Superconducting thin films of high Tc cuprates prepared by spin-on/pyrolysis

Thin films of high Tc cuprate superconductors have been prepared by spinning on metal organic precursors from solution, followed by pyrolysis to oxide films. This new technique allows easy manipulation of film stoichiometry, and gives excellent compositional uniformity throughout the films. A 1600 A film of Ba2YCu3O7 on 〈100〉 MgO had a room temperature resistivity of 500 μΩcm, Tc(onset) of 90K, and R=0 at 58K. The film morphology was essentially a single planar array of grains with lateral dimensions of 2–5μm, oriented with the orthorhombic c axis perpendicular to the substrate. The preparation and electrical and microstructural characterization of thin films of Ba2YCu3O7 and other high Tc cuprates will be discussed.