High rate deposition of thick YBa2Cu3O7-x superconducting films using low-fluorine solution

We have developed a new solution for fabrication of YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) films. This new solution contains only 30% of the fluorine content in an all-TFA solution, and the duration of the heat-treatment cycles is much shorter than that when the traditional all-TFA solution is used. Pyrolyzed films with mirror-like surfaces can be obtained at a high heating rate of 10 degrees C min(-1). Therefore, thick YBCO films can be prepared rapidly using a multiple coating - pyrolysis process. Using low-fluorine solution, Y and Ba fluorides (YF3 and BaF2) were formed during the pyrolysis process, which is the same as when an all-TFA solution was used. Hence, a liquid phase was formed prior to the YBCO nucleation, which enhanced the epitaxial growth of the YBCO film as well as its superconducting performance.