• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.135-139
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• 2006

We fabricated YBCO coated conductors (CCs) by TFA-MOD process and evaluated microstructure, texture formation, and critical temperature ($T_c$) and current ($I_c$). YBCO precursor solution was synthesized using metal-trifluoroacetates and dip coated on $LaAlO_3$(LAO) substrate. The phase formation and microstructure was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the degree of texture was evaluated by pole-figure analysis. The CC was heat-treated in various calcining temperatures ($370^{\circ}C-460^{\circ}C$) and firing temperatures ($750^{\circ}C-800^{\circ}C$). As fired at $775^{\circ}C$ for 4h, the CC had the highest $T_c$ of 89.5 K and $I_c$ of 40 A/cm-width ($J_c=2.0\;MA/cm^2$). Microstructural observation indicated that the YBCO film was dense and homogeneous and had a strong cube texture without formation of second phase and its in-plane full-width at half-maxima; $5.2^{\circ}$ under optimum condition.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2006

We fabricated $YBa_2Cu_33O_{7-x}$(YBCO) films on(00l) $LaAlO_3$ substrates prepared by metal organic deposition(MOD) method using trifluoroacetate(TFA) solution and evaluated the effects of the humidity on the microstructure, phase purity, and critical properties. The films calcined at $430^{\circ}C$ were fired at $775^{\circ}C$ at 0%, 4.2%, 12.1%, and 20.0% humidified As gas mixed with 0.1% $O_2$. We observed that the amount of $BaF_2$ phase was effectively reduced and that a sharp and strong biaxial texture formed under a humidified atmosphere, leading to increased critical properties. For the films fired at 0% humidity, the $T_c\;and\;I_c$ were undetectably small. When the humidity was increased to 4.2%, the corresponding $T_c$(onset) and $I_c$ were increased to 90.5 K and 8 A/cm-width, respectively. For the films at the humidity range of 12.1-20.0%, the $I_c$ was found to be 35 A/cm-width. According to the results of the XRD, pole-figure, and SEM, these improved critical properties are probably attributed to the formation of a purer YBCO phase, larger grain size, and stronger c-axis orientation.