High Throughput Processing of Long-Length IBAD MgO and Epi-Buffer Templates at SuperPower

SuperPower has successfully transferred from low throughput IBAD (Ion beam assisted deposition) YSZ technology to high throughput IBAD MgO technology. Pilot-scale IBAD system and pilot-scale epi-buffer deposition system, each with capabilities of producing single-piece lengths over 1000 m have been established. Helix tape handling approach instead of wide tape approach is chosen due to its immense advantages over wide tape approach. High-performance IBAD MgO buffer stack and their processes have been developed together with high throughput where each layer in the buffer stack is processed at 40 m/h tape speed or higher during our Phase I scale up. Both pilot systems are in routine production mode since March 2006. More than 14 km IBAD MgO buffer tapes of 12 mm width were produced for Albany cable project. 700-800 m IBAD MgO tape per run is routinely produced in pilot IBAD system with single piece tape length ~570 m. 400-550 m epi-buffer tape per run is routinely produced in pilot buffer system. High throughput IBAD MgO buffer gives better texture of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (YBCO) film compared with IBAD YSZ, and superior superconducting properties. A high critical current of 557 A/cm in short tapes and a world record critical current times length value of > 70, 000 A - m were obtained with the high throughput IBAD MgO buffers.