In-situ electron beam growth of $YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-x}$ coated conductors on metal substrates

High temperature superconductor $YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-x}$ (YBCO) films have been grown by in-situ electron beam evaporation on artificial metal tapes such as ion-beam assisted deposition (IBAD) and rolling assisted biaxially textured substrates (RABiTS). Deposition rate of the YBCO films is $10{\sim}100{\AA}/sec$. X-ray diffraction shows that the films are grown epitaxially but have inter-diffusion phases, like as $BaZrO_3\;or\;BaCeO_3$, at their interfaces between YBCO and yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) or $CeO_2$, respectively. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy depth profile of the films confirms diffused region between YBCO and the buffer layers, indicating that the growth temperature ($850{\sim}900^{\circ}C$) is high enough to cause diffusion of Zr and Ba. The films on both the substrates show four-fold symmetry of in-plane alignment but their width in the -scan is around $12{\sim}15^{\circ}$. Transmission electron microscopy shows an interesting interface layer of epitaxial CuO between YBCO and YSZ, of which growth origin may be related to liquid flukes of Ba-Cu-O. Resistivity vs temperature curves of the films on both substrates were measured. Resistivity at room temperature is between 300 and 500 cm, the extrapolated value of resistivity at 0 K is nearly zero, and superconducting transition temperature is $85{\sim}90K$. However, critical current density of the films is very low, ${\sim}10^3A/cm^2$. Cracking of the grains and high-growth-temperature induced reaction between YBCO and buffer layers are possible reasons for this low critical current density.