MICROSTRUCTURES OF MERCURY-BASED CUPRATE THIN-FILMS

The microstructures of Hg-based cuprate thin films have been studied u sing a scanning electron microscope and an energy dispersive X-ray spe ctrometer, Besides a rough surface, several types of defects including the HgCaO2 phase are identified on those films made using a slow temp erature ramping Hg-vapor annealing process. By ramping the sample temp erature rapidly to the annealing temperature, the surface morphology o f the film is significantly improved and the impurity phases, especial ly the HgCaO2 phase, are effectively reduced.