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Machining high temperature superconducting (HTS) thin films is challenging due to the material’s sensitivity. Here, 200 nm thick YBCO microbridges were machined with a femtosecond laser (300 fs at 1030 nm wavelength) as a chemical free and flexible method with minimal edge damage. Transport measurements and Raman spectroscopy were used to analyse the bridges before and after laser processing. While transport and Raman measurements are commonly used separately to evaluate YBCO, our approach links both techniques to analyse laser induced damage. The link between changes in the Raman spectrum and transport measurements is investigated by identifying changes caused by repeated heat treatments while sequentially measuring the critical current density and Raman spectra. The data obtained is used to predict critical current density losses from changes in Raman peak intensities and shifts. This technique is further investigated by applying it to laser machined YBCO bridges which were exposed to highly localised heating. Results show that for bridge widths of 10 μm, a femtosecond laser can be used to repeatedly successfully machine microbridges with no loss in critical current density and that there is some correlation to critical current changes in the Raman spectra., This work was partially supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory - Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ), the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) under contract LRIR #18RQCOR100, and AFOSR/EOARD under contract FA 16I0E050 and the EPSRC (grant number: EP/L016567/1).

To date the strategy for inducing pinning in REBa2Cu3O7-x (REBCO where RE = rare-earth) coated conductors has largely been empirical. Hence, we are not yet at a point where we can dial-in the compositions and process parameters to optimise pinning for particular applications having specific temperature, field, and field angle requirements. In this review, we cover the critical materials science aspects which enable the understanding, design and engineering of desired pinning centre morphologies. Our main emphasis is on in in-situ epitaxial growth of REBCO films by vapour deposition. We review the optimal pinning centre morphologies which have been determined to be effective for different operation regimes. We also highlight how the interplay of thermodynamics (including epitaxial effects), film-particle interfacial strain, and kinetics determine pinning morphologies. Finally, we also briefly cover pinning in rapid ex-situ, liquid assisted growth which is likely to be a necessary universal approach for applications where low cost is critical., This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Doctoral training account (grant number EP/N509620/1), EUROTAPES, a collaborative project funded by the European Commission's Seventh Framework Program under Grant Agreement No. 280432, and also partially funded by SuNAM Co., Ltd, and Applied Materials, Inc.