Microwave Measurements of Pinning Properties in Chemically Deposited YBCO/BZO Films
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON APPLIED SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
Authors: Torokhtii, Kostiantyn; Pompeo, Nicola; Frolova, Anna; Pinto, Valentina; Armenio, Achille Angrisani; Piperno, Laura; Celentano, Giuseppe; Petrisor, Traian; Ciontea, Lelia; Mos, Ramona B.; Nasui, Mircea; Sotgiu, Giovanni; Silva, Enrico
Abstract
We present a comparative study of vortex pinning in chemically deposited YBa2Cu3O7-x/BaZrO3 nanocomposite films, with the aim of correlating the preparation method to the superconducting properties. Two sets of samples have been prepared by different low fluorine routes (one set followed the in situ approach), with different starting YBCO coating solution and with a different amount of BaZrO3. The short-range vortex pinning properties have been assessed using a contactless microwave (48 GHz) technique, which yielded the vortex pinning constant (Labusch parameter) k(p) and the vortex viscosity. as a function of the applied field up to 0.8 T, and for temperatures between 60 K and T-c. The results were compared to more usual (long-range vortex motion) J(c) measurements. Despite the supposed similarity in pinning as determined from J(c), we found significant differences between the pinning properties of the two sets of samples. It appears that the in situ approach results in stronger pinning at microwaves in the whole temperature range explored, and that this behavior is due to the smaller dimensions of BaZrO3 nanoparticles. This information can be very useful in the search of optimized chemical route to strong pinning superconducting nanocomposite materials.
SECOND PHASE (BaGeO3, BaSiO3) NANOCOLUMNS IN YBa2Cu3O7-x FILMS
ADVANCES IN CRYOGENIC ENGINEERING (MATERIALS), VOL 56: TRANSACTIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRYOGENIC MATERIALS CONFERENCE - ICMC
Authors: Varanasi, C. V.; Reichart, J.; Burke, J.; Wang, H.; Susner, M.; Sumption, M.; Barnes, P. N.
Abstract
YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) films with BaGeO3 (BGeO), BaS1O(3) (BSiO) second phase additions were processed by pulsed laser deposition. Sectored targets with BGO or BSA) wedges as well as pre-mixed targets of YBCO, BGeO or BSI with appropriate compositions were used to deposit YBCO+BGeO and YBCO+BSIO films on (100) single crystal LaAlO3 substrates. The cross-sectional transmission electron micrographs showed the presence of 20 nm diameter nanocolumns in the YBCO films of both the compositions. However, the critical transition temperature (TO of the films was found to significantly decrease. As a result, the critical current density (Jr) in applied magnetic fields was suppressed. The YBCO+BGeO and YBCO+BSiO films made with lower concentrations of additions showed slight improvement in Te indicating that the substitution of Ge and Si in the lattice is possibly responsible for the T, depression. This study shows that in addition to the ability to form nanocolumns, the chemical compatibility of BaSnO3 (BSO) and BaZrO3 (BZO) as observed in YBCO+BSO and YBCO+BZO is critical to process high J(c), YBCO films