MOCVD-derived GdYBCO tapes with smooth surface and low Rs based on a new self-heating technology

The metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method was used to prepare GdYBCO films on LaMnO3/ homo epitaxial-MgO/ ion-beam-assisted-deposition-MgO/ solution-deposition-planarization-Y2O3 buffered Hastelloy tapes. By adopting a simple self-heating technique, the substrates were heated by the joule effect after applying a heating current (Ih) through Hastelloy metal tapes. The effects of substrate temperature and (Gd, Y)/Ba ratio (rc) in the precursor on the biaxial texture, surface morphology and superconducting performance of GdYBCO films were systematically investigated by varying the values of Ih and rc. Needle-like outgrowths formed on the substrate surface were characterized using a scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer and X-ray diffraction system. The results show that a high Ih or rc leads to the formation of needle-like outgrowths. Therefore, Ih and rc are crucial process parameters that control the growth of needle-like outgrowths on the surface of GdYBCO films. Three hundred nanometer thick GdYBCO films were prepared at different Ih and rc by the MOCVD process. At an Ih of 27.0 A and an rc of 0.6, the surface of the GdYBCO film was very smooth and dense, which can provide a good template for multiple depositions of GdYBCO films. The critical current density of the deposited 300 nm-thick GdYBCO film was 4.4 MA/cm2 (77 K, 0 T), which is attributed to good biaxial texture and appropriate film composition. Furthermore, the microwave surface resistance (77 K, 10 GHz) of the GdYBCO film was merely 0.581 mΩ.