Yttrium-enriched YBa2Cu3Ox thin films for coated conductors fabricated by pulsed laser deposition

Abstract The effects of excess yttria on the structural and electrical properties of the YBa 2 Cu 3 O x (YBCO) thin films are studied. The films were deposited on (LaAlO 3 ) 0.3 –(Sr 2 AlTaO 8 ) 0.7 substrates by pulsed laser ablation from targets with different elemental composition. An increase of yttrium content of the target leads to formation of porous films with significantly improved current-carrying capabilities. Structural studies of these films reveal presence of yttria nanoparticles embedded into the YBCO matrix. The highest obtained critical current density in an external magnetic field of 5 T was 2.6 MA/cm 2 at 50 K and 9.4 MA/cm 2 at 20 K. The fabricated Y-enriched YBCO films remain c -oriented at least up to 600 nm thickness with no significant suppression of the critical current density.