YBaCuO Superconductor Thin Films via an Electrodeposition Process

Thin film superconductors of YBaCuO are fabricated via an electrodeposition process from a single electrolyte solution consisting of the nitrate salts of Y(III), Ba(II), and Cu(II) dissolved in an organic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide. Nominal deposition potentials ranging from —2.5 to —4 V (us. Ag/AgNO3 reference electrode) are employed. The postannealed electrodeposited films show reproducible zero resistance at about 74 K on Ni, 78 K on MgO, and 91 K on cubic zirconia substrate. The meissner measurements also support the superconductivity behavior of the thin films. Critical current density of the films deposited on Zr02 is 4000 A/cm2 in zero field at 4 K, and 360 A/cm2 at 77 K, zero field.