BA2RESBO6 (RE = ND, EU AND DY) - CHARACTERIZATION AND POTENTIAL USE AS SUBSTRATE FOR SUPERCONDUCTING YBCO FILMS

Perovskite compounds of the general formula, Ba2RESbO6 (where RE = Nd, Eu and Dy) were sintered as single phase materials by standard solid state techniques. These compounds are found to be isostructural and to have a complex perovskite structure as observed by powder X-ray diffr action measurement. No chemical reaction between YBa2Cu3O7-delta and B a2RESbO6 compounds, was observed even under severe heat treatment at 9 50 degrees C, and the addition of Ba2RESbO6 up to 20 vol% in YBa2Cu3O7 -delta, shows no detrimental effect on the superconducting properties of YBa2Cu3O7-delta. The dielectric constant and loss factor values of sintered specimens, are in a range suitable for their use as substrate s for microwave applications. Thick films of YBCO fabricated on highly polished Ba2RESbO6 specimens, gave a superconducting zero resistance transition T-c(o) of 92 K, with a critical current density, J(c) of 2 x 10(4) A/cm(2) at 77 K.