Evaluating superconducting YBCO film properties using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Initial results have been recently reported that suggest a potential correlation exists between the full-width-half-maximum (FWHM) of the Y(3d) peak obtained by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the critical current density a YBa2CU3O7-x film can carry. In particular, the Y(3d(5/2)) demonstrated a stronger correlation. Transport currents were determined. by the 4-point contact method using the 1 muV/cm criterion. An apparent correlation was also suggested between the Y(3d) FWHM and ac loss data from magnetic susceptibility measurements. In this report, a few additional data points were acquired to further test the usefulness of the correlations. Samples were created by pulsed laser deposition of YBa2CU3O7-x on LaAlO3 substrates.