Y. Scolnik et al., ELECTROCHEMICAL ROOM-TEMPERATURE REDUCTION AND REOXIDATION OF THIN-FILMS AND PELLETS OF YBA2CU3O7-X, Physica. C, Superconductivity, 209(1-3), 1993, pp. 305-306
YBa2Cu3O7 (1237) was reduced and reoxydated quantitatively, in a contr
olled manner, at room temperature (RT),by way of extraction or inserti
on of oxygen, using an electrochemical set-up. RT reduction and reoxyg
enation of thin films, which led to homogeneous products, as judged by
X ray diffraction. Since reduction leads to loss of superconductivity
and re-oxidation restores it, this method allows room temperature con
trol over superconducting properties of (parts of) films. This permits
patterning of (1237) thin films. SNS-like structures were already pre
pared by this method. The method affords control not only over n(E(F))
via [oxygen]bulk, but also over the quality of the intergranular cont
act, possibly via control of [oxygen] in the outermost layers of grain
s (in films and pellets).