Effect of Substrate Temperature on the Crystalline State of Ba2ErCu3O7-x Superconducting Thin Films by rf Magnetron Sputtering

Abstract
The crystalline state of the Ba2ErCu3O7-x thin films deposited at various substrate temperatures by rf magnetron sputtering are investigated. The as-sputtered films deposited above 650°C have a layered-perovskite structure which exhibits superconductivity by an annealing process in an oxygen flow. The annealed films have a better crystalline state and better superconducting properies than the films annealed after the deposition at lower substrate temperatures. The spatial distribution of the film composition across the thickness is also studied by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry.