Free Access
Issue
Microsc. Microanal. Microstruct.
Volume 7, Number 1, February 1996
Page(s) 17 - 25
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/mmm:1996104
Microsc. Microanal. Microstruct. 7, 17-25 (1996)
DOI: 10.1051/mmm:1996104

Inclusions in Magnetron Sputtered YBa2Cu3-xMxO $_{7-\delta}$ Thin Films: A Study by Means of Electron Microscopy

Karen Verbist1, Gustaaf Van Tendeloo1, Min Ye2, Jeannot Schroeder2, Mohammad Mehbod2 et Robert Deltour2

1  EMAT, University of Antwerp (R.U.C.A.), Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
2  Physique des Solides, CP-233, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Boulevard du triomphe, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium


Abstract
The microstructure of (001) $\rm YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-\delta}$ and $\rm YBa_2Cu_{3-x}M_xO_{7-\delta}$ (M = Zn or Fe) thin films grown by inverted cylindrical magnetron sputtering was investigated by means of electron microscopy. The imperfections present in the films are discussed. Special attention is paid to nanoscale $\rm Y_2O_3$ inclusions. The density of [001] $\rm Y_2O_3$ precipitates was studied in $\rm YBa_2Cu_{3-x}Zn_xO_{7-\delta}$ and $\rm YBa_2Cu_{3-x}Fe_xO_{7-\delta}$ thin films prepared under identical conditions. The density decreases for increasing Zn-content and is unaffected in case of Fe-substitution.

PACS
6170Q - Inclusions and voids.
7470V - Perovskite phase superconductors.
6480E - Stoichiometry and homogeneity.
6475 - Solubility, segregation, and mixing.
7475 - Superconducting films.
6480G - Microstructure.

Key words
barium compounds -- crystal microstructure -- high temperature superconductors -- inclusions -- precipitation -- sputtered coatings -- stoichiometry -- superconducting thin films -- transmission electron microscopy -- yttrium compounds -- high temperature superconductivity -- nanoscale inclusions -- stoichiometry -- TEM -- microstructure -- thin films -- inverted cylindrical magnetron sputtering -- electron microscopy -- precipitates -- substitution -- YBa sub 2 Cu sub 3 x Zn sub x O sub 7 delta :Y sub 2 O sub 3 -- YBa sub 2 Cu sub 3 x Fe sub x O sub 7 delta :Y sub 2 O sub 3 -- YBa sub 2 Cu sub 3 O sub 7 delta :Y sub 2 O sub 3


© EDP Sciences 1996