Nanostructural characterization of artificial pinning centers in PLD-processed REBa2Cu3O7-δ films

In the context of high temperature superconductors, pulsed laser deposition derived GdBa2Cu3O7-δ sample with BaHfO3 nanoparticles has been reported to achieve high current density and good IC-B-θ characteristics at high temperatures. Herein, we have carried out a thorough nanostrucural characterization of BaHfO3 nanoparticles embedded in GdBCO matrix using scanning transmission electron microscopy, with an emphasis on the dispersion behavior, morphologies and nanostrain, to understand the role of BaHfO3 nanoparticles.