excimer laser ablation

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Abstract
We have prepared highly oriented bismuth cuprate thin films (c‐axis textured) on yttria‐stabilized zirconia (100) YS‐ZrO2 substrates at 650 °C by pulsed excimer laser ablation in a 200 mTorr oxygen ambient. The films were annealed in oxygen and nitrogen atmospheres to study the effect on zero‐resistance transition temperature (Tc0). Thin films deposited at 650 °C exhibited a Tc0 of 68 K with onset at 110 K. Post‐annealing for 1 h at 400 °C in oxygen improved the Tc0 to 82 K, while the onset remained the same. X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Rutherford backscattering channeling studies were performed on these films for correlations between crystal structure, microstructure, and superconducting properties. X‐ray diffraction patterns indicated a 2212 type phase with a=5.39 Å and c=30.76 Å; preferential orientation of the c axis perpendicular to the substrate was observed. The lattice parameters and x‐ray diffraction patterns were found to be invariant with annealing treatments that improved Tc0 from 68 to 82 K.