High-density YBCO targets for sputtering with defect-free microstructure prepared by novel infiltration method.

• This infiltration technique enables fast and agile manufacturing of high-density REBCO sputtering targets. • Thin-films prepared from the infiltration target have superior microstructure in comparison with a reference target In this contribution, we demonstrate a new approach to the preparation of targets based on YBCO high-temperature superconductors, which are being used on large scale for thin-film superconductors deposition. The targets were manufactured by a new infiltration technique in a period of time less than 48 h. The phase composition of the final sample was analyzed by XRD, Rietveld refinement was used for the quantitative analysis. The microstructure of the final sample and the reference sample prepared by conventional target sintering was studied by SEM. The prepared target was also used for thin-film YBCO tape preparation by IJD in order to confirm the suitability of the novel technique. The prepared thin-layer was analyzed via XRD, SEM, EDS and optical microscopy. In addition, isothermal (T = 1250 K and T = 1325 K) isoactivity (p O2 / p ° = 0.21) sections of the Y-Ba-Cu-O phase diagram were calculated by FactSage program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]