Development of mid-frequency AC reactive magnetron sputtering for fast deposition of Y2O3 buffer layers

A reel-to-reel magnetron sputtering system with mid-frequency alternating current (AC) power supply was used to deposit double-sided Y2O3 seed layer on biaxially textured Ni-5 at.%W tape for YBa2Cu3O7−δ coated conductors. A reactive sputtering process was carried out using two opposite symmetrical sputtering guns with metallic yttrium targets and water vapor for oxidizing the sputtered metallic atoms. The voltage control mode of the power supply was used and the influence of the cathode voltage and ArH2 pressure were systematically investigated. Subsequently yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) barrier and CeO2 cap layers were deposited on the Y2O3 buffered substrates in sequence, indicating high quality and uniform double-sided structure and surface morphology of such the architecture.