Interface structure of a YBa2Cu3O7−x/N/YBa2Cu3O7−x superconductor/normal metal/superconductor Josephson junction using YBa2Cu2.79Co0.21O7−x as the normal barrier N

Superconductor-normal-superconductor (SNS) edge junctions consisting of YBa2Cu3O7/YBa2Cu2.79Co0.21O7−x/YBa2Cu3O7 were fabricated on (001) YSZ substrates using laser deposition. In contrast to other SNS junctions, e.g., with La0.5Sr0.5CoO3, CaRuO3, or SrRuO3 as the barrier layer, these devices do not display an excess normal-state resistance. High-resolution and conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques were employed to investigate the SN interface structure and possible interface defects. Results are compared to recent TEM investigations of CaRuO3 SNS junctions.