Spray pyrolysis processing of yttrium-barium-copper-oxide and bismuth-strontium-calcium-copper-oxide superconducting thin films

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to explore the processing parameters involved in the production of thin film superconductors by spray pyrolysis processing (SPP). The present study is an attempt to optimize the many parameters in SPP. The specific parameters studied were substrate temperature, carrier gas flow rate, substrate materials, solution stoichiometry, spray rate, concentration, starting materials, and substrate to nozzle distance. The effect of these parameters on film stoichiometry and the anticipated superconducting behavior were investigated at some length. Films were routinely produced in a spray chamber designed as a part of this research. Films were analyzed by Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Meissner effect measurements.