Synthesis of superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films on nickel-based superalloy using in situ pulsed laser deposition

Good quality superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films have been grown on nickel-based superalloy, viz., Hastelloy with yttria-stabilized zirconia buffer layers employing a single chamber in situ pulsed laser deposition process. YBa2Cu3O7−δ films were found to be textured with c axis perpendicular to the substrate. A plot of normalized resistance against temperature exhibited a smooth metallic behavior followed by an onset superconducting transition at 92 K with the zero resistance temperature (Tc0) of 86 K. Critical current density for these films at 77 K was ∼7000 A cm−2 and critical current (Ic) was observed to be proportional to (1 − T/Tc0)1.4.