Growth optimization and characterization of a-axis oriented Y-Ba-Cu-O thin films on [100] LaSrGaO/sub 4/ substrates

We have grown high quality a-axis oriented YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-x//PrBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-y/ films on [100] LaSrGaO/sub 4/ substrates. We have optimized the crystalline orientation and the superconducting properties of our films. We have performed annealing studies on a- and c-axis films in vacuum and oxygen to compare the oxygen depletion of the films and found that T/sub c/ degradation of a-axis films is comparable to that of c-axis films. To further optimize the a-axis films for trilayer junction fabrication, we significantly reduced the surface roughness of the films by a gradual lowering of oxygen pressure during the deposition.<
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