Enhancement of critical current density of YBa2Cu3O7 − δ thin films by self-assembly of Y2O3 nanoparticulates

YBa2Cu3O7 − δ (YBCO) thin films, possessing high critical current density (Jc), have been synthesized by embedding a homogeneous array of Y2O3 non-superconducting nanoclusters/nanoparticles using a pulsed laser deposition technique. The size, interparticle spacing, and density of Y2O3 nanoparticles in YBCO thin films were tailored by varying the number of laser pulses in order to determine the optimum size for effective immobilization of vortices. Scanning transmission electron microscopy with atomic number contrast and X-ray diffraction techniques were used to determine the size and structure of the nanoparticles. Both techniques indicate that the Y2O3 particles are epitaxial with respect to the surrounding YBCO matrix. The information about pinning of vortices by the nanoparticles was obtained by investigating the behavior of critical current density as a function of temperature and applied field, which in turn determines the vortex density in the sample. The superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of YBCO films with the inclusion of nanoparticles was observed to remain almost the same or decrease marginally (1–2 K) with respect to Tc of pure YBCO films deposited under identical conditions. However, Jcs of YBCO films embedded with self-assembled nanoparticles were found to be significantly higher than that of pure YBCO films. The Jc enhancement was up to five times in high magnetic field, which is a key requirement for practical application of high-Tc materials.