Chemical removal of contaminants from thin film Bi4Sr3Ca3Cu4O16+x surfaces

Abstract
A solution of Br in absolute ethanol, previously shown to be effective at removing nonsuperconducting species from Y‐Ba‐Cu‐O thin film surfaces, is shown to also be effective in treating Bi‐Sr‐Ca‐Cu‐O thin film surfaces. X‐ray photoelectron spectra obtained after etching are consistent with previously reported results obtained from samples cleaved or scraped in vacuum.